Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, CBA, ECPA, and Christianbook. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine, USA Today, Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, and Country Woman.
In this interview, Wanda talks with us about her latest book in the Mifflin County Mystery Series, titled, The Peacemaker.
FF: What inspired the story in your book?
Spending time in Mifflin County, PA (also known as The Big Valley) was a huge factor in me deciding to set a series there. It’s an interesting area, where three distinct Amish communities live and each drive different colored buggies.
FF: What can you tell us about the main characters in your book?
Ada is the main character and she’s the nurturing type who always tries to keep the peace when there are problems between people. Ephraim, Ada’s boyfriend, often doubts himself and worries about what people think of him.
FF: Which character surprised you the most?
Ephraim’s quirky grandmother, Sarah, surprised me the most. She’s fun-loving, independent, spunky, and not afraid to try new things.
FF: Why do you think storytelling is such a powerful way to share truth?
A compelling inspirational fiction story will pull the reader in, and if it involves ordinary people in everyday situations readers can relate to, they will often find strength, courage or help with their own situations, as well as help with spiritual matters.
FF: What can you tell us about your next book?
Book 3, The Pretender, will be released the first week of August, 2025, and it’s the final book in this series. Here’s a brief synopsis: Two years after Rosa disappeared she suddenly reappears at her parents’ home. Rosa is ashamed of the choices she made that caused her to leave home, and now that she is back, her father is not welcoming, and her siblings and friends want explanations she can’t give. Will Rosa’s family accept her? Can the Big Valley ever be her home again?
FF: What kind of research did you do for this book?
My research for this book, and the rest of the books in the series, came mostly from visiting Mifflin County, Pennsylvania and getting to know the Amish people who live there.
FF: What do you want readers to take away after reading your book?
I hope that those who read this novel, will not only be entertained, but will see how the inspirational application that has helped the characters in the story, and how it might help them.
FF: What are the biggest challenges for you as an author writing in your specific genre?
My husband and I have many Amish friends, and we spend as much time with them as possible. Just being around them has given me so many insights about their way of life, which has helped me write accurately about the Amish people and the areas where they live, work, and play. So, really the only challenge I face at times is arranging my schedule so that I have enough time to write each day, keep up with my social media pages and manage travel plans for book signings and speaking engagements. I love what I do, so I don’t see any of it as a bur-den, but it can be challenging when unexpected things happen that cut into my busy schedule.
FF: What authors or books have inspired you as an author?
I have been inspired by many wonderful authors over the years. As a child it was Betty McDonald, who wrote a children’s book called Nancy and Plum, that has always stuck with me. As an adult, Janette Oke, Karen Kingsbury, and Tracie Peterson, are just a few of the inspirational authors, whose books I have enjoyed.
FF: How has your faith or world view impacted the way you tell stories?
My faith in God, which began when I was a child, impacts everything I do. I can’t imagine how my life would be without prayer, Bible reading, and the knowledge that my Savior is always with me. I hope that my stories will provide readers with an indication of the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Peacemaker
A Mifflin County Mystery Series #2
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Fiction
Genres: Amish, Amish Romance
Release Date: March 1, 2025
ISBN-10: 1636099203
ISBN-13: 978-1636099200
Book Summary:
An Unresolved Mystery Holds an Amish Community in Limbo
In book two of A Mifflin County Mystery Series, Rosa Petersheim’s disappearance continues to cause suspicion and pain to swirl in the Big Valley.
Ada’s best friend, Rosa, disappeared a year ago and still has not been found. In their grief and confusion, Ada and Rosa’s boyfriend, Ephraim, have grown very close. But some in the community feel Ephraim is responsible for Rosa’s disappearance. Now Rosa’s younger sister is making accusations against Ephraim that can’t be true, and he pulls away from Ada, feeling betrayed. A fire set by an arsonist might finally be the thing to reveal secrets that have long been dividing this community of friends and family. But will it be too late for love between the peacemaker and the suspect?
CLICK TO BUY
Buy The Peacemaker from the FamilyFiction Amazon Affiliate HERE!