To paraphrase: you can take the girl away from the Amish farm, but you can't take the Amish farm away from the girl. This second in the Hawaiian romance series is a novel of contrasts. The first book was called THE HAWAIIAN QUILT which apparently brought some Amish people to Hawaii. Now the interwoven tale continues in THE HAWAIIAN DISCOVERY. From the snowy Indiana B&B she owns, Mandy Williams moves to sunny Hawaii when her husband Ken's father has a heart attack there on his organic chicken farm. After a few months she and Ken are confident enough that they are needed here to instruct the sale of their B&B.

Ellen Lambright has been running the B&B, learning to make decisions and resolve any problems. She can spend a lot of time here as she doesn't have a beau; well not unless you count her dad's helper, Ezra Bontrager. While Ellen is Amish she doesn't mind using a telephone, even a computer, and dealing with tourists. The news that the sale is on the cards, comes as a blow. She enjoys the work and would not be given a loan to buy the establishment; Amish girls are supposed to settle down with a husband and babies.

The adventure moves from one crisis to another and Ellen finds herself out in the Aloha State in her turn, giving aid to Mandy and Ken. They have one helper on the chicken farm -- Rob Smith. He never expected to meet anyone Amish out in the tropical paradise, but Ellen knows her way around a chicken run. She's not used to his brusque ways, but Rob quickly starts learning to be more thoughtful.

I found this book reads like a soap opera with scenes in varying states, insuperable financial difficulties, hospital scenes, contenders for romance, and even the odd glimpse of enjoyment of the Hawaiian beaches. I gave up trying to guess who would end up doing what as twists came frequently and new characters or backstories kept being introduced.

Wanda E. Brunstetter has written almost ninety books and has many devoted fans, so it's no surprise that she mixes it up and departs from traditional romance formulas. Discerning readers would not keep buying essentially the same book from her -- I can assure you that THE HAWAIIAN DISCOVERY is unusual in more ways than one. Jean Brunstetter got to know Amish customs through her husband's family. At the end of this lively book the authors give us a recipe for Hawaiian lemon chicken, which sounds delicious.

Book Summary

Ellen Lambright mourned when her best friend, Mandy, moved from Indiana to Hawaii. But now Ellen has received the Amish church’s permission to go to Hawaii and help Mandy through challenging times. Rob Smith works on the Williams family’s organic farm, far from his past mistakes and burning regrets. When Ellen befriends Rob, the attraction is mutual, but her commitment to the Amish faith stands between them. Could a heartfelt discovery lead to forgiveness, reunion, and love? Or is Ellen’s destiny waiting for her in Indiana?

Find out in this sequel to THE HAWAIIAN QUILT from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

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