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Brides of Lehigh Canal #3
Sarah's Choice
Sarah Turner is a widowed Lehigh Canal lock tender who has resolved to find a way off the canal. She has her hands full tending the locks, raising three children, and baking bread and washing clothes for some of the boatmen. Sarah isn't looking for love, and she's vowed never to lose her heart to a boatman. But when she meets easy'going captain Elias Brooks, her determination begins to falter. Captain Elias Brooks is certain that no woman will ever see anything in him beyond the ugly red birthmark on his face -- and until he met Sarah Turner, that never mattered to him. But a handsome locksmith also has his cap set for Sarah. Will Sarah follow her heart where it leads?
263 pages, Library Binding
First published October 25, 2010
38 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Wanda E. Brunstetter
219 books2,342 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 5, 2020
A wonderful ending to this trilogy. Really enjoyed the characters of Elias, Sammy, Caroline and Sarah!
March 25, 2024
Sarah's Choice by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the third and final book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal. The book is set in Pennsylvania in1898. While the three books in the trilogy are complete in themselves, reading them in order certainly enhanced understanding of the major themes, plotline, and characters.
Sarah is a widow with three small children who provides for her family by assuming her late husband's job of tending one of the locks on the Lehigh Canal. She also takes in laundry and bakes bread which she then sells. Her dream of moving away from the canal and starting a bakery seems out of reach.
Elias has just inherited his grandfather's canal boat, and he is attracted to Sarah, as is a local blacksmith named Patrick. Who will Sarah marry, or will she turn both offers of marriage down?
Who will Sarah accept? Will there be enough money to start her dream business?
Sarah's Choice is a Christian historical romance, where many of the characters are starting over/entering a new phase/season of life. The Good News of Jesus Christ is very much front and center of the story, and the Christian characters talk to each other, encourage each other, and even challenge each other to seek God's Will, and to walk in the Light of Christ.
Sarah is a widow with three small children who provides for her family by assuming her late husband's job of tending one of the locks on the Lehigh Canal. She also takes in laundry and bakes bread which she then sells. Her dream of moving away from the canal and starting a bakery seems out of reach.
Elias has just inherited his grandfather's canal boat, and he is attracted to Sarah, as is a local blacksmith named Patrick. Who will Sarah marry, or will she turn both offers of marriage down?
Who will Sarah accept? Will there be enough money to start her dream business?
Sarah's Choice is a Christian historical romance, where many of the characters are starting over/entering a new phase/season of life. The Good News of Jesus Christ is very much front and center of the story, and the Christian characters talk to each other, encourage each other, and even challenge each other to seek God's Will, and to walk in the Light of Christ.
January 18, 2019
Loved this 3rd book in the series!! I'm so glad how it ended for Sarah and Elias!!
I'm anxious to go visit Easton PA Now!!
I'm anxious to go visit Easton PA Now!!
January 18, 2011
SARAH'S CHOICE by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a delightful inspirational historical romance set in 1898 Walmutport,PA. It is the third in "Brides of Lehigh Canal",(#1 Kelly's Chance,#2 Betsy's Return) but can be read as a stand alone. It is well written with depth,details and history. This is a sweet comforting story of faith,healing,romance,experience on the Lehigh Canal, finding love,second chances and new beginnings.When Sarah has to choose between a land loving blacksmith and a boat man,who will she choose? She decided after the death of her husband,a boat man(lock tender),that she would never marry again boat man.Being left with three small children,to car for,she has to be the lock tender to survive.Enter, Elias,who inherited his grandfather's boat,but he is an intelligent,new paper man,who wants to try to follow his grandfather's line of work. Can Sarah change his mind? She would like to open a bakery and he a newspaper for this small town on the Lehigh Canal. This is a compelling story of love,faith and making choices. If you enjoy a sweet inspirational love story,with all the twists and turns of a romance,this is a definite. This book was received for the purpose of review from Net Galley and details can be found at Barbour Publishing and My Book Addiction and More.
April 19, 2022
I loved this book!! Great story!! Loved sarah and Elias!! Glad that they followed their heart!! Loved Sarah’s children!! Loved this series!! Love this author’s books!!
March 29, 2011
Synopis: Widowed Sarah Turner has her hands full, raising three young children, tending the lock on the canal, baking bread, and washing clothes for boatmen. Although she's not looking for love, she's vowed not to lose her heart to a boatman. Yet she didn't count on meeting Captain Elias Brooks. Will she follow her heart where it leads or accept the proposal of a handsome land-loving blacksmith?
This is the third book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal Series, and we now find Sarah a widow and mother of three young children. She is doing a man's job of physical labor in tending the Lock on the Lehigh Canal. She also makes bread to sell to the boatmen ...in her spare time. Sarah has always hated living on the water...she used to walk the mules for her father. When she married Sam she never thought she would be back, and definitely doesn't want her children to have any part of it.
The way of life on the canal is of historical interest and in this book you see the writing on the wall that it is going to be coming to an end...the train will be taking over.
I found this book to be an extremely fast read. Love the Christian aspect in this book, and how even tough Canal men find the Lord.
I enjoyed the character of Elias, he is a kind, considerate, and Godly man. Loved his interaction with the children.
I would recommend this book, although I did find parts to be predictable.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
This is the third book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal Series, and we now find Sarah a widow and mother of three young children. She is doing a man's job of physical labor in tending the Lock on the Lehigh Canal. She also makes bread to sell to the boatmen ...in her spare time. Sarah has always hated living on the water...she used to walk the mules for her father. When she married Sam she never thought she would be back, and definitely doesn't want her children to have any part of it.
The way of life on the canal is of historical interest and in this book you see the writing on the wall that it is going to be coming to an end...the train will be taking over.
I found this book to be an extremely fast read. Love the Christian aspect in this book, and how even tough Canal men find the Lord.
I enjoyed the character of Elias, he is a kind, considerate, and Godly man. Loved his interaction with the children.
I would recommend this book, although I did find parts to be predictable.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
July 22, 2016
Since I've been doing quite a bit of reading about what life was like during the canal era, I cringed at all of the misinformation in this historical romance involving a lock keeper on the Lehigh Canal. Not only that, but the contrivances the author uses to get the young canal boat captain into Walnutport, where the pretty widowed lock keeper lives with her three precocious children, more than strains the limits of credibility. Then to top it all off, the book is heavy into religious philosophy, which I will admit isn't my cup of tea.
The only reason I'm giving it two stars is that I was proud of Wanda for not caving in and making the character of the town blacksmith, who had his sights set on marrying the widowed lock keeper, a one-dimensional bad guy. I think she did a reasonable job of showing that he wasn't the man for her heroine without resorting to making him a villain. Too bad the character of the young canal boat owner wasn't similarly fleshed out. His cardboard, goody-two-shoes character, even when more than every misfortune that can befall a canal boat captain occurs, is too much to take.
The only reason I'm giving it two stars is that I was proud of Wanda for not caving in and making the character of the town blacksmith, who had his sights set on marrying the widowed lock keeper, a one-dimensional bad guy. I think she did a reasonable job of showing that he wasn't the man for her heroine without resorting to making him a villain. Too bad the character of the young canal boat owner wasn't similarly fleshed out. His cardboard, goody-two-shoes character, even when more than every misfortune that can befall a canal boat captain occurs, is too much to take.
May 30, 2014
A great ending to the series. I really enjoyed this book. I find the history of the canal fascinating and these stories really made me think of how life must have been for my grandfather on the canal. Growing up in a town that still had the remnants of the lockhouse, made this story bring back wonderful memories of playing along the canal.
January 13, 2011
I was disappointed with this book. It was a mice story but it was laborious to read. The dialogue didn't flow well for me. It also felt very preachy. I've read some other great Christian themed books that have a great message without being preachy.
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November 30, 2016Clean Christian historical novel 3.5 stars
This was a interesting story about the lives of people working on the locks. It we somewhat difficult to fully connect with the characters. It felt like the story was for teens. Thank you for making Jesus a important part.
This was a interesting story about the lives of people working on the locks. It we somewhat difficult to fully connect with the characters. It felt like the story was for teens. Thank you for making Jesus a important part.
May 2, 2017
Wanda E. Brunstetter husband was raised near the Lehigh canal, tow path and lock teners' house. very enjoyable series about the era of the canal boats; and three books of different stories; all related to the Lehigh canal. so, glad I had the opprotunity to read this series.
August 22, 2020
I just can't do it. I cannot finish this book. It feels like a 5th grade level, super predictable and is moving as slow as a snail. It started to feel like I was being tortured AND sadly it's obviously a story with a very good message if you have the patience to stick it out.
August 2, 2017
I thought is was very poorly written
July 25, 2019
A story based on the Bible verse; Philippians 4:19 " But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
December 9, 2019
I listened as an audiobook while working. I enjoyed the story and it was easy to follow. I would read another book in the series but I won’t go looking for it.
February 2, 2011
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley to review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.
Sarah's Choice is the third book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
You can read my review of the first book, Kelly's Chance, here.
You can read my review of the second book, Betsy's Return, here.
And now, I have finished the third book in the series.
If you have read my prior reviews, you know that Brunstetter has not traditionally been my favorite author.
I have to say though, over time this series has grown on me. I read the third book in this series in just a few hours. I finished it less than 24 hours after I started it.
Sarah is Kelly's older sister who ran off at a rather young age to marry Sam in order to escape life along the canal. During the prior books you find out she has had a rather turbulent marriage as there was a period that Sam walked out on Sarah on their kids and was drunk, a lot.
We find out that Sam had returned to his family, cleaned up his act, and he and Sarah had settled down along the canal. However, life as a lock tender was rather dangerous, so one day Sam was killed in a tragic accident. The book picks up with Sarah as a widow who has made the choice to take over the duties as a lock tender, traditionally a man's job, in order to make a living to care for her three young children.
Sarah's mother in law, Maria, has been living with her to help her care for the kids while Sarah tends the lock, but Maria's sight is quickly failing and her poor health forces her to move away from Walnutport into a bigger town to be with her son and close to eye specialists who can help her with her deteriorating eyes and health.
Sarah is now forced to keep working, unsure how she will manage to be a mom, cook, clean, bake, and tend to the lock without any help. Her best friend, Betsy, tries to help her out, but she becomes pregnant and is unable to continue the strenuous work of caring for Sarah's young children, and Sarah's sister, Kelly, has children of her own and a store to run with her husband Mike.
Sarah is petrified of the canal as it stole her childhood when she was forced to walk the towpath for her father day after her day, and then stole her husband when he was crushed in a terrible accident. She wants nothing more than to get away from life working on the canal, and she fears greatly that her young son, Sammy, will be enticed to the life of a canaler.
Elias Brooks has just inherited his grandfather's canal boat. He makes the choice to leave his family business, running a newspaper, in order to live life hauling coal up and down the canal. His father is very upset with him, but Elias feels that it was his grandfather's wish for him to carry on life on the canal as long as he can until the trains take away all the coal hauling business.
Elias takes on the life managing the canal boat with Ned, his rather ornery helper who previously worked for his grandfather, and a young boy to walk the towpath and lead the mules. However, Elias has some problems as his young helper gets ill and he is unable to find a replacement.
Sarah's son, Sammy, convinces Elias that his mother has given him permission to help Elias to haul coal for a few days, so Sammy takes off with Elias unbeknownst to Sarah, who becomes sick with worry when she finds out her son is working on the canal, the life she least wants for him.
Elias begins to notice Sarah more and more after the incident with Sarah's son, but believes due to his birthmark on his face that no woman would ever want him. Sarah won't let herself return his feelings, not because of his birthmark which she hardly notices, but rather because she feels compelled to never marry a canaler.
Another young man begins to vie for Sarah's hand, and she feels that maybe she should consider his offer seriously even though she doesn't love him because he doesn't work on the canal and can provide a steady life, even though her children don't really like him, and much prefer Elias.
When Sarah received a marriage proposal from each of the men who will she choose, or will she choose to continue on alone hoping to find a man she both loves and who does not work on the canal?
Read Sarah's Choice to find out!
This book was a fast, easy read that I was able to finish in a matter of only a few hours. It was nice to see some of the characters again, like Kelly and Besty, though they were rather minor characters in this third installment in the series.
My main criticisms are the same as they have been before with Wanda E. Brunstetter books:
1. She makes chapters way too short. The next chapter will pick up exactly where the previous one left off, and will only last 3 pages. I see no point in dividing the book up so much when so many of the chapters could easily have been combined into one longer chapter that showed the duration of the entire scene.
2. Brunstetter likes to have some of her characters make major conversions from atheists to God-fearing Christians. While this is common in many Christian fiction books, she never has any character development showing this. In this book one of the characters who converts literally wakes up one day, feeling no interest in Christianity, and the next is getting baptized and preaching to others. It is just so hard to believe this sudden change when you do not see the character begin to progress towards belief. Part of what makes a character who changes drastically interesting is watching that change grow, develop and bloom. Brunstetter skips all this and seemingly "magically" her characters change overnight and the readers never know exactly how or why.
However, all that being said, I did enjoy the book.
4 out of 5 stars.
I don't think Brunstetter will ever be my most favorite author, but she has grown on me.
Sarah's Choice is the third book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
You can read my review of the first book, Kelly's Chance, here.
You can read my review of the second book, Betsy's Return, here.
And now, I have finished the third book in the series.
If you have read my prior reviews, you know that Brunstetter has not traditionally been my favorite author.
I have to say though, over time this series has grown on me. I read the third book in this series in just a few hours. I finished it less than 24 hours after I started it.
Sarah is Kelly's older sister who ran off at a rather young age to marry Sam in order to escape life along the canal. During the prior books you find out she has had a rather turbulent marriage as there was a period that Sam walked out on Sarah on their kids and was drunk, a lot.
We find out that Sam had returned to his family, cleaned up his act, and he and Sarah had settled down along the canal. However, life as a lock tender was rather dangerous, so one day Sam was killed in a tragic accident. The book picks up with Sarah as a widow who has made the choice to take over the duties as a lock tender, traditionally a man's job, in order to make a living to care for her three young children.
Sarah's mother in law, Maria, has been living with her to help her care for the kids while Sarah tends the lock, but Maria's sight is quickly failing and her poor health forces her to move away from Walnutport into a bigger town to be with her son and close to eye specialists who can help her with her deteriorating eyes and health.
Sarah is now forced to keep working, unsure how she will manage to be a mom, cook, clean, bake, and tend to the lock without any help. Her best friend, Betsy, tries to help her out, but she becomes pregnant and is unable to continue the strenuous work of caring for Sarah's young children, and Sarah's sister, Kelly, has children of her own and a store to run with her husband Mike.
Sarah is petrified of the canal as it stole her childhood when she was forced to walk the towpath for her father day after her day, and then stole her husband when he was crushed in a terrible accident. She wants nothing more than to get away from life working on the canal, and she fears greatly that her young son, Sammy, will be enticed to the life of a canaler.
Elias Brooks has just inherited his grandfather's canal boat. He makes the choice to leave his family business, running a newspaper, in order to live life hauling coal up and down the canal. His father is very upset with him, but Elias feels that it was his grandfather's wish for him to carry on life on the canal as long as he can until the trains take away all the coal hauling business.
Elias takes on the life managing the canal boat with Ned, his rather ornery helper who previously worked for his grandfather, and a young boy to walk the towpath and lead the mules. However, Elias has some problems as his young helper gets ill and he is unable to find a replacement.
Sarah's son, Sammy, convinces Elias that his mother has given him permission to help Elias to haul coal for a few days, so Sammy takes off with Elias unbeknownst to Sarah, who becomes sick with worry when she finds out her son is working on the canal, the life she least wants for him.
Elias begins to notice Sarah more and more after the incident with Sarah's son, but believes due to his birthmark on his face that no woman would ever want him. Sarah won't let herself return his feelings, not because of his birthmark which she hardly notices, but rather because she feels compelled to never marry a canaler.
Another young man begins to vie for Sarah's hand, and she feels that maybe she should consider his offer seriously even though she doesn't love him because he doesn't work on the canal and can provide a steady life, even though her children don't really like him, and much prefer Elias.
When Sarah received a marriage proposal from each of the men who will she choose, or will she choose to continue on alone hoping to find a man she both loves and who does not work on the canal?
Read Sarah's Choice to find out!
This book was a fast, easy read that I was able to finish in a matter of only a few hours. It was nice to see some of the characters again, like Kelly and Besty, though they were rather minor characters in this third installment in the series.
My main criticisms are the same as they have been before with Wanda E. Brunstetter books:
1. She makes chapters way too short. The next chapter will pick up exactly where the previous one left off, and will only last 3 pages. I see no point in dividing the book up so much when so many of the chapters could easily have been combined into one longer chapter that showed the duration of the entire scene.
2. Brunstetter likes to have some of her characters make major conversions from atheists to God-fearing Christians. While this is common in many Christian fiction books, she never has any character development showing this. In this book one of the characters who converts literally wakes up one day, feeling no interest in Christianity, and the next is getting baptized and preaching to others. It is just so hard to believe this sudden change when you do not see the character begin to progress towards belief. Part of what makes a character who changes drastically interesting is watching that change grow, develop and bloom. Brunstetter skips all this and seemingly "magically" her characters change overnight and the readers never know exactly how or why.
However, all that being said, I did enjoy the book.
4 out of 5 stars.
I don't think Brunstetter will ever be my most favorite author, but she has grown on me.
June 17, 2023
After Sarah's husband Sam is killed on the canal, she vows her children will never be boat kids. So even though she is the lock tender and they live on the canal, she does all she can to keep her kids away. When she meets Elias, a new boat captain, she finds herself drawn to his sweet demeanor and caring attitude but since he's a boatman he automatically is on the 'no' list. When Patrick also shows interest in Sarah, she begins to wonder if maybe getting away from the canal is more important that being in love.
This is the last book in the series, but I don't know if it was necessarily an ending to it. They tried to wrap up everyone's story but it seemed a little rushed and didn't really fulfill Sarah's story it was still a good story though
This is the last book in the series, but I don't know if it was necessarily an ending to it. They tried to wrap up everyone's story but it seemed a little rushed and didn't really fulfill Sarah's story it was still a good story though
February 14, 2018
I had not read the earlier books in the Brides of Lehigh Canal but Book Three, Sarah's Choice, was fine as a stand alone book. I had no idea that canal tenders existed much less what their life was like. I found that very interesting. The leading protagonists, widow Sarah Turner who took on the job as canal tender after her husband's death, and Elias Brooks who inherited his grandfather's canal boat were strong characters. I recommend Sarah's Choice to anyone who enjoys a nice story about life on the canal.
February 28, 2018
What a job, opening locks on the canal for boats to go through! How hard it must have been for Sara to do this job after her husband died doing this exact same job. At first she has the help of her mother in law to watch her three young children while she opens the locks, but all good things must come to an end. So who can watch the kids when her mother in law moves away? Loved the happy ending too!
April 30, 2019
This romance book is book 3 in Wanda Brunstetter's Brides of Lehigh Canal Series. Widowed Sarah Turner is busy raising three young kids, cooking, tending to the lock on the canal, and washing the clothes of many boatmen. She is not looking for love but it finds her. Who does she fall for, Captain Elias Brooks or the proposal of another man..... Read and see..... Oh and by the way, I love this title!!!!! It alone hooks me in to continue reading.
March 8, 2021
A delightful light romance with a canal boat setting. I learned a lot about how the system worked and how much work it was to open the gates to allow the boats through.
It's also a realistic story of a widow finding a second love to mend her grieving heart and love her children as if he were their birth father.
Hope Irvin Marston, award-winning author of AGAINST THE TIDE: THE VALOR OF MARGARET WILSON
It's also a realistic story of a widow finding a second love to mend her grieving heart and love her children as if he were their birth father.
Hope Irvin Marston, award-winning author of AGAINST THE TIDE: THE VALOR OF MARGARET WILSON
March 25, 2018
It was an okay story, but the relationship between Sarah and Elias seemed to have no substance. It looked like she married him for what he could offer her, moving away from the river, rather than the man he was, her love was conditional. If he stayed as a boat man she would not have married him. So the dynamics of the story had no true substance.
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January 5, 2023Slip into romance in the third book of bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Brides of Lehigh Canal series. Widowed Sarah Turner has her hands full, raising three young children, tending the lock on the canal, baking bread, and washing clothes for boatmen. Although she’s not looking for love, she’s vowed not to lose her heart to a boatman. Yet she didn’t count on meeting Captain Elias Brooks.
May 27, 2023
Book three in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series. Widow Sarah tends to the lock on the canal. She tries to keep up with her children, baking, cleaning etc. Canal boat captain, Elias has a good heart and a birthmark on his face. Locksmith Patrick vies for her attention. Sarah wants a future off the water. I sure enjoyed all the books in this series!
May 29, 2019
May review on Sarah"s Choice
This story is about Sarah and her children living in Walnutport,Pennsylvania summer of 1898. Sarah worked as a lock person it was her husband job till he got hurt and pinned in the lock. The lock she would cranked open the wicket gates to fill the lock with water she lower the upper head gate then the boats would be drawn into the stone walls locks then the upper gates were raised the upper wicket gates would close so that no more water could enter lock. She then lower wicket gates were open the water would rush out of the lock then the lower gates were open then the boats would be drawn out to the lower level of the canal. Then Sarah would open the main gate to let the boats out and on there way down the canal. She hated living on the canal because she afraid the children would fall in the canal. She also made bread to sell to the boat men and there family's to make extra money. She also hated not be able to spend more time with her children the only day off was a Sunday that when she try to catch on her sleep and spend the day with the children. If it wasn't for Maria her mother in-law she wouldn't be able to do the job as the lock tender but with her mother-in-law health failing. Sarah was warred if her and the children make on there own her son Sam wanted to help but she told him no. She wanted him to go to school and get a education so he wouldn't have to work on the canal. To find out what happens to Sarah and her family living on the canal pick up the book of three written by Wanda Brunstetter called Brides of Lehigh Canal. Sarah is the third one. Thank you and hope you enjoy read the books.
This story is about Sarah and her children living in Walnutport,Pennsylvania summer of 1898. Sarah worked as a lock person it was her husband job till he got hurt and pinned in the lock. The lock she would cranked open the wicket gates to fill the lock with water she lower the upper head gate then the boats would be drawn into the stone walls locks then the upper gates were raised the upper wicket gates would close so that no more water could enter lock. She then lower wicket gates were open the water would rush out of the lock then the lower gates were open then the boats would be drawn out to the lower level of the canal. Then Sarah would open the main gate to let the boats out and on there way down the canal. She hated living on the canal because she afraid the children would fall in the canal. She also made bread to sell to the boat men and there family's to make extra money. She also hated not be able to spend more time with her children the only day off was a Sunday that when she try to catch on her sleep and spend the day with the children. If it wasn't for Maria her mother in-law she wouldn't be able to do the job as the lock tender but with her mother-in-law health failing. Sarah was warred if her and the children make on there own her son Sam wanted to help but she told him no. She wanted him to go to school and get a education so he wouldn't have to work on the canal. To find out what happens to Sarah and her family living on the canal pick up the book of three written by Wanda Brunstetter called Brides of Lehigh Canal. Sarah is the third one. Thank you and hope you enjoy read the books.
January 4, 2022
This was a good wrap up to the trilogy. Sarah definitely didn't want to be a boat man's wife, but does she want the blacksmith or does she fall in love with the guy who is driving his canal boat. I guess you'll just have to read it and find out. Was just so loving and heartwarming.
March 12, 2024
Sarah is a widow with three children. She works on the canal as a lock tender. Elias has inherited his grandfather’s boat and left his job at the newspaper to ran it. Will they get past their differences and find love?
January 9, 2018
One of my favorite authors but NOT one of my favorite books. It didn't hold my interest. Maybe because I am so unfamiliar with the canals.
February 12, 2018
Christian romance novel set in late 1800's on the Lehigh Canal. Interesting setting and history of canal boats/living.
July 16, 2018
Good story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews