Rhonda's Doings !

Review of The Random Acts of Cupid By Amanda Tru Elise Hutchins has  a secret . She likes to anonymously play matchmaker for people she doesn’t really know. But when lawyer Ryan Jenkins discovers she’s Seattle’s Cupid, he thinks her methods are deceptive and she shouldn’t be interfering in the lives of others. Now Elise has 24 hours to present her case and prove her character to Ryan. Otherwise, he will reveal her secret and ruin her reputation along with possibly all of the good she’s done. Will following her around on her Cupid errands change his mind about her? And, in the end, will Elise sacrifice her own chance at love to make one final match for her best friend? My Review: What a sweet Valentine's Day love story!  I read this in one sitting as I was eagerly reading to see if Elise could convince Ryan of her good character in spite of her deceptive acts as Cupid.  It was very intriguing to see the ways that Elise had worked her magic to assist so many peop...

Review of Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing.  She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller. Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town.   The handsome and charismatic Jonathan Weise is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation.  When Hope's safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can't help but question what she's always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.  With tensions high and their lives endangered by an unknown enemy, will Hope and the people of Kingdom allow fear and division to break them or will they draw on the strength of the God they serve? MY REVIEW: I was...

Review of An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid Katie has lived through tragedy and heartache. But with the angel Elias by her side, the best years of her life are just ahead. A Heaven on Earth Novel, #3 When Katie Bender's fiance died in a tragic accident, so did her hope of finding love. Though heartbroken, Katie is also practical. In the years since the accident she has discovered her gift for teaching. But when a tornado destroys her small Amish settlement, including the schoolhouse, Katie doesn't know how she will provide for herself. Seth Stutzman arrived in Hope Falls days before the storm. And when he helps usher Katie and the children to safety, sparks fly. But Seth is only in town to help his brother, Amos, get back on his feet following the death of his wife. He can't afford to have feelings for Katie. Rebuilding the community is a huge task, and soon, Katie and Seth are working side by side. As they privately wrestle with their feelings for each other, an...

Review of A Marriage of the Heart  by Kelly Long Three Kelly Long Amish novellas—available for the first time in one collection. Christmas Cradles—When Anna takes over for her aunt, the local midwife, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries, three strangers' quilts, and unexpected help from the handsome, brooding Asa Lapp. A Marriage of the Heart—Since her mother’s death, Abigail Kauffman has lived alone with her father. She longs to escape the emptiness of the farmhouse that has never felt like home. Joseph Lambert is a newcomer in their close-knit community. Only after suddenly marrying do they begin to understand the tender truths of life-long love. A Perfect Secret—Rose’s betrothed, Luke, is safe and dependable—maybe a little too safe. Or so she thought, until she ran into him into the woods one night and learned there was more to him than she ever suspected. Now his secret haunts her. She wasn’t sure about marrying a man she knew too well. But should she marr...

Review of Casa de Naomi, The House of Blessing (book 2)  by Paula Rose Michelson Naomi wants Chaz's love. Chaz loves Naomi but will not forgive his wife lying to him. The attorney wants Naomi's estate. The padre wants the couple to reconcile. Nicco wants to marry Lucinda. Lucinda wants to marry Nicco. Neither will wed until Chaz and Naomi are standing with them when they say their wedding vows. Who will get what they want? Find out when you read the second volume of Paula Rose Michelson's saga, Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing. My review:  Paula Rose Michelson is a gifted writer and prophet. She is certainly telling the good news through her fictional work in this series of books.   The back of her novel says:   "Fulfilling Messiah's Great Commission through Literature" and she does exactly that in her writing.   I also love how she draws so many parallels between Ruth and Naomi in Casa de Naom i with Ruth  and Naomi of the Bible.   I ado...

Review of Goodbye to Yesterday, The Discovery Saga, Part 1 of 6 by  Wanda Brunstetter  Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds? My review:    Wanda Brunstetter is one of my favorite authors and this book was a wonderful one.  I quickly fell in love with the story of Meredith and Luke.   They are dealing with the loss of Luke's job and my husband is currently in the same position so this is a dilemma I can definitely relate to.   The anxiety related to the financial stress causes arguments between the young newlyweds, and Meredith is pretty sure that she is expecting their first baby.  She does not ...

Review of The Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned.  After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with.  Carin O'Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with a man...especially a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake.  But when Corey's antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan for them. My Review:  This book touches many familiar chords with my heartstrings as I am a former middle school teacher and was married to a pastor, so the situations that Jake and Carin are placed in bring ma...

Review of Perfect Wedding by Debra Benson Leah is a successful weight-loss expert. She seems to have everything an independent girl ever wanted, but for one a perfect wedding. She had always dreamed of walking down the aisle with her father leading her toward her perfect mate. But she doesn't know her father. His idenitity has remained a secret for a very long time, and she knows she has to exhaust all her efforts to convince her mother to spill. In the midst of her emotional turmoil, she meets Andrew, a man dumped by his wife, her new client, for being overweight. On one of their meetings, he notices her sad disposition and offers to listen, she opens up to him and all things begin to change.  Will Leah find her father and will she ever see her dream come true in a perfect Wedding? MY REVIEW: I won a copy of this book from the author on a blog giveaway and was really excited as my youngest daughter is engaged and I thought it would make a great gift for her.  ...