Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Reign:  The Chronicles of Queen Jezebel by Ginger Garrett Beyond the Drama, Her Heart Was Real From the moment her marriage to prince Ahab thrusts her into the intrigues of palace life, Jezebel’s exotic beauty opens doors and her will breaks down walls. Torn from her homeland and wed to power in a strange country, Jezebel vows to create a legacy and power all her own. Some might call her a manipulative schemer, bent on having her way. But they don’t know the whole story, and she was much, much worse. As she moves through the halls of power, her heart struggles between devotion to the gods she worships, the prince who loves her, and her thirst for revenge. She sparks a battle between her strangely powerless gods and the God of palace administrator Obadiah—a God who confronts her with surprising might. She will fight, though victory may cost her everything. My Review: I have been reading the Bible since I was a very young girl and Ginger Garrett brings t...

Review of The Road Home by Patrick E. Craig Author Patrick Craig continues the story of Jenny Springer, the child rescued in A Quilt for Jenna with a story of reconciliation and healing. Jenny Springer is the local historian for the Amish community in Apple Creek, Ohio. As a child, Jenny was rescued from a terrible snowstorm, and when no trace of her parents could be found, the Springer family adopted her. Since then she has had a burning desire in her heart to find out who she really is. When a drifter, John Hershberger, comes to town looking for his own roots, Jenny gets serious in her search for her long-lost parents. As she opens doors to her past, she finds the truly surprising answer to her deepest questions. And as John discovers the story of his own heritage, his growing love for Jenny causes him to reexamine his lifelong atheism. In doing so he discovers his need for a real home, a family, and a relationship with God. Book 2 in the Apple Creek Dreams series My Rev...

Review of A Vow for Always the Discovery (A Lancaster County Saga) Part 6  by Wanda Brunstetter Book 6 of an exclusive 6-consecutive-month release Amish serial novel.   Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives.  A   Vow for Always  is part six of New York Times Bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunsetter’s The Discovery--A Lancaster County Saga. MY REVIEW: Meredith and Luke have come a long way in this 6 part journey.  Luke started out to learn a new trade and was robbed and attacked and left for dead.  He developed amnesia from the injuries to his head and meanwhile, his wife, Meredith, has given birth to their first born child back in Pennsylvania.  A lovely young nurse takes Luke into her grandparents' home to recuperate until he remembers who he is.....IF he remembers who he is......and she ends up falling for him.   Meanwhile, Jonah is an o...

Review of Bubble Troubles (Mattie & Mark Miller-Double Trouble) by Wanda Brunstetter Welcome to Holmes County, Ohio, where twins Mattie and Mark Miller experience  Bubble Troubles . When their out-of-control worries begin to cause big trouble at every turn, will these energetic nine-year-olds learn the value of giving their worries to God before it’s too late? You’ll fall in love with the third release in the Double Trouble series from bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunstetter. My Review: Bubble Troubles is a delightful book written for children, but I certainly enjoyed it myself.  Twins, Mattie and Mark Miller, are adorable little Amish children who have plenty to worry about as they go about their busy lives.   This book teaches children to pray and give their worries to God instead of letting it upset them and rule their lives.   I felt like I was out in the snow sledding with them, walking home from the one-room school, and baking pumpkin cookie...

Review of Through the Tears by Rosemary Hines "Michelle Baron sat on the edge of the couch, her heart racing as she looked at the envelope in her hand. I guess this is it, she thought. The return address seemed harmless enough. Fairfield Lab, Portland, Oregon. But this envelope contained information that could change her life forever." Michelle and her family rejoice when her father begins to regain consciousness after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. But a long journey awaits, as they seek to clear his name of the embezzlement charges that drove him to this desperate act. The days of their vigil at the hospital drag into weeks, and Michelle finds herself repeatedly drawn to the newborn nursery. Observing couples leave with tiny babes in their arms, her heart is stirred, and she begins to yearn for a child of her own. However, an unexpected twist will threaten her new dream. "Through the Tears" -- the second novel in the Sandy Cove series -- delivers a me...

Review of Praying the Prayers of the Bible by James Banks Spending time in prayer is necessary to develop and maintain a personal relationship with God. In  Praying the Prayers of the Bible , author James Banks provides a collection of prayers to help readers engage in intimate conversations with God. Readers can find prayers of praise and thanksgiving, prayers for wisdom and direction, prayers for blessing, and much more. This powerful book of prayers encourages readers not only to strengthen their relationship with God, but also to apply His Word to their daily life. Readers can discover how to respond to God’s invitation to draw nearer to Him as they pray the prayers of the Bible. MY REVIEW: Praying the Prayers of the Bible  is a wonderful resource to improve and enhance your daily prayer life.  I really appreciate the layout of the book.  Each section has a short reflection, related scripture, prayers from the Bible to pray, and prayer starters.  ...

Review of The Moses Quilt by Kathi Macias The Moses Quilt is a contemporary novel that bridges racial and generational divides. With a realistic and compassionate look into a twenty-first-century dilemma, multiple award-winning author Kathi Macias introduces readers to a confused and apprehensive young woman, Mazie Hartford. Facing major decisions about the love of her life and her future, she must also wrestle with a nagging question about her family's past. She finds the answer to her questions in a most unexpected way--her great-grandmother's Moses quilt. As her great-grandmother begins to explain how each patch represents a story of courage and freedom, Mazie must decide if she has the courage and freedom to overcome her own personal fears and prejudices. MY REVIEW: Kathi Macias is a master story teller and has obviously spent a great deal of time in research for her story.  She could easily be a history teacher or museum curator.  Kathi uses a quilt based on ...

Review of Letters to Katie by Kathleen Fuller Everything changed between them the first time he called her Katie. Katherine Yoder has loved Johnny Mullet since they were children, but he never actively returned her affections. Like so many things in their world, he assumes Katherine will always be there. Once his horse farm is a success, then he will court her in earnest. For several weeks, Katherine has been plagued by severe headaches and dizziness. While resting at home, Johnny unexpectedly visits, but when dizziness strikes, she loses consciousness. She awakens hours later in a hospital bed, unable to remember how she got there. Seeing Katherine injured and vulnerable stirs something in Johnny, and his guilt compels him to spend time with her while she heals. Soon his heart begins to stir with questions: Does she even remember why he’d come to her house that day? As Katherine struggles to recall recent memories of Johnny, a surprise visitor arrives in her already unstead...

Review of Out of a Dream by Rosemary Hines Michelle Baron should be reveling in her new life in Sandy Cove, Oregon. From the outside, it all looks idyllic. A newlywed settling into a quaint coastal town, her husband establishing himself as a junior partner in a law firm-what more could she want?But a series of disturbing nightmares haunts Michelle. Her quest to understand these dreams leads her to the New World bookstore, where she begins a spiritual journey that will challenge her Christian heritage as well as her marriage. My Review: Out of a Dream was a delightful surprise!  I was constantly anxious to read further just to see what was coming next.   The characters were dealing with many temptations and issues and so I really could not figure out their next move.  This book was filled with suspense, love, forgiveness,and depression/suicidal thoughts.   I will not reveal the ending or the actions of the characters as that would SPOIL it for you, the reader,...

Review of Katie's Journey to Love Book 2 in Emma Raber's Daughter series by Jerry S. Eicher In book two of Amish fiction author Jerry S. Eicher's new Emma Raber's Daughter series, Katie Raber's journey of discovery continues after her mamm's marriage to Jesse Mast. Drawn back from the Mennonite world briefly by the miracle of Mamm's changed heart, Katie finds she can't totally abandon her new Mennonite friends. Jesse's oldest daughter, Mabel, refuses to accept Katie, creating conflict at home. Ben Yoder, the most popular boy in the community, also begins to attend the Mennonite youth gatherings in his attempt to run away from personal problems. Overjoyed at the attention Ben pays her, Katie pursues the relationship willingly. When an opportunity comes to travel with her Mennonite friends to Europe to explore the roots of the faith, Katie can't believe how much she is being blessed. Especially after a secret donor pays for the trip.  Wh...

Review of The Winnowing Season Amish Vines and Orchards Book 2 by Cindy Woodsmall The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?   On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.   Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts ...