Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Joanna's Struggle by J. E. B. Spredemann Joanna Fisher is a typical Amish girl. She attends a one-room schoolhouse with her siblings in Paradise, Pennsylvania. She loves riding her horse, chorin' with her family, and spending time with her best friend, Chloe. But when something unexpected happens at a nearby mud sale, Joanna finds her perfect world turned upside down. Could one event change Joanna's life forever? Approx. 110 pages Teen Fiction Joanna's Struggle, in the Amish Girls Series, is the first of several books penned by the author. The Amish Girls Series was primarily written for teen girls, but has been enjoyed by fans of all ages. Lovers of the ever-popular Amish fiction genre are sure to enjoy these books as well, even though they are geared toward a younger audience. The characters in the stories will soon become endeared to your heart, especially the mischievous Jonathan Fisher.  Join Joanna and her friends as they grow up in Paradise and...

Review of Brenda's Christmas Desire by Sharon Kleve Christmas approaches and Brenda has to decide if she’s going to let the past hold her prisoner for another year or if she can finally enjoy what Christmas used to mean to her—love. DEA agent, John Smith knows the significance of December fifteenth to Brenda, but when the head of the Nuevo Cartel escapes federal prison he's forced to let her face the day without him, but not quite alone.  Can Daisy, a golden Labrador puppy, a huge sale on decorations at the hardware store, and a gift from her aunt restore her love of Christmas? My Review: Brenda has not been allowed to celebrate Christmas with a tree and decorations since the death of her parents. Her parents loved Christmas and everything about it. Brenda's friend, Corny, can hear pets speak and her ferret, Pete, tells her that Brenda wants a dog for Christmas. John is on a mission to fulfill her every desire for Christmas this year. Can a dog bring them ...

 Review of Christmas Gift That Keeps Wagging by Jennifer Conner Julian Barrows has his hands full working full time and being a single dad to his kindergarten, special needs son, Gabe. Gabe’s teacher convinces Julian he doesn’t need to do everything on his own and introduces him to a seizure dog trainer, Hanna Acker. Hanna and her sister grew up without any ‘Christmas Cheer’. She’s trying to get her sister through college and doesn’t have time to let anyone too close, especially the handsome single dad with a kid. But, Christmas has a way of changing what we thought we wanted… especially when Santa and an adorable four-legged ‘elf’ are involved. MY REVIEW: This was a quick read and a sweet read!  who doesn't love a bit of romance thrown in with a pet?  Jennifer Conner features a trained epilepsy dog in this book.  It was a precious gift to a needy child and overwhelmed dad to meet this dog and its trainer!!!   Can love bloom?  Will Santa b...

Review of The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive “resident” status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! In The Promise Box, the second book of best-selling author Tricia Goyer’s Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai to give comfort to her father after her mother’s death. She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational “tell-all” book about the Amish. Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. But...

Am I cute?

Drying my sweet Pomeranian, Cocoa

Sweet 'N Steamy Blog Tour Best selling authors, Sharon Kleve and Jennifer Conner adore animals.  They chose to write this series to showcase their precious pets. You can find all the blog stops at http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com  and http://authorjenniferconner.blogspot.com . Click on this link under Sharon's kitty Ardy to enter the rafflecopter giveaway: <a id="rc-58a3ac20" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/58a3ac20/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script> Christmas approaches and Brenda has to decide if she’s going to let the past hold her prisoner for another year or if she can finally enjoy what Christmas used to mean to her—love. DEA agent, John Smith knows the significance of December fifteenth to Brenda, but when the head of the Nuevo Cartel escapes federal prison he...

Review of A Christmas Gift for Rebecca by Sarah Price Rebecca King has only been married for four weeks when a snow storm threatens to keep her and her new husband, Gideon Stoltzfus apart for their first Christmas. She watches the snow falling from the kitchen window as she helps her mamm prepare the Christmas supper. Despite being apart, she takes comfort in reflecting on their courtship and marriage, knowing that God will provide for their future. But does Gideon have different plans? MY REVIEW:   Rebecca and young Gideon have been married a few weeks and are living apart true to the Amish custom of their area.  Christmas is almost here and the snow begins.  Poor Rebecca can only concentrate on her new husband being able to get through the snow on his horse and buggy without harm....otherwise, they will not have Christmas together. I know the frustration of this experience as it snowed one year and stayed for a week with a great deal of ice and my boyfrie...

Alison w/dress she wore home from hospital & now her baby can wear it

Alison loves her "Mommy gift"~heated fleece throw~she is due 2/4/14

Review of Out of the Cults and Into the Church by Janis Hutchinson Based upon her own experience in Mormonism and those of others, the author presents the difficulties and special challenges ex-cultists face when leaving their tightly structured religious community and unique doctrines and entering an orthodox Christian church. Drawing upon the composite experiences of former cult members from the Mormon Church, Unification Church, Hare Krishnas and others, she explains the emotional trauma and difficult questions faced by all who have left cults. Offering a one-of-a-kind counseling tool, the book offers practical, non-technical, suggestions for pastors, counselors and friends seeking to help and encourage ex-cultists through the difficult times of post-conversion stress. My Review:  This book would be extremely helpful for anyone who has been a member of a Cult, for those who minister to ex-cultists, pastors, and counselors.   I found it to be highly educational and it ...

Review of The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall This Christmas, experience learning to trust alongside the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania in this heart-warming tale of second chances.   Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together? My Review:   Who doesn't love a wonderful Christmas book set amidst the lovely snowfilled Amish country?  Cindy Woodsmall has once again created a delightful getaway with the magic of her words.   Sadie and Levi both plan to avoid marriage but God may just h...

Review of The Lady That I Love by Crystal Linn Michael Johnstone, a celebrity, rushes from the big city to his home town after receiving a frantic call from his foster-adopted sister. Can Michael, with the help of his former college professor and his childhood friend, stop the bad guys from harming mentally-delayed children, and one special dog? My Review:  This is a very sweet short story by Crystal Linn. "The Lady That I Love" term has a double-meaning which I will let readers discover for themselves.   I love dogs and I taught a special needs preschool class as my first public school assignment so my heart is also with the mentally-delayed children in the story.   There is a delightful mystery afoot in the story as well and I love a good mystery which keeps me on the edge of my seat as this one did!   Enjoy!    I won a copy of this book from the author in Whoopie Pie Pamela Jarrell's Halloween giveaway!  Thanks, Pam and Crystal for the ...

Review of Christmas Romance (Best Christmas Romances of 2013) by Jennifer Conner, Danica Winters, Sharon Kleve, and Casey Dawes Four Sweet Christmas stories from your favorite romance authors to warm your heart for the holidays. Christmas Wishes- Danica Winters: For most, Christmas is a time for family, love, life, dreams, and wishes—but not for Lee Llewellyn, a mother who has recently lost her son to an accident and her husband to the resentment it caused.  In a chance encounter, she is given the gift of company on Christmas, but is she ready to move forward and start living again?  Central Bark at Christmas -Jennifer Conner: When Tennyson’s boyfriend left her for her best friend from high-school, all Tennyson received in the break up was her dog. She’s sworn off men and now is rebuilding her life. The only thing Par does is work. He barely has time to do anything he wants for himself other than take his dog to the dog park. When Par and Tennyson find an abandoned do...