Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Taken for English (Valley of Choice Book #3) by Olivia Newport Annie joined the Amish church based on prayerful conviction, not romantic dreams. And yet, she’d hoped to share her new life with Rufus. But he’s obviously in no hurry. Family history clearly shows it’s never been easy living a plain life in the English world. Will the changes and challenges Annie now faces as a young Amish woman test her newfound faith in good ways or bad? And how long will Rufus test her patience? MY Review:    Many of us wonder if we could pull off leaving the English world and becoming Amish, and Annie does exactly that.  She is given some grief by some folks for it as well.  She is in love with Rufus and wants nothing more than his proposal? Will it ever happen?   or has she joined the Amish to live a lonely life?  She also meets a young Amish girl, new to the community, who seems to be in deep emotional turmoil and she wants to help. Can she effe...

Review of Plain Peace (Daughters of the Promise #6) by Beth Wiseman Anna’s grandfather seems determined to ruin her Rumspringa . . . and any hopes she has of finding a husband. Anna Byler should be enjoying her Rumspringa as allowed by her faith. But because of the strict rules enforced by her grandfather—the bishop—the available suitors in town are afraid to court her. Even Anna’s grandmother is keeping a big secret from Anna’s grandfather in an effort to keep the peace. Under her grandfather’s oppressive watch, Anna begins to feel her faith slipping and wonders if God has forsaken her. Jacob Hostetler and his family have relocated to Lancaster County following a family tragedy in Ohio. As his family struggles to rebuild their lives, Jacob is forced to act as head of the household when his father is unable to cope with recent events. It’s been a long time since Jacob has felt any joy. Until he meets Anna Byler. But will Anna’s grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? And ...

Review of The Calling Inn at Eagle Hill, Book 1 by Suzanne Woods Fisher Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end. When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love. Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her t...

Author Interview with J. E. B. Spredemann & Giveaway!!!  and the winners are:  JYN Hoffman wins "An Unforgivable Secret" and  Lisa Korell   wins "Amish by Accident"  emails are being sent to winners and author will send your autographed copies!  thanks to all who entered! Luke Beiler has loved Elisabeth Schrock for as long as he can remember and is looking forward to the day they both join the church so they can marry. Elisabeth, however, chafes under the church rules and flees to the Englisch world leaving Luke heart broken. When an accident leaves Brianna Mitchell with amnesia, she feels helplessly lost. What will happen when she is mistaken for Elisabeth Schrock and taken home to Paradise, Pennsylvania? Hannah has a good life. A beautiful home, a loving husband, and a wonderful Amish community are only a few of her daily blessings. But she has carried a heavy burden for years: a secret that no one must know. When tragedy strikes, h...

Review of The Choice by Amanda Tru If you could go back in time and save someone you loved, would you do it?  Hannah’s ability to time travel has always been something she feared. It was uncontrollable and came with life-threatening risks. However, when Hannah is unable to cope with grief, she decides to use that which had been her enemy. She is going to travel back in time to prevent the tragedy from ever happening.  Unfortunately, nothing goes according to plan. Seth finds out about Hannah’s intentions and takes measures to protect her. But when they discover that the reality of history isn’t what it had appeared, a simple mission to save a life becomes much more complicated. Their intervention has now changed their own future and endangered many lives, including their own. Can they elude their enemies to find the vital evidence they need to fix the timeline? Or will Hannah’s choice have an even greater cost than she can imagine?  MY REVIEW:   How ma...

Review of Brooke's Quest (Amish Girls Series book 7) by J.E.B. Spredemann When Brooke Spencer visits Paradise, Pennsylvania on summer vacation, she's hoping some handsome young Amish man will sweep her off her feet. But when she meets Seth Weaver, she doesn't expect it to happen literally! Will Brooke and Seth be able to make a long-distance relationship work? And could Seth Weaver hold the key to something she's really searching for - true love? Christian Teen Fiction - Approx. 100 pages   MY REVIEW:   The plan of salvation is presented in this book by one of the Amish young men.  Seth shares God's love and plan of salvation with Brooke, the Englisch teenager whose family is staying in his family's Bed & Breakfast.   Brooke is excited about sharing it with others and they don't all act with acceptance.    Many Amish do not teach that you can be certain of your salvation but I love that this Amish community does.   Each chapter ...

Abigail's Triumph book review Amish Girls Series--Book 6 by J. E. B. Spredemann Tragedy in the small Amish community of Paradise leaves one family reeling. In order to survive, Abigail Lapp and her siblings must rely on the compassion of their friends and neighbors. Abigail finds forgiveness difficult and painful, but she learns to trust God. Could He turn her unfathomable tragedy into triumph? Inspirational Teen Fiction, Approx. 100 pages MY REVIEW:  Abuse of wives and children is never pretty and it is a tragic event in the Amish community as Abigail and her siblings fight to survive.    I love how the Amish community rallies together to support the family and provide for their needs.   Abigail truly does triumph over great adversity in this book.  I believe this one was my favorite of the six books in the series to this point.   5 ***** I received a free pdf version of this book in exchange for my honest review.   Look for an auth...

Review of Annie's Decision (Amish Girls Series Book 5) by J. E. B. Spredemann Annie Yoder has always dreamed of meeting an Englisch girl her own age, so when she sees an advertisement for Amish pen pals in the local paper, she begs her folks to allow her to participate. Annie quickly learns there are exciting new things in the Englisch world and she finds herself drawn to the forbidden. Will Annie's verboten desires lead her away from her people? Annie isn't the only one in a Valley of Decision. Jonathan Fisher's Rumspringa may cost him more than he bargained for. Will his foolishness change the course of his life forever? Inspirational Teen Fiction Approx. 100 pages My Review:  5 Stars again!  Looking for just the right stationary and licking the stamp.....Pen pals are such fun. I had several pen pals when I was a teenager.  We did not have email so snail mail with old fashioned letters was our only form of communication.  We sent pictures and gifts to ...

Review of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Joann Durgin Jacob Marston, Starlight, Iowa's hometown hero, made a long-ago promise to the Lord: he won't kiss a woman until he knows she's "the one." Now at age twenty-eight, the rugged firefighter questions if it'll ever happen. Then, he meets his best friend's sister, Julia Sinclair, and Jake believes he's found the woman of his dreams. But she's promised to another.  When Julia makes an unexpected confession on Christmas Day, Jake shares his secret with her, and it looks as though happily-ever-after will make a holiday appearance. But what will she think when she discovers his vow? Somehow, everyone in the tiny town of Starlight suddenly learns Jake’s secret, and he's instantly transformed from town hero to laughingstock. Did Julia reveal his secret? Can Jake forget the humiliation and find his way under the mistletoe to share a forever kiss with Julia? MY REVIEW:   Who would not want t...

Review of Susanna's Surprise (Amish Girls Series-Book 4) by J. E. B. Spredemann After years of feeling something is missing from her life, Susanna Hostettler discovers that she once had an identical twin sister. As answers to her questions unfold, Susie's brother Levi uncovers a secret that will not only surprise Susanna, but her family as well. Jonathan Fisher has his eyes set on Susie, but can he convince her to give him a chance? MY REVIEW:  I love these young Amish girls!  They remind me so much of myself with my friends when we were that same age.   We also enjoyed girl talk, walks, and fun times.    Susanna discovers the most incredible surprise:  an identical twin sister.  I will let readers find out what exciting things occur after the revelation of this surprise.  It is quite an amazing thing!  The Amish, of course, have their own customs and beliefs but young people share many of the same hopes, dreams and secrets. ...

Review of Chloe's Revelation (Amish Girls Series--Book 3) by J.E.B. Spredemann Chloe Esh has just completed school and is now looking forward to singings, courting, and training in midwifery. While Levi Hostettler has been interested in Chloe for years, she is swept off her feet when she meets handsome Saul Brenneman from another district. Chloe must find God's perfect will for her life and face some tough choices in the process. MY REVIEW:   Chloe's Revelation is an excellent book for young teenagers as it shows what the consequences of moments of passion can lead to for them.   This series is written for young girls, but I am quite sure that other adults will enjoy it just as much as I did.  The book gives a unique view of courting among the Amish.   It made me recall the thrill of young love.  This book also shows how wondrous life can be when young people consider their actions and choose well.   5 Stars!!!   I received a compl...

Review of Murder Simply Brewed by Vannetta Chapman Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright can see profits in sight for her collection of Amish artisan shops—until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a single hole in the front window and Mr. Gray dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register. Hannah Troyer takes over the shop’s duties, and she and Amber become fast friends as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray’s death to be a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren’t so easily convinced. Old Testament clues that don’t add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and blossoming romance—all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to solve a mystery and bring peace to the Amish community. My Review:   Coffee sounded delightfully  tempting as I read Murder Simpl...

Review of London Dawn (The Danforths of Lancashire #3) by Murray Pura Readers everywhere are clamoring for books like Downton Abbey, the hit PBS Masterpiece Theater series that's taken America by storm. Those readers have become enthusiastic about The Danforths of Lancashire by award-winning author Murray Pura. In this stunning conclusion to the saga, we find Lord Preston and his family are gathered in London in the late 1930s for what turns out to be a homecoming. The family is finally all together again, gathering in a way they haven't been able to do for years. But looming ahead is the summer and fall of 1940 when both the Battle of Britain and the Blitz will occur. Though the family is blissfully unaware of this soon-to-be reality, Lord Preston, privy to top secret info in his position in the government, has grave concerns; the gravest he's ever had, that England will be invaded. The Danforth family patriarch does his best to hide his fears with a cheerful ex...

Review of An Amish Miracle by Mary Ellis, Ruth Reid, and Beth Wiseman Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman Becky Byler is eighteen and overweight. She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life. As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle. In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her. She s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become? And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is? Always His Providence by Ruth Reid Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm. She's prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn't willing to request money from the community s widow fund. She's embarrassed and refuses to ad...

Review of The Best of Amish Friends Cookbook Collection by Wanda Brunstetter From Barbour’s bestselling author of fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, comes  The Best of Amish Friends Cookbook Collection . This brand-new title is a treasure trove of recipes and interesting facts from the heart of Amish country and includes recipes divided into sections such as breads and rolls, desserts, main dishes, sides, jams and jellies—and more! You’ll find only the best of home cooking between the pages of this delightful book, and as an added bonus, you’ll find featured facts about Amish life. Topped off by one beautifully designed package, cooks of all ages will have a hard time passing this one up! MY REVIEW:    mmmmmm mmmmmm good, this book has some delicious Amish recipes for cooks to try. I  have made several of these recipes and they were a big hit in our home:   baked oatmeal, granola, poor man's steak, and more.  I love the pictures of the dishes along...