Rhonda's Doings !

Review of A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert  Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four-year-old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she's learned a sacred truth -- appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows -- so when it starts to unravel, she'll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother's bridal wear line -- an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. MY REVIEW:  Ever wondered just how glamourous the life of a fashion model is?  You will find the answer to that question and many others as you read. Modeling is a fickle career as the youngest are considered the most desirable. Ivy has had a long run of success from age 14 to 24.    Can a 24-year-old truly become the undesirable simply due to...

Review of Learning to Love:   Saul's Story by J.E.B. Spredemann SEQUEL to Chloe's Revelation - Book 3 in the Amish Girls Series  Description contains *SPOILERS* if you haven't read Chloe's Revelation yet!  To the readers of Chloe's Revelation in the Amish Girls Series who’ve ever wondered what happened to Saul Brenneman...  Saul Brenneman, head-over-heels in love with Chloe Esh, is devastated when his past comes back to haunt him. With no other option, he is forced to marry a woman he does not love and leave behind his precious Chloe forever. Will he ever allow himself to love another woman? And will he be able to forgive himself and accept God’s will for his life? Adult Amish Christian Fiction MY REVIEW:   "She glanced down at each photo and marveled at how happy the young couple seemed.  Sarah frowned.  NOTHING LIKE US.  Saul was even brazenly planting a kiss of the girl's cheek in one of the photographs. She flipped the strip over...

Review of Huckleberry Summer The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, Book 2 by Jennifer Beckstrand LIBBY EICHER is the most obedient child a parent could ask for. She idolizes her father and wouldn’t think of doing anything to disappoint him. Even during her rumspringe, she didn’t step one toe outside of the Ordnung, the set of strict rules for Amish living. Why would she want to do anything remotely unconventional and risk getting into trouble? She is perfectly content living in her safe little world in her tranquil Amish community, never needing to muster courage that she doesn’t have. The Helmuths hire her to work for them on Huckleberry Hill, but not only is spending time with Aden Helmuth dangerous, it’s unsanitary. Their handsome grandson has a dog the size of a bear, determined to share all his dog germs with her. Will Susannah risk everything to realize her heart’s desire, or will fear override her chance for love? ADEN HELMUTH has a hard time following anyone’s rules b...

Review of Woman of Courage by Wanda Brunstetter Take a three-thousand mile journey with Amanda Pearson as she leaves the disgrace of a broken engagement and enters the work of a Quaker mission in the western wilds. The trip is fraught with danger, and Amanda is near death before reaching her destination. Among those she meets are an Indian woman who becomes her first convert and a half-Indian trapper who seems to be her biggest critic. But love follows her into the wilderness and will determine the course of her future. You are sure to enjoy this historical romance adventure from  New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter. MY REVIEW:  " While Papa received no pay for his service as a Quaker minister back home, he'd worked as a cabinet maker for a good many years and had saved up some money.  Since they didn't know if or when they would return to New York, he'd sold their home, his business, and all their belongings except for the few things ...

Review of A Plain Man by Mary Ellis Bestselling author Mary Ellis offers an engaging new standalone Amish romance about a prodigal seeking to find his way home. Though Caleb Beachy lived in the Englisch world for some years, he is a Plain man at heart. When he decides to return to the Amish lifestyle, he moves back home and goes to work for his father. Soon these two strong-willed men find themselves at odds. Caleb discovers there's more to embracing his faith and reconnecting with the community than merely driving a horse and buggy and giving up Levis. Josie Yoder was just a girl when he left. All grown up now, she gives Caleb hope for the future. She soothes his frayed temper and is determined to remind him that while his faith may have wavered, God never left his side. Caleb is tempted to return Josie's feelings, but the choices he made while away are a heavy burden on his conscience. Will past mistakes end up destroying their fledgling romance? Or will she be a...

Review of From the Heart: Volume One An Inspirational Collection of Essays, Poems, and Thoughts on Nurturing Our Inner Child Edited by Crystal Linn From the Heart is an inspirational collection of essays, poems and thoughts on nurturing our inner child. It offers a little something for everyone, from a good mental cup of tea, to discussing the importance of play, to a serene sailboat with orcas.  My Review:  A Sailor's Haiku Sun kisses my cheek, Wind gently ruffles my hair, Serene, my life now. This is one of many poems, essays, and thoughts readers will find in From the Heart which is truly written for the inner child within each of us.   I particularly love the idea of taking a tea party in to a resident of a nursing home as a special treat.   I know I have witnessed many who grieve greatly when they are forced to enter a nursing home and the pain they experience.   The importance of play and rest and true relaxation is stressed in t...

Review of A Place to Call Home by Merrillee Whren STARTING OVER After serving six years in prison for the false charge of manslaughter in the death of his wife, Kurt Jansen must overcome a world of bitterness if he wants to start a new life. But his first priority is securing a restoration job to pay a private investigator to find the real killer and a lawyer to get his kids back. Hiring a convicted wife-killer isn't what kind-hearted Molly Finnerty bargains for as part of the prison ministry she supports. However, she begins to believe Kurt's claim of innocence and gradually finds a great deal to like about him-perhaps more to like than she should. Can they overcome the past and find forgiveness and love? MY REVIEW:  " Even though Steve had helped Kurt turn his life over to God, Kurt still had to tamp down the anger that surfaced whenever he faced the way people would view him for the rest of his life, unless he could find the person who had killed his wife. ...