Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Sewn with Joy (The Pinecraft Pie Shop #3) by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore Nothing makes Joy Miller happier than sewing. And nothing makes Matthew Slagel, the bishop's son, happier than spending time with Joy. With the rising popularity of the Me, Myself, and Pie shop run by Joy's eldest sister, Lovina, comes an increasing demand for souvenirs like aprons and dishtowels. Joy's handiwork soon catches the attention of a television crew preparing to film a new Amish TV series. While she is initially hired to sew the costumes, she finds herself becoming a consultant and fill-in for the main actress. The bishop does not approve of Joy's involvement with the show—or his son's involvement with Joy. When he asks Matthew to stop seeing Joy, Matthew must make a decision—pursue happiness or follow the rules—unless he can find a way to reconcile those two sides of his faith. When mounting tension threatens to rip the entire community apart, can an unexpected...

Review of Color of Danger (Secrets of Rios Azules #1) To enter giveaway, see link below! by Alexa Verde Former runaway Mari Del Lobo works hard to save her struggling restaurant and to trust people again. Dallas surgeon Dr. Luke Goodman turns her world upside down with terrifying news. A recent murder has her late brother's - aka the Smiling Killer - signature and MO. When attacks on her escalate, Mari fights her growing attraction to the good doctor as fiercely as she fights for her life. To rescue herself and those she loves, will she be able to stop the murderer before he strikes again?  Luke couldn't save his fiancée from the Smiling Killer, but he'll do anything to prevent more murders, even ask help from the serial killer's sister. Finding a kindred tortured soul and the perpetrator's next target in Mari, Luke is determined to protect the stubborn ex-rebel. But Mari would rather face danger than risk the safety of the man she comes to love. ...

Review of Baby, Baby and GIVEAWAY!!!!!  to enter, leave a comment on my blog or one of my facebook posts.   For more chances to win, follow my blog!  Tell me if you are a follower to receive additional entry. Written by Diane Stortz Illustrated by Ailie Busby A sweet, colorful board book that appeals to a baby's interest in looking at other babies. Babies enjoy books, looking at other babies, and their own flowering abilities. This short rhyming poem combines all three in a sweet and happy way, while introducing babies to God's love for them. The simple words are paired with colorful images of babies engaging in familiar activities, allowing the book to be used as an introductory concept book as well. And it ends with a reminder that Baby is always loved by God. MY REVIEW:  This is a precious board book for babies and toddlers.  The pictures are engaging and fun, and the story is one that shows some of the many things that babies are able to do...

Review of The Hawaiian Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter Join Mandy Frey as she and three friends leave their Amish community in Indiana for the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. But when Mandy and one of her friends miss the cruise ship after a port of call on Kauai, how will they adjust and get back home? Find out in this brand new romance from  New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter. MY REVIEW:  A dream vacation for me would be to visit Hawaii, but I don't know that I'll ever be able to afford that trip; Mandy Frey and her friends' trip was described so vividly that I felt like I was actually there in the tropical paradise.  Mandy lives in an Amish community in Indiana and has never traveled far from home but she has always longed to visit Hawaii.  She and her three friends save their money and plan a trip by train to California and then by cruise ship to the Hawaiian isl...

Review of Until I Love Again (The St. Lawrence County Amish #2) by Jerry S. Eicher What if the only way to avoid total rejection was to marry or run? Susanna's freedom during her  rumspringa  time goes a bit further than she wants her family to know. A birthday sign innocently placed on a gas station billboard condemns Susanna as she realizes her relationship with an  Englisha  has become far too close. Her  daett  is not pleased, but what he hasn't told her is that he himself fathered a child during his own  rumspringa . Widower Ernest Helmuth knows about the child, but has said nothing as of yet. He plans on having Susanna as his bride. With her baptism approaching, Susanna knows that time is running out to make her choice: stay with her family or go to live with the  Englisha  she has come to love. With Ernest Helmuth watching, that decision might not be hers to make. MY REVIEW:   Ernest Helmuth is very persistent a...

Review of Claiming Noah by Amanda Ortlepp Catriona and James are desperate for children, and embark on an IVF program. After a gruelling round of treatments, Catriona finally falls pregnant, and they donate their remaining embryo anonymously. Diana and Liam are on a waiting list to receive an embryo. Sooner than expected, they are thrilled to discover one is available. After a difficult pregnancy, Catriona gives birth to Sebastian. But severe postnatal depression affects her badly, and quickly turns into deadly psychosis. For her protection and her baby’s, she’s admitted into psychiatric care. When she comes home, she again struggles to bond with her baby, but gradually life finds its own rhythm. Meanwhile, Diana has given birth to a beautiful little boy, Noah. But when he is two months old Noah is abducted … and Diana and Liam’s nightmare begins. Where is Noah?   MY REVIEW:   I recall years ago, when I was a teenager in the 1970's about the first te...

Review of Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Harvest Cookbook Over 240 Recipes for Using and Preserving the Bounty of the Land Overloaded with garden produce, CSA shares, or farmers’ market finds? Now you’ll know what the Amish do with these seasonal fruits and vegetables and how they preserve some of them for future use. Bring the wisdom of Amish gardeners and cooks into your own home with dozens of recipes and tips from the heart of Amish country in  Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Harvest Cookbook . This well-organized book is sure to become a treasured resource. MY REVIEW:   Never again will you find more delicious ways to cook, prepare, and preserve the vegetables, meats, fruits, herbs, pasta, and even weeds than in this cookbook.  Scripture verses are interspersed throughout the recipe book.   There is a section on how to use weeds, yes, weeds...for cooking, medicinal purposes, and more!   There is a section on planting according to the s...

Review of Like a Bee to Honey and Giveaway! (The Honeybee Sisters #3) by Jennifer Beckstrand Affectionately dubbed The Honeybee Sisters in their Wisconsin Amish community, the three Christner girls are devoted beekeepers who are coming-of-age—and discovering the sweet surprise of love…      Shy, skittish Rose Christner is more comfortable tending to the beehives on the family farm and keeping her aunt’s unruly cats in line than attending social gatherings with the rest of the  die youngie . A childhood trauma and secret shame keep her heart under lock and key, and Rose just can’t accept the sweet attention she’s receiving from a handsome neighbor. But the more she shies away from Josiah Yoder, the more their families sneakily plot to bring them together. And when a vandal who’s been plaguing the Honeybee Farm starts targeting Rose, Josiah’s steadfast protection—and patience—just may lead her into his waiting arms… MY REVIEW:  I love this fam...

Review of After She's Gone (Northwest #3) by Lisa Jackson Cassie Kramer and her younger sister, Allie, learned the hazards of fame long ago. Together, they’d survived the horror of a crazed fan who nearly killed their mother, former Hollywood actress Jenna Hughes. Still, Cassie moved to L.A., urging Allie to follow. As a team, they’d take the town by storm. But Allie, finally free of small-town Oregon, and just that little bit more beautiful, also proved to be more talented—and driven. Where Cassie got bit parts, Allie rose to stardom. But now her body double has been shot on the set of her latest movie—and Allie is missing. Police discover that the last call to Allie’s phone came from Cassie, though she has no recollection of making it. Instead of looking like a concerned relative, Cassie is starting to look like a suspect—the jealous sister who finally grew sick of playing a supporting role. As the tabloids go into a frenzy, Cassie ends up on a Portland psych ward. Is ...