Rhonda's Doings !

Matchmaking Can Be Murder (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #1) by Amanda Flower Matchmaking can be murder . . .   ig When widowed Millie Fisher moves back to her childhood home of Harvest, Ohio, she notices one thing right away—the young Amish are bungling their courtships and marrying the wrong people! A quiltmaker by trade, Millie has nevertheless stitched together a few lives in her time, with truly romantic results. Her first mission? Her own niece, widowed gardener Edith Hochstetler, recently engaged to rude, greedy Zeke Miller. Anyone can see he’s not right for such a gentle young woman—except Edith herself.   Pleased when she convinces the bride-to-be to leave her betrothed before the wedding, Millie is later panicked to find Zeke in Edith’s greenhouse—as dead as a tulip in the middle of winter. To keep her niece out of prison—and to protect her own reputation—Millie will have to piece together a patchwork of clues to find a killer, before she becomes the next nam...

ODD(LY) ENOUGH 3-Minute Devotions To Passionately Pursuing Your Purpose by Carolanne Miljavac 3 Minutes Well-Spent. . .with CA Miljavac You'll discover the message your uncertain, hurting heart needs to hear in  Odd(ly) Enough: 3-Minute Devotions to Passionately Pursuing Your Purpose.  180 uplifting devotions from social media star CA Miljavac pack a powerful dose of comfort, encouragement, and inspiration into just-right-sized readings, perfect for your busy schedule. Minute 1: meditate on a brief scripture selection Minute 2: read a short devotional Minute 3: say a prayer and begin a conversation with God. Each day’s reading will meet you right where you are and is the ideal way for you to begin or end your day.  No matter what your day brings, this just-right-sized inspiration from CA Miljavac is exactly what your heart needs today. MY BOOK REVIEW: 4 Stars:  4/5 star rating This makes a nice quick devotional as a way to start the day with God or clos...

The Christmas Remedy (An Amish Christmas Romance #1) by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love. Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life. As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a...

Verse and Vengeance  (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #4) by Amanda Flower USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award winner Amanda Flower turns the charm up to ten in her fourth Magical Bookshop mystery. With the help of Walt Whitman's works, magical bookshop owner Violet Waverly puts her pedal to the metal to sleuth a bicycle-race murder that tests her mettle. A bicycle race is not Charming Books proprietor Violet Waverly's idea of a pleasant pastime. But police chief David Rainwater wheelie wants them to enter the Tour de Cascade as a couple, so she reluctantly consents. The Tour de Cascade is the brainchild of Violet's Grandma Daisy. The race is a fundraiser to build the Cascade Springs Underground Railroad Museum. But not everyone in this Niagara Region village supports the race. As if the bike race weren't tiring enough, pesky private investigator Joel Redding is snooping around Charming Books. It takes all of Violet's and Grandma Daisy's ingenu...

Advent for Everyone: Matthew  (A Daily Devotional) by N. T. Wright Advent for Everyone: Matthew  provides readers with an inspirational guide through the Advent season, from the First Sunday of Advent through the Saturday after the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Popular biblical scholar and author N. T. Wright provides his own Scripture translation and brief reflection to guide readers through the season toward the wonder and joy of Christmas. This book is suitable for both individual and group study and reflection. MY BOOK REVIEW:   4 stars:  4/5 star rating What a great way to usher Christmas into your heart than to focus on the Christmas story as told through the Biblical scripture.  I love that the entire scriptural text is included in each day's devotional reading.  There is a lesson and reflection for each week and then further, divided by day of the week,  and a question to ponder for each day as well.   This is biblically sound...

A VOW FOR CHRISTMAS  by Linda Carroll-Bradd In the two years since his beloved wife died, rancher Chad Rutherford has done the best for his family. But with his sister leaving the family ranch to get married, he needs to find someone to keep house and tend his kids so he places an ad for a mail-order bride. Left on her own by her brother’s murder, spinster Vika Carmichael must find a way to life. An ad for a mail-order bride from a widower with small children seems like the perfect fit. Until she arrives in Gunnison City, Colorado, and wonders if room for her exists in their hearts. Will two proud individuals find a way to work together, or will their marriage vow be broken by Christmas? A heartwarming, sweet western historical romance Previous Titles in the Series Book 1--A Marshal for Christmas by P. Creeden Book 2--A Bride for Christmas by Cheryl Wright Book 3--A Husband for Christmas by Margaret Tanner Book 4--A Farmer for Christmas by Marisa Masterson Book 5--A Family for ...

She DIED FAMOUS by Kyle Rutkin A gripping psychological thriller about iconic superstar, Kelly Trozzo, and her suspected killer, the author she commissioned to pen her shocking Hollywood memoir. A Star is Born meets Gone Girl, in this dark and twisted love story with an unforgettable conclusion. The headline read: “Hollywood Superstar Kelly Trozzo Found Dead.” With no suspect in custody, authorities turn their attention to best-selling author Kaleb Reed, whose obsessive relationship with the star has been followed by social media and tabloids alike. In his online confession, Reed claims that his relationship with Trozzo began with a tweet, an unexpected endorsement from the pop star herself. Almost overnight, Reed’s novel garners national attention, and the reclusive writer is thrust into the spotlight. But according to Reed, the endorsement came with a price. In the days that follow, Reed is invited to Trozzo’s Los Angeles mansion, where he is solicited to write her memoir. L...

Tangled Threat by Heather Graham Some things you can’t forget. A body hanging from the infamous History Tree unraveled their teenage love. Now Maura Antrim is again tangled up with Brock McGovern. Twelve years later, they’re back where that murder occurred—where Brock had been arrested and then released, where Maura had run, too scared to stand by his side. But with two women missing, and Brock now an FBI agent, Maura is determined to help. Together, they’ll have to confront a threat that never died and see if their passion has withstood the test of time.   MY REVIEW:       3 Stars:     3/5 stars This story is very intriguing but the suspense is just not quite there for me.  I wanted a bit more excitement in the story.  This is a quick read and a fun one though.      I received an ARC of this book from netgalley and Harlequin Intrigue in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive ...

KING'S SHADOW: A Novel of King Herod's Court (The Silent Years #4) by Angela Hunt Two women occupy a place in Herod's court. The first, Salome, is the king's only sister, a resentful woman who has been told she is from an inferior race, a people God will never accept or approve.  The second woman, Zara, is a lowly handmaid who serves Salome, but where Salome spies conspiracies and treachery, Zara sees hurting people in need of understanding and compassion.  Powerful and powerless, Idumean and Jew, selfish and selfless--both women struggle to reach their goals and survive in Herod the Great's tumultuous court, where no one is trustworthy and no one is safe. MY REVIEW: 4 Stars: 4/5 Stars Wow!  It was so exciting to feel like a fly on the wall in King Herod's court and to be able to observe the women of the court. I can only imagine how difficult a time period it must have been to live in and these women had many struggles and challenges to deal with. ...

SMOKE SCREEN by Terri Blackstock A gripping new novel from New York Times bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock. One father was murdered. Another was convicted of his death. All because their children fell in love. Nate Beckett has spent his life fighting wildfires instead of the lies and rumors that drove him from his Colorado hometown. His mother begs him to come back now that his father has been released from prison, but it isn’t until he’s sidelined by an injury that he’s forced to return and face his past. But that means facing Brenna too. Fourteen years ago, Nate was in love with the preacher’s daughter. When Pastor Strickland discovered Brenna defied him to sneak out with Nate, the fight between Strickland and Nate’s drunken dad was loud—and very public. Strickland was found murdered later that night, and everyone accused Roy Beckett. When the church burned down not long after, people assumed Nate set the fire to get even for his father’s conviction. He let th...

The Bake Shop (An Amish Marketplace Novel #1) by Amy Clipston Return to Lancaster County with the first installment of Amy Clipston's charming new Amish Marketplace series. Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship. When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she...

Amish Front Porch Stories:  18 Short Tales of Simple Faith and Wisdom  by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, and Richelle Brunstetter Come and sit awhile as you enjoy 18 fictional short stories of love, joy, and the peace found in Amish country. Amish Country is known for an atmosphere of peace and quiet, perfect for front-porch sitting with a good book. Join  New York Times  bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, as they share 18 heartwarming stories from Amish Country. These fictional short stories include journeys we can all relate to as we seek how to live led by love, joy, peace, patience, and other Fruits of the Spirit. Meet Anna, who struggles to show love to a cantankerous neighbor; Laura, who endures infertility; Nora, whose pride threatens to consume her life; and other women who walk in their faith each day. MY  BOOK REVIEW:      5 Stars:     5/5 stars   ...

Listening to Love (An Amish Journey #2) by Beth Wiseman Falling in love can only mean trouble for an  Englisch  girl and an Amish boy… unless there’s another way for them to listen to their hearts.   Englischer  Natalie Collins looks forward to Friday night suppers at Levi and Mary Shetler’s house every week: delicious food, wonderful conversation with her Amish friends, and, best of all, the presence of Levi’s older brother Lucas. Natalie and Lucas have become best friends despite their different backgrounds. They share a love of books, and he is teaching her about God in a way that she can understand. But the closer they become, the more opinions everyone seems to have. Levi and Mary, Lucas’s family, and even Natalie’s mother—whose own life is a mess at the moment—have concerns about their relationship. Why can’t everyone understand that it’s possible to just be friends? Besides, they couldn’t be together even if they wanted to be. Lucas would never leave ...