Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Unforeseeable by Nancy Mehl Mystery, Romance, and Suspense Seamlessly Combined in a Mennonite Small-Town Setting  Callie Hoffman knows she has a good life in Kingdom, Kansas. She's thrilled to be engaged to Levi Housler, the new pastor of Kingdom Mennonite Church, and she spends her days working with her friend and soon-to-be sister-in-law, Lizzie Housler, at Cora's Cafe.  However, Callie's idyllic life is interrupted when a body is discovered on the road outside Kingdom and the deceased turns out to be a victim of a serial killer. As Washington County's new sheriff begins questioning Kingdom residents, Callie and the rest of the town are appalled at the prospect of a killer among them. The very reason Kingdom exists is to protect the people from the temptations and dangers of the outside world, but all the town founders' attempts to plan ahead couldn't prevent a threat like this.  Unsettled at this unforeseen danger, Callie is concerned when ...

Review of Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her-a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades-Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.  Without looking back, Lily-with her fear of flying-boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Aussie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again. MY REVIEW: I...

and the Winner is......... Shirley Blanchard!!    Congratulations!!!    An email has been sent to you, Shirley.  Please send your mailing address to me!   Thanks to all who entered. Giveaway of The Winnowing Season  (Amish Vines & Orchards #2) by Cindy Woodsmall Giveaway!!!  One print copy will be mailed to one lucky winner.   TO ENTER:  Leave A Comment w/an email to contact you if you win. For Extra Entries:  Follow my blog, Share on facebook, Share on twitter, Share on google + Tell me what you did to earn entries and one comment with all that is ok. Giveaway will close on Sat. 8/31/2013 at midnight. Winner announced after that time. I was given a copy of this book by my dear friend, Susan F., to share on my blog.  Book description: The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challen...

Review of The Divine Secrets of the Whoopie Pie Sisters--Book one--An Amish Christian Trilogy By Sarah Price and Whoopie Pie Pam Jarrell A new series by best-selling author of Amish Christian Romances, Sarah Price, and Helping Hands Press' own Whoopie Pie Pam Jarrell. Follow the story of four Amish sisters who run Whoopie Pie Place, the best known bakery outside of Berlin, located in Holmes County, Ohio. Each sister has a secret that influences their lives and, unknowingly, impacts each other. Yet, little by little, the pressure of balancing their responsibilities of their daily lives with their individual secrets becomes harder to manage. Leah, Susan, Lydia, and Sadie need to decide whether or not to confide in each other in order to gain the support of their family. The Divine Secrets of the Whoopie Pie Sisters is a different type of Amish Christian story. By blending the 25 years experience of living among the Amish from Sarah Price with Pamela Jarrell's exten...

Review of What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer God Makes All Thing New…in Kim Vogel Sawyer’s New Novel In What Once Was Lost, award winning author, Kim Vogel Sawyer, invites readers to join a woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, and a man standing apart—as they embrace a God with new plans for them. A small Kansas farm is the setting as Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals, who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house inhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.” With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between he and Tommy.  Christina begins to question her leadership abil...

Review of A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear by Stanley Popovich The author through his research, including discussions with professionals in the psychology and religious fields, presents a general overview of several techniques that are effective in managing persistent fear. This book focuses on results oriented techniques and strategies that a person can use to manage every day fears and presents this material in a clear and easy-to-read format. This book has been reviewed by various professionals in the counseling fields. This book is not a substitute for the guidance of a professional. My Review: This book was well-written and had some good ideas for reducing fear/anxiety.  I do feel that this book would be overlooked  by those who are not Christians as it stresses praying and relying on God to rid oneself of fear.  I am a Christian and appreciate the points but I do feel it would be rejected by those who do not believe.  I would hate for them to miss out o...

Review of Sisters Inn by Ruth G. Zavitsanos The Sisters Inn gave Eliza Thompson an escape from her past and a promising future as co-proprietor with her dear friend, Abigail Draper. Eliza and Abby, a widow with a half-breed son, combine their strengths to run the inn located on the outskirts of Denver in 1873. When it comes time to hire a father-son team of wayward handymen, Harold and Daniel Tanner, Eliza is hesitant, noting Daniel’s undernourished appearance and odd demeanor. Within a few weeks of arriving at the inn, Daniel appears stronger and extremely handsome. His kindness and inexplicable attentiveness cause Eliza’s heart to respond with a fearful, yet enjoyable flutter.  For Daniel Tanner the freedom to do as he pleased with his pa by his side was all he wanted in life. Or, so he believed. That changed the moment he caught sight of Eliza. He’d never known a woman to take his breath away and stay locked inside his thoughts. Though attracted to one another, their pa...