Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Blue Ribbon Trail Ride (Horses and Friends book #4) by Miralee Ferrell Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp—a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box. But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride. MY REVIEW:  What could be more fun than a scavenger hunt on horseback with amazing prizes?   Kate and her friends come up with the idea to raise money to send Kate's autistic brother and others to summer camp but things go awry when the antique box with all the entry fees is stolen.   Kate, Tori, Melissa, and Colt then become amateur detectives and set up a sting operation to catch the thief and get the box and money back.   This series is j...

Review of Mennonite on the Edge: An Unlikely Romance by Cynthia Yoder She's a newlywed...twenty-four...and desperate to know why she's so unhappy.  Though a country-girl at heart, MaryJo wants to ditch her identity as a Mennonite in marrying Adam and living a life of adventure in Manhattan. But news from home kicks up memories she’d tried to forget. While she begins to question her choices, Adam lands a high-profile job, making a move seem impossible. MaryJo must make peace with her past and her current situation so that she can live the life of her dreams with Adam. But can she reconcile her craving for serenity in the City that Never Sleeps?  MY REVIEW:   This is not your average Amish/Mennonite fiction.  In fact, MaryJo wants to leave behind her Mennonite roots and discover adventure.  While she does discover quite a bit of adventure, she is not happy.             This book was well-written but it just di...

Review of Grace's Forgiveness by Molly Jebber A handsome newcomer with secrets shows a yearning Amish woman a chance at happiness—but their love will need all their courage to keep . . . Grace Blauch is skilled at midwifery—and crafting quilts that help others pass on messages of enduring family love. But a disfiguring birthmark keeps the young Amish woman from a husband and home of her own—until Mark King arrives from another community. His helpfulness and independent nature earn Grace’s respect. And he finds her outspoken ways and determination to do right irresistibly appealing. Soon Grace is planning a wedding quilt of her very own . . . until her father discovers that Mark’s shunned brother is hiding somewhere in town . . .  Grace can well understand why Mark took such a risk once she hears his wrenching reasons. But she fears even prayer will not convince her father to restore his blessing on their union. She wills herself to face the end of her dreams, but sudden da...

Review of New Beginnings Book 1 of "The Sands of Time" series by Pamela Jo Upon her return from her best friend Charlie's wedding, Victoria found that the beautiful city of Chicago had never seemed emptier and neither had her soul. She realized she was surrounded by all the people in the world and she still felt lonely. Deciding to take her friend Charlie’s advice and make a change in her life, she packed her bags and moved to the west coast of Florida. Little did she know that the young Amish girl that she met on the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico would begin a spiral of emotional changes for both of them. MY REVIEW:   I recently read a book that bored me right to sleep, but this was not that book!  This book kept me awake as I could not wait to read more and see what was going to happen with Victoria, Charlie, and Rebecca.    This book is full of hope and the opportunity for second chances and healing!    This is Pamela Jo's first solo...

Review of Beautiful Star of Bethlehem by Lori Copeland Meet Arlene Santana, a vibrant wife and young grandmother whose life suddenly takes a confusing and often laughable turn into a new reality framed by a severe brain injury. As one holiday after another speeds by, Arlene takes comfort in the amusing old people who surround her in the rehabilitation center and one special friend who relates well to Arlene. But when will her husband, whose love is more real to her than anything, come to visit her? Treasure this Christmas novella from bestselling author Lori Copeland that demonstrates the healing power of true love. MY REVIEW:  Being a young grandmother in my fifties as the main character, Arlene Santana, is in the book, this book resonated with me.  It could just as easily happen to me or my friends.    This book really held my attention as I just felt so bad for Arlene who was trapped in a world that seemed entirely foreign to her.  Her family dis...

Review of The Choir Immortal by Katie Schuermann The people of Zion are at it again.  Two of their very own are getting married, and everyone is pleased as punch to be hosting Bradbury’s wedding of the century. Their collective joy is short-lived, however, as busted air-conditioners, melting cakes, and a trip to the emergency room intrude upon the celebration. Yet the congregation rallies. Led by Pastor Fletcher and the stalwart Mrs. Scheinberg, they turn in faith to God’s promises of life and salvation to see one another through trying days that demand patience, prayer, and perhaps another batch of cinnamon rolls.  Emily Duke, Pastor Fletcher, and the rest of Zion’s quirky flock return in this compelling sequel to House of Living Stones, proving that life in a small-town is anything but small. MY REVIEW:  Who can resist a bunch of lovable choir members?   Not me!  This bunch of sweet, lovable sinners captured my heart when I read the first book in th...

Review of Whispers in the Reading Room (Chicago World's Fair Mystery #3) by Shelley Gray Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart. Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does. Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him. Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked. Lydia insists on visiting the club one...