Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Seasons of Tomorrow  Amish Vines and Orchards, Book 4  by Cindy Woodsmall As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming...  More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Though it has been almost a year since one brother left, Rhoda is happy to be working alongside the other brother as they tend and nurture the settlement's orchard. Time has helped to heal Rhoda's wounds, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God's wisdom and purpose for her life.  But when an Englischer friend's grandchild is taken deeper into hiding from her grandmother, can Rhoda's gift make a difference or will it simply be a catalyst to another season of doubt and misunderstanding? As she resolves to stay on course, suddenly a shocking tragedy cha

Review of What Follows After by Dan Walsh In October 1962, Colt Harrison and his little brother, Timmy, hatched a plan. They would run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt's house in Savannah, Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents got back together. But things go terribly, terribly wrong. Colt's mother and father must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their broken marriage.  In this emotional story, Dan Walsh takes readers on a journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life--love, truth, and family. MY REVIEW of What Follows After:   Prepare for the ride of your life!  This book is like a rollercoaster of emotions.....fear, anxiety, apprehension, hope, anticipation, and on and on and on.   I was so excited as I read that I would want to drop everything and hit the kindle again to read!   Obviously, I had to stop for some quick breaks to do t

Giveaway of Woman of Courage and a surprise hand crocheted by me!!!   and the winner is Judy B.  (she has been contacted via facebook)  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 I received a free copy of this book from the author and you can read my review in a separate post here on my blog.   Enter to win here by leaving a comment or leaving a comment on my facebook page Rhonda's Doings under the pi

Review of Hannah's Courtship by Emma Miller  Second Chance At Love   Amish widow Hannah Yoder never intended to marry again. Yet when her friendship with veterinarian Albert Hartman begins to bloom into something more, Hannah wonders if perhaps she's finally ready for a new love. Albert waited his whole life to find the right woman, only to realize Hannah was there all along. But there's more than their friendship to consider. Albert is a Mennonite, born-and-bred, and Hannah cannot�will not�leave her Amish faith, not even for him. Does Albert have the courage to give up his modern life for Hannah…and will Hannah have the courage to let him?  Hannah's Daughters: Seeking love, family  and faith in Amish country MY REVIEW OF Hannah's Courtship:   Where has the time gone?  Only yesterday, I was a young woman with a husband and seven beautiful children, and today, I'm widowed and nearly fifty.   In another month, there would only be her youngest dau

Review of Breath of Spring Seasons of the Heart, book 4 by Charlotte Hubbard Breath Of Spring As a bright season brings a fresh start to Willow Ridge, Annie Mae Knepp feels she can never make peace with the past. Her disgraced ex-bishop father is furious she has taken her five siblings to live with her. She's never been truly at home in her faith. . .or believing in herself. And Annie Mae fears no man will want to take on the responsibilities she's gladly shouldered. True, her quiet neighbor Adam Wagler has been steadfast and unshakable helping her through her trials, but he surely couldn't think of someone so lost as more than a friend. Believing she is unworthy because of her doubts, Annie Mae will find in a moment of surprising revelation that God can work impossible miracles--and that love makes all things new. MY REVIEW:   Charlotte Hubbard has written a book that is truly a "breath of fresh air".....a Breath of Spring.   While Annie Mae does

Review of An Amish Garden Four Amish Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, and Vannetta Chapman “Planting a Future” Beth Wiseman Rosemary is doing her best to run her family’s household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul has been interested in her for years, but Rosemary has turned him down repeatedly. Saul begins helping with her family’s garden, but someone is sabotaging his efforts—and keeping a secret that could change their lives. MY REVIEW of Planting a Future by Beth Wiseman-- "He's doing it again," Rosemary whispered to Esther.   "Smiling and staring at me."         Rosemary and Saul are being offered a second chance at love and so is Rosemary's father, Wayne.   When an accidental run-in between Saul and Wayne results in both men being injured, Wayne is unable to complete his farm work and Saul offers to do it for him as well as planting a vegetable garden for Rosemary.  Rosemary hasn't had

Review of Seeing Your Face Again  The Beiler Sisters series--Book 2 by Jerry Eicher Debbie Watson is a new convert to the Amish faith and still learning the plain ways of the community in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. She has already attracted two suitors: the insecure but lovable farmer, Alvin Knepp, and the brash Paul Wagler who reminds Debbie of the boyfriend she happily left behind in the Englisha world. When Alvin leaves the community for the big city, Debbie is crushed. Though her heart is with Alvin, she considers Paul's continued interest in her. Should she simply give in and marry Paul....or wait to see if Alvin comes home? Seeing Your Face Again is another Amish fiction treat you'll love. With Jerry Eicher's sales at more than half a million books, his Amish fiction fans continue to wait eagerly for his next heart-felt story, brimming with the authenticity he brings from his own Amish background. Book 2 in The Beiler Sisters series MY REVIEW:    Quoted fr

Review of Plain Faith: A True Story of Tragedy, Loss, and Leaving the Amish by Irene & Ora Jay Eash with Tricia Goyer This is the true story of Ora-Jay and Irene Eash, Amish farmers from northwest Montana whose lives changed in an instant when a semi-truck struck the family buggy, killing their two young daughters. After the accident, the couple turned to their Amish community for comfort, but they remained haunted by the thought that they might not see their girls again in heaven. Would their deeds be good enough? Eventually Ora-Jay and Irene learned that grace---not works---was enough to ensure their place in eternity. But with that knowledge came the realization that they could no longer live in an Amish community that didn't share this precious belief. Could they sever their connection to the Amish family they loved? This is the story of their journey to the hope that is heaven, a hope stronger than the loss of children, family, and a way of life. Fans of Amish fict