Rhonda's Doings !

Light Shines on Promise Lodge (Promise Lodge #5) by Charlotte Hubbard Book Description: With autumn in full brilliant color, the Amish of Promise Lodge celebrate a successful harvest---and a community rooted in deep friendship. But as cold winds of judgment cast doubt and fear, residents will need each other more than ever to weather the storm.  For abandoned wife Annabelle Peachey, Promise Lodge is a refuge where she's gained confidence and self-sufficiency, but she and others are dismayed when newly arrived Bishop Clayton King claims the community is too progressive and sets out to change its ways. Worse, her husband, Phineas, returns, expecting her to give up her faith as he has.  And he won't leave Promise Lodge without her..... But little by little, Annabelle's determination and new forthrightness make Phineas realize his mistakes---and truly hear his wife for the first time.  Meanwhile, Annabelle finds herself feeling compassion, and even renewed love, f...

A Simple Wish (Simple Gifts #2) by Charlotte Hubbard Book Description: The Amish residents of Willow Ridge share their talents at the Simple Gifts crafts shop--and share the blessings of faith, hard work, and love with their community--even when family secrets bring unexpected challenges . . . Making rugs for Simple Gifts has taught Loretta Riehl that an unassuming pattern can reveal surprising depth. People, too, have a way of defying first impressions. Drew Detweiler came to Willow Ridge under a cloud, but the handsome craftsman has gained the community's respect for his upholstery skills and commitment to making amends for his mistakes. As her new brother-in-law's twin, he's joining the family for dinners and Sunday visits at the Riehl house, and Loretta can't deny enjoying his attentions. If only her dat were willing to let a little joy into his life. Cornelius Riehl grows more stern with each passing day, and Drew suspects there's more to his moods t...

Review of Christmas at Promise Lodge (Promise Lodge #2) by Charlotte Hubbard As the year draws to a close, the brand-new colony of Promise Lodge is thriving, a welcoming community that offers three Amish sisters a fresh start. And as Christmas approaches, gifts big and small are given with love . . .   As Promise Lodge’s first wedding arrives, the evidence of a community building a foundation for the future is a cause for celebration. But the bishop’s narrow-minded wedding sermon doesn’t sit well with the Bender sisters, the town’s courageous founders, especially widowed Mattie Schwartz. She believes marriage and family aren’t the most important of God’s gifts—even if she suspects her tender feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer run deeper than simple friendship.    Amos hasn’t given up hope that stubborn, spirited Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband, but when an accident threatens to change the course of his life forever, he wonders if the...

Review of A Simple Vow (Simple Gifts #1) by Charlotte Hubbard Housed in a rustic red barn, the Simple Gifts crafts shop celebrates the talents of the Amish of Willow Ridge--and the faith that inspires them. For the acceptance of simplicity opens the path to love.  As far as Edith Riehl is concerned, the baby twins thrust suddenly into her arms are a heaven-sent gift. Unable to conceive, she longs to be a mother with a home of her own. She's going to abide by her promise to handsome Asa Detweiler to take care of them while he looks for their real father. And even if her domineering dat Cornelius refuses to countenance Asa's suit, she can only pray the bachelor's honesty and persistence will uncover the truth--even as he's kindled an impossible hope for a love of her own . . .  Asa can't understand why anyone would think he would be so dishonorable as to father babies and then abandon them. He's determined to clear his name--but Edith's caring ways...

Review of Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard It's a better life, a fresh start--and a heaven-sent second chance. Founded by three Amish sisters determined to put misfortune behind them, Promise Lodge is a colony where faith's abiding promise can be fulfilled--and love can make all things new… Energetic widow, Mattie Bender Schwartz is working day and night to get Promise Lodge going. She's also hoping the change will help her son Noah's heart to heal after his broken engagement. But his former fiancée, Deborah, is looking for a fresh start too. Filled with regret, and cast out by her dat for a reason she can't yet reveal, Deborah can only pray Noah will forgive her foolishness.  Deborah is the last person Noah expected to show up at Promise Lodge. But with her cruel words still ringing in his head, he's reluctant to accept her apology--even if the Old Order ways demand he try. If only he could obey Christ's most important commandment: love one anoth...

Review of The Christmas Cradle (Seasons of the Heart #6) by Charlotte Hubbard The Christmas Cradle For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she's starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn't sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home. Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true . . .   MY REVIEW:  It feels like life is crashing in around me lately and Charlotte Hubbard mana...

Review of Harvest of Blessings by Charlotte Hubbard The tranquil little town of Willow Ridge is facing a startling challenge. Wealthy Nora Glick Landwehr is determined to make it her home again--and put her past to rest. Cast out by her own family, Nora can't reconcile with Old Amish ways or her strict father. But she'll do anything to help her community embrace the future . . . and make amends to the daughter she had to give up. So, she certainly has no time for her reckless new neighbor Luke Hooley. They disagree about almost everything. And how can she trust him if he always seems to believe the worst about her? Somehow, though, his unexpected support and passionate heart are helping her find her own way in faith. And Nora will discover that even in the face of insidious lies and unyielding judgment, God creates unexpected chances for forgiveness--and love. MY REVIEW:   "Maybe you won't have to worry about sitting through church.    You haven't bee...

Review of An Amish Christmas Quilt  by Charlotte Hubbard, Kelly Long, and Jennifer Beckstrand A Willow Ridge Christmas Pageant -- by Charlotte Hubbard Seth Brenneman didn't expect his holiday would include rescuing pregnant Mary Kauffman and her two children....or having unexpected feelings for the still-grieving widow.  But when they must play the leads in an impromptu live Nativity pageant to help his Amish community, will their roles reveal their hearts--and work a miracle for a lifetime? My Review:  Charlotte Hubbard has recreated the perfect Nativity scene with Mary and Seth and her two children.   How can their hearts help but turn warm with love at the very thought and act of recreating the very first Christmas night?  This is a precious novella full of love, forgiveness and plenty of surprises.   5 Stars A Christmas on Ice Mountain-- by Kelly Long Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp's secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fath...

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 ...