Rhonda's Doings !

Review of Until I Love Again (The St. Lawrence County Amish #2) by Jerry S. Eicher What if the only way to avoid total rejection was to marry or run? Susanna's freedom during her  rumspringa  time goes a bit further than she wants her family to know. A birthday sign innocently placed on a gas station billboard condemns Susanna as she realizes her relationship with an  Englisha  has become far too close. Her  daett  is not pleased, but what he hasn't told her is that he himself fathered a child during his own  rumspringa . Widower Ernest Helmuth knows about the child, but has said nothing as of yet. He plans on having Susanna as his bride. With her baptism approaching, Susanna knows that time is running out to make her choice: stay with her family or go to live with the  Englisha  she has come to love. With Ernest Helmuth watching, that decision might not be hers to make. MY REVIEW:   Ernest Helmuth is very persistent a...

Review of A Blessing for Miriam (Land of Promise #2) by Jerry S. Eicher In the second book of bestselling author Jerry S. Eicher's new Land of Promise series, Miriam Yoder is looking forward to her wedding day with Wayne Yutzy. But when beautiful Esther Swartz arrives to care for her ailing grandmother, Miriam is wary of Wayne's past relationship with Esther. When storms rip through the small Amish community in Oklahoma, Miriam's daett arrives to help in the rebuilding efforts. Under pressure from Miriam's daett the relationship with Wayne is upended, leaving Miriam to wonder if she must now build her new life as a single Amish woman. Book two in the Land of Promise series.   MY REVIEW:  I have been a huge fan of Jerry Eicher's Amish fiction for years and this book lives up to my expectations of great literature.  This book did seem to have more sad events and happenings in it though and I will admit to feeling very sad for Miriam.   Jerry Eicher is kno...

Review of Miriam's Secret by Jerry S. Eicher Bestselling author Jerry S. Eicher (more than 600,000 books sold) brings new characters and surprising challenges to lovers of Amish fiction in the Land of Promise series. In this first book, Miriam Yoder has a secret. Her compassionate care for Amos Bland during his last days resulted in her receiving a large inheritance. When Ivan Mast indicates his intentions at romance, Miriam suspects he's discovered her hidden wealth and has plans that aren't inspired by his love for her. Seeking a fresh start where no one knows her, Miriam accepts a teaching position in faraway Oklahoma where she meets Wayne Yutzy, a local greenhouse employee. His interest in her seems genuine and when he proposes, Miriam accepts. Happiness surely awaits the newly engaged couple....or does it? Book one in the Land of Promise series MY REVIEW:   I discovered Jerry S. Eicher's Amish fiction several years ago and his books never disappoint me...

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 ...

Review of Holding a Tender Heart The Beiler Sisters book one  by Jerry Eicher From the pen of bestselling Amish fiction author Jerry Eicher (half a million books sold) comes a charming new series set in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Debbie Watson is a young Englisha girl who has grown up admiring her Amish friends, the Beiler sisters. As she prepares to graduate from college, Debbie considers making the life-changing decision to convert to the Amish faith and lifestyle. Soon Debbie's presence in the community attracts the attention of two suitors: Alvin Knepp, the youngest son of a poor Amish farmer, to whom Debbie is very much attracted; and Paul Wagler, the more successful and sought-after man, whose constant attention to Debbie reminds her of her old Englisha boyfriend--whom she'd rather forget. =irL ] Jerry Eicher's many fans and readers of Amish fiction will love this heartwarming new series from a master storyteller. MY REVIEW:   How many of us hav...

Review of Katie's Forever Promise (Book 3 in Emma Raber's Daughter series) by Jerry S. Eicher In book 3 of the Emma Raber's Daughter series, Amish fiction author Jerry Eicher brings the faith-filled journey of Katie Raber to its happy conclusion. Katie Raber is trying to put her life back together after Ben Stoll's devastating betrayal of her love. When she is baptized into the church, she receives a surprising offer that will keep her close to her Amish community--much to her mother's delight. But soon Ben is back in her life again--and at the same time she finds interest from another young man, though his bumbling efforts at winning her heart show him to be a far less desirable suitor than the more polished Ben Stoll. Readers who have followed the saga of Katie and her attempts to escape the stigma of being just "Emma Raber's daughter" will be charmed by her new look at life as a young woman with important decisions to make.  Book 3 i...

Review of Katie's Journey to Love Book 2 in Emma Raber's Daughter series by Jerry S. Eicher In book two of Amish fiction author Jerry S. Eicher's new Emma Raber's Daughter series, Katie Raber's journey of discovery continues after her mamm's marriage to Jesse Mast. Drawn back from the Mennonite world briefly by the miracle of Mamm's changed heart, Katie finds she can't totally abandon her new Mennonite friends. Jesse's oldest daughter, Mabel, refuses to accept Katie, creating conflict at home. Ben Yoder, the most popular boy in the community, also begins to attend the Mennonite youth gatherings in his attempt to run away from personal problems. Overjoyed at the attention Ben pays her, Katie pursues the relationship willingly. When an opportunity comes to travel with her Mennonite friends to Europe to explore the roots of the faith, Katie can't believe how much she is being blessed. Especially after a secret donor pays for the trip.  Wh...

Review of Katie Opens Her Heart by Jerry Eicher  Bestselling Amish fiction author Jerry S. Eicher (nearly half a million copies sold) returns with the first book in another of his delightful and compelling series. Here is the touching story of an awakening young Amish girl, Katie Raber, who finds she wants more from life than to be known as simply "Emma Raber's daughter." Emma has refused to remarry since Katie's daett died soon after she was born. And in an effort to keep Katie home, Emma has forbidden her from participating in the rumspringa tradition. When widower Jesse Mast calls for Mamm's hand in marriage, Katie hopes to move into a new phase of life and leave the old "Emma Raber's daughter" behind. But Emma is having none of it, and Katie must consider abandoning all hope of ever changing her mamm's bitterness or of ever having popular Ben Yoder notice her. Out of sheer frustration, she begins attending nearby Mennonite youth gatherin...

Review of The Amish Family Cookbook  by Jerry & Tina Eicher From the home of bestselling author Jerry Eicher (more than 350,000 books sold) and his wife, Tina, comes this warm and inviting peek into an Amish kitchen, complete with.... Amish recipes: Hannah Byler's Pecan Pie Beat on low speed slightly or with hand beater:  3 eggs 1/3 cup butter, melted 1 cup light corn syrup  ? t. salt 2/3 cup sugar  Stir in: 1 cup pecan halves.  Pour into: 1 pie crust Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes. Amish proverbs: It takes seven to cook for to make a really happy wife. and Amish humor: The Englisha visitor suffered through a three-hour Amish wedding service, sitting on the hard backless church bench.  "Why does it take so long to tie the knot?" he asked afterward. "Well," the bishop said, stroking his long white beard. "So that it takes ?em a lifetime to untie it." Readers will laugh, pray, and eat robustly with The Amish Family Cookbook at their side. ...

Review of My Amish Childhood  by Jerry Eicher Jerry Eicher's books are among some  of my favorite reads and I was really excited to find this one.  Jerry tells of his years growing up in an Amish settlement in Honduras.    He suffered with stuttering and this created much anxiety and depression for him.  He also confessed to many misdeeds and mischievous and even, devious acts for which he later repented and apologized to the offended.    Never having traveled to Honduras myself, Jerry's descriptions were so vivid that I could easily envision the mountains and scenery.   This is a wonderful historical account of one Amish group's experience.   It was very fascinating to me.   I think Jerry's father was a bit of a rebel and certainly pushed the envelope as much as he dared without envoking the wrath of the church leaders.   I highly recommend this book.      Bestselling fiction author Jerry S. Ei...

Review of Where Love Grows by Jerry Eicher (Book 3 in Fields of Home series) In Jerry Eicher's conclusion to his popular Fields of Home trilogy, readers will be delighted to attend the wedding of Teresa, the young Englisha girl who has come home with Susan Hostetler to learn the ways of the Amish---and in fact to become Amish herself. But Teresa is not the only young woman to find romance in these pages. Susan, long estranged from Thomas Stoll, the young man she had intended to marry from her childhood, reunites with him....just as another man appears on the scene with designs on her heart. Which man is the one Da Hah has chosen for her? Amidst the happiness, there is also turmoil as Menno Hostetler, Susan's father, must face church discipline for a past sinful transgression he's hidden for many years. At his age, can he endure the humiliation and the path to restitution? With more than 350,000 books sold, Jerry Eicher's many fans eagerly anticipate each new ...

Review of Susanna's Christmas Wish by Jerry Eicher From the pen of bestselling Amish fiction author Jerry Eicher, (more than 350,000 books sold), comes a truly delightful and inspiring Christmas novella. Fans will be delighted by this peek at an Amish Christmas, complete with the romantic wish of Susanna Byler to spend the holidays with the man of her dreams. But who is the man of her dreams? Is it the competent but plain Amishman she married for convenience....or is it her first love--an Englisha man with whom she has recently had an unexpected encounter--and who wants her back in his life? A perfect holiday delight for lovers of Amish fiction...and those who love a heartwarming and tender Christmas tale.  My review of Susanna's Christmas Wish: A wunderbar book !!!   Jerry Eicher has once again stolen my sleep as I have not been able to put  Susanna's Christmas Wish  down to close my eyes to get some sleep!   I am a big Jerry Eicher fan, to begin...

Review of  Following Your Heart ,  Book 2 in   Fields of Home  series By Jerry Eicher What an exciting book!   I was so sad when  Missing Your Smile  ended as I was anxious to find out what was going to happen to Susan Hostetler  and Teresa Long when they returned to Susan's Amish home in Indiana.   I was not disappointed in the book, but was surprised and upset when Deacon Ray banned Teresa from attending the church services or interacting with the Amish community. At least, he didn't say that Anna and Menno Hostetler could not allow her to remain living in their home with her baby son, Samuel.   Good ole' Thomas comes calling to try to patch things up with Susan, but she refuses to forgive him and sends him packing yet again!  He then hatches a scheme that will cause heartache and trouble for many...he will fix Teresa up with an Amish husband and decided that Yost Byler fits the bill perfectly.  Well, Yost has q...

Review of Missing Your Smile  by Jerry Eicher Book one in Fields of Home series Wow!   I love Jerry Eicher's books and this book, Missing Your Smile,  is no disappointment!    Susan Hostetler is all set to marry Amishman, Thomas Stoll, until she catches him with her best friend, Eunice.   She is so upset by this that she leaves the Amish community and flees to a big city, Asbury Park, New Jersey.  Leaving her Indiana Amish home and community is not easy.   She receives numerous letters from her Mamm, telling her that they are all "missing her smile".    Susan works in a bakery with Laura, who hired her after receiving a glowing recommendation from their mutual friend, Bonnie.   Susan becomes close with Laura's son, Robby, who is like the brother she never had. Susan receives a visit from a young woman, Teresa, who is pregnant and unmarried.  Teresa wants Susan to adopt her baby and raise it in the Amish faith. ...