Rhonda's Doings !

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 Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life. Written by two proven storytellers,  Traces of Mercy  is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance. MY REVIEW:   I will be honest.  I was reluctant to read this book as I feared it would be predictable and boring.   It is most definitely not predictable and definitely not boring.   I admired Mercy's strength and gumption.  She is certainly a spunky young woman.   My heart went out to her and I found myself finishing this book in tears.   I was deeply mo...

Review of   Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook by Wanda E. Brunstetter The must-have cookbook of the season is  Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Christmas Cookbook —a brand new collection of holiday recipes and insights into Christmas celebrations direct from Amish homes. You’ll also enjoy the addition of scriptures and common Amish sayings. Surrounded by a beautiful lay-flat binding, this cookbook is the perfect holiday gift for yourself and friends. MY REVIEW:  What a delightful Christmas cookbook.  Wanda Brunstetter has collected many wonderful tried-and-true Christmas recipes from her many Amish friends.  She also explains the many Christmas traditions and ways of celebrating the Amish enjoy, including Old Christmas.  I think we all should celebrate Old Christmas as well.    Some of the favorite recipes shared include:   Gelatin Roll-ups (I did not even know that gelatin could be rolled up....I h...

Review of Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould Ben and Bea have always irritated each other. But when their friends push them together, can they cease bickering long enough to fall in love? MY REVIEW:  Bea lives under the shadow of her sister, Molly, who constantly bosses her and gives her orders.  Bea just wants to get out from her that rule and become her own person.  She doesn't think she has any special talents or gifts but she is soon to discover just exactly what she does have!  When her sister plans a trip to visit the in-laws in Montana with their mamm and doesn't even ask her if she wants to go and simply assumes that she will, Molly has had it.  She goes out and finds herself a job as "mother's helper" to Nan and Bob who have just given birth to premature triplets and are in great need of help.  Ben is also working for Bob in his shop......Ben who has constantly annoyed Bea and who even courted her recently and then ran off without a word of ex...

Review of An Unforgivable Secret by J.E.B. Spredemann Hannah has a good life. A beautiful home, a loving husband, and a wonderful Amish community are only a few of her daily blessings. But she has carried a heavy burden for years: a secret that no one must know. When tragedy strikes, her secret threatens to be revealed, jeopardizing everything she's ever loved. Will Hannah be able to face her greatest fear and find God's purpose for her life? Inspirational Christian Fiction MY REVIEW:   This was a very engaging work of Amish fiction but I was surprised that several main characters had great difficulty in forgiving since the Amish faith is very outspoken about their forgiveness.  It does show the Amish in this book, though, to be very human and struggling with many of the same issues as Englisch.  I appreciated the way that the Bishop and elders handled the difficult issues in the book, as well.   I won't spoil the book by revealing what those issues were...

Review of Huckleberry Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand Now that they've happily married off two of their grandchildren, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking challenge. What better way to celebrate the most heartwarming of seasons--and make Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the place for unexpected love. . . A difficult marriage has left the Helmuths' widowed great-granddaughter, Beth, finished with wedlock. She's content to live with them and make a life for herself and her toddler son. But once she turns down handsome Tyler Yoder's proposal, it seems only fair to encourage him to find a suitable wife. Trouble is, his gentleness and generous ways are showing her how joyous a real meeting of hearts can be. . . After a failed courtship, Tyler thought the best he could hope for in a wife was mere companionship. But spirited Beth is the one he longs to protect, and hold close. Earning her trust is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. And s...

Review of The River by Beverly Lewis She looked once more at the dreaded river. Since Anna's death, it had been such a barrier . . . a place and a moment she could not seem to move past.               A line I can't move beyond... The River   Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents' landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single and hasn't entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau. Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can't undo? MY REVIEW:  Beverly Lewis is such a treasure among Amish fiction authors and The River certainly lives up to the high expectations I held as I read.  Tilly and Ruth both left the Amish after ...