Showing results by author "Brenda Maxfield" in All Categories

Anna Kennel's journey from her Amish roots to become a high school teacher was marked by bold choices and a love for learning beyond her community. Her current life, with the prospect of romance with her teaching colleague, Dennis Long, shines with promise. As summer vacation unfurls, Anna's plans for relaxation and time with Dennis are upended by an urgent call—her mother is unwell, and Anna's presence is needed at home. Anna returns to Hollybrook and discovers her stubborn mother is unwilling to accept help—unless it comes from her hired hand, young widower Gabe Eaash.

At the tender age of 16, Hagar King falls in love. She is certain all will go perfectly with her 15-year-old beau, Enoch Yoder. But she is wrong—very wrong. Hagar falls pregnant and is shipped off in shame to give birth to a beautiful baby girl. Under protest, her child is snatched away. Enoch’s family leaves the state, and Hagar does not hear from him again. In the present day, Hagar lives with an empty gap in her heart and life—one that can never be filled. But everything turns upside down when Enoch returns to town. He never stopped loving Hagar.

All her life, Jolene Weiger has taken care of her developmentally delayed brother, Bennie. Now grown, Jolene is engaged to marry, but her beau doesn’t want to start married life with Bennie in tow. Jolene calls off her engagement, secretly wishing she were engaged to Amos Zook, her best friend from childhood. Jolene’s mother announces she’s marrying an Englischer and leaving the Amish church. Getting no help from her married sisters, Jolene is on her own with Bennie. As Amos watches her struggle, the truth of his feelings snaps into place.

Mary Hartzler runs her shop, Bits & Bites, making just enough profit to take care of herself and her elderly aenti and onkel. When newcomer Mark Bontrager opens a bakery across the street, he unwittingly takes many of her customers, and Mary wonders how she’s going to survive. Mark Bontrager has been shunned, but he yearns for his Amish roots. When he meets Mary, his heart is stirred in a powerful way. But he’s no longer Amish, and he’s quite certain Mary has a beau. But he can’t ignore his growing feelings for this gentle Amish woman.

Ellen Kauffman’s younger sister Nancy is walking a dangerous path. Smitten with the divorced father of one of her nursery school students, Nancy has become deaf to Ellen’s warnings. Ellen will do anything to save her sister from being shunned. So, when Mark Otto, the man Ellen secretly loves, declares his interest in Nancy, Ellen sets aside her feelings and does all she can to help him.

Every day, Miriam Peachey forces a smile, trying to act natural. But since her Rumspringa, nothing is right, and she fears it never will be again. The secret she hides threatens to suffocate her. She can never publicly claim the tiny baby she left in her barren friend’s barn. For Amanda and Caleb Ebersole, the discovery of a newborn in their barn is nothing short of a miracle—a divine answer to their prayers. However, with the baby comes a mystery as deep as the night sky. Where did she come from? And can they safeguard this unexpected blessing from being taken away?

Fern Weaver doesn’t set out to become a liar, but it happens. When her dear sister Joyce is shunned, Fern can’t abide the separation. What would it hurt to sneak off to see her? But one time turns into two, and into three, and into four...When her sister’s Englisch brother-in-law shows interest in her, Fern is caught off-guard and fears she’s made a terrible mistake. Fern’s lies also threaten her fledgling romance with Reuben Swarey. She can’t go on like this; she must decide.

Caleb Ebersole listens to his dying grandfather’s words in utter shock. The buggy shop is to be left to his brother Ephraim? Caleb is the one who has given his heart and all his energy to the shop. Caleb is the one who helped his grandfather run the store for years. His brother couldn’t care less about the shop. And to make matters worse, Caleb’s grandfather asks him to school his brother in the running of the business.

Becky Kauffman loves her nanny job. Little Tommy Bookman is a charmer, with his toothy grin and mischievous eyes. His father, Englischer Travis Bookman, is also a charmer - something Becky tries her best to ignore. However, it is hard to ignore her handsome boss, who seems to appreciate her for more than the excellent care of his son. But there is Daniel Flaud, her Amish friend, who is intent on courting her. When things come to a head during a Sunday preaching service, Becky discovers where her love truly lies. But has she burned bridges beyond repair?

In his youth, Josiah Schwartz suffered a disastrous courtship, effectively ending his romantic life. But now, his loneliness cannot be ignored. He promises himself he’ll try one more time to find a woman to court. He settles on Nancy Mast - a nice local widow, kind and steady. Josiah follows his plan and begins courting her, with a promising outcome. But Josiah doesn’t reckon on running into newcomer Sharon Bontrager - literally. Her ankle is badly injured when she’s spooked by his mare, and she is unable to care for her aenti’s farm.

Marlene Jantzi flees Rock Point, Ohio, to escape her shame. She will do anything to give her son a good start in life - even if it means she has to lie. It works, too, until she begins to have feelings for the mysterious Daniel Studer. She sees the pain in his eyes and wonders whether he’s been hurt, too.

Anna Mast has accepted Daniel Studer’s proposal of marriage. She is giddy with excitement, and her mind spins with wedding plans. When Daniel stops by the next day, refusing to come inside, instant dread courses through her. And Anna is right to worry. Daniel has been caught by Deacon Elias using technology, and he is to come before the church for discipline.

Nancy Jantzi’s father had dared bring Englisch machinery onto their land, and ever since, things had gone downhill. Now, her family is in danger of losing their farm. The only way Nancy can help is by getting a job. After a tragic accident, Vernon Verkler is raising his two young nephews alone, but he is slowly drowning. He needs help - badly. When Nancy is recommended for the position, he agrees immediately.

Mary Sutter couldn’t get away from Hollybrook fast enough.... Her former fiancé and his new wife are expecting their first boppli by Christmas, and she doesn’t want to be there when it happens. So when she gets the opportunity to go to Ohio to help her aenti after she broke her leg, Mary goes immediately. Once in Ohio, Mary also takes over her aenti’s responsibilities with the annual Christmas bazaar. She is paired up with Daniel Bender to organize it.

Nearly three years ago, Collette Schmucker lost her husband to a car accident. Since then, she and her two young sons have lived with her in-laws. But Collette is ready to move on - she wants to court again, find a new love, make her own home. Her mother-in-law Ruby has a different opinion. Collette has been married once, and to Ruby’s precious son. Why would Collette want another man? Why would she not be satisfied with what she had?

Kathryn Wittner has made a mess of everything. Her father calls her disobedient, rebellious, and even evil. Kathryn supposes he’s right and isn’t surprised when she’s banished from the house before Christmas. Help comes to Kathryn through a totally unexpected, and at first, totally unwanted, friendship with a Mennonite man. Isaiah shows her a truth she’s never before seen or experienced. Soon, she is rethinking her complete rejection of God and her Amish roots. But she fears she’s too late. Is there truly hope for her this Christmas?

Martha Yoder moves to Hollybrook to help her sister Sarah with her three young sons. Sarah is alone now since her husband’s efforts at farming failed, and he went north to work at the factories. At Sarah’s home, Martha’s days are filled with housework, helping to care for her nephews and tending the animals. She even goes so far as to take a job in town.

Rachel Fisher struggles to live peaceably with her late husband’s aenti, who took Rachel and her son in when they needed shelter. But Barbara continually interferes with how Rachel is raising young Evan, and sparks fly. Rachel tries to get along - she really does - but Barbara pushes her to the limit. When newcomer David Wengerd moves into the district, Rachel is intrigued. But there are secrets there, something David is hiding.

Leora King’s life boils down to two things: running her parents’ farmhouse and trying to keep her cranky father happy. Both require all of her energy. She’s all but given up on finding true love; she’s all but given up on a home of her own. Johnathan comes to Green Valley for the express purpose of finding a wife and settling down. His first choice is Mae Gross. She is a pretty, nice, friendly girl, who just happens to be Leora’s best friend.

Timothy Studor barely makes it through his former fiancée’s wedding. When it’s finally over, he’s ready to flee when he overhears his friends talking. Pausing to listen, he learns that the Amish district in Green Valley, Ohio, is calling for young Amish men from Hollybrook to move there and court their women. It’s the perfect chance for Timothy to get away. Though not interested in courting again, he nevertheless volunteers.