Showing results by author "Brenda Maxfield" in All Categories

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.

A tragic road accident sends Leah Yoder reeling. Her mother is dead. And so is the mother of Seth Knapp. Now in charge of her household, Leah struggles to do not only her chores, but her mother’s. And when her father deserts the family, her brothers are left tending the crops. Leah reaches out to her beau Timothy for help - something she quickly regrets. Timothy is so busy, and isn’t inclined to spend too many hours helping out on the Yoder farm.

Doris Glick’s Amish beau was convicted of car theft and is in prison. Her parents are distressed about their relationship; indeed, the entire district is upset with Jordan. But Doris is undeterred. She loves Jordan Lehman and is determined to remain loyal to him. She’s sure that when they hear the complete story of what happened, everything will be cleared up. She only prays Jordan will be released by Christmas. After all, isn’t Christmas the time to be together?

Doris Glick’s beau has done more than enough to cause pain to his family and everyone in the district. Surely, he is finished causing upset. But, no. Now, his carelessness lands him in the hospital. Doris is beside herself. She’s tired of making excuses for him, tired of defending him, tired of him. But how can she break up with him when he’s hurt? What kind of person would she be?

Annie Hershberger’s engagement doesn’t last 24 hours before her fiancé backs out and dumps her. Devastated and humiliated, she flees to Hollybrook to work in her uncle’s toy shop. Maybe this move will give her the new start she desperately needs. But Annie doesn’t count on an accidental shooting and the painful loss of one of Hollybrook’s youngest. She doesn’t count on meeting the victim’s grieving brother or the compassion for him that stirs in her heart. She doesn’t count on her father insisting she come home to attend her former beau’s wedding to his new fiancée.

Things go from bad to worse for Andrew Miller. After his wife dies, leaving him with a newborn daughter, he struggles to provide a stable home. But his mother-in-law has other ideas. And now, she wants to keep Susie with her permanently. But Andrew can’t allow it. He won’t allow it. He’s already lost too much.

After her best friend dies immediately after childbirth, Amy Yoder cares for little Susie like her own. When Susie's grandmother appears on the scene, ready to take over Susie's complete care, Amy tries to be gracious and bow out. But how does a person bow out of a situation like that? How can Amy give up the baby she loves like her own? How can she leave Andrew's home where she's stayed since Susie's birth?

Doris Glick’s beau has been released from prison - and just in time for Christmas. Doris is sure that now everything will be fine. Life can return to normal, and she and Jordan can continue their courtship, with Christmas promising to be especially dear. But Doris is wrong. Dreadfully wrong. Nothing goes as she hopes. Jordan has changed - and not in a good way. She hardly knows him anymore. Matthew Wanner, Doris’s best friend and adopted cousin, begins to court his girlfriend in earnest. Doris wants to be happy for him, but she struggles.

The unthinkable has happened. Amy Yoder rushes to Andrew’s house, ready to take care of his newborn baby. How can her best friend Grace be gone? How could Grace not have lived to see her baby draw its first breath? Grief is thick in Andrew’s house. Amy does her best to keep things going. She and her sister will be staying at Andrew’s house indefinitely. But Peter, Amy’s long-time beau, isn’t pleased. When he witnesses Amy in Andrew’s house, he panics and asks her to marry him.

Everyone in Hollybrook agrees Uriah Umble is bad news - except Beulah Yoder. Uriah certainly isn’t bad news for her. She loves him and will do anything for him - including sneak out of the house repeatedly to be with him. After months of this, she finally gets caught and the anvil falls. She is forbidden to ever see Uriah Umble again. Join Beulah as she struggles through unbearable circumstances. Feel her confusion and rejection and rejoice with her as she learns the true meaning of faith, forgiveness, and love.

Honor Kennel thought marrying Gabe Chupp would solve everything. It would give her and her parents a roof over their heads. It would allow them to stay put in Hollybrook. But there is one glaring problem. She doesn’t love Gabe. Oh, he’s a nice enough guy, but there are no sparks. No passion. Gabe Chupp can’t believe his good fortune - God is certainly smiling down on him. He’s secretly loved Honor for years, so when she begins seeking him out, he is over the moon. But after their wedding, something is wrong.

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.

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.

Katie Smucker didn’t set out to break the rules. The first time she saw her shunned sister and spoke to her, she nearly buckled with guilt. But every time after that, it got easier and easier. Both Katie’s sisters have left their Amish roots. Katie’s heart breaks every time she thinks about her mother never seeing her two grandchildren. Is there any way Katie can intervene? But how, without taking even more risks…

Elaine Jutzi has a God-given gift—she knows just what to say to someone who is hurting. So surely, she can help her sister, who recently suffered a stillbirth. But things don’t go well. Christina yearns to join her boppli in heaven, and Elaine can’t seem to reach her. And then Elaine’s longtime beau decides to call it quits, thrusting Elaine into her own world of sadness.

When Moses Zook arrives in town, Nellie Peachey is intrigued. Who is this handsome stranger with the mysterious past? Moses quickly charms Nellie with his smooth talk and attentive interest, sweeping her doubts away. Edna misses her husband, who works out of state. Raising their two young children alone is challenging, but the money he sends back is essential. She convinces herself she can endure his absence a bit longer.