Showing results by author "Brenda Maxfield" in All Categories

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.

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.

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.

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.