Today I'm turning my blog over to Jennifer Beckstrand, with a review of her latest novel "Huckleberry Spring," which is the FORTH novel in her The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill Series!!
- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 352; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1128 KB | Release Date: January 27, 2015 | Publisher: Kensington : Zebra Books | Obtained: Pump Up Your Book / NetGalley"Huckleberry Spring" [The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill Series, Book 4] by Jennifer Beckstrand
Author's Book Description : Ever since the Helmuths’ grandson, Ben, abruptly broke his engagement and moved to Florida, Emma Nelson has kept busy tending her vegetable garden and raising award-winning pumpkins. She can put her heartache aside to help Ben’s mammi with her own pumpkin patch. At least until Ben shows up to lend support to his ailing dawdi...
Gardening side by side with pretty, nurturing Emma is a sweet kind of torture for Ben. She could have her pick of suitors who can offer what he can’t, and he cares too much to burden her with his secret. Leaving once more is the only option. Yet Emma’s courage is daring him to accept the grace that flourishes here, and the love that has been calling him back to Huckleberry Hill.
“The much-loved matchmaker Anna Helmuth is back! Beckstrand is an amazing, talented author who gives the over-used matchmaking trope a fresh twist. The characters are sweet and caring, and the storyline runs smoothly.” - RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars
My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! Anna & Felty are match making again! Only this time Felty is being pulled through the ringer just to keep his grandson living with them. Poor thing. Together they try to get Ben & Emma back together again but because of one big secret and a bunch of lies, it might be a harder job than Anna originally planned. But she won't give up without a fight ... and Felty's wise words of course.
I really enjoyed this dramatically touching novel. Anna's quirky ways were all fun to read about but I also liked how sweet Ben was and how determined Emma is to see everything through. All of it put my emotions through the ringer by laughing one moment to getting mopey the next. In addition, even though I guessed that the main reason for Ben & Emma being apart was because of something bad to do with Ben I never would have guessed the truth. With one twist after another, I didn't want it to end. However, alas, it had to end and I LOVED the way Ben & Emma's romance wrapped up!! They are just so sweet together and more passionate then I'm use to reading in Amish romances that it made me pleasantly surprised.
Other than the fact I really disliked Adam (Emma's "tester boyfriend") and Emma's mother, I enjoyed this novel tremendously! Therefore, I HIGHLY recommend this novel and series to those who like Amish Christian romances!
Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Kobo (e-Book) : Huckleberry Hill | Alibris (Paperback) : Huckleberry Hill | Kobo (e-Book) : Huckleberry Summer | Alibris (Paperback) : Huckleberry Summer | Kobo (e-Book) : Huckleberry Christmas | Alibris (Paperback) : Huckleberry Christmas | Kobo (e-Book) : A Perfect Amish Christmas | Kobo (e-Book) : Huckleberry Spring | Kobo (e-Book) : Huckleberry Harvest
My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 3
Author's Series Extras : Huckleberry Hill Reviews | Huckleberry Summer Reviews | My near-death experience, or Does anyone have a good meatball recipe? | My trip to Wisconsin Amish Country! | Huckleberry Hill and a few of my favorite things | Amish Authors Break Their Silence | Teenage boys and raisin pie | Ask an Amish author about books and such... | Recipes and Hilarious Food Disasters | Writing process blog tour | Recipe for Amish Layered Jell-O Salad
Book Teaser(s) :
"Now, Felty," Mammi said, the scold rising in her voice, "there will be no talk of getting better."For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Jennifer, then please check out her website.
Ben raised his eyebrows. Mammi certainly had a peculiar way of nursing her husband back to health. But Ben couldn't argue with it. Mammi and Dawdi had been together for over sixty years. Mammi knew better how to care for Dawdi than anyone. If Dawdi needed words of discouragement, who was Ben to question her methods.
Mammi tried to read the tiny directions on the pill bottle label. "Stuff and nonsense. Where are my glasses?" She handed the bottle back to him. "What does it say, dear?"
"Take one every six to eight hours as needed for pain."
Ben handed Mammi one pill, feeling guilty for conspiring against Dawdi. Mammi filled a glass with water and took it to Dawdi.
Ben tried to smooth things over with Dawdi. "The doctor said you'll heal faster if you take something for the pain. It helps reduce the inflammation."
Mammi snapped her head around to look at Ben and stopped in her tracks. "He did say that, didn't he?" She reversed direction, away from Dawdi's chair. "Never mind, then."
Felty held out his hand with a smug look on his half-covered face. "Come here, Annie Banannie. I'll have my pill now."
Ben pressed his lips tightly together to keep from chuckling. Had Mammi tricked Dawdi into taking a pill, or had she really changed her mind? Maybe she was way more clever than Ben could ever hope to be.
Sixty years of marriage was no small thing. ~ within Chapter 5
About the Author :
I grew up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. After all that literary immersion, I naturally decided to get a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of my six children needed help with homework. After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years.
I have always been fascinated by the Amish way of life and now write Inspirational Amish Romance. I am drawn to the strong faith of the Plain people and admire the importance they put on enduring family ties. I have visited and studied Amish communities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where I met with a bishop and a minister as well as several Amish mamms, dats, and children. It has always impressed me at what salt-of-the-earth people they are. My interactions with these kind people have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have a dear Amish friend with whom I correspond in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She helps me keep my facts straight and gives me inspiration for my stories.
My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I’ve done my job. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers and am represented by Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency.
There are three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series (Summerside/Guideposts). "Kate’s Song," "Rebecca’s Rose," and "Miriam’s Quilt" are all now available.
I have six Amish Roamish buggymances in the works with Kensington Books. The first and second books, "Huckleberry Hill" and "Huckleberry Summer," are now available in stores and online. The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill is set in northern Wisconsin Amish country.
The series, The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, is about an elderly Amish couple who try to find suitable mates for their grandchildren. What could be more fun than throwing two young people together to see if sparks ignite? No one would ever suspect two octogenarian Amish folks of mischief.
Romantic Times gave "Huckleberry Hill" 4 1/2 stars and chose "Huckleberry Summer" as a TOP PICK.
I have four daughters, two sons, three sons-in-law, and two adorable grandsons. I live in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with my husband and one son still left at home.
Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites!
Find Jennifer Beckstrand :
I am so grateful to be featured on your site today. Thank you so much for the lovely review. Ben and Emma were so much fun to write. And Anna and Felty always keep things hopping. I hop readers love this story!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting Jennifer on her tour - what a great review!
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