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About the Book
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Book: Return to Huckleberry Hill
Author: Jennifer Beckstrand
Genre: Inspirational Amish Romance
Release Date: May 30, 2017
When it comes to matchmaking, Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s unstoppable octogenarians Anna and Felty Helmuth never seem to run out of opportunities—or grandchildren…
Reuben Helmuth is plenty bitter. John King, his best friend—or so he thought—is engaged to the girl Reuben loved. Humiliated, Reuben flees from Ohio to his grandparents’ home on Huckleberry Hill, where he knows he’ll find comfort. He’s enjoying wallowing in his misery—until John’s sister, Fern, shows up. She won’t stop pestering Reuben about forgiveness—or trying to help him find love again. Yet Fern’s efforts only reawaken Reuben’s long-buried feelings—for her…
With her brother too ashamed to face Reuben, it’s fallen to Fern to help mend fences. But as she and the Helmuths do all they can—even organizing a knitting club event filled with eligible girls—it may take one more challenge to inspire Reuben to forget his heartache, recognize his own blunders, and embrace the true love that’s right in front of him…
My Thoughts:
Return to Huckleberry
Hill is the first book I have read by Jennifer Beckstrand and in
this series. This was a delightful read and had me giggling more often than
not. The turn of phrases the author wove into this story of Reuben and Fern
have made this such a memorable Amish read. Reuben is angry and letting
bitterness grow deep down in regards to losing his girlfriend to his best
friend. So he leaves and goes to stay with his grandparents.
Reuben’s grandparents are a hoot. They are a much older
couple with a lot of spry and life left in them. Reuben’s grandmother, Anna, is
in the matchmaking business and hopes to find a nice girl for Reuben. Enter
Fern, (the sister to Reuben’s best friend and who has followed him to bring him
back home), a coconspirator with Anna to cheer up Reuben. They have concocted a
plan to get the eligible young ladies of the town to form a knitting club. Two
purposes in mind but the main one so that they could get to know Reuben and
maybe one of them could be a match made in heaven for him.
For the most part this was a lighthearted tale with very
important lessons woven into it. Reuben is very prideful, selfish, and because
he is blinded by himself he does not see the treasure in front of him. On the
other hand Fern is a selfless character always thinking about others first and
she really has some gumption about her. Fern’s problem was a bit of pride as
well, especially when she will not ask for help and due to that finds her with scary
and unhealthy ramifications.
I enjoyed this story very much. I liked that Anna was not
afraid to try out new experimental recipes; but like Fern I don’t think I would
have tried them either. It is a good thing Reuben liked them.
I received a copy of this book for free. I was not required
to post a positive review and the views and opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Jennifer Beckstrand is the award winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-two years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and soon-to-be six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.
Guest post from Jennifer Beckstrand
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In Return to Huckleberry Hill, Anna Helmuth and Fern King decide to start a knitting club in order to introduce Anna’s grandson Reuben to some girls from Bonduel, Wisconsin. Anna is a very good knitter, with years of practice making baby blankets, scarves, mittens, and potholders. One of Anna’s scarves actually saved someone’s life, and her potholders have helped her make many a match.
When I was a young teenager, I learned how to knit and crochet. My mom taught me how to sew and quilt, and I made several of my own dresses in high school. I never learned to love sewing, but it was an invaluable skill that I am so grateful to have. Now that I’m a little older, I love putting together simple quilts for baby gifts and making quilts for the local children’s hospital. There is nothing like a homemade gift to say, “I care about you.”
I have a friend who is a wonderful cook. Making a delicious, beautiful meal is how she tells her family she loves them. I don’t consider myself a great cook, but I still take pride in putting something nutritious and satisfying on the table for my family.
It seems to me that some of the “home arts” that our mothers and grandmothers practiced are dying out. Who knows how to tat anymore? Or embroider? Some of these arts have died because of expediency. Who doesn’t think today’s stocking choices are more comfortable and practical than knitted wool ones? Others have died out because so few people want to learn.
What about you? Do you still practice any of the home arts that your grandmother did? What do you want to pass on to the next generation?
Blog Stops
May 23: cherylbbookblog
May 23: Lighthouse Academy
May 24: Reading Is My SuperPower
May 24: A Greater Yes
May 25: Just Commonly
May 25: God’s Little Bookworm
May 26: Have A Wonderful Day
May 26: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
May 27: Faithful Acres Body Soul Spirit
May 27: A Bakers Perspective
May 28: Christian Bookaholic
May 28: The Power of Words
May 29: Karen Sue Hadley
May 29: Daysong Reflections
May 29: Inklings and notions
May 30: Quiet Quilter
May 30: my site/autism mom
May 30: Donna’s Bookshelf
May 31: Bibliophile Reviews
May 31: Bigreadersite
June 1: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
June 1: Southern Gal Loves to Read
June 2: Pause for Tales
June 2: Blossoms and Blessings
June 3: Moments Dipped in Ink
June 4: A Room without Books is Empty
June 4: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
June 4: Eat, Read, Teach, Blog
June 5: His Grace Is Sufficient
June 5: Jeanette’s Thoughts
June 5: A Simple Life, really?!
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a $15 Amazon gift card to three lucky winners!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b3b2
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. I very much appreciated your kind and very thoughtful review. Anna and Felty are just about my favorite people in the whole world, even though they're fictional. I hope readers love them as much as I do. Have a blessed day. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this book! Love the series and can't wait to return to Huckleberry Hill!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this book! Love the series and can't wait to return to Huckleberry Hill!
ReplyDeleteI love Anna and Felty! They are great characters that keep you on your toes. I can sew some easy things. My mom also made all of our dresses when we were growing up. I have 4 sisters and one brother.
ReplyDeleteI knit a little and crochet a little. I am an uber beginner at both arts. :)
ReplyDelete