Thursday, June 1, 2017

Another fun visit to Huckleberry Hill -- Return to Huckleberry Hill (with a GIVEAWAY)


You know how sometimes an idea is good the first time or two you see it, but then it gets old after it is repeated over and over?  Well . . . that is NOT what happens with Jennifer Beckstrand's Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.  Return to Huckleberry Hill is (I think) the 7th book in this series, and the stories just keep on entertaining!

Once again Anna Helmuth is concerned about doing some matchmaking for one of her grandchildren.  Her original plans for a granddaughter get sidelined when grandson Reuben shows up from Ohio.  But never fear, Anna shifts directions quickly and the fun begins!

Anna's knitting and culinary skills are of course important parts of the story.  And who would have thought that Felty's license plate game could helpful in affairs of the heart!

Jennifer once again fills her story with a fun and quirky cast of characters.  Her creativity leads to plenty of fun and thrilling adventures for everyone involved.  I certainly hope that she continues to give us more opportunities to visit Anna and Felty on Huckleberry Hill.  Fans of fun Amish fiction should enjoy this delightful read.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of this book.  I was pleased to voluntarily share my own thoughts for this review.

About the Book:

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…

Click here  to buy a copy of the book.

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 by the Author: 

Anna Helmuth is starting a knitting club, but that’s not all she’s got up her sleeve.
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My family. I have five sisters and no brothers. I think my mom made every dress in this photo, including her own.
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?


Check out reviews by other readers by visiting the Tour Page.

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

6 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. Return to Huckleberry Hill was so much fun to write--I especially enjoyed making up recipes for Anna Helmuth. They are foods that sound slightly off but that might tempt someone with a sophisticated palate. I hope readers will laugh and cry and be inspired to try raisins in their beef stew. Felty loves raisins. ;)

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  2. I agree, Jennifer's books are very entertaining!

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  3. This is my favorite series! Go out and buy all of them! I guarantee you will not be sorry. Sweet, funny, heartwarming stories! Love Love Love! ❤️❤️❤️

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  4. I've never read any of these books, but they sound interesting.

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  5. The link above is not working. (to enter)
    My grandmothers crocheted, which I can do, but haven't in awhile.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  6. I knit a little and crochet a little. I am an uber beginner at both arts. :)

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