Welcome! Another One Bites the Crust by Ellie Alexander will be published on January 2. It is the seventh book in A Bakeshop Mystery series. The actor playing Antony in Antony and Cleopatra is murdered and Lance is the prime suspect. Jules needs to prove his innocence and find the killer. Jules is also wondering about the key that Carlos gave her. What did it mean? What does the key open?
A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand is the eighth installment in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. Anna and Felty
Helmuth lives in Bonduel, Wisconsin on Huckleberry Hill. Anna has had great success in finding the
perfect mates for her grandchildren. She
has found the perfect match for her granddaughter, Elsie Stutzman. Now she just needs to find a way to get them
together. Elsie has signed on as the
local schoolteacher. Elsie is known for
being outspoken (which has gotten her into trouble in the recent past) along
with being determined and stubborn (feisty).
She loves teaching, but Elsie has been having trouble with fourteen-year-old
Wally Sensenig. Wally only has one full
leg and is missing fingers on one hand (threshing accident), but Elsie will not
let Wally use that as an excuse for not working up to his full potential. Wally has been using his disability to
manipulate people and to get what he wants.
But he has finally met his match in Elsie Stutzman. Elsie is also trying to convince her
grandmother to wait on matching her up with an eligible bachelor. Elsie’s last relationship did not end well,
and she is not ready to try again.
Sam Sensenig, Wally’s older
brother, takes care of the family farm, his ill mother and his siblings. He feels guilty for Wally’s accident and
gives into to Wally’s “requests” (had electricity installed in Wally’s bedroom,
purchased him an Xbox along with games, and does not require him to do
chores). Wally tells Sam that the
teacher is picking on him. A riled Sam
goes to the school to confront Elsie about picking on his disabled
brother. Elsie tries to explain to Sam
what she wishes to accomplish with Wally, but she meets with resistance. It will take time for Sam to realize that
Elsie only wants what is best for Wally.
Sam is also dealing with Anna Felty and her numerous attempts to get him
to meet her granddaughter, Elizabeth.
She keeps sending him letters with potholders enclosed. If the young lady needs her grandmother to
match her up, Sam is not sure he wants to meet her, nor does he have the
time. Can Elsie get Sam to see the error
of his ways? Will Elsie be able to change
Wally and his outlook? Can Anna succeed
in bringing these two stubborn individuals together?
I found A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill to be well-written, engaging and it had a good pace (which
makes for a book that is enjoyable to read).
Anna and Felty Helmuth are such delightful characters. They are in their 80s, and Anna has no qualms
meddling in her grandchildren’s lives.
Anna is a quirky woman who wears sweaters that are not approved by the
Ordung, is a knitting machine, and cooks the worst food (Felty finds it
delicious, but his taste buds are not to be trusted). Elsie is a strong, determined, persistent yet
compassionate and kind woman. These qualities
make her an excellent teacher. She wants
what is best for her students. I ended
up liking Sam in the end, but he was irksome (I did not think he would ever see
reason). I could not believe how
oblivious he was to Rose Mast (neighbor who was in love with him). His cluelessness to the situation went on a
little too long for my liking. It was
cute and humorous how Anna kept trying to match up Sam and Elsie without
success. The scenes did have me
chuckling. A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill can be read as a standalone. I do,
though, recommend the other novels in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series (each one is unique and a pleasure to read). Anna is determined to find matches for all
her grandchildren whether they want it or not.
In A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill, you will find yourself cheering for
Elsie as she sets out to change Wally and Sam.
I am eager to read Home on Huckleberry Hill (June 26, 2018) which is the next novel in
The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.
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