Home on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

Welcome!  Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s irrepressible eighty-something matchmakers Anna and Felty Helmuth are at it again. And this time they’re willing to rough it to get the job done.

 

Mary Anne Neuenschwander knows she should be content with what Gotte has given her. She has a comfortable house, a fruitful farm, and a good, steady husband. But after nearly six years of marriage, she still longs for a baby. Yet her husband, Jethro, seems to care more about fishing than about his wife. Unable to bear Jethro’s indifference, Mary Anne moves into a tent in the woods where he won’t have to be bothered. But when her mammi and dawdi find out what she’s done, they’ll stop at nothing—including a little camping trip of their own—to help save their granddaughter’s marriage . . .

 

Jethro’s greatest blessing is his beloved wife, Mary Anne. Nothing else in his life has turned out anywhere near the way he expected. Rather than burden Mary Anne with his disappointment, he shields her by spending less and less time at home and more time on the river. But when he finds that she’s moved out, he’s shocked. What will people think? What is Mary Anne thinking? And what clever plans are her grandparents hatching?. . .

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, and The Petersheim Brothers series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer and Home on Huckleberry Hill were both nominated for the coveted RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. 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, the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy, and Alfie and Benji Petersheim. Jennifer has written twenty-two Amish romances, a historical Western, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. Jennifer is represented by Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. She and her husband have been married for thirty-five years, and she has six children and eight adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

Author Links

Website: http://www.jenniferbeckstrand.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans

Twitter: @JenniferBeckst1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jennifergbeckst/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Beckstrand/e/B0073GHCOG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1488910908&sr=8-2-ent

Instagram: j.beckstrand (instagram.com/j.beckstrand/)

Bookbub: @JenniferBeckstrand https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-beckstrand

My Thoughts

Home on Huckleberry Hill is a delightful tale.   I thought this Amish novel was well-written, and it has a nice, steady pace throughout.  This book is different from the others in the series. Anna and Felty are trying to assist a married couple instead of matching up singles.  Jennifer Beckstrand has created a wonderful pair of characters.  Anna and Felty are darling and their antics had me laughing frequently (their chickens, the RV, the hammock, Anna’s cooking).  At one point, Anna offers to knit a scarf or a Minion beanie if it would help (the potholders were not cutting it) and I continue to chuckle every time I think about that line.  I also enjoyed Mary Anne’s creative outlets.  They were very clever and unique (I will never look at cheese doodles the same way again).  I was quite taken with the butterfly quilt Mary Anne constructed.  I like how Mary Anne’s family supported her decision and aided her.  The campground got quite large and Jethro’s tent will never be the same again (you will have to read the book to find out more). There are good life lessons in Home on Huckleberry Hill.  The importance of communication in a marriage, putting your partner’s happiness ahead of your own, and remembering that there are two sides to every story.  Home on Huckleberry Hill is a book about learning from your mistakes, remembering why you love your spouse and moving forward in harmony.  While Home on Huckleberry Hill is part of a series, it can be read alone. However, I thoroughly recommend every book in the engaging The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.  Each book is better than the previous and Jennifer Beckstrand did not disappoint with this one.  Home on Huckleberry Hill is a warm-hearted, humorous story that will leave you wanting more.  Home on Huckleberry Hill is a witty Amish novel with creative crochet, imaginative innovations, a fond family, campground chaos, plethora of potholders, and crazy culinary creations.

Home on Huckleberry Hill can be purchased from Amazon* along with the other novels in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.  Jennifer Beckstrand's next book release is Austin.  It is the third novel in The Petersheim Brothers series and will be out on June 30 (I cannot wait to read it). Thank you for taking the time to read my review today.  I hope you have a safe day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill: The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill

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.

I appreciate you visiting today and reading my review.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Stowed Away by Barbara Ross.  I hope that you have a beautiful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader