Return to Huckleberry Hill Review and Giveaway!

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About the Book

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 Perspective

I was delighted to be back in Huckleberry Hill with Anna and Felty. I think I could be a bit like Anna – always trying to pair people up. She was so forward with Fern when Fern first came to the house that I was literally laughing out loud. Yes, I get some looks from others in the room! What I love about Anna is that she is not afraid to be outspoken and honest. She adds humor to this story and is a wonderful supporting character.

The thing I like about this storyline is that it is a little different than the norm, and I’m always looking for that in Amish fiction. Here we have a proud Amish boy (whether he wants to admit it or not) who was betrayed by his best friend, flees his surroundings, is followed by Fern who obviously has feelings for him, and really starts “dating” more than one girl at a time. I found this to be extremely hilarious at times. Here’s the thing though….. Reuben is very naive. I know it may not seem like someone who was proud could be, but if you really look into the way the author writes his part you can start to piece it together. I thought Reuben was like an onion. He had these layers to him, but he wasn’t ready to show them all to the world. You had to peel away layers, slowly, to get to his true core.

The last few chapters had my full attention. I was engrossed in what was happening with Reuben, Fern, and even a surprise visitor! Ms. Beckstrand wrote the ending perfectly, exactly how I wanted it to read. The characters came together and responded in a way that was realistic and sincere. And there’s even a section that gives you hope for another story to come from Anna and Felty! Can’t wait 🙂

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions 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

Anna Helmuth is starting a knitting club, but that’s not all she’s got up her sleeve.

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

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May 23: Lighthouse Academy

May 24: Reading Is My SuperPower

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May 25: God’s Little Bookworm

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May 26: Edits and Reviews by Leslie McKee

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May 29: Karen Sue Hadley

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June 3: Moments Dipped in Ink

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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