A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill

  • Author: Jennifer Beckstrand
  • Publisher: Zebra
  • Print Length: 368 pages
  • Release Date: December 26, 2017
  • I Rate it:    
  • GenreChristian
  • Purchase on Amazon

Book Summary

There’s nothing Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s irrepressible eighty-somethings Anna and Felty Helmuth like better than a challenge. And the chance to matchmake their feisty granddaughter is their most delightful task yet…
 
Elsie Stutzman’s plain-spoken ways got her in trouble once before, so she needs to make a good impression at her new teaching job. But she’s not about to let disabled student Wally Sensenig work below his potential. And she definitely won’t put up with his hot-headed older brother sabotaging her efforts, no matter how handsome he is. . .

Sam is nearly at the end of his rope caring for his ailing, widowed mother, working their farm, and raising his siblings. He’ll admit Elsie’s ideas are bringing Wally out of his angry shell—but why does she have to be as stubborn as she is pretty? Yet as it turns out, Elsie has taught Sam something about himself as well. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes—and win her heart forever.

Write Now Literary Book Tours - Taffy Book Blast Tour

Guest Post from Jennifer Beckstrand

I have a very special place in my heart for teachers. My dad was a high school math teacher. My mother taught second grade for over twenty years. My son-in-law taught choir in high school, and my daughter taught seventh-grade science. Another daughter taught American history labs at the university and still another daughter taught classes for a youth summer program.

Elsie Stutzman is a dedicated teacher who was dismissed from her last teaching job in Ohio and is trying to make a fresh start and a good impression in Bonduel, Wisconsin. Unfortunately one of her students, Wally Sensenig, is making things difficult for her, and Wally’s hot-headed older brother seems determined to get her fired. But Elsie is a dedicated teacher, too stubborn to back down and too steadfast to give up on anybody.

Elsie’s grandparents, Anna and Felty Helmuth, have other plans for her. They want her to fall in love with one of the local boys, but they’re finding it a little difficult to get the two young people together.

Teachers have an immense impact on our lives. We all remember a favorite elementary school teacher who inspired a love of learning or a high school teacher who encouraged us to reach for greatness. One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Zobell, who taught ninth grade English. I distinctly remember her reading “The Outsiders” out loud to our class. She had a way of making great books and great stories come to life, and she sparked a love of reading (and writing) that I will always be grateful for. The teacher who had the most impact on my life is my dad. He helped me through Calculus in high school and inspired me to major in math in college.

I hope we will take the time this month to thank the teachers in our lives for all they do for us and all they do for our kids.

Who was one of your favorite teachers and why?

<h2><span class="wrap"><span class="inner">About The Author</span></span></h2>

Jennifer Beckstrand is the award winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer was nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award and the 2015 RITA® Award, and Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for Inspirational fiction. Both Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Christmas appeared in Examiner.com list of top ten inspirational books for 2014. Her much-anticipated Amish series, The Honeybee Sisters, will be released Summer of 2016 and promises to create a lot of romantic buzz. 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’ Aunt Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty-one years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and four adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten. You can learn more or follow Jennifer on:

Jennifer Beckstrand

Book Review by Bree Herron

How can a person feel like they are home in a fictional story? Coming home to Huckleberry Hill is always exciting and heart warming.  Anna is still matchmaking and finding love for her kin.

Characters

Anna and her husband, Felty are back and making matchmaking happen on Huckleberry Hill. Now, some of you might not have met Anna yet, she has been a beacon of love in this series, but have no fear she certainly devotes her time to each book she is in. Anna is always like farm fresh butter and biscuits. Sweet, warm and makes you feel loved.

Elise is in for a treat in love, though she is determined to be just a good school teacher. I love the teacher profession for this sweet, simple life gal. She was the perfect described and mannered teacher. I really loved how she worked with a struggling student and forged a possible future ahead for him. She has the perfect understanding of limitation and expectations that made me take note. Sam, was the dark horse in this book. Not too sure what he was going to do, most of the book. But when his heart opened the birds sang.

Enjoyable Moments

As a teacher’s daughter, and soon (year or so) to be teacher, I was thrilled each time I was teaching with Elise. It was like being right in the classroom, doing the math and reading. Understanding her students right alongside of her. I truly revisited many moments with Wally as these spoke to my heart.

Setting

There must be something in Anna’s unique cooking that keeps the love budding in Huckleberry Hill. I am starting to devise a plan to get in the pages and find a partner with Anna’s help. Now Huckleberry Hill, is one of those places that makes you feel right at home. Even being Amish country, couldn’t change the fact that this girl would love to have a barn and cow there.

Synoptic

Now that I am concluding my gushing of this book, I would like to reflect on what makes this series so wonderful. Truly, it is Anna and Felty. These two show nothing but love and faith to those around them and to their readers. They are fictional but to many of us, these two are living in the pages of these books. If a reader is looking to find themselves falling in love with a series, they should look no further. If a reader fondly remembers their school time they should read this book. Amish, Christian, Romance fans; this book is for you.

I Rate it

Shoo fly pie! What Amish foods would you try?

**DISCLAIMER: I was provided an opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.

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<h2><span class="inner">Giveaway</span></h2>

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to three winners!!  Enter in A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill! Comment on this post for extra entries!

Professional Reader Affiliates

NetGalley Professional Reader Frequently Auto-Approved 200 Book Reviews 2016 NetGalley Challenge Reviews Published Great Escape Tour Host BethanyHouse Blogger Reviewer

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5 Comments

  1. Lori Smanski

    this looks like a sweet book. when you look at that face, how can he not help but want to kiss her?

    Reply
    • Jennifer Beckstrand

      Lori! So true. I really love this cover. And this was such a fun book to write. I hope you love it!

      Reply
  2. Kay Garrett

    Thank you for your wonderful review of “A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill”. I can’t wait to read this book!

    Enjoyed reading the guest post from Jennifer Beckstrand as well.

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Beckstrand

    Kay, thank you for your thoughtful and very kind review! It made me feel so good. I love knowing that people love my books. Anna and Felty are some of my favorite people.

    Reply

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