Showing posts with label Jennifer Beckstrand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jennifer Beckstrand. Show all posts

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Review: The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby by Jennifer Beckstrand



My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

In the first in an engaging new series, an Amish quiltmaker moves from Pennsylvania to a new settlement in Colorado, where adventure, challenges, and love are waiting . . .

Esther Zook is starting over after her father’s death, piecing together a new life with as much as care as she puts into her intricate quilts. When her wayward sister abandons her baby, it throws all those plans for a fresh start asunder. Esther had accepted her status as an old maid—but a mother? And a single one, at that? Not that she hasn’t noticed Levi Kiem, the eligible young man who’s making repairs in her house. Yet he surely has no interest in Esther as anything other than a friend . . .

It’s true that Levi has plenty of marriage prospects. His dat has even offered to send him to Ohio to find a wife. Yet the more time he spends with Esther, the more intrigued he becomes. Feisty and independent, he’s nothing like the wife he once imagined for himself. Yet just as a quilt is crafted from contrasting cloth, they might find that together, they can create a family to cherish . . .


My Review

I love how absolutely vibrant this author's characters are! Esther is strong and independent, but the new challenge of caring for her sister's baby brings all her frustrations and insecurities to the surface. Levi was in the right place at the right time to come to her aid, and I loved seeing his friendship with Esther develop and how his opinion of her shifted. I think my favorite mannerism of Esther's was her tendency to throw and attack things in order to work out her rage and anger. It's definitely not what a person thinks a typical Amish reaction would be! The situation she finds herself in is very realistic, with conflicting emotions of love and resentment for her sister. Her quilting friends are full of personality and an important source of support for Esther. I was glued to the pages as Esther's life and future takes a complete 180 and Levi get taken along for the ride. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 
The next book in The Amish Quiltmaker series releases June 29th and is available for preorder!
 

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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Review: Abraham by Jennifer Beckstrand


https://amzn.to/2ZY9XTq

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Known as “The Peanut Butter Brothers” for their Wisconsin family business, hardworking Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim have their plates too full for romance—until their little siblings decide to play matchmaker . . .

With their house full to bursting since Mammi and Dawdi moved back in, the Petersheim twins know the only way to get their bedroom back is to get their older brothers married off. But Abraham is so shy, he’ll barely speak to girls. Still, they’ve noticed how he looks at Emma Wengerd at church. Emma is so talkative, Abraham’s quiet ways wouldn’t matter a bit. Soon, the boys have hatched a scheme that sends Abraham right to Emma’s door—and her chicken coop . . .

Abraham doubts that pretty, popular Emma would be interested in him. Yet when he finds himself by her side, having to straighten out the twins’ mischief—more than once—he can’t help imagining a future with her. And the more time they spend together, the more Abraham realizes that perhaps no matter how many boys buzz around Emma, with faith, it’s only the right one that counts . . .


My Review

The first book in this series was delightful, and I can't believe I loved this one even more! Alfie and Benji, the youngest brothers, are highly entertaining and mischievous in a way that's endearing and makes me laugh out loud. They are on a mission to get their older brothers married off so they no longer have to sleep in the basement, and they are single-minded about it. I love how they make friends with Emma and bring her and Abraham together in situations they wouldn't normally find themselves. It allows Abraham to shine in his own right as he does thoughtful things for Emma and she is able to get to know him on a deeper level. Of course conflicts, self-doubt, and miscommunications arise and muddle up the waters of their blossoming relationship, but this journey with the boys, their illicit secret dog, a girl, and her beloved chickens is one that I'll be reading again! Great chemistry and sweet romance balance perfectly with humor and themes of community and belonging.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)



Don't miss the other books in the Petersheim Brothers series . . .

Book One

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Book Three
https://amzn.to/2tzLEyZ

Releases June 2020: Available for pre-order











Saturday, January 11, 2020

Review: Andrew by Jennifer Beckstrand


https://amzn.to/37Zi6K2

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim’s family business has earned them the nickname The Peanut Butter Brothers. But if their matchmaking younger siblings have their way, all three may soon bear another title: husband . . .

Handsome, hardworking, and godly, Andrew Petersheim has always been sure of his place in his Wisconsin Amish community. He’ll be a welcome catch for the local girl who finally captures his heart. Mary Coblenz certainly isn’t that girl. Two years after “jumping the fence” for the Englischer world, she’s returned, unmarried and pregnant. Yet instead of hiding in shame as others in the community expect, she’s working at the Honeybee Farm, ignoring the gossips—and winning over Andrew’s eight-year-old twin brothers . . .

For all Andrew’s certainty about right and wrong, it seems he has a lot to learn from Mary’s courage, grace, and resilience. She’s changing his notions about forgiveness and love, but will she in turn accept the challenge of starting over and choose to stay—with him?


My Review

This book was absolutely delightful!!! The show was totally stolen by Andrew's eight year old brothers, Alfie and Benji, who are the most entertaining matchmakers ever! Their perspective and hilariously clever antics were my favorite parts that had me smiling and giggling out loud. Mary's confusing presence in Andrew's life challenges the way he thinks and even though he tries to avoid dealing with his conflicting feelings, his little brothers make sure he keeps having interactions with Mary. As he stumbles through his journey of enlightenment on judgement, repentance, and forgiveness, he also learns from Mary's example about compassion, kindness, understanding, and love. Mary also sees the goodness in Andrew and his genuine efforts to reconcile traditional Amish ways with putting into action the teachings of Christ. It's a slow-growing sweet romance, with nice character arcs for both Andrew and Mary, and an amazing supporting cast with Mary's champion Aunt Bitsy (from the Honeybee Sisters series) and Andrew's sincere yet incorrigible brothers.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)



Don't miss the next two books in the Petersheim Brothers series . . .

Book Two
https://amzn.to/39JxzQ3

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Book Three
https://amzn.to/2tzLEyZ

Releases June 2020: Available for pre-order


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Review & Giveaway: Huckleberry Hearts by Jennifer Beckstrand


Heidi Reads... Huckleberry Hearts by Jennifer Beckstrand

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Young-at-heart octogenarians Anna and Felty Helmuth never miss the chance to find a perfect match for one of their grandchildren. And when their beloved Cassie returns to Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, Anna has a feeling they might soon have a doctor in the family… 

Though Cassie Coblenz left her Amish community to go to college, Mammi and Dawdi’s farm will always feel like home. It’s the ideal place for an extended study break—at least until her grandmother’s handsome Englisch doctor becomes a regular distraction. Zach Reynolds is the kind of heartbreaker Cassie has learned to avoid, no matter how charming he may be.
 

Unlike every woman Zach has met in recent years, Cassie doesn’t fall at his feet. Strong, generous, beautiful within and without —she’s everything he could want. Yet the gulf between them deepens when a tragedy shakes his faith. Now the good doctor has one goal—to become a man who could be worthy of Cassie’s love…

My Review

Huckleberry Hearts is the sixth in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. I haven't read any of the previous books but now I want to! The grandparents Anna and Felty are quirky and charming. They are the only ones in Cassie's family who support her decision to find her own path, even though it's not with the Amish. Anna sees something in Zach that makes her select him for her matchmaking scheme, however unlikely the pairing is. I liked how the story line is different from other Amish fiction in that the main characters are not Amish although they have strong ties to the community. There are several strong themes that play out, including self-control, forgiveness and second chances, grief and trusting God, and staying true to one's self. There are many unexpected moments between Zach and Cassie that are pretty wonderful, but also some predictable ones where you can see the conflict coming. An admirable trait in Zach was that he tried his best to defend Cassie from her verbally abusive mother and brother while keeping his temper in check for her sake. I felt the story was well-written and held my attention throughout. I'm looking forward to reading more by the author!

(Thank you to CelebrateLit Publicity and Kensington Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling 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.

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. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and four adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

Check out other reviews of Huckleberry Hearts on the Blog tour:

Nov 23: Kick off Celebrate Lit
Nov 23 Southern Chelle
Nov 24: Books!Books!Books!
Nov 25: Heidi Reads...
Nov 26: Artistic Nobody
Nov 27: Simple Harvest Reads
Nov 28: Bukwurmzzz
Nov 28: Cassandra M’s (spotlight)
Nov 29: cherylbbookblog
Nov 30: A Greater Yes
Dec 1: Texas Book Aholic
Dec 2: Two Girls and a Book
Dec 3: Quiet Quilter
Dec 3: Southern Gal
Dec 4:Reading is my Superpower
Dec 4: Power of Words
Dec 5: Bigreadersite
Dec 6: Henry Happens
Dec 6: Debbies Dusty Deliberations
Dec 7: Singing Librarian Books

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