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 Thoughts: I just love Jennifer Beckstrand novels. Her characters are full of grace, wit, and charisma. I have truly enjoyed every book in the Huckleberry Hill series and this one was no different! There is a saying, or song lyric, that says, "You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you might find, you get what you need." That was truly the case for Reuben. He has his heart set on the Bishop's daughter and when things don't go according to plan he believes his whole life is over. He refuses to see what is right in front of his face. I loved Reuben because I see some of myself in him. I'm so busy telling God my plans and my wants and desires I sometimes miss the blessings right in front of my face. Reuben has known Fern his whole life but he treats her like a kid sister. He always puts her needs before his own and whether he admits it or not he truly likes the fact she holds her own and calls him out when he is wrong. He doesn't ever think he could care for her as more than a pesky so-called sibling but is he wrong?

Fern has spent her whole life chasing Reuben and her brother John around. She had a crush on Reuben when she was younger but she now sees him as a brother. When he runs off to nurse a broken heart, Fern sees it as her mission to help him heal and bring him home. Even if that means making a bigger pest of herself than usual. As she spends more time with Reuben can her feelings turn into something more than friendship? I really liked Fern!! She was so feisty and while all the other girls were falling all over themselves in front of Reuben, he could always count on her to keep him humble. She wasn't rude, contrary to what Reuben would have you believe, she was truly concerned for his well being and wanted him to be happy.

I feel like the residents of Huckleberry Hill are friends. I hate when I come to the end of the book because I feel like I have to leave them and I can't wait to get back! I hope you will give Return to Huckleberry Hill a try. I know you will love it as much as I do.

*I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed above 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 My family. I have five sisters and no brothers. I think my mom made every dress in this photo, including her 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?