"Sugar Plum Season" by Mia Ross

About the Book

 Season of Love 

Amy Morgan is determined not to let her injury affect her love for dance. Moving to the tiny town of Barrett's Mill, she takes over her aunt's dance studio and begins to organize a children's Christmas ballet recital. She just needs a little help from handsome lumberjack Jason Barrett. Charming and an all-around good guy, Jason volunteers to build the stage sets. Working together with the pretty ballerina forges a connection he never expected. But is Amy really ready to leave the limelight behind? It'll take a few dancing candy canes—and a whole lot of faith—to bring them together in joy and love. 

Barrett's Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love

Please visit Mia Ross's website

Buy "Sugar Plum Season" from Amazon

Buy "Sugar Plum Season" from Barnes&Noble

This book released in December 2014

This was a well loved library book that was reviewed

My Review

“Sugar Plum Season” by Mia Ross is the second book of her 'Barrett's Mill' series but can be read as a stand alone book. This is a story of overcoming both hurts and fear, plus so much more. This is a book that is worth reading that is for sure.

Amy is a woman who is doing what she can to remain in close contact to the activity that she loves dearly. She has not only been physically injured but emotionally as well yet she is still putting one foot in front of the other. She has this quiet strength about her that is seen more and more through the story and things in her life begins to change in ways she didn't expect. There are flaws about this young woman without a doubt though she does her best to overcome then and make herself perfect.

Jason is about as completely opposite from Amy, for he is a laid back kind of guy who always has a smile on his face, and a heart as large if not larger than he is. When he gives his word then he sticks by it regardless what it costs him. It seems that Jason is also a man who can forgive pretty easily which is something we all need to remember, but he is no fool either.

This story is your typical two souls who find each other but weary because they have been stomped on in the past, yet there is nothing typical about the hurdles that are thrown in their way. Hurdles that each had a choice to make to jump over together, jump separately or throw their hands up all together. These hurdles by themselves could have been easy enough to handle but when they came back to back like they did it made it interesting to see what happens.

I have a confession to make for I am the type of reader who reads the last two paragraphs of the book before the epilogue if there is one, and frankly I didn't know what was going on or maybe where it was happening might be the better way to say it. This is a great example of the twists and turns that this story takes with these hurdles for I just couldn't be sure what the end results were for the decisions that needed to be made.

I do hope that there are more books in the 'Barrett's Mill' series for I am hoping that Jenna gets her own story for there is something there with her that is for sure, not to mention I am a little curious about the lone wolf Barrett who is in Texas. I hope all who read this book enjoys it as much as I did.

Other 'Barrett's Mill' Books

Blue Ridge Reunion

"Huckleberry Christmas" by Jennifer Beckstrand

About the Book

Now that they've happily married off two of their grandchildren, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking challenge. What better way to celebrate the most heartwarming of seasons--and make Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the place for unexpected love. . .

A difficult marriage has left the Helmuths' widowed great-granddaughter, Beth, finished with wedlock. She's content to live with them and make a life for herself and her toddler son. But once she turns down handsome Tyler Yoder's proposal, it seems only fair to encourage him to find a suitable wife. Trouble is, his gentleness and generous ways are showing her how joyous a real meeting of hearts can be. . .

After a failed courtship, Tyler thought the best he could hope for in a wife was mere companionship. But spirited Beth is the one he longs to protect, and hold close. Earning her trust is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. And soon, both will discover that forgiveness and understanding are gifts that only rekindled faith--along with the happiest of holidays--can bring.

Please visit Jennifer Beckstrand website

Buy "Huckleberry Christmas" from Amazon

Buy "Huckleberry Christmas" from Barnes&Noble

This book was released in October 2014

This was a well loved library book that was reviewed

My Review

“Huckleberry Christmas” by Jennifer Beckstrand is the third book in her 'The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill' and this is a book where so many lessons are learned. Lessons in love, trust and forgiveness are just some of the major lessons here in this book. I found that though this is a Christmas story, Christmas doesn't really come into play until the end of the book, but the meaning there is subtle but there.

The Christmas message that I took away from this story is that God so loved us that He sent His own Son to earth. It is that love that we should always remember for we are loved so dearly that a great sacrifice was made for each and everyone of us. The way this message was presented too was really something for it was in a way that most people not might think that would work, but it really did in my opinion.

Beth is a young woman who is trying to figure out where to go from here now that she is home where she wants to be with her young son. Slowly through this book things start to look up for Beth but at the same time things are getting tougher for her. She is finding that things are just as hard refusing suitors at home then when she her in-law home, and yet she is able to still find humor. No matter what is happening it seems as if she is able to keep humor and is quite ready with a hearty laugh. She has her plans for the future and really doesn't plan to alter those plans for anything until she learns some pretty important lessons.

Tyler is a man who I felt sorry for in “Huckleberry Summer” yet it seems that he has moved on and is quite alright now. Yes he was hurt but that doesn't stop him from be happy for those who hurt him, but it has left him thinking differently for his future. He is a man who puts other people needs ahead his own, and there is not much that seems to ruffle his own feathers. He is a man of principles that he shows time and time again, which shows that he is a man who can be trusted. I found that he was entirely too serious at times and enjoyed watching him thaw and change his mind about things. I also really enjoyed his sense of humor that showed itself throughout the story in such subtle ways.

Through the conflict of getting through one person, there are some interesting experiences that add a bit of humor through. It seemed as if the conflict that one person was feeling really didn't seem to change that much but then again as the full story is told then it makes a little more sense why that internal conflict is not being resolved faster. Once there is progress being made, it is done in such an amazing way with courage to face the past head on. I really cheered on the character who was facing the past for they did it with courage that showed an inner strength that they didn't know they had, as well as showing them what a good, steady, strong love can do for them.

I truly hope all who read this book, enjoy it as much as I have.

Other 'The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill' Books

Huckleberry Hill

Huckleberry Summer

Huckleberry Christmas

"A Perfect Amish Christmas"

                                                          found in An Amish Christmas Quilt

"Huckleberry Summer" by Jennifer Beckstrand

About the Book

With one of their grandchildren happily married, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking success. Because there's nothing more rewarding than sparking unexpected love--and putting Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, on the map for romance. . .

Cautious to a fault, Lily Eicher strives to live up to her dat's high standards. She's certainly not the kind of proper Amish girl who would make time for someone as impetuous as the Helmuths' grandson, Aden--even if his lively spirit and caring ways are showing her just how wonderful following her heart can be. . .

Recklessly doing the right thing got Aden into big trouble. A fresh start at his grandparents' is just what he needs. And shy, pretty Lily is turning his world upside down and making him want to prove he can do good within the rules. But now both must find enough faith and understanding to risk pursuing their dreams--together. . .

Please visit Jennifer Beckstrand website

Buy "Huckleberry Summer" from Amazon

Buy "Huckleberry Summer" from Barnes&Noble

This book was released in June 2014

This was a well loved library book that was reviewed

My Review

“Huckleberry Summer” by Jennifer Beckstrand is the second book in her 'The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill' and whoa I can't recall the last time I finished a book with red, swollen eyes, splotchy cheeks, along with a nose running for the hills (ok so I am not a pretty crier), but this book I did just that. I must have cried the last 100 or so pages, not so much because there was some earth shattering event that happened but more of the different emotions that was happening. This book was so worth the read without a doubt.

Lily is a woman who is maybe a little to much of a rule follower but then again there is a reason that she is like that. I was actually frustrated with Lily for a while with her unwilling to do anything that would make her father cross with her for she seemed way to timid to do anything, but when her story comes out that explains what shaped her into that person, I actually felt for the young lady. It made sense but I still didn't like how it happened. Lily is so tender hearted that she doesn't hold back when she gives her friendship and loyalty. She almost tries to turn herself inside out to not hurt those around her, most especially her family.

Aden is a man who might have good intentions but well doesn't always think about how he is going about things. Here is a man who seems a little odd for an Amish man but his heart is there for the whole world to see at the same time. He is trying to turns things around and has learned some pretty important lessons, though they were most certainly not easy lessons that is for sure. Aden is a man who is trying so hard to do right when there are those who are working against him, and it is how he handles everything that shows his deepest character for he is a man of his honor.

Things are so confusing, not for the reader for they follow along pretty well in my opinion, but everyone in the story is going through some pretty confusing times. Oh Annie and Felty Helmuth, ok more Annie than Felty, is up to her schemes again and she is not one for giving up in the slightest. Introductions are done, competition is on and then something happens to make it all up in the air and then the ending in a way that I sure didn't expect in the slightest bit. At times it seems as if there is no way to go down a certain path to that happy ending only for something out of the blue to happen to change the course, though the changes are not done in a way that makes no sense but more like a wonderful surprise to make one smile.

I truly loved the ending for I really didn't see how that could happen but it did with such grace and wonder. I really enjoyed the last few scenes as well for they just put a smile on my face after all that time crying my eyes out. I hope all who read this book enjoys it as much as I did.

Other 'The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill' Books

Huckleberry Hill

Huckleberry Summer

Huckleberry Christmas

"A Perfect Amish Christmas"

                                                          found in An Amish Christmas Quilt

"Huckleberry Hill" by Jennifer Beckstrand

About the Book

With their thirteen children grown, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next adventure.

That means trying their hands at matchmaking--because what could be more fun than igniting love when it's right--and undoing mismatches when they're wrong. Now Huckleberry Hill just might turn out to be the most romantic spot in Wisconsin. . .

Lia Shetler is resigned to being a spinster. She's too tall and sturdy to ever be marriageable--so says her overbearing dat. Instead, she's helping her pretty, spoiled sister Rachel secure the perfect husband--the Helmuths' grandson, Moses Zimmerman. But the more Lia sees of Moses' gently teasing ways and quiet understanding, the more she wishes he could be hers alone. . .

Moses knew his grandparents couldn't resist trying to find him a wife. But he never expected it would be the graceful, sensible Lia--a woman who is tall enough to look him in the eye, and honest enough to make him question a promise holding him to his past. Now both will need the kind of miracles only faith and courage can bring to finally reach for a lifetime of happiness. . .

Please visit Jennifer Beckstrand website

Buy "Huckleberry Hill" from Amazon

Buy "Huckleberry Hill" from Barnes&Noble

This book was released in January 2014

This was a well loved library book that was reviewed

My Review

“Huckleberry Hill” by Jennifer Beckstrand is the first book in her 'The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill' series and what an interesting start of a series to boot. I found myself frustrated more times that I could count because of different attitudes that really bugged me. I was glad to see some attitudes change by the end of the book and at the same time I laughed with the one of the last scenes.

So much is happening in this story that I was captivated from the start. I have to say that I fell in love with both Felty and Annie Helmuth for they are so feisty and well more 80 something year old couples should be like them a little more. I found Annie's constant knitting and cooking to be so endearing and her own little way of showing her deepest love for her family and friends, though she is very successful with one and not so hot with the other.

Moses is a man who is doing what needs to be done in his life without allowing others to pull his strings. He is loyal almost to the point of being blind to the truth and to the point where others feel bad for him. Moses heart is so warm for he does what he can to not hurt anyone's feelings and makes time to help his grandparents. He knows how to work hard and yet at the same time knows what is more important. There are some pretty big lessons that Moses learns but it seems as if he takes his time to learn them.

Lia is a woman who accepted what others have told her to be the truth but yet that has not turned her heart cold and bitter for this is a woman who freely gives so much of herself. She is trying to do her best to be the obedient daughter regardless what this does to her, and never a cross word comes from her lips. There are some pretty important lessons that she learns towards the end when her back is up against the wall to speak.

I really wanted to slap one of the characters for this person was a hateful and spiteful character that refused to allow anyone happiness. However, on the upside this character also added some humor to the book for their actions were so clear to what this person was trying to do that I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I wonder if we are going to see this person again sometime in a future book with maybe a major attitude change. I think it would be interesting to see this person after learning a few things for I think they would be a wonderful person with that attitude adjustment.

I hope all who read this book enjoy it as much as I have.

Other 'The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill' Books

Huckleberry Hill

Huckleberry Summer

Huckleberry Christmas

"A Perfect Amish Christmas"

                                                          found in An Amish Christmas Quilt