Smiling Book Reviews: Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Honeybee Sisters Series by Jennifer Beckstrand

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Sweet as Honey:

Smart, kind, and good-hearted, the three Christner girls are affectionately known as The Honeybee Sisters in the beloved Wisconsin Amish community where, under the care of their aunt, they’ve grown into skilled beekeepers–and lovely, sought-after young women. . .

Though she has blossomed into a beauty, Lily Christner doesn’t really believe it. Deep down, she still feels like a lonely, gawky teenager. Maybe that’s why she’s all but promised herself to Paul Glick, the one boy who never teased her in her awkward girlhood–unlike Dan Kanagy, whose creative name-calling left her in tears many a time. Now he’s back in town after two years away–and being surprisingly sweet, suspiciously attentive–and making Lily unsettlingly yet deliciously nervous. It seems Dan wants Lily’s forgiveness–and her heart. But can he convince her–not to mention her protective schwesters and aendi–that despite the past, her future lies with him?…

A Bee in Her Bonnet:

Lively, determined, and independent, Poppy Christner isn’t about to let some vandal keep making mischief on her family’s farm. She’s been outrunning boys and standing up for picked-on children ever since she was a girl–no matter how much her prideful, arrogant schoolmate Luke Bontrager insulted her. So Poppy certainly doesn’t need his interference now, especially since he’s made it plain he prefers demure, ladylike companions. In fact, if Luke doesn’t stop helping her find the culprit–and growing humble and remorseful–she’ll be forced to notice how handsome his change-of-heart is making him. And that could mean falling in love–maybe for a lifetime…

Like a Bee to Honey:

Shy, skittish Rose Christner is more comfortable tending to the beehives on the family farm and keeping her aunt’s unruly cats in line than attending social gatherings with the rest of the die youngie. A childhood trauma and secret shame keep her heart under lock and key, and Rose just can’t accept the sweet attention she’s receiving from a handsome neighbor. But the more she shies away from Josiah Yoder, the more their families sneakily plot to bring them together. And when a vandal who’s been plaguing the Honeybee Farm starts targeting Rose, Josiah’s steadfast protection—and patience—just may lead her into his waiting arms…

This is the first time I have read anything by this author and let me tell you - she is funny! I laughed out loud quite a bit while reading (and listening to**) these books. The way she words things can be quite humorous. And the character of Aunt B and the way the author portrays the cats is too funny. Aunt B is fiercely protective of her girls and hilariously eccentric. I love Aunt B! :)

Then there is the mystery running through all three books of the vandalism that is plaguing the Honeybee Sisters Farm! Who can it be? An Englischer? Or someone from the Amish community who thinks they should be shunned because of Aunt B?

All in all, this is a very enjoyable series. With strong, earnest heroes and sweet, sometimes vulnerable heroines, you'll enjoy the romances as well as the mystery in these books.

Sweet as Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this story about a girl who has to learn to forgive the hurts of the past and present and look to God, not man, for her worth. She's a wonderful character and I enjoyed seeing her change and grow throughout the book. I also enjoyed the sweet romance that develops between her and Dan. It's a struggle because of the way he has hurt her in the past. Dan has a lot to learn when it comes to Lily!

That being said, I gave this book only 4 stars because I got quite fed up with the way Lily kept putting up with and defending Paul!! And I also really didn't like the way Dan kept calling Lily names even as an adult. I can see how a teenager might do that but an adult really should know better. It really lessened my enjoyment of the rest of the book.

A Bee In Her Bonnet by Jennifer Beckstrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I probably liked Poppy's story the best. She is so fierce and stands up for herself quite well. Which is the whole reason her and Luke butt heads so much. He is determined in thinking that the man should be the one to take charge and do all the "manly" stuff. Poppy is just as determined to do just as good as Luke can at any job! LOL She's quite a character! One that Luke starts realizing he can't quit thinking about and is way more interesting than the other simpering girl he thought he would one day marry. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

Like a Bee to Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And then there is sweet but petrified Rose. And eager but cautious Josiah. Josiah knows how shy Rose is but he's been in love with her for years. He starts a quiet campaign to win her heart. Rose cautiously and reluctantly agrees to allow him to be her "friend" as long as there are no expectations. As the danger and vandalism on the farm continue, Rose finds out just how dependable and wonderful it is to have Josiah to lean on. Josiah is adorable with his dog named Honey and his duct tape repairs! :) :) Josiah is perfect for Rose but she has some major issues from her past that she has to deal with before healing can began.

*Thanks to CelebrateLit for complimentary copies of these books for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

**Although I received a complimentary e-book of all three of these books, I also purchased an audio version of all three so that I could listen to them on my way to work. I'm glad I did, because hearing the dialect of some of the words was great. I found myself wanting to say "Uff da!" more than once...LOL! :) **

View all my reviews on Goodreads

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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.

Guest Post from Jennifer Beckstrand

Lily, Poppy, and Rose Christner are known as the Honeybee Sisters in their Wisconsin Amish community because they keep bees and sell the honey they pull from their beehives. The orphaned sisters came to live with their aunt Bitsy when they were very young. Aunt Bitsy was an Englischer for twenty years, but she is trying to raise her nieces to be gute and devout Amish girls.

Still, Aunt Bitsy is a bit eccentric and has brought some of the Englisch ways with her to the Honeybee Farm. She wears her dangly earrings when she’s in a bad mood, sports temporary tattoos just for fun, keeps a shotgun by the front door, and has a cat named Farrah Fawcett. (Bitsy simply adored “Charlie’s Angels.”)

With the honey they pull from their hives, the Honeybee schwesters make all sorts of appeditlich, delicious, things to eat. Their baking and their beauty attract boys to the Honeybee Farm, so Aunt Bitsy has to keep her shotgun handy to ward off the would-be suitors.

Many of the Honeybee Sisters’ recipes are included at the back of the three Honeybee Sister novels. Many more can be found in The Honeybee Sisters Cookbook available on Amazon and other online bookstores.

I hope you’ll fall in love with the Honeybee sisters, Aunt Bitsy, and their incomparable Bienenstich (Bee Sting) Cake—which recipe is included in both the cookbook and Sweet as Honey.

Here is a recipe the Honeybee Sisters would definitely make. My dear friend gave me some of these caramels for Christmas last year, and they are heavenly. The honey is used in place of the more-common corn syrup and gives the caramels a rich, deep flavor. My favorite thing about these caramels is the coarse sea salt that gives the caramels a salty crunch. Yummy!

Honey Vanilla Caramels

1 ½ cup sugar

½ cup honey

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup salted butter, cut into bits

Coarse sea salt

Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a clay, enamel, glass, plastic, or stainless steel (non-reactive) pot, combine the sugar, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar melts. When the sugar has melted, increase heat to medium and cook until the mixture caramelizes and is a deep amber color. Do not stir the mixture once it starts to boil. Instead, swirl it around occasionally with the pan’s handle. (This will help the caramel cook more evenly.)

While the caramel is cooking, place the heavy cream in a small saucepan on low heat. As soon as it reaches a simmer, remove pan from the heat and set aside.

When the caramel has reached a deep amber color, reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in the bits of butter. Whisk well until the butter is completely melted.

Add the warm cream and whisk until smooth.

Turn the heat back up to medium and cook until the caramel reaches a temperature of 245°. Carefully pour the hot caramel onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Let it rest for about 8 minutes, then sprinkle with desired amount of sea salt.

Cool completely (about three hours), before cutting into squares and wrapping with parchment paper.

(Adapted from http://www.unegaminedanslacuisine.com)