About the Books
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…
My Review:
Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres, and after reading this series, I think I may have just found a new favorite author in the genre. Lily, Poppy and Rose, along with their Aunt Bitsy, are some of the most relatable characters I have met in a long time. Each of the sisters has her own unique personality, which plays a part in their relationships with the boys who eventually win their hearts. Aunt Bitsy is so different from the typical Amish woman, largely due to her years in the Englisch world before being called upon to raise the girls. She also has quite a sense of humor, which we often witness in her conversations with God. The boys who win the hearts of the sisters are all perfectly matched for them, which the reader can tell LONG before the girls figure it out.
I had a few issues that annoyed me but in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the books. In the first one, it bothered me that Paul seemed to say "Of all the stuff, Lily!" way too often. And in all three books, it seemed that everyone was always "marching" rather than walking, strolling, etc.
I had a few issues that annoyed me but in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the books. In the first one, it bothered me that Paul seemed to say "Of all the stuff, Lily!" way too often. And in all three books, it seemed that everyone was always "marching" rather than walking, strolling, etc.
I would recommend reading this series in order to see the growing, changing relationships....and because there is a thread of trouble woven through all of them which isn't resolved until the last one. You'll definitely want to find out how THAT plays out.
Each book also includes wonderful recipes for items that are mentioned in the story. I'm looking forward to trying some of them out soon.
**I received copies of each of these books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
About the Author
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)
Blog Stops
August 25: A Reader’s Brain
August 25: Southern Gal Loves to Read
August 26: Smiling Book Reviews
August 26: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
August 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
August 27: Christian Bookaholic
August 28: Jeanette’s Thoughts
August 28: The Power of Words
August 29: Blossoms and Blessings
August 30: A Baker’s Perspective
August 30: Cassandra M’s Place
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August 31: Quiet Quilter
September 1: Rhonda’s Doings
September 1: Book Babble
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September 3: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
September 4: Bukwurmzzz
September 5: Donna’s BookShelf
September 6: His Grace is Sufficient
September 7: Blogging with Carol
Giveaway
1 comment:
Teresa, thank you for having me on your blog! I am so thrilled that you enjoyed my books. Your review is spot-on. I hope that readers will really relate to the characters and their love stories. There might even be love in store for Aunt Bitsy in 2017. :) Have a wonderful gute day.
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