Sweet as Honey

Jennifer Beckstrand

Jul 2016 · The Honeybee Sisters Book 1 · Zebra Books

About this ebook

From the author of Huckleberry Hearts, an Amish beekeeper torn between two men must decide who gets to keep her heart and who gets the sting of rejection.

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 unconventional 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 . . . ?

Includes tasty recipes!

Praise for Sweet as Honey

“A warm, wonderful book filled with delightful characters, humor and tenderness. Jennifer Beckstrand writes lovely stories, sure to touch your heart.” —RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times–bestselling author

“Heart-clenchingly romantic and wryly hilarious . . . Warmly written, well-paced, and brimming with affection, Sweet as Honey is sure to become a fan favorite.” —RT Book Reviews 

“A ‘wonderful-gute’ novel that celebrates women’s resourceful strength and pluck, rewarding the good-hearted who keep close to

Ratings and reviews

Sweet as Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand is the first book in The Honeybee Sisters series. The Honeybee Sisters (Lily, Rose, and Poppy) live in Bienenstock, Wisconsin with their Aunt Bitsy (Elizabeth Kiem). Their parents died in an auto accident. Aunt Bitsy returned to the Amish faith (after living Englisch for 20 years) to raise the children. Aunt Bitsy is a wee bit eccentric (which I loved), but she is also loving and God fearing (she talks to God out loud). The four of them raise bees and make money from their honey (and other bee related products). They sell the honey to Paul Glick’s father who runs the local general store. Paul made friends with Lily when they were in school and have been together ever since. Lily and Paul are expected to marry. Then Dan Kanagy returns to town after living in Pennsylvania for the last two years (where he tried to forget about Lily). Dan has had a crush on Lily since they went to school, but he has an awkward way of showing his affection. He believes the special names he calls Lily are endearing, but Lily finds them offensive (but she never told Dan this little tidbit). Dan slowly works his charms on the family and Lily. Dan sees how Paul treats Lily (she already has self-confidence issues) and wants to help her. Paul continually puts down Lily (mental abuse instead of physical), but Paul states he is trying to teach her how to be a proper Amish woman (that is how he explains his insults). Then Dan discovers that Paul is cheating the Christner’s on their honey. He wants to help, but Lily really needs to be the one to stand up to Paul. Lily is responsible for the selling of the honey and the books for the business. Will Lily be able to step up to the task? The Christner family is also dealing with sabotage on the farm. Someone is sneaking onto the farm at night (painting warning messages on the barn door, taking down clothesline so clothes are in the mud). Why is someone doing this to them? Can they find out who is responsible? Sweet as Honey is different from other Amish fiction novels, and I have to admit that I had a hard time reading it. The mental abuse Paul inflicted on Lily really hit home with me (I suffered from it for many years). Sweet as Honey is nicely written and has a good pace (which makes for a quick and easy read). I thought Lily was too naïve (can anyone really be that oblivious in this modern age). I give Sweet as Honey 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Paul’s character is an exaggerated version of a villain (he was overdone like a caricature). I think the author did it to show the difference between Paul and Dan (because was written as a happy-go-lucky, caring individual). Sweet as Honey addresses an important issue and Jennifer Beckstrand did a good job at showing how someone should handle an abuser. Will I read the next book in the series? Yes. I will read the next book in The Honeybee Sisters series. I received a complimentary copy of Sweet as Honey from NetGalley (and Kensington Books) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

Great book!

Donnette

About the author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated and award-winning author of the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill and The Honeybee Sisters series, as well as a number of novellas. Novels in her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series have been RITA® Award and RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award finalists. Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for inspirational fiction and Huckleberry Hearts was named a Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Book of the Year. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people. She and her husband have been married for thirty-three years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and seven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten. Please visit her online at www.JenniferBeckstrand.com.