The Matchmakers

by Ruth J. Hartman

Jessie Selkirk has a mission—to take care of every stray cat she finds. They are her life, her sole reason for being. But when Baldwin Rutledge steps into her barn looking for a cat, she develops a whole new interest. One in which she must continually remind herself there is no future. No. Best to hope for nothing beyond friendship and spare herself a broken heart.


Baldwin Rutledge is desperate to stop his aunt from trying to find him a wife. So he decides to distract her by procuring a second cat for her. His plan is working beautifully, until he meets pretty Jessie Selkirk. Now marriage is the only thing he thinks about. He’d like to be more than acquaintances, but convincing her of that might take some doing.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Short Stories, Cats

Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2014

About the author

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning mysterious tales that make you smile. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling mystery writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her insistence that all of her books have at least one cat in them.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cats make me smile because each and everyone of them is so different, even from the same litter! That is how I feel about Mrs. Hartman's books. This story is short but oh so sweet. We meet Baldwin who has an eccentric Aunt Esther. She is wanting to be a Grandmother and pushing for him to start a family. Baldwin is in no hurry to marry, so he devises a plan. Jessie and her cats enter into the picture and fur starts to fly, literally.


I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Matchmakers” is a charming, light, tale of tails. The author’s fondness for feline friends brings a warmth and sentimentality to her sweet story.

Read full review in the 2014 May issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Judith Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Regency romances with humor, and this one was lighter and more whimsical than most--which I really enjoyed. I loved the characters. Baldwin might fuss about being bullied by Aunt Esther, who's delightfully eccentric, but he loves her enough to tolerate it. And when he goes to visit Jessie Selkirk to find a new cat for her, he finds more than a cat. Jessie is beautiful and kind, and a bit eccentric herself. She owns and cares for 50 cats in an old barn. And when Jessie rides with Baldwin to deliver the cat in person, Aunt Esther's second wish is granted--a wife for her beloved nephew.. if she can arrange it. Clever Aunt Esther decides she needs a second cat and that Jessie should stay with her for an afternoon to help the cats adjust. It was fun watching Esther bully and manipulate to gain what she wants. I've read enough Regencies, though, that I couldn't help but wonder why Jessie's brother, Adam, would work for Baldwin as a servant if he and Jessie were provided for, even though they were fairly poor. The usual Dukes and aristocratic accessories were pretty much ignored. No matter. This book was still fun.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baldwin Rutledge is being badgered by his Aunt Esther to get married…so she may have nieces and nephews to dote on, preferably a nephew first. Since he’ll soon be nine-and-twenty, the dear old lady’s pushing him because in a few years she may be gone and Baldwin will be settled well into bachelorhood.

His Lordship doesn’t want to marry…not just yet anyway, so to distract his aunt, he offers to get her pet cat Agatha a companion. The next thing he knows, he’s on a cat hunt, for Aunt Esther wants that companion right away. With the aid of his driver, Adam, Baldwin finds himself at a dilapidated old barn where Adam’s sister Jessie houses the many abandoned cats she rescues and shelters.

Jessie supplies a cat. Baldwin takes it to his aunt…and things begin to get out of hand. Soon there’s another kitten added to the mix and Jessie finds herself invited to tea with Aunt Agatha…and becoming more and more attracted to Baldwin who doesn’t seem the least discommodated by the fact…

This story may seem mild in my summation but it’s a delightful little tale and the antics of Aunt Esther and the cats move it right along to its foregone conclusion. One wonders who the Matchmakers are…Aunt Esther, the cats, or a combination of the two.

As usual, when you combine Regency romance with author Hartman’s love of cats, a whimsical and romantic tale is generally the result. Her fictional felines have as much personality and pertinence to the plot as the human characters do. This is no more evident than in The Matchmakers.



This advance review novel was supplied by the author and no remuneration wasinvolvedin the writing of this review.

[Krys · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Matchmakers is hands down one of the funniest and most endearing novellas that I have read in quite some time! With its unique story-line and over the top yet lovable and quirky characters such as Jessie, Agatha (who was probably my favorite character aside from Aunt Esther), The Matchmakers pulls you in and has you laughing from the very first sentence up until the very last line.

I devoured this book in one sitting, not even noticing how much time had passed I was that caught up in the books. Ms. Hartman has a wonderful way of telling a story that draws the reader in and keeps them interested. Each of her stories continues to be different from the last, each with its own set of characters that are just so human that it is impossible not to like them! I especially liked the element of "crazy cat lady" that was present in the main character Jessie. Being a cat lover myself, I was immediately endeared by her and her sense of wanting to protect and care for all of the cats she had taken in. Regardless of the fact that it made people look at her and treat her differently, Jessie never gave up on her cats, or her sense of duty towards them, and I found that to be admirable. The fact that the cats played an important role in her finding her happiness at long last was an added bonus to the novella, and one that in my opinion sets it apart from others of the same genre.

A sweet romance filled with humorous and witty dialog, The Matchmakers is sure to satisfy!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll start off by admitting this is the first book I have read by this author, but IT DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE MY LAST!!!! This is one of those that happens not so often, but where you read one book and then want to find everything the author has written and read it as well. I was very pleasantly surprised. I read the book from beginning to end and did not want to stop reading. I found myself smiling, sighing, and then laughing out loud. The hero is great not only to the heroine but to his “way out of the box” aunt. The heroine is not your ordinary run of the mill girl. As well as a pick me up the author pulls you in and you feel a part of the book as you imagine every scene happen. The book is a light read without a lot of suspenseful energy. If a person ever needed a great book to just sit down and read and have their mood go from a low 1 to super 10, this is a great choice. Ruth J Hartman has just hit my favorites list and I will definitely watch for her upcoming releases as well as her past titles.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Matchmakers is a delightful tale of finding the special person in your life, an overbearing aunt and a few cats. Ruth J Hartman is a very talented author who always has you falling in love with her characters and laughing throughout her books. I loved The Matchmakers and fell in love with the "crazy cat lady" Jessie. She was a sweet, caring and loving young woman who has a huge heart. Baldwin is a easy going, gentleman who is tired of his aunt pushing him to get married. That is until he finds a sweet young lady who loves cats as much as his dear aunt does. The characters in this book will keep you giggling and falling in love with them. The cats and crazy hats in this book will have you laughing out loud also. Ruth you have created another amazing book and I cannot wait until the next one! Your books are always a treat to read. I recommend this book if you are a fan of cats or not!

[Jennifer Kirkwood (Levac) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. You can find the original review on Genuine Jenn

I am a cat fan (only have 4 of our own) so I found this novella to be super cute. It is a sweet romance or more of a beginning to what will be a very sweet romance between the two main characters, Jessie and Baldwin. The characters are all very likeable along with each of the cats. Funny how a small little animal can bring people together. I started this book and couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting! If you are looking for a cute novella with no drama other than the cats this is a great book, maybe a bedtime story. Ruth keeps the story hoping from beginning to end with no shortage of the wonderful cats. I love Baldwin's eccentric Aunt who will get her way, one way or another.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story to read that had me laughing out loud several times during this short story. We have an eccentric aunt, Esther Rutledge who has decided her nephew, Baldwin Rutledge needs to marry and have children, preferably a nephew first! She has no children and is depending on him for a legitimate heir! Trying to get his Aunt away from the subject he brings up that her cat Agatha is getting older and then Aunt Esther decides it is up to Baldwin to help her find a playmate for Agatha. Baldwin's driver Adam suggest his sister, Jessie Selkirk. She is considered odd to most people because of her love of cats and housing over 50 of them. Many visits to her and back to his Aunt begins a romance between them (a plan that is working well for Aunt Esther.) I loved the tea party with hats for cats and humans. Truly this is a fun read and has a HEA ending.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Ms Hartman does not disappoint. This is a sweet and charming love story. Baldwin Rutledge and Jessie Selkirk are thrown together by his Aunt Esther and the unlikely matchmaker’s, her cats. The old adage- if you want to know how he will treat you, look t o how he treats his mother- In this case it is Baldwin’s patient and indulgent relationship with his aunt. Jessie is like the “cat whisperer” and helps Baldwin acquire new companions for Esther’s aging cat, Agatha. Jessie also has a knack for reigning in Aunt Esther too. This is a wonderful story for a stormy afternoon or a day by the pool or beach. Enjoy this lovely romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Matchmakers is a cute regency novella about one eccentric Aunt Esther, her nephew Baldwin, Jessie (I like to think of her as the cat lady) and numerous cats! The story is laugh out loud funny and has some of the sweetest moments as well! Hartman develops not only the human characters but the cat characters also! Hartman's writing made for real life scenes in my mind and I could envision the barn, the cats, the wind blowing through Jessie's hair! If you want a good laugh and some romance too, then you will love The Matchmakers!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Debbie McCreary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tired of talk of marriage by his Aunt Esther, Baldwind Rutledge thinks of a diversion. The diversion, geting her another cat. The hunt for a cat takes him to Jessie Selkirk. Jessie doesn’t have just a few cats, but enought to fill a barn. From the first time Baldwind lays eye on Jessie, he can’t stop being with her and thinking of her. With the help of Aunt Esther and her cats, will romance bloom? This story is cute, filled with laugh out loud humor and cats, lots of cats. I enjoyed this quick read. Ms. Hartman has written a book that will keep you reading it until the end. Even if you not a cat lover, do not pass up this book. This is a sweet romance you will love.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The matchmakers by Ruth J Hartman. This is a sweet tale of when an old women wanting to get her way ends up collecting a lot of class in order to achieve her goal. A women named the "cat women" and who is avoided by many people because she is considered eccentric and she is just trying to be able to keep the cats that are left at her house. Now the old women's family member is sent to the "cat women" so that he can pick out some new cats. Between the family member, the "cat women" the older women, and all of those cats there is bound to be some mystery and an amazing story in which some cats continue to help two people to get together

[Angi Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book! Fun quick afternoon read. I really felt connected to the characters from the very beginning. Even though it was a short story there was a good amount of detail and I felt she gave a good amount of background on the characters. I loved how eccentric Aunt Esther was. She feels like someone who could have been one of my aunts. She has a good heart and made the story fun, especially with her silly hats!! Baldwin and Jesse are both strong leads who have big hearts. They are a great match for sure!! I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jessica Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really know what to think when I first saw this book was about cats as matchmakers. I was unsure how I would feel about it. It surprised me, I really enjoyed it.

The interaction between Mr. Rutledge and Jessie is sweet and entertaining. Aunt Esther cracked me up. While a bit eccentric, she was lovable and sweet.

I thought I knew exactly how this story was going to unfold and it surprised me. I found myself wanting the book not to end because I want to know more about what happened. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others to read.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

If you enjoy sweet romance with humor, endearing characters & cats thrown into the mix, you'll enjoy this book! I found that once I began I couldn't put it down! I loved every character in it, from the crazy aunt to the sweet cat lady! It is a cute, light, romantic read! I highly recommend you pick it up; you won't regret it! So happy to have been given this complimentary copy for review...I do so with pleasure!

[Kate Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cat-tastic book! I had so much fun reading this book! Ms. Hartman does such a great job at writing books that are a blast to read! Never what is expected and full of such fun characters that make reading her books pure joy!

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recalling after more than a year after reading.

From this sort story I remember a few funny scenes (mostly with cats). It was light-written and easy to fast and enjoyable reading.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute novella featuring Ruth J. Hartman’s trademark cats. Jessie Selkirk takes care of some fifty felines in her parents’ decrepit barn. Her brother Adam works for the wealthy Baldwin Rutledge, whose Aunt Esther takes the term Crazy Cat Lady to the next level. Some how Ms. Hartman manages to make a totally inconceivable series of events believable, leading to the requisite happy ending.

[Mbilmey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ridiculous in exactly the way you are probably here for if you picked it up. Short. Minimal drama. Hallmark movie type read.

[Venetia Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a sweet idea for a story - which is what made me read the book - but the storytelling turned out to be just awful. If it wasn't so short, I simply couldn't have made it to the end.
What did I find to gripe about?
1. Badly visualised scenes. Take for example the scene in which Jessie climbs a tree to rescue a cat. (Recall that this story is set in the 1800s in which long and cumbersome skirts were obligatory items of female fashion.) Despite the cat being out of reach of a pole, Jessie manages to get within reach after only scaling one or two branches. These logistics aside, my major problem with this scenario was the violent flaunting of 19th-century modesty occasioned by a gentlewoman clambering in a tree, below which an unmarried male hovered (waiting to be fallen upon). Besides, I have never climbed a tree in long skirts. They are hard enough to negotiate in trousers. Suffice to say, the scene did not convince, and while this was the worst of its kind, it was certainly not the only one.
2. Anachronism. If one is to set a story in 19th century England, then characters' behaviour ought to reflect contemporary social mores. While at one point Baldwin ensures Jessie is chaperoned in his presence, most of the time he seeks her out with callous disregard for her good name. By the end of the novella, she has been in his company unaccompanied multiple times, has fallen on him from a tree, and finally engages in a group hug. This would only be convincing behaviour if Baldwin intended to take Jessie as his mistress rather than marry her - a step that, given their radical difference in social status, would have been a lot more likely.
3. Clunky language. Minor point, I know, but there were many, many instances. Take for example Baldwin's saying "Pardon my rushed countenance" or "Seeing you with the cat, cuddling it so, makes me think what a fine mother you would make." Wince!
4. Flawed plot. Aunt Esther 'orders' three cats from Jessie in total. However, the first two vanish from the plot without further mention. This is a story centred around the rescue and care of stray moggies. I want to know what happened to the two cats that were apparently unacceptable to Esther! Further, wouldn't Jessie's brother have severe words for Jessie or Baldwin at their most unconventional and almost scandalous gadding about together? He is not shown to be a responsible brother at all.
Sorry for the rant. If you read this, Ms Hartman, please continue writing, but with greater regard for historicity and editing. At base, my tirade stems from disappointment in a great story idea that did not live up to expectation.

[HR-ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming short story! Kisses only.

Hero, Baldwin, offered his Aunt Esther another cat
to divert her from her preoccupation of wanting him
wed. Hero's driver Adam explained his sister Jessie
had many cats in a barn, some abandoned. Jess had
> than 50 cats, some villagers thought she belonged
in Bedlam. H & h met when she fell off her spindly
wooden ladder in her barn and he 'broke her fall.'
He readily admitted he was not fond of heights or
cats.

Hero introduced Jess to his aunt who spoke loudly
(hard of hearing?) & displayed eccentric behavior
IE aunt and her cat Agatha periodically had a tea
party where both wore hats! Three lonely people
grew a close bond around the care/ concern of cats.
Jess visited the aunt's home several times to help
integrate the cats. Aunt took in 3 cats total.

Baldwin was masculine but not pushy about it,
had vast wealth, intelligence, charm and humor.
And Jessica a tiny beauty with an angelic heart.
What a joy to watch their low-key love develop!
A sequel would be 'the icing on the cake.'

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie and Baldwin
An enjoyable story with a sweet and wonderful HEA