MEETING THE TINY MATCHMAKERS
I am in love with this series and make sure and mark my calendar when a new book is released. The stories are mixed with fun, endearing moments, and yes, even a touch of mystery and danger. It is fun to see characters from previous stories as you read the next book in the series.
Love Letters and Lollipops: Tiny Matchmakers
PLEASE, WILL YOU BE MY MAIL-ORDER MAMA?
The first story in the new Tiny Matchmakers series was a definite page-turner with a unique cast of characters, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. The story is a clean western historical tale that takes place in a small town in Montana. A large portion of the story revolves around Harper’s Sweet Shop and the family that owns it. What happens when a widower, Thomas Benton, and his six-year-old son, Daniel, find a special place in the heart of Emily Harper?
I enjoyed the story and characters. The story is mystery, suspense, deceit, and danger, along with a sweet romance. You can’t help but feel good around the entire Harper family, Charles, Catherine, and their daughter, Emily. They offer a sweet treat for almost everyone’s sweet tooth and love seeing the joy of the faces of their customers. But this story also has a sinister side with a son and his mother who are determined to destroy the Harper’s, by stealing secrets.
Add in the innocence of a child, Daniel, who overhears gossip conversations, and it sets into motion trouble from one person. Daniel wants a mama, and a wife for his daddy. Hearing about mail-order brides, or buying a girl, he does what he can to get this too. Add in the humor of a newspaper article, trying to place an ad at the post office, and even writing a letter to the one person who Daniel wants to be his mother, Emily.
Alex: Love is messy. It’s never a straightforward path. But if there’s potential for happiness, don’t let the opinions of others dictate your choices. What does your heart say?
Emily: My heart says it’s been waiting for them.
Alex: Trust your heart and give it to God. The Lord knows best, Emily and love can surprise you in the most unexpected places.
Silver Charms and the Marshal's Arms (Tiny Matchmakers Book 2)
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER THAN WE ARE ALONE
The second story in the new Tiny Matchmakers series was a definite page-turner with a unique cast of characters, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. The story is a clean Western historical tale that takes place in a small town in Montana. A large portion of the story revolves around the new sheriff, Owen Benton, a former US Marshal who came to assist his brother, Thomas. Owen decides that it is time to settle down, and meeting Julia and her daughter, Anna, is worth making changes for. Learning that the present sheriff wants to retire, it will be easy for Owen to fill that position—and that is exactly what happens.
The story has the good, the bad, and the evil of people. As a marshal, Owen has been involved in many investigations—and that included extortion. He will slowly witness how shop owners are handing over white envelopes to a few men. These men are all cohorts of Jack Monroe, who runs the bank. When Owen makes some comments to a few of the businessmen in town, they clam up quickly.
Sheriff: Say, Chris, ever seen a town fall prey to extortion?
Chris: Can’t say I have, Sheriff. What brings that up?
Sheriff: Well, once upon a time, I was a marshal, and we got word about a problem in town. Everything seemed peaceful at first, but then we started noticing strange things. Like people being squeezed for money, just a little at first, like drops in a bucket. But those drops turned into a torrent, and soon enough, they demanded more than the town could bear. It started with just a few asking for ‘protection money. But as time passed, their demands grew bolder. Before we knew it, they were burning down buildings, even killing folks who wouldn’t pay up.
Chris: That sounds like a nightmare.
Sheriff: It was. Took everything we had to bring those responsible to justice. But some scars never truly heal.
Sheriff Owen Benton will make rounds to all the businesses, introducing himself and always leaving with this message; “You ever need anything my door is always open.”
I loved the care that Owen has for Julia and her daughter, Anna. He wants to court her and it won’t be easy for her to trust after her marriage to Anna’s father. But, over time, Owen proves repeatedly that he is a man of his word and a Christian. He is a protector, and when it comes to these two, they are at the top of his radar.
Owen: It seems to me the two of you need a keeper, and I mean to be the man for the job.
Julia: You can’t say things like that, Owen. What does that even mean?
Owen: It means the next time I catch you, Julia, I’m keeping you.
I truly enjoyed the story, and the kids, Daniel, Anna, and Tobias, are the little matchmakers. Each of them wants to see their mama with someone who will love her—and them too. Two down, and the next story will be about Tobias and the man for his mother, Rachel Miller.
Honeyed Hearts and Prairie Promises: Tiny Matchmakers
SOMETIMES, YOU JUST NEED A LITTLE HELP
The third story in the new Tiny Matchmakers series was a definite page-turner with a unique cast of characters, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. The story is a clean Western historical tale that takes place in a small town in Cedar Ridge, Montana. The story will focus on a widow, Rachel Miller, and her son, Tobias, the Miller farm, and neighbors, The Bishops, but mostly Jonah Bishop. The Tiny Matchmakers have plans to see Rachel with a good husband and protected from men like Hank Hollister.
Tobias: Guys, I need your help to find a husband for my mom and I know just the man.
Daniel: The trick is how to get him to come to your farm?
Tobias: I’ve got an idea.
Rachel Miller was widowed about five years ago when her late husband, Andrew, was killed in a railyard accident while in California. Rachel will get a letter from Andrew’s father, Bob Miller, asking them to come to Montana to the family farm. What Bob seemed to omit is that he was ill, dying. But at least Rachel will have the legacy that Andrew wanted for Tobias.
Jonah Bishop and his siblings grew up with Andrew Miller since their properties connected. He feels he owns Rachel and Tobias to be their friend, and to protect them. When he learns that Hank Hollister has been pestering Rachel, along with several other men, he becomes protective. His duty is as a friend of Andrew’s but in fact, he has developed feelings for her and Tobias.
Rachel: Thank you for the dance, Tobias. Now, go play, sweetheart.
Jonah: Mind if I cut in?
Rachel: Not at all, Mr. Bishop.
Jonah: I was worried I’d have to shoot someone before the night’s over.
Rachel: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I give them no cause to pursue me. I don’t understand what they want with a run-down heap of a farm.
Jonah: It’s not the farm that tempts them, Mrs. Miller. A diamond’s still a diamond, no matter how hidden it is from view.
Rachel: What do you mean?
Jonah: It’s you, sweetheart. You’re the reason they’re drawn here. Your strength, your resilience—it’s like a beacon in the darkness.
The story is mystery, suspense, and danger. Bob Miller had bragged about the gold on his land and now Hank wants that gold—and that means he needs to have Rachel too. Rachel is doing what she can to keep the Miller Farm—wanting it for Tobias someday. She has sold off what she could, and trying to make the best of the situation. She had learned about beekeeping from her grandfather and will use that skill to harvest the honey—which to her, is liquid gold.
“Never underestimate the spirit of Cedar Ridge’s youngest defenders. Everyone load up, we need to get the sheriff.” –Mrs. Jenkins.
The story is fascinating and such a fun read. I loved the characters—well, the good ones—and found the tale a page-turning book. I loved learning more about bees, the hives, and the beekeepers. I’m glad that Jonah and Rachel trust each other and work together. The stories have all been very enjoyable and I look forward to more in this series. It was also fun seeing people from previous books too.