"When you can't vote, who will speak up for you? Mattie Zook!"
Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted November 3, 2022
Amish | Romance
Mattie Zook is the determined heroine of this lovely romance, unabashed by being sent to stay with Amish quiltmaker and expectant mother Esther Kiem as a family punishment. THE AMISH QUILTMAKER’S UNCONVENTIONAL NIECE acted contrary to the self-effacing, humble rule of her faith. She dared to sue a man who was dumping garbage on her family farm. Now packed off to Byler in dry, dusty Colorado, Mattie goes one better.
A local town councilman Bill Isom has created an ordinance against horses and buggies using the main streets of town. This makes life very difficult for the Amish people, who need to do business, visit, shop or attend church. The Pennsylvania girl Mattie is on her rumspringa or running-around time before she commits to her faith, so she can speak out, and state that she will run for council. Unlike local young man Freeman Sensenig, who is recruited by his two sisters and a local Englisch lady to be Mattie’s campaign manager. Freeman is a potato farmer, and he resents Mattie’s unconsidered remarks about Colorado being arid, dull, and giving her altitude sickness. Sure, Byler is small. But it’s his town.
Cathy Larsen is another fabulous character, a senior lady who gets along with most people and doesn’t care if she offends the rest. Cathy is the vehicle for much of the plot, because Mattie simply does not understand how a political campaign is run, how to make flyers or raise funding, or anything else. The adult Amish do not vote. Cathy is no paragon because she has to fall back on a young relative to get a working computer. But like most young people here, Cathy has a smartphone and she’s not afraid to use it.
I had just finished reading a dystopian novel set in Colorado’s dust-filled future, so this gentle and humour-filled light romance was the perfect antidote. Jennifer Beckstrand always comes up with some original way of representing the Amish community, and this tale will mean more if you have read several Amish novels already. Her earlier series Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill and The Honeybee Sisters are amusing and involving. THE AMISH QUILTMAKER’S UNCONVENTIONAL NIECE continues the stories built around Amish Quiltmakers with Esther Kiem, who fusses and frets over each new development, but comes out of events surprisingly well. Pick up the threads and enjoy, and remember to value your vote.
SUMMARY
Quilt making, troublemaking, and matchmaking create a sweetly entertaining mix in this inspirational romance series featuring resourceful Colorado quiltmaker Esther Kiem—from USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand, beloved, award-winning inspirational romance author of the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, The Honeybee Sisters, and The Petersheim Brothers series. Will appeal to fans of Charlotte Hubbard, Amy Lillard, and Emma Miller. Mattie Zook always stands up for what’s right—which is why she’s been exiled from her Pennsylvania Dutch home to her Aunt Esther’s farm. Outraged at local discrimination against the Amish, she’s using her rumschpringe to run for town council. Esther can only hope that sensible local farmer Freeman Sensenig will help Mattie—and keep her from going too far. But Mattie is soon finding her new campaign manager all too appealing . . . Freeman never thought that the standoffish, opinionated Mattie would care so much about others. Even more amazing, their differences are somehow making her campaign successful—and have him hoping for more of a future with her. But unexpected obstacles and a sudden romantic rival will put their growing closeness to the test—and give them only one chance to truly reconcile their hearts . . .
ExcerptMattie’s heart did flip-flops in her chest when she realized it was her turn. But whether she was bullied or ignored or dismissed, she was determined to stand up for Aunt Esther and Uncle Levi and all the other Amish people in town, because they wouldn’t stand up for themselves.
“My name is Mattie Zook. I’m here to speak against the new town ordinance.”
Bill sighed. “You have one minute.”
“I’m from Leola, Pennsylvania, and I’m visiting my aunt and uncle here in town.”
She could almost see Bill Isom’s ears perk up. “So you’re not even a resident of Byler?”
Mattie’s heart sank. Did she have to be a resident? “No.”
“Then technically you aren’t allowed to speak during the public comment section. We are only interested in hearing from people who actually live here. The way we conduct town business is none of your concern.”
Tami rolled her eyes. “That’s not true, Bill. Your brother-in-law came last month to comment on curbside recycling, and he lives in Monte Vista.”
“At least he’s a Coloradan,” Bill said.
Tami tilted her head to one side, as if trying to see Bill more clearly. “It’s one minute, Bill. I dare say we can spend one minute hearing what Mattie has to say.”
Bill looked at his phone. “Well, it’s a moot point because her time is up.”
Tami’s face turned a shade redder, but she kept her temper. That kind of self-control was probably a requirement for being on any town council. “We’ve spent Mattie’s minute debating about whether she could speak. So we need to start her time over again.”
Bill set his phone on the table, as if he needed to prepare to do battle with both hands. “We’ll have to vote on it.”
A voice from behind Mattie pierced the void of the school lunchroom. “Let her talk, you Communist!” That was Cathy.
Tami clasped her hands together, and her knuckles turned white. “Do we really have to take three more minutes to vote on it?”
Bill pulled a yellow booklet from the bag at his feet and held it up for everyone to see. “I believe in strictly following Robert’s Rules of Order. If we don’t have procedure, we’re just a sham of a government.”
The mayor still hadn’t said a word, but he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely watching the town council bicker. He clasped a bag of trail mix in his fist and popped nuts into his mouth while his eyes grew as wide as saucers, much as if he were watching an exciting movie.
Tami’s sigh came out sounding suspiciously like a groan. “Okay. Fine. I make a motion to give Mattie Zook one minute to speak, plus up to five minutes for question and answer.” She eyed Fred, who was now picking his teeth with his pocketknife. “Fred, I need a second.”
“Let her talk, you Fascist!” Cathy again. Mattie had no idea what a Communist or a Fascist was, but the title seemed to deeply offend Fred. His face turned beet red, and he ran his fingers through the comb over on top of his head. Unfortunately, this upset the delicate balance of his hair, and several long strands that were supposed to lie across the top of his head fell down over his ear. He quickly remedied the situation by pulling out the comb attachment of his pocketknife and smoothing his hair back in place.
Bill glared at Cathy. “If you can’t keep quiet, I’m going to have Margaret remove you from the meeting.”
Margaret looked up from her notes as if some loud noise had startled her. Her face turned a pale shade of green. Mattie bit down hard on her tongue to keep from laughing. Margaret was obviously not prepared to throw anybody out of the lunchroom. And Mattie was pretty sure that Cathy would put up a fight. Even though Mattie was still annoyed about the no-buggy ordinance, town council meeting was turning out to be quite entertaining.
The mayor broke his silence. “I second the motion.”
Bill leafed through his book. “I don’t think you’re allowed to second a motion, Mayor.”
Tami pressed her fingers to her forehead as if a headache was coming on. “He’s right, Lyman. It has to be a council member.” She folded her arms and stared at Fred. “Well, do you believe in free speech or not?”
Fred squirmed in his chair for a few seconds, glanced at Bill—who was also staring at him—and looked out into the audience at Cathy, as if he was afraid he call her more names. He cleared his throat. “I don’t think it will hurt to let the girl speak her peace, Bill. I second it.”
“We have a motion and a second,” the mayor said, obviously a little put out he hadn’t been able to second Tami’s motion. “All in favor of letting Miss Mattie Zook speak for another minute with five minutes for Q&A, say aye.”
“Aye,” Tami said.
Bill’s “nay” was almost deafening.
Fred pressed his lips together. “Aye.” He turned to Bill, whose frown was etched deeply into his face. “It won’t hurt to hear her opinion.”
“Three cheers for democracy,” Tami said, and Mattie detected only a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. Tami softened her expression and smiled at Mattie. “Please go ahead and speak, Miss Zook. You have one minute.”
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1 comment posted.
Re: When you can't vote, who will speak up for you? Mattie Zook!
Thank you for your review! I'm thrilled you enjoyed The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece. I had so much fun writing it. It definitely includes a personal experience or two from my work on a city campaign. :) (Jennifer Beckstrand 2:31pm November 7, 2022)
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