A young Jewish girl will go to the Matchmaker in her hometown in Russia, to find out the name of her true love, and the man she will marry someday.
Now an adult living in Philadelphia and ready to finish her schooling to be a doctor at a time when so few women are accepted into this mainly male profession, Zoe-Esther Zundelevich is quite a tough little thing! She has worked hard to achieve her goals. Daniel Stein, another Jewish medical student and soon to be doctor, is ready to ask Zoe to marry him, Zoe on the other hand, has different plans and agendas. Zoe’s father, Yitzhak, is showing signs of developing tuberculosis. Zoe will move her father to Colorado, where the air is crisp and clean.
Once there, Zoe will have to face the cold shoulders, of the town’s residents not only for being a female doctor, but also being Jewish. Oh, let’s not forget the handsome and sexy Jake Whiskey, a non-Jew that drinks, smokes, and owns a gambling hall. Zoe will be in for an uphill battle where the odds are stacked against her.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker is by author Joanne Sundell. This is the debut novel for Ms. Sundell, and she penned a completely engrossing read. Ms. Sundell’s voice is one that you will want to keep your eyes on, because her writing is just wonderful. This reader found this historical romance novel to be totally refreshing in its premise, with something completely different to offer the historical market. This reader also learned some very interesting things about the Jewish culture that was interesting, as well as fascinating.
Zoe has her poor little hands full just getting work to feed her father and herself. She cannot find work as a doctor in the small-minded town of Golden City, but she does manage to make ends meet. For some odd reason whenever she is around Jake Whiskey, she just gets all flustered inside. How can this be? His name is not the one the Matchmaker gave her many years ago. These two will fight their attraction to each other, tooth and nail! Jake has some of his own demons to conquer; maybe he can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. One thing that is true, sometimes when the heart speaks, we cannot help but listen.
This historical romance is an absolutely delightful and engaging tale of mismatched lovers that struggle with all the elements in their lives to find what really matters is each other, what you learn a long the way, might even surprise you! They say that love can conquer all, open the book to see for your selves. Matchmaker, Matchmaker by author Joanne Sundell. This reviewed found this novel to be an inspirational read!
Reviewed by Janalee
January 2006