Customer Reviews

Five Star Expressions - Matchmaker, Matchmaker

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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 Ruschhaupt, 2005
Courtesy of Love Romances www.loveromances.com

Not only is this a Romance that keeps you on your toes, but it
also gives you history of early Jews in the West and some of the
history of the traditions of the Jewish people. It held my interest until the end. I know this is a first published novel
by Joanne Sundell and I look foreward to more!

I absolutly loved this book! A captivating read, start to finsih.....what a page turner! A interesting combination of western history, medicine, jewish culture, and forbidden love. A great romantic read!

Nine years old Zoe-Esther Zundelevich and her papa Yitzhak leave Russia for the United States. Several years later in 1867 Zoe-Esther graduates from medical school in Philadelphia, but her beloved dad suffers from tuberculosis so she takes him to the Colorado Territory where she hopes the mountain air will help his lungs leaving behind fellow student Daniel Stein who wants to marry her.

In Golden City, she finds prejudice against female doctors and Jews and an attraction to casino owner Jake Whiskey. Still she helps the neglected poor with their medical needs while Jake finds himself attracted to his "Queenie" as he calls her. As she falls in love with a non-Jew, she knows that her happiness will devastate her beloved papa and besides he is not Yaakov as predicted by Schadchen as her mate's name just before she left Russia. Besides he feels unworthy of her and Daniel is in town.

This is an interesting western romance that stars a delightful heroine, perhaps a bit too perfect, and a rogue who considers reforming for her. The story line provides a deep look at the late nineteenth century Russian Jewish heritage as a key element to the relationships between Zoe-Esther and the three men in her life. Fans will appreciate this fine historical tale that brings vividly alive Reconstruction Era Colorado through the efforts of a caring doctor.

Harriet Klausner