The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele

 

About the Book

Barbara Breaks from Amish Tradition to Express Her Artistry

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Barbara Schwartz was born into a family of quilters, but she would rather eat dirt than partake in another quilting frolic or sew on another binding. When her parents send her to Indiana to help her grandmother in her quilting shop, she finds herself amongst a very different community. It’s only one summer and then she will be back in Kentucky where she belongs.

Melvin Bontrager’s world stopped six years ago when his parents died. Now when his only means of providing for his widowed sister and niece is threatened, Melvin finds his landscaping business disappearing too. When spring delivers a newcomer who is immune to his salty moods, Melvin does something he has never done before, accepts help.

What blooms is the last thing Barbara ever expected, and everything Melvin could ever want.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

I’ve connected with many wonderful readers since my debut in 2021 and while attending my first multi-author and reader event in Shipshewana, Indiana, I was blessed to finally meet many of them in person. I connected with my amazing assistant, my Mississippi fishing buddy, and the golden girls who have been with me from the beginning. God handpicked each of these women and I am so thankful he did.

I knew before leaving home I would not be writing about Shipshewana or the touristy areas considering I love our small rural communities, but you know what they say about thinking you know everything. . .

I was charmed at a little Bed and Breakfast and further charmed by Bridgett the owner. After touring the Amish Market and a few other memorable sites, my husband and I spent an afternoon with our dear friends Barb and Mel. Barb insisted I see her favorite place, the Krider Fair Gardens. Being a lover of flowers and gardening myself, I was entranced. I walked over every inch and stored its details in my heart. I even called my mother.

I quickly learned the quilt gardens were signature in Indiana, sprawling along the Pumpkinvine Trail and covering multiple counties. From May to September, thousands come to photograph the designs that change each year. There is even an app for that now.

I had learned so much about Amish gardens and greenhouses from my neighbors who had family-owned greenhouses which I wrote about in An Amish Flower Farm.

It was also a no brainer that I would include quilting into the story. I love to quilt, much more than my dear sweet heroine needless to say.

I was especially happy to include the quilt shop, just a block down from The Blue Gate and the owner was thrilled her shop was the inspiration to Anna Beechy’s quilt shop.

Writing about two different Amish communities was a fun challenge made easy thanks to dear friends from both. Especially Anna Mae, the best garden tea maker north of Ohio who never let my questions bother her.

What was most memorable about writing this book over all others?

I had no desk!!!

I love writing about new things not explored yet, and well…my writer heart was ready to start before we even got home. Often, I let an idea percolate a few days, but this story unfolded like a favorite re-run and I knew all the words. It was time to get writing, but suddenly we had covid and hours turned to days and weeks. It was a scary time as my husband struggled with it terribly, but we got through and then Hurricane Ida struck the south and my husband was called up. I decided to travel with my husband and son to deliver Fema Relief.

My family needed me, and I needed to write this book!!! So, in pure Mindy fashion, I packed up my notepads, extra fine tip pens, and did both.

The draft of The Flower Quilter was written in the back of an old semi that leaked like a strainer as we delivered trailers and supplies from Kentucky to the hardest hit areas of Mississippi and Louisiana nonstop for nine days.

I hope to never try that again, but no matter what we encountered, those gardens of Indiana keep popping up and adding a little sunshine to the chaos around me. God sure knows how to keep beauty in focus when everything gets turned upside down.  He also knows how to take our worst traits and turn them into something remarkable.

I hope you love this story and my take on the gardens as much as I did. Thank you for being part of the tour!!! And may God bless and keep you!

My Thoughts

The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele is a heartwarming Amish story.  I thought the story was well-written with developed characters.  I enjoyed getting to know Barbara Schwartz and Melvin Bontrager.  I also liked Barbara’s grandparents (they are sweet, caring people) and Sarah (Melvin’s sister).  Barbara’s mother and grandmother are both excellent quilters.  Barbara would rather be outside working in the gardens than getting her finger pricked by a needle (she really should wear a thimble).  Her quilting challenges were amusing.  I understood her struggle.  Barbara wants to please her family, but with regard to quilting, she is all thumbs.  Barbara managed to get herself into some comical situations.  I laughed often while reading The Flower Quilter. 

I enjoyed learning about quilt gardens and the Heritage Trail in Indiana.  It turns out there is more than one way to quilt. It was interesting learning the differences and similarities between Amish communities (in this case, Kentucky and Indiana).  I can tell that the author did her research for this book.  The Flower Quilter is a story full of emotions, and I like that I was left smiling when I closed the book.  The Flower Quilter is the first book in The Heart of the Amish series, and I am looking forward to the next installment.  One of my favorite quotes is, “Finding something you love, even for as short as a single summer, is a gift.  So is finding beauty in what others tend to overlook.”  The Flower Quilter is an uplifting tale with quilt quibbles, beautiful blooms, troublesome twins, amusing misadventures, bevy of red barns, and gorgeous gardens.  

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize package a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the book.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter.  Good Luck!

The Flower Quilter is available from Amazon*.  Mindy Steele has Courting an Amish Bishop coming out April 1, 2024.  It is the next book in the Heart of the Amish series.  You can find Mindy Steele's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Lost and Found by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Do not forget to enter the giveaway and leave a comment for extra entries.  Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

Blog Stops

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Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 3

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Books I’ve Read, October 4

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Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 9

Splashes of Joy, October 9

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