An Amish Quilting Bee by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Shelley Shepard Gray

 An Amish Quilting Bee

Book Summary

Three charming stories of cozy quilting circles and budding romance

 Patchwork Promises by Amy Clipston 

When Colin Zook and his beloved grandmother lose everything in a fire, their greatest loss is a beloved family heirloom quilt that helped keep her dementia at bay. When Joanne Lapp hears about the loss, she decides to re-create the quilt. Colin soon feels himself developing feelings for her, but he’s held back by the knowledge that a future with him would involve care of his grandmother and his farm. Will Joanne look past his list of responsibilities and see him for who he truly is?

A Common Thread by Kathleen Fuller 

Susie Glick returns from a shopping trip laden with beautiful fabric for her quilting group. On the bus ride, Alex Lehman—her crush from three years ago—sits next to her. Alex left Middlefield to explore the country, and now he’s back and ready to join the church. Susie was just a kid when he left, but now she’s a woman—and she definitely has his interest. The women in her quilting circle aren’t as excited about Alex’s return, assuming that he’ll leave again in search of adventure. Susie is convinced they’re wrong, but just as they start dating, Alex tells Susie he has to leave. He says he’ll return, but Susie must decide whether or not she can trust the man she fears has captured her heart.

Stitched Together by Shelley Shepard Gray 

Rosie’s joy is her yearly project for the Pinecraft Mennonite Quilt Sale, and she dreams of being the top earner. But she’s worried that she’s bitten off more than she can chew with her latest entry. To make things even more confusing, after coming to terms with her single state, she’s recently formed a friendship with Tim Christner. He’s only in town for a month, but he has Rosie wondering if she’s found love at last. Now all she has to do is figure out how to get the quilt done so she can concentrate on him. But with her once very organized life in total disarray, everything comes to a head just before the sale. Rosie is forced to reexamine her priorities before she loses not only her place in the quilt show but everything else she’s ever wanted.

My Thoughts

An Amish Quilting Bee by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Shelley Shepard Gray contains three charming Amish tales.  I enjoyed all three tales of these sweet novellas.  Patchwork Promises by Amy Clipston has Colin Zook taking care of his dairy farm and his grandmother on his own.  They have endured a great deal of loss recently including a fire that destroyed their home and belonging.  His grandmother particularly feels the loss of a beloved quilt.  Joanne Lapp learns about the quilt and sets out to recreate it.  Joanne wants to make sure to get it right which results in spending time with Colin. Colin finds himself falling in love with Joanne, but he is sure that she could not care for him because of his responsibilities.  What does God have in store for Joanne and Colin?  A Common Thread by Kathleen Fuller has Susie Glick thrilled to discover that Alex Lehman has returned to town after two years.  Susie was a teenager when Alex left, but now he notices that she is a lovely woman.  They just begin dating when Alex must leave town.  Alex is shocked when he gets a letter from Susie calling off their courtship.  He does not understand Susie’s change of heart.  Will Alex accept her decision or fight for the woman he loves?  Stitched Together by Shelley Shepard Gray has Rosie working on an intricate quilt for the annual Pinecraft Mennonite Quilt Sale.  The proceeds help mission efforts, and the top quilt gets special recognition.  Rosie is worried she will not get the quilt done in time.  Then she meets Tim Christner, her sister’s brother-in-law.  Rosie wants to spend time with Tim while he is in town, but she has other obligations.  Everything is spiraling out of control for Rosie.  Can Rosie get her priorities in order before it is too late?  

I thought the three stories were well-written with realistic, developed characters.  I liked the life lessons we get from these novellas.  The importance of faith and what we are willing to do for those we love, everyone deserves a second chance and people can change, and as love develops, we must grow with it.  We also see the importance of communication in a relationship and to always follow God’s lead.  I like how the quilt theme ties the three stories together.  I enjoy stories that touch my heart and leave me smiling.  An Amish Quilting Bee has three sweet tales that are perfect for reading on a cold afternoon while snuggling under a cozy quilt.  

An Amish Quilting Bee is available from Amazon*.  Amy Clipston has Foundation of Love which is An Amish Legacy Novel publishing February 1, 2022.  I am eager to read it.  Kathleen Fuller has Love in Plain Sight releasing May 3, 2022.  It is the 3rd An Amish Mail Order Bride Novel.  I cannto wait to read the next book in this cute series.  Edgewater Road by Shelley Shepard Gray comes out March 3, 2022.  It is the debut of The Rumors in Ross County series.  It sounds interesting!  Thank you for stopping by today to read my review of this newly published book.  Some of the other books that came out today are:  Renewed for Murder by Victoria Gilbert, How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn, Pride Prejudice and Peril by Katie Oliver, A Plus One for Murder by Laura Bradford, Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle, and An Amish Quilting Bee. I hope that you have an enchanting day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

The Blended Quilt

Book Summary

The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter has Sadie Kuhns deciding to create a unique quilt that combines an Amish pattern and a traditional Hawaiian pattern.  She wants a quilt to remind her of the special trip she made to the Hawaiian Islands with her friends over four years ago.  Sadie his being courted by Wyman Kaufman and would love to marry him someday.  She is worried, though, about his ability to provide for a wife and family because he cannot settle at a job.  Wyman gets bored easily and switches jobs frequently.  When Sadie finished the blended quilt hanging, her friend Ellen suggests that she write a book. Sadie is intrigued by the idea, but the cost of self-publishing the book is out of her reach at this time.  Then Sadie receives unexpected news that changes her life and those close to her.  What does the future hold for Sadie?

My Thoughts

The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter is a lovely story.  It is a continues the story of the four girls who took a cruise to the Hawaiian Island four and a half years ago in The Hawaiian Quilt.  The Hawaiian Discovery is the sequel to The Hawaiian Quilt and it tells Ellen’s story.  While The Blended Quilt could be read as a standalone, I believe it is best to read the books in order.  It will allow you to have a better understanding of the characters and their situations.  I thought this was a unique Amish book with our main character having an unusual occupation.  Sadie Kuhns is the only one of the four friends who is still unmarried.  She would love to marry beau, Wyman Kaufman, but he cannot seem to settle into a permanent job.  Wyman gets bored with a job, quits, and then moves onto another one.  Sadie worries that Wyman could not provide a steady life for a wife and family.  Sadie is a gifted quilter who sometimes creates her own patterns.  She decides to commemorate her trip to Hawaii with a quilted wall hanging that blends Amish and Hawaiian patterns.  The quilt sounded lovely when finished and unique.  This quilt leads to the suggestion that Sadie write a book.  I thought Sadie and Wyman were developed characters.  I liked Sadie who is a sweet, compassionate woman.  I was not fond of Wyman was immature and selfish.  I kept hoping that a new love interest would appear for Sadie.  I liked that we got updates on Mandy, Barbara, and Ellen.  We get to spend time with Mandy and Ken in Kauai as they suffer life’s ups and downs.  The point-of-view alternates between Sadie, Wyman, and several other characters.  I like getting a female and male perspective on situations. We get to see the characters face a series of challenges.  Life is not smooth sailing even in fiction.  I did wonder, though, why the author chose not to have the bishop or elders help the characters in their time of need.  It would have added another touch of realism to the story.  There were times when the Kuhnses and Kaufman families could have used some expert guidance and advice.  I did feel the ending was a little rushed.  I felt the changes were too sudden.  I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up this sweet story.  I enjoyed reading The Blended Quilt. It provided me with a lovely break from reality which I desperately needed.  The Blended Quilt is a heartwarming Amish tale with quaint quilts, ennui employment, an astonishing abundance, faithful friends, a bored beau, and an unforeseen opportunity.  

The Blended Quilt is available from Amazon* along with other major retailers (Barnes & Noble, BAM, Kobo, Powell's, Chapter's, Waterstone's). You can get a free preview of The Blended Quilt from Amazon. The two books that are part of this series are The Hawaiian Quilt and The Hawaiian Discovery (can get them in one book with The Amish Hawaiian Adventures). The images I used today show an Amish ocean waves pattern quilt and a traditional Hawaiian pineapple pattern quilt. Thank you for reading my review today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Puzzling Ink by Becky Clark.  It is the first book in A Crossword Puzzle Mystery series.  I am off on an adventure today with my mother.  We are exploring options for our future.  Sometimes you need to make a change even if you are reluctant to do it.  I will share more soon.  I hope that you have a special day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.