Title: The Quilted Heart
Author: MonaHodgson
Review: I will
start out by saying this is not the type of book that enjoy, I am not a romance
reader of any kind. That said this was a
very well written book and the characters were brought to life by the talents
of the author. She was able to give the
characters life with her descriptions of who they were, where they came from
and the problems and joys they are going through.
This is a Christian
novella, so be ready for the mention of the Lord and the use of bible verses
many times. I did enjoy that the book
was clean and without foul language.
The story takes place
just after the ending of the Civil War in America and deals with the lives of
three women of different backgrounds and a quilting circle that they belong to.
The first novella is
about Maren, who is from Denmark and came to America to marry a Danish boy, who
upon finding out that she had problems with her eyes that would eventually
blind her, decided against the marriage,
thus leaving her stranded in a new country with no means of support.
The second novella
introduces Emilie into the mix and tells her story as the daughter of a shop
keeper in the town of St. Charles, Missouri.
St Charles is where Maren is at the time the story opens. Emilie’s father is determined that she go to
college to further her education, Emilie is not so sure but goes with her father’s
wishes while still pursuing her own.
The third novella
introduces Caroline, the young wife of a Union soldier, who finds herself
widowed at the end of the war. Caroline
goes to live with her sister and her family but wants a life of her own and
going west seems the most exciting of idea’s.
Caroline faces opposition from the wagon master because she is a widow
and he refuses to take her along. But
she will not be deterred, and goes to work to figure out how to be on that
wagon train when it leaves in the spring.
To give you an idea of
the writing and descriptions I include the first paragraph of Chapter 15
“Caroline had lain awake
much of the night. When the rain wasn’t
tapping the roof, she listened to Cora and Mary’s sleep breathing, a chorus of soft
snores and gentle whistles.
Her mind no less active
than the night’s sounds, Caroline considered the events of the past several
months. Her stagecoach ride to Saint
Charles from Philadelphia. Her first tentative
ride to the farm to join the quilting circle.
Carrett Cowlishaw delivering the news of her Phillip’s death in Mrs.
Brantenberg’s kitchen. Coffee time conversations with Jewell, Mrs. Brantenberg,
Maren, Emilie, Hattie and Anna…..Gilbert’s suggestion that she go west with the
caravan. Mr. Cowlishaw’s resounding
NO…..so many thoughts swirling with the raindrops.”
These three novellas do
not end the saga of these three women and the quilting circle of friendship
that gave each of them support and comfort.
The novella’s seems to be an introduction of these quilting sisters and
I believe that the characters will continue in future books
I give this book 4 out
of 5 stars for great character development and a good clean read.
Thanks go to Eileen for
this review.
Published: Published January 21st 2014 by WaterBrook Press
ISBN: 9780307731142
Page Count: 368
Quick
Review: 4 out 5 stars –
Why I Read
this Title: Sent by the publisher for review.
Synopsis: Like a
beautiful patchwork quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories
of lives stitched together with love and God’s unending grace.
Once a week, Elsa
Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the
outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather
there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the
Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with
friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched
together by God’s grace?
Dandelions on the Wind
When Maren Jensen took a
job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to
call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her
granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order
bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household. But
when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm
unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren, and she feels compelled to find
another job. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His
plan?
Bending Toward the Sun
Dedicated to her
education and to helping her father in his general store, Emilie Heinrich is
convinced she doesn't have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns
to St. Charles, Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm
captures Emilie’s eye and her heart. Will she be forced to choose between
honoring her father and a future with a husband and family of her own?
Ripples Along the Shore
Change is brewing in St.
Charles. A group of brave souls are preparing to head west on the Boone's Lick
Wagon Train, led by the mysterious and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw, who served
as a Confederate soldier in the war that killed Caroline’s husband. Despite her
dislike for him, Caroline is tempted to join the wagon train and start fresh
somewhere new, but when Mr. Cowlishaw forbids her—a single woman—to travel with
them, will one man’s prejudice destroy Caroline’s hope for a new future? Or
will the ripples of God’s love bring the answer she needs?
Author
Information: MONA HODGSON writes historical romance fiction
set in American history and peopled with ensemble casts. Mona is the author of
Two Brides Too Many, Too Rich for a Bride, The Bride Wore Blue, and Twice a
Bride in THE SINCLAIR SISTERS OF CRIPPLE CREEK SERIES and THE QUILTED HEART
Novellas--Dandelions on the Wind, Bending Toward the Sun, and Ripples Along te
Shore, and Prairie Song, Book 1 in the HEARTS SEEKING HOME SERIES--all
published with WaterBrook Multnomah--Penguin Random Publishing. Her writing credits
also include nearly thirty children’s books, contributions to eleven books for
adults, and hundreds of short stories, articles, and poems in newspapers and
magazines. One of Mona’s favorite things to do (besides writing or eating dark
chocolate) is to speak at women's retreats and schools, and for women’s groups,
librarians, and at writers’ conferences. Mona from Arizona lives with her
hubby, Bob.
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