A Patchwork Christmas CollectionBy Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Stephanie Grace Whitson
"A Patchwork Christmas" is an enjoyable collection of three Christmas stories from Victorian-era America, with an added bonus of sewing patterns and cookie recipes included at the end of each story. Sewing patterns are from various unique pieces mentioned in the stories: homestead rose mittens, four patch doll quilt, and crazy quilt ornaments.
"Seems Like Love" by Judith Miller (Amana, Iowa,
1890) - Recently jilted by her fiancé and fearing more hurt, Karla Stuke seals her
heart from romantic love - until Frank Lehner, a close childhood friend,
returns to town and attempts to change her mind.
"A Patchwork Love" by Stephanie Grace Whitson (West
of Omaha, Nebraska, 1875) - Having lost her home after her husband's death, Jane
McClure is headed west to marry a prosperous businessman in order to better
provide for her daughter, when a snowstorm forces the train to a sudden stop. Peter Gruber, a disfigured war veteran, and
his mother offer shelter and a sweet love story follows.
"The Bridal Quilt" by Nancy Moser (New York City,
November 1889) - Ada Wallace, the toast of New York society, is humiliated when
her "almost" fiancé, Samuel Alcott, grandson of a wealthy banker,
renounces his wealth to work in an orphanage in New York's Five Points section. One year later, Samuel is brought into the
Wallace home to recover from an accident inadvertently caused by Ada.
I have read books by these popular authors before and felt
these stories were true to their style.
They were interesting, well written, and I didn't want to stop reading. I don't want to choose a favorite, but I had
the strongest connection to Stephanie Grace Whitson's story, "A Patchwork
Love." I felt like I was physically
there, on the drafty train and later in Peter's sod house. And I really cared about the characters.
An interwoven theme in this collection is looking beyond the
outside appearance and seeing beauty the way God sees it. One of the characters, in talking about those
who see only with eyes, makes this profound statement: "What is seen hides truth." Karla felt that she lacked physical beauty
and would never marry, while Peter suffered rejection due to his facial
disfigurement.
In Nancy Moser's book, Samuel decided Ada's willingness to
sacrifice her lifestyle to join him in ministry was insincere. In Samuel's words, "The foundling home
was no place for Ada. . . . Who was he to say such a thing? God had a purpose in mind for Ada, just as
He'd led Samuel to his destiny."
Each story brought this spiritual message out through the beauty of
storytelling.
My only criticism, and it's not really a criticism, is that
"A Patchwork Love" ended rather suddenly. I wish there had been a few more pages or an
epilogue.
I thoroughly enjoyed "A Patchwork Christmas" and
recommend it to all who enjoy Christian romance.
A special thank you to thank NetGalley and Barbour
Publishing for providing a copy of this book.
I gave an honest review based on my opinion.
Found you via Goodreads. Your blog is a lovely Christmas red!
ReplyDeleteI also found you thru Goodreads, and Im your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteYour review was well written, I enjoyed reading it.
Love the color of your blog!
This is a book that I read awhile ago. I too enjoyed the second story the most. I can remember the second and third stories the best, but for some reason the first story just doesn't ring a bell for me, I might just have to go back sometime and re-read it!
ReplyDeleteKim
Kim, I was exactly the same way. The first one was good, but nothing special. Loved the second one, could read it again. Third was very good also.
ReplyDeleteGlad you can comment here now!