The Lover's Knot: A Someday Quilts Mystery [Paperback] Review

For a novice quilter like me, The Lover's Knot was a happy discovery. The latest trend in the "cozy" mystery genre is to write a series of books based on a particular career or hobby. There are mystery novels set in the world of knitting, scrapbooking, cross-stitch, bridge and dogwalking, with some of the best of these reviewed at StoryCircle Book Reviews. I love them all, but this was the first quilting mystery I've read. It was a welcome treat.

The story begins when Nell Fitzgerald, a young layout artist for a Manhattan publishing house, has her heart broken by a fiancé with cold feet. She heads for the Hudson Valley town of Archer's Rest, New York to seek the comfort of her grandmother, Eleanor, owner of the Someday Quilts shop. The lovers' knot of the title is the pattern on the quilt Eleanor has made for her granddaughter's wedding. In a very short time, Nell falls in love with the town and the art of quilting.

Meanwhile, her fiancé Ryan tries to win her back and becomes a suspect in the murder of Marc, a local handyman known for his flirting. A fistfight occurs, a child's paternity is questioned, someone greases the shop stairs with quilter's hand cream and a load of money is found hidden in the shop. The women of the Friday Night Quilt Club, Barney the golden retriever and the handsome widowed police chief round out the cast of characters. (Barney has his own stash of five small quilts with dog fabrics or appliquéd bones lining his bed!)There is enough going on in this story to keep you guessing until the very end.

Quilting jargon like UFOs (Unfinished Objects), stash and fat quarter (twenty-two inches by eighteen instead of a quarter yard) are scattered through the book like fabric scraps on a cutting table. O'Donohue is an avid quilter herself and former producer of the HGTV program "Simply Quilts." She's also skillful in piecing together the ordinary things that can make life difficult: mother-daughter clashes, the death of a spouse, and the shaky steps to recovery after rejection by a lover. She cleverly leaves a few of the personal issues unresolved, so that the reader wonders what the main characters are doing after the novel ends.

I've read a lot of "cozies." They are the books I'm most likely to pick up at the end of a long day or take with me on vacation. The Lover's Knot went in my travel bag on a recent weekend, and was as much fun to read as I hoped it would be. I look forward to my next visit to Archers Rest and the women of Someday Quilts.

by Linda Wisniewski
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

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The Runaway Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #4) [Paperback] Review

This was truly a book that I could not put down. It is the first of the Elm Creek books that I read and now I have purchased the rest to enjoy. The flow of the story was wonderful. And I easily moved between the days of Gerda and the modern day Sylvia.It is at once a mystery and a tale of adventure and romance.
Through Ms. Chiaverini's skillful writing, we feel equally at home in either the 19th or 21th centuries. So skillful and artistic are her desceiptions, that we, the readers are front and center with our two leading ladies at all times.
The cast of extras, from Hans and Andrew to Dorothea and Grace, all add to the rich tapestry that makes up this story.
Whether you are a quilter or not, this book puts us in touch with the past and reminds us to look back and see the fiber from which we are all made. If you are not a quilter, it certainly is an inspiration to try it out as a hobby
We are never quite sure of the answer to the questions in Sylvia's mind, but that does not matter.What we do know however, is that in her past were brave and daring people who stood for what was right in a time when so much was wrong.

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The Christmas Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #8) [Hardcover] Review

After five decades away from Elm Creek Manor, the estranged Sylvia Compson returned home too late make any amends with her deceased Bergstrom relatives.Now Christmas is coming, but the septuagenarian does not feel like celebrating her first Yuletide in her family home in fifty years.

Her quilting camp partner Sarah McClure and the youngster's spouse orchards gardener Matt plan to celebrate Yuletide at Elm Creek.Sarah feels some guilt that she is not going to visit her family, but believes the fault lies with her mother who overtly displays her loathing of Matt.Sarah persuades a reluctant Sylvia to go into the attic to look at the holiday ornaments where they find an unfinished Christmas quilt and the memories of the joys in spite of the Depression; the depression of loved ones dying during World War II, and much more.Sylvia regrets her stubbornness that is too late to mend fences and pleads with Sarah to square things with her mother.

Though fans of the Elm Creek Quilt series might be a bit confused as to the timing as this entry occurs before Sylvia marries Andrew (see last year's THE MASTER QUILTER), long time readers will enjoy the latest tale.The somewhat sugary story line contains a deep message that there is no time in life to hold grudges.Sarah is terrific as the attic mementos have her looking back on the joys, tragedies, and mistakes in her life.Though suited for those in the audience who have read most of the previous novels (memories will mean much more) because some newcomers might have some problems with what happened to whom, Jennifer Chiaverini provides a warm holiday tale that adds to the Elm Creek manor saga.

Harriet Klausner

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The New Year's Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #11) [Hardcover] Review

Sylvia Compson, master quilter and senior owner of Elm Creek manor, has married beau Andrew Cooper at their Christmas Eve party, to the gleeful surprise of their friends and associates.But the occasion is a bittersweet one because Andrew's two grown children, Amy and Bob, chose not to make the trip to Pennsylvania and so were not in attendance.Sylvia is fairly certain that Bob and his family, out in California, will welcome her new role in the Cooper clan.She is less sure about Amy's reaction, for Andrew's daughter was adamantly against the engagement from the beginning.The newlyweds plan to drive from central Pennsylvania to Hartford, Connecticut, to share their news with Amy and Daniel and the three grands and to celebrate the start of the new year.Will Amy accept Sylvia as her father's wife?And will she even want the New Year's Resolution quilt that Sylvia is bringing her?

A long drive is the perfect time for reflective thinking; and as the miles pass, Sylvia remembers notable New Year's Eves of the past, while she diligently works to finish the quilt on time.Her memories are woven into the blocks themselves:the year her cousin Elizabeth announced she was marrying Henry and moving to California; the anticipation leading up to her brother Richard's birth; the first Christmas and New Year's after her mother's death; the events that led up to Sylvia's final argument with her sister Claudia and her abandonment of the Bergstrom farm; and the day she got the news that Claudia had died and the estate was hers.Throughout the decades, quilts were always a part of her life.Now Sylvia is ready to share her personal history, in fabric, with her new step-daughter.

Ms. Chiaverini has given us a heart-warming and thought-provoking read that's much more than mere holiday fluff.To Elm Creek fans, Sylvia's memories fill in some of gaps of backstory that heretofore have gone unexplored.To newcomers to the series, these colorful threads of history will surely lead them to seek out some of the earlier books.And we can all benefit from the advice given by one of the characters here:"Anyone can make promises.The challenge is in following through."A Happy New Year, indeed.

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Product Description:
At the close of THE QUILTER'S LEGACY, the Elm Creek Quilters were all in attendance on Christmas Eve, where they were surprised yet overjoyed to witness the wedding of Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, the Master Quilter, to her beloved Andrew Cooper.

THE NEW YEAR S QUILT tells the story of how the newlyweds celebrate their first holiday season as husband and wife. Not content to rest at home by the fire, they set out on a journey across the snow-covered fields of Pennsylvania.

Their destination is Connecticut, and the home of Andrew's daughter Amy. Unlike the Elm Creek Quilters, Amy has not offered her blessing to the union. Though her father has reminded her that marriage endures in sickness and in health, Amy fears that Andrew and Sylvia have passed the age where marriage remains a prudent choice.

Sylvia hopes to win over her new daughter-in-law through the lessons that quilting reveals about the bonds of love and family. As a gift for Amy, she undertakes a quilt titledNew Year s Reflections,whose blocks represent the holiday traditions of Elm Creek Manor. As she stitches the blocks, memories of a lifetime come flooding back, along with words of wisdom meant to celebrate the achievements of generations past and create hope for the future.

Just as Christmas and New Year's Day bookend the joys of the season, THE NEW YEAR S QUILT is the perfect holiday companion volume to THE CHRISTMAS QUILT.

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The Aloha Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel [Hardcover] Review

Hawaii is about as far away from Pennsylvania as you can get.And in this book, that's exactly where Elm Creek quilter Bonnie Markham is headed.(Avid readers will recognize Bonnie as the one-time owner of the Grandma's Attic quilt shop, as well as being one of the founders of the Elm Creek quilt camps.)Bonnie and her husband Craig are in the middle of a contentious and stressful divorce.When Claire, Bonnie's old Penn State roommate, invites her to spend the winter on the island of Maui in order to help establish an Aloha Quilt Camp, Bonnie takes her up on the offer.Why not exchange a few months of Northeastern snow for a warm and sandy beach in Paradise?

Bonnie soon finds herself in the unique position of being perched in a vacation destination, where she is neither tourist nor resident.With her friends Claire and Eric, she explores some of the tropical landscape.But at the same time, she and Claire must hunker down and do all of the planning for creating a brand-new quilt camp, based in Claire's large, restored inn.Claire's savvy native assistant Midori introduces Bonnie to the intricacies of crafting Hawaiian-style quilts.Midori's nephew, Hinano, serves as a native guide and historical expert for Bonnie as well, even though the two of them often end up arguing about something.One question continues to linger throughout the storyline:Will Bonnie really return to Elm Creek Manor when her consultation duties are done?Or will she instead decide to relocate to Maui and teach full-time at the Aloha Quilt Camp?

The best fiction is enlightening as well as entertaining.Purists scoff whenever Ms. Chiaverini dares to move her plots away from the safe cocoon of Elm Creek Manor in central Pennsylvania, either geographically or historically.But that's exactly the way Life works.Rarely does a group of individuals remain static.Its members have obligations far and beyond their affiliations with one another.Following those threads away from the center gives these characters (and us) a chance to learn more about their personalities.It also helps us discover the various traditions of quilts in other places and at other times.Kudos to Ms. Chiaverini for once again providing another interesting insight into the universal heritage of intricate stitchery.

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Product Description:
Another season of Elm Creek Quilt Camp has come to a close, and Bonnie Markham faces a bleak and lonely winter ahead, with her quilt shop out of business and her divorce looming. A welcome escape comes when Claire, a beloved college friend, unexpectedly invites her to Maui to help launch an exciting new business: a quilter's retreat set at a bed and breakfast amid the vibrant colors and balmy breezes of the Hawaiian Islands. Soon Bonnie finds herself looking out on sparkling waters and banyan trees, planning quilting courses, and learning the history and intricacies of Hawaiian quilting, all the while helping Claire run the inn.
As Bonnie's adventure unfolds, it quickly becomes clear that Claire's new business isn't the only excitement in store for her. Her cheating, soon-to-be ex-husband decides he wants her stake in Elm Creek Quilts, which threatens not only her financial well-being but her dearest friendships as well. Luckily she has the artistic challenge of creating her own unique Hawaiian quilt pattern to distract her-and new friends like Hinano Paoa, owner of the Nä Mele Hawai‘i Music Shop, who introduces Bonnie to the fascinating traditions of Hawaiian culture and reminds her that love can be found when and where you least expect it.

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The Pattern (The American Quilt Series #1) [Paperback] Review

I loved the Pattern. It was a sweet book about a young girl who falls in love with a man who is a doctor. Her parents dont approve but let her marry him anyway. The whole story is about never giving up and always trusting God.

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Prior to the Civil War, well-to-do Johanna marries a doctor from a poor family and moves to the harsh mountains of North Carolina.

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Return to Elm Creek: More Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels [Paperback] Review

I purchased this book because I had just finished reading the 8th. book in the Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini.
I wanted to have the patterns so I could make the quilts from the series. The pictures of the quilts are beautiful and the directions for making the quilts are excellent. Along with the picture of each quilt, Jennifer has given a short background about each quilt and how it fits into the plot of the stories in the series. In order to appreciate this book, you should read the Elm Creek Quilt series. Once you read the first book, you'll be hooked. I'm anxious to get started on my own Elm Creek Quilt.

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Product Description:
Join best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini in creating quilts inspired by her best-selling Elm Creek Quilts novels.Quilters will get reacquainted with their favorite characters from the Elm Creek Quilts series while browsing through a dozen brand-new quilts.The 12 all-new quilt projects inspired by the series include three from the author's latest book, The Master Quilter.Every quilt tells a story of its own introducing both longtime fans and those just discovering the appeal of Elm Creek Quilts to new and familiar characters with each quilt pattern.-12 all-new quilt projects inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts novels, including 3 from Jennifer's latest book, The Master Quilter-Read about new and familiar characters with each quilt pattern-Projects for everyone - easy or more challenging, piecing or applique-Jennifer shares her insider's view of a cross-country book tour

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Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts: The True Story Behind the Quilt - 140 Traditional Blocks [Paperback] Review

This book was certainly worth the wait as it is more than beauiful from cover to cover.I just got mine in the mail and could hardly wait to carry it back to my little retreat to enjoy. How I would love to say that I had created and personally made this entire quilt...and all by hand, never-the-less! It is a dream quilt in a book so expertly put together, a quilt I have often wondered what it would look like and how Sylvia would react to the creation made out of love my her quilter friends....after reading the books by Jennifer Chiaverini, and just letting my imagination get carried away with me. Tis so nice to still be able to dream and find dreams do come true...at least in the books created by Jennifer. Sure hope here story telling and quilting days are not over. I hunger for the next book to come off the press, and yes, have devoured the book "The Lost Quilter".

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Product Description:
Create your own authentic version of the bridal sampler quilt made for Sylvia Compson in the best-selling novel The Master Quilter.

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The Civil War Love Letter Quilt: 121 Quilt Blocks Inspired by Love and War [Paperback] Review

This is not a quilt pattern book. Those who want a quilt pattern will be disappointed.I thoroughly enjoyed reading the diary entries and planning a quilt from the patterns pictured. It is possible to transfer the designs to patterns if you are patient and have some quilting experience. A wonderful addition to any quilter's library.

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Product Description:
*The paper-pieced block patterns featured in this book are interchangeable with all of the 6" blocks featured in The Amish Circle Quilt and The Civil War Quilt Diary
*Features Civil War reproduction fabrics, a popular choice among quilters and available at most quilt shops and fabric stores
The Civil War Love Letter Quilt is a history book, quilting guide, and touching tale of the love shared by Civil War soldiers, their sweethearts and families. In the same innovative approach as other books of the popular letter and diary quilt-book series by Rosemary Youngs, this new guide showcases 121 different paper-pieced block patterns with the actual letter that inspired them. The collection includes love letters from:
*President Rutherford B. Hayes to his family
*Newton Scott to his childhood friend, whom he married upon returning from the war
*David Winn, a soldier who ultimately gave his life for his country

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Elm Creek Quilts : Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels [Paperback] Review

If you enjoy the Elm Creek Quilters series, and like to quilt, this book is fantastic. The quilts are beautiful! The book is very well written with clear and concise instructions, and beautifully photographed. I really like that the traceable templates are full size as well, a big plus. The excerpts provided for most of the quilts pull you right back in to the books that these quilts are based on. A wonderful series and wonderful quilting books! I really am enjoying this book and cant wait to get started.

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Product Description:
Create gorgeous quilts based on Jennifer Chiaverini's best-selling ElmCreek Quilt series! Here are 12 quilt projects from all four Elm Creekbooks, ranging from Sylvia's Broken Star and Sarah's Sampler to WhenHe Cooks Dinner and the Underground Railroad Quilt. Each quilt designis suitable for all skill levels and tells a wonderful story of itsown.

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