"The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club"
By Wanda Brunstetter
I have always loved Wanda's Amish fiction but this one was the most thought provoking that she has written for a long while, in my opinion. Wanda has used her knowledge of the Amish to its greatest advantage, while bringing in Englischers to enhance her storyline.
From her description of the book:
Amish widow Emma Yoder’s first quilt class brings the most unlikely people together. there’s Star, a young woman yearning for stability; Pan and Stuart Johnston, a struggling couple at odds in their marriage; Paul Ramirez, a young widower hoping to find solace in finishing a quilt; Jan Sweet, a rough and tough biker doing some creative community service; and Ruby Lee Williams, a preacher’s wife looking for relaxation when parish problems mount. But as these beginning quilters learn to transform scraps of material into beauty; their fragmented lives begin to take new shape with the helping hands of each other and the healing hand of God.
By Wanda Brunstetter
I have always loved Wanda's Amish fiction but this one was the most thought provoking that she has written for a long while, in my opinion. Wanda has used her knowledge of the Amish to its greatest advantage, while bringing in Englischers to enhance her storyline.
From her description of the book:
Amish widow Emma Yoder’s first quilt class brings the most unlikely people together. there’s Star, a young woman yearning for stability; Pan and Stuart Johnston, a struggling couple at odds in their marriage; Paul Ramirez, a young widower hoping to find solace in finishing a quilt; Jan Sweet, a rough and tough biker doing some creative community service; and Ruby Lee Williams, a preacher’s wife looking for relaxation when parish problems mount. But as these beginning quilters learn to transform scraps of material into beauty; their fragmented lives begin to take new shape with the helping hands of each other and the healing hand of God.
These unlikely characters appear to take quilting lessons from a conservative , Amish widow, to each fullfill a need they have , although they know not what it is. Unknowingly,they become part of a group that truly needs love, care and faith. Each has their own troubles, some more serious than others. and who would ever think that quilting could bring these somewhat unappealing characters to a place in their lives where they learn that they need God. I could not imagine how Emma, the main character , could ever deal with these people, who have no knowledge of sewing, let alone, quilting. It becomes apparent that the teaching is not needed in the craft of quilting but in that of living happily and peacefully, enjoying the companionship of others. Emma is a motherly sort who guides her little flock towards success, not only in quilting, but in their personal challenges.
Wanda has a complete surprise at the conclusion of her book, which totally shocked me. Her talent is outstanding in keeping you engrossed in the many changes in her plot and her character development.
God uses Emma in a way that I found inspiring and amazing.!! A very different twist on Amish Fiction!! Extremely well done, a real page turner! Loved it!!
EBook provided by NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Wanda is such a great author! I was very fortunate to meet her and have my book signed. This was a very big deal for me! Great review:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. You are lucky to have met her. I have met Beth Wiseman and spent some time with her- went to a book signing with her, and met Kathy Fuller for lunch. Hoping to meet Vannetta Chapman on our trip to Texas in Mar. and touch base with Beth again. I LOVE meeting these talented, creative ladies.
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