"A Quilt for Jenna" By Patrick E. Craig
Patrick Craig is a new author to me, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the talent this author has exhibited in his first Amish fiction. Patrick is a lifelong writer and a musician. He has served as a speaker, and pastor, however, now concentrates on writing and publishing both fiction and non fiction books.
"A Quilt for Jenna" is the first in a new series of books, "Apple Creek Dreams". The main character, Jerusha, is the most talented quilter in Apple Creek, Ohio. The community claims that she is actually the best in the whole state! And she has just completed her most beautiful quilt yet, which she plans to enter in the the Quilt Fair in Dalton. Jerusha hopes to win the prize money enabling her to leave the Amish way of life- away from memories of Jenna, her daughter she lost a year before and of Reuben, her tormented husband, who has been missing since the child's death.
On the way to this important life changing event, Jerusha gets caught in a storm of the century! She is trapped in a car as well as with her memories- NOT good ones!! Her driver has left her to get help.
Then comes a shock to the reader- another little one enters the story and makes her way into Jerusha's grieving heart in a totally unexpected way. Can this child heal her pain and heartache??
I was totally enthralled with this story of loss and redemption. From the time I picked up the book, until I finished it, my feelings and emotions were in turmoil. Patrick has described the characters so well and made them so realistic, that I was living their lives along with them. I felt every pain, challenge and hurt that Jerusha experienced. She became part of me!! That , for me, is what makes a good book. When I can identify with the characters, I love the book!!
The plot was extremely well developed. The twists and turns in intertwining plots, Jerusha's life, the child's, the driver's, all became one. Just when I thought that I had figured out what would happen next, another surprise came out at me from nowhere!! Sitting on the edge of my seat, I continued to read far into the night, as I just could not put this book down. The conclusion of the book was a total surprise to me!!
The main topic, of a hurting Amish quilter, appealed to me and will to many others. Jerusha seeks happiness after many heartbreaking events. Will she let God carry out His plan? Will she seek His will and accept His forgiveness and redemption?
This is definitely a five star book!! I will be looking for the next in the series! Can hardly wait. Patrick Craig is an author to watch for!!
Book was supplied by Harvest House Publishers , in exchange for a fair and honest review.
sounds like a good book can't wait to read it
ReplyDelete