Review: Super Stitches Sewing: A Complete Guide to Machine-Sewing and Hand-Stitching Techniques by Nicole Vasbinder

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The Perfect Stitch for Every Project

Does your sewing machine come with lots of fancy stitches that you've never thought to try? This essential guide to machine and hand stitches will teach you how to use any and every stitch for professional-looking seams, hems, gathers, darts, and more. Unlock your full sewing potential with 57 machine stitches, 18 hand stitches, and tips to choose the correct needles, threads, and sewing machine accessories, complete with detailed step-by-step tutorials and illustrations.

This comprehensive stitch dictionary is a must-have companion for any sewer, whether you just bought your first sewing machine or you’re a seasoned expert looking to polish your skills. If your passion is dressmaking, tailoring, or simply mending your own clothes, Super Stitches Sewing gives you all of the information you need to make every project a success.

My Review

This is a high-quality craft book! The cover has a nice matte finish, the pages are heavy weight, the photos are crisp and have a consistent color theme, and the diagrams are excellent! One of my favorite features is an info box on each stitch type called 'Essential Facts' which gives relevant information such as common uses, what type of presser foot, needle, fabric, and thread to use, and a substitute stitch. On the diagrams the thread is shown in a nice red so it contrasts with the pale fabric and is easy to decipher. All the stitches covered are ones I'd like to try, and the 'Tools and Equipment' section in the back of the book is especially helpful! Highly recommended to beginners and experts alike.

(Thank you to Potter Craft for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Giveaway at 'Chat with Vera' for Jody Hedlund's Captured by Love

Visit Chat with Vera to read her review and enter to win a copy of Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund!

Review: A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

Synopsis

A baby quilt touches many hearts as it travels from family-to-family and through generations.
After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women’s Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier’s last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.
Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.

My Review

Holy moly. This book threw me for a loop. The reminiscent style of writing drew me right in and fascinated me with Clara's story and thoughts. I thought the first part was emotional, as Clara shares her experiences as a WWII nurse with her grandson and family. But it was when she returned from war and struggled with returning to normal life that the book really resonated with me. I was reading it during my daughter's swim lessons and had to wipe away tears from beneath my sunglasses- that's a huge indicator of just how good it is- crying in public! What's interesting to me is that I didn't exactly connect with Clara's personality- it was the poignant and profound truths that were revealed through her struggles that brought my feelings and some obviously repressed emotions to the surface. Yeah, my husband chuckled at me when he came into our room as I was finishing the book and literally sobbing- I can't remember the last time I had a good sob. "It's just a book," he said. "That's not why I'm crying!!!" I protested. Themes of birth, death, fear, love, family, service, trust, and faith are all intertwined as a hurting Clara searches for her calling and role in life. She is such a strong person but her vulnerabilities and fears eat at her, all the while she keeps moving forward and finding peace through serving others and providing relief to other hurting victims of war and life. Even through sadness and grief, the book ends with a new light and hope for Clara, which I thought was just so fitting and perfect.

Here are a few quotes from A Promise in Pieces that touched my soul:

I looked for a long moment at this young girl with her stringy mouse hair and her sallow skin and I suddenly saw her for the glorious creature she was, fighting for her child. And I wondered if this was how all children saw us, in this beautiful, bright light.

---

I cried, lying there, thinking about how little we could offer this woman: just a quilt, with her son's name on it, and how unfair it all was, this loss of something, someone, so great.
But even as I thought this, I remembered how Shane's own mama gave her life away so he could have his, how this had given me a family. and how death sometimes gave birth to something sacred. [...]
Then I sat down with a cup of tea in the rocking chair, the wind still blowing and the curtains still rustling but everything seeming changed now.
And funny how just as you begin to settle, you're made aware of someone's needs. And you're kept always alive, serving each other.

---

We visited with five of Mildred's friends during the week, five women whose sons had died in the war and we told them of Gareth and "Amazing Grace" and stitched their sons' names. and many of them cried as though, for a moment, someone was holding their baby again and marveling at his beauty and saying, "You did a wonderful job, creating this life. Well done. We celebrate your son."

---

This is by far my favorite of the Quilts of Love series, and also my favorite use of a quilt in a novel. I can't recommend this book highly enough!!!

(Thank you to Abingdon Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Review: A MOTHER’S SECRET | Kindle Fire giveaway from Author Amy Clipston

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever? Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother's farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin's father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her. His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn't convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter. When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance. After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family---and the unconditional love---she's longed for?

My Review

While the plot was fairly predictable, the details of the story made it a pleasure to read. Even though Carolyn lives under the thumb of her older brother, her vibrant personality peeks through in her loyalty to her son and her compassion for others. Even with a rocky meeting, Joshua soon sees past the walls she has erected and values her friendship. I liked that their relationship progressed slowly but steadily, and both perspectives were shared. One of my favorite characters was Carolyn's son Benjamin, who was victimized by his two bullying cousins, but rises above his situation to embrace new opportunities. The other family and community members served to move the story along, but came across two-dimensional. I appreciated the messages of forgiveness and acceptance and I would read this book again.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Don't miss the newest offering in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston, A Mother's Secret. An unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life. The novel received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was chosen as a Top Pick.

Amy is celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Books 1 and 2 in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series, A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 6th. Winner will be announced July 7th on Amy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Amy's blog on July 7th to see if you won.

Free e-book! Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Free e-book! Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Synopsis

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

E-book sale: 99 cents for Shadowed by Grace: A Story of Monuments Men by Cara C. Putman

Download Shadowed by Grace: A Story of Monuments Men by Cara C. Putman for only 99 cents! (Sale ends July 1st)

Synopsis

Desperate to save her dying mother, Rachel accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy to captures images dangerously close to the front lines of WWII. Her real motive – to find the father she never knew -- an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive. It’s an unlikely situation for love and faith to flourish, but soon Rachel not only finds herself, but also her long-lost earthly father, and ultimately, the man her Heavenly father created to cherish and provide for her.

E-book sale: $1.99 for each novella from Four Weddings and a Kiss

Click on the cover to download the individual novella (from the collection Four Weddings and a Kiss) for only $1.99 each! (Right now it's less expensive to buy them individually rather than downloading the whole book).

I enjoyed all the stories, but here are my favorites in order:  (Read my review of each story to find out what I liked about them here)

“A Cowboy for Katie” by Debra Clopton
Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie’s mind?

“Spitfire Sweetheart” by Mary Connealy
Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.


“Saving Grace” by Margaret Brownley
Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive—or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case—until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

“Love Letter to the Editor” by Robin Lee Hatcher
Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He’s resolved to change Molly's mind about him—as an editor and as a man.

Review: A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Elizabeth is at a crossroad. Will rumschpringe lead her away? Or bring her home?

She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country store that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?

My Review

I enjoyed going with Elizabeth on her journey. She basically jumped on a bus after some quick good-byes to family, and ventured into the unknown to start living her own life. She meets Saul in a sweet way, and they slowly build a friendship as a foundation for something more. Paula is one of my favorite characters- what a loyal and supportive friend through all of the transition Elizabeth goes through. The message that God watches over each of us was inspirational.

(Thank you to Abingdon Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review)

Review: FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS – Win an iPad Mini & rip-roarin’ Facebook Party!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis 

In 1885 five western preachers sit around a campfire talking about unlikely couples they've seen God bring together.

“Spitfire Sweetheart” by Mary Connealy
Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

“Love Letter to the Editor” by Robin Lee Hatcher
Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He’s resolved to change Molly's mind about him—as an editor and as a man.

“A Cowboy for Katie” by Debra Clopton
Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie’s mind?

“Saving Grace” by Margaret Brownley
Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive—or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case—until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

My Review

I love a well-written novella! All of these stories gave me a good sense of the characters and connected me to their emotions. The premise of unlikely couples let me know that things were going to get interesting... and they sure did!

Mary Connealy is an expert at infusing natural humor into her characters' relationships. I felt bad for Maizy, having to utterly change in order to please the men in her life, but admired her sincerity and determination to make things right. It took poor Rylan a few tries to get things right with her, but it was so entertaining :)

Robin Lee Hatcher's story was enjoyable, but predictable. Jack was incredibly easy-going about Molly's defensiveness and it was nice to watch them grow closer together.

Crazy Katie Pearl in Debra Clopton's story is fighting off the men wanting to marry her for her land by using them for target practice. She talks to herself, can't sleep, and won't go indoors. Treb understands her fears and grounds her in a way that helps her heal and learn to trust others. Several sweet moments to savor in this story.

My favorite part of Margaret Brownley's novella is the trial scene- talk about Old West justice! The whole time Grace and Bruce are trying to combat the "guilty until proven innocent" mindset of the community, but I have to admit my jaw dropped at the way it all goes down. Another nice touch was how Bruce became a mentor to her son in ways she doesn't expect.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Four best-­selling romance novelists bring tales of feisty heroines, stubborn heroes, and unlikely love in the Wild West in Four Weddings and a Kiss. Don't miss the latest from the Western Brides Collection from Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.

The authors are celebrating with a "Sweet on Love" iPad Mini Giveaway and rip-roarin' Facebook party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Kiss 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 8th. Winner will be announced at the Four Weddings and a Kiss Facebook Author Chat Party. Connect with Western Brides Collection authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton for an evening of fun book chat, western-themed trivia, and prizes. The authors will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the collection!

So grab your copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss and join the authors on the evening of July 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!