Christmas Book Review: A Quilt for Christmas: A Christmas Novella by Melody Carlson

What It’s About:
Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all--and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.

My Thoughts:
I look forward to Carlson’s Christmas novella every year. This one is a lovely story centering around a woman whose traditional Christmas’s have been derailed, then she meets a sweet child who changes everything. Four-year-old Fiona spreads Christmas joy just by being her sweet, precocious self. As the quilt comes together, so do the lives of the most unexpected quilters. This story is about healing and transformation and Carlson does a beautiful job telling this wonderful story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Created to do Good Work

Ephesians 4:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

With a cardboard template, I cut the pieces from colorful fabrics.

I've been a crafter for as long as I can remember. For many years I sewed quilts, three layered blankets sewn together from the underneath to the top with tiny stitches, then bound around the edges. When I first attempted to make a  quilt, I did everything by hand. I fussy cut the pieces using a cardboard or plastic template and a pair of scissors. Then I handstitched the pieces together with needle and thread and quilted by hand. As I learned more methods over the years, I mastered the rotary cutter and sewed pieces together on my machine. No matter how I made the quilt, I knew the purpose. They were created to provide warmth and comfort for my family.

When I look around at people, I see how unique each human is. Like my quilts, made in a variety of designs from different fabrics, people vary too. My personality, stature, intellect, skills, and experiences set me apart because God created me to be myself. He formed me before I was born and gave me unique attributes.

As God made me, He knew my purpose. He knew why I needed to live on earth at this time and in this place. As a believer in Christ, I try to do good work. For me, the good works reflect in my writing (or at least I hope so.) The abilities, desires, and talents God instills in a person is a guide to the reason God created them. Some folks have wonderful musical abilities, some speak, some listen, some smile and share kindness, while others may minister to folks' physical needs.

In whatever way God created me to be, He is the one who knows my purpose and guides my path. Growing up in a time when everything pointed to "finding yourself," I had to look past society and seek God's word and pray for his revelation to who I am.

Do good work for God, our creator.

Fiction Book Review: A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Book Description:
What is the weight of a secret?
And what happens when that burden becomes almost too much to bear?

For decades, Perla Phillips has hidden the truth of a decision that still fills her with guilt. But now, seeing her granddaughter, Ella, struggle in a similar way, she's prepared to finally open the past to her family, no matter the consequences. But when the opportunity is snatched from her in a most unexpected manner, will she have waited too long?

Spanning generations, this moving family drama weaves together the interlocking stories of two women as they navigate relationships, family, faith, and the choices that will shape their lives. Heartwarming and nostalgic, the story explores the courage to share the wounds of the past and celebrates the legacy a family passes from one generation to the next. 

My Review:

Once in a while I come across a book I totally relate to. A Tapestry of Secrets is one of the most inspiring and heartwarming books I've read this year. Ella is a little lost and trying to find her way. As she works through her faith, her thoughts, and her feelings she puts her needle to work and creates beautiful wall hangings. I've spent many hours working with a needle and thread and loosing myself in my handiwork as I try to sort out life. She has many things to sort and I love the way Sarah Loudin Thomas uses Ella's story to bring out the truth of faith in Jesus. And I so appreciate her Grandmother Perla's story. She's a woman who has learned so much from experience and hopes to share it with her granddaughter. As her roots grow deeper, so does Ella understanding of family and love.

And then there are the men in Ella's life. What fun to follow the story of her heart. This is an excellent example of  women's fiction. The strong female characters give hope and courage to each other. When I closed the book after I read the last page, I knew I'd tuck this book away to read again next year. Highly recommended. Five plus stars. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.