CFBA - A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Stitch in Crime

Abingdon Press (January 20, 2015)

by

Cathy Elliot

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Cathy Elliott is a full-time writer who lives in northern California and whose cozy mysteries reflect her personal interests from playing her fiddle with friends to antique collecting and quilting. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antiques and is several years into recovery from her eBay addiction. UPDATE: She backslid a while back, enticed to bid on a 1945 Singer Featherweight. (She won.) But now she’s back on the wagon. Except for the recent crazy quilt pillow purchase. She also leads music at church and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Thea James has accepted an assignment as co-chairperson for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she’s already feeling frayed when things start to unravel. Mary-Alice Wentworth, a much-loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea’s dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick-off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds? When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch in Crime, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

A Stitch in Crime is the newest offering of the Quilts of Love series of books from Abingdon Fiction, It is a Christian cozy mystery packed full of quirky characters and a mystery centering around a quilt show. I must admit, this is the first cozy mystery I have read and while I totally enjoyed the concept of a cozy mystery, I didn't really enjoy the book.

For those of you who read my reviews on a regular basis, you know that I pay a lot of attention to the characters involved in the books I read. I love well defined, life-like characters that come to life on the written page. Unfortunately I wasn't as impressed with the characters in this book. While most of them were quirky, the reader wasn't given a chance to really get to know any of them.

One thing that I found disappointing is there wasn't much romance in this book. I would imagine it was because it is a cozy mystery. Thea James, the heroine of the book, is interested in Cole Mason, a local reporter, and he is interested in her. The reader can see it but the characters cannot. Personally, I think the story would have been better if Cole's character would have been left out. Since the romance never really happened he was a wasted character.

On a 5 Star scale = 3 stars.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my copy of A Stitch in Crime. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

CFBA - Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton & Cindy Loven

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Swept Away
Abingdon Press (November 18, 2014)
by

Laura V. Hilton

and
Cindy Loven

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Award winning author Laura V. Hilton has penned many novels, including the Amish of Seymour series, the Amish of Webster County series, and the forthcoming Amish of Jamesport series. A member of ACFW, Laura is also a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites. A pastor’s wife, stay-at-home mom, and home school teacher, Laura and her family make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

A lifelong reader, Cindy Loven is an active church wife of a minister and mother to one son who is a home school graduate. Cindy and her family reside in Conway, Arkansas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sara Jane Morgan is trying to balance teaching with caring for her ailing, stubborn grandmother. When school lets out for the summer, the plans are for Grandma to teach Sara Jane to quilt as they finish up the Appalachian Ballad quilt Grandma started as a teenager. But things don’t always go as planned. 

Andrew Stevenson is hiding from his past—and his future. He works as a handyman to pay the bills, but also as an artisan, designing homemade brooms. When Sara Jane’s grandmother hires him to renovate her home, sparks fly between him and his new employer’s granddaughter. 

Still, it doesn’t take Sara Jane long to see Drew isn’t what he seems. Questions arise, and she starts online researching him. What she discovers could change her life—and her heart—forever.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Swept Away, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

Out of all the books I have read in the Quilts of Love series, Swept Away is definitely my favorite. The characters are well developed and I fell in love with Sari, otherwise known as Grandma. She is the grandmother of Sara Jane, the heroine. and I guarantee you she will rope your heart and pull you into her story and her plans for her granddaughter and Andrew, her handyman.

One thing I found interesting in this book is they introduce the reader to the Ballad Quilt. It is a quilt made based on a song ballad. Quite interesting. One day I would love to see one of these quilts.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 BIG Stars!!!!! I loved this book.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Fiction for my copy of Sept Away. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

 

CFBA - A Grand Design by Amber Stockton

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Grand Design

Abingdon Press (August 19, 2014)

by

Amber Stockton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Words from the author:


Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. I am in my mid-30's, married to the love of my life since July 2007, have a daughter and a son, and live in Colorado. Here, I am content to do what I love—write, speak, and offer virtual assistance.

Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author -- Tracie Peterson -- in 2002, I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers and wouldn't be published today without them. For those of you who are also fiction writers looking for a wonderful support group, check them out! My very first book, Promises, Promises, sold in December 2006 and released in February 2008. I've been going steady ever since.

ABOUT THE BOOK


When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Grand Design, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

I love reading books in the Quilts of Love series and the newest book in the series, A Grand Design, by Amber Stockton was an extremely enjoyable read. Ms. Stockton used Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel as her setting for this delightful read.

While the characters weren't complex they did treat the reader to a fun journey around the island and hotel making this reader want to take a journey to Mackinac Island some time soon.

The quilt in this book is a friendship quilt and what happens with it in the end is quite sweet. But since I don't give out spoilers, you'll have to read A Grand Design for yourself to find out.

This is a story of new beginnings and setting the memories of the past free. The setting plays a large part in the story and I guarantee you will want to make a journey to Mackinac Island after reading the book. Even if it is just to see the places where the movie Somewhere in Time was made.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean read.

On a 5-Star scale - 4 Stars!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my copy of A Grand Design. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,