The Healing Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Healing Quilt
Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club - Book #3
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
ISBN: 9781616260873
Paperback: 320 pages

About the Book:

Retired Amish newlyweds Emma and Lamar Miller have decided to buy a winter place in Sarasota, Florida. But it wouldn't feel like home if Emma didn't take her quilting materials and offer classes. Wounded and hurting people have a knack for finding their way to her classes for some quilting therapy: Jennifer, a pregnant new mom; Mike, a charter boat owner; Erika, a wheelchair-bound teen; Kim, a waitress; Noreen, a newly-retired widow; and BJ, an artist facing illness. And when Jan visits from Indiana, romance is also added to the class discussions.

My Thoughts:

This fun series is about an older Amish woman who opens her home to 6 people who want to take quilting lessons. In each book, the quilters are a mixture of people from all walks of life - both male and female - and each brings their own problems with them. Some are obvious, some are not. With that said, The Healing Quilt can be read as a stand alone, however, since some people from past books are either referenced or have a part in this book, I would encourage the series be read from the beginning.

In The Healing Quilt, Emma and Lamar Miller are staying at the Pinecroft community in Sarasota, Florida. Emma misses home but knows Lamar needs to be there in the wintertime, so she decides she'd like to teach classes to keep her occupied. She, again, ends up with an interesting group with another set of problems, and this time she's not sure she can help.

With her patience and understanding, Emma guides the group through both quilting and life lessons and shares her Biblical understanding and God's love with the group. She is an endearing woman who will win the heart of the reader as well as impart some strong faith and belief that will reflect God's will and love for all.

This is an interesting series that is sure to delight lovers of Amish fiction as well as those that enjoy a story with a positive Christian message.

About the Author:

A nationally recognized authority on the Amish community, Wanda E. Brunstetter has sold more than seven million copies of her fiction and nonfiction books. Wanda enjoys an uncommon kinship with the Amish and continues to visit their communities throughout the country. Her books have won numerous awards and topped several bestselling charts.

If you'd like to learn more about Wanda or the books she's written, please visit her page at: http://www.wandabrunstetter.com/

 I received a copy of this book from Handlebar Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Invisible by Ginny Yttrup

Invisible
Author: Ginny Yttrup
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781433671685
Trade Paper: 352 pages

About the Book:

Ellyn DeMoss -- chef, café owner, and lover of butter -- is hiding behind her extra weight. But what is she hiding? While Ellyn sees the good in others, she has only condemnation for herself. So when a handsome widower claims he’s attracted to Ellyn, she’s certain there’s something wrong with him. Sabina Jackson -- tall, slender, and exotic -- left her husband, young adult daughters, and a thriving counseling practice to spend a year in Northern California where she says she’s come to heal. But it seems to Ellyn that Sabina’s doing more hiding than healing. What’s she hiding from? Is it God? Twila Boaz has come out of hiding and is working to gain back the pounds she lost when her only goal was to disappear. When her eating disorder is triggered again, though she longs to hide, she instead follows God and fights for her own survival. But will she succeed? As these women’s lives intertwine, their eyes open to the glory within each of them as they begin to recognize themselves as being created in God’s image.

My Thoughts:

Four people, all intelligent professionals, are each struggling with a significant difficulty in their life. Three carry a secret that is crippling them and keeping them from being what God wants them to be. Each person's struggle is so personal they don't want to discuss it, and will do anything to hide it. As time goes on and friendships form, healing starts taking place in the most unusual ways and the message of God becomes clearer to each person.

This beautiful and emotional story kept me glued to the pages and at times I found it difficult to read. It was so emotional and personal for me, as I could relate to and identify with the characters. I know guilt so well and to follow these women and seeing and understanding their paths and choices was a true revelation for me.

The message of God's love is well represented in the pages of this story, and although there is a lot of faith discussion, it's not overwhelming nor does it overpower the story. It is, in my opinion, just perfect.

The lessons and message are as believable as the characters. (oh, and do I ever adore those characters!) When one finally finishes the last sentence, expect to carry this story in your mind and heart for a long time. It's not easily forgotten, nor are the characters!

"Invisible" is a MUST READ and NEEDS to be added to the TOP of your TBR pile immediately!

Many thanks to Julie of Handlebar Central and B&H Publishing for providing me with a copy of "Invisible" to read and review. I was not required to write a favorable review, but only one that states my honest opinion.