Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

I found the storyline of this book very rich and fascinating.  I can't say that I like World War II because it was an absolutely horrid war.  However, it is a good setting for a story.  I really liked the how the quilt not only tells a present story, but also a past story.

The past story is a reminder of Maybelle's mother, as she finds this unfinished quilt in her mother's closet. It's also a reminder that she will constantly look at and remember the time, emotions, and thoughts she had while her husband was lost at war.

At one point, I became overwhelmed by all the problems and bad news this circle of quilters were receiving!  I know life can be like that at times, but I felt like I just wanted them to have a moment to breathe.  My heart sunk to know Maybelle's husband and the love of her life was missing.  I can not possibly begin to imagine all that you feel when you hear news like that, although I'm well aware that may through the years know exactly what that feels like.

I like the Quilts of Love series and reading how each quilt tells it's own story.  I like reading the different authors, too, because they bring new styles of writing and new stories that make me want to read every one of these books in the series.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.

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I received this book free from CFBA and Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.