Join me this week in celebration of the release of The Quilted Heart!
Today, I am sharing my thoughts and offering one copy of The Quilted Heart to be given away. Wednesday, I will feature an author interview with Mona Hodgson, as well as details on how to enter her three book giveaway. Friday, I will share a character interview with Elsa Brantenburg, as well as more giveaway opportunities!
The Quilted Heart by Mona Hodgson
The Quilted Heart releases tomorrow, January 21. You can order your copy from Amazon, other online retailers, or your favorite bookstore.
Synopsis:
Like a beautiful patchwork quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories of lives stitched together with love and God’s unending grace.
Once a week, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched together by God’s grace?
Dandelions on the Wind
When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household. But when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren, and she feels compelled to find another job. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan?
Bending Toward the Sun
Dedicated to her education and to helping her father in his general store, Emilie Heinrich is convinced she doesn’t have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns to St. Charles, Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm captures Emilie’s eye and her heart. Will she be forced to choose between honoring her father and a future with a husband and family of her own?
Ripples Along the Shore
Change is brewing in St. Charles. A group of brave souls are preparing to head west on the Boone’s Lick Wagon Train, led by the mysterious and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw, who served as a Confederate soldier in the war that killed Caroline’s husband. Despite her dislike for him, Caroline is tempted to join the wagon train and start fresh somewhere new, but when Mr. Cowlishaw forbids her—a single woman—to travel with them, will one man’s prejudice destroy Caroline’s hope for a new future? Or will the ripples of God’s love bring the answer she needs?
Thoughts:
Mona Hodgson’s wonderful characterization brings the characters of The Quilted Heart to life. Each character is special and their life stories are beautifully quilted together in this novella collection. “Like a quilt is made up of remnants…scraps, so is your life and mine.”
The Quilted Heart novellas are bursting with details and descriptions, adding richness and depth to their engaging storylines. I clearly envisioned Saint Charles, Missouri, its residents and its businesses. I delighted in learning of the goods bought and sold, foods prepared, and quilts made with loving hands.
The spiritual elements are one of the most endearing facets of The Quilted Heart. The wisdom and scriptures that are shared are a blessing to all who read this book. “God, the Divine Quilter, has the perfect patchwork pattern for our lives. Each will be different as sunshine and snowfall.”
The Quilted Heart is a book that I love having on my shelf and is one I will read and enjoy again and again! It is also a book that I want to share, so I have ordered one copy to give away. Please see the giveaway details below and enter to win!
Biography:
Mona Hodgson is the author of nearly 40 books, historical novels for adults and children’s books, including her popular Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, The Quilted Heart novellas, and Prairie Song, Book 1 in her Hearts Seeking Home Series. Her children’s books include bestseller, Bedtime in the Southwest, six desert and princess Zonderkidz I Can Read books, Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional, and her six I Wonder books.
Mona’s writing credits also include several hundred articles, poems and short stories, which have appeared in 50 different publications. Mona is a speaker for women’s groups, Christian women’s retreats, book clubs and reading groups, schools, and conferences for writers and librarians.
GIVEAWAY:
I am excited to be giving away one copy of The Quilted Heart by Mona Hodgson.
Leave a comment, along with your email address, to be entered.
To earn additional entries, you may do the following:
- Let me know you follow my blog
- Sign up to follow my blog if you are not a follower
- Share this giveaway through Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or email
- Comment on any of The Quilted Heart posts this week
Be sure and leave a comment letting me know what you have done to earn additional entries.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends Saturday, January 25 at midnight CST. The winner will be drawn and contacted January 26. Good luck!!
I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
Buzzing About Books 
It’s so lovely to see a post about Miss Mona and her books!
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Hi Amy! Good to see you here. You are a sweet reader-friend. Blessings to you! Mona
I’m a follower
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Britney, what a lovely review of The Quilted Heart. Thank you! And a book giveaway–how fun. Blessings to you! Mona
I follow your blog and would LOVE to win this book! It sounds GREAT! Thanks!!!
Oh, this looks like a good book to read. It was such a nice review and I hope Mona has great success with her book!
This was a very good review – makes me really want to read this!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am a new follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I love the review Britney and Mona . I am so looking forward to reading this book . It sounds so good. I am a follower of your blog and love it Britney.
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win a book so I can donate it to my church library. Nice post! I enjoyed reading it.
mjnobles(at)charter(dot)net
Hi Britney, I love your review and your thoughts. You have a true talent for reviewing books and Miss Mona has a true talent for writing books. Thank you both for what you do. I would love to be a winner in this giveaway of this very special book. Thank you for the opportunity. I am definitely a follower of your blog. Keep up the great work!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Wonderful review, Britney! I’m now a follower of your blog. I shared your review and contest on Facebook, and I think you’re doing a wonderful job with your reviews and blog! Keep up the good work!
I think I was supposed to leave my email… quiltcat26{at]gmail{dot]com
Britney, I signed up to follow your blog. This post with Mona was very interesting.
I am looking forward to adding this to my reading list I enjoy Mona’s books they are always heart touching and inspiring
mcnuttjem0at gmail dot com
I loved the first book in the Quilted Heart series and would love to read the rest! I found “Dandelions on the Wind” to be a completely developed story although it was a novella. I follow your blog (and love your reviews).
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel 🙂
Britney, I signed up to follow you. I loved this review of Mona’s The Quilted Heart. And, you are right about our life. It takes all of the parts of our life to make us who we are. I am a follower of your blog. I tried to share this on my FB page, but it only brings up Redirecting but done nothing. Will have to find another way. I would sure love to win Mona’s book. She has some great books. I like the way you told us about each of the stories. Thanks for the give-away. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I would love to win this and give it to my 80 year old aunt. I think she would really love to read this series.
I loved your review and I can’t wait to read this book. What grabbed me the most about your review was when you said, The wisdom and scriptures that are shared are a blessing to all who read this book. “God, the Divine Quilter, has the perfect patchwork pattern for our lives. Each will be different as sunshine and snowfall.” Wow…this is pretty powerful for me and immediately I felt I need to read this book!
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004@yahoo.com
I am a new follower of your blog.
I shared about this giveaway on Facebook.
I really enjoyed your review. I liked what you said “The wisdom and scripturesthat are shared are a blessing to all who read this book. “God, the Divine Quilter, has the perfect patchwork pattern for our lives. Each will be different as sunshine and snowfall.” I was already planning to read this book but even more sore after your review. I am now following your blog. I would love to win a copy of this book. fishingjan[at]aol[dot].com I have shared this on Facebook .
Britney, your interview with Mona was so interesting. I can tell this book is from the heart and written with love. I cannot wait to read it. This was a really great interview. Thank you Britney and thank you Mona.
So looking forward to reading this book. Quilts, history, scripture and retinitis pigmentosa all in one!!
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway for The Quilted Heart Collection. Each story sounds great, especially Ripples Along The Shore. I love reading stories about women and family’s who are heading out on the wagon trains. I’d be so happy if I won this collection of great stories!
johnsonk133{at}yahoo{dot}com
I am a new follower of your blog. I signed up to follow by email.