Review: A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California by Erica Vetsch

A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California

by Erica Vetsch

I must admit that I've loved every Harvey Girl novel I've read and this one is no exception. I have had the feeling of never measuring up to someone else's expectation, no matter how hard I tried. I commiserated with Meghan. On the other hand, I also understand what it's like to have a secret that you don't want anyone to know about because of how it will change their perspective, just like Caleb. Ms. Vetsch's writing touched me in several different ways with this novel and I'm sure it'll touch you too.

Back cover:

When her brother is injured fighting in France, Meghan enlists her fellow Harvey Girl waitresses to sew a Red Cross signature quilt to raise money for wounded doughboys. Local horse breeder Caleb McBride longs to join the battle, but the army won’t take him. Because he has kept his shameful infirmity a secret, the townsfolk have labeled him a coward and war profiteer. When Meghan uncovers his malady, her poor opinion of Caleb unravels. Can this beautiful seamstress find a way to mend his heart?

Rating: 4 stars

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A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California 

Blessings,
Ginger

More reviews

I'm almost caught up...here are the last two that I've read and need to be reviewed.  Enjoy.

A Season for Tending by Cindy Woodsmall

This one is a little out of my usual preferred genre-romance. Though there is a touch of romance, it is not at the core of the book. I enjoyed the story despite this "flaw" (LOL).

As with all of Cindy's books, the characters are well thought-out. Her writing makes you look past the obvious and see into a person's hurts, fears, and insecurities.

I look forward to book 2 The Winnowing Season (schedule for Spring 2013). I need to find out what happens to Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob, which was left open-ended in this story.

Back cover:

Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.   

Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable.   

Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions. Rhoda’s expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls. As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?

Rating: 4 stars

Threads of Faith by Andrea Boeshaar

I LOVED this book. A strong heroine who takes control over her life only to lose it again. 

I did not read book one, so I don't know what I missed (though I think I will have to go back and read it because I enjoyed this one so much).

I highly recommend this book.

Back cover:

Can Julianna and Daniel start a new life in a new country?Julianna Wayland is running for her life! She hides in a crate on London’s dock, only to be loaded onto a ship bound for America. During the voyage she meets Captain Daniel Sundberg, and by the time they reach New York’s harbor, she is certain she’s in love with him. The only problem is, Daniel has plans for himself—plans that don’t include her.

As Julianna struggles to find her way in a new world, will trouble from her past derail the life she is looking for?

Rating: 5 stars


Available at Amazon:

A Season for Tending
Threads of Faith 

Blessings,
Ginger

M is for Marriage

M is for Marriage(one man and one woman)

In just a few weeks, my husband and I will celebrate our 22nd anniversary. It's not always been easy. There have been some days when we've both wanted to walk away. But we're committed to each other long term. And that's one of the things a good marriage takes--commitment.

Everyone who says that it's a 50/50 give and take is wrong. Fifty percent of your effort is not enough. You have to give your all and be willing to give up the same in order to make it work.

Is this always easy? Absolutely not. Mostly it's really hard.

We're all selfish creatures. We want our own way. We want what we want, when we want it and how we want it.

Many marriages don't survive because of this selfish attitude.

We need to learn to give 100% of ourselves all of the time. I'm still learning.

Communication between both parties is vital. You must express what you're feeling, but you also have to listen without becoming defensive.

Remember all of the verses in the Bible that compare our relationship with the Lord to a marriage relationship. The whole of the book of Song of Solomon, Matthew 25:1-13, portions of Revelation, among others.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.

What is one piece of advice that has helped your marriage the most?

Blessings,

Ginger

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