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Sonoma Rose: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel (Elm Creek Quilts)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 931 ratings · 247 reviews

"New York Times" bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini returns with a Prohibition-era novel about one woman's journey to save her family--and herself
With the nation in the throes of Prohibition, Rosa Diaz Barclay unwittingly discovers that her husband, John, has given over the duties of their Southern California rye farm in favor of armed bootlegging. Fearing the safety...more

ebook, 416 pages

Published February 21st 2012 by Plume Books (first published January 1st 2012)

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Feb 10, 2012 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-historical-fiction

3.5 stars

Rosa Diaz Barclay has been married for thirteen years to John, a man who has grown increasingly abusive and unpredictable. She has given birth to eight children, four of whom have died from a mysterious illness. Of her four remaining children two are ill with the same disease. John is a rye farmer in the 1920's. Yet for all of his talk of being unable to pay for medical care for their children, he is able to spend money to buy and maintain a car.

John has little interest in his rye fiel...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book involves quilting only tangentially, but is a continuation of some story threads (pun intended) from The Quilter's Homecoming. The book is not always easy to read, as it describes spouse abuse and the unhappy family life it creates, but those episodes are told in flashback and are tolerable even for a reader sensitive to the subject. Chiaverini presents a more complex moral context than in any of her other books, with bad decisions leading to more bad decisions, good decisions being th...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Viviane Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rosa Diaz Barclay is riddled with grief and fear, grief for the children she has lost from a mysterious disease and fear for the violent husband who beats her at the slightest whim. But her troubles are about to become worse, far worse, before they get better. A woman neighbor, Elizabeth, brings her two quilts and says she found them in a cabin. One is the quilt that was made by her mother, the mother she had to reject on orders from her husband. She knows the origin of the other quilt but must...more Rosa Diaz Barclay is riddled with grief and fear, grief for the children she has lost from a mysterious disease and fear for the violent husband who beats her at the slightest whim. But her troubles are about to become worse, far worse, before they get better. A woman neighbor, Elizabeth, brings her two quilts and says she found them in a cabin. One is the quilt that was made by her mother, the mother she had to reject on orders from her husband. She knows the origin of the other quilt but must remain silent because of the secret it holds that could wind up in her final beating. All of her fears are for nothing as her husband arrives home while Elizabeth is still there, and he reacts violently again. This time she is severely hurt and must seek help, not only for herself but for two of her other children who also seem to have this mysterious illness. Before she leaves, she makes an earth-shaking discovery of what her husband has been storing and quickly realizes its source. The danger is huge for her as well!
Lars, an old romantic flame, appears at this hour of need and helps her. Rosa’s husband, John, has gone too far and been arrested for violence and criminal activity. Lars, Rosa and her children flee and wind up living with and working for a couple who are winemakers, a crime in Prohibition time America. Federal agents however quickly figure out her connection and also realize she is living there under a false name. As they continue to investigate and her husband finds out where she is, Lars and Rosa leave again, this time to Sonoma County in California. Others believe Lars is her husband but no one suspects the real truth about Lars, not even the reader. Rosa’s story is gradually revealed as her circumstances drive her away from her hometown and its past relationships.
The novel continues with Rosa’s discovery that she is capable of learning about viticulture and buying a vineyard of her own. The challenges in this business are huge and constant, but Rosa proves to be more than a survivor and creates her own story of success which will blossom only with the end of Prohibition.
This is quite a different turn for Jennifer Chiaverini. While “quilts” play a small part in the story, they are the motif of creating a new life that surrounds this moving story of turbulence and deep love of many kinds. A remarkable historical novel!

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Nov 08, 2012 Jan rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was a huge disappointment. First of all it isn't a book about quilts or quilt-loving people, like all the rest have been. Second, the heroine was a moronic idiot. She didn't have any character at all.

Rose has a childhood friend who she refuses to marry because he drinks too much. So, instead she ends up marrying a wife-beater. Her first and fifth child come from her childhood, drunk-but-still-a-good-man sweetheart. The other six children have celiac disease and it takes her forever to...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I've read all the Elm Creek Quilt books, in order. That being said, it isn't necessary to do that when reading this book. I'm not actually sure why this one is tagged as an Elm Creek Quilts novel at all. Except for a slight relation to one of the other characters, which wasn't even presented as important, this book was so far from an Elm Creek Quilts novel to be considered one at all.

Rose (aka Rosa) has always been in love with Lars. But because of his drinking and other issues that arise with t...more I've read all the Elm Creek Quilt books, in order. That being said, it isn't necessary to do that when reading this book. I'm not actually sure why this one is tagged as an Elm Creek Quilts novel at all. Except for a slight relation to one of the other characters, which wasn't even presented as important, this book was so far from an Elm Creek Quilts novel to be considered one at all.

Rose (aka Rosa) has always been in love with Lars. But because of his drinking and other issues that arise with their relationship, she ended up married to John instead. John is an abuser, and father to six of her eight children (and not all those children alive) and so he lashes out in his anger at her betrayal as well. When he becomes too dangerous, Rosa and her remaining four children run away with Lars. This is partly to save her, but also to try to help her children that have a mysterious sickness get better. They end up in wine country, and learn just how Prohibition is destroying the grape farmers there and become a part of more than they would have bargained for.

I just didn't really like Rosa. She was a victim of abuse, and I feel for her on that aspect, as noone should ever be abused, but I also didn't like the way that she treated people. She was unfair to her husband even before he became an abuser and while he was a horrible man for being an abuser, one wrong does not deserve another. Lars was also kind of lackluster for me, he didn't seem to care about too much and rather let his whims carry him for most of his life. The kids were all kind of secondary, you never really got a big feel for their personalities other than a few of them were sick and Rosa worried about them dying. There just wasn't anyone to connect to in this novel.

I thought the Prohibition theme was interesting but the way Chiaverini wrote it was long and drawn out. It actually took up the biggest part of the book aside from Rosa's love triangle. And there was barely any mention of quilts at all, which since this is an Elm Creek Quilts novel, is inexcusable. It's fine to write a book like this, but don't market it under that brand if that's not what it's about. I also found Rosa and Lars escape very unrealistic. Everything was just kind of handed to them and it was so easy for them to get what they wanted. Not to mention everything gets tied up neatly with a little bow at the end; things rarely work out that way in real life. She was so gritty and realistic in her descriptions of abuse and rape, that it really surprised me she would fall out of reality for everything else.

A disappointment for me. I wish it had been a stand alone book rather than marketed as an Elm Creek Quilt novel so I could have stayed away from it. I couldn't have even given it good marks then though due to the choppy fast pace and unrealistic happenings of the main characters.

Sonoma Rose
Copyright 2012
401 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2012

More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com (less)

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Mar 17, 2012 San Frazier rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was so good I am so happy that I have a new beloved author on my list.the story presents following your heart to the fullest. It was so inspiring and fun.It just brings to the forefront how as women we can be so self sacrificing thinking we are doing the right thing but, guess what we are not always right. Sometimes it is not good to stay in a relationship to Quote "for the kids". how are we teaching them to have loving trusting relationships if they see use hurting and miserable or if...more

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Mar 09, 2012 Jackie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I probably shouldn't even rate this with stars since I have decided not to finish this book and send it on its way back to the library. I have been a fan of Mrs. Chiaverini's work since I read her first book. I've loved her characters, the setting, the association with quilting - another interest of mine - and the stories she weaves. Somehow with this one I believe Mrs. Chiaverini has gone far astray.

Life is full of choices and consequences. Our choices often determine the consequences, sometime...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Joyce rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the book Sonoma Rose, Jennifer Chiaverini has switched from the Elm Creek quilters but there is still a link to them because one of the characters in this novel is related to the founder of the Elm Creek Quilts. This novel takes the reader to California where Elizabeth Nelson had moved to after leaving Pennsylvania and unfolds the story of Rosa Diaz Barclay. Rosa's story begins as a tragic one of marrying a man she doesn't love who ends up being terribly abusive to her and passes on a gene to...more

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May 11, 2012 Denise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As usual, Jennifer Chiaverini wrote another wonderful story to add to the Elm Creek Quilts series. This book follows The Quilter's Homecoming where we were left with a cliffhanger about Rosa and her children who run away from an abusive husband/father in the midst of a violent rain storm. In Sonoma Rose we get the history of Rosa, John, and Lars relationship and how Rosa married John instead of Lars, and furthermore why she stays with John even though he beats her.

This book takes place during th...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Andrea Guy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, historical-fiction, tlcblogtours

This is a fantastic book, the kind that it is hard to put down once you start. It is about family, prohibition, love and quilts.

From the get go, Jennifer's writing pulls you in. There's so much drama with Rosa's family, sick children, an abusive husband, who just happens to be part of a bootlegging operation, and the lover she should have married but didn't.

You want good things to happen to Rosa, because she deserves them, but no life is complete without struggles. It is just so hard to believe...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Ritu rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

This is an average book written by Jennifer Chiaverini. I have been a fan of all her Elm Creek books - but this book was not as authentic and believable as Jennifer's previous book. Mark my words - the writing was good - but the storyline, the plot was weak and very childish.
Bare outline - Rosa was in love with her high school sweetheart and got pregnant. Due to their respecive family feuds, she settled into marrying another man. Her husband discovers after the birth of their daughter that he w...more

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Feb 21, 2012 LORI CASWELL rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2012

What a Beautiful Cover!

In previous editions we were reminded that some of Sylvia Berstrom’s relatives had migrated to California. Sonoma Rose starts with a little of that history, picking up where The Quilter’s Homecoming, that was published in 2007 left off.

We meet Elizabeth Bergstrom Nelson’s friend, Rosa Diaz as the country is coping with all the restrictions of Prohibition. Mother to eight children, Rosa mourns the loss of four who succumbed to the mysterious wasting disease currently afflic...more What a Beautiful Cover!

In previous editions we were reminded that some of Sylvia Berstrom’s relatives had migrated to California. Sonoma Rose starts with a little of that history, picking up where The Quilter’s Homecoming, that was published in 2007 left off.

We meet Elizabeth Bergstrom Nelson’s friend, Rosa Diaz as the country is coping with all the restrictions of Prohibition. Mother to eight children, Rosa mourns the loss of four who succumbed to the mysterious wasting disease currently afflicting young Ana and Miguel. Her abusive husband refuses to take them into the city so the children can see a doctor. His mind is clearly on other things, like his fancy car and keeping secrets about his business dealings from his wife. When an act of violence shatters Rosa’s resolve to maintain her increasingly dangerous existence, she flees with the children and her precious heirloom quilts to the mesa where she last saw her beloved mother alive.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is the Jennifer Chiaverini I love to read. I think she lost her way a little bit wrapping up the current characters in The Wedding Quilt.This story shines a brilliant light on her masterful storytelling talent.

This is Rosa’s story. She is yet another strong female heroine created by Chiaverini that has you engaged from the moment we step back into her life. You will feel a wide range of emotions during her story, anger, fear, hope and joy. The bonds of friendship are as strong as all the other books in this series. The power of love from a mother’s love for her children to the enduring love between a man and a woman are woven wondrously through these pages. This story was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t put it down.

Jennifer Chiaverini has created some very memorable fiction characters and has allowed us to go along with them on the journeys not only in current time but into the past and into the future. I am really wondering what is next in this series. I have loved all of these characters and will miss them if this is where the journey ends. I sincerely hope she has some more Elm Creek Quilts stories in that big sewing basket of hers.(less)

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Apr 08, 2012 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

Jennifer Chiaverini has written another wonderful Elm Creek Quilts novel.

Rosa Diaz Barclay lives on a rye farm in Southern California with her very abusive husband, John. John is also the postmaster and is responsible for getting the mail to all the nearby families. He is, as it looks, into some shady business elsewhere other than his farm. Rosa and John have been parents to 8 children, 4 of whom succumbed to a mysterious disease. Rosa is forever asking John to let her take the sick children rem...more Jennifer Chiaverini has written another wonderful Elm Creek Quilts novel.

Rosa Diaz Barclay lives on a rye farm in Southern California with her very abusive husband, John. John is also the postmaster and is responsible for getting the mail to all the nearby families. He is, as it looks, into some shady business elsewhere other than his farm. Rosa and John have been parents to 8 children, 4 of whom succumbed to a mysterious disease. Rosa is forever asking John to let her take the sick children remaining to a specialist to find out what can be done for the children so they can grow up and live long lives. Only 2 of Rosa's children, Lupita and Marta seem to be healthy. Rosa suspects this is due to the fact that these 2 children are the offspring of Lars Jorgensen, a past love that went awry many years ago due to Lars drinking.

Rosa came to her last straw after a very abusive moment with John when he beat her and a neighbor, Elizabeth who had come for her mail. Enough was enough. She packed up her children and a small amount of clothes and food and left the farm. It has begun to rain very hard and she seeks shelter with her children in a cave in the canyon. A flash flood has trapped them there. Lars Jorgensen, however, finds her and the children and takes them to safety. They all escape to San Francisco and find a doctor who is able to define what ails the sickly children-celiac disease. He puts them on a special diet and needs to see them weekly for a while. They take refuge in an apartment in a boarding house in town. Soon as the children start their new diet, they seem to improve rapidly. The doctor tells Lars and Rosa about a family farm that is in need of help and Lars and Rosa accept positions with the family. The fresh air and all help the children even more.

The place where Lars and Rosa take employment is a winery. It is prohibition time also. They find out that the family are bootleggers and the patriarch of the family is arrested and sentenced to jail for 2 years. His wines are destroyed by the feds. Only the prohibition agents are corrupt as well. All the publicity worries Rosa and they need to move on. They discover that a neighboring farmer wants to sell his property after having a heart attack. Rosa and Lars buy the place with the money Rosa had taken from John when she left him; bootleg money. The farm was secluded and they thought they would be safe there. Unbeknownst to them but the previous owners had a still and were into bootlegging also. But, they soon found out that the mob was in control of the bootlegging and just renting the building from the owners. It was a pretty run down building. What are Rosa and Lars going to do now? With the prohibition agents always lurking about, how long would it be before they found this still too? How can Rosa and Lars fix things so that they can live a life without always running from one place to another? Will Rosa's husband, John, find them when he is released? Does Rosa continue to make wine on her farm?

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Mar 10, 2012 Aislynn (Stitch Read Cook) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-s-to-review, hard-copy-from-publisher, read-in-2012

I was thrilled when I received a copy of this book I did a happy dance. Jennifer's novels are easily the best series I've had the pleasure of reading. They are so filled with amazing women, great historical details and the type of story that you just can't put down.

For Rosa, life isn't pleasant. She is tied to an abusive husband, and only stays because she feels she has no where else to turn. When events suddenly change and she has to run to protect herself and her children. With the help of lon...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Alexis Villery rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rosa Barclay has faced heartache after heartache. She loses her childhood love because a family feud that she wants no part of and is forced into a loveless marriage. The marriage soon falls apart when her husband results to violence and later discovers her betrayal. Rosa is forced to flee the only home she knows to save herself and her four remaining children. Not only does she continue to look over her shoulder for the abusive husband who is sure to come after here, but she must hurry to find...more Rosa Barclay has faced heartache after heartache. She loses her childhood love because a family feud that she wants no part of and is forced into a loveless marriage. The marriage soon falls apart when her husband results to violence and later discovers her betrayal. Rosa is forced to flee the only home she knows to save herself and her four remaining children. Not only does she continue to look over her shoulder for the abusive husband who is sure to come after here, but she must hurry to find a cure for the disease that has taken the life of four of her children and left two children very ill. She eventually ends up in wine valley where winemakers are struggling to hold on to their livelihood and land during the Prohibition era. Here she hopes to make a home in peace.

I enjoyed reading about the prohibition era, a topic I've read little about. I had previously given little thought to the difficulties for wine makers during this period and it was quite interesting. Unfortunately, this book was just meh for me because I didn't connect with any of the characters especially Rosa. I felt she never took responsibility for her decisions and I felt I was reading about a character who rationalized her actions instead of taking control of her life. I felt it was silly for her to keep her love from her family for so long instead of making a decision and dealing with the consequences. I also thought it seemed imprudent to blame her teenage love, Lars, for end of their relationship. I found her actions contributed just as much as his. While she always stood up to him, she never found the gumption to stand up to her family or her husband. My heart went out to her because of the domestic violence that she had to endure, but it wasn't enough to garner enough empathy for me. I'm not quite sure where the Elm Creek Quilts part came in. This might be the background for another novel or something like that.

Overall, it wasn't for me, but I think many other readers had better experiences with this read. I'd recommend checking out a few other reviews.(less)

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Feb 12, 2012 Holly (2 Kids and Tired) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, Rosa discovers that her husband is a bootlegger. After one last beating, Rosa and her children finally leave with the help of Rosa's first love Lars. Several of Rosa's children suffer from an unknown disease and after escaping John, Rosa and Lars learn that there is a specialist at Stanford hospital. Eager for the chance to escape John's abuse and on the run from gangsters they travel to San Francisco and a new life and new identities.

Looking for work whi...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Christine Rebbert rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

another "Elm Creek Quilts" book -- although very very little about quilts in this one... It picks up the story of Rosa, a "side" character in the "Quilter's Homecoming" book, out in Calif. back in the 1920's... Interesting stuff about the effect of Prohibition on the Calif wine industry back then, which was all new to me. This book was probably the "farthest afield" from all the usual Elm Creek characters, but as a stand-alone, it was fine and a quick read, with interesting info that was new to...more

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May 09, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-journal, my-audio

Rosa Barclay lives on a farm in Southern. Two of Rosas' surviving children remain healthy, while all her other children wither into death. When her abusive husband comes to realize these children are not his, no one is safe from his rage. Rosa and her 4 children escape with her childhood sweetheart, Lars, to prohibition-era Sonoma Valley. Listeners will grapple alongside the makeshift family as they struggle with the children's disease, the depressed economy of the times and the fear of discover...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Nelda Pearson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love The Elm Creek Quilter novels and am a quilter. Although eventually things come right in Sonoma Rose, the continual sense of guilt, dread, and fear overpower the novel. The novel is focused on three main themes: celisc disease, spousal abuse and the effects of Prohibition in the Sonoma Valley. Yes you want good things to happen to Rosa and Lars. Yes you are thrilled that the children are properly diagnosed. Yes you are pleased with the Sonoma Rose purchase. Yes lots of good people help the...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Amy Lyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Set during the prohibition era, this story tells fans of the Elm Creek Quilts series a bit more of what happened to Sylvia Bergstrom's cousin Elizabeth after she moved to California but is really about Rosa Diaz and Lars Jorgenson who we were introduced to in an earlier novel. This story is rich with details of what California wine makers did to survive during prohibition combined with a mother's survival instincts and true love.

This book has less to do with quilting than any of the other previ...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Trudy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Although the cover proclaims Sonoma Rose to be and Elm Creek Quilts Novel, it is set in California during the Prohibition era and has little to do with quilts. Chiaverini does mention a few pattern names in the story, and there are illustrations of the 12 blocks mentioned on the inside front and back covers, but that's it. It really does not seem to be an Elm Creek Quilts novel at all.

It is, however, a good story with interesting characters. Sonoma Rose offers a look at the "Eliot Ness era" from...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Nathalie S rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another powerful book by Jennifer Chiaverini. Here we learn the "rest of the story" as it were of Rosa Diaz Barclay and Lars Jorgenson who had disappeared without trace in another book. This takes place during Prohibition--I knew a little about it but it was interesting to hear the point of view of the wine growers and how this affected so many lives of the people of the Sonoma Valley, near Santa Rosa. I have visited this beautiful area several times and it was fun to "revisit" Glen Ellen, Santa...more

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May 14, 2012 Anne Slater rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have enjoyed all of Jennifer Chiaverini's books and eagerly grabbed this one when I saw it.
Nice to have a secondary plot line with ALL that it brought to the story, as well as surprising to see quilting take a back seat (could have been developed more).

This book would have been well-served with a heavier editorial hand: there was a section about 2/3 way through where Rose is "remembering" in such great detail that I wondered if the author forgot that her remembering was an unnecessarily though...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Tangentially linked to the Elm Creek Quilters through Rosa's friend Elizabeth, this book's story revolves around Rosa and her life in the 1920s. Rosa is a battered wife, living on a rye farm in Southern California with her husband and four living children. She has lost four others to an unknown disease. With Elizabeth's help she leaves her home with her children and eventually escapes with Lars's help. They find their way to San Francisco to a doctor who is able to treat her two sick children, w...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Cassandra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, secular-fiction

Wow. This book is so much better than the last one in the series! The writing was descriptive, the characters were well developed, and the plot kept me turning the pages until late last night.

I would have given the book four stars but I really cringed at the relationship between Rosa and Lars. While I understand Rosa's feelings and that her marriage with John was basically over, I cannot take pleasure in Rosa and Lars coming together while Rosa is still married. Even though she was a battered w...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Robyn Echols rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Jennifer Chiaverini is one of my all-time favorite authors. This book is as great as the other fiction by this author I have read, which I think is all of them. I love her storylines, the ties to her fictional family, and the way she works quilts into her stories. This book explores some morally difficult situations and choices, and, although I cannot condone everything that was done, I felt the author portrayed the situations sensitively and in a manner that inspired empathy. I definitely recom...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Terri rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Calling this an Elm Creek Quilts novel is a bit of a stretch. The connection to previous Elm Creek Quilt novels is tenuous, at best, and any mention of actual quilting seems thrown in as an afterthought. The storyline is interesting, but I couldn't work up much empathy for the main character. Chiaverini's main characters are usually women, often with flaws, but redeemed by their strengths and resourcefulness. The main character in this book seemed to be shaped by her circumstances more than by t...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Jodi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Sonoma Rose is the nineteenth novel in Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts series. Set in the prohibition era the story chronicles the life of fictional character, Rosa Diaz Barclay as she sets out on a course that will change her life. As with all of the novels in the Elm Creek Quilts series, the tradition of quilt making and family values play a key role.

Chiaverini’s descriptive writing paints a picture of the lush Sonoma wine country that easily transports the reader into the story. Her c...more Sonoma Rose is the nineteenth novel in Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts series. Set in the prohibition era the story chronicles the life of fictional character, Rosa Diaz Barclay as she sets out on a course that will change her life. As with all of the novels in the Elm Creek Quilts series, the tradition of quilt making and family values play a key role.

Chiaverini’s descriptive writing paints a picture of the lush Sonoma wine country that easily transports the reader into the story. Her character development, especially of her strong female protagonist Rosa, is such that the reader will immediately form a connection to some and an intense aversion to others. The story is spoken in third person and as such flows seamlessly creating a quick and enjoyable read. The book crosses the genres of historical and contemporary fiction giving it a wide audience.

Rosa Diaz Barclay is reeling after yet another abuse by her husband readies her children to flee for fear of their safety. Finding a satchel full of money, evidence of her husband’s illegal activities, she goes on the run and into hiding to stay out of his grasp. Along for support is her past love Lars, father to two of her children.
After seeking the treatment for the wasting disease of which two of the children suffer the family take on assumed names and assimilate into the vineyard of the Cacchione family where they learn to love the land and look to purchase a vineyard of their own.

With the prohibition era hanging over their heads the vintners in the valley suffer losses with some drawn into illegal bootlegging to keep their farms afloat. The authorities focus on several of the wineries after becoming privy to the bootlegging and the possibility of exposing Rosa to her abusive husband.

Final thought: Sonoma Rose is one of those books that is a perfect read while soaking away the afternoon in a bubble bath or with a cup of tea by the fire.

Disclaimer: The ARC of this book was given to me by the publisher for an honest and unbiased review.
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Mar 03, 2012 Connie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Chiaverini has shifted the geographical focus of "Elm Street Quilts" to the West Coast of the US. I really enjoyed learning about how California wine growers were impacted by Prohibition. I also was excited to learn what had happened to the long-lost cousins, Henry and Elizabeth. At first the geographic shift and focus on new characters was a bit disconcerting but after a few chapters, I had "moved on" and had accepted the new ones.

Great book for those who enjoy historical fiction and Chiaverini...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Cherie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you are expecting quilts to play a large part in this book (like the others in Ms. Chiaverini's Elm Creek series), you'll be disappointed. Two quilts are used to introduce the main character at the beginning of the story, but are referred to only in passing during the rest of the book. The story takes place during prohibition and explores the hardships faced by northern California vineyard owners. I found some of the information on grape growing and wine making a little slow going, but that's...more

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About Jennifer Chiaverini

Jennifer Chiaverini is the author of ten Elm Creek Quilts novels and An Elm Creek Quilts Sampler and An Elm Creek Quilts Album, as well as Elm Creek Quilts and Return to Elm Creek, two collections of quilt projects inspired by the series, and is the designer of the Elm Creek Quilts fabric lines from Red Rooster fabrics. She lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Books by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts, #1)

The Runaway Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts, #4)

The Quilter's Legacy (Elm Creek Quilts, #5)

The Cross-Country Quilters (Elm Creek Quilts, #3)

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Quotes from Sonoma Rose

“Ignorant people, whispering cruel rumors, her mother whispered. Pay them no mind.” — 5 people liked it

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Sonoma Rose: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel (Elm Creek Quilts)

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