Threads of Change

A Quilting Story #1

by Jodi Barrows

Conflict develops in the South,
Four granddaughters travel into uncertainty,
And Grandfather sells their precious home. In the first book of A Quilting Story series, the four cousins—with the social graces of city folk, charm, and a love for quilting—will face the anguish of life on the frontier in 1856 with every turn along the wagon trail. Raging storms and adversities hit the small band of travelers, and it all seems unrelenting. Relieved to finally arrive at the abandoned military post at Fort Worth, Texas, they begin the hard work of establishing a new home, including the difficult task of building schools and churches while attempting to civilize the community with manners. When trials follow them, they must decide to become true warriors of their hearts, minds, and souls—or fall to the sufferings of prairie life. Join the four women on a passage of friendship, love, and self-discovery as lives are mended around the quilting frame.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Southern, Christian Historical Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2013

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1856. As Civil War threatens Lucas Mailly decides the time has come to sell the timber mill and head west. Lucas aims to settle the new owners in and then move himself. Meanwhile his four granddaughters, Liz with her son Luke, Megan and their cousins Abby and Emma, escorted by Thomas and a couple of other trusted men, set off towards Fort Worth Texas. Here they hope to establish a new home and business for Liz and another for Megan. On their way they encounter various trials. Liz is still getting over the death of her husband Caleb but there is another who loves her and wants to take their friendship further. But is she ready to take a chance on love again?
This is a gentle, easy read about four women with a love for quilting. For some inexplicable reason, this non crafty person is always drawn to books that involve quilting and other crafts. I quite liked the characters and their spunk. Yet for some reason, the story never wholly grabbed me. It was a pleasant enough way to spend the time without being emotionally invested in the characters. While I was content enough to read it, I am not sure I will follow on with any other books in the series. Those who like American historical fiction with a slight Christian slant and a romance as well as the interactions of family may enjoy it.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for me was just wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed these four women with their quick wit and family devotion. I do enjoy prairie reads; I tend to be drawn to them. I just don't want to read a book that is targeted to finding romance. There were so many layers to this quilting story and just a little love at the end to tie things up. It was a little sad at times but remarkably funny in other times. I felt it was well balanced and I will be following up with the second in the series.

[Audry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian romance. Not too preachy. Was very slow and I almost discarded it. I stayed another book then returned to this one to see if it would get any better. It did.

I had a hard time with the romance. There really wasn't any chemistry between the two main characters. He likes making all the decisions without consulting anyone. Mistake. He's not for her. She is stronger than he would like.

Then he goes off, without telling anyone, and buys land 3 days ride away from her where she has a store she just started. What makes him think she'd live with him there? She can't live 3 days away from the store. He's impulsive and thoughtless. Not for her.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good book.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit slow at times but overall good.

[Doreen Nicolet]

Didn't like.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to get through. The narrative was choppy, and would jump to different people's perspectives far too often for my taste. I don't plan to continue reading the series.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Elizabeth Bromont, her life has been as changing as the quilts she works so hard to create. Now at the crossroads of a new life for her and her three cousins as well as her young son Luke, she has made a decision to leave her family home in Louisiana and head out west to Fort Worth, Texas. She's strong and determined, raised that way by her grandfather Lucas Mailly after losing her husband Caleb in a logging accident. Lucas has managed to convince Liz that with the possibility of a war erupting in the South with the recent tensions surrounding slavery, their hope for the future lies in selling the family timber mill and taking everything they own and head to a new life and fresh start.

Liz and her three cousins, Emma, Abby and Megan arrange to pack up all the family's belonging into six wagons and take the journey west while her grandfather waits on the sale of the land and mill before joining them. He has managed to convince a couple of his best mill workers, John and Blue along with a close family friend, Thomas to join the women and ensure they make it through Indian Territory safe and sound. Thomas was Caleb's best friend when they first came to Lucas for work and it was due to his stubbornness that he sat back and waited too long, while Caleb stole the love of his life right out from under him. All these years he's sat back and waited for Liz to get over grieving for Caleb before telling him how he has felt all these years. He believes that is one of the reasons Lucas is so willing to allow Thomas to join the Mailly family on their trip to Texas.

However the trip isn't as smooth sailing as any of them would have liked the trip to go. From unexpected storms, being lost in the wilderness and being stalked not only by Indians but a wild and deadly panther as well, it is surprising that any of them manage to make it to Texas intact and in one piece. One thing is certain, life on the wild frontier in the mid 1800's was a wild as it comes and soon that future that the Mailly family had hoped for would soon undergo the greatest test of the family's faith yet.

I received Threads of Change by Jodi Barrows compliments of River North Publishing and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Being a huge western romance fan, this one really spoke to my heart and soul of just how hard life was not only for people living in the 1850's but how difficult it was for a single woman raising a young son as well. We always wish for more simple times and often times forget just how hard women had to work back in those days and how young they were when death came to greet them. This is the first novel in the Quilting Series and I, for one, am thoroughly looking forward to reading the next one. This one rates a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my personal opinion.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jodi Barrow and her square in a square quilt techniques are recognizable in the quilting world. She has appeared on television and quilt shows around the country for years, but now can add fiction author to her resume. Threads of Change, just been published by River North (an imprint of Moody Publishing) is the first in a historical fiction series set just prior to the Civil War. Four female cousins make the hard decision to leave Louisiana to start again in Fort Worth, Texas, a remote outpost which has been abandoned by the military. With promises that their grandfather will join them as soon as he finalizes the sale of the lumber company, the women travel west. Weather, unclear roads, and circumstances separate them from their guides for most of the journey, and young widow Elizabeth must remain strong and focused to keep everyone safe.

The families hope to set up a store and a sewing business, while one cousin has been hired as the community's new teacher. Quilts- their beauty, comfort, and necessity play strong roles in this first installment of the women's tale. What transpires in the volume covers just a few weeks in chronological time, but offers enough action and unresolved story line that readers should be interested in future books.
Those who know Jodi Barrows from their own quilting interests I am sure will be drawn to sampling her fiction.

I received a copy of Threads of Change from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are mine. Check out Barrows' website to learn more about the book and her quilting techniques. If you follow this link to River North's site, you will find an insightful interview with Jodi Barrows in which she shares that this book series, based on pioneer women in her family, has taught her to be gentler, kinder, and more caring.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas Mailly has made the the decision to sell his home and business in Louisiana in anticipation of the war between the North and the South. He is making the move to Fort Worth. Texas. Four of his granddaughters will be heading out ahead of him on a wagon train. Along with the girls will be some of his most trust worthy hired hands to protect his family and their belongings.

The journey is not easy there are many dangers and mishaps including some bad weather before they reach there destination. What makes these women think they are ready for such a dangerous adventure into the Texas frontier. One of Lucas's granddaughters, Liz is recently a widow and the other three are single. These young women are brave with a fortitude that amazes not only the hired hands but surprisingly themselves. They each are looking forward to building a new life which includes a mercantile, a dress shop and maybe even a husband.

This was a real page turner for me. There was lots and lots of action packed in this one book. I had to keep running my family out of the room so I could read. I definitely enjoyed reading this story. The author gave these women some major backbones for sure. The love of family for this grandfather and his trust in God to protect his granddaughters was heartfelt. This is what it took to settle in the Texas frontier. It was as if the author had been an eyewitness on this journey. In this story is romance, adventure and so much more.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from MP Newsroom/Moody Publishers/River North for review.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several inspirational historical romance quilting books this year (phew is that a mouthful) and this one followed a pretty similar route. Take a historical romance, add some widows or unmarried women who too much time on their hands, throw in a dash of quilting with a side of unrequited love and VOILA you have this book (along with a whole new genre).

Liz is an independent women, she is a widow with a ten year old son and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. When her grandfather convinces her that she, her sister, her two cousins, her son, and her should move west to Texas, in order to avoid the coming war (Civil War) she hesitantly agrees. While on the trail to Texas she utilizes her quick thinking and inner strength to save the traveling party from near disaster several times. It may seem like she's in control of everything but her heart and her head are at war. Accompanying them is her dead husband's best friend, Thomas. He's clearly smitten with her and she is unsure how to proceed. What's a woman to do? Spoiler alert, quilting solves most problems.

The storyline was decent although the beginning was convoluted and confusing. Once they reached Texas I feel like the author rushed together a hasty ending. The pacing was a little odd but overall I guess the story was ok.

I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:

Change is never easy and when it comes to picking up and leaving the only home you have ever known, things can be even harder to understand or even realize. Elizabeth relies on her grandfather for love, support and guidance. So making this decision seems strange, shouldn't he be against it? But he actually says its a good thing. After losing her husband in a work accident, things just don't seem the same. So pick up and move on she will. With the help of God and family, things just have to get better, don't they?

So with the help of her cousins she start to pack up the house and get ready for the move. So after everything is ready and grandfather agrees to stay behind until the house and property sell, they set off. But traveling from Louisiana to Texas will prove to be no small feat. This story takes place during the time when Indian territory existed so travelers always had to worry about any threat they may pose. But for women traveling it was an even bigger threat. Lucky for these ladies Lizzie's grandfather already thought of that and sent some gentlemen with them.

Change is always a hard thing but as long as we depend on the safe security of the Lord things tend to work out just fine.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from CFBA.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Threads of Change”, written by Jodi Barrows is from A Quilting Story, Part 1. The story revolves around four women, two sisters and their two cousins, who form a wagon train from Lecompte, Louisiana to Fort Worth, Texas to make a new start before the coming Civil War wrests their livelihood from them.

Liz was widowed a year earlier and is looking forward to starting a new life in the west. Along with her son Luke, grandfather Lucas, sister, Megan and cousins, Anna and Emma, she hopes to start a mercantile in Fort Worth. The army has abandoned the fort and the inhabitants want to form a new and thriving town.

This book was an easy read and predictable for the most part. Although the wagon train encountered tornadoes, Indians, snakes and other deterrents along the way, each episode did not seem to be glossed over by the author. I think she was trying to put a sense of adventure into the story, but I think there could have been more emphasis to those trials. I felt that something was missing. However, I did enjoy reading this novel and would like to continue the series by reading Part 2 of this saga.

Moody Publishers provided a free kindle copy in return for my honest review of this book.

You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-7k.

[Carynpayzant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book to do a review for a quilt site I write the blog for. The author gave me this book and the next one in the series. I was really excited to read it because 1) I love and appreciate quilts (this book is part one in a series entitled "A Quilting Story"),and 2) I love period novels (this one was set as the Civil War was breaking out and Texas was being settled- two of my favorite historical settings). Also, the author gave me her take on why she is writing the series and I was certainly intrigued.

Unfortunately, the writing wasn't that great. I often got lost in the flow of the story and had to reread several parts to see if I missed something. While there is a strong lead character, the others aren't well developed and predictable. And quilts weren't really featured as the series title would lead you to believe. They were dropped in here and there in obvious, sometimes sappy ways. It was a challenge to stay with it.

I appreciate the author's passion in writing this series, based on her family's history. Still, not enough to keep me reading the next one. Quilting is more her forte.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the soul just needs something heartwarming, and that speaks to you spiritually. This story did that for me as well as appealing to my crafty side with its talk of quilting. The female comradery that used to exist around a quilting circle is something that I wish still existed sometimes. The book; a story of the move westward that many did right before the Civil War; was almost like the adventure pioneer stories that I read growing up (ex. Little House on the Prarie). It is a refreshing break to read such an adventurous, yet wholesome story once in a while. My main problem had nothing to do with the story, but for the numerous spelling and grammatical errors throughout. I think it has more to do with publishing errors than errors by the author herself. Who doesn't know how to spell the word all correctly for example? It was distracting to my reading experience especially once when I had to read the mixed up sentence a few times to understand what was actually meant.

[Betty Ost-Everley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Threads of Change is about a family of strong-willed, independent women moving from the South as the unrest which led to the Civil War began, to start a new life in Texas. Quilting is a theme as is romance. I really wanted to like this book, but in good conscience can only give it three stars. From a technical perspective, there was a lot of telling instead of showing, which became boring after a bit. I suspect that Barrows is leaving the ultimate outcomes of the hero/heroine's romance to the second book (not to be released until February 2014). And, the quilt theme seemed to be a hit or miss (and mostly miss for me). Not sure this one was strong enough for me to consider purchasing the second in the series.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventures of four women in a wagon train on their way to Texas. Sisters Liz and Megan, cousins Anna and Emma, are hoping to open a mercantile in their new location. Along the way they encounter Indians, storms, wild animals, and more that threaten their safety. It's a long, hard journey but the women are tough and determined.

This is an easy read, predictable, but enjoyable. If you're looking for a cozy story of pioneer life and the daily troubles they encounter this is it.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was chosen to receive a free copy of this novel from the publisher. It was a very quick read. I liked the story line/plot, since I enjoy books set in pioneer times, and I liked that the characters were strong women. The imagery and descriptions were vivid in the book. However, I often felt that the writing was simplistic, and almost uncomfortably inconsequential. It lacked depth and interest for me, as it was quite predictable. The quilting aspects of the story were interestingly woven into the book. It was a nice weekend read, but didn't inspire much thought or analysis.

[Linda Applegate · Rating 5 out of 5]

God and family are what makes us who we are.

This family has seen its share of heart ache and travesty in their life but can see that God is there for them. They know God has the answers and loves them all. The women pull together while quilting. The patterns discussed makes you see them and want to make them. Quilting was important back then and helped to remember family. I really enjoyed this book a d could not put it down. I can't wait to read how Liz and Thomas's love grows and a great marriage. I also hope to see he other girls kindle e and follow God's path.

[Ericka Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book set in 1856 Louisiana where you follow the journey of 4 women who move across the country to Texas. You will feel their agony as they battle the weather, lose loved ones and find new love as they try to start over again in a strange town. This is a fairly good western. I want to thank Goodreads and the author for giving me the chance to read this book for free. I will in the future read other Jodi Barrows novels.

[Karen Barnett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the 4 women heading west in a wagon train - perhaps TV's "Wagon Train" was on my mind. I found the story predictable, too low-key and flat. I finally gave up 3/4 of the way through and 2 weeks later. Sorry, this just wasn't my cup of tea. I enjoy a book where I get totally engaged and stay up all night to finish! I'm sure others will like it, just not me.

[Lynn G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the opportunity to be much more interesting than it was. The author missed several chances to flesh out the plotline, to add dimension to her story. As it was not only did the plot fall flat, but the characters did as well. The book itself should have been more closely edited. Disappointed.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that while reading this I could actually see the characters going west, especially during the storm. I loved the relationship that the girls have with their grandpa.
Now, I have to read #2 to see what happens next!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and its surprise ending saved the predictability. String women characters that are very compelling!

[amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really wanted to read this, i started and it just didn't catch me. so disappointing

[Sylvia Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked it want to finish series

[Killy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway and enjoyed reading it. I'm looking forward to Jodi Barrows continuation of the Mailly family.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Wonderful, strong woman, and the men that love them trek from Louisiana to start a new life in Fort Worth, TX in wagons.

[Kemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was fine. It felt unevenly paced, and it could have been longer. I felt like I was reading a story partway through the retelling.

[Ratforce]

You may like this Christian historical fiction novel set in the late 1800s following a family as it moves west to Texas.