She's back and better than ever. Honestly, I skipped the Elm Creek Quilters book before this one. It was a continuation of one of the Elm Creek back stories about the Underground Railroad, and try though I might, I just couldn't get into it. Suffice it to say, I greeted this one with trepidation.

Circle of Quilters revolves around the Elm Creek Quilts Camp's search for 2 new instructors to replace the two quilters who are leaving Elm Creek to pursue new directions in their lives. There are several highly qualified applicants, and each of them has a story to tell. The book dedicates a very long chapter to each and how they became involved in and fell in love with quilting, goes through to their interview, and then drops off into the next applicant's story. Eventually, when all the tales are told, the Elm Creek Quilters make up their minds and choose who the new instructors will be.

Much as I am loathe to admit it, I cried through about half of this damned book. Damn you, Jennifer Chiaverini!!!! And double damn you. heh Seriously, when she writes these current stories, I love them. I didn't put this down, and stayed up reading till almost 2 in the morning finishing it. I was particular touched by the story of Mitch, the male quilter, and his wife Elaine.

The next Elm Creek book is a throwback to Sylvia's childhood again, so I suspect I'll skip that one and move on to the next. We'll have to see. These are so much fun, though.