What do you think?
Rate this book
Quilts of Love #13
Tempest's Course
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a more than 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored. There she meets Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she is drawn out of her self-imposed shell and embraces the family God has given her after her own family failed her. As Kelly reads stories in a journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns there is no transgression beyond God's forgiveness, but the real obstacle is forgiving herself. During her and Tom's journey to grace and love, an unknown force works to keep both of them from discovering a long-buried truth that will change their lives forever.
Available December 2013
Available December 2013
240 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2013
17 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Lynette Sowell
70 books80 followersLynette Sowell is an award-winning author with New England roots, but she makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas Hill Country with her husband and a herd of five cats. When she’s not writing, she edits medical reports and chases down stories for the local newspaper.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 16, 2025
Well, parts of this story were intriguing. I did like how this story showed sin for what it was and didn't try to sugarcoat it. I liked the restoration aspect of it.
Honestly though, this story dragged and I never felt much of a connection with the characters. I'm not sure how it managed to drag for how short it was, but it did.
Honestly though, this story dragged and I never felt much of a connection with the characters. I'm not sure how it managed to drag for how short it was, but it did.
April 24, 2018
Tempest's Course is a hard one for me to rate. The beginning was good- I enjoyed the characters and the plot, especially the details about quilt restoration. About halfway through the book, though, it felt as if the author decided it should be a mystery and the plot went all over the place. The ending felt rushed and I didn't buy the resolution. On a more personal note, at first I was thrilled that genealogy was a part of the story, but I cringed when a character handed another a folder of census information from 2010 on backward (this is not even remotely possible as censuses are only made public 72 years after they've been done). Although the book is really a 2 1/2 star for me, I rounded up because I liked how original her characters were in an inspirational romance.
June 7, 2023
Interesting story and a quick read. Liked this book.
August 26, 2016
In this stand-alone novel in the Quilts of Love series, a young textile conservator was hired to restore a generations-old Mariner's Compass quilt that was nearly beyond repair. Kelly Frost was suffering hard times financially so she had bid a substantial amount for the restoration in order to improve her depleted financial status. Her bid to repair the quilt was accepted with the stipulation that while restoring the quilt she would live in the vacant old whaler's mansion where the quilt originated. Moving to the coastal community in Massachusetts had some distinct advantages. Kelly had suffered some substantial losses and pain in her young life, not to mention her professional status as the result of a poor decision on her part.
Tom Silva had been hired to take care of the grounds and outdoor maintenance at Gray House. A medically discharged veteran, Tom had recently recovered from injuries suffered while serving overseas. His presence on the grounds was somewhat comforting to Kelly after she moved into the creaky old mansion with no one else living on the grounds. His own past haunted him, but he found his strength in his relationship with God. Both Kelly and Tom were wary of any kind of attachments, but the companionship they found in each other was a distinct advantage under their respective circumstances.
In Kelly's spare time she explored various rooms in the 3-story mansion, and subsequently discovered a hidden diary that had belonged to Mary Gray, wife of the whaling captain who originally built the house. Hopeful that the diary would reveal something about the quilt and questions about why the house remained vacant for so many years Kelly began reading. The diary entries paralleled events in Kelly's own life, making her acutely aware of her mistakes and her need for change in her life and guidance from God.
Numerous plots are interwoven into the cloth of this story of intrigue, mystery, romance and the quest for balance in the lives of both Kelly and Tom. The setting for Tempest's Course is well described as the harbor of an old whaling town, and the characters throughout this book are well represented. I've read many of the Quilts of Love books and enjoyed them each for their own merits. Lynette Sowell has done a wonderful job of creating a hauntingly fascinating story of a quilt with a mysterious history and the revelation of secrets that an old whaling mansion held.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
Tom Silva had been hired to take care of the grounds and outdoor maintenance at Gray House. A medically discharged veteran, Tom had recently recovered from injuries suffered while serving overseas. His presence on the grounds was somewhat comforting to Kelly after she moved into the creaky old mansion with no one else living on the grounds. His own past haunted him, but he found his strength in his relationship with God. Both Kelly and Tom were wary of any kind of attachments, but the companionship they found in each other was a distinct advantage under their respective circumstances.
In Kelly's spare time she explored various rooms in the 3-story mansion, and subsequently discovered a hidden diary that had belonged to Mary Gray, wife of the whaling captain who originally built the house. Hopeful that the diary would reveal something about the quilt and questions about why the house remained vacant for so many years Kelly began reading. The diary entries paralleled events in Kelly's own life, making her acutely aware of her mistakes and her need for change in her life and guidance from God.
Numerous plots are interwoven into the cloth of this story of intrigue, mystery, romance and the quest for balance in the lives of both Kelly and Tom. The setting for Tempest's Course is well described as the harbor of an old whaling town, and the characters throughout this book are well represented. I've read many of the Quilts of Love books and enjoyed them each for their own merits. Lynette Sowell has done a wonderful job of creating a hauntingly fascinating story of a quilt with a mysterious history and the revelation of secrets that an old whaling mansion held.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
October 24, 2013
Loved this!!! Reminds me of a Gothic novel by Victoria Holt or Phyllis Whitney. I miss those kind of stories, but found a new one in Tempest's Course and it was definitely a pleasure to read. I loved all the detail Miss Sowell put into restoring the old mariner's quilt. I never knew there was such a thing! I loved reading the tragic story behind the quilt through the sea captain's wife's diary, as well.
July 11, 2015
I enjoyed this easy read. It had an easy to follow and solve mystery with a historical thread through it. I wished it had gone a little more in depth into the historical timeline. It felt like this story had great bones, but lacked the substance I wanted.
But I enjoyed the touching on TBI, seizures, dyslexia as well as spousal abuse, adultery and forgiveness.
But I enjoyed the touching on TBI, seizures, dyslexia as well as spousal abuse, adultery and forgiveness.
January 7, 2014
Enjoyed reading about the history of the home and quilt. This is a fairly quick read but has a lot of story. Haven't really read much on Whaling captains so I found it interesting and would like to see a story developed from the travels of a Whaler.
January 11, 2014
I really enjoy the Quilts of Love books. Although pretty predictably, the story line was good. It was interesting reading excerpts from Mary Grays diary from the early 1800s. Enjoyed the epilogue.
February 7, 2022
Listened on Audible (Included).
This story had potential, but in the end I was very disappointed. This is a book in a series, each one focusing on quilting (sometimes only a mere mention though). In this particular book, the subject of quilt restoration was touched upon. Then I guess the author ran out of steam on that subject and decided to make it about…genealogy? traumatic brain injury, adultery? I don’t know. It’s a mystery to me. Pun intended. Because it wasn’t even a well written mystery. Since this book is considered Christian fiction, the author could have focused on forgiveness for the female lead and her ancestor who both committed adultery. (SPOILER ALERTs): Instead she chose to make it a romance between third cousins—who knowingly marry after they discover that they share the same great great grandmother. By law, that may be legal. After pondering the possibility of some of my family tree’s third cousins marrying… and no, just doesn’t work for me. Their offspring would be his/her own fourth cousin. No. Just no.
Note on narration: bureau in not pronounced like the word burro. The first is a chest of drawers. The second is a small donkey.
This story had potential, but in the end I was very disappointed. This is a book in a series, each one focusing on quilting (sometimes only a mere mention though). In this particular book, the subject of quilt restoration was touched upon. Then I guess the author ran out of steam on that subject and decided to make it about…genealogy? traumatic brain injury, adultery? I don’t know. It’s a mystery to me. Pun intended. Because it wasn’t even a well written mystery. Since this book is considered Christian fiction, the author could have focused on forgiveness for the female lead and her ancestor who both committed adultery. (SPOILER ALERTs): Instead she chose to make it a romance between third cousins—who knowingly marry after they discover that they share the same great great grandmother. By law, that may be legal. After pondering the possibility of some of my family tree’s third cousins marrying… and no, just doesn’t work for me. Their offspring would be his/her own fourth cousin. No. Just no.
Note on narration: bureau in not pronounced like the word burro. The first is a chest of drawers. The second is a small donkey.
September 27, 2022
Christian Contemporary Romance
This is almost a time travel story. Written as a Contemporary book, over a third of the story is read from a journal written over 150 years prior. Such an intriguing tale of woe and loss mixed with a budding love and hope for a future, for a new direction in life. It's quite unique. I loved the twists and turns. The narrator was wonderful and she sounded a lot like Mila Kunis from the TV sitcom "That 70s Show"
This is almost a time travel story. Written as a Contemporary book, over a third of the story is read from a journal written over 150 years prior. Such an intriguing tale of woe and loss mixed with a budding love and hope for a future, for a new direction in life. It's quite unique. I loved the twists and turns. The narrator was wonderful and she sounded a lot like Mila Kunis from the TV sitcom "That 70s Show"
February 28, 2018
I really thought this books was going to be a great read, but I was disappointed. I liked the whole textile conservator concept, but it wasn't very well developed. The big scandal in the main character's past was more dramatics than scandal. Sadly, not very impressed.
August 15, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. It gas a real modern day theme which has tons of questions to be answered. Loved that this story has it’s own theme and ending….fast paced book that flew be in less than a day for me!
April 12, 2023
Awesome books...lots of nice mysteries...and everything coming together in the end. Kelly takes a textile preserving job in an old house and finds that she has more in common with the house where she worked, than she expected.
May 31, 2019
This book was really quite good until the end. It ended really abruptly and I don’t think wrapped up some pieces very well.
December 15, 2019
A very emotionally charged romance with engaging characters and a unique plot. Loved the twist at the end. I also enjoyed the narrator a great deal. Happy reading/listening!
February 5, 2020
Easy read, interesting plot, and clean!
March 14, 2022
This is such a great series of books to read!
July 20, 2022
Great book! Mystery , twists and turns, love, hope and so much more
July 20, 2024
Really enjoyed this one. It’s has genealogy, mystery and even romance filled in this novel.
December 29, 2020
The 13th book in the Quilts of Love series. Kelly takes a job restoring a quilt. Along the way, she learns about family and love. Cute story.
March 23, 2022
Kelly thought all she had to do was restore a quilt. What she uncovers is a story full of heartache, forbidden love, and a bit of mystery.
December 9, 2013
Lynette Sowell in her new book, “Tempest’s Course” Book Thirteen in the Quilts of Love Series published by Abingdon Press brings us into the life of Kelly Frost.
From the back cover: Woven with stories from the past, the Mariner’s Compass quilt brings a new direction for Kelly and Tom.
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal town of Fairhaven to restore the centuries-old Mariner’s Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Grey House, a former whaling captain’s home, where the quilt is stored.
There she meets Tom, the caretaker of Grey House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she is buoyed by occasional afternoon visits from Tom and other Fairhaven town members, and is drawn into their lives. And each night, as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Grey, she learns details about her newfound community members that help her see that their lives are as vivid and interwoven as the quilt pieces she is working to restore. But, when Kelly discovers a truth about Tom’s heritage hidden in the journal, she must decide if keeping the past to herself is the only way to ensure the hope of a future with Tom.
Kelly is hired to restore the Mariner’s Compass quilt which is over 150 years old. Dirt, the age of years and singes from a fire have almost reduced this heirloom to the ragbag. You know what that tells me that anything with a lot of love, patience and understanding can be restored to its former glory. Kelly has problems from her past, Tom has problems from his past and they need love, patience and understanding so that, they too, can be restored. Ms. Sowell has given us a very interesting story. Kelly and Tom are really great characters that we fall in love with and feel as though they are friends that we do not want to leave when the book is finished. I would like to see another story that continues the adventures for them. It is really that good.
You can find “Tempest’s Course” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/so...
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Woven with stories from the past, the Mariner’s Compass quilt brings a new direction for Kelly and Tom.
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal town of Fairhaven to restore the centuries-old Mariner’s Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Grey House, a former whaling captain’s home, where the quilt is stored.
There she meets Tom, the caretaker of Grey House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she is buoyed by occasional afternoon visits from Tom and other Fairhaven town members, and is drawn into their lives. And each night, as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Grey, she learns details about her newfound community members that help her see that their lives are as vivid and interwoven as the quilt pieces she is working to restore. But, when Kelly discovers a truth about Tom’s heritage hidden in the journal, she must decide if keeping the past to herself is the only way to ensure the hope of a future with Tom.
Kelly is hired to restore the Mariner’s Compass quilt which is over 150 years old. Dirt, the age of years and singes from a fire have almost reduced this heirloom to the ragbag. You know what that tells me that anything with a lot of love, patience and understanding can be restored to its former glory. Kelly has problems from her past, Tom has problems from his past and they need love, patience and understanding so that, they too, can be restored. Ms. Sowell has given us a very interesting story. Kelly and Tom are really great characters that we fall in love with and feel as though they are friends that we do not want to leave when the book is finished. I would like to see another story that continues the adventures for them. It is really that good.
You can find “Tempest’s Course” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/so...
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 30, 2013
Kelly Frost is hoping to find the one job that will be enough to pay for her expenses and keep her head above water. When she finds herself in New Bedford at the historic Gray House, she begins the close examination of the vintage Mariner's Compass quilt that is in desperate need of restoration. Kelly is hoping that she will be able to make the bid on the restoration high enough to compensate her for the time and energy she will need to repair this quilt but also low enough not to outbid her chances. Fortunately for her she gets confirmation that she has won the right to this project. The only criteria she didn't plan on was the proprietor wants to quilt to remain in the house while the restoration is completed. They will allow her to move in and use the home for the length of the project.
Now if Kelly can only put her past behind her and continue to work on building her business after her failure with her recent breakup of a curator of a large museum. Turns out while he was romancing her, he failed to let on that he was married. Now placed in a precarious situation, she is in competition with his ex-wife in the very same industry of textile restoration. It seems that sometimes in life, you can't escape your past no matter how much you try to begin again.
Tom Pereira is the groundskeeper for the Gray House and has been asked by the foundation Firstborn Holdings, LLC, to keep an eye on Kelly Frost. Even though she has passed the background, something in her character references if off and causes the owner concern. But Tom has his own demons that are haunting him about his past. He never can seem to measure up to the standards his father had wanted for him. giving up attending college and instead enlisting in the service was Tom's choice, his father felt the choice was the wrong one to make. Now plagued with seizures, Tom only hopes to get through this project and find a way to keep his own head above water. But with the downsizing in the economy, it seems like all his contacts are coming up short. Hopefully his job at Gray House will be enough.
I received Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. Being a huge lover of quilts and occasionally trying my own hand at quilting, I know that most carry a story locked away in the fibers much like the Mariner's Compass Quilt does that Kelly Frost works on. Toggling back between an old journal she discovers from the quilts owner, she discovers that some secrets carry a great sacrifice and will one day shine the light on what the meaning of redemption really means. This is the 13th book in the Quilts of Love series and one I rate a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I've had the pleasure of reading almost all of them and each is truly their own work of art between the pages of the authors that have written them.
Now if Kelly can only put her past behind her and continue to work on building her business after her failure with her recent breakup of a curator of a large museum. Turns out while he was romancing her, he failed to let on that he was married. Now placed in a precarious situation, she is in competition with his ex-wife in the very same industry of textile restoration. It seems that sometimes in life, you can't escape your past no matter how much you try to begin again.
Tom Pereira is the groundskeeper for the Gray House and has been asked by the foundation Firstborn Holdings, LLC, to keep an eye on Kelly Frost. Even though she has passed the background, something in her character references if off and causes the owner concern. But Tom has his own demons that are haunting him about his past. He never can seem to measure up to the standards his father had wanted for him. giving up attending college and instead enlisting in the service was Tom's choice, his father felt the choice was the wrong one to make. Now plagued with seizures, Tom only hopes to get through this project and find a way to keep his own head above water. But with the downsizing in the economy, it seems like all his contacts are coming up short. Hopefully his job at Gray House will be enough.
I received Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. Being a huge lover of quilts and occasionally trying my own hand at quilting, I know that most carry a story locked away in the fibers much like the Mariner's Compass Quilt does that Kelly Frost works on. Toggling back between an old journal she discovers from the quilts owner, she discovers that some secrets carry a great sacrifice and will one day shine the light on what the meaning of redemption really means. This is the 13th book in the Quilts of Love series and one I rate a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I've had the pleasure of reading almost all of them and each is truly their own work of art between the pages of the authors that have written them.
December 2, 2013
About the Book:
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a more than 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored. There she meets Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline.
Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she is drawn out of her self-imposed shell and embraces the family God has given her after her own family failed her. As Kelly reads stories in a journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns there is no transgression beyond God's forgiveness, but the real obstacle is forgiving herself. During her and Tom's journey to grace and love, an unknown force works to keep both of them from discovering a long-buried truth that will change their lives forever.
About the Author:
Lynette Sowell is an award-winning novelist. When Lynette's not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for her local newspaper. Lynette was born in Massachusetts, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home in Texas with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained. She loves to read, travel, watch movies, try new recipes, and is always up for a Texas road trip.
My Review:
Kelly Frost needed cash and she needed it quick. So much so that she would take any job she could get even if it was for a quilt that she doubted could be restored. So when the opportunity came up in New Bedford for the over a century old Mariner's Compass Quilt, she went ahead and placed a bid for the job. Not really expecting to get it, she waited on the phone to ring because she was in desperate of money.
She wasn't even sure how she was going to afford a place to stay in New Bedford but that was quickly solved when there was a stipulation brought forward in the work agreement for the conservator to stay in the the Gray House, which is the old Historic home that delicately holds the quilt. Somewhat frighteningly she meets the caretaker of the Gray House, Tom. She thought at first that he was nothing short of ridged, but that didn't stop the two of them from developing feelings for each other.
Soon Kelly starts to read about Mary Gray through some of her journal entries and not only does she learn about Mary but she begins to learn more about herself. This book is full of all kinds of action and romance, it is a hit!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Litfuse Publicity.
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a more than 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored. There she meets Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline.
Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she is drawn out of her self-imposed shell and embraces the family God has given her after her own family failed her. As Kelly reads stories in a journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns there is no transgression beyond God's forgiveness, but the real obstacle is forgiving herself. During her and Tom's journey to grace and love, an unknown force works to keep both of them from discovering a long-buried truth that will change their lives forever.
About the Author:
Lynette Sowell is an award-winning novelist. When Lynette's not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for her local newspaper. Lynette was born in Massachusetts, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home in Texas with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained. She loves to read, travel, watch movies, try new recipes, and is always up for a Texas road trip.
My Review:
Kelly Frost needed cash and she needed it quick. So much so that she would take any job she could get even if it was for a quilt that she doubted could be restored. So when the opportunity came up in New Bedford for the over a century old Mariner's Compass Quilt, she went ahead and placed a bid for the job. Not really expecting to get it, she waited on the phone to ring because she was in desperate of money.
She wasn't even sure how she was going to afford a place to stay in New Bedford but that was quickly solved when there was a stipulation brought forward in the work agreement for the conservator to stay in the the Gray House, which is the old Historic home that delicately holds the quilt. Somewhat frighteningly she meets the caretaker of the Gray House, Tom. She thought at first that he was nothing short of ridged, but that didn't stop the two of them from developing feelings for each other.
Soon Kelly starts to read about Mary Gray through some of her journal entries and not only does she learn about Mary but she begins to learn more about herself. This book is full of all kinds of action and romance, it is a hit!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Litfuse Publicity.
December 13, 2013
Kelly Frost is a textile conservator who has lost her job and reputation due to an affair with a married man. When her bid is accepted to restore a 150-year old Mariner's Compass quilt, she is required to stay where the quilt is stored at Gray House, a former whaling captain's home in the coastal city of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Army veteran Tom Pereira is the caretaker of Gray House. He has a gruff exterior and rigid manner that hides his wounded heart.
When Kelly and Tom meet, each has past issues that are they dealing with, but as they get to know each other, feelings develop and a relationship begins to blossom. Kelly discovers a journal penned by Mary Gray, the whaling captain's wife, and she learns secrets tied to the quilt and long-buried family secrets about residents of New Bedford that will change both her and Tom's lives forever.
Tempest's Course is an intriguing multi-faceted tale of mystery, romance, and quilt restoration with a historical twist that will keep the readers turning the pages. Author Lynette Sowell weaves a compelling tale that transports the reader to the New England coastal city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they follow Kelly and Tom's journey of love and redemption, interwoven with an 1800s historical mystery, and a fascinating quilt restoration project.
The author provides an intriguing storyline that you can't help but get drawn into, from the long-buried secrets that are revealed within the journal entries, to the fascinating details of the Mariner's Compass quilt and its restoration, to Kelly and Tom's journey towards love and healing. The story comes alive and the suspense will captivate the reader's attention until the surprising conclusion. I loved how the past is interwoven with the present time, the level of intrigue and the suspenseful twists and turns kept me engaged and guessing how the story would end.
Tempest's Course has a little bit of everything that a reader could ask for: mystery, suspense, romance, lost love, choices and consequences, reconciliation and redemption, and new beginnings.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Litfuse Publicity.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Army veteran Tom Pereira is the caretaker of Gray House. He has a gruff exterior and rigid manner that hides his wounded heart.
When Kelly and Tom meet, each has past issues that are they dealing with, but as they get to know each other, feelings develop and a relationship begins to blossom. Kelly discovers a journal penned by Mary Gray, the whaling captain's wife, and she learns secrets tied to the quilt and long-buried family secrets about residents of New Bedford that will change both her and Tom's lives forever.
Tempest's Course is an intriguing multi-faceted tale of mystery, romance, and quilt restoration with a historical twist that will keep the readers turning the pages. Author Lynette Sowell weaves a compelling tale that transports the reader to the New England coastal city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they follow Kelly and Tom's journey of love and redemption, interwoven with an 1800s historical mystery, and a fascinating quilt restoration project.
The author provides an intriguing storyline that you can't help but get drawn into, from the long-buried secrets that are revealed within the journal entries, to the fascinating details of the Mariner's Compass quilt and its restoration, to Kelly and Tom's journey towards love and healing. The story comes alive and the suspense will captivate the reader's attention until the surprising conclusion. I loved how the past is interwoven with the present time, the level of intrigue and the suspenseful twists and turns kept me engaged and guessing how the story would end.
Tempest's Course has a little bit of everything that a reader could ask for: mystery, suspense, romance, lost love, choices and consequences, reconciliation and redemption, and new beginnings.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Litfuse Publicity.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
November 25, 2013
Title: TEMPEST’S COURSE
Author: Lynette Sowell
Publisher: Abingdon Press
December 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4267-5276-6
Genre: Contemporary romance
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored.
There she meets Army veteran Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she and Tom grow closer. And as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns the secrets of the quilt and Mary's own sad tale of regret. Then Tom learns secrets of his own family's past, and both Tom and Kelly learn they are tied to Gray House in ways they never imagined.
TEMPEST’S COURSE is the 13th book in Abingdon’s Quilt’s of Love series, but like all the books in this collection, it stands alone. Kelly is a struggling textile’s conservator who has lost her job and her reputation due to an unfortunate affair with a married man. As she moves into Gray House to restore the quilt, she learns the secrets of the house—and that she and the captain’s wife have more in common than she ever imagined.
Tom’s family is Portuguese and Italian. I figured the Italian part as soon as Ms. Sowell introduced his family. The rest came into play later into the story. The journal entries from the captain’s wife were heartbreaking, but it held the key to history that otherwise never would’ve been known.
I was interested to see how this story would play out, how the journal entries tied into the present, and what happens to the quilt. The story telling was stellar, well thought out, but a bit flat. I didn’t connect with the main characters the way I would’ve liked. Discussion questions are included. $12.99. 240 pages. 4 stars.
Author: Lynette Sowell
Publisher: Abingdon Press
December 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4267-5276-6
Genre: Contemporary romance
Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored.
There she meets Army veteran Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she and Tom grow closer. And as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns the secrets of the quilt and Mary's own sad tale of regret. Then Tom learns secrets of his own family's past, and both Tom and Kelly learn they are tied to Gray House in ways they never imagined.
TEMPEST’S COURSE is the 13th book in Abingdon’s Quilt’s of Love series, but like all the books in this collection, it stands alone. Kelly is a struggling textile’s conservator who has lost her job and her reputation due to an unfortunate affair with a married man. As she moves into Gray House to restore the quilt, she learns the secrets of the house—and that she and the captain’s wife have more in common than she ever imagined.
Tom’s family is Portuguese and Italian. I figured the Italian part as soon as Ms. Sowell introduced his family. The rest came into play later into the story. The journal entries from the captain’s wife were heartbreaking, but it held the key to history that otherwise never would’ve been known.
I was interested to see how this story would play out, how the journal entries tied into the present, and what happens to the quilt. The story telling was stellar, well thought out, but a bit flat. I didn’t connect with the main characters the way I would’ve liked. Discussion questions are included. $12.99. 240 pages. 4 stars.
Read
December 13, 2013Lynette Sowell writes a masterful story about Kelly, a textile conservator and Tom, a jack-of-all-trades who is working as a gardener.
After reading another book in the Quilts of Love series, I was a little skeptical about this one. With trembling hands and an anxious mind, I started reading.
And I kept reading. I was hooked! It was exceptional!! I found myself, when I couldn't read it, wondering how the quilt was turning out, and contemplating what would happen next.
I think all of those make for an outstanding book! You should read it for yourself!
Lynette Sowell's Tempest's Course is the newest book in the Quilts of Love line, and Lynette is celebrating with a fun giveaway and joining Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter for the Quilts of Love "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th!
tempest-400
One winner will receive:
A Kindle Fire HDX
Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell
The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman
Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 16th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love Facebook page on December 17th.
But wait! There's more. RSVP for the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th and connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, and Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!
So grab your copies of The Christmas Quilt, Aloha Rose, and Tempest's Course and join Vannetta, Lisa, and Lynette on the evening of December 10th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!
After reading another book in the Quilts of Love series, I was a little skeptical about this one. With trembling hands and an anxious mind, I started reading.
And I kept reading. I was hooked! It was exceptional!! I found myself, when I couldn't read it, wondering how the quilt was turning out, and contemplating what would happen next.
I think all of those make for an outstanding book! You should read it for yourself!
Lynette Sowell's Tempest's Course is the newest book in the Quilts of Love line, and Lynette is celebrating with a fun giveaway and joining Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter for the Quilts of Love "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th!
tempest-400
One winner will receive:
A Kindle Fire HDX
Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell
The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman
Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 16th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love Facebook page on December 17th.
But wait! There's more. RSVP for the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th and connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, and Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!
So grab your copies of The Christmas Quilt, Aloha Rose, and Tempest's Course and join Vannetta, Lisa, and Lynette on the evening of December 10th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!
December 22, 2013
Tempest's Course Quilts of Love Series by Lynette Sowell
Love that this book is set in New Bedord MA, whaling city within an hours drive from my house.
This book follows Kelly Frosts' path as a textile conservator she is bidding on restoring a quilt that was in Gray House.
The book also follows the story of Tom Silva who is a handyman for the Gray House. He was discharged from the army due to medical problem.
His family gatherings are noisy as most Portuguese family gatherings are (I am Portuguese also)
Love hearing all the New England things in the book, wicked, D&D coffee, clam chowdah, treasures of days gone by.
Quilting itself, loved hearing of the handwritten note with thread in the corner-my mom does something similar with her quilts (an outline of the island where she lives, her name and date).
When the bid comes she has to relocate there to work on the quilt as it can not be moved from the site.
Loved hearing all about her work as she goes through each step of the process, priceless!
Love careers they each have where they use their hands. Sermons help Tom deal and cope with his life and get through it...
Love the mystery surrounding who is paying to have the quilt restored and the whole Gray House complex.
From her background she knows she is never alone, God is with her always. Story flows seamlessly with each twist and turn that comes up.
Really enjoyed this one for the reasons above. Her past will catch up with her...lots of action and adventure and turmoil to come.
Excerpts from the next book in the series, Scraps of Evidence is included.
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.
Love that this book is set in New Bedord MA, whaling city within an hours drive from my house.
This book follows Kelly Frosts' path as a textile conservator she is bidding on restoring a quilt that was in Gray House.
The book also follows the story of Tom Silva who is a handyman for the Gray House. He was discharged from the army due to medical problem.
His family gatherings are noisy as most Portuguese family gatherings are (I am Portuguese also)
Love hearing all the New England things in the book, wicked, D&D coffee, clam chowdah, treasures of days gone by.
Quilting itself, loved hearing of the handwritten note with thread in the corner-my mom does something similar with her quilts (an outline of the island where she lives, her name and date).
When the bid comes she has to relocate there to work on the quilt as it can not be moved from the site.
Loved hearing all about her work as she goes through each step of the process, priceless!
Love careers they each have where they use their hands. Sermons help Tom deal and cope with his life and get through it...
Love the mystery surrounding who is paying to have the quilt restored and the whole Gray House complex.
From her background she knows she is never alone, God is with her always. Story flows seamlessly with each twist and turn that comes up.
Really enjoyed this one for the reasons above. Her past will catch up with her...lots of action and adventure and turmoil to come.
Excerpts from the next book in the series, Scraps of Evidence is included.
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2016
I always anticipate reading the next Quilt of Love book because the stories revolve around quilts and romance, and they are also good clean reads. With Tempest Course we get the story of Kelly Frost, a textile conservator who needs a job. When she gets the chance to restore a 150 year old quilt that is almost beyond repair she knows the job is just what she needs even though she has no idea what she is actually committing herself to. There is a stipulation that she must stay in the Gray House while she completes the job and that's where she meets Tom Pereira the caretaker of Gray House. He is an army veteran who is fighting his own issues. As the story unfolds we not only see the painstaking care in which Kelly takes to restore the quilt we also learn that she and Tom share something in common.
It was easy to see that God was at work in Kelly's life. He sent her what she needed just when she needed it. I really enjoyed the story that developed between her and Tom,but my favorite parts of the story had to be the journal entries of Mary Gray, that easily transported me back in time, and also revealed the story of the quilt, and also ties past to present.I really liked the descriptions of the work that went into restoring the quilt. I really anticipated what would happen between Kelly and Tom,would they find their way past the things that held them back. Overall a good read that has a bit of mystery and suspense while also providing a nice romance with easy to like characters. The ending was something that I really was a twist that I didn't see coming and made for a great wrap up of Tempest Course.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.
It was easy to see that God was at work in Kelly's life. He sent her what she needed just when she needed it. I really enjoyed the story that developed between her and Tom,but my favorite parts of the story had to be the journal entries of Mary Gray, that easily transported me back in time, and also revealed the story of the quilt, and also ties past to present.I really liked the descriptions of the work that went into restoring the quilt. I really anticipated what would happen between Kelly and Tom,would they find their way past the things that held them back. Overall a good read that has a bit of mystery and suspense while also providing a nice romance with easy to like characters. The ending was something that I really was a twist that I didn't see coming and made for a great wrap up of Tempest Course.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.
July 26, 2016
Kelly Frost has been hired by the mysterious Mr Chandler of Firstborn Holdings to restore an antique quilt. The catch is that she has to undertake the work on site: in Gray House, New Bedford, the home of 1850’s whaler Hiram Gray and his wife, Mary. Kelly discovers and reads Mary’s diary, and finds a lot of similarities with the woman who stitched the quilt she is now charged with restoring. The diary was an interesting window into a past where women were married off to older men, who expected their wives to uphold standards of fidelity they didn’t hold to themselves.
Kelly is an interesting character who is hiding a lot of secrets. She grew up in foster care and has no contact with any members of her family, which makes her the opposite of Tom Silva, the Gray House gardener, who has a large family that Kelly envies. Kelly also has secrets in her professional past that have forced her to move to New Bedford for this job. Tom doesn’t have secrets in the same way, but has his own issues. He suffers from dyslexia and has always felt he doesn’t measure up to his father’s expectations.
Tempest’s Course is part of the Quilts of Love series. However, it is a standalone novel, as there are no linking places or characters between the different books in the series (the link is simply that they all feature quilts—and love). I’ve read several and enjoyed some more than others. Tempest’s Course, with a mix of romance and suspense underpinned by a solid Christian message, is one of the better titles.
Thanks to Abingdon and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Kelly is an interesting character who is hiding a lot of secrets. She grew up in foster care and has no contact with any members of her family, which makes her the opposite of Tom Silva, the Gray House gardener, who has a large family that Kelly envies. Kelly also has secrets in her professional past that have forced her to move to New Bedford for this job. Tom doesn’t have secrets in the same way, but has his own issues. He suffers from dyslexia and has always felt he doesn’t measure up to his father’s expectations.
Tempest’s Course is part of the Quilts of Love series. However, it is a standalone novel, as there are no linking places or characters between the different books in the series (the link is simply that they all feature quilts—and love). I’ve read several and enjoyed some more than others. Tempest’s Course, with a mix of romance and suspense underpinned by a solid Christian message, is one of the better titles.
Thanks to Abingdon and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews