A gifted young quilter... a successful artist... the life-changing revelation that threatens to tear them apart...
Linda Mueller lives an orderly, uneventful existence, content to divide her time between creating the beautiful quilts for which she is known and working at an Englisch fabric shop.
Idealistic to a fault, Linda has never found a man worth marrying—until she meets Isaac Mast, a newcomer to Lancaster County and a talented painter. As they bond over their respective crafts, Linda is drawn to Isaac's kind ways, humble spirit, and intriguing personality, and soon the seams of her carefully-constructed world begin to loosen.
With Isaac's help, she explores the story of her late grandmother, also a gifted artist. But when an astonishing truth comes to light, Linda faces a grave decision, one that could destroy any hope of a future with Isaac. Will their dreams of a life together completely unravel? Or can she find some way to stitch them back together again?
Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has received numerous literary honors, including two Christy Awards and RT Book Review Magazine’s 2012 Career Achievement Award. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
I enjoyed this story, and it is actually a few stories in one, and then it circles to include each one. What does quilting and artistic painting have to do with one another, well that is what the author is about to show us as this story unfolds. There is a bit of sadness, a little romance, and an unfolding family mystery, that comes to light. Our main character Linda, seems to oblivious to a lot that goes on around her, especially concerning her family and community, and secrets that others have shared. Once a hand painted picture is found, we are in for a treat as unknown family members are found. A page-turner for sure! I received this book through Net Galley and Harvest House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.
The Amish Quilter wraps up Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Goulds Women of Lancaster County series. There are five books to this series. One nice thing about long series is that readers can really get the opportunity to know the characters well. I always like when fictional characters become more like friends. In The Amish Quilter the main character is Linda Mueller. She comes from a large family of siblings and she is the youngest girl in the family. Linda has always felt inferior to her older sisters. She hates the name her older siblings have labeled her with. Little Sister. Even now when she is in her twenties she still is referred to as Little Sister! Everyone has always made decisions for her as if she wouldn't be capable of making her own choices. Linda has always felt that she paled in comparison to her older sisters. She decided she would probably never marry because after all what could she possibly offer a man. One thing Linda was very gifted in was making beautiful quilts. Still she didn't see any man wanting to court her because of her ability to make quilts. That is until Isaac Mast moved to the community. Isaac Mast had spent some time in the English world. He had furthered his education and attended college in Pittsburgh studying art. He was very gifted as an artist and successful in that field. But even with being successful he decided to return to his Amish faith. He moved in with his grandmother,Ruth Mast, so that she could remain in her home. When Sadie, Linda's oldest sister's husband died, Isaac helped her keep the dairy farm going. Linda also helped milk the cows and became good friends with Isaac. He thought of her as an artist because of her beautiful quilts she made. They had a lot in common and shared the same interest. They worked together trying to find and locate members of Linda's father's family. Isaac and Linda became attracted to one another. But Linda wasn't sure about courting Isaac. Would she walk away from a chance of love and happiness because he didn't fit her high expectations of what a man should be? I enjoyed this warm hearted romance. Their search to locate Eli Mueller's long lost family pulled me into the story. I loved to read about Linda and Isaac's talents and gifts. These same gifts seemed to be a part of Eli Muellers missing family. All readers of Amish fiction and Christian Fiction will enjoy this book. You would want to read the other books of the series before reading this last book because each book builds off the book before it. The first book of this series is The Amish Midwife. I borrowed a Kindle ebook copy of The Amish Quilter from The Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a delightful Amish romance in which Linda, a gifted quilter, discovers that life just isn’t as perfect as she dreams of and has lots of surprises along her way to finding happiness.
Linda Mueller is the youngest daughter in the Mueller family but hates being referred to as “Little Sister” as some of her older siblings fondly refer to her. She’s very idealistic and struggles to accept anything - or anyone - who doesn’t meet the standards she aspires to. She is also quite quick to judge others but is in for some startling revelations concerning her own family in this enthralling story.
She hasn't been attracted to any of the local young men but when she meets Isaac, things start to change. However she is unaware of his past and her idealism may tear the two apart before their love stands any chance....
I really enjoyed this book which has great characters and gives an insight into the lives of this largely Amish community, including revelations from the past that shed light on the impact of the financial problems in the between war era on families. It was a real page turner and, although Linda’s immaturity showed through many of her initial attitudes and reactions, she grows as the story develops. It was great learning of the family secrets and relationships both of which are explored further making it an intriguing story which I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who enjoys a lovely, ‘clean’ romance with a great characters and delightful plot.
I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.
I really enjoyed this newest novel by Leslie Gould. It does start out slow but then when you keep reading it gets better and better until before you know it , the book is over with! I boo hooed when I realized I was finished with it. This is a great story about family heritage and why things happened the way the did. I ask myself this all the time. Have you ever wondered where your family is from or where you came from? Since I'm adopted I have no idea. I do know that my adopted family on my dad's side is from Germany. On my mom's side, I have no idea since they've never really talked about it. My name is Lininger but in German it's Leininger. They dropped the E out of it. I enjoy a good mystery and Leslie Gould and Mindy Starns Clark have really outdone their selves on this one. I also enjoyed being taken back in time to when the Depression and all sorts of things happened. My grandparents were I'd say about middle aged during this era. I don't really know because I can't remember if they talked about it. I'm sure they did. Even tho I couldn't relate to Linda as being the youngest, I certainly do have some of the same feelings that she did. I was raised as an only child. I'd give anything to have a big family like Linda. I wouldn't even mind being called some of her pet names that her sisters called her. Now it's just me, my husband and son that are left. But anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I strongly recommend this newest book by Leslie and Mindy! You won't want to miss it!! I received this book for free. All opinions are my own!
I must have picked up this book and put it down three times but I could not resist the story drew me in and I had to know more.
Linda is the youngest of several and has a hard time not feeling invisible. Her life is very ordered. She lives on a farm and works in the local quilt shop. She also happens to be a very talented quilter. Her life was the same every day until Isaac moves in with his Aunt who lives close by and she begins to take an interest in her father's side of the family , then everything began to change and Linda was not sure she wanted everything to change.
The story was not just about relationships but also about finding your talent using that talent to help people. Those who love romance and finding your calling will love this book!
This book touched me in a very personal way. Except for the being Amish part, I found my younger self relating to Linda and her idealized ideas of how her life should be. Linda was certain she was doing what she thought God wanted for her life but she really wasn't paying close attention to Him. Lives aren't perfect, life can get very messy and nothing is ever ideal. God works with our idealistic ideas and uses others to help us really see what is what. I enjoyed the creative aspect of the story too. Linda was a quilter and Isaac, a newcomer to Lancaster County, was a very talented painter. They connected on a deeper level because of their creativeness. But Linda learned things about her family and things about Isaac that skewed her thinking. She fought her feelings and resented being called the "Little Sister" and immature. This was a very thought provoking novel that gave me deeper insights into God's amazing plans that many times we mess up and He has to step in through His Word or Family or Friends to get us back on the right path. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher but was not required to write a review.
Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould pieced together a beautiful story with multiple characters and story lines that brought about an unexpected lovely tale. Linda Mueller and Isaac Mast were characters with talents using art in painting and quilting. When there quest to find answers to Linda’s grandmother’s history brought history to life as Isaac showed her around Philadelphia. Will their search bring satisfaction and more hurt to their lives and family? These two authors know how to interweave multiple stories together with an exquisite result.
The Amish Quilter is a beautifully written inspirational romance. I loved the plot and the setting. I have read Ms Clark’s book before but the other author was new to me and I enjoyed the writing. I highly recommend this book.
Linda, the little sister in her family thinks she will never marry. That is until she meets Isaac, but when she finds out he was married before somehow it just changes her feelings for him. When she finds an old family secret it brings them together trying to find how the puzzle fits together. Don’t miss this one I think my favorite one of the set. One of my favorite series. This pair of authors knows how to set the stage and pull you through the story so you keep wanting more. Sad to see it end. Library books for me
The Amish Quilter is the fifth novel written by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould in their The Women of Lancaster County series. This book simply put is AMAZING. I loved the storyline and theway it all came together. I loved the journey that Linda and Isaac took to put to rest some unanswered questions about Linda's family tree and especially her Great Gramma Nettie.
There is a mystery woven throughout this story that will not only have you guessing as to what happened and where the truth lied. Linda, my favorite character, is always the last to find things out in her family but she is sure that is becsuse she is the youngest sister. She takes this allin stride and provides some really interesting news for her family. Isaac is a painter not only of houses but he is also an artist. Between Linda and Isaac they journey thru Linda's family tree and what they find out is astonishing.
I enjoyed this book immensly as I have all the novels in this series. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that i can highly recommend to all those who love the Amish genre.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime.
CONGRATULATIONS to to Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould for writing another fantastic book for their readers to enjoy. I will be watching for more books by these authors in the future.
I really enjoyed this one it is not your typical Amish one Linda is trying to find out about her grandmother with help from Isaac who is an artist himself She is falling for him but find out something in his past & she feels like she can't consider him as a husband She finds out about secrets or at least things she doesn't know about I won't say more because I could spoil it Which all makes this different from the run of the mill Amish books
The book has got several characters, weaved into 1, felt it lacked humor and dragging. Also, there is nothing wrong in being idealistic to a point, life has got ideals and principles depends on the person entirely. Linda never knew certain incidents which is very difficult to believe, certain situations seemed coincidental. She felt left out which I don't believe was properly addressed. The beginning seemed to be boring, but exciting in the middle and somewhere dragging in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First off I have to say that Chip MacGregor should be given an award or medal or maybe even have a statue put up in his honor. Why? He's the mastermind behind the awesome writing duo of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. I can't imagine (nor do I want to) a world without stories by these two. So a big THANK YOU from this reader to Mr. MacGregor for bringing together two great authors and giving us readers fantastic stories such as The Amish Quilter.
I enjoyed this story. I thought it started off a bit on the slow side and there is a slew of characters to remember and keep track of. All in good time though I easily knew who was who and their part in the family. Linda, the main character, is extremely idealistic and this gets her some lectures from her family. She doesn't back down though and has a good idea of what she wants in life and what the "perfect man" is. I thought it was great that she wasn't meek and mild and willing to bend under the pressure from family and friends. She may have come across as a bit naive at times but that's ok because she is young. It gave her character so much room for growth and I'm glad the authors let her grow throughout the story. Isaac was a great balance to Linda's character and I liked that she got to know him as a person before she found out about his past. It set their story wonderfully and made it easy to relate to them.
I love the writing style of these two authors. It almost seems as if the two become one person while writing because it's impossible to tell who wrote what. Sometimes the flow is a bit off in co-authored books but not with these two. This story has a great flow to it and a perfect balance of past and present. The story changes back and forth enough to keep readers engaged. The subject of being Amish and artistic was interesting. Sometimes Amish fiction can have a bit too much fluff to it but this story goes beyond the perfect life that so many seem to think the Amish lead. I'm glad the authors chose to go below the surface and show the imperfect lives of the Amish. It really creates a depth to the story and makes it more authentic.
Simply put this is a must-read book. (But then again, so is any book by these two authors.) Grab a copy of the book, get a refreshing drink, and find a nice cozy spot to spend a few hours reading. Once you start this book you won't want to put it down. It's definitely on my keeper shelf, and I can see it on my top ten list afor 2018. Happy reading!!!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a review. All opinions are mine.
Linda Mueller lives an orderly, uneventful existence, content to divide her time between creating the beautiful quilts for which she is known and working at an Englisch fabric shop. Idealistic to a fault, Linda has never found a man worth marrying—until she meets Isaac Mast, a newcomer to Lancaster County and a talented painter. As they bond over their respective crafts, Linda is drawn to Isaac's kind ways, humble spirit, and intriguing personality, and soon the seams of her carefully-constructed world begin to loosen. With Isaac's help, she explores the story of her late grandmother, also a gifted artist. But when an astonishing truth comes to light, Linda faces a grave decision, one that could destroy any hope of a future with Isaac. Will their dreams of a life together completely unravel? Or can she find some way to stitch them back together again?
I really got caught up in this book about Linda and Isaac. It is a mystery/romance, which happens to be some of my favorites. I wanted to tell and shake her to get rid of her idealism about “the perfect man” for a husband. The Knight in Shining Armor is only in fairy tales. But it takes going through the mystery of finding her grandmother was a twin and getting to know the whole background of that side of the family that no-one knew about. Through that, everyone’s lives got changed - and for the better.
The Amish Quilter is a joint effort of two authors: Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould.
Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has received numerous literary honors, including two Christy Awards and RT Book Reviews 2012 Career Achievement Award. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Leslie Gould is the best-selling and award-winning author of thirty novels. She loves traveling, research, Shakespeare's plays, and church history. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon and are the parents of four children.
I was given an ebook copy of this book by NetGalley for this review.
Light, patterns and textures of the landscape in Lancaster County Linda would love to make into quilts, the artistic and English quilts she makes. They say I am a perfectionist, that’s why I haven’t found a suitor yet. Issac new to the area, a painter, now doing houses, since his art work was new to people here, and selling was slow. Seeing his work and the passion and emotion that reflected from them. How do I tell him how good they are. Powerfull story of family secrets of a young woman not being able to paint, and express what was part of her. To find out later that someone who had taken them and now worked with them in her work. Story of expectation, of what one should or shouldn’t do. Issac was living a life of faith, one step at a time, going where God led him. Was Linda missing out by not letting him court her, and he would once again relocate if he couldn’t. Life was like quilts, the twists and turns in the design, Given ARC by Net Galley and Zondervan for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Merged review:
THE AMISH QUILTER. May 1 Light, patterns and textures of the landscape in Lancaster County Linda would love to make into quilts, the artistic and English quilts she makes. They say I am a perfectionist, that’s why I haven’t found a suitor yet. Issac new to the area, a painter, now doing houses, since his art work was new to people here, and selling was slow. Seeing his work and the passion and emotion that reflected from them. How do I tell him how good they are. Powerfull story of family secrets of a young woman not being able to paint, and express what was part of her. To find out later that someone who had taken them and now worked with them in her work. Story of expectation, of what one should or shouldn’t do. Issac was living a life of faith, one step at a time, going where God led him. Was Linda missing out by not letting him court her, and he would once again relocate if he couldn’t. Life was like quilts, the twists and turns in the design, Given ARC by Net Galley and Zondervan for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Linda may be the "Little Sister" of the family but she knows what she wants when it comes to a husband and family or so she thinks. As Linda explores her creativity in making quilts she learns of her grandmother's artistic painting ability that was frowned upon so many years ago.
Issac has moved the area to take care of an aging relative and build his home painting business. He has a talent of his own with a paintbrush and canvas. He agrees to help Linda look into her family's past but the closer they get to the past the more his past comes to the present.
Can Linda look beyond her rigid idea of the perfect husband to give love a chance?
I did not pay attention that this was the fifth book in a series until I got to the end. It read as a beautiful stand alone novel. This novel is not your typical Amish romance with more fluff than seriousness. The authors did not shy away from tackling heavy taboo topics such as autism, depression and family members growing apart. I found that the novel read quick even with such meaty topics. I would still feel comfortable giving this novel to a teenager to read as the romance was clean, no violent scenes and no foul language.
I cannot say that Linda is my favorite character of all time. I found her bit perturbing. She was a little whiney at times when it came to learning everyone but her knew something. She was not a good listener when she needed to be when others were trying to help her navigate her feelings for Isaac. I would get so frustrated with her that I wanted to throw the book. On a good note she kept my interest in the novel as I wanted to keep reading to see if she ever got off her high horse.
I am interested to read the other books in the series. The funny thing is I believe I have a few in my TBR pile. Maybe I should move those up closer to the top.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from Harvest House Publishers. Any opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Amish Quilter is written by the dynamic team of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. I have read their Cousins of the Dove series and had high expectations for this stand-alone novel. I was not disappointed. The synergy is wonderful and a beautiful story is the result. Linda, idealistic, perfectionist, and sometimes just out of the loop with what is going on around her, is sure that she will never find have a husband and family. Isaac, a young man who spent several years living in the Englisch world, now has caught her attention. Can they work out their differences to find a life together? I enjoyed the ebb and flow of this relationship as Linda and Isaac spend time together working on a project. The characters have depth and reality and their emotions, strengths, and foibles resonate well with readers. The authors did a great job of bringing growth and maturity to their characters and remind readers that sometimes you just have to take a risk and that there is a safe and acceptable place between grace and legalism. Sometimes what we want and what God wants for us are different and we have to make a prayerful choice. An Amish Quilter is a complex and multifaceted story that portrays the impact of past choices on life in the present. The main characters have depth and reality and their emotions, strengths, and foibles resonate well with readers. Presented in the story are a number of aspects of Amish life that are not usually touched on by authors who write in the Amish genre. Subjects such as twins, autism, depression, and artistic talents--all added fascinating interest to the story. I highly recommend this poignant, engrossing story about the toll of secrets and finding family loyalty and love amidst the all too real struggles of life. I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
This was a fascinating book that was hard to put down! I love anything to do with genealogy so following Linda on this journey as she tries to find out about her grandmother's past, her art and why she stopped painting was so interesting. I love that family members Linda's family has been out of touch with for years or that Linda's never even met come back into their lives. I liked Linda for the most part but I did feel she was somewhat immature and I felt a little impatient and frustrated with her for how she treated Isaac. Isaac seemed like a wonderful guy, maybe a little too perfect. The story was told in the first person from Linda's perspective so we get to know her a lot better than Isaac; the first person style isn't used nearly as often as the third person so it was a refreshing change, though I did miss Isaac's viewpoint. I really liked that grace was emphasized and the gospel was explained. It's also pointed out how unforgiveness and skewed theology can damage a person. I liked that depression was addressed. It was also interesting to see characters with autism and how the Amish view that. There was a little bit of romance. This worked well as a stand-alone, though characters from previous books do show up. Overall, this was a wonderful story if you like Amish or genealogy stories!
I received a copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
When I saw that this book was available on Netgalley I knew I just had to read it. I love the team writing of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. I've yet to read a badly written book by this team. They work together to produce a well-written story. This book is 5th in the Women of Lancaster series. It's been over four years since the last novel in this series. Some of the characters from previous books make an appearance in this one such as Izzy Mueller and her husband Zed. Izzy is the sister of the main character Linda. Also Ezra has a minor role. He expresses an interest in one of the other Mueller girls. The story captured my attention because like Linda my hobby is quilting. I'm also interested in family history. Linda with the help of Issac does some research on Linda's grandmother who in her later years lived a bitter life but at one time was a gifted painter. As Linda spends more time with Issac her affections grow for him but finds out something disturbing about his past. She is rather idealist. Even her close family feels she is too idealist. I loved seeing how the character worked through her issues. I loved seeing how the mystery of her grandmother Nettie's past was unraveled.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book will be released on May 1, 2018.
I want to say that I really enjoyed this Amish novel. It's unusual in itself. I say this because of how the story takes shape. The author shows us that even Amish people have skeletons in their closets too. Sometimes that can be bad and it can be good! Either way it all comes out in the wash so to speak in some form or another. I love history. I wish I could trace my family history back like Linda did. I've tried but have come to a dead end. So, this makes me think that my case is a closed case adoption (meaning that they don't want contact or not to be found) Through my search however; I did find that I have an older sister and a younger sister. Maybe through this review God willing of course they might see this and want to get in contact. I've no idea their names. Wish I knew. Anyway, I was surprised to learn that Linda's parents allowed the search and the Bishop too. I think what enjoyed most about the book was that Linda learned some of her lessons the hard way. (I can relate to that too.) God is in control at all times. What we might want or not willing to wait for well, pride goth before a fall as much as I hate to say it. Im thinking that this is what the message of the book is trying to tell us. I can't wait for y'all to read this book! It most certainly will keep you turning the pages until before u know it it's all done. It will also leave you thinking about the book long after the 📓 is finished
These two authors are quilters of words!! Together they stitch the words together to develop a fantastic story of a wonderful young lady who manages to use her talents alongside a talented painter to find romance while keeping to the very strict rules of the Amish. If you know anything about the Amish faith, you realize that being proud of one's talents is greatly frowned upon. Painting and creating are not talents that are encouraged. However, both Linda and Isaac manage to create within the confines of the community. These two main characters are so realistic and well described that you immediately become engrossed in their lives. Isaac is a kind soul who strives to help Linda solve some very strange mysteries. The Amish are not exempt from problems and challenges as this story shows us.
The plot flows easily between the past and the present keeping the reader involved until the last page of the book is read. There are many unexpected twists and turns . These two authors managed to show that Amish lives are far from perfect. They went below the surface to show us how individuals can still follow their faith while living their dreams. Difficult but not impossible.
This book is definitely worthy of five stars!! Not your typical girl meets guy love story!! Don't miss this adventure.
This book was received as a gift. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own./
A few years ago I stumbled onto The Women Of Lancaster series in the library, it introduced me to two talented authors that I would enjoy in their collaborative as well as individual works. Needless to say, I was quite excited when I found out that Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould would be adding to that series I had enjoyed so much. Since I come from a line of quilters I was even more thrilled to find that this book would feature a quilter.
Even better than I anticipated, The Amish Quilter was such a great read. I really identified with the heroine, Linda, which is actually pretty odd for me. I started out by keeping this book on my bedside table and read it for a few minutes when going to bed at night and waking up in the morning. It really didn't take long before the other book I was reading during the daytime got laid aside in favor of The Amish Quilter.
In this book Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould bring a dash of realism that isn't always found in the Amish genre. Not every character has a sugary sweet happy ending but faith and hope, despite mistakes made, are what stand the test of time and the sometimes tough reality of life. Which, is a good reminder for all of us...
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
4 stars “A gifted young quilter... a successful artist... the life-changing revelation that threatens to tear them apart.” I have previously read many books by Mindy Starns Clark that I loved, so I was eagerly looking forward to this book! I really enjoyed the storytelling, the setting and the characters. The characters felt real and their struggles are understandable given the Amish setting. I enjoyed getting to know Isaac and Linda while on their journey for the true past of Linda’s grandma Nettie. The only negative about the book is the Amish part of the story seemed a tad bit forced. I have read a number of Amish books through the years which all seemed to be thoroughly researched and true to the Old Order Amish community. This one seems like a few Amish words were thrown in for effect without a great deal of research about an Amish community. I did enjoy the friendships that developed between both the Amish and the “Englisch”. The story was unexpected and satisfying. If you like books that are Christian based, interesting and a little bit unexpected, you will love this book! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I thought this book was absolutely mesmerizing and found it very hard to walk away from when other activities were calling my name. This author is a delightfully talented storyteller and the more clues she provided throughout the story, the more interesting and compelling Linda’s grandmother’s story became. Combining the art of quilting with Linda’s grandmother’s art of painting was a wonderful way to tell the story of Linda’s growing maturity. Though I wasn’t always happy with the way she treated Isaac, I hoped that she would come to see that life is not black and white and is full of shades of grey that cause us to search our hearts and our minds and help us grow. One thing I can be always be sure of is that I know I will learn something new about myself when I read a Christian fiction book. In this case this wonderful story and interesting characters have taught me that I have yet to master the art of putting everything in my life in God’s hands as the Amish do. A great story, a romance and a lesson in life make this book a wonderfully heartwarming reading experience. I read an early copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
THE AMISH QUILTER B;Y MINDY STARNS CLARK THE WOMEN OF LANCASTER COUNTY BOOK 5
Linda Mueller is content making quilts and working at a Englisch fabric shop in Lancaster. She is a very gifted quilter, she is idealistic and has never found a man worth marrying until she meets Issac Mast, an newcomer to Lancaster and also a talented painter. Their love and their artistic gifts bonds them together. When Linda discovers a painting by her "artistically gifted, late grandmother, Nettie , she sets out, with Issac's help to uncover the story of her late grandmother. Many family secrets are discovered and explored and a revelation by Issac, known by everyone except Linda, threatens to tear the budding romance between the two of them apart. The Amish Quilter is a well written story of romance, loss and uncovering family secrets. It is a book with lots of twists and turns in the plot. You will keep turning page after page, as Linda and Issac uncover the details of her late grandmother's life, and other family secrets that are reveal. I highly recommend Mindy Starns Clark's The Amish Quilter.
The Amish Quilter by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould is a beautifully woven masterpiece. This incredible story is the fifth book in The Women of Lancaster County series. Linda Mueller lives an ordinary Amish life. She is happy that her life follows and fits in a perfect grid. She makes beautiful quilts to sell at the English store where she works. Her curiosity is piqued and she yearns to learn more about her late grandmother. She teams up with her new friend, Isaac Mast, to find out more about her grandmother. It seems like they would make the most perfect pair, until she learns more about Isaac's past. Between those truths and the many secrets that are revealed when she digs a little deeper into her family history, this makes for one very interesting read! One that you will most likely reread over and over again. The authors do a great job of bringing the characters to life. You will feel like you are right there with them in beautiful Lancaster County. Once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down anytime soon! A must-read! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from the publisher and have given my honest opinion.
In The Amish Quilter by Clark and Gould, we meet the youngest Mueller sister, Linda. Linda, is young, naïve, and set to live life in a neat little pattern that fits nicely into her lifestyle. Not only does she crave perfection in her life, she also strives for excellence in the quilts she makes. Issac, new to town, is a house painter by trade and a paints beautiful works of art in his spare time. What Linda craves in perfection, he does in faith, stepping into the unknown and letting God lead. When Linda discovers family secrets, she sets about to solve the mystery surrounding her grandmother. Working on the mystery of her grandmother, brings Linda and Issac closer together, but another secret threatens to tear them apart. I found the book a little hard to get into at first, but a wonderful read once the story really picked up. I received a free copy of this story from Harvest House and Net Galley in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The book seemed to start in the manner of a typical Amish story but took a very different direction than I anticipated. Although I was not prepared for the numerous twists and turns, I enjoyed each one and could hardly wait to see what was coming next. As the authors described the quilts and paintings created by certain characters, I could picture them in my mind and wished I could see them for real. For me, the most important aspect of the story was the life lessons shared and learned. I greatly appreciate interesting stories like this one that teach lessons that can be applied in the lives of the readers, whether they are Amish, English, or some other population group. To say more, I would risk giving away too much of the story. You need to read the book for yourself, both for the beauty of the story and the truths that are woven into the conversations. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
The Amish Quilter is by far my favorite installment in this series! I couldn't tell where one author began to compose portions of the story and the other left off. This evocative tale is beautifully blended with descriptive prose and emotion filled scenarios that leaves no room for boredom. The story moves swiftly along, with an underlying story seamlessly interwoven throughout the main plot. Family, twins, diversity, death and love are all encased in a plot that adds additional interest due to questions of where art fits into the simple life.
I loved this novel, and will undoubtedly read it again. Much focus is placed on the difficult times we experience in life, messy issues that we may not ordinarily encounter in an Amish novel. Both authors have outdone themselves in this very special book of family ties. I highly recommend it!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.