Sew in Love: 4 Historical Stories

by Debby Lee, Jacquolyn McMurray, Darlene Panzera

When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their sewing lead to love?
 
HEARTS SEWN WITH LOVE by Darlene Panzera
Gold Bar, California, April 1850
During the California gold rush, a beautiful seamstress finds her heart torn between the men who want to marry her and the one fortune hunter who won’t.

WOVEN HEARTS by Jacquolyn McMurray
New York City, 1911
A shirtwaist factory fire survivor struggles to provide for her family despite the disastrous misguided intentions of the handsome union organizer who tries to help.
 
A  LANGUAGE OF LOVE by Kimberley Woodhouse
New York City, 1911
A milliner with thick Irish accent and a renowned baseball player with speech impediment meet at the office of a language teacher. But the issues with their backgrounds that first brought them together will also drive them apart.

TAILORED SWEETHEARTS by Debby Lee
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Summer 1945
A parachute seamstress struggles with her faith in desperate circumstances. A fighter pilot teaches her to hope in her darkest hours.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ebosereme Nwamu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts down with love. By Darlene Panzera

Relationships grow with patience, persistence and time.
When the life she thoughts she would have crumbled Maggie had to believe God had a plan for her despite the disappointments. I enjoyed reading about how she met Ben and how the both of them had to let go of their plans and trust God to bring forth his plans for thier lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 best captures this story.


Woven hearts by Jacquolyn McMurray.
Abe and Millie. Interesting story of loss, pain, redemption and new beginnings.
The weight of taking care of her family fell on her after a great tragedy struk her family. She was bitter and angry at God and thought she could do everything on her own. Through series of twists and turns she learnt to let go and trust God.
Abe just wanted to help people and do right. Until a secret about his family came to the open. He learnt to forgive and trust God with his future.


A language of love. By Kimberly Woodhouse.

Jeni had great dreams.
Philip was living the dream.

Two opposites with a love for God and zest for life.
I loved the beautifully woven story of trust in God, love and new beginnings.
Jeni wanted to make her mark in the world and she was unapologetic about it. She met the delightful Philip who fueled her dreams to live more.
Philip was already living the life and his relating with Jeni was the icing on the cake.
I enjoyed reading about how the wove through their storms and got to be together.


Tailored Sweethearts by Debby Lee

Irving and Stella.
Touching stories of two hearts that nothing not even war could separate.
Stella was busying help injured soliders even though she still had her family burdens. Her strength as very commendable.
Irving was a very honorable man putting others before him.
Together they survived the war and got to be together.

I received a copy of this book for Netgallery for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story in this collection was really good. It held my attention and it was a quick easy read. I liked the premise and characters a lot. 4 stars for this one.

The second story was good. I liked Millie and Abe. The story itself starts with a tragedy that is based off true events so it cast a bit of a pall over the story for me. Ending was really good though. 3 stars for this one.

The third story in this collection was my favorite. I loved the baseball element to the story and it made for a really fun read. 5 stars for this one.

The last story in the collection was good. I liked the WW2 era timeline and story. It had some very sad elements which lowered my overall enjoyment of the story. 3.5 stars for this one.

Overall I give this collection of novellas 4 stars. An enjoyable read for me.

[Elisabeth Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!! It was beautifully written, and I was sewn in the book, so to speak. I totally recommend this book to those who love reading romance books. 😍

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sew in Love is a collection of four romance stories that revolve around the women's love for sewing. All four stories were well-written, heartwarming and will leave the reader yearning for more. My personal favourite was The Language of Love that brings together an Irish seamstress who wants to downplay her accent and a baseball player with a speech impediment. Granted that I am not the least bit interested in American baseball, I enjoyed how the characters thought they were not meant for because of their backgrounds and yet they were "perfectly imperfect". As a person who grows up with a speech impediment, this story did tug at my heartstrings. Nonetheless, all four stories are worth the read.

P.S. This book was received from Barbour Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Trixi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Barbour novella collection books and “Sew in Love” is no exception! I only knew two authors in here but happily discovered two new ones. Another thing I love, being introduced to writers I would have never known had they not been included in the set. These are always a win/win for me!

The stories take place from 1850 to the end of WW2 in 1945. The most modern one was Debby Lee with “Tailored Sweethearts”. I haven't read too many war time stories as they aren't my favorite, but I really enjoyed this one. I admired Captain Irving Morgenstern in his unselfish devotion to his squadron and heroism in the face of danger. Stella McGovern did what she could to bring comfort to injured military men in the hospital where these two met. From there, it was love at first sight! They both clung to their faith when things were bleak and encouraged each other in difficult times. I really like the historical details Debby Lee included in her story, bringing it to life in my mind.

All the stories showed how love can conquer all and faith can get you through most anything in life. Enjoyed these very much!

*I received a complimentary copy from one of the authors and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

[Savanna Kaiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a neat concept for a novella collection! I enjoyed the settings, endearing characters working through difficult life circumstances, and historical details. As in most novellas, the romance is short and sweet. I'm always left wanting a little more. :) But I can't complain. It's easy to read and enjoy when you don't have a lot of time. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this!

[Tereana D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy from the publisher to review.

This is a multi-author anthology collection containing four stories.

Even though the fourth story in the book was a more modern historical romance, it was still great.

I enjoyed reading the book, it was definitely a great read.

[Linda Shook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this book. Four stories from four amazing authors about four amazing women. The first story from 1850 features Maggie during the California gold rush. The second set in New York in 1911 finds Millie surviving a fire in the garment district. Story three also in New York in 1911 finds Jeni working behind the scenes making beautiful hats for rich women and finally the last story, set in Dutch Harbor, Alaska during 1945 finds Stella working as a parachute seamstress. Love is in the air for all four of these ladies. Thanks to Darlene Panzera, Jacquolyn McMurray, Kimberley Woodhouse and Debby Lee for this fabulous collection of stories. Get the book and read it...you will not be disappointed.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of novellas. Each one is well written, holds your attention and has a wonderful christian message. This collection was a joy to read and I look forward to reading more books by these four authors. If you like historical christian romance, you will love this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of unrelated stories taking place between 1850 - 1945. Each of the four novellas was a 5 star story that included historical fact as a basis of the storyline. Really good reading.

I received an ARC ebook from Barbour through NetGalley and I was under no obligation to post a review.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this set of four short novellas by four different authors. Each story is set in a different time in history and each features a seamstress. Get it? Sew in Love... cute, right? The characters draw you in and the setting and historical details keep you rooted. Lovely stories, highly recommended.

[Ochegba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful collection of novellas tells the beautiful story four women who have been through trying times and use sewing to pull them through. I enjoyed each story in it's uniqueness and the way the authors put it all together.
They had their faith tested and the struggled but love found them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put something about sewing or many other crafts in a novel title and I'll pick it up to read without even reading the jacket blurb. That's what I did with Sew in Love, a collection of four novellas all revolving around sewing. Beginning in 1850 and going through to World War II, each of the heroines has a specific talent in sewing and their talents lead them to love.

Each of the girls faces some dark days that test her faith, and needs the help of the man to get her bearings back.

These stories by these authors have high quality plotting and go beyond just the basic boy meets girl formula. The plots don't seem choppy nor do they end abruptly. This is a five star collection, with two thumbs up, and a sewing machine at your side.

I would like to thank Barbour Books and NetGalley.com for giving me access to this galley.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love novella collections. The shorter length of each story is perfect for when you want a quick read. I usually find that I like two or three of the four stories within a collection. This rings true for the four stories within this collection.

Hearts Sewn with Love by Darlene Panzera and Woven Hearts by Jacquolyn McMurray were both good, quick reads. I appreciated the different aspects of the historical settings of each. I found myself slightly frustrated with all the main characters at times. This could have been because both authors attempted to fit a novel-length timeline into a novella, therefore character development was a bit rushed. But both stories were enjoyable and perfect for a relaxing afternoon read. (On their own, I’d give each story 3-stars.)

A Language of Love by Kimberley Woodhouse was my favorite of the four stories. I loved the linguistics study due to racism. The protagonists had depth and were relatable. The antagonist was a surprising joy. Oh, racism! It splits nations, communities, and families. Kimberley Woodhouse is a great author. This was a good story! (I’d give it 4-stars)

I did not really enjoy the final story, Tailored Sweethearts by Debby Lee. The characters felt rushed and flat. The timeline felt choppy. (I’d give it 2-stars.) But when I’m reading a collection of novellas I don’t expect to fall in love with each story. This one does not detract from the overall collection too much.

Overall, I give this collection 3-stars.

I follow the GoodReads rating system. Please note that this means even the 3-star books are ones I liked.
1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing; I’ll read it over and over and/or it will impact my daily life.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Joanne Jaytanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sew in Love is a nice mix of stories with the overall theme of the heroines working as seamstresses. Woven Hearts was, by far, my favorite. The author did an excellent job of accurately capturing the historical setting of New York City and the aftermath of the factory fire on an already struggling society. The richness of the plot, along with a beautifully developed heroine, and a strong supporting cast, made this story sparkle.

[Jeri Stockdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Sew in Love immensely. Built around the common theme of sewing, each novella spun an individual tale, unique for each heroine and for the different historical time frames in which the characters lived. They are well written, full of life's struggles, inspirational in nature, and with a satisfying romance. All four stories left me with something to think about and to remember. I especially enjoy reading WWII stories, maybe because my parents lived that era, so Debby Lee's novella, Tailored Sweethearts, resonated with me. I was literally living her character including the emotions she felt concerning the war and the worry over her loved ones. Regardless, they are all great stories. This one is worth keeping and reading again. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Jacquolyn McMurray · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction. This was my first attempt at writing in the genre and it turns out I love the research and imagining what life was like during those dark days after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. I enjoyed reading the other stories in the collection and working with Darlene Panzera, Debby Lee, and Kimberley Woodhouse. The strong female characters are a draw for me and the way each of them pushes through to their HEA.

[Libby Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 4 novellas based on incidents in the early 1900s in the California goldfields, New York and Alaska are all well worth a read. All based on a certain event or series of events that helped shape American history.
While all well written and informative as well as entertaining, my favourite is the second in the collection, that written by Jaquolyn McMurray "Woven Hearts".
Based on the Triangle Shirtwaist garment factory disaster of 1911 in New York, we follow the life of a young female survivor, Millie, whose mother was killed in the fire, father was badly injured and had her life turned upside down, now jobless and having to take over the responsibility of caring for her family, 3 younger siblings, grandmother, and a very bitter father. It is a riveting tale of resilience and determination, and romance which blooms when the young union representative, Abe, steps in to help. This infamous disaster led to the formation of one of the first union movements in America, and McMurrays tale creates a riveting personal connection to this significant event.
In the first story in the collection, " Hearts Sewn with Love" by Darlene Panzera we meet Maggie who has headed out west in 1850 with her mother to Gold Bar, in the goldfields of California, in order to meet and marry her cousin. A series of unfortunate events and mishaps befall them, while they struggle to maintain their dignity, in a small camp with very few women, earning their own way with sewing and laundry. A good read about life in the goldfields.
The third story "A Language of Love" by Kimberley Woodhouse is also set in 1911 in Manhatten New York where Irish immigrants Jeni, and her aunt are seeking a better life, but experiencing the anti Irish prejudice of the times. Romance blossoms with a rags to riches baseball player hero, with all its complications. Another interesting insight to life in those times.
And the final story "Tailored Sweethearts" by Debby Lee takes place in Dutch Harbor, Alaska as World War 2 is finally coming to an end in 1945. Stella who works sewing parachutes, volunteers to read to the injured servicemen at the hospital, and falls for a certain pilot. Another interesting story about a pivotal time in US history. Most people know about the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the bombing of Dutch Harbor is not nearly as well known, and Lee provides a good insight into life there in 1945.
The thread connecting all 4 tales of course is the young women with outstanding sewing abilities in historical settings, who all encounter hardship and romance. Highly recommended!

[Becca Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts Sewn With Love:

I really enjoyed this read. It was easy to get into and I thought it was well paced especially for the shorter length of a novella. Ben and Maggie were both likable characters and it was easy to root for their romance to blossom. There's something about the times of the gold rush that has always intrigued me so I really loved the setting of this one. I liked that the dangers of gold mining were not ignored and the experiences of the characters sucked me into their world.

Woven Hearts:

I loved this one as well! I remember learning about industrialization and all of the hazards of city life and working factories while I was in school. It' always amazed me how businesses were able to get away with so much and how polarized people were towards the birth of unions. This story easily held my attention and had me curious to see how things worked out. I adored Millie's character and her tenacity to support her family during the most difficult of times. As with the first one, it was well paced and I still felt like I was getting a full story even though it was only the length of a novella.

A Language of Love:

Okay. I admit I love listening to people talk in accents. So while I was sad that the characters were trying to get rid of their accents, I also found their conversations about them during lessons rather fun and humorous. I don't know if this was any inspiration for the author, but whenever I thought of Philip I kept picturing one of the characters from the musical Newsies because of where he'd come from. I liked that he was a man who had risen above his upbringing and had grown into a real catch. (I know, I know bad pun haha). I liked that Jeni had a lot of spunk and was not only talented but knew what she wanted and went for it. I had a lot of fun with this story.

Tailored Sweethearts:

I liked this one but also felt like it was a bit out of place in the collection. It's still historical taking place in 1945, but the other three were 1850 and 1911 so very different times. It was a little hard to get into but because of that but was still a good read. I don't think I've ever read anything that took place in Alaska during WWII but it was intriguing to read something new. It's made me interested to know more. Even within the setting this managed to be a sweet romance. 

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts Sewn with Love

I love western stories and this one had it all. Horses, intrigue, gold and love. I liked Ben so much. He was such a kind and caring man. He wanted to provide for his family and make sure they had everything they needed. Ben learned to trust God more than anything else during this story. Philip was such a sweet and brave boy. Philip wanted a family and wanted to be a man. I loved how kind and caring he was towards Maggie. Maggie was such a lovely lass. She had no trouble stating her mind and standing up for the truth. This story was such a wonderful story of love and God providing for us.

Woven Hearts

Oh I loved Millie right from the beginning. She was such a lovely girl who was determined to do the right thing and care for her family. Millie loved God and trusted Him fully. I loved how well she designed hats and now I want to learn how to design and sew hats. Abe is just as handsome as you can get. Not only on the outside but his heart is so kind. He wants to make himself worthy of his name where his father failed. You could literally see what was going on in this book, that is how well written this book is.

A Language of Love

How could there be a more American love story?? I loved this novella. It was nothing short of a home run. This was my first Kimberley Woodhouse book and believe me it won't be my last! Jeni was so amazing and again I want to learn how to make hats. She was the right amount of stubborn with a kind heart. Philip was so handsome and kind. He wanted the best for Jeni and cared so much for her. I loved how different they were but how they cared so much for the same things too.

Tailored Sweethearts

This story was so bittersweet, set in World War 2. Stella worked at a factory and helped visit wounded soldiers when she could. She was such a compassionate woman and definitely portrayed what women and families dealt with during the war. Irving was a fighter pilot. He was brave and strong. He never lost his faith in God even with the horrors of war. I loved their story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Marta Aldrighetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book includes 4 stories of strong, smart and determined ladies, we must learn from these stories.
1) Hearts sew with love - Darlene Panzera
Maggie received a wedding proposal and a wealty life from her cousin Lewis, so Maggie and her mother leave New York and take 6 months journey to San Francisco.
there, they'll knowthe reality and soon they must take care theirself and think something to earn money and support theirself.
Maggie dream is open a seamstress shop, ... perhaps in the future..
2) Woven hearts - Jacquolyn Mcmurray
After a big fire, Millie must support her family alone.
She hopes that Nathan, her fiancè, and his family can help her and her family, because soon the'll have wedding together.
But it seems that the bad news are on the way...
3) A language of love - Kimberley Woodhouse
Jeni is the main creative seamstress of New Yoork, her beautiful hats are popular and well paid, but she's only an employer of Mr. Crawford shop.
she lives with her not supportive and grumpy Auntie Bridget that always remember her that their legacy is important, they are Irish.
4) Tailored sweet hearts - Debby Lee
Alaska, 1945. Stella works in a war factory , her dad is a soldier, her mother always worried about her husband, away in the war in Europe.
In her freetime, Stella sews quilts for soldiers and goes to the local hospital camp to help soldiers write home letter.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a anthology whose stories cover a spectrum of different ways women earned money sewing to help their families. These women had to work because the men with the exception of two of the stories, were all deceased. Of the two with men, one was severely injured and unable to work and in the other the father was stationed in England during WW II.

Every story tells of the struggles, hardships, pain and loss that these brave women face as they work to earn money to care for their families. Each story is different but the situations are similar. Women struggling against the prejudices of the era they lived in and the unworthiness of their place in both society and the family dynamic.

These stories are heart wrenching, and I found myself getting angry at the injustices they faced and yet they persevered and fought to overcome all odds in spite of the adversities they faced. I came away with a deep respect for their grit, strength and fortitude and wondered if I could be so brave.

If you are one who finds opportunities where there are none; sees hope within hopelessness, and finds peace amid turmoil, then this book is for you.

I want to thank the authors, NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for letting me read this book in advance of its publishing date.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darlene Panzera's Hearts Sewn with Love is a highly enjoyable story with realistic characters and scenes, the enterprising spirit of the heroine is the perfect foil to some not-so-perfect characters she encounters. Overall, it is a fun, quick, entertaining read.

Woven Hearts by Jacquolyn McMurray pits an intrepid young lady against some dangerous circumstances, I enjoyed the intrigue and romance in this story, and it was a fast read.

A Language of Love by Kimberly Woodhouse adeptly handles the sensitive issue of mistreatment of those deemed socially inferior. Her heroine had the mettle and strength of Maureen O'Hara when she bested John Wayne in the classic, McClintock. Absolutely loved this story, it made me smile and cheer.

Tailored Sweethearts by Debby Lee is a story of love and faith regained. Its hero is a dashing, brave captain and the heroine is smart and strong. The story sped along at a great pace and leaves you smiling at the end.

If you love romance and historical fiction combined together, you will enjoy this book, I thought it was wonderful.

I received this book by the publisher and was under no obligation to post nor write a review.

[Robin Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This was supposed to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. A place where all men were equal. If only that were true for women. And women who were Irish."
Unconnected stories sewn together of people from 1850 to 1911 to 1945.
A girl sailing to Sacramento to meet her fiance during the gold rush, a girl in Alaska who meets a soldier in the hospital, a girl in New York City who survives a fire and a union worker, and an Irish girl who meets a baseball player. They all sew, and its a strength in their lives. Interesting stories to get completely lost in. Very well written, with great depth. All so completely different.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”
#NetGalley #Sew In Love

[Marilyn Creagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 4 stories are entertaining and informative. Each features a delightfully strong young woman determined to use her talents to succeed so she can support her family. They set their goals and work hard, undeterred by obstacles. Naturally their paths cross with those of worthy men. Their relationships develop as the couples empower each other to achieve their dreams. It was quite fun to share in the turmoil and discoveries as they all grew to understand themselves and others. The historical aspect was a bonus. The first 2 stories especially bring to life the realities of living in the particular time period. In Book 1, I learned a lot about life on the ground during the California Gold Rush, and Book 2 immerses you in 1911 New York City, including the social order, women's status & fashion, as well as labor and legal issues. A very enjoyable book series.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sew in Love
By Debby Lee, Kimberley Woodhouse, Darlene Panzera, and Jacquolyn McMurray
From 1850 to 1945 follow four women as they use their gift of sewing to find love.
I imagine that novellas are challenging to write. You must have a good plot but a concise storyline while providing depth and growth. That being said the first 3 novellas of this collection were great however I did not enjoy the last one as I felt it was poorly written. The previous three stories were well written, unique from one another and altogether enjoyable to read.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of novellas made for delightful reading! When I want to read something a little lighter, that's going to make me feel good and keep my interest and imagination; these Barbour collections don't fail to deliver.

I especially liked Kimberley Woodhouse's novella, A Language of Love, which tackled the subject of racism and women's rights in the early 1900s. Its storyline revolves around a renowned baseball player and a talented, fashion-forward milliner who both seek out a language teacher for their speech difficulties. Enter romance between the two!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for this my honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sew in Love is a collection of four sweet historical stories: These stories include:
Hearts Sewn with Love by Darlene Panzera
Woven Hearts by Jacquolyn McMurray
A Language of Love by Kimberley Woodhouse
Tailored Sweethearts by Debby Lee
I enjoyed this collection and found some new to authors to look forward to in the future. I am giving it four and a half stars.

[Nyla Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of novella was wonderful! It was a nice sampling of four different authors. Each author had a distinct style. I thought they were all easy to read an follow. The characters were well rounded. The stories were well thought and very well organized. This gets a 5 star rating from me. I highly recommend it to historical fiction lovers.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sew in Love is a group of stories, all including sewing in one form or another, written by various authors. Each story is enjoyable, just short. I found myself wishing each story was longer, full length novels. Great reading, but just too short.