The Blended Quilt

 

The Blended Quilt (Hawaiian series, book #3)by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter. Ohio:Shiloh Run Press, 2020. 293 pages. Recipe. Discussion Questions. ****

Sadie Kuhns and her boyfriend Wyman have been courting for months and are at a crossroads. Wyman has a history of job-hopping in an effort to find the perfect job and Sadie wants to settle down and get married. In order to keep herself occupied, Sadie creates a wall-hanging that blends traditional Amish and Hawaiian quilt patterns. Friends encourage her to write a book with her quilt patterns and self-publish it. Receiving an inheritance from her mother's sister, Sadie has the opportunity to make her dream come true much to Wyman's disapproval and resentment. The more successful Sadie becomes in promoting her book, the less time there is to see Wyman and participate in her family activities. When the same young man attends her book signings and asks inappropriate questions, Sadie doesn't know what to do. Her Amish way of life has not prepared her for success and a brash young man. Is he harmless or does he have a sinister motive for showing up on her family's farm? 

 

This mother and daughter-in-law writing duo has done it again. The Amish way of life looks calm and peaceful from the outside; however, they have a way of introducing reality into their stories. The jealousy of Sadie's sisters about her inheritance and Wyman's unrealistic job pursuits are relatable in any culture and may be surprising to some readers. The Brunstetters provide a window into a way of life that few outsiders (English) understand. As a quilter, I enjoyed reading about Sadie's quilt design process and appreciate the recipe for Sadie's Coconut Carrot Cake (page 280). In our chaotic world today it is helpful to read a book filled with acceptance and hope. Whenever I pick up one of their books, I know it will be an enjoyable afternoon.

I received a paperback copy for a review.

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 11 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine, USA Today, Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, and Country Woman. Wanda’s books have been translated into four foreign languages. For more information on the author: https://wandabrunstetter.com/about/

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