Monday, July 9, 2012

"Sonoma Rose" ~ On the Bookshelf

I love the Elm Creek Quilts novels by Jennifer Chiaverini. As soon as I see a new one, I grab it! She started out by writing about a group of women who run a summer quilt camp, peppering the series with historical novels, and always weaving the stories around quilts. You might like to see an earlier post featuring one of her books, The Union Quilters, which takes place during the Civil War.

Now, you don't have to be a quilter to enjoy these novels -- you don't even have to have a quilt on your bed! I wouldn't know how to quilt if one came up a slapped me on the face, but I do love to look at them and appreciate the work that goes into creating one. When State Fair time rolls around, you can find me in the Women's Arts building enjoying the quilts hanging from the ceiling -- awesome!


Sonoma Rose (Elm Creek Quilts Series #19) 


Sonoma Rose is set in California during Prohibition. When Rosa Barclay finally works up the nerve to leave her abusive husband, she flees with only a few things -- among them, her precious heirloom quilts and one special possession each for her four remaining children. Caught in a flash flood, she is rescued and helped by her first (and true) love, Lars. Together, they make their way to the Sonoma Valley and find work and refuge on a vineyard (now illegal, though that is unbeknownst to Rosa and Lars).  

This book has it all -- a mother's search for a cure for her children's mysterious, and fatal, illness, gangsters, bootleggers, and above all, the love of a good man.



One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Chiaverini's books are the drawings of quilt designs on the end papers. I like to see the design of a quilt mentioned in the story, since I am not that familiar with quilts as a whole!

If you'd like to read more about Ms. Chiaverini's works, and for more info on this book, go to her website. And, there's a new book coming out in October, this one about a winter Elm Creek quilt camp where the quilters gather to make quilts for Project Linus. That's another charity that's near and dear to my heart so I'll be on the lookout for this book for sure!


♥♥

9 comments:

Jenny said...

That sounds like a fun book, I think I'll check it out!

Splendid Little Stars said...

I have heard of her before and actually got a book from the library, but didn't read it. I'll have to try again, perhaps from the beginning.
Project Linus is wonderful. I once helped a Girl Scout troop dye squares to later be made into a quilt for that project.

Memories for Life said...

This sounds like a sweet book :)

BeadedTail said...

I haven't heard of her before but that book sounds like one I'd enjoy so I'll check it out!

storybeader said...

those quilt blocks remind me of maps that some authors put in their books. Sounds like a sweet story - I think I remember you reading the Civil War story! {:-D

Linda E. Pruitt said...

I love quilts and quilt stories; thanks for the review!

Kathleen said...

I have always had a love for quilts and have some very old one from my family. Sounds like a neat story.

Erika said...

There was a series of books I read that was based on a knitting group. I don't really knit but I thought it was a great series with a bit of mystery thrown in.

Judy Nolan said...

Great review! I agree that it's nice to see the quilt block designs on the end papers. I am a "would-be" quilter...I have made a ton of blocks, but have never gotten around to assembling them, LOL!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails