Happy Saturday everyone! More importantly -

Happy FIRST Birthday to my beautiful baby, Persimoni Mae (we call her Pip!)
I had to get that in there before I get down to business. Now – I’m happy to be sharing my thoughts on a new book that I read ‘Ties That Bind’ from Marie Bostwick for the Blog Hop organized through the Quilting Gallery.
I am an avid reader. I love to read books with a great story so I can just escape’ into another world. I’ll admit – my husband doesn’t really like when I get into a book because I’m really good at not hearing everything else going on around me. I’ve found that this has been a helpful technique when I’m driving somewhere with a carload of screaming children. I was immediately sucked into this book since it was very well written with a great story line.
I identify with Mariposa even though we don’t hear from her personally in the story. I’ve always been a bit of a ‘black sheep’ being independent and opinionated.
This is the first of Marie’s books that I have read but I am about to go on the hunt for the rest of them. I really enjoyed this and I would love to see what happened before this book. Although I did easily follow the story without have read the previous books in the series.
Why would I recommend that you read this novel?
Family, Love, Children, Faith, Quilting
Phillipa, one of the characters, signs up to make a baby quilt as her first quilt. To see and read about one of my favorite baby quilts that I’ve made be sure to head over to the Quilting Gallery Site. I sort of took a beginner quilting class when I first started. It was at my future mother-in-law’s house on Tuesday nights. I would work on my quilt and she cooked us dinner! It was the best of both worlds – especially when you’re a college student – hard to beat a good meal. The boys would do the dishes while Diane looked over my work and taught me new steps. It definitely inspired me to continue to quilt and once I got my very first sewing machine – there was no stopping me!
Book Synopsis:
Christmas is fast approaching, and New Bern, Connecticut, is about to receive the gift of a new pastor, hired sight unseen to fill in while Reverend Tucker is on sabbatical. Meanwhile, Margot Matthews' friend, Abigail, is trying to match-make even though Margot has all but given up on romance. She loves her job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and the life and friendships she's made in New Bern; she just never thought she'd still be single on her fortieth birthday.
It's a shock to the entire town when Phillip A. Clarkson turns out to be Philippa. Truth be told, not everyone is happy about having a female pastor. Yet despite a rocky start, Philippa begins to settle in—finding ways to ease the townspeople's burdens, joining the quilting circle, and forging a fast friendship with Margot. When tragedy threatens to tear Margot's family apart, that bond—and the help of her quilting sisterhood—will prove a saving grace. And as she untangles her feelings for another new arrival in town, Margot begins to realize that it is the surprising detours woven into life's fabric that provide its richest hues and deepest meaning…
GIVEAWAY
Have you heard enough that you are going to run out and buy your very own copy!? You don’t have to YET! Enter to win your very own copy simply by leaving me a comment telling me what your favorite book is. Be sure to leave your email address – if I can’t get a hold of you – no prize. I will be drawing the winner on
May 2nd, so be sure to get your comment in now!
Did my review make you really excited about this book? Do you want more chances to WIN it? Head over to the other ‘Blog Hopper’s’ and be sure to enter their giveaway too!
Blog Hop Schedule:
Tuesday, April 24
Michele - Quilting Gallery
Jackie - Canton Village Quilt Works
Wendy - Ivory Spring
Wednesday, April 25
Jennifer - SewHooked
Erin - One Piece at a Time
Thursday, April 26
Victoria - Bumble Beans Inc.
Sandi - A Legacy of Stitches
Friday, April 27
Michele - With Heart and Hands
Melissa - Lilac Lane
Saturday, April 28
Melissa - Sew Bitter Sweet Designs
Kim – Kim’s Crafty Apple
Hide and Seek Baby Quilt Pattern
Also, a special surprise will be available soon on Marie's site. When you register as a reading friend on Marie's site you will be able to download, for FREE!
Deb Tucker from Studio 180 Designs created this adorable Hide and Seek Baby Quilt to go with the book.
It’s a beautiful quilt pattern! But just know that
it is not quite ready yet so stay TUNED!