This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Pattern for Romance
Abingdon Press (August 20, 2013)
by
Carla Gade
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carla Olson Gade has been imaging stories most of her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing Inspirational Historical Romance. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Writers, and the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.
Her publishing credits also include a variety of newspaper articles, newsletters, and web content. She also enjoys developing discipleship materials for women. She has been a book judge for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest (RWA), and ACFW's Genesis Contest.
In addition to writing, Carla is a freelance website designer and webhost and an advocate for adult literacy. An experienced event and program planner/promoter, Carla designs marketing materials for her writing group, women's ministry, and other functions. Carla has also spoken at several women's events and facilitated many workshops and classes through the years.
An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy, web design, and photography. A native New Englander, she lives in beautiful rural Maine with her "hero" husband and two young adult sons, and a new grandson.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston Mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan—a design for love.
I GIVE THIS BOOK:
MY THOUGHTS:
The writing of
Pattern for Romance is rich in historical authenticity, which made the story feel very real. I so wanted to love this story, as it held so much promise, but a lot of things were too unbelievable. How many times can one woman be injured or get sick? It seemed like for almost the whole book Honour was weak from injury or infection. How can everyone instantly take such a dislike to Honour and accuse her of thievery?
I also didn't care for the way things happened. I would be reading about something and wondering how it would be resolved, then turn the page and it would be days later in the story with the issue being resolved but not happening with the reader in the moment with the characters. This happened over and over again.
The characters were weak, in my opinion, I never felt any connection with them. The only character that was okay was Temperance, Honour's younger sister, and even she wasn't that great.
This book also had quite a few errors in it. Words would be missing from sentences, making them hard to read. Also the incorrect word was used a few times, such as "is" instead of "on".
I have enjoyed other books in this series, but this one was a disappointment. I don't recommend it.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***
If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!
If you would like to read the first chapter of
Pattern for Romance, go
HERE.