Book 3 in The Quilt Chronicles ~ Return to historic Nebraska for the stunning conclusion to The Quilt Chronicles. When Emilie Rhodes convinces her newspaper editor father to assign her to interview the speakers at the 1890 Chautauqua series, she meets and falls in love with “The Man of Many Voices.” But Noah Shaw’s professional life is only one reason he’s in Nebraska. Noah is on a quest to find answers. . .but will a treasured quilt bear a message of brokenness—or hope and healing?
When the stranger rumbled that things were "all right," Emilie backpedaled away from him, nearly tripping off the edge of the porch. He reached out to catch her lest she fall. She waved him off and pointed at the open door. "S-s-snake."Emilie and Mr. Noah Shaw meet.
The stranger stepped to the doorway and peered in. "It's just a bull snake."
--The Message on the Quilt, 52
Noah Shaw has come as an orator at the summer Chautauqua gathering. He also is wanting to find out about the stories embroidered in the quilt his mother had given him.
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:
A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
---Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and, oh,
The difference to me!
--William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
Emilie Jane has been a writer enjoying the craft and expression of events surrounding her. As she interviews and writes Ten for Ten of the speakers at this year's Chautauqua festivities, she uses the pseudonym E. J. Starr as her byline.
Father took them and glanced at the heading. "Ten for Ten?"
"Ten questions for ten speakers over the ten days of Chautauqua."
Father's eyebrows shot up. "That's a very good hook."
--Ibid., 107
I really cared about the story of this summer of discovery, especially Noah's. The supportive characters were really enjoyable and the activities that took place on these summer days. It was like traveling with the families and the community as they experienced the Chautauqua assembly, and by those coming by rail. Each book in this trilogy may be read as a stand-alone. I liked the involvement in each other's lives in these stories.
My reviews:
Book 1 http://lanehillhouse.blogspot.com/2012/05/key-on-quilt-by-stephanie-grace-whitson.html
Book 2 http://lanehillhouse.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-quilt-chronicles-book-2-shadow-on.html
Don't miss Stephanie's quilting book!
***Thank you to author Stephanie Grace Whitson for her series The Quilt Chronicles, and to Barbour Publishing for sending me a copy of the third book to read and review. No further compensation was received. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend each one.***
Stephanie, this third novel touched me
personally. The Message on the Quilt took me down memory lane as I
remembered a dear friend I met at work as a young woman. An elegant,
delightful family, they received me and my small children into their
home anytime. Their father was a geologist. They always will be memorable to
me, especially because of the respect given. Once when the grandmother was visiting, she sewed a summer top and bloomer set for my daughter just by glancing at her
size. After moving away, we exchanged letters. In
later years, my husband and I drove to see her at a conference she
was attending, and visited her while she was caring for her mother.
As it turned out, she passed away before her mother. They were very giving
and caring and have always stood out to me. I honor the memory.
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