Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she's ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she's rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.
Pennsylvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman's heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.
My thoughts: There are 370 pages to this story. It takes around 270 of them to settle the disputes and trust issues. The arguments and meddling. The interference and tattling and gossip. Frankly, I found it tiresome to read on and on how the grandmother, the mother, and the daughter argued with each other. Biblical concepts would be thrown about but obviously they weren't adhered to by the characters.
There was a sunset romance in the works between the mother, Esther, and Nathaniel, but that was in jeopardy because his long-lost wife was supposedly spotted in a nearby state. The daughter, Holly, becomes unofficially engaged to Zach, but two other suitors come on the scene.
Neighbor spats. Family spats. Sweetheart spats abound. This is also a story of former Amish returning to the fold and of non-Amish considering being baptized into the Amish faith. Of secrets in families and flaring tempers. Of decisions good and decisions bad.
I did not enjoy this book nor enjoy the characters and their continual sparring. The basic story premise is good, but lingering in the atmosphere such conflict is not enjoyable to this reader. It was, however, good to read a good clean book and the story ends very nicely.
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GIVEAWAY: A copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork is being provided as a giveaway for one of Chat With Vera's readers. Simply follow the directions. Begins June 17 & ENDS June 30 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork Litfuse Publicity Group to facilitate my honest review on behalf of the author, Kate Lloyd, and David Cook, Publisher
Author bio: Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur. Learn more about Kate at http://www.katelloyd.net
Kate Lloyd has naturally curly hair :)
ReplyDeleteKate Lloyd adds organic whole whipping cream to her bitter Italian morning coffee!
ReplyDeleteShe likes Miss Marple on PBS the best. PA is one of my favorite states. Hope that I will enjoy the book more than you if I win
ReplyDeleteRealistically speaking, there is usually discord in most families. I, however, would prefer a bit less in what I read for entertainment. Ms. Lloyd writes a very good book and the characters are not unbelievable. I absolutely do not discount her writing abilities because she is a very talented author and I will be delighted to read more of her works.
DeleteI learned that Kate Lloyd likes the fragrance of pipe smoke and that it reminds her of her father. Pipe smoke brings back sweet memories for me, also.
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
Kate is a Dog person !
ReplyDeleteLinda Finn
faithfulacres7@gmail.com
Kate is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com Merry
haha, Kate is a cat magnet & says they'll even follow her down the street. This brought to mind images of a pied piper type following. Too cute.
ReplyDelete