A Patchwork Past

GIVEAWAY

GOULD, LESLIE

A PATCHWORK PAST

Could the past be a patchwork for mending the present?

When wild child Sophie Deiner -- the daughter of an Amish bishop -- is forced to return to Nappanee, Indiana, quilt-shop owner Jane Berger is one of only a few who welcome her back. It's the last place she wants to be, but Sophie's recent illness requires that she lay low for a while.

As Sophie recovers, she befriends a group of migrant workers and is appalled when one of them is detained and threatened with deportation. Sophie begins advocating on their behalf but soon finds herself opposed by an ex-boyfriend, who is the farm foreman.

As Sophie finds respite from the world in the quilt shop, Jane begins to tell her the story of her Amish ancestors who rescued survivors of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, many of whom were Irish immigrants. And Sophie is more convinced than ever that she needs to fight for the powerless. But when digging deeper makes conditions even worse, has she chosen a fight she can't win?

My Review:

I love the way this author tackles tough topics while keeping her Amish characters believable and relatable. In the case of A Patchwork Past, the complexities of immigration and prejudice propel both the contemporary and historical plots.

Sophie is our present day heroine, who has been living Englisch for three years when chronic illness forces her home. Her transition with her family  and the community isn't an easy one. Love the way the author feeds us bits of her past leading up to the catalyst that caused her to flee in the first place. 

And I so appreciated reading about a heroine with an autoimmune disease. There are so many layers to Sophie's story and so many challenges she faces as she comes to grips with where God is leading her. And in the midst of all her own struggles she becomes involved with a migrant family's legal issues which bring more conflict...and new possibilities. What a gripping, emotional roller-coaster of a ride!

The historical timeline is told through stories quiltmaker and local historian, Jane, tells Sophie by way of encouragement. Mary Landis is a young Amish woman who becomes caught up in the Great Chicago Fire and becomes the impetus for her entire community to help those devastated by the fire.

This is the second book in the Plain Patterns series but can be read as a standalone. Amish Historian, Jane, is the carryover between books and it's her storytelling that brings clarity and truth to modern day heroines who need a boost.

Goal Updates: #2 Catch up in a series I'm behind in, #5 Diversify my reading (heroine with a chronic illness)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Patchwork Past, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the dra

w via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 9 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck