Historical Fiction Review: The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz

What it’s about:
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

My Thoughts:
This story revealed an event in history I knew nothing about. Frantz, with her attention to historical detail wove a fascinating story from the devastation of the Acadian people even as she offered a thread of hope. I love the main character, Sylvie. She’s a talented seamstress thrown into a terrible situation, yet she holds on to her faith and the strength she learned from her parents. William Blackburn is a mystery who unfolds on the pages. And Sylvie’s brother, Bleu, is a fascinating character. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story. Frantz is a gifted writer and I plan to read more of her books. I received this book for free with no expectations. My opinions are my own.

Historical Fiction: The Seasoning of Elizabella: A Jamestown Bride Story by Tamera Lynn Kraft

What it’s about:

Elizabella can't imagine anything worse than being a Jamestown bride -- but her sister is determined to do just that. On the way to the ship to stop her sister, she witnesses a brutal murder and must flee for her life. She takes refuge on the ship, pretending to be her sister, intending to leave as soon as she is safe. Before she knows it, she is headed for the New World, trapped by desperation and deception.

Miles fled to Jamestown with his family to escape the shame from their father's actions. Tragedy has tested his faith, including the loss of his wife and newborn son. His grief makes him more determined than ever to keep his one remaining brother from following in their father's footsteps.

Will God heal their pain? How can their love grow when Elizabella desires nothing more than to return to London, and Miles desires nothing more than to remain in Jamestown?

My Thoughts:

Set in the 1620s, The Seasoning of Elizabella captures the early days of Jamestown, Virginia and the difficult time the settlers faced. Elizabella is content to run her sewing shop in London, but her sister is intent on travelling to Jamestown to find a husband. Elizabella wants to protect her sister, but after a tragic event she accidentally ends up on a ship sailing to America. Miles has lost so much and he wants nothing more than to protect his brother in Jamestown. As the settlers wrestle with the difficult life there, the brides arrive and Elizabella, much to her dismay, is with them. Kraft doesn’t sugar coat the way many of the settlers lived in those difficult times. I appreciate that Miles loves and respects God, as does Elizabella which adds a beautiful thread of hope. With a thorough understanding of the history which surrounded Jamestown, Kraft has written a story historical fiction readers will enjoy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Most of All be Kind

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Glitter, sparkle, shine, but most of all be kind.

When my kids were growing up, our home was kind of messy. We crafted, drew, glued, and sewed. If the girls had a school project with friends, our house was often the one where they made dioramas, science projects, and book reports. On Valentine's Day and Christmas the cards required as much glitter as they would hold. Little hands scattered the shiny sparkles over white glue and made a fine mess. Sort of like the sprinkles we shook over Christmas cookies. When I attempted to vacuum the tiny, sparkly pieces, I inevitably left some behind. It seemed like I'd find glitter for months, after a project.

What would the world look like if we sprinkled kindness and compassion like glitter? So much so, that the kindness stuck around and was difficult to remove. In the third chapter of Colossians, Paul addresses the church. A place where kindness and compassion should indeed be present. Yet, he had to remind the very people who said they loved Jesus to be kind. I imagine if Paul lived today, he would preach his message in homes, workplaces, at sporting events, and in public spaces.

In a world where we can be anything, shouldn't we be kind? Considerate? Thoughtful? And shouldn't those traits be so ingrained we don't have to think about them. I know sometimes I don't feel kind, I get grumpy like everyone else, but Jesus calls me to have compassion, so I need to work on that daily.

Jesus loves people. When he walked the earth, he showed kindness. Even when he rebuked or corrected someone, he did it with love.

Sprinkle kindness like glitter, so it sticks around. 

Historical Fiction Review: The Dress Shop on King Street (Heirloom Secrets Book #1) by Ashley Clark

Book Description:
Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie's past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton--the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman--boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

My Review:
Wow! What a wonderful story. The Dress Shop on King Street captures the tension of the time period in the 1940s-60s, then slips on to modern day to tell an incredible story of courage, despair, and hope. I absolutely love Millie and Franklin's story as Millie traverses the world of a white person, whose heritage speaks differently. At times Millie's story breaks my heart and makes me angry because of the unfair world she lives in, but she perseveres. Harper's search for the future she dreams of leads Millie and her into Peter's life. The story that tumbles out of the past and crashes into the future is one filled with untold secrets, regrets, and hope, always hope. I also enjoyed the sewing references and the tale of the buttons. I'd love to see Harper's gorgeous creations. Ashley Clark did a beautiful job stitching the eras together and giving Harper a clear understanding of what it takes to follow your dreams. 5+ stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction Review: Thimbles and Threads: 4 Love Stories Are Quilted into Broken Lives by Mary Davis, Grace Hitchcock, Suzanne Norquist, Liz Tolsma

Book Description:

Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to love?

Bygones by Mary Davis Texas, 1884
Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? 

The Bridal Shop by Grace Hitchcock
Charleston, South Carolina, June 1886
Alice Turner, the owner of one of Charleston’s finest bridal shops, is determined never to be dependent on a man for anything after the disgrace of her father’s prison time.  Will the handsome groomsman be able to convince her to open her heart again and finish the quilt once intended for her father?

Mending Sarah’s Heart by Suzanne Norquist
Rockledge, Colorado, 1884
Sarah doesn’t need anyone, especially her dead husband’s partner. When she rejects her husband’s share of the mine, his partner Jack seeks to serve her through other means. But will his efforts only push her further away?

Binding Up Wounds by Liz Tolsma
Regent, Wisconsin, 1865
Melissa Bainbridge is a quirky designer of rag dolls who raises raccoons and never really fit into the small farming town. When Lance Witherspoon arrives in town to thank her for the Sanitary Commission quilt she made that saved his life, she is shocked to learn Lance is a Confederate. Can she and Lance confront the town’s prejudices – along with their own?

My Review:
I enjoyed these gentle stories set in the late 1800s. I'm fascinated with the art of sewing, and love that the women in the stories own businesses. Each author writes a beautiful story, giving the heroin strong faith and determination. The novellas are threaded together by stitches, yet each one is unique. I especially enjoyed Binding Up Wounds. Liz Tolsma did a beautiful job writing about the prejudice that remained after the Civil War and the hurt caused by people who judge. If you enjoy historical fiction, pick up a copy of Thimbles and Threads. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Up to My Elbows in Ruffles

A few weeks ago I wrote about my daughter asking me to make my granddaughter an Easter dress. Today (a snowday) I pulled out the pattern, fabric, pins and scissors and set to work. The pattern challenged me. I won't say how many times I had to unsew  and resew some of the pieces in the bodice. But I loved stitching the pieces together, like a puzzle, and seeing how the fabrics complemented each other.

Gathering the ruffles took some patience. I've never seen so many ruffles on such a small dress. But they turned out beautiful. Now I just have buttons to sew on the back and bloomers to make.

I love being a grandma!

This Old Dog...

My daughter, Sara, called the other day. She wanted to know how much I loved my granddaughter, Ella Cate. Silly question. I love all my grandkids bunches and bunches.

The outfit I made for Ella Cate to go from the hospital in.

Sara couldn't find an Easter dress she liked for her sweet little girl. Could I make one? Sure. I'd give it a whirl. I'd made prom dresses, a wedding dress, lots of baby and toddler clothes for the girls, and quilts. I assumed (one should never do that) we'd go to the fabric store and purchase a pattern. Nope. It's not what young moms do anymore. Instead, she went on Etsy and purchased a downloadable pattern.

What? I have to download the pattern and print it. Not to mention make sure the 1" square is exactly 1", because that's how you know the sizing is accurate, follow the forty-nine pages of directions to tape the pattern together, cut out the fabric and sew it, and figure out how to improvise the parts that require a serger. (I don't have one, and I think I'd like a hem better, anyway.)

The pattern's printed. I've read the directions. As soon as we have a chance, Sara and I will take Ella Cate to pick out fabric. Can't wait.

Am I challenged? Yes. Will I do it? Yes. This old dog can still learn a new trick or two.

I'll post a pic when the project is finished.

Have you learned something new recently? What was it?