The Flower Quilter

 💖💖💖💖💖/5

Barbara and Melvin’s story in The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele, book one in The Heart of the Amish series, is an emotional, tug at your heart strings, sweet Amish romance that I could not put down. In this sweet, heartwarming story we witness faith, family, love and the power of a community as well as accepting that one’s talents cannot always conform to another’s expectations.

 

Barbara Schwartz loved playing in the trees, chasing animals, being in the barns and in the dirt while growing up, but her mother has her own expectations of what Barbara should be; that if to make beautiful quilts like all the women in her family. There is one major problem, Barbara can't sew and no matter how hard she tries, it becomes a nightmare; sticking her fingers with a needle, getting blood on the fabric, stitches that are way too far apart. Daydreaming while sewing doesn’t help, as she plans the gardens she would prefer to create than be inside during beautiful summer days. Her quilting challenges were amusing. Barbara wants to please her family, but with regard to quilting, she is all thumbs. Barbara managed to get herself into some comical situations. Frustrated, her mother sends Barbara to Indiana, from their home in Kentucky, to help her grandmother; little did she know how much this would change her life as she begins a journey of love and a new way of life.

Melvin Bontrager lost his parents and helps support his widowed sister and niece. He has a landscaping business, but the land he rents has been sold and believes the only way he can survive financially take care of everyone is to go work in a factory; cut off from the wonderful outdoors that he loves. In need of help this planting season, Melvin takes on Barbara to help with the landscaping, not expecting much from her. Working together and becoming friends, Barbara develops an idea of planting the flowers into quilt patterns which Melvin is willing to try. As the flowers come together they make the most beautiful displays and Melvin starts getting more and more requests for them. Unfortunately life interferes, providing circumstances that they are unable to control and that they must handle; with Barbara having to require to return home to Kentucky. This could tear them apart unless they can find a way to achieve the dreams they each have. Fortunately, G-d has more in store for them both.

 

Ms. Steele wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story that is full of emotions. This delightful story exemplified and stressed that you don't have to conform to a mold in order to be a useful, productive person. Also, there is more than one way to quilt. The descriptions of the flower beds are outstanding and I enjoyed learning about quilt gardens and the Heritage Trail in Indiana. I highly recommend The Flower Quilter to other readers; an uplifting tale with quilt quibbles, beautiful blooms, troublesome twins, amusing misadventures, a bunch of red barns, and gorgeous gardens.

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.