Guest Review of Carla Olson Gade's Pattern for Romance by Teresa S. Mathews

Pattern for Romance by Carla Olson Gade

Pattern for Romance; Quilts of Love Series  

by Carla Olson Gade

Publisher; Abingdon Press

Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews 

A Very Sweet Romance.

Carla Olson Gade has crafted a beautiful story set in Boston, Massachusetts in 1769. Amid the beginnings of murmurs and complaints of the tightfisted British rule of the colonies we are introduced to a courageous young woman, Honour Metcalf.

After their parents and siblings were killed during a pirate attack on their ship, Honour and her younger sister Temperance lose everything and are left orphans. The one possession Honour misses the most is the beautiful white quilt she and her mother were working on before that fateful day. Arriving in Boston, Honour finds employment at Wadsworth Mantua Shop as a quilter. Having been taught by her mother, Honour became quite adept at quilting. 

One afternoon when Honour is headed to pick up Tempe from school, she is caught in a horrific hailstorm. Just as she is about to succumb to the hail fiercely pounding on her head she is rescued by Joshua Sutton son of the local tailor and rushed into a nearby church. During the short time they spend together before Honour passes out from her injuries, Joshua's heart is touched and intrigued by this beautiful, young woman.

One mishap after another seems to follow this dear sweet girl, and each time she handles it with grace and each time it seems Joshua is right there to rescue her.  Just when Honour starts to fall for Joshua she sees a man who she believes to be him in an alley with his former fiancé proclaiming his love her even though she is now a married woman. Will she figure out the mystery behind that encounter? Imagine Honour's horror when that same woman shows up later with a request for Honour to finish the work on a beautiful wedding quilt that turns out to be the very beloved quilt that she thought was lost at sea! Will Honour be able to keep the secret that the quilt was hers? 

I enjoyed this story immensely, the characters found their way into my heart. Especially Honour's younger sister Tempe, she is a delightful child. The story line was great with some surprising twists and turns, of course the exciting ending was superb! Great job Ms. Gade!! 

This book can be found at DeeperShopping, Amazon, CBD and other stores.

Bio: Teresa S. Mathews is a poet and also a reviewer on Overcoming With God, an international group blog. She home schooled her two sons, who are now both attending college. 

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away one copy of this wonderful book. Winners choice of Paperback or E-book, International Winners E-book Only. All you have to do to be entered is make sure to leave your email address in case you are the winner. If you would like to  subscribe to Carla's newsletter here; Carla Olson Gade's Newsletter you will get five (5) extra entries. Please put "NEWSLETTER" in your comments to let me know you subscribed. 

Review of Heart's Inheritance by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Heart’s Inheritance

By Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews

Jennifer’s story “Heart’s Inheritance” tells the story of Brynna Sinclair, younger daughter of Finley and Seren Cardew Sinclair. Brynna is a young lady who loves history and antiques, and abhors change.  Brynna, accompanied by her brother Rob and friend Jean are on a trip to Charleston to learn as much as possible about museums. Brynna’s dream is to see a museum built in Fayetteville.

On the return trip home Rob is approached by a stranger from Scotland that would like to accompany them back to Charleston. From the moment they meet Brynna is determined not to like him. She is very cynical of the man whom she imagines looks the part of a handsome rogue. But this handsome rogue is Brynna’s new boss, the nephew of her very much loved now deceased boss, Edward Cameron. The more he talks about changing things in his newly inherited business, the angrier Brynna becomes. She is determined to fight him all the way, even if it means she must spread misconstrued stories about him to everyone in town. What will it take for Brynna to realize that he is not the monster she thinks he is?

Niall Cameron, the heir of Edward Cameron, beloved member of Fayetteville’s community, is anxious to begin his new life in America. When he meets Rob Sinclair, his sister Brynna and her friend Jean, he hopes they won’t mind if he rides along with them. Brynna is a beautiful, spirited young woman who for some reason cannot stand Niall. Rob tells Niall he needs to stop the talk of change and try to gain a love of history if he ever wants Brynna to change her mind about him.

On his first day in Fayetteville, Niall is shown around town by an unhappy Brynna, and it seems he can’t do anything without making her angry. He doesn’t understand her opposition to change, he knows change comes even when we don’t want it; his uncle’s death is proof of that. Niall is hoping he can change Brynna’s bitterness toward him but when he unknowingly undermines her plans for the museum by buying the building she wants; it seems there is no hope for that. Will Niall be able to mend the rift between Brynna and himself? When Niall comes to Brynna’s rescue when someone steals the treasures (including the broach) people have donated for her museum, will he survive, or will Brynna lose the greatest treasure of all, Niall? 

I was first introduced to Jennifer Hudson Taylor’s books when I read “Highland Blessings”; it was so well written that I couldn’t wait to read “Highland Sanctuary”. After reading this novella, I have come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter the length of the story, Jennifer knows how to pull you in and keep you there unto the very last printed word!

Teresa is a reviewer on Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help.  When she is not busy with her boys she is looking out for her  Mama in South Carolina.  Teresa loves to read Christian historical fiction and share her reviews with others.


Highland Crossings (Barbour, 2012) follows the story of four young ladies linked through time by a beautiful broach handed down through several generations. This is the second review of four reviews on Colonial Quills. Click here for MaryLu Tyndall's review of Laurie Alice Eakes's novella.


Highland Crossings is available through CBD as well as Amazon and other book stores.  It is available in both paperback and ebook/Kindle editions.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  

MaryLu Tyndall's Legacy of the Kings Pirates Re-Released!

Take a trip back to the mid-17th century Caribbean when pirates ruled the seas in MaryLu Tyndall's newly re-released pirate series, Legacy of the King's Pirates!  And these aren't just your ordinary pirates... these are pirates who bow the knee to the King of Kings!

The Redemption  (Christy Award Nominee!)

*****

“The Redemption is a wonderful story with fast-paced action, soul searching introspection, and brushes of the miraculous that make the heart swell… Overall, I would deem The Redemption a must read for anyone with a love for a good story, historical pieces in general, pirate works in particular, or just a wish to get away to a tropical paradise for a few hours.”

Roseanna White – Christian Review of Books  

"Redemption has it all... swashbuckling adventure and romance on the high seas, and a boatload of faith. Tyndal's well-researched and masterful storytelling engages both heart and soul from start to finish. Simply wonderful."

Linda Windsor, award-winning author of Blue Moon, #3 of the Moonstruck Romantic Comedy Trilogy

Purchase The Redemption at

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook.com

The Reliance Legacy of the Kings Pirates Book 2 By MaryLu Tyndall Guest Review by Teresa Mathews Five Stars~ ***** The story of Captain Edmond Merrick and his beautiful wife, Lady Charlisse Hyde continues in this second book in the Legacy of the King’s Pirates. They have had their share of problems and separations but as the story opens they are enjoying some beautiful and peaceful time together and are looking forward to the birth of their first child. They are visiting friends in the Caribbean, when the town is attacked by a band of pirates being led by an evil monster from their past. He is set on destroying their lives. While trying to get Charlisse back to his ship and away from the horrors of the attack, Capt. Merrick leaves her in the safety of a church, only seconds later to witness an explosion that wipes out the church and all of his hopes for a future with his wife. After witnessing what he thinks is the death of his lovely wife, Merrick turns his back on the God that could have stopped this from happening, and returns to the life of the evil pirate he once was. When Charlisse is taken captive by the man she fears most, her faith in God wavers also, especially when she thinks she has been abandoned by her husband, and the life of her unborn child is threatened. During this ordeal she comes to realize she must rely on God to be her strength and protection. Aboard ship Charlisse meets a young woman, Lady Isabel Ashton, that has also been taken captive, and because of her, Charlisse has some protection from the lustful captain who has kidnapped her. When they finally come into port, Charlisse sees Merrick’s ship and hope rises that he will rescue her. With help from an unlikely source, Charlisse and Isabel escape from their captor, only to find out that Merrick is not with his ship but has taken up with another pirate in search of whom he thinks is the main cause of Charlisse’s death. Will Merrick see the error of his ways…will he listen to that still small voice that he hears speaking to him, or will he keep drowning his sorrows in rum and forget God? How long will it take for Charlisse to find Merrick and when she does, will her love for him be able to survive what her eyes see and her heart cannot believe? Will they realize their only hope for survival is their full reliance on God to see them through? WOW! What a wonderfully written book. If you like excitement, romance, and a dashing pirate thrown in, then this series is for you. MaryLu Tyndall is a talented writer, from the first page to the very last word printed, she had my full attention. She beautifully weaves a story that will pull you in so that you can almost feel the wind blowing on your face and smell the sea air. But what I really loved was the way she balanced the vileness of the pirates with the marvelous wonder of an awesome, powerful God. This is definite must read, I promise you won’t be disappointed matey! Purchase The Reliance at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book.com

The Restitution - Book 3 of the Legacy of the King's Pirates

By MaryLu Tyndall

4 Stars Romantic Times!

Overflowing with action and adventure, the third installment in the Legacy of the King's Pirates series will hold readers in its grip. The characters resonate with humanity in the midst of peril, and the author's detailed research is evident throughout the story. Every situation shows God's protection and provision as the characters' faith is tested. Readers will root for the budding romances.

Romantic Times/Melissa Parcel

Purchase The Restitution at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook.com

GIVEAWAY:  CQ will be giving away a copy of one of these books, your choice, this week to a commenter who leaves their email address.