Recent Reads - The Goodbye Cat

The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa - I really enjoyed The Travelling Cat Chronicles by this author, so I was confident I'd enjoy this volume as well, but it took me forever to get started. It's actually a collection of seven short stories. The title character is the first one, and it's from the perspective of a cat who grows up with the younger son in the family and wants to find a way to become a spirit cat so he can stay with him always. 

In the second story, a young wife returns home from her parents' with her newborn and is surprised to find out that her husband has rescued a kitten and has been taking care of it. He is well-known for his indecisiveness, disorganization, and being just generally absent-minded and irresponsible, but took the responsibility of caring for Spin seriously, which spurred him to prepare and care for their baby remarkably well. This was also a very sweet and heartwarming story. 

Good Father/Bad Father and Cat Island were good stories, but did grab hold of me in the same way. The father seems to be a non-emotional and distant character, and yet the family is surprised that the family cat has an unwavering devotion to him that they cannot figure out. Cat Island is more about the family than the cats that live on the island, but it's in observing his father interact with the cats and hearing stories about how his father and stepmother met that a young boy learns some perspective in his relationships. There is a little bit of a surprise ending to this one. 

My favorites were the last two stories. In Finding Hachi, a kitten is taken in by a young boy and grows very attached to him, but when tragedy strikes the boy must take Hachi to live with relatives. As the cat Hachi grows older, his original owner Satoru and his new owner blur in his mind, but it's a bittersweet story of the faithful devotion of this sweet cat. Life Is Not Always Kind is something of a follow-up to Finding Hachi, and it is also an introduction to Nana, who is the title character in The Travelling Cat Chronicles. The boy Satoru is all grown up and this short story dovetails into his journey with his cat Nana, with some reminiscing about his first cat Hachi. Satoru is trying to find someone that Nana can live with but Nana is determined not to leave Satoru. Bittersweet and very touching, especially if one has already read The Travelling Cat Chronicles. 

From the publisher:

In the much-anticipated follow-up to the bestselling and beloved The Travelling Cat Chronicles, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives, climbing, comforting, nestling, and sometimes just tripping everyone up in this uplifting collection of tales by international bestselling author Hiro Arikawa.

Against the backdrop of changing seasons in Japan, we meet Spin, a kitten rescued from the recycling bin, whose playful nature and simple needs teach an anxious father how to parent his own human baby; a colony of wild cats on a popular holiday island show a young boy not to stand in nature's way; a family is perplexed by their cat's undying devotion to their charismatic but uncaring father; a woman curses how her cat will not stop visiting her at night; and an elderly cat hatches a plan to pass into the next world as a spirit so that he and his owner may be in each other's lives forever.

Bursting with love and warmth, The Goodbye Cat exquisitely explores the cycle of life, from birth to death―as each of the seven stories explores how, in different ways, the steadiness and devotion of a well-loved cat never lets us down. A huge bestseller in Japan, this magical book is a joyous celebration of the wondrousness of cats and why we choose to share our lives with them.

By the same author: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

This is a book with a final sentence less than six words long (#36) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge. It also features a wise character and is by an Asian author, for the Lunar New Year Mini-Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot.

©2008-2025 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Recent Reads - The Kamogawa Food Detectives

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The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai - I was drawn to this book by the cute cover and a couple of teasers posted on book blogs, and took a chance on it. It could be considered a series of short stories featuring Nagare Kamogawa, a former police detective turned chef, and his daughter Koishi. Together they run a unusual little restaurant - a true "hole in the wall" since it has no sign and doesn't advertise its location. While they serve delicious meals to their regular customers, they also have a unique sideline at the Kamogawa Diner. They are also food detectives, who will hunt down the special ingredients and cooking techniques to recreate the dishes that their clients remember from the past.

Koishi and Nagare rely on any details their clients can remember about the special dish they want to enjoy once more, and Nagare puts his detective skills to work. There is a sense of nostalgia to the memories and searches, and some are bittersweet. A former colleague of Nagare's wants to relive a dish the way his late wife used to make it - and it turns out it's a bit of closure for him as he moves on to a new relationship. An older woman remembers the beef stew she had on the day she was surprised by a proposal, and wonders what her life would have been like if she'd reacted differently. 

A charming collecction of vignettes, with evocative descriptions of the foods and the city of Kyoto. Elements of foodie fiction and cozy mystery are combined into a narrative that is both sweet and savory by turns, and reminds us of how taste and smell can transport us back in time and are connected to our memories.

From the publisher:

The Kamogawa Food Detectives is the first book in the bestselling, mouth-watering Japanese series, for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

What's the one dish you'd do anything to taste just one more time?

Down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto exists a very special restaurant. Run by Koishi Kamogawa and her father Nagare, the Kamogawa Diner serves up deliciously extravagant meals. But that's not the main reason customers stop by . . . 

The father-daughter duo are 'food detectives'. Through ingenious investigations, they are able to recreate dishes from a person's treasured memories - dishes that may well hold the keys to their forgotten past and future happiness. The restaurant of lost recipes provides a link to vanished moments, creating a present full of possibility.

A bestseller in Japan, The Kamogawa Food Detectives is a celebration of good company and the power of a delicious meal.

This is a book with a title starting with the letter K (#11) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

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Recent Reads - The Friendly Persuasion

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The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West - This is actually a collection of short stories following a Quaker couple through the years. Jess Birdwell is a gentle, plain-spoken man with a love for music and nature, and with a poetic way of seeing and thinking about the world. His wife Eliza is a Quaker preacher, and a practical and peaceful woman. They have very different ways of seeing the world, and some of the tensions in the stories arise from the contrast in how they and other characters view things.

Each chapter is a little slice of their life, and the character viewpoint shifts. Most are from either Jess's or Eliza's viewpoint, but occasionally one of their children is the lead character. The conflicts tend to be more quiet and homespun rather than fiery or harsh. The opening story, for example centers around a dispute over whether to have a musical instrument in the house, and how to settle it in a way that satisfies the consciences of both Jess and Eliza. There are mild disagreements and spirited competitions with neighbors, and worries and concerns as they age and consider their mortality. In each story there is gentle humor, kindness, and wisdom, and the Quaker manner of speech and quaint turns of phrase add charm and warmth.

Although this is the second time I've read it, I still was momentarily confused when children mentioned in the early chapters "disappeared" and other children's names appeared seemingly out of nowhere. There is a sense that there are stories of the passing years that are not included in this particular collection; stories that would fill in the gaps as Jess and Eliza grew older, their children grew up, and other children were born and grew up also. Towards the end we even meet a granddaughter as one of the stories is completely from her point of view.

I still love this sweet and slower paced set of stories and am so attached to Jess and Eliza that I was sorry to reach the end of the book. It remains a favorite and I'm sure I will read it again.

You can also read my 2020 review of The Friendly Persuasion HERE.

This book includes a funeral (#28) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Recent Reads - It Happened In Ohio

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It Happened In Ohio by Carol Cartaino - On my very first trip to my local library here in my new home state of Ohio, I wandered up and down several shelves, including the section where one would find books on the history of the state. I picked up this easy-to-read overview of many of the events and people that have been important in Ohio's history.

Author Cartaino is herself a transplant to the state, having lived here since 1978. She admits in the Introduction that she knew very little about Ohio when she first arrived, and even "wondered . . . whether you could take a state with only four letters in its name seriously". Her research and the years spent here getting to know Ohio personally combine in the book with brief history lessons presented almost like a series of short stories. The history starts with a discussion of the Serpent Mound and other similar sites attributed to ancient Indians, and then jumps forward to the time of the French and Indian War. From there the stories march through Ohio's history touching on armed conflicts, founding of towns, westward migration, crime stories, and student and worker protests of various types. Sprinkled throughout are one-page biographies of famous Ohioans including Ulysses S. Grant, Jesse Owens, Paul Newman, and Erma Bombeck. 

When I was partway through the informative book, I began to bemoan the lack of a map so I could see where all the historic sites are in relation to where I live. And then discovered, there is indeed a map in the front matter, but on the back side of one of the Table of Contents page, which is why I initially missed it. I would have appreciated a summary of museums and other sites that can be visited today, as that would save much of the guesswork. Overall, an interesting history in short chapters, all presented in a conversational and unbiased tone.

This title starts with the letter I (#5) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

 ©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for December 30, 2022

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Eliza lifted her breakfast bell to ring, then let arm and soundless bell drop to her side. She felt a profound reluctance to disturb in any way the morning quiet. She had a conviction unreasoning, but deep, that the sound of her bell might be all that was needed to shatter tranquility, call up from out of the wood lot, or across the river side, John Morgan himself.

~from page 56 of The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West

A quintessential American heroine, Eliza Birdwell is a wonderful blend of would-be austerity, practicality, and gentle humor when it comes to keeping her faith and caring for her family and community. Her husband, Jess, shares Eliza's love of people and peaceful ways but, unlike Eliza, he displays a fondness for a fast horse and a lively tune. With their children, they must negotiate their way through the Civil War, a time that constantly confronts them and tests the strength of their beliefs. Whether it's a gift parcel arriving on their doorstep of Confederate soldiers approaching their land, the Birdwells embrace life with emotion, conviction, and a love for one another that seems to conquer all.

Jessamyn's first novel and a classic tale of the American Midwest, The Friendly Persuasion will charm generations of readers, as it has in the past, for years to come.

 

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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Near the banks of the Muscatatuck where once the woods had stretched, dark row on row, and where the fox grapes and wild mint still flourished, Jess Birdwell, an Irish Quaker, built his white clapboard house. Here he lacked for very little. 

~From the beginning of The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

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It's been several years since I participated in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer, but I've decided to try to include it in my Friday Fun posts again.  

This Week's Question: In 2022, how many books did you read?

My Answer: I remember when I used to read at least 50 books in a year. For whatever reason, I no longer have that kind of time, or I spend my time doing things other than reading. This year I read twenty-two books. I'm hoping to do more in 2023, but I'm still deciding which reading challenges to participate in.

Book Blogger Hop

 ©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

Recent Reads - Recitatif

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Recitatif: A Story by Toni Morrison - This short story is the only one published by Morrison, and is a quick but interesting read. Her purpose, in her own words, was "an experiment in the removal of all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different races for whom racial identity is crucial." And in that, she was successful. It's clear that race and racial identity plays an important role in the two characters' lives and how they define themselves and their place in the world. But at no point does the reader discover which woman is white and which is black. 

Twyla and Roberta meet when they are both eight years old and are placed together as roommates in a shelter. They are both "other" than the majority of the girls in St Bonny's because unlike the rest, they are not orphans but only there temporarily. The become inseparable friends for those few months, but lose touch quickly once they leave. They meet again once they've grown up, once at a diner where Twyla works, once at a grocery store, and finally at a protest over school integration. Their interactions are brief and a bit uncomfortable, especially when Roberta brings up an incident with one of the women who worked at St Bonny's - a woman that was mute and may have been mentally challenged. Roberta and Twyla remember the occasion differently but are haunted by whatever happened to that woman, and by their own participation and reactions.

Twyla is the narrator of the story, and nothing she says gives away her own race or Roberta's - only that race is an integral part of how they view themselves and society. It's a quick read, but thought-provoking. The ending is somewhat unsatisfactory as it leaves many questions unanswered - but then again, that is probably the point.

The introduction, written by Zadie Smith, is at least as long as the story itself, but is definitely worth reading as it does frame the story well and point out many of the elements to watch for. 

This is a book with a person of color as the main character (#50) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  

Recent Reads - Daughters of Zion

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Daughters of Zion: Biblical Retellings by C.A. Gray - Like her book of Biblical retellings (Messiah), this is a collection of short stories based on Scripture along with reflections and historical background. This collection focuses on women mentioned in the Bible. Some are well-known heroines of faith like Sarah, Ruth, and Mary; and others are not named in Scripture and little is known about them - the 'woman with the issue of blood' and the Syro-Phoenician woman. A close reading of Scripture, research, and the author's imagination bring women like Rahab, Hannah, Esther, and Anna to more vivid life.

The short stories are arranged in chronological order, and each story is followed by the author's notes and reflections on what is known about the characters and the setting, and some Biblical truth that can be illustrated or learned from the story. Then the passage of Scripture is included as well.

The retellings are compelling and thought-provoking, as are the background notes and reflections. I especially appreciated the inclusion of the Scripture, which makes it easy to read the original account immediately, and see that the author has been faithful to the text. What she has added gives context and background, some historical and some imagined possibility, but is not contradictory to what is known from the Bible's account. The Afterword to each story gives valuable insight into the research and spiritual lessons that can be gleaned from these women of the Bible.

From the publisher: 

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Eve to be the first woman, created as an adult but with the mind of a child? What must it have been like for Deborah to be the only female judge in Israel's history? Ever considered how Esther felt about being chosen as queen in the ungodly kingdom of Persia - particularly when she'd have to share her husband with a harem? What must Mary and Martha have thought when their brother Lazarus had died, and it looked to them like Jesus was not coming?

This collection of retellings from the perspectives of women in scripture explores these stories and more, including a few stories from female perspectives that also appear in Messiah: Biblical Retellings. While all of these women lived in various patriarchal cultures, and some of the most prominent women were even Gentiles, scripture shows that God cherished them all. As the Apostle Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) - and this was true for believing women under the old covenant as well, whose faith was counted to them as righteousness.

These are tales of miracles and victory: from brokenness, bitterness and envy to shalom: peace and wholeness, with nothing missing and nothing broken. For some, this meant a transition from barrenness to motherhood; for others, from widowhood to love and belonging. Still others went from bereavement to receiving their dead restored to life again. They included judges and queens, and also prostitutes and despised foreigners. God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:25): what He does for one, He will do for all who believe in His promises.

By the same author: Messiah: Biblical Retellings

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

When God Says No

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When God Says "No": Facing Disappointment and Denial without Losing Heart, Losing Hope, or Losing Your Head by Elizabeth Laing Thompson -  There is a whole lot of wisdom and practical teaching packed into this little study book. Thompson chooses eleven examples from the Bible of times when God's answer to a prayer was "no" and unpacks the lessons to learn from each. God would not allow Moses to enter the promised land; God disciplined Adam and Eve, and Cain; he would not take away Paul's 'thorn in the flesh'; and he even said "no" when Jesus prayed for another way besides the cross. In these and the other examples, we can find emotions and reactions so similar to what we feel when we don't get the job, when we are bitterly disappointed, or when the news from the doctor isn't good.

Each chapter begins with an imaginative retelling of the Bible story referenced. Then in the rest of the chapter, Thompson provides further insight into the story and solid teaching about what we can learn and what we can apply in our lives. Will we acknowledge our limitations and be humble, like Naaman? Will we be persistent in prayer and petition, like Abraham? Will we accept a "no" we don't understand and allow God to work things out in his way, like David? Other Biblical stories and references are woven into the chapters, along with personal stories from the author's life. At the end of each chapter are suggestions for deeper Bible study, a prayer prompt from Scripture, and a couple of journal prompts. 

I was especially touched by the story and lesson from the life of David. After King David had been inspired to create detailed plans for the temple he wished to build for the Lord, God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David that he would not be the one the build the temple. The answer was a firm "no". Although the blow was probably softened by the assurance that God was pleased with the king, and that his son Solomon would carry out the work according to David's plan, it must still have been a bitter disappointment. Bittersweet, perhaps, to realize that a great work he'd dreamed about and planned for would not be his to do. And that he wouldn't be alive to see it. Seeing our hopes pass us by and having to turn over the reins to someone else can be very hard, even when it's someone we love. What a comforting look into the Scripture, and into God's heart, and see that he knows our mixed emotions and understands.

From the publisher:

No is not a four-letter word, but it certainly feels like one.

It's one thing to feel God's love when life goes your way, but what happens to your faith when life doesn't go as you had planned?

When prayers go unanswered and dreams unfulfilled?

When the sick stay sick and the dead do not rise?

When you're lost in the desert and the Promised Land seems like empty promise?

When God says, "No," how do you grapple with disappointment?

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson walks alongside readers as she tackles the difficulties that stymie our faith, stifle our prayers, and stunt our relationship with God. When God Says, "No" will help you to discover hope when life feels hopeless, good in what feels bad, and new dreams when old ones have died. This book is a fantastic reminder of Who is in charge - Who He is and how He works. How He loves us and why He limits us. The better we know Him the more we understand that He says "no" to a few things, so He might say "Yes" to many more.

By the same author: When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal; When God Says Go

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Messiah: Biblical Retellings

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Messiah: Biblical Retellings by C.A. Gray - This is a collection of short stories that retell the miracles of Jesus from various viewpoints. Author C.A. Gray took the details from the New Testament and then imagined what the miracle stories would have looked like through the eyes of the Biblical characters who witnessed them. They are in chronological order, and each is followed by an Afterword from the author explaining some of her research and thinking in how she retold the story. And the Biblical texts follow as well, in New King James Version.

Gray chose one character as the viewpoint character for each of the miracles - often the person for whom the miracle was performed. It's interesting to consider what it was like for those who were blind or crippled to meet Jesus and be healed, and to look at the story from their perspective. Peter is the viewpoint character for several of the stories, and although told in third person, even Jesus is the viewpoint character when he calms the wind and waves.

All the stories are very well written, faithful to the Scripture, and very well researched. The additional details, thoughts, and dialogue that are added suit the context and do not contradict the scriptural accounts in any way. In fact, I found them helpful in understanding the possibilities for why one gospel writer tells of only one blind man being healed while another says there were two; or why one account mentions only Mary Magdalene or one angel at the empty tomb but another account names three women and mentions two angels. The afterwords are also enlightening, as the author shares more about her research and her interpretation of the events. 

With short vignette stories, crisp explanations to inspire further study, and included Scripture to make verification simple, these retellings make the Biblical accounts of Jesus the Messiah and his miracles vivid and real.

From the publisher:

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the five thousand when Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves? Or one of his disciples when he walked on water? Or to have seen Lazarus come out of the tomb? Ever wonder what Mary thought when Gabriel told her she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, or what the fallout was like in her personal life? Ever considered how those two disciples felt on the road to Emmaus, when they found that the man with whom they had been talking was in fact their risen Lord?

This collection of retellings from the gospels is designed to bring each of these stories and more to life in your imagination. They stick to the fact wherever the facts are known, from either the scriptures themselves or from extra-biblical commentaries. But they also add in back story when necessary, reimagining the sights, the sounds, the colors, and the emotions for the person most involved. Each retelling ends with an afterword discussion, summarizing the reasons for the choices made in the story, followed by the scriptures themselves.

Together, I hope these retellings help to paint a portrait of the Messiah.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Friendly Persuasion

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The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West - This novel is really a collection of short stories that follow a Quaker couple through the years. Jess Birdwell is a gentle, plain-spoken man with a love for music and nature, and with a poetic way of seeing and thinking about the world. His wife Eliza is the Quaker preacher, and a practical and peaceful woman. They have very different ways of seeing the world, and some slightly different values, but they love each other and their family with an unshakable loyalty.

Each chapter is a little slice of their life, and the character viewpoint shifts. Most are from either Jess's or Eliza's viewpoint, but occasionally one of their children is the focus. The tensions they face are usually of a quiet and homely nature - a dispute over whether to have a musical instrument in the house, conflicts and competitions with neighbors, and concerns as they age and consider their mortality. In each story there is gentle humor and homespun wisdom, and the Quaker manner of speech and quaint turns of phrase add such charm and warmth.

I was a little confused when the children in the early chapters disappeared and other children's names appeared seemingly out of nowhere, but of course Jess and Eliza got older and so did their family. Towards the end we even meet a granddaughter as one of the stories is completely from her point of view.

Overall, I loved this sweet and slower paced set of stories and was so attached to Jess and Eliza that I was sorry to reach the end. I'm not sure how I've never heard of this book before this year, but it's become a favorite.

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

My Mother's Quilts - Win a Friendship Quilt! #MyMothersQuilts #FlyBy

This post contains affiliate links. 

My Mother's Quilts: Devotions from a Legacy of Needlework by Ramona Richards - Lately I've been reading this charming book of devotional thoughts based on the stories behind handmade quilts. There are beautiful photos of these heirloom quilts throughout, and for each quilt story there is a Scripture, a prayer, and a life lesson. Ramona Richards introduces the book with a little background on her mother's love of quilting, and how she had not only made many beautiful quilts herself but had also collected heirloom quilts and the stories behind them. Each devotional tells about a quilt and its pattern, and the personal story behind it, warmly and affectionately told, in a conversational style. The lessons are practical and encouraging, yet thought-provoking as well. For me, the color photos of the quilts were a feast for the eyes, and brought to mind my own experience in appreciating the artistry of quilts made my mother, aunts, and grandmother.

Keep reading for a little more information about the book and the author, and the link to a wonderful contest offer. There are many wonderful prizes up for grabs, including one of the quilts featured in the book!

From the publisher:

A quilt is love that serves a purpose.

Inspired by thirty family heirloom quilts, each devotion depicts the enduring legacy of faith, family and tradition. Rich, personal, sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, each reading provides a lesson and encouragement from the faithful women who crafted the quilts.

Full-color photographs of each quilt show the style and artistry of each beautiful work. The quilts, sewn by several generations over more than one-hundred years, are as unique and lovely as the hands that created them. The oldest was buried during the Civil War to keep it safe and the author's mother created the newest in the last years of her life.

About the author:

Ramona Richards is an award-winning editor, speaker, author of nine books, and a frequent contributor to devotional collections. An avid live music fan, Ramona loves Nashville, which she's called home since she was ten. Sensing her mother was near the end of her life, Ramona documented her mother's stories and lessons behind each family quilt. These stories form the devotions in My Mother's Quilts. Find out more about Ramona and her books by visiting her online at RamonaRichards.com.

Purchase My Mother's Quilts at Amazon or at ShopBetterBooks.com

Now for the Contest!

Win one of the quilts featured in #MyMothersQuilts by Ramona Richards. Also up for grabs: loads of other prizes including quilting hand warmers, coloring books, and 25 signed copies of Ramona's book. Winners will be emailed after the contest ends on June 30, 2016. Click the image to get started! (Or follow this link: Win This Friendship Quilt! Contest Landing Page)

Please note that this contest is hosted by the author/publisher and not by Just A Second. They are overseeing the drawing and assume full responsibility for all aspects of this contest, including prize notification and fulfillment.

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