Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Swept Away Abingdon Press (November 18, 2014) by Laura V. Hilton
and
Cindy Loven

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award winning author Laura V. Hilton has penned many novels, including the Amish of Seymour series, the Amish of Webster County series, and the forthcoming Amish of Jamesport series. A member of ACFW, Laura is also a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites. A pastor’s wife, stay-at-home mom, and home school teacher, Laura and her family make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

A lifelong reader, Cindy Loven is an active church wife of a minister and mother to one son who is a home school graduate. Cindy and her family reside in Conway, Arkansas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sara Jane Morgan is trying to balance teaching with caring for her ailing, stubborn grandmother. When school lets out for the summer, the plans are for Grandma to teach Sara Jane to quilt as they finish up the Appalachian Ballad quilt Grandma started as a teenager. But things don’t always go as planned. Andrew Stevenson is hiding from his past—and his future. He works as a handyman to pay the bills, but also as an artisan, designing homemade brooms. When Sara Jane’s grandmother hires him to renovate her home, sparks fly between him and his new employer’s granddaughter. Still, it doesn’t take Sara Jane long to see Drew isn’t what he seems. Questions arise, and she starts online researching him. What she discovers could change her life—and her heart—forever.

My Thoughts:

“What was is about God that called her?”  (p. 168)

Once again, the latest edition to the Quilts of Love series, Swept Away, has amazed me!  And once again, I almost missed the blessing!   See, I’m a bit of a cynic when it comes to romance these days.  Being betrayed after 23 years of marriage does that to you.  So, when I read a story that focuses on this romantic relationship unfolding between a couple, I tend to want to turn away.  I am so glad I didn’t!

Sara Jane Morgan and her Grandma, Sari, experience a radical shift in the trajectory of their lives when they encounter Drew Stevenson at a local craft fair.  A craftsman and general handyman, Drew is in a rather uncertain time in his own life journey when Grandma invites him into her home with the intent of preparing it for sale.

Sara’s Grandma begins to exhibit some rather worrisome behavior as the story builds.  That worrisome behavior tends to build right alongside a possibility of relationship between Sara and Drew.  And like Grandma’s behavior, there are many miscues along the way.  Just about the time you think Grandma is making improvement, Sara and Drew’s relationship takes a nose dive and vice versa.  There is an even deeper issue going on up underneath – a lack of a personal relationship with Christ. 

The circumstances leading to this revelation and a resolution is not an easy or pleasant journey!  This story builds into a very multi-layered, realistic scenario.  The quilt story that is woven among the lives of the characters reflects all of the facets of the things they must walk through.  I love that!!

So, I want to encourage you to find a warm place to snuggle up with Swept Away over the holidays!  You may even consider it a great gift selection for readers on your list!  I am happy to recommend it to you!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Swept Away, go HERE.