Welcome to Faith Hope & Cherrytea's stop on the book tour for talented Canadian author, Emily T Wierenga's debut novel,
Quilts of Love #17
A PROMISE IN PIECES
After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women’s Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier’s last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.
Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later, carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed. ~publisher
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Series: Quilts of Love #17
Page Count: pb 208 ebook 177
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Here's Emily sharing her journey of writingA PROMISE IN PIECES
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As Emily shares on her release of A PROMISE IN PIECES,
"I’m not unlike Clara, the heroine of A Promise in Pieces, the reverend’s daughter and nurse who traveled across the waters to serve in a war her father didn’t believe in. Who came back, unmarried and lonely, promising to deliver a soldier’s letter to his wife and in turn, she received a quilt—one that would hold the babies she didn’t believe she would ever have, the husband she never thought would propose, the friend whose grace she never thought to find."
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My Thoughts?
I absolutely loved getting to know Emily's writing voice and story.
It adds understanding to both her as author plus
perspective on background and characters.
It adds depth and richness to a poignant journey .
Questions during the opening scene of the story
were soon resolved and my heart was engaged before I expected.
Clara, an elderly woman, is travelling with husband, son and
grandson, on a family journey of some importance -
undisclosed 'til much later as her memoir unfolds.
The relational innuendos between the generations are beautiful,
setting the stage for the reminiscing to come.
Both car journey and life journey draw an ideal parallel
of distance covered and unexpected disruptions.
A story about a girl coming of age in a religiously strict home, daughter of a non-resistant minister and passive mother,
Clara paints with the colours of her adolescent brush.
Spirited and strong willed, she takes life in hand
and makes her decision to leave home based on her
understanding of her life to date.
True to life, that understanding proves far short of reality,
but we have an entire novel to experience Clara's journey to maturity. . .
The realism of this story captivated me on every level.
Conversations, character nuances, emotional engagement,
generational realities - all so authentically portrayed I
have a hard time describing its full personal impact.
The story itself is engaging at an unusual level.
Perhaps it's the true to life realities.
The journeys of so many lives exceptionally described.
Misunderstandings disclosed and the ahah moments
when truth and understanding are finally revealed.Perhaps it's the beauty of Emily's writing gift.
Evocative descriptions of people I cared about.
Heart wrenching losses so deeply felt, I sat reading midst heaps of soggy tissues!
And when the final moments draw the journey to its close?
We not only see the light of hope dawn once again
across Clara's horizon.
We feel it dawn within ourselves.
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Your GIFT~READ the first three chapters Here, FREE.
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With every best wish for your continued success
in this new writing direction, Emily.
I'll be listening closely to hear your resonant voice
across our Canadian writing landscape!
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Author Bio:
Emily Wierenga is a former editor, ghostwriter, freelance writer and staff journalist, a monthly columnist for “The Christian Courier,” and the author of “Save My Children,” “Chasing Silhouettes,” and “Mom in the Mirror.” Emily's says, 'I am a broken wife, mother, author, and artist. I am a pastor's daughter and a former anorexic who speaks up for the voiceless. I am a world traveller who is slowly finding her way home. Welcome, friend.'
Emily and her family reside in Alberta, Canada. This is her first novel. Find Emily Wierenga online site.
On facebook and twitter @emily_wierenga*Help Emily spread the word about this book. Here is the link to pre-made tweets and Pins - Thank you!
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Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family history. Featuring contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery, you will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.es focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family history. Featuring contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery, you will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories. - Quilts of Love
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*Appreciation to Abingdon Press and Litfuse for providing an ecopy to read for review without cost or compensation.
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Emily is celebrating the release of her debut novel with a
"Women Helping Women" shopping spree giveaway.
One winner will receive:
- $200 to spend at Emily's favourite shops, Noonday Collection and Vibella (Click through to learn more about how these companies exist to make a difference in the lives of women!)
- A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga
- A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson
- Rival Hearts by Tara Randel
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 10th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog on May 12th. Then be sure to stop by the Quilts of Love Facebook page on May 29th for the "Quilting Bee" Facebook party with Emily and other Quilts of Love authors. RSVP for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!
*Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
