A Quilt for Christmas

Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Christmas Romance
Release Date: September 6, 2022

Cuddle up with this cozy story of giving and forgiving--with a little bit of romance

Christmas should be celebrated with family, but for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help.

With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's aid, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all. And she may even find herself a new family of friends along the way.

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Reviewer: Jane Mouttet

Melody Carlson has a way of reaching her audience - whether it be a book for children, teens, or adults. A Quilt for Christmas is no exception. We have all faced losses, which can make it hard to celebrate the holidays. Whether it is the loss of a spouse, parent, or child, a wayward family member, a change in relationship status, the loss of a job, a move to a new location, or health concerns. The characters in this holiday story will encourage readers to move outside of their loss and create new friends and new traditions. 

As is often the case in real life, little Fiona, a four-year-old precious little girl, draws out the best in those she comes in contact with. She is loving and kind. She is the person you want in your life and the person you want to be. 

May A Quilt for Christmas encourage you to reach out to others, especially during the holidays, whether you are the one who is lonely or you see lonely people in your area. I highly recommend you add A Quilt for Christmas to your reading list. 

Even though A Quilt for Christmas is written for the Christian adult market, I do not see any problem placing the book in a K-12 Christian school library. I think teens would enjoy this holiday story. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review. 

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Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

Vera is new in the city, she likes patchwork art, but she left behind her quilt group, and here she doesn't know anyone. Hurt people hurt people: everyone has a history, struggles, and problems, so be always kind.

The cover didn't catch my eye because I like covers with people in them. But, I enjoyed reading this book because I love handmade crafts (embroidery, patchwork, crochet, etc.). Reading the story, I imagined being with the characters, sewing together, helping them, chatting, and laughing with them. 

I can relate with Beverly that she would like to resume the church quilt group because I attended a stitching group. It was fun to spend afternoons with friends. It's also important to help, hear, listen, learn, and teach each other.

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

Vera Swanson used to love Christmas. This was before she became a widow living in a city where everyone was a stranger. Christmas was now a day to be dreaded until a knock on the door offered her a reason to love Christmas again. A scared little girl and her suddenly ill mother quickly gave Vera a new purpose for her life!

Four-year-old Fiona Albright is absolutely adorable, so it's no surprise that Vera agrees to help her and her family. She also finds it difficult to refuse Fiona's request to make a quilt for her mother. Vera finds help for this herculean task in the form of three complete strangers who are her complete opposites. She soon realizes that God had stitched them together in love.

It's become a tradition for me to read Melody Carlson's annual Christmas offering. This novella certainly didn't disappoint with its beautiful cover and heartwarming story. I was given all of the feels as I visualized the beautiful decorations, imagined the tantalizing aromas, and experienced the joy that comes from friendship and love. A Quilt for Christmas is a lovely gift for readers!

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Nora St. Laurent

I look forward to reading Melody Carlson's Christmas stories every year. She comes up with the most interesting adventures that involve family, has a splash of romance, and always gets to the heart of the season. This story is no exception.

Readers first meet Vera Swanson, who is recently widowed. She sold her house and is now in a condo. She thought she'd have time for the grandchildren, but things changed unexpectedly. Then four-year-old Fiona Albright knocks on Vera's door in a panic, seeking assistance for her mother. She does the only thing she can do for this family: get them help. Fiona is convinced that making her mother a quilt for Christmas will get her on the fast track to healing, lift her mother's spirits and give her hope.

Christmas is a special and hard time for many as they miss loved ones and their days gone by. It's also a time of wonder, healing, kindness, love, and forgiveness. Making Fiona's dream come true isn't easy. But with Fiona's faith, determination, and goodness, things start to come together in surprising ways. 

The characters are strong and opinionated in this story. I wasn't sure if this would end on a happy note. LOL! There is just something about quilts that bring people together, no matter their squabbles. This book makes you smile in the end. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a review copy from Revell through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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