The Blended Quilt

Jean Brunstetter · Wanda E. Brunstetter

Nov 2020 · Barbour Publishing

About this ebook

Will pursuing Sadie’s dreams mean leaving a romance behind?
 
Sadie Kuhns has a lot happening in her life. She is creating a unique quilt by blending a traditional Amish pattern with a Hawaiian pattern as a tribute to her time spent in the islands, and she is working on a self-published book. But her relationship with Wyman Kauffman has stagnated after six months of courtship. He can’t seem to commit to a profession that would secure a future, and he is jealous of the time Sadie gives to her own pursuits. Is there really any reason to drag this courtship out? Only time will tell in this new novel from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

Ratings and reviews

The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter is a lovely story. It is a continues the story of the four girls who took a cruise to the Hawaiian Island four and a half years ago in The Hawaiian Quilt. The Hawaiian Discovery is the sequel to The Hawaiian Quilt, and it tells Ellen’s story. While The Blended Quilt could be read as a standalone, I believe it is best to read the books in order. It will allow you to have a better understanding of the characters and their situations. I thought this was a unique Amish book with our main character having an unusual occupation. Sadie Kuhns is the only one of the four friends who is still unmarried. She would love to marry beau, Wyman Kaufman, but he cannot seem to settle into a permanent job. Wyman gets bored with a job, quits, and then moves onto another one. Sadie worries that Wyman could not provide a steady life for a wife and family. Sadie is a gifted quilter who sometimes creates her own patterns. She decides to commemorate her trip to Hawaii with a quilted wall hanging that blends Amish and Hawaiian patterns. The quilt sounded lovely when finished and unique. This quilt leads to the suggestion that Sadie write a book. I thought Sadie and Wyman were developed characters. I liked Sadie who is a sweet, compassionate woman. I was not fond of Wyman was immature and selfish. I kept hoping that a new love interest would appear for Sadie. I liked that we got updates on Mandy, Barbara, and Ellen. We get to spend time with Mandy and Ken in Kauai as they suffer life’s ups and downs. The point-of-view alternates between Sadie, Wyman, and several other characters. I like getting a female and male perspective on situations. We get to see the characters face a series of challenges. Life is not smooth sailing even in fiction. I did wonder, though, why the author chose not to have the bishop or elders help the characters in their time of need. It would have added another touch of realism to the story. There were times when the Kuhnses and Kaufman families could have used some expert guidance and advice. I did feel the ending was a little rushed. I felt the changes were too sudden. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up this sweet story. I enjoyed reading The Blended Quilt. It provided me with a lovely break from reality which I desperately needed. The Blended Quilt is a heartwarming Amish tale with quaint quilts, ennui employment, an astonishing abundance, faithful friends, a bored beau, and an unforeseen opportunity.

Lovely story of a young Amish woman creating a unique quilt and a new place for her in her society. Sadie doesn’t want to marry Wyman Kauffman who flits from job to job. What she wants is to create a quilt with an Amish pattern combined with the beauty of the Hawaiian islands that she visited. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Good

About the author

Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr. and their three children, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach. Visit Jean's website at www.jeanbrunstetter.com.

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 11 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.