Ties That Bind

Marie Bostwick

Oct 2011 · Cobbled Court Quilts Book 5 · Kensington Publishing Corp.

About this ebook

“A truly wonderful tale of spirit, faith and true friendship” in the quilting series from the New York Times bestselling author of Threading the Needle (Fresh Fiction).
 
Christmas is fast approaching, and New Bern, Connecticut, is about to receive the gift of a new pastor, hired sight unseen to fill in while Reverend Tucker is on sabbatical. Meanwhile, Margot Matthews’ friend, Abigail, is trying to match-make even though Margot has all but given up on romance. She loves her job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and the life and friendships she’s made in New Bern; she just never thought she’d still be single on her fortieth birthday.
 
It’s a shock to the entire town when Phillip A. Clarkson turns out to be Philippa. Truth be told, not everyone is happy about having a female pastor. Yet despite a rocky start, Philippa begins to settle in—finding ways to ease the townspeople’s burdens, joining the quilting circle, and forging a fast friendship with Margot. When tragedy threatens to tear Margot’s family apart, that bond—and the help of her quilting sisterhood—will prove a saving grace. And as she untangles her feelings for another new arrival in town, Margot begins to realize that it is the surprising detours woven into life’s fabric that provide its richest hues and deepest meaning . . .
 
Praise for the Cobbled Court Quilts series
 
“A big-hearted novel filled with wit and wisdom.” —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author
 
“Bostwick’s warmly nourishing, emotionally compelling novel is quiet yet powerful.” —Chicago Tribune
 
“Heartwarming . . . an unbreakable thread of friendship and faith.” —Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

Marie Bostwick fans, you will not be disappointed in Marie's latest novel "Ties That Bind". Margot is forty, unmarried and childless and she feels time slipping away like the tide pulling sand from the beach. In New Bern, Connecticut, Margot has a wonderful network of friends and a rewarding job but she sees those around her with so much more and although she is supportive of the endeavors of her friends, she harbors secret jealousy. When her sister Mari and Mari's daughter Olivia are in a horrible car accident, Margot's life undergoes a life-shattering alteration as she struggles to piece together a family shattered by grief and anger. Several men then enter Margot's life and she must try to determine which, if any, of them can contribute positively to the resolution of her problems. Bostwick skillfully provides the reader with likeable and realistic characters and the reader will surely develop a favorite among Margot's family and friends. The characters are all knowable, touchable and capable of enhancing or bringing about agony to the life of Margot Matthews. One of the most intriguing characters is that of Phillippa, a newly-widowed pastor who is thrust into a community in which she is bound to become infused into the lives of the people she serves through her ministry. Despite the initial shock of a female pastor, the brethren of New Bern embrace the woman and help to take her to dreams yet unrealized. This is a wonderful book for those who truly want a taste of everyday life in an average American town.

Margot Matthews thought she would be married and have children by the time she turned forty,but now that the birthday has come she realizes that she may always be single. Overall her life is actually pretty good, she has a job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop in the tiny town of New Bern,does plenty of volunteer work at church and has plenty of friends that she can count on, but figures that she might never meet Mr. Right, and wonders if she should settle for Mr.So So.When the church needs to hire a temporary pastor they think they have hired a man, but instead get Phillippa, who is fresh out of seminary school. While some of the church members aren't happy, Phillippa hopes to win them over with hard work. When Phillippa needs some help with the teen group she decides to do a bit of matchmaking and pairs Margot together with the Paul, who recently moved to town with his son James. Meanwhile tragedy strikes Margot's family threatening to tear them apart at the seams. "Ties That Bind" is actually the fifth book in the Cobbled Court Quilts series,which initially had me wondering if I would feel lost because I hadn't read any of the other books in the series,but I had no problems jumpi

Quilt group of love

About the author

Marie Bostwick was born and raised in the northwest. In the three decades since her marriage, Marie and her family have moved frequently, living in eight different states at eighteen different addresses. These experiences have given Marie a unique perspective that enables her to write about people from all walks of life and corners of the country with insight and authenticity. Marie currently resides in Portland, where she enjoys writing, spending time with family, gardening, collecting fabric, and stitching quilts. Visit her at www.mariebostwick.com.