Christmas Stitches: An Historical Romance Collection

3 Stories Thread Hope and Love Through the Holidays

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 01 Oct 2018 | Archive Date 01 Jan 2019

Talking about this book? Use #ChristmasStitches:AnHistoricalRomanceCollection #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

3 Talented Seamstresses, 3 Christmas Romances
Return to Christmases of yesteryear with three seamstresses who use their talents to succeed in the late 1800s. But can love also be stitched into their lives?
 
A SEAMLESS LOVE by Judith Miller
1894 – Pullman, Illinois
Hannah Cushman possesses a special talent for embroidered fancywork and design which secures her a position in the Dressmaking and Millinery Shop in the Pullman Arcade near Chicago where she encounters childhood friend Daniel Price. Daniel is disappointed to learn Hannah is being courted by a detective with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. With two men vying for her attention, will Hannah seek God’s direction or ignore the warning signs He sets before her?
 
MENDING HEARTS by Stephanie Grace Whitson
1899 – Nebraska
Rachel Ellsworth expects her stay with two maiden aunts in a conservative Mennonite village to be temporary—until a letter breaks her heart. Raised Methodist and encouraged to pursue fashion, design, and watercolor painting, Rachel finds temporary solace in quilting and in helping care for two motherless children. But when she and the children’s widowed father begin to notice one another, Rachel must face the idea that giving her heart to Levi Herr will mean giving up the arty things that have always defined her.
 
PIN’S PROMISE by Nancy Moser
1900/1906 – Summerfield, England
Penelope (Pin) Billings and Jonathan Evers have loved each other since they were children, promising to one day get officially engaged. Both have distinct talents: Pin for sewing dresses and teaching others to sew and Jonathan—a doctor right out of school—in helping the people of the village. As adulthood nears and the time to fulfill their promise seems right, a tragic event pulls them apart, making both question their future. Will they discover they are stronger together than apart?
 
3 Talented Seamstresses, 3 Christmas Romances
Return to Christmases of yesteryear with three seamstresses who use their talents to succeed in the late 1800s. But can love also be stitched into their...

Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781683227151
PRICE $14.99 (USD)
PAGES 448

Average rating from 42 members


Featured Reviews

A wonderful collection of new stories by three stellar authors! A delightful way to start the holiday season, these quality reads hook the reader and leave something uplifting to think about. I recognized the historical settings of the first two stories, as they added on to previous series; the Pullman series by Judith Miller, and the Summerfield series by Nancy Moser. I loved reading more of Annie Wood's backstory (from The Pattern Artist)! The last one was excellent too, set in the author's state of Nebraska, with new characters and a tender romance leading to a sighworthy moment.
"God has a plan for each of us."
Plenty of inspirational threads are woven through each tale, as characters struggle with loneliness, difficult circumstances, betrayal and loss. I especially liked the way the author used Rachel's character in the last story to walk through steps of grief and get to a place of hope. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Highly recommend for historical Christian romance fans!

Was this review helpful?

I love the fact the three stories all reaffirmed that God has a plan for every life - it was lovely to be in England for a Christmas historical romance! The stories are perfect length and get you in the Christmas spirit. I have one question: is it too early to get my Christmas decorations out in August?

Was this review helpful?

Was supposed to do laundry today but got all stitched up and engrossed by Christmas Stitches: An Historical Romance Collection, featuring three totally wonderful stories of love and hope at the holidays. Guess we’ll have to wait one more day for clean jeans. It’s worth it! 5/5

Pub Date 01 Oct 2018

Thanks to Barbour Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#ChristmasStitches:AnHistoricalRomanceCollection #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

What a fantastic trio of novellas by three well-known Christian authors. Each story stands-alone. Each author brings her unique writing style to the mix, but the stories blend together very well. They are hard to put down because they are SO good!!! This is sure to become a Christmas classic collection. VERY well written.

Was this review helpful?

Three novellas about sewing in one form or another, three well-known authors who have honed their craft and produced some of the best novels I've read. What surprised me most is reading a pre-quel to a series of books I've already read.

Barbour Books has really hit the right button with these three stories. There are characters to love, characters to be annoyed with, characters who surprise, characters who touch the heart, and characters who turn you upside down.

These novellas take a bit more than an hour each to read. The time era is late 1800s to early 1900s. Each of the heroines are portrayed as talented with a needle and thread and because of that they have more opportunities in their worlds--marketable skills.

This is a five star book, two thumbs up, and a well sewn garment.

My thanks to Barbour Books for allowing me to read and review this book. I received it through NetGalley.com

Was this review helpful?

Christmas Stitches is one of the better written Christian books I've had the pleasure reading in some time. Authors Judity Miller, Nancy Moser and Stephanie Grace Whitson write Christmas short stories using sewing as a theme. One of the most haunting stories was titled Pin's Promise in which a young girl and her brother are subjected to child abuse. Never fear there is a somewhat happy ending as the young girl finds love and an opportunity for a better life. The rest of the stories did not tear at my heart as much as Pin's Promise.

If you are looking for a Christian book to read with a holiday theme, I would recommend this book.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas Stitches: An Historical Romance Collection is three stories of seamstresses with Christmas wishes; each story is set in the late 1800’s.
A Seamless Love by Judith Miller begins in Pullman Illinois on Christmas Eve 1883. Hannah Cooper has just let Daniel Price know she is interested in more than friendship but is rebuked. They have been friends since childhood when Daniel visited his Aunt and Uncle and he thinks that is enough. This story spans several years as the two of them remain friends and build their lives and careers. Daniel eventually returns to live in Pullman. Will Daniel and Hannah discover more than friendship?
Pin’s Promise by Nancy Moser begins in Summerfield England on New Year’s Eve 1899. Penelope “Pin” billings is in love with Jonathan Evers but he on his way to London to study to become a doctor. Fast forward six years and Jonathan is coming back to join his father in his practice. Pin is sure he will immediately propose and impatiently tries to move him along more quickly when he doesn’t. As they work to help those in their community will they learn the years apart has changed them too much or will they grow closer? I will say the story did not end as I expected.
Mended Hearts by Stephanie Grace Whitson is set in York County Nebraska beginning in January 1890. Adam Friesen’s wife, Esther died in childbirth. He is left with their four-year-old daughter, Anna and infant son. The ladies of the town step in to help him; the children spend most of their time with Aunt Jennie and Aunt Lizzie; no actual relation to Adam. His sister Molly helps but also has six children of her own. April 1890 finds seventeen-year-old Rachel Ellsworth alone and penniless after her minister father passes away. Her late mother’s sisters, Jennie and Lizzie, invite her to come stay with them until she turns eighteen in November, can marry Landis and move back to St. Louis. Rachel helps care for Anna and her brother and becomes friends with Adam. Will it lead to more? What will happen when it is time for Rachel to return to St. Louis.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I just love when a Publisher comes out with a Historical Romance Collection. Especially when the authors are as talented as Judith McCoy Miller, Nancy Moser and Stephanie Grace Whitson. These Christmas stories are all different, but have similar threads. The heroines are all strong seamstresses trying to follow God's plan for their lives. The three stories cover Illinois, England and Nebraska. All taking place between the late 1800's until the turn of the century.

The first story, A Seamless Love, Hannah and David have been best friends from their youth. At Christmas, Hannah believes they are on the same page and are ready to take their relationship to the next level. She is finally able to get David alone and pulls out a sprig of mistletoe. I can't image how she must have felt when he rejected her. David said he doesn't want anything to get in the way of their wonderful friendship. So she moves forward and five years later, she has a boyfriend and David is jealous. Hannah is confused by David's mixed signals.

Pin's Promise by Nancy Moser the second book of the trilogy. Summerfield, England early 1900's This story is about Penelope (Pin) and her boyfriend Jonathan. He is getting ready to go off to school to become a doctor. She said she would wait for him, not necessarily patiently, but when he came home he would propose. Life is never simple, so when Jonathan comes home, he is scared and starts making excuses. Will he ever ask Pin to marry him?


Mended Hearts our third story by Stephanie Grace Whitson, takes place in Lost Creek,York County, Nebraska, in the late 1800's. Rachel's father has just passed away and she has no place to go. She believes her boyfriend is going to propose, but that doesn't happen. She unexpectedly receives a letter from her lost aunts. She thinks she is only going to be with them temporary, so off she heads to her Aunt's.
If you enjoy a sweet Christmas read, I would recommend this collection.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this book. I love the anthology type books for quick reads while waiting for doctors and such. I loved all three stories . My mom was a professional seamstress and I thought of her as I read. Thank you netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary Arc in exchange for this honest review

Was this review helpful?

What a sweet collection of Christmas stories by three terrific authors! These stories are just the right length for reading during the holiday season and each stands beautifully on its own. Each story has great characters and a wonderful storyline. I’m glad to have this collection on my Christmas bookshelf.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Enjoyable set of novellas around the theme of seamstresses, sewing/stitching, etc. It’s always hard to rate a book when it is really 3 different stories and I enjoy some more than others. I think my favorite was Whitson’s “Mended Hearts”. It was nice getting a little of Annie’s backstory from Moser’s book, The Pattern Artist.

If you are looking for some quick, inspirational reads, then this is the book for you. I’m giving it a 4.

Was this review helpful?

This is a wonderful collection of Christmas romances set in the late 18th and early 19th century. In the first story, 'A Seamless Love' , Daniel broke Hannah's heart when he declared that he didn't want to ruin a friendship by starting a romance. Five years later, Daniel is finishing his apprenticeship and planning to move back to Pullman. Unfortunately, Hannah is being courted by another man. Daniel has suspicions of the other man. One of the things that I liked in this story was Hannah trying to find a balance between her personal life and her career. In 'Pin's Promise', Pin has been waiting six years for Jonathan to return home so they can be married. Jonathan, a new doctor, is not ready to settle down to marriage and working in his father's practice. They both find that they have a lot to learn. For me the best part of this story was the strong secondary character, Annie, who is struggling in life. In 'Mended Heart', the two main characters have lost people and have learned to look forward rather than dwelling in the past. The Book of Job is used in helping them heal. Although I enjoyed all three stories, 'Mended Hearts' was by favorite story. All of these authors were new to me and I plan to look for more of their work in the future. I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas Stitches is a cute and fun read! The authors’ different writing styles added to the charm of this fun book that will get the reader in the mood for Christmas. My personal favorite was Mended Hearts by Stephanie Grace Whitson – Whitson did so well on the characters’ personalities, and on growing their faith!

Was this review helpful?

I found Christmas Stitches to be delightful and surprising. Each of the stories provided an insightful look at the unpredictable nature of life and how God intervenes, in some of the most painful experiences of life. I was impressed with the tough issues that were tackled in an uplifting but realistic manner. They're a perfect Christmastime read for a Christian.

Was this review helpful?

In Christmas Stitches, An Historical Romance Collection, is three stories set in the late 1800 and early 1900's. Each story involves a young lady who is talented with a needle and who finds that love may be more complicated than stitching. Each story is unique and fun and I enjoyed them all! They also each had an inspirational tone that reminds us that God is in control, a reminder we all need sometimes!
The first story was A Seamless Love by Judith Miller. Hannah has loved Daniel for a long time, but when he rejects her advances because he doesn't want to ruin their friendship, she moves on. Years pass and she starts to see a man named Louis. Of course, once she is taken, Daniel realizes what he has lost. When they start to spend time together again, they discover that their friendship is there, but can they stitch together a future as well?
The second story is Pim's Promise, by Nancy Moser. In this one, Pim and Jonathon have loved each other since they were children, but they had to wait to marry. Jonathon went away to school to become a doctor and has finally returned and Pim is in a hurry for a wedding. But Jonathon wants to take his time and get used to his new position in his father's office. When a young girl and her brother come into their lives, needing more help than they can give, they discover that life has more in store for them than either imagined. Can they work together to find the life they have always dreamed of?
The final story is Mended Hearts by Stephanie Grace Whitson. I will admit that this author is why I chose this book. I have loved her books for a long time and I was not disappointed by this little story either. It was a lot of fun, but really sweet as well. Rachel has to move in with two spinster aunts in Nebraska when her father dies unexpectedly. Her fiance promises to wait for her to turn eighteen and then they will wed, like they have always planned. However, when he changes his mind, Rachel must learn to make the best of life where she is now. By taking life one day at a time and relying on God's promises, she starts to look forward to the future. And, maybe, that future will hold Adam, a young widow with two children who have wormed their way into her heart.
I really enjoyed all three stories. I laughed and cried and smiled a lot. It was well worth the read. Anyone interested in sweet stories with a good message will be happy with these.
I received a free copy of this story through NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Seamstresses piece together beautiful clothing, quilts and home goods. In these three stories they try to piece together beautiful lives, with not always the results they were expecting. Historical Christian romances, these three women, Hannah, living life in a "company town", Pin, young, not so patient and yearning to be wed and Rachel, dealing with her grief and changed situation as best she can. These stories, warm the heart and sooth the soul. A wonderful warm Christmas read!

Was this review helpful?

Reading historical fiction, I fill, is usually a bit of a hit or miss. Either the tone gets everything just right, or it just feels like something’s missing. This collection, luckily, falls squarely in the “hit”-section. From the overarching theme of the “stitches” to the way these love stories all developed in such a vastly different way, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself this much seeing a historical world unfold.
Where A Seamless Love truly opened my eyes to the world of factory-towns in the late 19th century, Pin’s Promise had me at the verge of tears. Mended Hearts, finally, was built just beautifully from Rachel’s departure to the Christmas-conclusion. All these stories, in fact, managed to get that feeling of Christmas just right.
I will say that the descriptions on Goodreads seem to be quite (vastly?) different from the stories as they were in the eBook, but, you know… That actually just meant I went in knowing less about the stories before I started reading them. And honestly? I would advise you to do the same.
The three stories in Christmas Stitches breathe such an other-century sense of calm and joy at Christmas, that I think reading without any idea of exactly what is going to happen, is probably the best way to go. And the best way, as well, to leave you feeling absolutely fuzzy as well!
Rating: 4/5

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful,wonderful collection of novella length stories with the common thread of sewing. 3 top authors bring these old-time stories to you. This is a delightful way to spend the day reading these with your cup of hot cocoa and snuggly blanket. Wonderful stories of characters struggling but with God's help there is hope and love this holiday season. These stories remind me of my grandmother who was quite the seamstress. She taught me as well but I was never as good as her. I know you'll enjoy these holiday stories as much as I did. I will definitely be buying this collection for friends for Christmas.
Pub Date 01 Oct 2018
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Overall I enjoyed this collection. I did like the longer format of each story.
In 'Seamless Love', I found life in Pullman interesting. I did not care for Hannah being strung along by a manipulative, controlling man. the way she is written, it seems she is smarter than that. I kept wishing that Daniel would have said something to her, as they were such good friends. The repeated thoughts and whining about her beau became a bit tedious for me. When Hannah's eyes are finally opened, I said "it's about time" out loud. There are misunderstandings and reconciliations, and a quick ending.

I loved the Aunts and children in 'Mending Hearts'. I hate that Rachel's heart and all she had planned for her life was broken. Seeing her personal growth was nice. I loved seeing Levi's healing and growth as a man and father. I must say I was a little surprised with this story as it was someone else that had eyes for the widowed father.

My favorite was "Pin's Promise'. There are two very strong storylines running throughout. I was sad reading Annie's heartbreaking story. Though it was nice reading her backstory having met her in "The Pattern Artist"
I loved Pin and Jonathan's story. Each needed a bit of time to adjust and grow when he returned from medical school. Their story did have a happy Christmas ending but I would like to see more!

Was this review helpful?

I loved all three of these delightful Christian novellas that feature vibrant young women who find great fulfillment working with needle and thread as millions of women have done throughout our history and still do to this day. Hannah, Penelope and Rachel are beautiful young women who think they know exactly what they want when their lives change in a way that they never could have anticipated. As their stories are revealed the women will grow in both maturity and faith as they learn to trust in God’s plan to heal their hearts and lead them to the love they are all meant to find. I went on my own spiritual journey as I read these heartwarming holiday romances that begin in 1883 Pullman, Illinois, travel to far off Summerfield, England at the start of the Twentieth Century and then finish on the plains of Missouri in the spring of 1890. And what a wonderful journey it turns out to be! I promise you won’t be disappointed. I read a complimentary copy of this book provided by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: