Just how lucky can you get? Three heartwarming, special stories were written by some of my favorite authors. Jodi Thomas, Lori Wilde, and Patience Griffin penned three stories all of which revolve around the craft of quilting. As a crafty woman, I have tried my hand at a very elemental level of this age-old craft. So when reading of the wondrous items folks made of random, and some not so random, swatches of cloth I fell madly in love with each of the three tales.
 
All three authors brought a different slant to stories of people trying to put their lives back together. Kind of like a quilt. Each square represents something unique to the maker. Each quilt meant something special to the quilter. Sometimes it took center stage as a reminder of people that passed. All and all the quilts remained an important part of their lives.
 
Sometimes all you are looking for is kindness. Someone to cushion the blow so to speak. In SECRET WISH the first story of THE WISHING QUILT book we are reminded of this fact. Avery's great-grandmother left her quilt shop to anyone in the family who would work it for at least one year. Not much left in the dusty old shop but a ghost and a cat. Avery's career as a ballerina was as broken as the shop. But in the recesses of her mind, there were some vague images and memories. Avery considered herself unlucky, but she survived her fall from grace – literally – and was determined to stay the year in While-A-Way and sell to return home to Austin. Along with the shop and house Avery inherits the wishing quilt her great-grandmother made for her. County Sheriff Dan is sort of charming in his way. He compares himself to Avery when he says she is beautiful albeit a little wrinkled and muddy – just like him in the morning. Total Jodi Thomas humor at her best.

Be prepared to be enchanted by THE SECRET WISH, each chapter alive with hope and joy despite the less than encouraging views Avery has of this small town.
 
Next up is WISH UPON A WEDDING by Lori Wilde, another favorite author of mine. Ellie arrives at Dusty Sagebrush Ranch, once a summer grief camp for kids that Ellie and her sister Camille had attended when they lost their dad. Now a dude ranch and site of Camille's wedding. Ellie is a doctor specializing in injured bull riders. She was mustering up some dusty quilt-making skills for a memory quilt for grandma. The ranch is now owned by the man Ellie left behind to follow her dream of becoming a doctor. A man that broke her heart. Not a fond memory. Memories are a central focus in WISH UPON A WEDDING – make new memories for her sister and preserve lost ones for grandma. And perhaps create new memories for herself while she's at it.
 
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT by Patience Griffin is the last at-bat. Paige Holiday teaches quilting at workshops and quilt shops traveling all over the USA. The home was Sweet Home Alaska. Paige felt cursed to have the same bad taste in men as did her mom and grandmother. In short, Paige had major trust issues. Her prize possession was a tote made for a wishing quilt by grandma. Paige was looking to expand her horizons, and design her line of quilt fabrics. A stroke of bad luck and unwise choices had put a delay in her plan. Now a little bit older and wiser Paige is determined to give it another try and no one, especially no man is going to ruin her chances of attaining her goal.
 
THE WISHING QUILT is a delightful journey into a very compassionate world of crafting. And each of the three authors imbibed a ton of heartwarming scenes and dialog making the book a total delight to read.

Book Summary