THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT

 

My first impression a historical fiction novel the includes slavery. Jennifer Chiaverini already talked about the underground railroad in a previous novel but this had more. As I continued listening to THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT by Jennifer Chiaverini I thought: This is slavery from a White person’s perspective, not just a White person(s) but one(s) who were anti slavery. 

I have said on more than one of my reviews regarding the Elm Street Quilt series that the stories are cumulative. I also alluded to the idea that there were stories within the stories which is why the reader, or listener, must pay attention to the characters. THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT could be read out of sequence but it is best when read in order of release.

Have you ever researched your family tree? You have to go back in time, dig up the names, dates and places but the personalities, character traits of each individual you may not ever know. THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT, is different in that Sylvia and her team are not even born and racism was not politically incorrect. This is the story of Sylvia’s family. And how they dealt with slavery.

This is a much needed story because it not only discusses the pains of slavery but the sacrifices White people made in order to assist Black people. America needs to understand what non-Black people did to help others appreciate the bigger picture, beore the civil war.

The question you might ask: What about the quilt? There is a quilt, it is the catalyst that reveals the mindset of many people. 

Of course I recommend this book. 

I The Christmas Quilt, Circle of Quilters and a Quilt Project book by the same author

Written by Marsha L Floyd

THE MASTER QUILTER by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

If you are following the Elm Street book series then you know that life is not all about quilts. (Did I, a quilter just write that!) THE MASTER QUILTER (2004) is about planning the unique gift for Sylvia and Andrew  but family drama may ruin everything. Do you remember the competition / animosity between a member of the Elm street group and the other group? Do you remember all the things there children were going through?  (That’s why we get print copies of books and not audio!) Oh and the financial drama! As I have said in previous reviews the book series is not just about making quilts.

The Elm Street Quilt series has very believable plot lines and with Jennifer Chiaverini the one story is the foundation for the next, you never know when a marriage is going to fail or succeed. You don’t know what is going to happen do the children and you, at least I am, curious as to how a quilt is going to get made with so many busy lives. 

The Master Quilt is almost like a family reunion, I am glad to know what happened to various individuals. 

I had not planned on writing book reviews on this series, I usually review non-fiction, thus I had to write back to back reviews so that I could start writing as I read.  This is the last of the books I listened to before I started writing the reviews and so I am all caught up. I am looking forward to telling you about THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT so I can tell you about THE CHRISTMAS QUILT Iwhen I am finished that one! 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

THE QUILTERS LEGACY by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

The Quilter's Legacy (2003)is book 5 of the 6 books I have listened to. By the time you read this I will probably be on book 8 or 9 since I just finished listening to book 6. Let’s take a quick peak at the author Jennifer Chiaverini before I tell you how awesome this book is! 

Jennifer Chiaverini is a best selling author of historical fiction, I discovered her through her Elm Street quilters series however she writes more. She is a college graduate (University of Notre Dame and University of Chicago) and has received rewards related to her writing. She is a wife and mother residing in Wisconsin. 

In my research I discovered she has written a novel about John Wilkes Booth: FATES AND TRAITORS; I am adding the book to my list but at this point my list of books by this particular author will have me reading  well into 2027! I also discovered her books on quilting patterns, there are 4 that I remember, I ordered one when I ordered the print copy of CIRCLE OF QUILTERS, the book I will be reading after listening to THE CHRISTMAS QUILT. 

THE QUILTERS LEGACY continues to bring the past into the present, as it relates to the time the characters are living, Sylvia wants to find “the quilt”. This story hit home because somewhere among one of my family members storage of stuff is a quilt made by my great grandmother, I just want to see it. In searching for the quilt, Sylvia learns more about her family history. 

But wait! There’s more! This book is why I am a strong supporter of reading the series in order because there are always stories developing within the story as the lives of the various women are presented. And of course a quilt is made. 

The one thing I want to say because I did finish reading  book 7; This book is part of a story line but it is foundational for what is to come. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

LESSONS I LEARNED FROM THE FIRE- A Cautionary Tale by Tonya D. Floyd

 

WOW! I don’t know if this book confirms what I already knew or is preparing me for what I am getting ready to do. My ex-husband is trying to sell our “marital home” with all of it’s  pre-purchase problems and I am in the process of renovating a fixer-upper. LESSONS I LEARNED FROM THE FIRE- A CAUTIONARY TALE by Tonya D Floyd is a must read for ANYONE who owns a home, is getting ready to purchase a home, get insurance, has insurance. Is a renter with insurance or, you are making a major purchase with or without insurance. 

DISCLAIMER: Tonya D. Floyd is my “forever” niece and I purchased this book because she wrote it. She has many books but this was the one I was “lead” to get and I had the funds to purchase. But, just because she is family does not mean I will not give an honest review. Generally speaking, when friends ask me to review their books and I take the time to read it then I will post the review on my blog, the cost for my time, but I will not post it on Social Media. Twice in the 10 plus years I have been reviewing books have I not posted a review on Amazon because it was that bad, one of the two I did not post on my blog, she was a good friend and a member of the church I attended; both books were trashed upon completion.  LESSON’S I LEARNED FROM THE FIRE will not be trashed.

Half way through this 30 page booklet, I started “hating” it! BECAUSE it was information I needed to know and I hate being a grown-up. Each of the nine lessons presented in this book I needed to know or be reminded of. Her story, Tonya D Floyd’s, life  lessons, learned the hard way, reinforce the importance of understanding EVERY document you sign. No one plans an accident and some accidents can be avoided, if you take the right steps.We think of insurance as a cushion, but there are unknown variables.  Not knowing, not understanding is costly! 

In addition to rereading the book, and marking it up as I like to do, I plan on purchasing at least 3 copies for gifts for 3 individuals who I know are planning to purchase a home. Truth is I don’t hate-hate the book, I really love and appreciate it, I just don’t like being a grown up. 

I recommend you purchase the book, even if all you have is renters insurance. That fine print will bite you if you need it and discover to late your claims don’t qualify. Ask people who live in disaster areas.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE RUNAWAY QUILT by Jennifer Chiaverini

Now she has gone and done it! Author Jennifer Chiaverini has introduced America’s ugly history with The Runaway Quilt (2002). But like all of her other books in this series, she shares with the reader just what needs to be known to complete the novel. Most readers are aware of abolitionist in times of slavery, they know that hundreds of black men, women and children attempted to escape and they know that their was this thing called the underground railroad; in addition, most people are aware that quilts played a key roll in the underground railroad. 

Sylvia, The Elm Street quilters and a woman named Gerda are the basis of this novel.  What I have learned thus far, Jennifer Chiaverini has a way of introducing new characters in one book that play important rolls in the next. (Gerda will visit again!)

Now, don’t think this book is all about slavery and the underground railroad, it’s not.Life goes on outside of Elm Creek, thus: the journey continues!

One of my take- away’s form this book was the importance of appreciating the elder members of your family. There is more to a family history than the date of birth and date of death. Even the elders in the community of family origin may be able to shed a story or two. 

Another take-away from this Historical Fiction is the significance of quilting throughout history. 

Yes, life still goes on within the Elm Street quilters community. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd
 

THE CROSS COUNTRY QUILTERS by Jennifer Chiaverini

 Elm’s Creek is the place to go if you want to learn how to quilt. The Cross-Country Quilters (2001) written by Julia Chiaverini is the third is a series of over twenty books that talk about quilting and people.  If you have read the other books you now understand that everything takes place at the Elm Street estate, or does it?

This is the gathering of 5 women, the one I latched on to was Julia, because she is the first Black character, that I know of for sure, that has been introduced by the author. Julioa has a secret but the other women have issues too. So let’s make a quilt!

Spoiler alter, if you are reading the Elm Street Quilt series and have not come across an issue in life that you personally are going through- KEEP READING! This book had me going through an emotional roller coaster, like when I was addicted to soap-operas back in the day. 

Should I cry; hould I be angry; “What in the world?”; “”No, she diddn’t!”; all of these emotions I wwent through is what makes a good book great. My next review: The Runaway Quilt. 

Written by Marshs L Floyd

ROUND ROBIN by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

By the time I finished listening to ROUND ROBIN by Jennifer Chiaverini I was hooked or the series.

I was still learning the characters within the series but, as a quilter, I became distracted by the quilt discussions A Round Robin quilt has a center piece focal point and surrounding blocks. Each quilt block, within the story line, was attached to the story of a particular character.
Love marriage, life struggles including past hurts are concepts introduced in this book.  Because I have now listened to the next three books, I am struggling to separate each plot.
Unlike other sequences I think, with this particular novel, the book can br a stand alone but it has enough unanswered questions to leave the opportunity for another book. Jennifer Chiaverini has revealed her gift of writing historical fiction, incorporate the art of quilting, and discuss life issues in an informative and entertaining way. 

Yes, I recommend the series.

WRITTEN BY: Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED