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

THE QUILTERS APPRENTICE by Jennifer Chiaverini

 As a child I became addicted to novels set within a particular time period, looking back the common theme was: women who overcame obstacles. At some point in my life I transitioned to reading only non-fiction. I am back to appreciating and reading both. Never did I ever consider listening to a book.  Two books convinced me that audio books were not that bad: Ministry of God’s Word by Watchman Nee, I started reading it in 2003 and finaly completed it by listening to the entire book in 2025;and Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, I purchased this book around 2020 and put it on my reading list May of 2024 and finally listened to the audio book in 2025. Then I discovered FREE audio books on YouTube. It was with a book on YouTube that I discovered “Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinor Pruitt Stewart that I recalled my love for Historical Fiction and I ventured into the writings of  Jennifer Chiaverini.

I chose to listen to The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini because I am a quilter and it was a historical fiction. I love the book because of the plot, the infusion of quilting and it does not end with “and they lived happily ever after”, yes I am being “snarky”. 

I am writing this review after having listened to six of the Elm street series books , because the story lines are cumulative and the characters have become my friends I cannot give much of an overview for fear of giving away to much. 

You must read this book first because it is, in essence, Act 1 of a story that may or may not end, I do believe there is a book that will be released in 2026; this book was published in 1999. You can read each book out of order but everything will make more since if you read them in publishing order.

1.  The Quilter's Apprentice (1999)
2.  Round Robin (2000)
3.  The Cross-Country Quilters (2001)
4. The Runaway Quilt (2002)
5. The Quilter's Legacy
6. The Master Quilter (2004)
7. The Sugar Camp Quilt (2005)
8. The Christmas Quilt (2005)
9. Circle of Quilters (2006)
10. The Quilter's Homecoming (2007)
11. The New Year's Quilt (2007)
12. The Winding Ways Quilt (2008)
13.  The Quilter's Kitchen (2008)
14. The Lost Quilter (2009)
15. A Quilter's Holiday (2009)
16.  The Aloha Quilt (2010)
17. The Union Quilters (2011)
18. The Wedding Quilt (2011)
19. Sonoma Rose (2011)
20. The Giving Quilt (2012)
21. The Christmas Boutique (2019)
22. The Museum of Lost Quilts (2024)
23. The World's Fair Quilt (2025)

Since I am reading book #6, I can really appreciate reading them in order. It is important that the reader develops a relationship with the various characters, and there are many. I have learned by book four that, they don’t go away.

The story in this book introduces the reader to a couple who is having difficulty, the husband, Matt, is working, the wife, Sarah, gave up something to accommodate him. Sylvia, the Matriarch of sorts, presents herself and we, the readers, are introduced to Elm Street and quilting. The first book becomes the readers first quilt.

As the readers becomes involved in Matt and Sarah’s marriage, we become interested in Sylvia, like Dorothy when she lands in Oz and encounters Glinda,we must know: “Are you a good witch or a bad which?”.   

The reader gets an ending, but like a good dessert, you want more. I wanted more. Unfortunately for me I was a newbie to audiobooks and I had already purchased a book after getting THE QUILTERS APPRENTICE free. S, after mentioning the book to a group I belonged to on Facebook and learning that there was not only a sequel but a series I joined another audio book program and ordered ROUND ROBIN! 

       Written by Marsha L Floyd

 

    

 

Matt , Sarah sylvia family secrets 1st quilt

WITH CHRIST IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER by Andrew Murray

 

WITH CHRIST IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER by Andrew Murray (1828-1917) a book written by an author that I was once told to avoid! I don’t know why that person said I should not read anything by Ancrew Murray but I will no longer listen to other peoples opinions about anything!  I love this book. I started listening to the audio (see link below) and then I purchased the print book. Unfortunately, the used copy I purchased was small print so I ordered it on my kindle!

If you are a person who loves to pray, a prayer warrior, an intercessor or just have a lot of people you want to pray for, get this book. I have numerous books on prayer by various authors but this is the ultimate book on prayer. WITH CHRIST IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER is a step by step, precept upon precept, line upon line manual on praying. I promise you when  you have finished reading this book you will develop a greater confidence in praying.

The book is 238 pages, 31 chapters and a Preface by Andrew Murray. I started listening to the audio book and by the fourth chapter I realized I was listening wrong, which is why I ordered the book. It is a school, a home school, subject matter prayer. It is an excellent Bible study for a small group.  "Lord teach me to pray". the words of every disciple is the theme that flows through the book as Murray walks the reader through how Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. 

Luke 11:1 (KJV)
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 

I know how to pray, I was on an intercessory prayer team, I pray for people, I pray for people that ask me and people who don’t ask; but I lacked the confidence because of what “they” say.  I even wrote a book on prayer: BEFORE YOU PRAY FOR ME. (It was an eBook available on the SMASHWORDS website, I am preparing to rerelease it in 2026, if not sooner.) 

The first lesson, Chapter 1, entitled ”THE ONLY TEACHER” begins with Luke 11:1, when the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray and He does. I don’t care who taught you to pray, you cannot pray successfully consistently unless the Teacher teaches you. Lesson one: What is prayer? The first three chapters are foundational to get the disciple, the student, the reader, to the point in which he or she can fully understand what Jesus was saying when He spoke: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9 KJV) 

If you want to improve your personal prayer life, this book is worth the investment. I listened to the audiobook all the way to the end. There was a bonus mini biography about George Muller a man of faith 1805-1898, I will be reviewing his audiobook)  I could not follow along in the reading and the audio, it happens sometimes with classic books, either way, it is worth the investment.  

WRITTEN BY: Marsha L Floyd

         

 AUDIOBOOK FROM YOUTUBE

 

I knew I wanted to, called to, write since about 1996, my first book “The Truth About Vashtai” was published 10 years ago the same the time I started blogging. I briefly, a few years, had a YouTube channel but  I knew that it was not my “thing”. I am a wordy person but I hate editing it was challenging to edit a video from 30 minutes to 15 minutes, the attention span of most viewers; editing a written article from 500 plus words to 250 is much easier. I have struggled with sharing the words of my heart for the past 10 years to the extent of doing neither, writing or videos, like Jeremiah I just could not be quiet. 

Jeremiah 20:9 (KJV)
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with  forbearing, and I could not stay. 

I made the decision to live by faith first. I am a person who follows Jesus  as it is revealed in Scripture.. I cannot and will not separate my faith from how I live be it: political, crafting, family, daily living, or Bible understanding; nor will I validate lifestyles that are against Good’s will. Thus I move forward in my writing understanding that I will not get a record number of subscribers.  

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

In a blogpost dated November 9, 2024 “MY PARADIGMS SHIFT” I cam out of my worldly limitations and embraced my godly destination.  I have a lot of interest: sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, making soap, making candles and even baking. I have a lot of opinions regarding politics, church life and being a woman.

I have tried to limit the conversations; to separate the conversations, by posting certain topics on specific days and using different blog addresses, none of these plans worked with me.I want to blog about making stuff.

This post, typed on July 5, 2025 and intended to be post on all 3 blog sites marks my pivot into what I believe is the next phase of my writing journey. Despite a part of me wanting to create a YouTube channel I will resist the urge focusing on my writing.  In 1996 God called me to write, in 2024 I realized I have always wanted to be a homemaker.

Habakkuk 2:2-4 (KJV)
2  And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW A SECRET STORY OF QUILTS and the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

 

HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW A SECRET STORY OF QUILTS and the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD is the title of this book written by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D.,  the title of my review is: The importance of sewing in the history of Black Americans, also known as African-Americans.

I hesitated reading this book because I wanted to read about quilting done by Black people. The narrative, as it was presented by the authors, wove the history of quilting beginning with how Africans  created with textiles before coming to America, how slaves communicated despite not reading or writing and the relationship between quilts and the underground railroad. There are lots of images of quilts in the book but I found myself more interested in the hows and whys of quilts being used in history than I was with the images, I will have to go back in the book and look at the ones I skipped over. 

This book presents Black history in a way that I am very much interested in, sometimes I find modern history books angry and hopeless. I know my ancestors came from some country in Africa and they were enslaved unjustly in America. I know that my freed ancestors endured the hardships of working on a sharecropper farm and I also know that they eventually became educated, productive members of society, many of whom are landowners. I don’t want dates and names, I want the stories behind the names with the dates and we get this through Mrs Ozella McDaniel Williams, what the author identifies as a Griot an oral historian but. Mrs Ozella is the catalyzt for the author Jacqueline L Tobin beginning her quest into the story behind the quilts and why she reached out to Dr. Raymond G. Dobard. 

This book is not a “How to” make quilts  but a “why this pattern” story. That is what I wanted to know and that is what I learned; the quilting blocks of the underground railroad and their history. 

HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW A SECRET STORY OF QUILTS and the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD is 179 pages not including: the Historical Time; Ozella”s Underground Railroad Quilt Code Patterns; and Chart Comparing African symbols with American Quilt Patterns, like the “double wedding ring, and Masonic Emblems. This book is an excellent resource for those interested in the history of the art of quilting. Of course I recommend it, to everyone.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

I purchased this book and have not been compensated for it.