My Quilting Projects

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Quilters' Book Club Selection for June and a Winner


Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book.  I research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events.  And I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  Leave a comment, letting us know you'd like to join.  That's it!  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  (If you are reading my posts via email, be sure to click on the blog title to be able to comment and to read the comments of others.) 

Our book to read and discuss during June 2013 is The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue.  It's the first book in her Someday Quilts Mystery Series.  Check out the book from your local library and join us!

"Nell Fitzgerald is thrilled when she receives a gorgeous handmade quilt in a lover's knot pattern from her grandmother Eleanor as an engagement gift.  Her joy is short-lived, however, when her fiancé announces that he's calling off the wedding.  Heartbroken, twenty-six-year-old Nell flees New York City for her grandmother's home in quaint Archer's Rest.  In this small town Eleanor's life revolves around her quilt shop, Someday Quilts, and the members of the shop's quilting circle.

"When the body of a local handyman known for his flirting is found in the quilt shop, murdered with a pair of scissors, Nell finds herself drawn into the case - and drawn to the handsome police chief.  As a pattern of clues begins to emerge, one of the prime suspects is Nell's ex-fiancé, whose arrival in Archers Rest seems suspicious.  The ladies of the quilting circle continue to piece together their quilts as Nell unravels the mystery."

We have a winner for the May giveaway of Jennifer Chiaverini's latest book, Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker.  My husband drew Julie Birbeck's name.  Congratulations, Julie!  Send your address to starwoodquilter@gmail.com, and I'll be happy to get the book on its way to you.

Do you enjoy reading mysteries or will reading this mystery be a new experience for you?  Do you have a favorite mystery series?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others. 

By commenting, you are also entering a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop, !  Winner will be announced July 1.    

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here. 

29 comments:

  1. Okay' I'm going to do this. I just ordered the book from my local library -
    this will be my first -
    thanks
    Arleen
    asnorthwoods@centurytel.net

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    1. Arleen, welcome! We're happy to have you as part of the Quilters' Book Club!

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  2. I love mysteries and plan on being in again this month. I've ordered the book from Amazon (got it for under $5 including shipping and handling) and should get it before the 8th. Can't wait. I'll be on vacation the second half of the month and know will have it read by then. My favorite mystery? I don't think I have a favorite...yet.

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  3. I really love the #1 Ladies Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith. All of the books take place in Botswana, and the main character is Precious Ramatswe. On long road trips, my family loves to listen to the Cat Who Mystery Series by Lilian Jackson Braun.

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  4. I wonder how many books I can have on order at a time from the library. LOL! Just ordered Alice's Tulips on Friday. Will order this one when that one comes in and will read Alice's Tulips first and then this one. I have the quilt pattern "Lovers Knot" by Eleanor Burns..thought it interesting to read above about the quilt gift from Grandma Eleanor.

    Mysteries are my favorite reads and I really like the author Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosh novels. Just read 9 Dragons.

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  5. My library has the book I hope to remember to go and pick it up on Tuesday.
    hugs
    Nan

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  6. I really do love mysteries! After all, the first book that got me to enjoy reading was a Nancy Drew mystery. I like Alexander McCall Smith and I loved Tony Hillerman with a Southwest Native American setting, and Anne Perry, places her mysteries in a Victorian England. Sometimes I pick up Douglas Preston (sometimes co-author with Lincoln Child) but those mysteries are rather intense. Earlene Fowler writes quilt mysteries but they are a little less about quilting and more about the life of Benni Harper.

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  7. I echo the previous comment about the #1 Ladies Detective Agency. I also loved the Janet Evanovitch Stephanie Plum novels....

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  8. I love mysteries. Sadly my library doesn't have this book. I'll have to see if I can find it elsewhere. I'm still waiting to receive the May book from the library too...

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  9. Life was a little bit too hectic in May and so I only managed to start reading that months title last week. Really enjoying already, the historical content is so interesting. I already have June's book, so will be able to start reading it soon and join in with the blog posts this month.

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  10. Oh, a new author to me. Will got to library website and see if they have it. I LOVE mysteries of any kind. I haven't quite finished Alice's Tulips yet, but will get it done, before I start on new book. So many projects, so little time!

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  11. I love quilt mysteries. I have just finished 2 of Arlene Sachitano books
    I bought them in 2012 at Paducah quilt show and had her sign them. I had forgotten I had them She had one calls Quilter's Knot want to find her other ones to read. they were a great read while my husband was in the hospital recently. off to find this book and join in. thanks

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  12. Oh, oh, I want in! Love to read and quilt! Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is one of my favorites. I haven't read any quilt mysteries yet. Sound like fun! vickise at gmail dot com

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  13. I love all mysteries , well almost all. I am going to order this from amazon today I know it will be fun.I l enjoy book clubs suejchase@gmail.com

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  14. I'm jumping in. I've never been in a book club before. I love the idea of getting the books and patterns for free. Great for the us frugal quilters. I have read some mysteries and enjoy them. It's been a while since the last one I read, so this should be fun. I will be following you on my Feedly reader.

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  15. Wow, what a wonderful surprise to read that I am the winner of Jennifer Chiaverini's latest book. Thank you so much, that is a lovely start to my day.
    I have just started the book for this month & am really enjoying it so far. Clare O'Donahue is a new author to me, but had wanted to read her books for ages. This group is really great, it is challenging me to read more & catch up on my long list of "books to read".
    I really love mysteries, especially historical mysteries, nothing better than a good twist at the end to get you thinking.

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  16. I really enjoy Laura Childs Tea Shop mysteries. She has at least two other series besides tea shop. I have read Lover's Knot and am reading again so I can comment. Hope to get block made.

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  17. Finished reading Alice's Tulips last night so ready to start on The Lover's knot now. I love a good mystery especially when there is a twist at the end. I hate is when you can work out the plot before you are less than half way through.

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  18. No one has mentioned Emilie Richards "Shennandoah Album" quilt books yet. I love the Tea Shop mysteries, too (Laura Childs). I found a Tamar Myers mystery at the Goodwill recently...I think it was called "Tiles and Tribulations". It was good & I'm looking for more of hers. Just a thought.

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  19. I love to read and I love quilts. Throw in some food and I'm happy.

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  20. I have had this book here at home for a couple of years. It is time to read it. I will read along with all of you.

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  21. Congratulations Julie Birbeck! I have always loved a good mystery. I just finished Louise Penny's, "The Beautiful Mystery". Looking forward to reading Clare O'Donohue as I haven't read any of her books yet. So enjoying this read along/quilt along. Thanks!! Blessings and smiles, Emilou :-)

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  22. I love this series. I just bought Cathedral Windows which is #3 or 4 for my e-reader. I like all the suggestions of authors new to me. I see some people like #1 Ladies Detective Agency. I read them after hearing the author interviewed on the radio and laughing so hard I knew I must like his books!
    Mary Anne

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    1. My mom and I attended a tea as well as a program where Alexander McCall Smith spoke (dressed in his kilt). He is absolutely wonderful in person! I have read every one of his #1 Ladies Detective Agency books - some more than once.

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  23. Another comment for the person whose library didn't have the book. I have learned 2 things from other readers. Most libraries have inter-library loan and will get a book for you (eventually)and they keep a list of books /authors to buy so you can give them suggestions. Once I got a big expensive quilting book almost right away and the librarian checking it out put her name down to take it out second, lol. Mary Anne

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  24. My favorite mystery writer is Mary Higgins Clark. I have read all of her books up until the last few. I look forward to reading The Lover's Knot.

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  25. I picked this book up at my library as well, and have started reading it over the last few days. Mysteries are not generally my first choice in books, but I do like to delve into a good one from time to time. I'm anxious to see where this story goes.

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  26. I've not yet introduced myself, so I'll start today. I love mystery series and am currently reading at least 25 (yes, I keep a spreadsheet of all my series) Many of them quilt (or other handwork), gardening, dogs (and horses) or veterinary related. My favorite one is usually the one I have in my hands. Do you all know about http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/ ? I love it and review it often. You can click on some of the indexes on the right and find other series related to ones you like. (you'll find quilting mysteries under JOB INDEX>crafts and handwork) You can also sign up for a monthly newsletter to get information about upcoming book's publishing dates. I also use www.goodreads.com to keep track of all the books I've read, because my memory isn't so good. If anyone does, look me up! Years ago (maybe 10) I decide to read all the quilt fiction I could. There was (until recently) a website that list all that was available. In the last 5 years or so that number had doubled and tripled with more coming out everyday. I'm not complaining, but I would have been done a long time ago if not for all the new ones. :) I'm not sure what happened to that website, but I wish someone would do another. I have an old blog, perhaps I should use it and start a new list, hmmm. I don't participate much, because I've already read the books you've discussed. I've made an effort to not start new quilty things for myself until I get my UFOs done. I get a lot of orders tho and I try to keep them up until done even tho it keeps me from the UFOs Another great time waster is Electric Quilt, I love my EQ. I manage to complete many quilts with it! Of course they aren't keeping me warm, but ohh, the eye candy!

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