Sharon Mondragon

I felt a kinship from the moment I started reading The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs. I could see my grandparents in these characters. Oh, how I miss them so much. I lost my grandfather to dementia a few years ago and seeing him lose his essence is still one of the hardest things I’ve witnessed in my life. For all of the caretakers out there my prayers are with you. It is one of the toughest and most thankless jobs.

This novel felt so real that it was, at times, hard to read. Life can be hard and getting older can be even harder. We can’t help the cards that we’re dealt, but we can be thankful for every tiny blessing and squeeze out as much joy as we can in every moment we’re given. I have been thinking about getting older a lot lately and what will happen when I reach the point that I can’t take care of myself. I hope that I can find a tribe like the Woolgatherer’s so that I can not only have the camaraderie but also an outreach and purpose.

The end of the novel warmed my heart like no other. Seeing lives healed and the Lord at work through prayer is always so amazing. I love it so much. The power of prayer is real and though you never know what someone else is going through you can always pray.

This is one of my favorite novels of 2024 and I feel so thankful that I was able to read this incredible story.

*I have reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (altro)

This is a fantastic book! I was immediately hooked from the beginning, and I could barely put the book down! The ladies of the Woolgatherers are relatable and easy to like!

Edna is my favorite! She seems all crusty and formidable, but her heart is hurting. Susan cracked me up! Health conscious and not afraid to speak up! Rose, the patient one. Listening and praying. Sam, he touched my heart. His story is heartbreaking, but he learns so much with the wonderful knitting group! I just started crocheting with a group from church, so this book was really relatable!

The biggest takeaway that I gleaned from the book is to pray for people. Everyone is going through something, and the simple act of prayer can make a difference! I'm glad that Sharon Mondragon doesn't shy away from spiritual issues. It made the book enjoyable and encouraging!

I was provided a copy of the book from the publisher/author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (altro)

The Heavenly Hugs prayer Shawl Ministry meets every Wednesday morning, to pray and knit their shawls. These four ladies are serious about their ministry, knitting prayer shawls that are earmarked for anyone who needs comfort and prayers. They meet in the quiet and peaceful chapel, that is, they did until a volunteer offered to fix the cracks in the walls and paint the chapel. Since he could only work on Wednesday mornings, and the ladies couldn’t all meet at any other time, they had to find a new venue. The pastor suggested they knit in a public place. He had an ulterior motive, unknown to them. He is trying to save a dying church by drawing in more people to services, and he thought that others seeing the knitters would be curious enough to find out more about what they are doing and what church they attended. His plan worked, but not without some problems along the way. It’s quite a story. Knitting at a mall in a common area, people noticed them right off. People in need of prayer would leave requests on paper napkins, and often came back to relate how those prayers were answered. Not all got the answer they thought they wanted, but friendships developed and grew among unlikely people, and relationships were healed. It’s an inspirational tale, and might just inspire you to start your own knitting group. Well written and peopled with delightful, if flawed, characters.… (altro)

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Sharon J. Mondragon’s debut novel was a delightful and fun read. I enjoyed the different flavor of characters involved. The knitting group itself was interesting, and I was with them, why would the pastor kick them out of the church? But the group found more than they ever imagined knitting in an open space where there was people everywhere. When I read this I couldn’t help but think of our own prayer shawls ministry at church. I don’t knit but I crochet, and it is a fun and satisfying feeling to make the prayer shawls and blankets to give to those in need.

The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady had me laughing with the ladies and share a tear or two with them. Margaret was a character that has issues but the reader doesn’t know what that is for a while. All in all, this is a entertaining read that I had a lot of fun reading. If you enjoy a good clean contemporary read with a good dose of faith running through, you will delight in this story. I’m giving this Four Stars and I look forward to more from Sharon J. Mondragon in the near future.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.… (altro)