Kendra Taylor retreats to a cabin in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley that her husband was bequeathed by a maternal grandmother he never knew. She has just escaped death and welcomes the quiet, rural community of Toms Brook. She discovers an heirloom lover's knot quilt that is a piece of Isaac's past and hopes it will help connect his roots and reconnect with her as well.

Engrossing ...: I love quilting books (or books with quilting themes in it). I love Emilie Richard's books simply because she is a thorough writer and she always introduces a new character from a previous book, so you feel like you are among friends. Her books has a way of drawing you into the story ~~ or in this case, a story within a story.

It starts out with Kendra almost losing her life in an attempted carjacking attack. Six months later after extensive therapy, she decides that she needs to go and live in her husband's grandmother's cabin. She takes Isaac's quilt, called The Lover's Knot ~~ with her as well. Isaac remains behind in Washington D.C., and Kendra fearing the end of her marriage, decides to recuperate away from the city and in the mountains. Little did she know that she would find a new home among the citizens that live in the tiny town. And little did she know that she would discover Isaac's grandmother's deep secret.

Isaac was given up for adoption as a child. He didn't have an easy childhood as his adoptive father was mentally abusive. So he didn't want to know anything about his biological family because he thought they were just as bad for giving him up for adoption. Turns out his grandmother Leah had a story and that story haunted two of her friends for years. It talked about being relocated from their home which has been turned over to the government to make a park. It gives a bit of history as well and Leah shares her stories through letters.

It's a bittersweet novel and a very wonderful one. Kendra and Isaac find themselves through history and simple daily life in the country. It's a big contrast to the high-power living in a big city ~~ and very relaxing.

Only Richards can write like this ~~ full of warmth and sunshine and hope. Her novels have always made me curl up on the couch and relax with a cup of tea on hand. It's wonderful, cozy and engrossing. Always.

10-3-06

Another wonderful story in Richards'' quilt series. This time the story centers around the reporter who showed up briefly in the second book, Kendra. Finding her DC life hollow, then being brutally attacked, she retreats to the Shenandoah area to heal both body and spirit. A wonderful story of how she recenters herself, and helps her husband to grow in the process.

Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5350421/ ( )

This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be my last.

This appears to be the third in a series. I obviously have not read the other two, but that didn't detract from the storyline in the book.

Kendra, thinks she is happily married. A journalist suffering from a severe bout of the flu is waiting for her husband, Isaac to stop by the pharmacy and pick up her antibiotics. When she notices that the pharmacy is due to close she dresses and headed into town to fetch her prescription.

On the way back to her car she is held up at gunpoint and in almost a heartbeat her life and that of Isaac's will never be the same.

After her immediate recover Kendra makes the decision to go and live peacefully at the old cabin that Isaac has inherited from his birth Grandmother. She takes a few possessions and the Lover's Knot quilt that Isaac also inherited.

Whilst living away from home, Kendra embarks upon a new life, adjusting post injury and surgery, contemplating her future; both professionally and with Isaac and she strives to unravel the mystery of Isaac's birth family.

This was a great read, which I achieved in just a few days. The storyline was believable and the mystery about Isaac's birth family was intriguing. I liked the character of Kendra, her determination, her spirit and her curiosity. ( )

A satisfying addition to the Shenandoah Album series-the third. Recovering from a wound, Kendra Taylor retreats to a cabin in the Shenandoah Valley to evaluate her life and her marriage. Adopted as a baby, the cabin was left to her husband by a grandmother he never knew. As she examines her life, Kendra also examines the Lover's Knot quilt that was also left by her husband's grandmother. It leads to a journey back into the family history. ( )