Lilly's Wedding Quilt (book review)

A Patch of Heaven Novel: Lilly's Wedding Quilt

By Kelly Long
Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
List Price: $14.99

From the publisher:  Handsome, headstrong Jacob offers Lilly his hand in marriage, but his heart belongs to someone ese. While Lilly Lapp has loved Jacob for years, she wouldn't compete with Sarah King, the woman Jacob was determined to marry. But when Sarah marries another, Jacob spontaneously agrees to wed Lilly.

Lilly divides her time between teaching the local Amish children and caring for her widowed mother who suffers from depression. Lilly's faith comforts her, but her heart still longs to be the sole object of Jacob's affection. As the days slip by, Lilly decides that hoping is too risky and vows to protect her heart. But God is subtly as work, and as winter turns to spring, their hearts awaken.

The furthest thing from Lilly's mind is her Amish wedding quilt, a traditional gift for new brides. And the person she'd least suspect is the one making it. Like stray pieces of fabric quilted into a new design, Jacob and Lilly's marriage begins to bind them together in ways neither expected.

My take: From what I understand, Lilly's Wedding Quilt is the second in Mrs. Long's "A Patch of Heaven" novels (Sarah's Garden being the first).  However, I didn't find this out until AFTER I read Lilly's Wedding Quilt though so I can tell you in all honestly that you do not need to read the first book before reading this one; the stories are separate.  I have always loved Amish fiction but having mainly read the genre with Beverly Lewis books, I wanted to branch out into other authors.  Let me tell you, if you love Amish Fiction (or any romance for that matter), you'll love Lilly's Wedding Quilt.  The story isn't complicated to follow, the characters aren't complex.  The underlying thread that ties the story line together is the characters deep and abiding love for God and all his gifts to us.  Lilly's Wedding Quilt is an honest and compelling look at a relationship started and guided by God and a lesson for us all to depend on Him when we need him most.  AND it's a great love story!  I can't wait for book three - I hope it's about Jacob's brother Seth - I'd like to see how he grows into a love that God brings him!!

About the Author:  Kelly Long was born and raised in North Central Pennsylvania. There was an Amish hitching post at the small grocery store in her town. She loves to write Amish romance and is the author of novel, Sarah's Garden, the novella Amish Christmas Expanded Edition with some other great Amish authors, Amish Love with Beth Wiseman and Kathy Fuller, and Lilly's Wedding Quilt--the sequel to Sarah's Garden. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and children.

This review was sponsored by Book Sneeze (Thomas Nelson) who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.