What do you think?
Rate this book
Quilts of Love #16
Maybelle in Stitches
Maybelle can't sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother's house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it's just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.
Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return--to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.
Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return--to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
15 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Magnin
27 books172 followersUm, I like cross stitch, baseball, my children and grandkids, but not elevators or laundry. I've been known to run from mayonnaise and I play RPG video games. I don't have a favorite author although I read a lot.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 1, 2023
I liked the WW2 era story. A good storyline and a quick audiobook listen for me.
March 11, 2014
Never judge a book by its cover. I confess that I was seduced by the patchwork quilt on the cover and the title of MAYBELLE IN STITCHES. I love to sew almost as much as I love to read, what could be better a book that combined both. Very early on we learn that Maybelle is a welderess, I know nothing of welding but looked forward to learning.
Maybelle can weld but she can’t sew, I’m willing to believe that the author can’t either as the potential rich seam of fabric and thread selection, stitches and memory remains unmined. Its wartime and menfolk are mostly away which is why Maybelle welds. Is welding heavy work? Intricate work? Hard work? I don’t know as this rich seam goes unmined as well.
The seam that does get mined however is God. God is good and we need to have faith. That is the message of this book. I agree God is good but surely he can sew as well? Not a book about stiches but about faith. Readable but disappointing.
Maybelle can weld but she can’t sew, I’m willing to believe that the author can’t either as the potential rich seam of fabric and thread selection, stitches and memory remains unmined. Its wartime and menfolk are mostly away which is why Maybelle welds. Is welding heavy work? Intricate work? Hard work? I don’t know as this rich seam goes unmined as well.
The seam that does get mined however is God. God is good and we need to have faith. That is the message of this book. I agree God is good but surely he can sew as well? Not a book about stiches but about faith. Readable but disappointing.
April 7, 2014
This Quilts of Love Series is so good and so much fun!
There really is something for everyone!!!
And it’s totally okay if you’re not a quilter…you’ll especially love Maybelle.
In this wonderful tale from Joyce Magnin, we journey back to the 1940′s during WW2.
Joyce has done an amazing job of capturing the feel and emotion of this time period.
This story definitely pulls at your heartstrings! There are also many funny moments as well.
Another great addition to this wonderful series!!!
There really is something for everyone!!!
And it’s totally okay if you’re not a quilter…you’ll especially love Maybelle.
In this wonderful tale from Joyce Magnin, we journey back to the 1940′s during WW2.
Joyce has done an amazing job of capturing the feel and emotion of this time period.
This story definitely pulls at your heartstrings! There are also many funny moments as well.
Another great addition to this wonderful series!!!
October 22, 2022
Sweet Historical Romance
Maybelle's best friend continues to mention she just need to have hope and faith and to believe, but I'm disappointed the author didn't go into Who she is supposed to have faith in. I think she really missed an opportunity to speak about faith in Christ and the hope only He can offer during the difficult situations these wives went through, and anythingwe go through too!
The ending was a bit abrupt to me.
I did enjoy this emotional story for the most part, although the narration wasn't my favorite!
I am grateful this entire series is available to read or listen to for no additional cost with Kindle Unlimited and an Audible subscription.
Maybelle's best friend continues to mention she just need to have hope and faith and to believe, but I'm disappointed the author didn't go into Who she is supposed to have faith in. I think she really missed an opportunity to speak about faith in Christ and the hope only He can offer during the difficult situations these wives went through, and anythingwe go through too!
The ending was a bit abrupt to me.
I did enjoy this emotional story for the most part, although the narration wasn't my favorite!
I am grateful this entire series is available to read or listen to for no additional cost with Kindle Unlimited and an Audible subscription.
September 12, 2017
A wonderful and moving book. This series always features a quilt being made in the storyline. This story takes place in WWII a young woman is waiting for her husband to come home and discovers a quilt that her mom had started and though she is sorely inadequate with a needle her friend convinces her to get it finished to keep her mind occupied while hopefully waiting for her husband to return from the war. A very hearttouching book.
March 24, 2022
Wonderful story of friendship and faith. While their husbands were off fighting for their country, the women back home sacrificed, prayed, and worked together to bring them home. When the telegrams came the women banded together to encourage and lift each other up.
February 16, 2021
The 16th book in the Quilts of Love series. Christian fiction. Historical fiction. Light and sweet.
July 11, 2022
Wonderful book ! Set in the era of world war 2 - lots of loss and sadness, but what a wonderful story or woman sticking together and friends becoming family ! A wonderful book
November 14, 2024
A good history of women working in the shipyards, life in a certain era with sacrifices and celebrations. A quilt community was a support group and a diversion as our heroine becomes an adult.
January 26, 2025
I enjoyed this book but did not care for the ending. It left me hanging wondering more about the characters.
November 8, 2019
Nice story about a group of WW2 wives, entering the workforce to support the war while waiting for news of their husbands. Given that plot, the story could have easily been depressing. It is really a story about hope. Well done!
May 6, 2015
I love historic fiction, and a love story and anything to do with sewing (I am a quilter myself) but this book fell very flat for me. I can understand that people who have family serving in wartime will constantly think of them but Maybelle is such a weak soppy character even though she welds ships. It seems that she has been coddled by her mother and has no domestic capabilities.
During a clearing out session Maybelle comes across a quilt that her mother had started. She was persuaded by her best friend Doris to complete the quilt and got a couple of girls to help. I personally would have just edged the already created section and make a cushion cover as how would one know what fabric her mother had planned to use next. But then if that was the case there would be no story.
This novel lacks so much detail. Maybelle can weld but not sew and that is all we get. We are given no detail of her work in the ship yard. Was it heavy work, was it hot. How intricate did she need to be, how was she recruited to that rather than a land girl?
Then again the fabric that Maybelle found and the threads used for the quilt were equally passed over. What were service stripes for example, what were they made of? What colour were they. What colour was Lois’s baby blanket? So many rich and varied pieces of the pattern were left unanswered. It was a means to engage the first from the ship yard and to while away the hours until the next shift. Instead of a weekly meeting, as would appear to be the norm, these girls meet every day after their shift in the ship yard.
The quilt turned into a monster and it was a shame that the group didn’t each take part of the original quilt and add to it to make a series of quilts; in that way they would all have had a piece of each other’s memories, hopes and dreams. It is clear that the quilt started to represent many things to the girls that worked on it (the quilt), not least it was a way for coping with the redundancy of life and a bright hope for the future; and a loved one’s return. There was obviously more than enough fabric to make a series of Hope quilts that could have kept all of the girls warm.
We do get quite a lot about trusting God and leaving your troubles with him. But this is more from the viewpoint of Doris that Maybelle who seems to have lost faith (as we all do from time to time). Unlike other religious based books though the mentions of religion here did not seem in the least bit false. Perhaps religion played a greater part in people’s lives during WWII.
Although this book is readable it is not really about the quilt or the lives of the girls it is more about faith. This reader was ultimately disappointed in what could have been a wonderfully rich novel. The intention was there but unfortunately, the execution was rather lacking. This short read sell well short of this readers expectations.
I think that perhaps part of my disappointment was as a result of reading this ARC what as littered with errors. Not only did the author use the wrong names in at least two sequences but there was a whole chunk where the timeline was totally out. It is this reader’s fervent hope that these errors were corrected before this novel went to final print.
Another factor leading to this reader's disappointment was that the synopsis and the novel are really at odds. If these things don't bother you and you like snapshots of life during 1940's America then this is for you. If you want a book about quilts, you are better off reading The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
During a clearing out session Maybelle comes across a quilt that her mother had started. She was persuaded by her best friend Doris to complete the quilt and got a couple of girls to help. I personally would have just edged the already created section and make a cushion cover as how would one know what fabric her mother had planned to use next. But then if that was the case there would be no story.
This novel lacks so much detail. Maybelle can weld but not sew and that is all we get. We are given no detail of her work in the ship yard. Was it heavy work, was it hot. How intricate did she need to be, how was she recruited to that rather than a land girl?
Then again the fabric that Maybelle found and the threads used for the quilt were equally passed over. What were service stripes for example, what were they made of? What colour were they. What colour was Lois’s baby blanket? So many rich and varied pieces of the pattern were left unanswered. It was a means to engage the first from the ship yard and to while away the hours until the next shift. Instead of a weekly meeting, as would appear to be the norm, these girls meet every day after their shift in the ship yard.
The quilt turned into a monster and it was a shame that the group didn’t each take part of the original quilt and add to it to make a series of quilts; in that way they would all have had a piece of each other’s memories, hopes and dreams. It is clear that the quilt started to represent many things to the girls that worked on it (the quilt), not least it was a way for coping with the redundancy of life and a bright hope for the future; and a loved one’s return. There was obviously more than enough fabric to make a series of Hope quilts that could have kept all of the girls warm.
We do get quite a lot about trusting God and leaving your troubles with him. But this is more from the viewpoint of Doris that Maybelle who seems to have lost faith (as we all do from time to time). Unlike other religious based books though the mentions of religion here did not seem in the least bit false. Perhaps religion played a greater part in people’s lives during WWII.
Although this book is readable it is not really about the quilt or the lives of the girls it is more about faith. This reader was ultimately disappointed in what could have been a wonderfully rich novel. The intention was there but unfortunately, the execution was rather lacking. This short read sell well short of this readers expectations.
I think that perhaps part of my disappointment was as a result of reading this ARC what as littered with errors. Not only did the author use the wrong names in at least two sequences but there was a whole chunk where the timeline was totally out. It is this reader’s fervent hope that these errors were corrected before this novel went to final print.
Another factor leading to this reader's disappointment was that the synopsis and the novel are really at odds. If these things don't bother you and you like snapshots of life during 1940's America then this is for you. If you want a book about quilts, you are better off reading The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
April 8, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
Maybelle in Stitches ~ Quilts of Love book by Joyce Magnin, © 2014
A new Quilts of Love novel set in World War II brings us to Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin. Maybelle Kazinski is a welderette, along with other war brides working at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1943, a suburb of Philadelphia. The shipyard work went on every day around the clock, with the whistle announcing the change of shifts.
As they wait for supper to be ready, Maybelle and her friend, Doris, listen to the radio ~ Frank Sinatra, and "Stardust," a favorite song of Maybelle's husband, Holden. She just had his letters to hold. He shipped out the day after their wedding. With rationing of food, gasoline, and electricity, individual homes rented out rooms to others working at the shipyard; some more than to one, working different shifts. Roger, deferred from the army because of loss of hearing, rents a room from Maybelle and her mother, Francine. Doris has lived down the street from them since childhood. Encouraging her daughter and Doris to go to the Canteen for the evening, tired, Francine goes to bed early. That is the last they have a meal and time together. She passes away of a stroke before morning.
Maybelle has adjustments to make beyond what she thinks she is capable of ~ cooking, especially. How she will miss her mother and her care of the two of them. How will she manage, and with her husband somewhere in Europe? Receiving frequent letters from him, it has been almost two weeks since the last one.
While sorting through her mother's things, Maybelle finds fabric and remembrances from her childhood ~ swatches of memories ~ pieces of her deceased father's shirts, old curtains, all saved in a trunk. The beginning of quilt pieces stitched together lay near the bottom, along with scissors, thread, and cut shapes; a part of her baby blanket sewn in.
Deciding to rent out her mother's room, Maybelle puts up a notice in the break room at the yard. Roger says he knows of two women who do not want to commute during the winter months. As Doris and Maybelle begin working on more quilt squares, there is a knock at the door. Thinking it is the new renters, Maybelle goes to the door. A man in uniform is standing there, with a telegram. Private Holden Kazinski has been reported Missing in Action.
As women gather day-by-day, they uphold each other awaiting word of the war's end and the return of their loved ones; hopefully to their open arms.
Each generation awaits loved ones' return. During World War II, women helped in the defense plants to support the needs of those serving our country. This story is in conversational style between Doris and Maybelle as they encourage each other. A bright spot in any day, to be included and loved by those near with understanding. Author Joyce Magnin has brought the 1940s alive with its music and happenings in the war effort with those who wait.
Joyce Magnin is the author of the Brights Pond novels, including the award-winning The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. A member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship, Joyce is a frequent workshop leader and the organizer of the StoryCrafters fiction group. She lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Find out more about Joyce at quiltsoflovebooks.com
***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for inviting me to be part of the book tour for Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin and to Abingdon Press for sending me a copy to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
Maybelle in Stitches ~ Quilts of Love book by Joyce Magnin, © 2014
A new Quilts of Love novel set in World War II brings us to Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin. Maybelle Kazinski is a welderette, along with other war brides working at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1943, a suburb of Philadelphia. The shipyard work went on every day around the clock, with the whistle announcing the change of shifts.
As they wait for supper to be ready, Maybelle and her friend, Doris, listen to the radio ~ Frank Sinatra, and "Stardust," a favorite song of Maybelle's husband, Holden. She just had his letters to hold. He shipped out the day after their wedding. With rationing of food, gasoline, and electricity, individual homes rented out rooms to others working at the shipyard; some more than to one, working different shifts. Roger, deferred from the army because of loss of hearing, rents a room from Maybelle and her mother, Francine. Doris has lived down the street from them since childhood. Encouraging her daughter and Doris to go to the Canteen for the evening, tired, Francine goes to bed early. That is the last they have a meal and time together. She passes away of a stroke before morning.
Maybelle has adjustments to make beyond what she thinks she is capable of ~ cooking, especially. How she will miss her mother and her care of the two of them. How will she manage, and with her husband somewhere in Europe? Receiving frequent letters from him, it has been almost two weeks since the last one.
While sorting through her mother's things, Maybelle finds fabric and remembrances from her childhood ~ swatches of memories ~ pieces of her deceased father's shirts, old curtains, all saved in a trunk. The beginning of quilt pieces stitched together lay near the bottom, along with scissors, thread, and cut shapes; a part of her baby blanket sewn in.
Deciding to rent out her mother's room, Maybelle puts up a notice in the break room at the yard. Roger says he knows of two women who do not want to commute during the winter months. As Doris and Maybelle begin working on more quilt squares, there is a knock at the door. Thinking it is the new renters, Maybelle goes to the door. A man in uniform is standing there, with a telegram. Private Holden Kazinski has been reported Missing in Action.
As women gather day-by-day, they uphold each other awaiting word of the war's end and the return of their loved ones; hopefully to their open arms.
Each generation awaits loved ones' return. During World War II, women helped in the defense plants to support the needs of those serving our country. This story is in conversational style between Doris and Maybelle as they encourage each other. A bright spot in any day, to be included and loved by those near with understanding. Author Joyce Magnin has brought the 1940s alive with its music and happenings in the war effort with those who wait.
Joyce Magnin is the author of the Brights Pond novels, including the award-winning The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. A member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship, Joyce is a frequent workshop leader and the organizer of the StoryCrafters fiction group. She lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Find out more about Joyce at quiltsoflovebooks.com
***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for inviting me to be part of the book tour for Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin and to Abingdon Press for sending me a copy to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
March 18, 2014
We all know about women being employed at factories during World War II as an effort to help do whatever they could to enable their men to come home from the war as soon as possible. For Maybelle Kazinski, she is doing her part as a welder in Sun Shipyard, getting ships ready to aid in the war effort. She had only been married for a couple of days to Holden before he was called to report for duty, but it was worth it to know that he would have her waiting for him when he returned, if he returned at all. It seems like the waiting was truly the hardest part and even though working for six days helped to pass the time, she would cringe whenever the doorbell rang expecting the worst.
She just wasn't prepared for that dreaded feeling in the pit of her stomach to take the life of her mother, Francine and leave her alone. She had lost her father earlier and besides Roger, one of her mother's boarders who also worked at Sun Shipyard who she had come to see as a brother of sort, she had no more family left. Her only consolation was her best friend Doris who also had a husband serving overseas. Between the two of them, they did what they could to encourage each other that the war would be over soon and their men would come home.
But life isn't always sunshine and roses! Fate intervenes when we least expect it and for Maybelle it would be when the doorbell rings and a yellow telegram is delivered. The only good thing about the news it contained was that Holden wasn't killed but simply missing in action. But for Maybelle it seemed to be her undoing. On the heels of her mother's death and Holden's MIA telegram she had to find something to keep time from crawling along. When she discovers a crazy quilt of scraps her mother was making as a surprise for her and Holden for Christmas, Doris decides to convince Maybelle that they should finish it. But Maybelle isn't exactly what you would called skilled at sewing or cooking for that matter. Her high school sewing project involved her sewing the zipper of her dress into the neck area instead. Something that is still laughed about between her and Doris. But at least it will help to pass the time between working and sewing.
I received Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin compliments of Abingdon Press and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is the 16th novel in the Quilts of Love Series and one that can be read as a stand alone as each talented author takes their turn at telling a story with the quilt at the centerpiece. Joyce appealed to not only the romance lover in my heart but to WWII lover as well. I loved the background story she researched about women working in the shipyards as welders for Sun Shipyard which she includes at the conclusion of this novel. It makes it so rich to read how difficult it was waiting for men to come home from the war not knowing if they would ever see them again. Hands down this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
She just wasn't prepared for that dreaded feeling in the pit of her stomach to take the life of her mother, Francine and leave her alone. She had lost her father earlier and besides Roger, one of her mother's boarders who also worked at Sun Shipyard who she had come to see as a brother of sort, she had no more family left. Her only consolation was her best friend Doris who also had a husband serving overseas. Between the two of them, they did what they could to encourage each other that the war would be over soon and their men would come home.
But life isn't always sunshine and roses! Fate intervenes when we least expect it and for Maybelle it would be when the doorbell rings and a yellow telegram is delivered. The only good thing about the news it contained was that Holden wasn't killed but simply missing in action. But for Maybelle it seemed to be her undoing. On the heels of her mother's death and Holden's MIA telegram she had to find something to keep time from crawling along. When she discovers a crazy quilt of scraps her mother was making as a surprise for her and Holden for Christmas, Doris decides to convince Maybelle that they should finish it. But Maybelle isn't exactly what you would called skilled at sewing or cooking for that matter. Her high school sewing project involved her sewing the zipper of her dress into the neck area instead. Something that is still laughed about between her and Doris. But at least it will help to pass the time between working and sewing.
I received Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin compliments of Abingdon Press and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is the 16th novel in the Quilts of Love Series and one that can be read as a stand alone as each talented author takes their turn at telling a story with the quilt at the centerpiece. Joyce appealed to not only the romance lover in my heart but to WWII lover as well. I loved the background story she researched about women working in the shipyards as welders for Sun Shipyard which she includes at the conclusion of this novel. It makes it so rich to read how difficult it was waiting for men to come home from the war not knowing if they would ever see them again. Hands down this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
May 7, 2016
A novel about the companionship during the war times.
Maybelle Kazinski and the other women working at the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock are coping with the tough WW2 times as well as they can - having their men fighting and them doing the men' s work at the factory. Maybelle' s husband was called to serve too soon after their wedding and she misses him terribly, as her friend Doris misses her own husband Mickey. Then the hard moments come - Maybelle' s mother dies unexpectedly and few days after her husband is reported as missing. To help her overcome her grief, Doris encourages Maybelle to continue with her mother' s quilt. Tomboy Maybelle feels truly unsure about any domestic works, but pushed by Doris, she agrees to give it a try. Soon they form a little quilting company with some other women working at the factory and they share their joys and sorrows over the quilting, hoping and quietly fighting for the big freedom cause.
The book brough back memories about my own female companionships and joy and sorrow shared over the work. I am grateful for these times, and a bit sentimental as well. I think that authoress was spot-on to write about the female alliance as the "tool" on how to cope with life, this is a deep truth.
This book can grow on you. While I don' t like several aspects, I very much liked the female companionship and sticking together (with some well observed female behaviour). The women in question aren't saints, they are human and behaving like one (even with a bit of cattiness). I would even liked deeper insight to their souls, as the deepest conversations often happens during the working together.
I also liked quilting and work informations about the war times in the U.S. Even the cultural elements (like singers Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra) were well used.
As for the characters - Maybelle really could get on my nerves sometimes, as she was a bit self-centered and oversensitive about herself. But this also might be because she was real, as these characteristics are not unknown at females :) I liked Doris, her sidekick, who was a lot braver and humble and always willing to help even as she was suffering the most among the women involved.
But I must say I have found her romance in the latter part of the book quite, quite unrealistic.
I liked Roger, he truly was one good man.
The book could use a good editor, I found some name discrepancies during the course of reading (but that might be just the ARC problem as I have received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review).
All in all, I like the message of hoping and coping and lending the helping hand. Everybody could use a lot more of it.
Maybelle Kazinski and the other women working at the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock are coping with the tough WW2 times as well as they can - having their men fighting and them doing the men' s work at the factory. Maybelle' s husband was called to serve too soon after their wedding and she misses him terribly, as her friend Doris misses her own husband Mickey. Then the hard moments come - Maybelle' s mother dies unexpectedly and few days after her husband is reported as missing. To help her overcome her grief, Doris encourages Maybelle to continue with her mother' s quilt. Tomboy Maybelle feels truly unsure about any domestic works, but pushed by Doris, she agrees to give it a try. Soon they form a little quilting company with some other women working at the factory and they share their joys and sorrows over the quilting, hoping and quietly fighting for the big freedom cause.
The book brough back memories about my own female companionships and joy and sorrow shared over the work. I am grateful for these times, and a bit sentimental as well. I think that authoress was spot-on to write about the female alliance as the "tool" on how to cope with life, this is a deep truth.
This book can grow on you. While I don' t like several aspects, I very much liked the female companionship and sticking together (with some well observed female behaviour). The women in question aren't saints, they are human and behaving like one (even with a bit of cattiness). I would even liked deeper insight to their souls, as the deepest conversations often happens during the working together.
I also liked quilting and work informations about the war times in the U.S. Even the cultural elements (like singers Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra) were well used.
As for the characters - Maybelle really could get on my nerves sometimes, as she was a bit self-centered and oversensitive about herself. But this also might be because she was real, as these characteristics are not unknown at females :) I liked Doris, her sidekick, who was a lot braver and humble and always willing to help even as she was suffering the most among the women involved.
But I must say I have found her romance in the latter part of the book quite, quite unrealistic.
I liked Roger, he truly was one good man.
The book could use a good editor, I found some name discrepancies during the course of reading (but that might be just the ARC problem as I have received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review).
All in all, I like the message of hoping and coping and lending the helping hand. Everybody could use a lot more of it.
November 30, 2014
Deb’s Dozen: 12-Word Summaries – World War II welderette, ship-building, home-making, laughter, loss, love, friendship becomes family.
The time is World War II - 1943; the place is Chester, Pennsylvania; the setting is the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock; the main character – Maybelle Kazinski, welderette. Yes, you read that correctly – welderette. In 1943, many women were called into action at home – filling the jobs the soldiers and sailors left behind. So Maybelle became a welderette – worked her way up from cutting bolt holes in the sheet metal to welding seams on the warships that came through their plant.
Maybelle and her best friend, Doris, both worked in the plant. Their husbands had gone off to war after a very short period of marriage – in Maybelle’s case, two weeks. She longs for her husband, Holden, as does Doris for her husband, Mickey. Doris is lucky, though; she hears from Mickey fairly frequently – at least as often as the V-mail gets through.
Maybelle, a tomboy of sorts, lives at home with her mother, Francine, who would put Betty Crocker and June Cleaver to shame. When Maybelle’s mom dies unexpectedly, Maybelle is lost – she doesn’t know how to do all those house-wifely things. Thank heavens Doris lives just down the street, and their boarder, Roger, is handy in the kitchen and as a scrounger, too.
Cleaning out her mother’s things, Maybelle runs across a quilt her mom has started – piecing together materials from Maybelle’s past – her baby blanket and other memorable bits of cloth. Doris has the inspiration that they should finish the quilt – despite the fact that Maybelle can’t sew.
How the girls manage without their spouses, manage without Francine to guide them in the house or on the quilt, and how the war affects them with its effects, is a touching and wonderful story. I smiled in sympathy at Maybelle’s ineptness in the kitchen, cried when Francine died, giggled at the antics of their dog, and wanted to quilt along as they progressed. You’ll love this story of the gals left behind during World War II and how they coped – sometimes brilliantly, sometimes in spite of themselves.
Joyce Magnin has written several books including The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, which was named one of the “Top 5 Best Christing Fiction Books of 2009” by Library Journal. Joyce is mom to three children, has one grandson, and mothers a neurotic parakeet.
I was given a copy of Maybelle in Stitches by Abingdon Press for my unbiased review.
The time is World War II - 1943; the place is Chester, Pennsylvania; the setting is the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock; the main character – Maybelle Kazinski, welderette. Yes, you read that correctly – welderette. In 1943, many women were called into action at home – filling the jobs the soldiers and sailors left behind. So Maybelle became a welderette – worked her way up from cutting bolt holes in the sheet metal to welding seams on the warships that came through their plant.
Maybelle and her best friend, Doris, both worked in the plant. Their husbands had gone off to war after a very short period of marriage – in Maybelle’s case, two weeks. She longs for her husband, Holden, as does Doris for her husband, Mickey. Doris is lucky, though; she hears from Mickey fairly frequently – at least as often as the V-mail gets through.
Maybelle, a tomboy of sorts, lives at home with her mother, Francine, who would put Betty Crocker and June Cleaver to shame. When Maybelle’s mom dies unexpectedly, Maybelle is lost – she doesn’t know how to do all those house-wifely things. Thank heavens Doris lives just down the street, and their boarder, Roger, is handy in the kitchen and as a scrounger, too.
Cleaning out her mother’s things, Maybelle runs across a quilt her mom has started – piecing together materials from Maybelle’s past – her baby blanket and other memorable bits of cloth. Doris has the inspiration that they should finish the quilt – despite the fact that Maybelle can’t sew.
How the girls manage without their spouses, manage without Francine to guide them in the house or on the quilt, and how the war affects them with its effects, is a touching and wonderful story. I smiled in sympathy at Maybelle’s ineptness in the kitchen, cried when Francine died, giggled at the antics of their dog, and wanted to quilt along as they progressed. You’ll love this story of the gals left behind during World War II and how they coped – sometimes brilliantly, sometimes in spite of themselves.
Joyce Magnin has written several books including The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, which was named one of the “Top 5 Best Christing Fiction Books of 2009” by Library Journal. Joyce is mom to three children, has one grandson, and mothers a neurotic parakeet.
I was given a copy of Maybelle in Stitches by Abingdon Press for my unbiased review.
April 18, 2014
Joyce Magnin in her new book, “Maybelle in Stitches” Book Sixteen in the Quilts of Love Series published by Abingdon Press brings us into the life of Maybelle Kazinski.
From the back cover: A patchwork quilt holds together two hearts separated by miles of ocean and the Second World War.
Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in her mother’s closet, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, Holden Kazinski, is away fighting in World War II.
Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.
History, World War II, Quilting and Shipbuilding. Quite a mix and, on the outside, it seems difficult to write a story combining all these elements. Fear not, Ms. Magnin has captured them well and provided an excellent story. The men are off fighting but the jobs needed to be filled so the women stepped up to the challenge. Maybelle becomes a welder at a shipyard. She has never been a welder in her life however she is up to the challenge. She has never sewn before either but accepts that challenge as well. This is a story about spiritual growth, about stepping out of your comfort zones and of relying heavily upon God. All kinds of events happen and it takes a rock-hard foundation upon God to keep her grounded. Maybelle and the rest of the characters are outstanding and wonderful to be with and learn about. Ms. Magnin has done an outstanding job of bringing history to the table. There is a lot in this book, much to think about and it just interesting and exciting as well.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: A patchwork quilt holds together two hearts separated by miles of ocean and the Second World War.
Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in her mother’s closet, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, Holden Kazinski, is away fighting in World War II.
Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.
History, World War II, Quilting and Shipbuilding. Quite a mix and, on the outside, it seems difficult to write a story combining all these elements. Fear not, Ms. Magnin has captured them well and provided an excellent story. The men are off fighting but the jobs needed to be filled so the women stepped up to the challenge. Maybelle becomes a welder at a shipyard. She has never been a welder in her life however she is up to the challenge. She has never sewn before either but accepts that challenge as well. This is a story about spiritual growth, about stepping out of your comfort zones and of relying heavily upon God. All kinds of events happen and it takes a rock-hard foundation upon God to keep her grounded. Maybelle and the rest of the characters are outstanding and wonderful to be with and learn about. Ms. Magnin has done an outstanding job of bringing history to the table. There is a lot in this book, much to think about and it just interesting and exciting as well.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 12, 2014
"Maybelle in Stitches" has to be one of my favorite books in the quilting series, because one, she is very quirky, reminded a lot of me in not being able to sew, cook, or master really anything home economics and set in the forties.
With WW2 and a husband away, serving his country as a background, we are treated with Maybelle finding an inner strength that she never knew she had as she face not one but several challenges including a life changing situation, involving her good friend Doris.
The quilting series are a fun read, particularly for those with even a cursory knowledge of quilting as each of the books, tend to go into details about quilting patterns, sewing techniques and what quilting means both to the quilter and the receiptant, but more than anything else, what really has captured my love for the quilting series, is the interplay of how quilting, like books, tell a story and captures moments in lives.
With "Maybelle in Stitches", it is literally a coming of age story, as Maybelle finds herself suddenly find herself able to fend for herself in situations that often had her dependent on others and when life throws her curveballs, she finds herself all the more stronger than she really knew is in her.
Set in the forties, when men most of the men were fighting and for the first time, women became an integrated part of American industry, Joyce Morgan, really captures the lives that the women found themselves having to both adjust and in some cases, improvising, as they faced an unknown future with the men fighting for freedom in both the European and Japanese campaigns.
The characters are fleshed out enough, that the reader is drawn into the story and it seemed to me, that more emphasis in this book, then the other quilting series was really placed on the quilting, which for someone who like myself, is fascinated with quilting would particularly enjoy reading.
This doesn't devalue the story overall...you almost find yourself lost in the time frame and I can almost hear the music of the Forties playing in the background as Maybelle, Doris and the other characters, find themselves adjusting to the current normal of their situations.
Charming and a reminder of the strength of God throughout any circumstances...."Maybelle in Stitches" was a very fun read.
With WW2 and a husband away, serving his country as a background, we are treated with Maybelle finding an inner strength that she never knew she had as she face not one but several challenges including a life changing situation, involving her good friend Doris.
The quilting series are a fun read, particularly for those with even a cursory knowledge of quilting as each of the books, tend to go into details about quilting patterns, sewing techniques and what quilting means both to the quilter and the receiptant, but more than anything else, what really has captured my love for the quilting series, is the interplay of how quilting, like books, tell a story and captures moments in lives.
With "Maybelle in Stitches", it is literally a coming of age story, as Maybelle finds herself suddenly find herself able to fend for herself in situations that often had her dependent on others and when life throws her curveballs, she finds herself all the more stronger than she really knew is in her.
Set in the forties, when men most of the men were fighting and for the first time, women became an integrated part of American industry, Joyce Morgan, really captures the lives that the women found themselves having to both adjust and in some cases, improvising, as they faced an unknown future with the men fighting for freedom in both the European and Japanese campaigns.
The characters are fleshed out enough, that the reader is drawn into the story and it seemed to me, that more emphasis in this book, then the other quilting series was really placed on the quilting, which for someone who like myself, is fascinated with quilting would particularly enjoy reading.
This doesn't devalue the story overall...you almost find yourself lost in the time frame and I can almost hear the music of the Forties playing in the background as Maybelle, Doris and the other characters, find themselves adjusting to the current normal of their situations.
Charming and a reminder of the strength of God throughout any circumstances...."Maybelle in Stitches" was a very fun read.
April 14, 2014
Maybelle couldn't believe she was going to attempt to finish a quilt her mother had started. Her dear friend Doris said it was a memory crazy quilt since it had pieces of fabric from Maybelle's heritage. After great contemplation they decided to add more than her childhood scraps to the quilt she would add pieces of memory of her husband and others whom were enduring this Second World War. The fact that her husband was missing in action makes finishing the quilt more important than ever.
There is one big problem Maybelle can't sew and needed help. She had several women workers from the shipyard renting rooms in her home. She too worked at the shipyard as a welder building ships which was her contribution to the war. Some of the women staying in her home and a couple of other she worked with was interested in helping her with the quilt even adding some of their own memories to the quilt and at the same time they would teach Maybelle to sew.
I found the character Maybelle to be pessimistic in many ways. For instance her lack of faith in God to keep her husband safe or to get her through life's everyday trials and tribulations. She did not think she was capable of learning to cook or sew in other words most things women were expect to know by her age. She had no faith in herself or God. She came off at times as being self-centered. Especially when there others were worried about their husbands being missing or becoming casualties of war.
I loved the story line of the shipyard women workers, but the rest of the reading was slow. The reading seemed repetitive at times about the characters daily lives. But the story line kept me reading and waiting for something interesting to happen which it did occasionally through the story.
My own father was in the Navy during WWII. He died from Leukemia in 1955 when I was four years old. I have no memory of him. A memory quilt would have been nice.
I do recommend this book.
I rated this book a 4 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Abingdon Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. This review is my honest opinion.
There is one big problem Maybelle can't sew and needed help. She had several women workers from the shipyard renting rooms in her home. She too worked at the shipyard as a welder building ships which was her contribution to the war. Some of the women staying in her home and a couple of other she worked with was interested in helping her with the quilt even adding some of their own memories to the quilt and at the same time they would teach Maybelle to sew.
I found the character Maybelle to be pessimistic in many ways. For instance her lack of faith in God to keep her husband safe or to get her through life's everyday trials and tribulations. She did not think she was capable of learning to cook or sew in other words most things women were expect to know by her age. She had no faith in herself or God. She came off at times as being self-centered. Especially when there others were worried about their husbands being missing or becoming casualties of war.
I loved the story line of the shipyard women workers, but the rest of the reading was slow. The reading seemed repetitive at times about the characters daily lives. But the story line kept me reading and waiting for something interesting to happen which it did occasionally through the story.
My own father was in the Navy during WWII. He died from Leukemia in 1955 when I was four years old. I have no memory of him. A memory quilt would have been nice.
I do recommend this book.
I rated this book a 4 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Abingdon Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. This review is my honest opinion.
April 14, 2014
This book is about Maybelle Kazinski, a welderette for Sun Shipbuilding and Dock in Chester, Pennsylvania. Maybelle was newly married when her husband was called off to war. Now he is missing in action and she is left to wonder if she will ever see him again. Her friend, Doris is determined to help keep hope alive so when Maybelle finds an unfinished quilt her mother had been making, Doris insists on gathering a few ladies to help finish it. It is a crazy quilt made from material that Maybelle identifies as scraps from her family history.
Maybelle is pretty disheartened by her own lack of skills when it comes to things like sewing, cooking and cleaning, all of the things most women know how to do, and she gave up repeatedly. Her best friend, Doris, was always there to encourage her and nudge her along and I loved that. Everyone needs that kind of friend in their life. Everyone really came together as a group to finish the quilt but it was much more than that. They were all women fighting for the same cause. They all had loved ones at war and each knew the other's sadness and pain. They were a sounding board for each other, a shoulder to lean on. I love that the book was about the war. I love war torn stories. Reading about the devastation and havoc of war can really speak to a person and touch their heart in a deeper way. I did find it a little slow, however. I kept waiting for the pace to pick up but it never did. The storyline was good and I liked the characters but it failed to really draw me into the story, to hook me. It was set in 1943 and the language and setting was true to that time period. One of the major sayings in the book was "what a gas" or "it's a gas". I thought that was great. Anyone that likes sewing or the background of the war efforts (it was mostly about building and repairing war ships) will like this book. If you like a fast paced novel it might not be for you.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
Maybelle is pretty disheartened by her own lack of skills when it comes to things like sewing, cooking and cleaning, all of the things most women know how to do, and she gave up repeatedly. Her best friend, Doris, was always there to encourage her and nudge her along and I loved that. Everyone needs that kind of friend in their life. Everyone really came together as a group to finish the quilt but it was much more than that. They were all women fighting for the same cause. They all had loved ones at war and each knew the other's sadness and pain. They were a sounding board for each other, a shoulder to lean on. I love that the book was about the war. I love war torn stories. Reading about the devastation and havoc of war can really speak to a person and touch their heart in a deeper way. I did find it a little slow, however. I kept waiting for the pace to pick up but it never did. The storyline was good and I liked the characters but it failed to really draw me into the story, to hook me. It was set in 1943 and the language and setting was true to that time period. One of the major sayings in the book was "what a gas" or "it's a gas". I thought that was great. Anyone that likes sewing or the background of the war efforts (it was mostly about building and repairing war ships) will like this book. If you like a fast paced novel it might not be for you.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
April 6, 2014
I've read two other books in the Quilts of Love series (Scraps of Evidence and A Sky Without Stars) and really enjoyed their heart-warming and endearing stories. I figured it would be safe to assume that Maybelle in Stitches would follow suit-and I was right!
What I Liked: I enjoyed that the setting of the book was during World War II, when the men were off fighting for our country, patriotism was still alive and well, and the women were "doing their part to help the war effort" by welding and working in the ship yards.
I also enjoyed the characters and their distinctive personalities: Doris-with her "can-do" attitude and Maybelle who is still struggling to find her way in the world. Roger was a doll having to put up with all of the women around him, and the other women in the book helped to add comic relief and a touch of camaraderie when things were tough.
I enjoyed the friendship of the quilting group and the stories that they shared with one another about their lives, hopes, fears, and dreams.
What I Didn't Like: I hated the sad parts of the story. Although I know they were a sad reality of the time period, I wasn't expecting some of them and I was blubbering on the couch like an idiot. (You'll just have to read the book to find out what I'm referring to in the story.)
Overall Impression: If you're wanting something to make you feel nostalgic for a time period in which communities banded together to help one another in times of need, then Maybelle and her quilting partners will share their stories with you--as long as you grab a needle and thread. I really loved this book and would like to read more by Joyce Magnin.
What I Liked: I enjoyed that the setting of the book was during World War II, when the men were off fighting for our country, patriotism was still alive and well, and the women were "doing their part to help the war effort" by welding and working in the ship yards.
I also enjoyed the characters and their distinctive personalities: Doris-with her "can-do" attitude and Maybelle who is still struggling to find her way in the world. Roger was a doll having to put up with all of the women around him, and the other women in the book helped to add comic relief and a touch of camaraderie when things were tough.
I enjoyed the friendship of the quilting group and the stories that they shared with one another about their lives, hopes, fears, and dreams.
What I Didn't Like: I hated the sad parts of the story. Although I know they were a sad reality of the time period, I wasn't expecting some of them and I was blubbering on the couch like an idiot. (You'll just have to read the book to find out what I'm referring to in the story.)
Overall Impression: If you're wanting something to make you feel nostalgic for a time period in which communities banded together to help one another in times of need, then Maybelle and her quilting partners will share their stories with you--as long as you grab a needle and thread. I really loved this book and would like to read more by Joyce Magnin.
April 12, 2014
World War II placed numerous women in the work force to aid in the country's war effort. The characters in Maybelle in Stitches are employees of a famous shipyard, the main character and her best friend working as welders. The women in this story are waiting for their husbands to arrive home from the war, passing the time together, visiting and sharing sad news as well as good. The main character's mother died, and when Maybelle was cleaning out her mother's things she discovered a quilt her mother had started, and numerous odd pieces of fabric. Those fabrics turned out to be pieces of cloth saved from clothing her family had worn, pieces of Maybelle's baby quilt, etc. A quilting group eventually formed to piece together memories of the past and the present, bringing these women together not only to create a warm bed covering, but a bit of hope to their lives.
It is obvious that a lot of research went into the writing of this book. The details regarding the shipyard and the type of work that women were doing throughout World War II was interesting. I enjoyed the camaraderie that developed between these women while putting together a crazy quilt of memories. I had a bit of trouble staying focused while reading the daily details of the characters, and the repetition. This book could have used more editing. There were a few discrepancies, etc. The last few chapters were quite enjoyable and I enjoyed the creation of the crazy quilt of memories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from LitFuse in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
It is obvious that a lot of research went into the writing of this book. The details regarding the shipyard and the type of work that women were doing throughout World War II was interesting. I enjoyed the camaraderie that developed between these women while putting together a crazy quilt of memories. I had a bit of trouble staying focused while reading the daily details of the characters, and the repetition. This book could have used more editing. There were a few discrepancies, etc. The last few chapters were quite enjoyable and I enjoyed the creation of the crazy quilt of memories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from LitFuse in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
April 3, 2014
Set during the WWII years, Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin, is a story of hope amid the uncertainty of life during war. Bound by common experiences and a need to grasp onto positive thoughts, the women of the Sun Shipyard form a sewing circle and sisterhood by making a crazy quilt of memories. If you like sweet stories from bygone days, then pick up this latest in Abingdon’s Quilts of Love series.
Maybelle is a welderette at the local shipyard, doing her part for the war effort. Her husband, Holden, is serving in Europe, and her thoughts often turn towards him. After her mother’s death, Maybelle discovers pieces of cloth that were destined for a crazy quilt. Despite not being domestically-inclined, she is persuaded by best friend Doris and two new friends from the shipyard to make a quilt that will embody the hope they have for their husbands’ safe return.
Magnin again uses her particular voice to bring to life America during WWII. With references to rationing, black outs and the catchy mottos of the time, she makes the reader feel just what life during the mid-1940s was like. I found Maybelle’s encounter with a new wringer washer and the musing of border Roger on the possibilities of canned dog food amusing and nostalgic. The story is realistic, and there are tears and losses as well as happy reunions for those in the Greatest Generation.
A quick read, Maybelle in Stitches is the perfect thing for a trip back to simpler, yet poignant, times.
Recommended.
(Thanks to Abingdon and LitFuse for my review copy. All opinions are mine alone.)
Maybelle is a welderette at the local shipyard, doing her part for the war effort. Her husband, Holden, is serving in Europe, and her thoughts often turn towards him. After her mother’s death, Maybelle discovers pieces of cloth that were destined for a crazy quilt. Despite not being domestically-inclined, she is persuaded by best friend Doris and two new friends from the shipyard to make a quilt that will embody the hope they have for their husbands’ safe return.
Magnin again uses her particular voice to bring to life America during WWII. With references to rationing, black outs and the catchy mottos of the time, she makes the reader feel just what life during the mid-1940s was like. I found Maybelle’s encounter with a new wringer washer and the musing of border Roger on the possibilities of canned dog food amusing and nostalgic. The story is realistic, and there are tears and losses as well as happy reunions for those in the Greatest Generation.
A quick read, Maybelle in Stitches is the perfect thing for a trip back to simpler, yet poignant, times.
Recommended.
(Thanks to Abingdon and LitFuse for my review copy. All opinions are mine alone.)
June 24, 2014
Maybelle in Stitches
Quilts of Love Series
Joyce Magnin
Copyright 2014
Maybelle In Stitches takes us back to World War Two where Maybelle works as a welderette. Her husband Holden is off fighting the war and she misses him like crazy. Her job as a welder keeps her busy and helps her to feel as if she is doing her part for the war effott.
Maybelle begins to feel serious concern when time passes and she is forced to deal with her Mothers sudden death without Holden.
While going through her Mothers things she finds a quilt her Mother had started for her before she died and telks her friend Doriss about the quilt and Doriss encourages her to finish it the only problem is she does not know how to sew and shes not hurt her heart is in it because not only is her Mother dead but she received a telegram saying her husband was missing in action. Doriss insists working on the quily is important and that a long with her faith will help her through this. Doriss even organizes friends to help.
Soon it is Doriss who receives news of her husband Michael's death in the line of duty and Maybelle is the one helping her through now. Making this quilt will help to serve as a way to heal for both of them.
The end of this wonderful story will leave you pleasantly surprised I know it did me and the entire book is a great read so I would recommend you get your copy of Maybelle In Stitches ASAP.
Five out of five stars.
Happy Reading
Quilts of Love Series
Joyce Magnin
Copyright 2014
Maybelle In Stitches takes us back to World War Two where Maybelle works as a welderette. Her husband Holden is off fighting the war and she misses him like crazy. Her job as a welder keeps her busy and helps her to feel as if she is doing her part for the war effott.
Maybelle begins to feel serious concern when time passes and she is forced to deal with her Mothers sudden death without Holden.
While going through her Mothers things she finds a quilt her Mother had started for her before she died and telks her friend Doriss about the quilt and Doriss encourages her to finish it the only problem is she does not know how to sew and shes not hurt her heart is in it because not only is her Mother dead but she received a telegram saying her husband was missing in action. Doriss insists working on the quily is important and that a long with her faith will help her through this. Doriss even organizes friends to help.
Soon it is Doriss who receives news of her husband Michael's death in the line of duty and Maybelle is the one helping her through now. Making this quilt will help to serve as a way to heal for both of them.
The end of this wonderful story will leave you pleasantly surprised I know it did me and the entire book is a great read so I would recommend you get your copy of Maybelle In Stitches ASAP.
Five out of five stars.
Happy Reading
September 13, 2016
Maybelle in Stitches was interesting in several ways: the historical aspect of WWII and the part women played in the war effort combined with Maybelle's personal story. Maybelle, a new bride, has become a welderette at the local shipyard while her husband, Holden, is fighting in Europe. Magnin pens a heartwarming story of Maybelle , her best friend, Doris, and several other women who do the best they can while their husbands are fighting the war. To keep themselves occupied after work, they begin to jointly work on a quilt that Maybelle's late mother started. At first it is just a "keep-busy" project but then it becomes a symbol for hope; hope that the war will end soon and that their husbands will come home safely.
I've read quite a few of Joyce Magnin's books and enjoyed them all. She has a way of getting the reader totally immersed in the characters and plot. It was easy to empathize with all the women in the story. Magnin uses the theme of strong women who are still vulnerable and have some obstacle to overcome and she does it very successfully.
Even though this is listed as Christian fiction, it is not "in-your-face" kind of writing. I like good fiction but I don't want to be preached to. 4****
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Netgalley/Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 10, 2014
Funny story: My mother actually reviewed a Christmas novel by Joyce Magnin. She wasn’t even expecting to… It was a complete surprise to her when the box arrived in the mail – 7 books to review and only a few days to do it.
Needless to say, it was a rough couple of weeks.
In a way this has been a similar situation for me. Because this book was not precisely what I was expecting.
With Maybelle in Stitches, I knew I was getting a book about a woman who’s husband is off at war but I didn’t realize which war.
It’s very interesting, how Joyce brings the period to life – writing about the everyday little things you might not ordinarily glean from a history book, or even doing deep research of the period.
The story line of this book is filled with sadness but that’s not really surprising.
What is surprising is that it’s not depressing. It’s sad but it’s interesting and it pulls you in. You find yourself laughing with Maybelle and you find yourself wanting to reach over and give her a big hug.
If you enjoy books about the WWII era, this is definitely a book you would enjoy!
Give it a try.
And, if you enjoy her writing, you may want to check out some of Joyce Magnin’s other books as well.
Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review!
Needless to say, it was a rough couple of weeks.
In a way this has been a similar situation for me. Because this book was not precisely what I was expecting.
With Maybelle in Stitches, I knew I was getting a book about a woman who’s husband is off at war but I didn’t realize which war.
It’s very interesting, how Joyce brings the period to life – writing about the everyday little things you might not ordinarily glean from a history book, or even doing deep research of the period.
The story line of this book is filled with sadness but that’s not really surprising.
What is surprising is that it’s not depressing. It’s sad but it’s interesting and it pulls you in. You find yourself laughing with Maybelle and you find yourself wanting to reach over and give her a big hug.
If you enjoy books about the WWII era, this is definitely a book you would enjoy!
Give it a try.
And, if you enjoy her writing, you may want to check out some of Joyce Magnin’s other books as well.
Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review!
May 14, 2014
WWII is a historical period that I never tire of reading about. Oftentimes, historical novels focus on Europe of even Asia, but the U.S. is generally omitted. At least, that is my experience. This Christian novel takes a lighthearted look at the women left behind when their young husbands went off to war. Maybelle is a woman who appears to be caught in the wrong era. She seems more suited to masculine tasks rather than domestic feministic tasks. It was somewhat amusing to read about her misadventures, and the pathos of a military wife comes through as well. I was grateful that the author chose to include some tragedies in the story, but Maybelle's story appears to be a fairy tale at times.
Although this book is Christian, I was disturbed to see one minimal use of profanity. Moreover, the gospel message was there, but greatly down-played. The book was entertaining enough, but I would have preferred a stronger reliance on God from the main characters. But if you are searching for a book on WWII that is easy to read, this may be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Although this book is Christian, I was disturbed to see one minimal use of profanity. Moreover, the gospel message was there, but greatly down-played. The book was entertaining enough, but I would have preferred a stronger reliance on God from the main characters. But if you are searching for a book on WWII that is easy to read, this may be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
March 18, 2014
Maybelle in Stitches Quilts of Love Series by Joyce Magnin
Maybelle and Holden were married before he headed off to the war. She is a welder and works on all kinds of ships for the war effort. She lives in a house with her mother and they have boarders that also work at the factory.
Holden has written to her a few times and she is comforted by the quilt her mother made them for their wedding.
Doris is there to comfort her as she loses her mother and then Maybelle gets word Holden is missing in action. The quilt her mother had started along with Doris' help has brought a calm to Maybelle's life as she pieces the past together in little pieces.
Hope and her trust in God will see them all through....she just needs to find what she is good at and do it. So many disappointments in the past of things she was not able to do. Doris helps her make the big Thanksgiving dinner for everybody.
Very interesting history of events. They also get news of Holden ... An excerpt from another Quilt of Love book is included.
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.
Maybelle and Holden were married before he headed off to the war. She is a welder and works on all kinds of ships for the war effort. She lives in a house with her mother and they have boarders that also work at the factory.
Holden has written to her a few times and she is comforted by the quilt her mother made them for their wedding.
Doris is there to comfort her as she loses her mother and then Maybelle gets word Holden is missing in action. The quilt her mother had started along with Doris' help has brought a calm to Maybelle's life as she pieces the past together in little pieces.
Hope and her trust in God will see them all through....she just needs to find what she is good at and do it. So many disappointments in the past of things she was not able to do. Doris helps her make the big Thanksgiving dinner for everybody.
Very interesting history of events. They also get news of Holden ... An excerpt from another Quilt of Love book is included.
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.
March 16, 2014
Initially what drew me to this book was the beautiful cover. The comfortable patchwork quilt, the warm colors; it's perfect. I enjoy reading books from different eras and haven't read all that much concerning the women's workforce during WWII so I was looking forward to reading about it. The story itself has a lot of potential; the plot sounds interesting. Unfortunately the execution was sloppy, boring, and ultimately predictable. I didn't really care much for the main character, which is unusual for me. Instead, I was much more interested in the supporting cast. What little sympathy Maybelle, the main character, shows for others is often quickly replaced with a sort of indifference to their issues. Everything always came back to her and her problems and that rubbed me the wrong way. One plus was the accuracy of the time period. The author used appropriate slang, incorporated radio shows and music of the era into the story, and added a few interested tidbits about rationing, shipyards and more. It was obvious that the author took the time to research these things and I appreciated that. This is a short, easy read, but it fell a bit short of my expectations.
April 24, 2014
Maybelle in Stitches was inspiring. I truly enjoyed reading about Maybelle, as well as Doris, her friend that also lives on her street and works at the Sunship Company. From the history I have been taught, Maybelle in Stitches rings as true as it can while being a fictional story. It is set in time to World War 2 time frame while the men were fighting the war, the women were working in the various factories. Maybelle is a welder working on the hulls of the ships that went to sea. She gets a memo that her husband is MIA. Doris lost her husband to the war.
I cried, I laughed, and I even got a bit mad. I give Maybelle in Stitches 5 stars. I thought that the author, Joyce did an incredible job keeping to the time period. Even the voices I heard in my head, was the speech pattern for such era.
I totally thought I synced well with Maybelle as she struggled with making the "crazy quilt" that her mom had never finished. As a sewer, I sometimes feel inadequate to finish things because they are beyond my skill level. But with the help from Doris, and the rest of their circle, she completed the quilt.
I cried, I laughed, and I even got a bit mad. I give Maybelle in Stitches 5 stars. I thought that the author, Joyce did an incredible job keeping to the time period. Even the voices I heard in my head, was the speech pattern for such era.
I totally thought I synced well with Maybelle as she struggled with making the "crazy quilt" that her mom had never finished. As a sewer, I sometimes feel inadequate to finish things because they are beyond my skill level. But with the help from Doris, and the rest of their circle, she completed the quilt.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews