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Cobbled Court Quilts #0
Between Heaven and Texas
In this luminous prequel to her beloved Cobbled Court Quilts series, New York Times bestselling author Marie Bostwick takes readers into the heart of a small Texas town and the soul of a woman who discovers her destiny there. . .
Welcome to Too Much--where the women are strong-willed and the men are handsome yet shiftless. Ever since Mary Dell Templeton and her twin sister Lydia Dale were children, their Aunt Velvet has warned them away from local boys. But it's well known that the females in Mary Dell's family have two traits in common--superior sewing skills and a fatal weakness for men.
While Lydia Dale grows up petite and pretty, Mary Dell just keeps growing. Tall, smart, and sassy, she is determined to one day turn her love of sewing into a business. Meanwhile, she'll settle for raising babies with her new husband, Donny. But that dream proves elusive too, until finally, Mary Dell gets the son she always wanted--a child as different as he is wonderful. And as Mary Dell is forced to reconsider what truly matters in her family and her marriage, she begins to piece together a life that, like the colorful quilts she creates, will prove vibrant, rich, and absolutely unforgettable. . .
Welcome to Too Much--where the women are strong-willed and the men are handsome yet shiftless. Ever since Mary Dell Templeton and her twin sister Lydia Dale were children, their Aunt Velvet has warned them away from local boys. But it's well known that the females in Mary Dell's family have two traits in common--superior sewing skills and a fatal weakness for men.
While Lydia Dale grows up petite and pretty, Mary Dell just keeps growing. Tall, smart, and sassy, she is determined to one day turn her love of sewing into a business. Meanwhile, she'll settle for raising babies with her new husband, Donny. But that dream proves elusive too, until finally, Mary Dell gets the son she always wanted--a child as different as he is wonderful. And as Mary Dell is forced to reconsider what truly matters in her family and her marriage, she begins to piece together a life that, like the colorful quilts she creates, will prove vibrant, rich, and absolutely unforgettable. . .
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2013
260 people are currently reading
2188 people want to read
About the author
Marie Bostwick
42 books1,862 followersMarie Bostwick is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of uplifting historical and contemporary fiction. She lives in the state of Washington and travels frequently to sign books, speak to reading groups, and meet her readers. Keep up with Marie, her travels, new releases and lifestyle blog, Fiercely Marie, at www.mariebostwick.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
March 31, 2017
I have read all the Cobbled Court Quilt series and have always enjoyed the appearance of Mary Dell. Like the state of Texas she hails from, Mary Dell is big, bold and larger than life. "Between Heaven and Texas" is the story of how Mary Dell became a quilting legend. She and her twin sister Lydia Dell come from a long line of strong women. For generations their ranch has been passed down from mother to daughter. Mary Dell is a talented seamstress who as a child dreamed of opening her own dress shop. She later turns her talents to quilting. The problem though is that Mary Dell has no talent in choosing fabrics that coordinate. Her sister Lydia had an eye for color, but lacks Mary Dell's sewing skills. Together they make a great team. Life in Too Much, Texas has not always been easy for Mary Dell and her family. After many miscarriages, Mary Dell is finally blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Howard. Howard has Downs Syndrome, and Mary Dell is determined to give him every opportunity. It seems Howard too has an eye for coordinating colors.
Can't wait to take another visit to Too Much, Texas.
4.5 stars.
Can't wait to take another visit to Too Much, Texas.
4.5 stars.
March 23, 2013
The problem with reading ... you have to wait another whole year before you get to read another one of Marie Bostwick's books. Sigh. I love this one and cannot wait to read more in this series ... it'll be worth the wait!
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Once again, Ms. Bostwick has managed to keep my nose between the pages of her book, reading until its sweet conclusion ... I might as well forget that I have a life outside of reading. Yes. Her books are that good. I am halfway through this book and cannot wait for another one to come along! I love her Cobbled Court series but I am enjoying this one very very much. A good storyteller is hard to find these days and I am glad to have found Ms. Bostwick's books!
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Once again, Ms. Bostwick has managed to keep my nose between the pages of her book, reading until its sweet conclusion ... I might as well forget that I have a life outside of reading. Yes. Her books are that good. I am halfway through this book and cannot wait for another one to come along! I love her Cobbled Court series but I am enjoying this one very very much. A good storyteller is hard to find these days and I am glad to have found Ms. Bostwick's books!
December 9, 2013
After writing five books in her Cobblestone Quilt series, Marie Bostwick wrote a pre-quell to the stories. This novel is about MaryDell Templeton and her family. MaryDell has a twin sister and lives with her family in Texas. The story begins when the girls are in their late teens and continues through their lives concluding with MaryDell's struggles trying to open a quilt shop in the town. Bostwick depicts MaryDell's life realistically with ups and downs, struggles and joys. There is plenty of excitement in the plot and characters that are drawn so well that you feel as if you know them. Strength, courage, and the ability to persevere when life takes a bad turn are woven into the story. The love of family and friends that are true is what life is all about.
I believe that this book was even better than the Cobblestone Quilt stories, which I also enjoyed. I would like to read more about MaryDell and her family including how she and Evelyn met. I also long to hear more about Donny, MaryDell's husband. When a writer can make her characters come so alive that you want to know more in a sequel, you have a great book. Well done, Marie!
I believe that this book was even better than the Cobblestone Quilt stories, which I also enjoyed. I would like to read more about MaryDell and her family including how she and Evelyn met. I also long to hear more about Donny, MaryDell's husband. When a writer can make her characters come so alive that you want to know more in a sequel, you have a great book. Well done, Marie!
May 11, 2014
Forgiveness
I enjoy reading feel good books with the happily ever after endings I imagined. Between Heaven and Texas is not what I imagined nor is it a book I'll soon forget. Mary Dell and Lydia Dale are indelibly etched in my psyche as they will likely be in others who read this book. Their story is a reminder that" we fall down but we get up. "
Mary Dell is an outstanding heroine. What wife, What mother would react any differently when handed the same circumstances as she was. I would like to think that I would show the same strength and wherewithal of character as Mary Dell showed. Though dealt a devastating blow she didn't dwell on her lose but her gain. How she handled that blow is truer than fiction. Her story connects to the rhythm of our beating hearts and stills our breathing as we anticipates the hoped for ending.
Mary Dell and the women of her family show us the strength of a mother's love as well as that of a sister. They show us that yes we are our brother's keeper.
I enjoy reading feel good books with the happily ever after endings I imagined. Between Heaven and Texas is not what I imagined nor is it a book I'll soon forget. Mary Dell and Lydia Dale are indelibly etched in my psyche as they will likely be in others who read this book. Their story is a reminder that" we fall down but we get up. "
Mary Dell is an outstanding heroine. What wife, What mother would react any differently when handed the same circumstances as she was. I would like to think that I would show the same strength and wherewithal of character as Mary Dell showed. Though dealt a devastating blow she didn't dwell on her lose but her gain. How she handled that blow is truer than fiction. Her story connects to the rhythm of our beating hearts and stills our breathing as we anticipates the hoped for ending.
Mary Dell and the women of her family show us the strength of a mother's love as well as that of a sister. They show us that yes we are our brother's keeper.
March 29, 2016
I would have liked this a lot better if Donny had come back. It just didn't make sense. His character was totally in love with his wife, plus he was a stand up guy. I know it happens IRL that the daddy's can't handle children with disabilities, but he was not portrayed as that type of guy. It frustrated me to no end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2013
Love, Longing and Loyalty Shine in Ms. Bostwick’s Best Work to Date..”
If you have enjoyed Marie Bostwick’s Cobbled Court series, you’re going to fall in love with “Too Much”, Texas and be thrilled that our beloved Mary Dell Templeton is back. We learn how her famous ancestors, George and Flagadine Tudmore settled the prime acreage now known as the F-Bar-T Ranch, long before Texas gained statehood. The Tudmore women are a sturdy, strong, savvy and sassy lot, and Mary Dell and her twin sister, Lydia Dale are no exception. They all have two things in common, (with the exception of Maiden Aunt Velvet), the love of their land and the “Fatal Flaw”. Even though they had been warned, the Tudmore women’s lust and longing overrode their hearts and heads, with some making poor decisions in the matrimonial department. Everyone has hopes and dreams. Mary Dell did too. From an early age, her talents in sewing were remarkable and she envisioned owning her own shoppe and selling “Her brand of fashions”. Her designs are definitely one of a kind and, sometimes, something only she would have gumption enough to wear. Little did she know that her stitchery plans would take a turn and she’d end up at the altar, marrying handsome and kind Donny Bebee and thoughts of a home and family out shadow her thoughts of shoppe and career, especially when a beautiful blue-eyed baby boy named Howard enters their lives.
Meanwhile, her willowy, beauty queen, twin sister, Lydia Dale meets the cowboy of her dreams as well—only to be heartbroken and she succumbs to the fatal flaw, and marries someone no where near her equal.With folks not really head-over-heels crazy for her fashion designs, Mary Dell turns to quilting and finds her niche in life and in love.You’ll chuckle at some of the family antics. You’ll cry and feel Mary Dell’s heartbreak then her stubbornness and determination, You’ll want to hug Mary Dell as you identify with her dilemmas, as well as wanting to smack her Mother, Taffy upside her head then cheer as she gets the best of the Benton Clan Matriarch. Will Mary Dell achieve her long-awaited dream? Will Lydia Dale rid herself and her children of her lazy, “not worth his weight in spit” husband, Jack Benny? But, through it all, one thing stands firm, when the twins combine their talents, there’s nothing or no one they cannot handle. Ms. Bostwick has pulled me into Too Much with her vivid descriptiveness and I now feel like part of the Tudmore family. I certainly hope we’ll be reading more about Mary Dell and her adventures in the not to distant future. “One taste” was definitely not enough! Be sure to re-arrange your bookshelf and make room for this fantastic tale. You won’t be disappointed!
Nancy Narma
June 25, 2013
My first love is sewing and although I do not quilts, I do love novels about quilting. In her newest book, Marie Bostwick doesn't disappoint. Departing from the location of her previous novels, Ms Bostwick now puts her reader in the heart of Texas where twin sisters and co-owners of a ranch have problems of their own. Lydia Dale thinking her finance dead in Vietnam is fooled into marrying a no good jerk. Unlike her sister, Mary Dell marries a good man who allows her to indulge her passion for quilting. Unfortunately although Mary Dell's is pristine, her taste in colors is garish. After years of trying to have a baby, finally one is born. Meanwhile Lydia Dale has three children and has gotten a divorce.
Suddenly everything goes to hell in a hand basket. Mary Dell is deserted, left with a baby to raise.
She decides to find her husband. Instead she finds his brother, who has been taken as POW and returned to town to find Lydia Dale already married. He then moved to Kansas but when Mary Dell arrives, he decides to return with her and take up her offer as ranch manager. Is Lydia Dale pleased to see her ex? Can the sisters manage the ranch without extra hands? Mary Dell has had a dream of opening a quilt shop. When her chance comes, she has to scare up the money but the no good jerk Lydia Dale married has a hateful sister who tries sabotage.
This is a very good family centered novel, rarely found in today's market. We aren't hit over the head by religion in this book. It is everyday people and family oriented and shows us how ordinary people can climb mountains and how being women even in Texas have nothing to do with it.
Suddenly everything goes to hell in a hand basket. Mary Dell is deserted, left with a baby to raise.
She decides to find her husband. Instead she finds his brother, who has been taken as POW and returned to town to find Lydia Dale already married. He then moved to Kansas but when Mary Dell arrives, he decides to return with her and take up her offer as ranch manager. Is Lydia Dale pleased to see her ex? Can the sisters manage the ranch without extra hands? Mary Dell has had a dream of opening a quilt shop. When her chance comes, she has to scare up the money but the no good jerk Lydia Dale married has a hateful sister who tries sabotage.
This is a very good family centered novel, rarely found in today's market. We aren't hit over the head by religion in this book. It is everyday people and family oriented and shows us how ordinary people can climb mountains and how being women even in Texas have nothing to do with it.
May 20, 2013
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND TEXAS by Marie Bostwick
I first learned of this book from my mother as she's followed the whole series. I knew it dealt with quilting and that was my pull to this book.
Love the color and all the different fabrics and especially the design of the squares. Loved hearing the story of Mary submitting designs to the quilt magazine and how she was rejected time after time.
This has happened to me as well-not quilting but knitting and crochet so I know the pain. The book encompasses a one year span of not only Mary's life, her marriage, Donny walking out of her marriage, the birth of the child
and living on the ranch and taking care of chores and bills. The story also follows others that live on the ranch. She gets her one chance at becoming famous with a quilt store of her own, her articles in a magazine and
the store furnished with stock. Problem is there are many stumbing blocks along the way: losing the store to another, fire at the ranch, etc. It's almost too much, surely too much that she gives in and gives up...
Love hearing what Donny's brother Grayson does with the ranch and Lydia to make them all feel worthwhile. Love hearing of getting everybody with pillows and blankets into the back of the station wagon and going to the drive in-oh the days!
Pretty sure I will get the rest of the books in this series as the storyline is very appealing to me.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest opinion.
I first learned of this book from my mother as she's followed the whole series. I knew it dealt with quilting and that was my pull to this book.
Love the color and all the different fabrics and especially the design of the squares. Loved hearing the story of Mary submitting designs to the quilt magazine and how she was rejected time after time.
This has happened to me as well-not quilting but knitting and crochet so I know the pain. The book encompasses a one year span of not only Mary's life, her marriage, Donny walking out of her marriage, the birth of the child
and living on the ranch and taking care of chores and bills. The story also follows others that live on the ranch. She gets her one chance at becoming famous with a quilt store of her own, her articles in a magazine and
the store furnished with stock. Problem is there are many stumbing blocks along the way: losing the store to another, fire at the ranch, etc. It's almost too much, surely too much that she gives in and gives up...
Love hearing what Donny's brother Grayson does with the ranch and Lydia to make them all feel worthwhile. Love hearing of getting everybody with pillows and blankets into the back of the station wagon and going to the drive in-oh the days!
Pretty sure I will get the rest of the books in this series as the storyline is very appealing to me.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 26, 2013
This Book Will Touch Your Heart!
This isn't the first book that I have read by Marie Bostwick and it certainly won't be the last. I loved this book. It is full of real life situations.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Templeton family. Mary Dell and Lydia Dale had the strength and bond that is characteristic of not only sisters but twin sisters. The bond between the two made for a delightful read. Their Momma Taffy was quite a piece of work herself!
This book proved that blood is thicker than water. Toward the very end of this book we find that Momma Taffy will do what she has to do to protect her own.
I found myself with many laugh out loud moments. However, there are some very serious issues that take place, along with some heartbreaks. The courage that Mary Dell and Lydia Dale had while facing their trials in life, had me rooting for them until the very end.
Sometimes we don't get the desires of our heart but then again sometimes we get more than what we desire.
I hope that after reading my review, you will pick up a copy of this book. I know you will like it!
Thank you kensington Publishing for sending me an ARC to read and review. I enjoyed it alot! The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
This isn't the first book that I have read by Marie Bostwick and it certainly won't be the last. I loved this book. It is full of real life situations.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Templeton family. Mary Dell and Lydia Dale had the strength and bond that is characteristic of not only sisters but twin sisters. The bond between the two made for a delightful read. Their Momma Taffy was quite a piece of work herself!
This book proved that blood is thicker than water. Toward the very end of this book we find that Momma Taffy will do what she has to do to protect her own.
I found myself with many laugh out loud moments. However, there are some very serious issues that take place, along with some heartbreaks. The courage that Mary Dell and Lydia Dale had while facing their trials in life, had me rooting for them until the very end.
Sometimes we don't get the desires of our heart but then again sometimes we get more than what we desire.
I hope that after reading my review, you will pick up a copy of this book. I know you will like it!
Thank you kensington Publishing for sending me an ARC to read and review. I enjoyed it alot! The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
April 9, 2015
Again, Marie Bostwick is a new author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed Between Heaven and Texas. I loved the premise of land belonging to the women in the family...a special needs child...post traumatic stress...and Texas humor!
September 22, 2016
This being the last book of the series makes me very sad. I truly loved this series of books. Every book intertwined with the book before it. I love finding out how Mary Dell over came so much hardship and heart breaking things in her life and turned things around to make a great life for her and her son. Her family are so strange characters but that is what family usually is, a mixed bag but we stay together through thick and thin
May 19, 2013
This was such a good story that I truly hope Marie writes more books, maybe even a series, about Mary Dell Templeton and her family. It is a perfect blend of humor, grit, and family drama and deserves, in my opinion, 4-1/2 stars.
May 28, 2013
A book that delves into the character of Mary Dell? Yes, please! This is one of my favorite characters from Bostwick's series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her story!
July 29, 2021
This is my first book by Marie Bostwick and I enjoyed it much more than I originally anticipated. I don’t think I would have selected this book to read on my own, which is why book clubs are so beneficial. With this book completed, I would love to continue on with the series, to see what the future held for a few of the characters.
Settling down into Too Much, Texas with the Templeton family, I followed a few younger sisters as they matured and became adults. Since the family unit is a huge and important part of being a Templeton, I ended up getting to know quite a few of the girl’s friends and family members. Leading an eventful life, I found that the story moved quickly with an engaging storyline that pulled me in quickly.
As the girl’s become adults, they began to get serious about the men in their lives and unfortunately, they started to drift apart. This begins a “muddy” period for them and their family. They can’t see what the future holds for them so right now, things look great and they’re excited to get their adult lives started. Oh, does it get exciting. Perhaps not the excitement that they were expecting, but it’s exciting! For it’s one thing-on-top-of-another and it-just-will-not-stop.
This book has almost a little bit of everything. I liked that the family ranch is passed down to the women in the family and how they take this responsibility seriously. There are parts in this book that are funny while it also has its serious moments. The family does have its differences and I like that they show this in the book without a lot of negative drama. There is a little bit of religion in the book but nothing preachy and there's also romance in the book. I'm not one that's into a lot of romanace but this was just enough for me. I enjoyed this book and Iwould like to read more of this series in the future.
“You wait and see if I’m not right. This boy is going to be something. One of a kind. Aren’t you, Howard?”
Settling down into Too Much, Texas with the Templeton family, I followed a few younger sisters as they matured and became adults. Since the family unit is a huge and important part of being a Templeton, I ended up getting to know quite a few of the girl’s friends and family members. Leading an eventful life, I found that the story moved quickly with an engaging storyline that pulled me in quickly.
As the girl’s become adults, they began to get serious about the men in their lives and unfortunately, they started to drift apart. This begins a “muddy” period for them and their family. They can’t see what the future holds for them so right now, things look great and they’re excited to get their adult lives started. Oh, does it get exciting. Perhaps not the excitement that they were expecting, but it’s exciting! For it’s one thing-on-top-of-another and it-just-will-not-stop.
This book has almost a little bit of everything. I liked that the family ranch is passed down to the women in the family and how they take this responsibility seriously. There are parts in this book that are funny while it also has its serious moments. The family does have its differences and I like that they show this in the book without a lot of negative drama. There is a little bit of religion in the book but nothing preachy and there's also romance in the book. I'm not one that's into a lot of romanace but this was just enough for me. I enjoyed this book and Iwould like to read more of this series in the future.
“You wait and see if I’m not right. This boy is going to be something. One of a kind. Aren’t you, Howard?”
May 17, 2018
This just might be my favorite in the series.
December 20, 2020
Marie Bostwick writes great, light and entertaining books set in the world of quilting. Love these books as an escape from the heaviness of the world.
August 8, 2013
Mary Dell Templeton blew us away with her outrageous style, spunky personality and loyal friendship when we met her in the Cobbled Quilts series. Now, in Between Heaven and Texas, Marie Bostwick takes us back into Mary Dell's past to help us better understand what created this amazing, outspoken woman and the son that she loves so much.
Mary Dell and her twin sister Lydia Dale grew up in Too Much, Texas. The heirs of a large ranch estate which has been uniquely passed down through generations of Tudmore women, the two girls couldn't be any more different. Lydia Dale, quiet and sophisticated, is everything that her mother wanted in a daughter: the perfect beauty queen. Mary Dell, on the other hand, has no use for pageants and would much rather spend time with her grandmother, learning to sew gorgeous (at least to her own eyes) clothes that she hopes to one day sell in her own shop. When she realizes that no one else likes her creations, Mary Dell turns to quilting and finds that she has a unique talent for the art.
Lydia Dale's pageant career and Mary Dell's dreams get sidetracked, however, when they meet the Bebee brothers, Graydon and Donny. Mary Dell gives everything to Donny in a moment of passion and, discovering that she's pregnant, reluctantly agrees to marry him. That hesitant decision becomes one of the best she ever makes, for she falls head over heels in love with her husband. Lydia Dale also falls in love with Graydon but their relationship is sidetracked by war.
Unfortunately, the sisters seem to share one trait...the "fatal flaw" that has been passed down, along with the ranch, through the Tudmore female line. They both fail miserably in matters of love. Though Donny and Mary Dell's relationship is strong, it can't stand the test of what Donny sees as tragedy: the birth of Howard Bebee, a baby with Down's syndrome. Lydia Dale, believing Graydon to be dead, decides to marry one of the scions of the town's most prosperous families, only to learn later the cruel streak that he hid from her during their courtship. The bitterness of that choice is only doubled when she discovers that Graydon is alive after all.
Tragedy, broken hearts, ignorance and disaster - Mary Dell faces them all as she struggles to raise Howard alone, keep the ranch going and pursue her dream of becoming a quilting master. Rejection follows rejection when she submits her designs to a popular quilting magazine, though, and Mary Dell begins to give up hope. The Tudmores are made of strong stuff, though, and with the return of a long lost lover and a little bit of alcohol-inspired luck, they prove to Too Much that they, like their ancestor Flagadine, are survivors.
Heartwarming with its depiction of family and inspiring with its portrait of a strong, independant woman who knows what she likes and doesn't care what anyone else thinks, Between Heaven and Texas is just what Marie Bostwick's readers have been waiting for. Knowing the person that Howard becomes makes his story all that more sweet for fans that have read the previous books, but new readers will be able to appreciate Mary Dell's loyal protection and dedication to him as well. Lovely read.
Mary Dell and her twin sister Lydia Dale grew up in Too Much, Texas. The heirs of a large ranch estate which has been uniquely passed down through generations of Tudmore women, the two girls couldn't be any more different. Lydia Dale, quiet and sophisticated, is everything that her mother wanted in a daughter: the perfect beauty queen. Mary Dell, on the other hand, has no use for pageants and would much rather spend time with her grandmother, learning to sew gorgeous (at least to her own eyes) clothes that she hopes to one day sell in her own shop. When she realizes that no one else likes her creations, Mary Dell turns to quilting and finds that she has a unique talent for the art.
Lydia Dale's pageant career and Mary Dell's dreams get sidetracked, however, when they meet the Bebee brothers, Graydon and Donny. Mary Dell gives everything to Donny in a moment of passion and, discovering that she's pregnant, reluctantly agrees to marry him. That hesitant decision becomes one of the best she ever makes, for she falls head over heels in love with her husband. Lydia Dale also falls in love with Graydon but their relationship is sidetracked by war.
Unfortunately, the sisters seem to share one trait...the "fatal flaw" that has been passed down, along with the ranch, through the Tudmore female line. They both fail miserably in matters of love. Though Donny and Mary Dell's relationship is strong, it can't stand the test of what Donny sees as tragedy: the birth of Howard Bebee, a baby with Down's syndrome. Lydia Dale, believing Graydon to be dead, decides to marry one of the scions of the town's most prosperous families, only to learn later the cruel streak that he hid from her during their courtship. The bitterness of that choice is only doubled when she discovers that Graydon is alive after all.
Tragedy, broken hearts, ignorance and disaster - Mary Dell faces them all as she struggles to raise Howard alone, keep the ranch going and pursue her dream of becoming a quilting master. Rejection follows rejection when she submits her designs to a popular quilting magazine, though, and Mary Dell begins to give up hope. The Tudmores are made of strong stuff, though, and with the return of a long lost lover and a little bit of alcohol-inspired luck, they prove to Too Much that they, like their ancestor Flagadine, are survivors.
Heartwarming with its depiction of family and inspiring with its portrait of a strong, independant woman who knows what she likes and doesn't care what anyone else thinks, Between Heaven and Texas is just what Marie Bostwick's readers have been waiting for. Knowing the person that Howard becomes makes his story all that more sweet for fans that have read the previous books, but new readers will be able to appreciate Mary Dell's loyal protection and dedication to him as well. Lovely read.
October 25, 2017
I really wanted to like this book more then I did. I like to read light, 'chick lit' fiction every so often and I figured this would fit the bill. In a way, it did. Heart-warming, silly, with flawed but lovable characters, some drama, and some sweet romance.
Here's the deal. Major spoiler-town. I can't with the massively inconsistent character writing. I mean, Donny spends over a decade with his wife and is a good, hard working, loving husband. Adores her, has spent his whole life longing for a child with her, then finally gets one, is too overwhelmed/sad (which she writes believably and I totally get) and then just leaves his wife and newborn son and never comes back????? Not only that, but writes a "congratulations" note when Mary Dell opens up her store and is a success. It should say ,"Congratulations on surviving what was almost certainly a life of poverty that opened up before you when I completed deserted you when you most needed me." Jerk. The worst thing is it's not believable at all. She spent the whole book telling us what a great husband he was then he's just like JK lets let Mary Dell show us her stuff. Sorry, I know it's just a book, but that kind of character departure really ruins a story for me.
In addition, what kind of mother is Lydia Dale that would leave her children with her drunk, mean ex-husband? So Mary Dell is a mama bear if someone even flinches in her kids direction but Lydia is like "Sorry son, I know your 'daddy' hates you and abuses you but I gotta obey the court." Screw that. She'd document that crap and take him to court. You protect your kids. It's just not believable. I can see how her history with him would make her reluctant but she's got a whole family that should be backing that play. Disturbing normalization of encouraging contact with a abusive glorified sperm donor.
ALSO, Grayton spent a decade as a drunk hermit after coming back from being a POW and then suddenly is this flawless family man? Hard pass. Can't even begin to believe that story line even for the sake of a happy ending. And I really, really wanted that happy ending!
Wow based on this review I should give it 2 stars. But other then those three things above I liked every other thing about this book, believe it or not. And being a mother, I cried my eyes out through at least half the book so that's why I gave it 3 stars haha.
Here's the deal. Major spoiler-town. I can't with the massively inconsistent character writing. I mean, Donny spends over a decade with his wife and is a good, hard working, loving husband. Adores her, has spent his whole life longing for a child with her, then finally gets one, is too overwhelmed/sad (which she writes believably and I totally get) and then just leaves his wife and newborn son and never comes back????? Not only that, but writes a "congratulations" note when Mary Dell opens up her store and is a success. It should say ,"Congratulations on surviving what was almost certainly a life of poverty that opened up before you when I completed deserted you when you most needed me." Jerk. The worst thing is it's not believable at all. She spent the whole book telling us what a great husband he was then he's just like JK lets let Mary Dell show us her stuff. Sorry, I know it's just a book, but that kind of character departure really ruins a story for me.
In addition, what kind of mother is Lydia Dale that would leave her children with her drunk, mean ex-husband? So Mary Dell is a mama bear if someone even flinches in her kids direction but Lydia is like "Sorry son, I know your 'daddy' hates you and abuses you but I gotta obey the court." Screw that. She'd document that crap and take him to court. You protect your kids. It's just not believable. I can see how her history with him would make her reluctant but she's got a whole family that should be backing that play. Disturbing normalization of encouraging contact with a abusive glorified sperm donor.
ALSO, Grayton spent a decade as a drunk hermit after coming back from being a POW and then suddenly is this flawless family man? Hard pass. Can't even begin to believe that story line even for the sake of a happy ending. And I really, really wanted that happy ending!
Wow based on this review I should give it 2 stars. But other then those three things above I liked every other thing about this book, believe it or not. And being a mother, I cried my eyes out through at least half the book so that's why I gave it 3 stars haha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2015
I loved this prequel to the Cobbled Court Quilt series. The characters were so charming, yet displayed everyman's problems and emotions. The F-Bar-T ranch outside Too Much, Texas has been passed down to generations of Tudmore women upon their marriage. Now it's owned by twins Lydia Dale and Mary Dell. Both fell in love in high school with brothers Donny and Graydon.
When Graydon was mistakenly reported as killed in action in Vietnam, broken-hearted Lydia Dale eventually caved to the attentions of no-account Jack Benny and married him. By the time Graydon was rescued from a POW camp and returned to Too Much, Lydia Dale is pregnant. Graydon couldn't face the fact that Lydia Dale hadn't waited for him so he ran away, vowing to never return. Ultimately, Jack Benny left Lydia Dale and their three children for another woman.
Mary Dell married Donny and their lives appeared to be perfect, with Donny managing the ranch and Mary Dell ... being Mary Dell. However, as much as she and Donny wanted children, Mary Dell had difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term. When she finally has a beautiful little boy, the doctor informs them that he has Downs Syndrome. Mary Dell faces the facts and works hard to learn all she can about Downs, ignoring her husband in the process. Unable to cope with having a Downs child, Donny deserts his family.
With money tight, and lambing season nearing, Mary Dell sets out to find Donny, but instead goes to Graydon and convinces him to return to Too Much for a few months to run the ranch while she and Lydia Dale learn how to run it themselves.
Both women show just what Tudmore women are made of when Mary Dell has the chance to buy the local, outdated, dry goods store and she turns to her sister for help in fulfilling her dream of having a shop where she would sell quality quilting materials and teach quilting classes, too.
My favorite descriptor from the whole book was when Jack Benny was described as being "so low he would have to look up to see hell." My favorite action scene was when their mother punched out the high-and-mighty Marlena (Jack Benny's mother) then picked her up and threw her out the door of the new shop into the street.
When Graydon was mistakenly reported as killed in action in Vietnam, broken-hearted Lydia Dale eventually caved to the attentions of no-account Jack Benny and married him. By the time Graydon was rescued from a POW camp and returned to Too Much, Lydia Dale is pregnant. Graydon couldn't face the fact that Lydia Dale hadn't waited for him so he ran away, vowing to never return. Ultimately, Jack Benny left Lydia Dale and their three children for another woman.
Mary Dell married Donny and their lives appeared to be perfect, with Donny managing the ranch and Mary Dell ... being Mary Dell. However, as much as she and Donny wanted children, Mary Dell had difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term. When she finally has a beautiful little boy, the doctor informs them that he has Downs Syndrome. Mary Dell faces the facts and works hard to learn all she can about Downs, ignoring her husband in the process. Unable to cope with having a Downs child, Donny deserts his family.
With money tight, and lambing season nearing, Mary Dell sets out to find Donny, but instead goes to Graydon and convinces him to return to Too Much for a few months to run the ranch while she and Lydia Dale learn how to run it themselves.
Both women show just what Tudmore women are made of when Mary Dell has the chance to buy the local, outdated, dry goods store and she turns to her sister for help in fulfilling her dream of having a shop where she would sell quality quilting materials and teach quilting classes, too.
My favorite descriptor from the whole book was when Jack Benny was described as being "so low he would have to look up to see hell." My favorite action scene was when their mother punched out the high-and-mighty Marlena (Jack Benny's mother) then picked her up and threw her out the door of the new shop into the street.
September 19, 2013
Too Much, Texas is a rather small town located abuts 95 mile south east of Dallas, but plenty of interesting things happen in this town.
Mary Dell is getting married but probably not for love or the right reasons but to do the right thing. After marrying Donny and suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage their marriage seems to grown stronger with each year. Unfortunately, Mary Dell will suffer many more in the following years but her and her husbands dream will finally come true with the birth of Howard Hobart Bebee. Howard is a very “special” child and with him brings many struggles and adjustments to her and her family,
Lydia Dale is Mary’s twin sister, older by three and a half minutes and is married certainly not to the man of her dreams but then sometimes dreams just don’t come true.
Both sisters are dealing with different problems. Mary Dell is very talented and although she could sew all her own clothes she seemed to have taught herself how to quilt and is so gifted she is now teaching others by designing patterns that even beginners can follow. She is determined and strong and will not give up even when her rejections from a specific magazine keep coming, a total of fifteen.
We see how Mary Dell and her sister Lydia Dale are true survivors and no matter what challenges confront them they will do what it takes to solve the problem. I cheered for the characters as it is nice to know that in a “mans world” these are two women who are going to accomplish what they had only dreamed of and make it work to help support their families and follow their dreams.
I found this story to be very powerful, real life and enjoyable all at the same time.
Mary Dell is getting married but probably not for love or the right reasons but to do the right thing. After marrying Donny and suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage their marriage seems to grown stronger with each year. Unfortunately, Mary Dell will suffer many more in the following years but her and her husbands dream will finally come true with the birth of Howard Hobart Bebee. Howard is a very “special” child and with him brings many struggles and adjustments to her and her family,
Lydia Dale is Mary’s twin sister, older by three and a half minutes and is married certainly not to the man of her dreams but then sometimes dreams just don’t come true.
Both sisters are dealing with different problems. Mary Dell is very talented and although she could sew all her own clothes she seemed to have taught herself how to quilt and is so gifted she is now teaching others by designing patterns that even beginners can follow. She is determined and strong and will not give up even when her rejections from a specific magazine keep coming, a total of fifteen.
We see how Mary Dell and her sister Lydia Dale are true survivors and no matter what challenges confront them they will do what it takes to solve the problem. I cheered for the characters as it is nice to know that in a “mans world” these are two women who are going to accomplish what they had only dreamed of and make it work to help support their families and follow their dreams.
I found this story to be very powerful, real life and enjoyable all at the same time.
May 19, 2013
Author Marie Bostwick is well known for her charming “Cobbled Court Quilts” series. Filled with loveable characters, one stand-out character who has always been popular is the fascinating, if not slightly crazy, Mary Dell Templeton.
In her latest novel, “Between Heaven and Texas,” Bostwick devotes an entire book to Mary Dell and brings the story of her life to the printed page to the delight of readers. And what a story it is!
Employing her brilliant storytelling skills, Marie Bostwick takes her readers deep into the heart of Texas and deep into the heart of Mary Dell’s life. She handles the storyline of Howards’s Down’s Syndrome with grace and dignity, and she gives her characters plenty of faith and love to draw upon, which is just amazing to read.
A little bit frantic, a little bit romantic, and with a whole lot of family love and loyalty, “Between Heaven and Texas” is a fun journey that you almost don’t want to end. In fact, I, for one, hope that Marie continues with more of Mary Dell’s stories in the future, along with her wonderful “Cobbled Court Quilts” books too!
In her latest novel, “Between Heaven and Texas,” Bostwick devotes an entire book to Mary Dell and brings the story of her life to the printed page to the delight of readers. And what a story it is!
Employing her brilliant storytelling skills, Marie Bostwick takes her readers deep into the heart of Texas and deep into the heart of Mary Dell’s life. She handles the storyline of Howards’s Down’s Syndrome with grace and dignity, and she gives her characters plenty of faith and love to draw upon, which is just amazing to read.
A little bit frantic, a little bit romantic, and with a whole lot of family love and loyalty, “Between Heaven and Texas” is a fun journey that you almost don’t want to end. In fact, I, for one, hope that Marie continues with more of Mary Dell’s stories in the future, along with her wonderful “Cobbled Court Quilts” books too!
March 13, 2016
Mary Dell and her twin sister Lydia Dale grew up in Too Much, Texas "where the women are strong and the men are shiftless". Lydia Dale, the perfect beauty queen in her mother's eyes, is dragged to every beauty pageant mom can enter. Mary Dell, spends time with her grandmother, learns to sew and eventually finds that she has a unique talent for quilting.
They both get sidetracked, however, when they meet the Bebee brothers, Graydon and Donny. Mary Dell gets pregnant with Donny's child, reluctantly agrees to marry him and falls deeply in love with him. Lydia Dale falls in love with Graydon but gets sidetracked when he goes off to war.
Unfortunately, the "fatal flaw" has been passed down, along with the ranch, through the Tudmore female line. They both fail miserably at love but learn how to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and move on, not caring what anyone else thinks.
A heartwarming tale of strong, independent women.
I won this book through GoodReads! 3.4 stars
They both get sidetracked, however, when they meet the Bebee brothers, Graydon and Donny. Mary Dell gets pregnant with Donny's child, reluctantly agrees to marry him and falls deeply in love with him. Lydia Dale falls in love with Graydon but gets sidetracked when he goes off to war.
Unfortunately, the "fatal flaw" has been passed down, along with the ranch, through the Tudmore female line. They both fail miserably at love but learn how to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and move on, not caring what anyone else thinks.
A heartwarming tale of strong, independent women.
I won this book through GoodReads! 3.4 stars
May 10, 2014
This book was about Mary Dell Templeton of Too Much, Texas. She appears occasionally in the author's previous books. Mary Dell and her twin sister Lydia Dale encounter many obstacles, but those obstacles are conveniently solved one way or another. The women of the family are stronger than most of the men (that's supposedly the tradition from the time of the Tudmore woman who founded the town) and are able to accomplish much. The book also talks about the birth of Mary Dell's son, Howard, who has Down syndrome. It was an easy read.
August 27, 2020
3.5 stars. This novel is the prequel to the Cobbled Quilt Series. We are introduced to Mary Dell Templeton, an outgoing, glitzed and glammed Texas girl who does not let anything or anyone get in her way!
The story itself was rather entertaining, but we do get glimpses of Mary Dell as a person with a big heart and even bigger dreams. With her twin sister Lydia Dale by her side, she pursues her goals and will not take no or refusals of any kind for an answer.
Thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to exploring the rest of this series.
The story itself was rather entertaining, but we do get glimpses of Mary Dell as a person with a big heart and even bigger dreams. With her twin sister Lydia Dale by her side, she pursues her goals and will not take no or refusals of any kind for an answer.
Thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to exploring the rest of this series.
November 17, 2013
Recommended by a friend (Thanks, Helen) when I started reading I wasn't sure I would like the book at all. But the characters were interesting enough and made me curious enough that I kept reading. Before I knew it I was hooked and couldn't swipe the pages fast enough.
The relationship between the twins and their mother seemed quite realistic to me.
Really the only negative is there isn't a direct sequel I would have loved to read more.
The relationship between the twins and their mother seemed quite realistic to me.
Really the only negative is there isn't a direct sequel I would have loved to read more.
October 9, 2015
This "Cobbled Quilts" story had nothing to do w/ anyone in that series, except Mary Dell, I guess. It is her story and was stereotypically everything I loathe about Texas: big hair, big clothes, rampant sexism, beauty pageants, "he done her wrong" stories, etc etc. the saving grace was using Mary Dell's story to teach about Down Syndrome. That and Marie Bostwick's story-telling abilities are what saved the book for me. If you love mythical Texas, you'll love this.
September 8, 2016
I'm not sure how this book got onto my "to read" list, because I haven't read any of her other work. This main character apparently appears in another series. In any case, the author has created a true Texas character, complete with personality quirks and odd family members. I enjoyed the interplay of the characters, and I would be interested in seeing where Mary Dell ends up.
August 13, 2016
You don't have to be from Texas or a quilter to enjoy this heartwarming and fun book.
April 12, 2015
i liked this book. it was interesting to see how the characters started in this book and appeared in the series.
January 26, 2016
Delightful book. I just loved it.
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