Sister's Choice

Patchwork Circle #2

by Judith Pella

She had thought he was the one... Now she's not sure of anything.

When it comes to quilting, Maggie Newcomb is all thumbs. And nobody rubs it in more than Emma Jean Stoddard. But Maggie swallows her ire for one simple reason: she has a crush on Emma Jean's handsome son, Colby, and doesn't want to ruin her chances. So she works hard to become the best quilter in Maintown.

Her plan seems to be working...until Tamara Brennan comes to town. Tamara is wealthy, poised, and beautiful. Several of the local boys are immediately smitten with her, including Colby Stoddard. Desperate to keep Colby's attention, Maggie devises an elaborate plan with her friend Evan. But her scheme brings unexpected consequences, and before long Maggie isn't sure what her heart truly desires.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Judith Pella is a bestselling, award-winning author whose writing career spans two decades. Her in-depth historical and geographical research combines with her skillful storytelling to provide readers with dramatic, thought-provoking novels. She and her husband make their home in Scapoose, Oregon.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christian historical fiction book is very enjoyable, and the characters seemed extremely well-done. Maggie and Evan seemed like actual people you would meet with strengths and weaknesses, and they ways they grew and changed during the story were inspiring. A murder trial, friendships, big city life vs. small town farm life, clean romance, deception, and the importance of being truthful are all part of the plot. This is the second book in the series, but the first one I was able to read. That did not hinder my enjoyment at all, and I plan to read the other two if I can locate them.

[Luna_Roja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know what are you going to say: It was predictable!
Yes, but also was beautiful, cozy, with great characters, a subplot very well made that brought moisture to my eyes, and it was full of truths that we seem to forget easily.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the strong elements of faith and enjoyed this entire story. Evan and Maggie's relationship developed nicely, despite poor Evan being hopelessly clumsy. It was fun to find out where Zack's future was heading as he returned from book 1.

There was a fun scene in the mud.
"...they cleaned some of the mud from their hands and faces.
The meal of bread and cheese and apples was eaten with a liberal helping of grit, yet Maggie thought it was one of the best meals she'd ever eaten. "

After purchasing & enjoying book 1 from my local Goodwill Book Store, I searched online for Book 2 and found it at ThriftBooks.com & ordered it.
All opinions are mine alone.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book. I listen or read books for relaxation and enjoyment, so I don't analyze them like some people do. A 5 star means I had a hard time stopping or putting down the book. 4 means it was a good book in that I enjoyed the plot and the build up to it, but I could put it down. The lessons in Judith Pella's are sound. I am thankful for Christian authors or authors who write clean novels.

[Cathy Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not everyone enlists someone (secretly) smitten with them as an ally to win another! But it gives Evan an excuse to spend time with Maggie.
As they spend time together on various projects, Maggie comes to admire Evan and value him as a friend. Where does it go from here? Will this confused romance have a happy ending for all con concerned? What of the rivals? What of feuding parents? Read and see.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good ending to this story about two sisters. Evan returned home to Main, Oregon, to visit family and make professional decisions when he meets Maggie. Maggie asked him to defend a friend who was on trial for killing his abusive father. This story was wonderfully fun to read, and many times, I laughed out loud.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie was my favorite character in Bachelor's Puzzle, book one in the Patchwork Circle series, and in book two she gets her man. She finds herself, helps save a friend and falls in love. Never a dull moment in this well-written clean read. I loved it!

[writer... · Rating 1 out of 5]

Narration an added detraction and distraction.

[Belladonna]

31

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this book this afternoon, and it was splendidly heart-warming. I loved it.
In this book, Sister's Choice - by Judith Pella (book 2 in her Patchwork Circle Series) young Maggie Newcomb sets her sights on Colby Stoddard once and for all. She forms a plan with the help of Mabel Parker, and Mabel's brother Evan, a new lawyer home from Boston spending time with his family, whom is also trying to decide the road his life will take. There is one big problem: Tamara Brennan, a house guest of the Stoddard's - she is pretty and seemingly perfect. In the meantime, Maggie tries her best to improve her quilting and impress Colby and his mother Emma Jean - knowing she is the one that will be the hardest to win over. Maggie's plan is working, until she finds that she has mis-judged her feelings for Colby and realizes she loves someone else entirely.
That is all I shall give away. :p Oh, I think I should also mention, this is Christian fiction, though it is not over-powerfully obvious. There is the mention that characters believe in God and must learn to trust his will and his plan for their lives, but it does not give the feeling it is being forced down one's throat as I have encountered in other authors' styles. I am not Christian, I just love the clean-ness and good nature of the story, and Judith Pella's writing, period. :p So, if you don't like trying out that sort of fiction or just have some sort of issue with it, now you know.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sister's Choice by Judith Pella is the second book of the Patchwork Circle series, set in 1882 Oregon. A quilting bee takes place, and the Sister's Choice quilt block pattern is included at the back, but this is primarily a YA Christian series about teenage girls single-mindedly seeking husbands in a small rural town. Maggie chased after Zack in the first book, but now he's engaged to her sister, so Maggie has a crush on Colby. Maggie is a tomboy who prefers to play outside in her overalls, but she decides that to win Colby, she will have to please his mother. So she forces herself to learn to stitch quilt blocks, and wear dresses. Meanwhile Evan Parker returns home from Boston, where he had graduated from Harvard Law School, passed the bar and begun practicing law. Evan's mother is eager for him to return to Boston so she can continue to brag about him to everyone. Evan likes country life better than city life. He was infatuated with Tamara in Boston, but she wasn't interested in him. Now Tamara is visiting with Colby's family, and Maggie fears the beautiful and sophisticated Tamara will capture Colby's heart (as Colby's mother intends). Evan's sister Mabel wants to get married, but she can't until her older brother weds, so she suggests that Maggie and Evan plot together to pair off Maggie with Colby and Tamara with Evan. Quite predictable how the couples sort out in the end. Along the way Maggie starts growing up, with the help of her grandmother's wisdom.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Updated review: I was able to read the Bachelor's Puzzle and then I finished this book. I wish they would put a warning label on books--you have to read the first one in this series to understand anything!! Lol. It turned out to be fine. I think I liked it better than Bachelor's Puzzle because the characters were more developed.
And I did the quilt block!! I made it a pillow. Really fun.

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Ugh, I had to stop this book because there were too many references to the first book in the series and I didn't know what was going on. It is a well-written book and I wanted to read more but I just couldn't get caught up.

I think I will try the quilt though. Maybe if I can get my hands on Bachelor's Puzzle, I can come back to it.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

SISTER’S CHOICE is the second book in the Patchwork Circle Series. Picking up where we left off in BACHELOR’S PUZZLE, Maggie Newcomb has her sights set on the very available and good-looking, Colby Stoddard. Knowing she’ll have to win over his possessive mother, Maggie sets out to improve her domestic skills, including the task she dislikes most ―stitching. When Maggie finds out that Colby’s mother is trying to set him up with town newcomer, Tamara Brennan, she enlists the help of Evan Parker ( who has his own affections set on Tamara) to be a distraction to Tamara while Maggie tries to gain Colby’s interest. Evan, a local boy returning from Boston with a degree in law and little self-esteem is a bit bumbling, but that is what endears you to him. He feels his attempt at trying to sway Tamara’s attention in his direction will be short of a miracle, but does it anyway to help out Maggie in her quest.

SISTER’S CHOICE was a great follow-up to BACHELOR’s PUZZLE. Maggie’s scheming is very entertaining, and of course, as you read on, you realize her own plot is going to backfire. But even with the predictable premise, you enjoyed following Maggie as she grows up and learns what is important in a person. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the court case and legal proceedings. I also enjoyed the fun, dynamic relationship of a tomboy and a bookish lawyer in in the 19th century Oregon. The faith theme was well done as well.

But I did not enjoy the "I wore this dress, and she wore that dress and we went to such and such a place and so and so said this" of the beginning of the book. Nor did I enjoy the love scheming. Or the random, unconvincing (plot and character-wise) proposal.

But the factors that I did enjoy seemed to outweigh those that I didn't.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Judith Pella's books, but this series is a little harder for me to connect with. This is the second book in the series, and although I like quilting, the focus on the quilting community as background for these stories, throws me off a little. Once I got into the actual story, it was ok, but I prefer some of Judith's other series, especially "The Russians" series and "Daughters of Fortune" series.

[Kami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one better then book one. The relationships between the women are well done. Maggie's coming of age flows like a bucket of rocky mud, consequently, quite accurate of how life really flows. Her attempts to fit in and figure out what she truly wants put her in some funny situations. I especially love the way the grandmother influences her with small comments and questions, so Maggie can decide for herself, but to also force her to to look deeper into her heart.

[Perrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Newcomb is more tomboy than the proper young lady that she is expected to be. She is also confused about her love interest, so she begins scheming in order to get the attention that she thinks she wants. Her grandmother comes to visit and teaches her to sew properly and helps her to become the proper young lady that she needs to be, considering she really is of the age to be thinking about marriage. Set in the late 1800's.

[Justina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was one of those books that was good and easy to read, but one that I will forget the plot and characters and forget that I read it. It is not a book that will stick out in my mind and will compel me to tell others to read. That being said I enjoyed this book and will probably read more by this author sometime.

[Darlamaguet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read - really liked the characters. I like books that end with everything neat and finished the way I thought they should end. This one doesn't dissapoint. I didn't realize it was Christian fiction when I began reading it and found the references to faith and God a little forced. It didn't really detract from the story though.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I didn't read the first one in the series- just saw this at the library and it looked intriguing. But, I dont' think I missed much... this one still made sense. If you like quilting, and coming of age stories, this one is good. I enjoyed it anyway.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually I give this book 3 1/2 stars. It was a somewhat predictable story and i thought it was supposed to be in the 1880's, but some of the things said did not sound like that era. It wasnt a horrible book but it wasnt fabulous.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I can't say the plot was what made this book. I just really liked the characters. They were written very well. My only complaint was that it ended a bit flat. I was looking for a little more from the ending.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wanna read this SUPER DUPER BAD!!!!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those love stories involving quilting that you just feel good at the end.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming-of-age story set in the 1880s in Oregon. Very easy read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The plot was a little predictable, but the story was humorous and lighthearted about a young woman realizing her dream was standing right before her. Very good read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read -- a Christian book with a lot of quilting in it. Predictable, but a good read for the genre.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know this was the 2nd book in a series until I was 1/2 way finished. It was kinda slow. I knew the ending in the 3rd chapter. Good for easy reading.

[Elicia Hack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an easy read - nothing heavy in terms of the plot and characters so in that respect it was quite refreshing.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of 2
*very good