The Potting Shed Quilt

Colebridge Community #2

by Ann Hazelwood

The second saga of Anne Brown and the Colebridge Community! In The Basement Quilt, the debut novel by Ann Hazelwood, you got to know the family and friends of Anne Brown, a plucky florist whose daily ups and downs are as familiar as your own. In this follow-up book, Anne and her fiance, Sam, start house-hunting, or is that haunting? Once again, a quilt holds keys and clues to important family secrets, but whose family is it this time? And why would anyone hide a quilt in a potting shed? Life continues apace for Anne's family and friends, too. Share in their joys and sorrows as Colebridge goes about every community's business. The Potting Shed Quilt is not just the title of this sequel-the quilt itself is a character. You'll want to meet other quilt 'characters' throughout the series.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Mystery

410 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Ann Hazelwood was the owner of a quilt shop for 30 years. She has always adored quilting and is a certified quilt appraiser. In addition to her cozy quilt fiction, she has written travel guides and quilting non-fiction.

Reviews

[Phyllis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been searching for a good book with a quilting theme. This isn't it. I forced myself to finish reading this in hopes that it would get better. It didn't and the ending leaves many unanswered questions so you have to read the next book if you want to know what happened.

It is written at about a fifth grade reading level, which is fine,I guess, if you're a poor reader. It's lacking depth of plot. The main character owns her own business but come across as being naive or very unsophisticated. She is very sweet and kind but there's just something missing in her character. I could go on but you get the idea.

[Lynn Hayward-Bisbee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmmmm.....Let me think. Holy cow! should I speak to Mother about the strange happenings at 333 Lincoln or oh my gosh, should I just wait until we can have a Kodak moment about it all? Or should we have a heart-to-heart on how we are a "Christian" family, but I'm engaging in premarital sex and believing that ghosts actually leave flowers on a grave and tools in a potting shed?Grr! how ridiculous!! I read the second book--partially because the first book just kind of stopped without wrapping up any story lines and partially because I thought maybe I was being too unfair to the author and really needed to give it a second chance. I love quilting cozy mysteries, but these are just too sappy and unrealistic for words. I have never, ever in all my years of reading hundreds of books had an author use the same phrase over and over in a book: ie: "Kodak moment" and "Hmmmmmmm." I've seen these books advertised as "Christian books" and although I am not so stupid as to think there aren't Christians out there that still have premarital sex---all this constant talk of ghosts and talking to spirits--well, it just doesn't jive. It seems like the author needs to pick a belief and stick to it. And the main character is always saying "hmmm"--as if she can't make a decision --at her ripe old age of almost 30. C'mon. This is just too ridiculous. And, once again, the book just ends. Just stops. It stops right in the middle of a scene without tying any ends together--which is another thing--the endless story lines and plots --sheez! Pick a plot already! The simple fact that it took me so long to finish this book is indicative of the fact that I practically had to force myself to continue to read it. I wanted to be fair. I wanted to like these books, wanted to get into the characters and read the whole series----but, I can't stomach another Kodak moment!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't often critique writing in a published book, but I cannot let this one go by without at least some mention of the poor editing.

The story was fine. A good cozy mystery in my mind. How can you go wrong with a story about gardening, quilts and a few ghosts scattered about? Run on sentence, poorly constructed sentences for starters. I think the use of Jean's English accent was overdone. It felt like the author used every English phrase or word group that she had ever come across and put them into every sentence that Jean uttered. I have read other novels set in England and the characters did not speak like that. One page ended about 1/3 of the way down the page then the #63 was inserted and the text did not pick up again until the page was turned.

Overall, I would recommend the book to friends that like cozies, that have an interest in gardening or quilting, but would add a disclaimer about the editing. I gave it 3 stars for the story line not the story telling.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book-2nd in a series that got it as a library request-unfortunately I have not been able to read the 1st book. The author is wonderful. It has lead me to another series she writes, "Pery Countey Quilts" series which I have started reading as well. I enjoy not only the quilt aspects of her books but the storylines are very good and draw you in. The Potting Shed quilt is a cozy mystery with a slight touch of paranormal, but not a science fiction type. You are drawn into the live of this family and the mystery that the main character is trying to unravel about the family who previous owned the house that she and her fiancee have purchased, when she finds an old quilt top wrapped around an unusual vase in an old potting shed. It was hard to put this down. I wish I could have read the 1st book in the series first "The funeral home quilt" to clairify a few places in the book, but all in all, I don't think reading it out of order was too much of a problem. Make me want to read the 1st book even more.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Colebridge Community Series after The Basement Quilt. I noticed an improvement in the writing in this book and the editing was better. I know it's a little hokey but I am enjoying this series more than I thought I would. In this book the quilt quite cleverly becomes part of the story, as it was paper pieced, and the papers were letters that contained answers to a family mystery. It's not prize winning stuff but the books remain a pleasant way to pass a cool fall evening.

[Deborah Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with reviewers: These are simplistic, easy to read books with perhaps little substance. But they are women friendly, full of dialogue and fast reads. They are easily read. Yet, there is a strong family theme, and an appreciation for nature. I live in a small town and originally from Missouri so I enjoy the connections and as a non-quilter learn something about its artistry. I’ll read more of these - as a buffer between heavier works. There is a place in my library for all types of books- tgey all serve a purpose.

[Rachel Nielsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I read the second book, since the first didn’t wow me. I think this has got to be one of the most boring books I’ve read in a long time. I think I finally put my finger on why it was so boring to me: there is no struggle. There is nothing for the characters to overcome. Sure the main character poses questions in her mind about her relationship…. and you think, oh there’s going to be a conflict to work through. But no, she never discusses anything with him, the concerns simply disappear because he’s so amazing.

[Susan V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with my ears and once again, the narrator could have made it a better experience. Hazelwood's style of dialogue is unnatural and a feeling of awkwardness often surfaces. However, the story line was pretty good. I'm not a supernatural fan, but this element was a good tool to make the story interesting.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was enjoyable, and the characters grew on me, but the book just didn't have the best writing or editing. I still continued reading the series, so that means the story is interesting, but it feels a bit stiff in some ways.

[Norla Chee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay as romance novels go. I don't usually read romance. I picked this out for the quilt and the ghosts. The ghosts weren't too believable. The quilt part and the Jane Austin book club were the most interesting. Sort of curious who dies in the next one, but not enough to buy it.

[Elaine Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was wonderful as all this series seems to be. Only negative fact is that your proofreader failed in so many ways! There were so many runn on words. Like the typist kept forgetting to space between words! Difficult to read and Chapter 32 was completely blank!

[Kathy Mulberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quick read.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

too long and slow. Jean's accent is completely false and way to ridiculous. story moves slowly.

[Dru · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are interesting books. Love the intrigue of a ghost in the book - not that I believe in ghosts. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Pwagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a much better book that the 1st book in the series. It flowed and much easier to read. Left me anxious to purchase #3.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and now I am looking forward to my next edition to the Colebridge Community Series.

[Sherry Partington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was hoping for. A bit too much "Praise God" for my tastes. I will try one more of her books because I do love the idea of quilts and flowers being an integral part of the book.

[M. E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really want to like this series. But it's so corny.
And the friendly ghosts who can order gifts and deliver flowers.... well.....

[Cathy Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline gets realistic in this 2nd in the series book. This series is for someone who enjoys good mystery in a family centered storyline.

[kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so enjoying this quilting series. Anne prepares for her wedding. The quilt in this book contains a historical story in itself. The characters have depth and subplots of their own. Well written.

[Janice Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy read, except…

Nice and easy to read without blood, violence and swear words, but is missing chapter. All of Chapter is missing!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly better written than previous books but I do not find the characters as pleasant.

[Tonya Mathis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. what a great love story, small town, mystery and ghost story rolled into one. On to the next book.

[Anita Parmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Word Problem

The book was wonderful. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I have only one problem, the words ran together and there was a chapter missing.

[Sandra Licher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Hazelwood is the best! Such great writing and her books are really hard to put down! Thank you, Ann!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paper

[Pam Ahnert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really liked this book series so far. It is a quick easy read and Informative!!

[Kelly Himmelberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was intriguing from start to finish. I’m anxious to start book three in the series.

[Karlene Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porto g shed quilt

Excellent read as a family grows ,so does the love and joys be felt. So glad to have read this book and look forward to more!