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The Healing Quilt
After her Aunt Teza’s test results turn out to be inconclusive, Dot Cooper resolves to raise money for a new mammogram machine, through the creation and auction of a magnificent, king-sized quilt to be sewn by the women of Jefferson City.
Dot’s efforts quickly draw the support of disparate members of the community, including newcomer Beth Donnelly, married to a local pastor; Elaine Giovanni, the stylish wife of a local surgeon; and an ailing Aunt Teza. But as the four different generations work the squares of the quilt, they are also confronted with ragged pieces of their own lives.
Though the women could not be more different on the surface, they hold in common quiet suffering triggered by painful the death of children, the abandonment of husbands, the loneliness of depression. Yet their struggles will bring them closer together than they ever could have anticipated, and their lives will be dramatically changed, as together they experience the curative powers of The Healing Quilt.
Dot’s efforts quickly draw the support of disparate members of the community, including newcomer Beth Donnelly, married to a local pastor; Elaine Giovanni, the stylish wife of a local surgeon; and an ailing Aunt Teza. But as the four different generations work the squares of the quilt, they are also confronted with ragged pieces of their own lives.
Though the women could not be more different on the surface, they hold in common quiet suffering triggered by painful the death of children, the abandonment of husbands, the loneliness of depression. Yet their struggles will bring them closer together than they ever could have anticipated, and their lives will be dramatically changed, as together they experience the curative powers of The Healing Quilt.
374 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2002
87 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,031 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
January 1, 2018
Excellent Human Emotion and family. A relationship between a mother,daughter, aunt...and friends. A question of faith, love, and the path we choose to walk each day. NOT preachy...but an enduring message for HOPE.
I have read this book more than once and bought copies for my friends.
Enjoy!
I have read this book more than once and bought copies for my friends.
Enjoy!
June 28, 2010
A very good read. It's always interesting the way God weaves the very different lives of women into His beautiful tapestry.
May 5, 2025
Wonderful book. This is the second time I read it because I thought the message was so great. A group of women get together to make a quilt to earn money for a new mammogram machine, little did they know what would happen while they made the quilt. " With hearts rent by loss, they mend their lives one stitch at a time" is a quote on the cover of the book and that is exactly what happens as they make the quilt. Each of the women involved needs to be healed and put their trust in God and through their friendship they each receive a healing. I almost hated to see the book come to an end because I can't be part of the the women's lives anymore.
Well, I read it a 3rd time and loved it just as much as the first 2 times. Each reading is about 10 years between so I don't remember all the nuances that this book so good. I highly recommend it, especially if you faith needs a boost.
Well, I read it a 3rd time and loved it just as much as the first 2 times. Each reading is about 10 years between so I don't remember all the nuances that this book so good. I highly recommend it, especially if you faith needs a boost.
April 2, 2012
I need to get this one read for book club next week. Excellent book, a group of ladies, some knew each other before, others new, come together to make a quilt to raise money for a new mamogram machine. Each has some sort of struggle or hurt at home, several that haven't shared it with anyone. I highly recommend this.
February 12, 2023
When her Aunt Teza faces a second bout with breast cancer; and the old mammography machine in the small town of Jefferson City, Washington is on its last leg, Kit Cooper decides it's time to raise money for a new one. Little does Kit know that her idea will draw the support of a wide group of women from their community. She decides a special quilt for auctioning should be their project; but with five wonderful women by her side the project expands beyond her belief and brings together ladies that each are suffering from painful triggers that will connect them in a bond that can't be broken.
This story focuses on past pain that can stop one from moving on in life and how sharing and bonding can help others move on. Well written and faith based, this is a heartwarming read.
This story focuses on past pain that can stop one from moving on in life and how sharing and bonding can help others move on. Well written and faith based, this is a heartwarming read.
May 23, 2012
I have just finished reading this book from my local library. It is filled with faith, humor, and pathos. It covers the gamut from healing from grief, dealing with cancer, forgiveness and the lack thereof, and what people can do when there is a need and the cooperation of varied individuals sharing and combining their talents. This is my first book to read by this author, but it will not be my last.
January 23, 2008
I read this long ago but remember that the characters really touched me. It is about a woman with cancer and is not a super light read but well worth the time. I loved the spiritual side of the story and the relationship between the woman made me very grateful to have good friends in my life as well.
January 22, 2023
Good story. Good backstory on the main characters, though some i didnt like …. One in particular i thought was a terrible representation of the person he/she portrayed.
While i enjoyed the story and learning about quilting, and the friendships that grew between the women, and their relationships with God, It read a bit to much like a hallmark movie for me.
I mostly enjoyed the book. I almost abandoned it a couple of times but im glad to have finished it. The story was refreshing in that sometimes we really do benefit from a more quiet, soft read. Thats not to say the issues these women faced on the daily were quiet or soft ….. there was some hard stuff going on. But for all the angst, the resolutions just seemed to easy.
Although, it really is that way once we say yes to what God asks of us. Sometimes its the hardest, easiest thing to do. But the consequences of prior decisions dont wrap up that easy in real life. But then …… it is fiction, scripted conversations and actions.
I give it a 3 because its just average. I liked it but likely wont read anything else by this author.
While i enjoyed the story and learning about quilting, and the friendships that grew between the women, and their relationships with God, It read a bit to much like a hallmark movie for me.
I mostly enjoyed the book. I almost abandoned it a couple of times but im glad to have finished it. The story was refreshing in that sometimes we really do benefit from a more quiet, soft read. Thats not to say the issues these women faced on the daily were quiet or soft ….. there was some hard stuff going on. But for all the angst, the resolutions just seemed to easy.
Although, it really is that way once we say yes to what God asks of us. Sometimes its the hardest, easiest thing to do. But the consequences of prior decisions dont wrap up that easy in real life. But then …… it is fiction, scripted conversations and actions.
I give it a 3 because its just average. I liked it but likely wont read anything else by this author.
July 29, 2011
The book was a great read with several main characters with good stories of their own. I liked the plot and the big dreams of the town ladies. I didn't care for how it ended...it was like the author got tired and wrapped it up quickly. She could've taken a few more pages a flushed out the stories left undone.
October 31, 2014
I was so into this book, all through the book the author wove the 4 women's tales together. Then the last 50 pages, the author just gave up! I was highly disappointed with the ending and was shocked that the author did not tie up any loose ends.
May 5, 2010
I liked this book; but I was a little disappointed in the ending. I felt like it left me hanging with a couple of the characters.
June 18, 2018
This is a story about a community with a high amount of breast cancer victims. It’s about a quilter that wants the antiquated mammogram machine replaced and decides to auction off a quilt to raise money to obtain it. As the story unfolds Kit gains support for her idea in the most unusual places. Kit finds out that her beloved Aunt Teza has, once again, contracted breast cancer. Kit also is dealing with her own demons and her absent husband. Aunt Teza pulls together an unlikely band of women to sew and quilt the beautiful piece of king-sized art to be auctioned off. Each woman that joins the group has her own unique set of problems. Beth is the new minister’s wife and harbors a secret even from her husband. Elaine is the “doctor’s wife” that seems to be able to get things done. She manages to turn a simple quilt auction into a full-fledged three day event. But she, too, has lessons to learn from this group of quilters. It’s through the sewing and quilting that the women share their fears and their dreams and find healing.
What I liked most about this book was the descriptions that the author gave. If you are not a quilter, you can understand what is happening. If you are a quilter, you feel like you are sitting at the quilting frame with these lovely ladies.
What I liked most about this book was the descriptions that the author gave. If you are not a quilter, you can understand what is happening. If you are a quilter, you feel like you are sitting at the quilting frame with these lovely ladies.
September 24, 2019
One sure sign of a good read is when you want to go back to the beginning and read it all again, just for the pleasure it brought. With common challenges of grief, fear and anger to battle, the three main characters grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. They unite along with other women they know to fight for all the women of their community. The goal starts as replacing the outdated mammogram machine by making a quilt to auction off. Through the hours spent together on the project they get to know each other more intimately and care for each other deeply. Secrets and intense feelings can be shared and pain eased. Snelling makes the thoughts on her characters' heads seem as real as those I have had. I love the way she shows the tug of war in a person's heart between what she thinks she should do one moment and the fear or anger or shame that argue against it. The progress they make is in fits and starts with occasional setbacks, just like real life. That's what I've always loved about her books. The characters are so real.
January 24, 2022
In Washington State, Kit Cooper was grieving the two-year anniversary of her daughter Amber’s death from cancer when she saw a newspaper article saying that her area had an exceptionally high rate of breast cancer. She remembered that her Aunt Tezza had had breast cancer. Meanwhile, Elaine Donnelly, wife of a local surgeon, finds that the mammogram equipment at the only hospital in town is very old and is missing some early-stage cancers and wonders what she and the hospital auxiliary can do to help purchase up-to-date equipment. The two join forces with other local women to create a quilt to raise money for the mammogram fund. When Aunt Tezza’s cancer returns, the women rally behind her and pray for her. In so doing, come to terms with their own hidden secrets and problems.
I liked this book because it included quilting and praying, and some very nice character profiles, but wasn’t too preachy.
I liked this book because it included quilting and praying, and some very nice character profiles, but wasn’t too preachy.
December 8, 2020
I loved this book. 4 women who barely knew one another came together to make a quilt to make money for the purchase of a new Mammogram machine for the local hospital. Each woman was suffering in some way. One lost a daughter to cancer and her Aunt one of the 4 was diagnosed with breast cancer, for the second time. One lost an unborn child and the other's husband was "married to his job". As they worked on the quilt they bonded and helped one another. They learned how important forgivness of others and themselves was and that God's Forgiveness was there for the asking and would free them.
September 8, 2023
The book "The Healing Quilt" by Lauraine Snelling will allow readers to feel the highs and lows of keeping secrets from family and friends. This story deals with the different types of cancer and other personal events that challenge a person's daily life. This story is a true Christian fiction with many references to Bible verses that fit the setting. The creative characters, Washington state setting, and a happy ending will give readers a taste of contemporary Christian writing by this author. copy right 2002 572 pages Large print
July 8, 2017
Touch from God
Having my daughter go be with Jesus Easter Sunday 2016 from battling cancer this book touched my heart. I cried and reflected and felt as if I was there quilting with all the ladies. We never know why God may bring someone into our life. Excellent book! Well written! God inspired book! I highly recommend it! There is no limit to what we can accomplish as we work together beim about the Father's business!
Having my daughter go be with Jesus Easter Sunday 2016 from battling cancer this book touched my heart. I cried and reflected and felt as if I was there quilting with all the ladies. We never know why God may bring someone into our life. Excellent book! Well written! God inspired book! I highly recommend it! There is no limit to what we can accomplish as we work together beim about the Father's business!
September 16, 2022
I always like stories about a group of women doing a project such as a cooking class, a book club, or as in this case a quilting group. I liked the plot of women with various problems supporting each other with both humor and sadness. This is a strongly Christian book with a definite Christian message. I thought it was too anti abortion without acknowledging all the issues involved. If Bethe would have been a single mother with a child would Garth have married her?
January 30, 2020
Such a perfect book to read during this season of life. I love how the character’s stories all weave together. Themes of isolation, fear, doubt, forgiveness, prayer, vulnerability, and fellowship made the story so real and relatable. I loved the characters and the struggles of their hearts being healed in relationship by Jesus.
February 8, 2020
What a story of learning to trust God even we we don’t understand his plans. The life of most of the women in the quilting club was so real just real life stories of battles that we all face in life. Teza just made the book such a women of faith. I would recommend anyone that has gone through hard times in their life to read this book.
September 9, 2020
Prepare to cry ...
Story of four women struggling with life.... the author walks you through the characters struggles, fears, and joys in a way that will truly engage and uplift. The message is clear - we have a God who loves us and cares for us even when we struggle to understand and trust Him.
I highly recommend this book .... warning: have some tissues nearby.
Story of four women struggling with life.... the author walks you through the characters struggles, fears, and joys in a way that will truly engage and uplift. The message is clear - we have a God who loves us and cares for us even when we struggle to understand and trust Him.
I highly recommend this book .... warning: have some tissues nearby.
February 27, 2021
Feb 2021 my pick. Molina’s. Rainy .. spinach enchiladas and charro beans very good.
Setting: western WA with Mt. Rainier view.
We all liked it. Four main female characters
rotate chapters:Beth, Kit, Elaine and Teza.
Topics: Breast cancer, God’s workings,
quilting, gardening.
My first book by this author .. based on true story of death of her daughter, Maria.
Setting: western WA with Mt. Rainier view.
We all liked it. Four main female characters
rotate chapters:Beth, Kit, Elaine and Teza.
Topics: Breast cancer, God’s workings,
quilting, gardening.
My first book by this author .. based on true story of death of her daughter, Maria.
August 8, 2021
I loved this book! I truly didn’t want it to end. I enjoyed reading about the four women’s lives and how they come together over this quilt they’re making for a new mammogram unit for their hospital. Reading how God challenged them to overcome obstacles they faced. I look forward to reading more from Lauraine Snelling.
February 20, 2023
I wish I had known before reading this that it was a come to god and anti-abortion book. It doesn’t have this info anywhere in the descriptions. If you can look past that, it’s a sweet story about several women coming to terms with trauma and helping each other to do so while helping the community. I feel like the evangelicalism got in the way of a really good story though.
January 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book.
I loved the bonds that were formed between the women as they worked on a mutual craft project. I love the faith basis of the story, the healing that took place for each of the characters.
It was an easy read too.
I loved the bonds that were formed between the women as they worked on a mutual craft project. I love the faith basis of the story, the healing that took place for each of the characters.
It was an easy read too.
March 9, 2020
I loved this uplifting Christian novel centered around hurting women coming together. In creating a quilt to fund a better mammogram machine for their local hospital, they find friendship, support and healing of their own. It was a quick read and I recommend it.
August 9, 2020
Excellent book, loved how Lauraine includes her story & intertwined other’s stories ! She spoke to my heart at times as I lost my son at 26.
The story is “healing” no matter where you are in your journey & I’m a quilter & loved that part of the story also.
Highly recommended read!
The story is “healing” no matter where you are in your journey & I’m a quilter & loved that part of the story also.
Highly recommended read!
January 21, 2021
Four women come together to sew a quilt for a good cause. New mammogram equipment at their hospital. All these women have baggage they are carrying. Working on the quilt helps to resolve some of their sufferings.
June 14, 2020
Good, tear jerker. Just wish it had more of an epilogue. Too many loose ends.
October 11, 2020
God's Presence
An extremely thought provoking and rewarding story of God's everlasting love and how God never leaves us alone, but walks with us through our daily life.
An extremely thought provoking and rewarding story of God's everlasting love and how God never leaves us alone, but walks with us through our daily life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews