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American Quilt #2
The Pledge
With the death of her father, Jo-Beth, her brother, and their mother, Johanna, move in with relatives in town. There, Johanna makes a living sewing her exquisite quilts and Jo-Beth discovers a special friend. Kind, thoughtful, and deep, Wesley Rutherford draws Jo-Beth like a magnet. . .and their attachment to one another becomes strong. Strong enough to endure separation while Wes studies in Philadelphia. Strong enough to make their future together seem certain. . .until the Civil War forces a decision that places Wes at odds with friends and family. Can their love survive a war that will rend a nation in two? Like the pieces of silk, velvet, and ribbon in one of her mother's quilts, the patchwork events of Jo-Beth's life will be knit together by God into a pattern of their own--one of sorrow, joy, and grace. . . .
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 1996
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jane Peart
132 books61 followersJane Johnson Peart of Asheville, North Carolina, Humboldt and Marin counties, California, and in recent years, Hawaii, passed away in 2007. She was the author of more than 60 works of suspense, historical fiction and romance, which touched the hearts and minds of thousands of readers whose correspondence she treasured. She wrote for the secular and Christian market, and is best known for the Brides of Montclair series.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 15, 2017
Second in the Quilt Series – Civil War
This story opens in 1861, over twenty years after the first book began. South Carolina has seceded from the Union, followed later by North Carolina. Johanna’s beloved husband, Ross, had died and she left their home in Millscreek Gap in the mountains to move in with relatives in Hillsboro, with her two children, JoBeth then aged seven, and Shelby, aged five. Now, however, their peaceful life has been shattered. Eighteen-year old JoBeth is in love with Wesley Rutherford, a man of Hillsboro, who has absorbed his Quaker grandmother’s views, but who has also long been anti-slavery, and who is against the break-up of the Union. Upon his return to Hillsboro after finishing his education in Philadelphia, he finds, as he expected to, that his views are unwelcome and so is he.
Most of the book is set in North Carolina in the foothills of the mountains, but the author handles the fact of the war sensitively. One partial quote from a character says a lot in a few words: “The wounds dealt are deeper than one could have foreseen, will never heal, and the scars will last forever. At least for our lifetime.”
Although this book is set during the Civil War, the main focus is on the two main characters, JoBeth and Wes, even if, for a good part of the book Wes is present only through his letters. This is a story about love, family, and convictions, on both sides of the war. While it is not a “deep” novel, the author does a good job of showing choices and consequences, and how lives can be changed by events outside our control. As always, with this author, there is some delightfully lyrical writing to enjoy, and it is a clean read.
This story opens in 1861, over twenty years after the first book began. South Carolina has seceded from the Union, followed later by North Carolina. Johanna’s beloved husband, Ross, had died and she left their home in Millscreek Gap in the mountains to move in with relatives in Hillsboro, with her two children, JoBeth then aged seven, and Shelby, aged five. Now, however, their peaceful life has been shattered. Eighteen-year old JoBeth is in love with Wesley Rutherford, a man of Hillsboro, who has absorbed his Quaker grandmother’s views, but who has also long been anti-slavery, and who is against the break-up of the Union. Upon his return to Hillsboro after finishing his education in Philadelphia, he finds, as he expected to, that his views are unwelcome and so is he.
Most of the book is set in North Carolina in the foothills of the mountains, but the author handles the fact of the war sensitively. One partial quote from a character says a lot in a few words: “The wounds dealt are deeper than one could have foreseen, will never heal, and the scars will last forever. At least for our lifetime.”
Although this book is set during the Civil War, the main focus is on the two main characters, JoBeth and Wes, even if, for a good part of the book Wes is present only through his letters. This is a story about love, family, and convictions, on both sides of the war. While it is not a “deep” novel, the author does a good job of showing choices and consequences, and how lives can be changed by events outside our control. As always, with this author, there is some delightfully lyrical writing to enjoy, and it is a clean read.
August 7, 2017
Dawn, Central patron, August 2017, 5 stars:
Second book in the series following The Pattern. Both books have a quilting focus and are good historical fiction. The Pledge follows the courtship of a young couple through the Civil War. Very interesting read!
Second book in the series following The Pattern. Both books have a quilting focus and are good historical fiction. The Pledge follows the courtship of a young couple through the Civil War. Very interesting read!
July 21, 2018
I agree with another comment that details are missing. The book starts abruptly about 18 years after the first ended. The details are woven into the story sporadically but still don't seem to flesh out the interim between books.
April 14, 2015
I think it was good, but I felt it was missing details. It connects to the previous book, but there are so many unanswered questions as to what happened to Johanna in between the previous book and current book. I know I shouldn't care about those details, but I do.
October 15, 2012
Good book
June 26, 2016
Well, the first book in the series was way better. I have the third to read but, I don't think I am going to read it...
January 11, 2017
This was a good book, lots of historical info of the 1800's during the Civil War woven into the plot.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews