The Gift: The California Quilt

by Cherie Dargan

The year is 2012. Gracie works at the county museum in Jubilee Junction, Iowa, where she is hard at work putting together an exhibit of historic quilts. She stuggles with an overbearing boyfriend who is pressuring her to leave her hometown and get a job near him in the big city, juggling three jobs to make ends meet, and trying to serve as peacemaker between her two elderly aunts who can't seem to stay in the same room together without fireworks going off between them.

This dual timeline timeline adventure begins during a family reunion of sorts, when Gracie inherits a box of cassette tapes, a quilt, and the key to a family secret from from her Grandmother Grace. Gracie and her Aunt Violet listen to the tapes together and are transported back to the early 1940s, to the onset of World War 2, as the elder Grace narrates the tale of how she and her twin sisters, Violet and Vera, traveled from their ancestral home in Iowa to California to help with the war effort.

When Vera hears that Gracie has inherited the "California Quilt," she will not rest until that relic from the past is destroyed.

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2022

About the author

Cherie Dargan is a retired community college professor. She's the Program Chair for her local League of Women Voters, manages several websites, and continues to research her family history, which goes back to the 1850s in Iowa. Her grandchildren are the seventh generation to live in Iowa. Married to a retired reference librarian, Michael, they have four adult children, three grandchildren, and another one on the way. They live in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

She describes her writing as inspirational women's fiction set in the Midwest, with a twist of history, (quilt) mystery, faith, and love. She writes historical fiction about family legacy across generations.

https://substack.com/@cheriedargan
https://www.facebook.com/CherieDargan...

Reviews

[Tracy Cutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Gift. This is the third novel I have read from Cherie Dargan. They have all been a pleasure to read. This was set on the home front during WWII. I love how she weaves her family's history with the history of the country. I recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in the 1940s, quilting, or life in the midwest. If you are not interested in any of those things, by the time you finish reading this or one of her other books, you might be!

[Paula Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction story that takes place in Iowa.

[Jane Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherie Dargan’s The Gift: The California Quilt isn’t just a dual timeline story it’s a tapestry of courage, family, and the threads that bind generations together.

From the moment Gracie inherits her grandmother’s quilt and a mysterious box of cassette tapes, you feel yourself pulled into a breathtaking journey that bridges 1940s wartime California and modern day Iowa. Dargan’s writing glows with heart and authenticity you’ll smell the dust of the old farmhouse, feel the tension between the feuding aunts, and ache with the longing of women who loved, fought, and sacrificed in their own ways.

If you love novels like The Secret Life of Bees or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this book will wrap around you like a cherished heirloom. By the final page, you’ll wish you could run your fingers across that California Quilt yourself just to feel the stories stitched within.

Don’t just read it experience it. Pick up your copy of The Gift: The California Quilt and uncover the legacy hidden in every stitch.

[Bratty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the greatest gift your grandmother left behind wasn’t a keepsake but the truth?

The Gift: The California Quilt takes readers on an emotional, time traveling ride through family feuds, wartime secrets, and the unbreakable strength of three sisters whose choices shaped generations. Gracie’s story in 2012 juggling work, love, and family chaos mirrors her grandmother’s in 1942, when women took on the world one stitch at a time.

Cherie Dargan masterfully blends small town warmth with the sweeping drama of World War II era California. Each chapter unravels a new secret, a new heartbreak, and a new revelation about what it means to belong to a family, a place, and a legacy.

A perfect read for anyone who treasures family history, strong women, and stories that refuse to fade.
Get ready to lose yourself in The Gift: The California Quilt and discover that sometimes, the past is the key to becoming who we’re meant to be.

[Ramond Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Gift: The California Quilt” is more than historical fiction it’s a journey through time, memory, and the power of women’s voices. The blend of modern life and World War II history is seamless, and the characters’ struggles feel honest and relatable. I loved how the story honored women’s contributions, both on the home front and within families. This book feels like a heartfelt love letter to the Midwest and to every grandmother who ever passed down a story through a quilt. Truly unforgettable

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sixty-four years of bitterness, all begun during WWII. A family story, brought to life by tapes made by a grandmother. It's also the story of the granddaughter, who is making difficult decisions of her own as she curates an exhibit of quilts. Besides the tapes, the grandmother leaves a quilt that causes a violent reaction in one family member. A compelling historical novel about consequences and forgiveness.

[Margaret J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift: The California Quilt is a treasure in every sense. Cherie Dargan’s storytelling pulled me in from the first page. I loved the way the story wove between 2012 and the 1940s, showing how the past still whispers through generations. The family dynamics, the secrets, and the powerful symbolism of the quilt made this book both emotional and uplifting. It’s a perfect blend of history, mystery, and heart. Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories about strong women and family legacies

[Carter Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone familiar with small town life, this book truly resonated with me. The Midwestern setting, the strong women, and the sense of community all felt incredibly real. I loved how Gracie’s modern struggles juggling jobs, relationships, and family mirrored her grandmother’s challenges during WWII. The writing is heartfelt, the pacing steady, and the message powerful. It’s not just a story about quilts; it’s a story about legacy, resilience, and love across generations

[Van A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Gift” is the kind of story that wraps around you like a beloved quilt, warm, comforting, and stitched with care. I was immediately drawn into Gracie’s world in Jubilee Junction and her connection to her grandmother’s past. The dual timelines were beautifully balanced, and the 1940s chapters felt so authentic and alive. Cherie Dargan has a gift for weaving history, emotion, and faith together in a way that feels timeless. I finished this book feeling both nostalgic and inspired

[Stephen Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart in such a beautiful way. Gracie’s journey, her bond with her grandmother, and the secrets hidden within the California Quilt made this story unforgettable. The dual timelines were masterfully handled. I never felt lost, only more invested with each chapter. The WWII history added depth, and the family dynamics felt so real. A truly uplifting story about heritage, courage, and the power of remembering where we come from

[Rick Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, this book felt like settling into a cozy chair with a warm blanket. Cherie Dargan captures the heart of Midwestern life with such authenticity, the small town charm, the complicated family ties, and the quiet strength of everyday people. I especially loved the cassette tapes from Grandmother Grace. What a unique and heartfelt way to bring history to life. This is the kind of novel that stays with you long after the last page

[Gary Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible reading experience. I loved the way the past and present were woven together, each revealing truths that shaped the women in this family. The WWII sections were vivid and clearly well researched, while Gracie’s modern day struggles felt relatable and sincere. Each character had a distinct voice, and the emotional moments were handled with grace. This is storytelling at its finest, rich, layered, and full of heart

[Wyatt Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Gift” is a truly special novel. It celebrates the unspoken stories mothers and grandmothers carry, the ones that shape us even before we know them. The emotional connection between the generations was powerful, and the dual timeline structure made the story feel alive and intimate. The quilt, the tapes, the history, the family tension, everything was woven together with such tenderness. A beautiful and memorable read.

[Ron George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a heartfelt blend of family drama and rich historical detail. I loved how Gracie’s modern challenges mirrored her grandmother’s experiences from the 1940s it created such a meaningful connection across generations. The writing is warm and deeply human, and every chapter drew me further into the mystery behind the quilt. A beautifully crafted story about healing old wounds and discovering the strength of the women who came before us

[Jane Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare books where the past and present come together flawlessly. The mystery behind the California Quilt had me curious from the beginning, and the way the truth unfolded through Grandmother Grace’s cassette tapes was brilliant. The historical scenes were vivid and emotionally rich, while Gracie’s current day struggles felt relatable and real. It’s a beautiful, captivating novel that lingers in your mind and heart long after the final page

[Anita Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our reading circle was completely captivated. The story had just the right mix of mystery, history, and family drama to keep all of us invested. We enjoyed comparing the perspectives of Gracie and her grandmother, discussing the sisters choices, and marveling at how the quilt carried so much meaning. This is the kind of book you want to read with friends so you can share every twist, secret, and emotional moment

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this together as a group was such a delight! Each of us connected differently some were drawn to the historical WWII storyline, others loved the modern day family drama. But we all agreed: Cherie Dargan’s writing is warm, engaging, and emotionally rich. We even ended up talking about our own family histories and quilts! This book sparked conversations that went far beyond the pages

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Cherie Dargan did a great job depicting life in Iowa and the family dynamics. Love, love, love this book!!!

[Linda Mahncke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction book. I can’t wait for the next in the series to come out.

[Tom C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like sitting down with a cup of tea and listening to your grandmother tell stories from her youth. I was completely captivated by Gracie’s discovery of her grandmother’s tapes and how they revealed a hidden piece of family history from World War II. Dargan’s attention to historical detail is wonderful, and I could feel the love and care she poured into this story. The dual timeline works perfectly, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Grandmother’s Treasures series.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about strong women. I love books about historical fiction. This is about 3 sisters who move from Iowa to southern California to help is the WWII war effort in the 1940's. One of the sisters made cassette tapes before she died to pass on to her granddaughter to tell their story. Two of the sisters worked in a factory and one was a nurse. I loved all the historical facts about this time period also. I couldn't put this book down as I wanted to know the mystery of the California quilt and why two of the sisters could not speak after coming back to Iowa. I reread this for a book club and enjoyed it just as much the second time around (2-6-25)