Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Join three of today’s bestselling inspirational fiction authors in a collection of Christmas stories from Victorian-era America that are full of second-chance romances. Jilted by her fiancé, Karla packs away her wedding quilts and her plans for marriage. Widow Jane travels to marry a prosperous man she barely knows in order to give her daughter a better life—then is stranded in a winter storm. Ada, a wealthy ingénue, inadvertently causes grave injury to a poor man she once considered quite a catch. Each must search her heart, change her plans. . .and patch together a tender, unexpected life filled with love.

I finished this collection of 3 novellas yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 but have to say A Patchwork Love was my favorite with its bit of similarity to Beauty and the Beast. Look forward to discussing this with all who join in this read during December.

I hope I can read this one - it's on my list for Christmas reading :) I really like Nancy Moser's stories, but it will be my first time reading the other two.

Stephanie Grace Whitson is really good as well. Judith Miller McCoy writes mainly about "plain" people and her books are good. Not quite as interesting to me though.

I've finished two of the three. I like SGW's the best so far. :) Hopefully I can start Nancy Moser's today.

I haven't started yet... :(

I read this book last year and loved the story by Nancy Moser. It was my favourite :)

Time to start our discussion. Can't believe how fast the days are flying by. I'll start with a general question and then one from the first book. Please feel free to ask a question of your own or make a general comment for discussion.

Which book was your favorite and why?

In Seams Like Love by Judith Miller, Karla's insecurity was about her outward appearance became of a comment made early in her life. In today's world, appearance has become very important. What messages does the "world" send about our appearance and and how does it affect us?

I liked the second story the best - I totally saw the Beauty and the Beast aspect that you mentioned, Loraine. I just thought that story was sweet. And I'm not sure why, but I've always loved stories that have scenes on trains, haha! The romance was my favorite of the three as well.

I think the world sends out a very unrealistic message about physical appearance. The prominent figures (actors, models, etc) usually are the exception and not the norm. I've always said that I don't compare myself to that standard, but then find myself wishing for a different physique, that I was taller, slimmer, etc. I try to keep those thoughts to a minimum and continuously remind myself that God looks at the heart, so that's what matters!

I liked the second story the best as well Beth. I loved the train aspects as I had a dad and brother who were both train freaks. My brother is retired and has a steam engine that runs on raised rails around his entire 25 acres!! He and my dad would take train trips during the summer to ride different railroads. I even rode the train back and forth from college to home if I wanted to go home for the weekend. The story was sweet and I loved how the romance developed.

I definitely don't fit the world's image of physical appearance at 5 foot and 1/2 inch tall:) So I don't even try to fit the model image. I try to dress so that I look as tall as possible and prefer the more classic looks rather than what is probably "hip". I do tell my daughter in "love" to make sure I don't look like an old lady. I'll go down fighting LOL:)

Oh, my! That is so so so cool! He has a real train on his property? Does he ride it often? That must be fun for the kiddos in the family!

Can I admit that I have literally never ridden on a train before, and perhaps therein lies my fascination. :D

I try to do the same in regards to "dressing tall." Although this year I finally caved and bought some ankle boots. I like tall boots, but having them on the whole day gets tiring. I know that shorties aren't "supposed" to wear the lower boots, but I like them, they're comfortable, so I don't care, haha! :)

I myself prefer the classic look. I like trendy things, sure, but the majority of my closet are basics, and I just changed my jacket, sweater, etc more often than having a whole new outfit.

My brother's train is up on a track about 3 feet tall and is a model steam train to play with not ride. He'd probably have a riding one if he could afford it LOL:)

I wear short and long boots. Living in northern Colorado that is all you wear during the winter. But I do wear the ones that are flat and no heels. I rarely wear high heels anymore unless really dressed up which doesn't happen much.

I do the basics that I can change up as well!

Oh, haha! I feel silly now. :D Still cool though!

I stick with flats or wedge heels most of the time! Unless I have to get dressed up, like you said. And event then I try to keep my heels on the lower side. They aren't worth the pain!

I'm with you Beth on the lower heels!

The second novella was A Patchwork Love by Stephanie Grace Whitson. Here's a question for this story.

Peter associates the aroma of springerle cookies with holidays. What scents make you think of Christmas? Do you have a special memory of a tradition that creates a sense of home and family for you?

Hmmm...I'm not sure what scent reminds me of Christmas...I think cranberry scents and cinnamon scents remind me most of Christmas.

One of my most favorite memories from childhood is driving around looking at Christmas lights. I was also so excited to decorate the house for Christmas and do the tree as well. I have the same excitement decorating my own home, so that's a fun tradition that feels connected to my growing up years. :)

My memory from childhood is wrapping Christmas presents when my brother and I were old enough to buy for my parents and each other. The Sunday afternoon before Christmas each of us would get in a room and shut the door and begin to wrap. If you needed more paper, some tape, a pair of scissors, or whatever, you had to go to someone else's room and knock on the door and open it just wide enough to stick your hand in then ask for what you needed. It was always crazy and so much fun. Of course, you wondered what was getting wrapped behind that door!

We drove around and looked at lights also Beth. We still do that even now with our kids and Andrew. He gets so excited and it brings back all the childhood memories for the rest of us.

Finished this book last week & enjoyed all three stories. My favorite was also the middle book. Didn't think about the Beauty & Beast angle until you mentioned it Loraine, but it fits.
The world definitely has a narrow view point when it comes to how they say people should look. I don't worry about it most the time now, but as an overweight teenager it was hard sometimes not to. In my clothes & shoes I always go for comfort more than fashion. I'm not a big dress up gal, & I don't do heels over 1 1/2" :-).

Love that your brother has a train on his property Loraine. Like Beth, when I first read it I assumed it was a full size train! Our museum here in town has a model train room. It's our favorite room there. The group that runs it has taken a lot of time & effort with it & made it really neat, interesting & informative.

I think the one scent I associate the most with Christmas is cinnamon, I love it. One of my favorite childhood Christmas memories is the sugar cookies we always made & decorated every year. My mom also always decorated the house inside & out: tree, lights, garland ect. I loved it when it was done, but remember quit clearly what seemed like hours spent untangling lights, & looking for blown out bulbs!

I remember the tangled lights too Sarah and checking for burned out bulbs. I hated the strands that if one burned out they all were out. Cinnamon is a scent I think about at Christmas too. My mom used to make us homemade cinnamon toast during the holidays and I loved it.