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Review and giveaway: A Healing Heart

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A Healing Heart_Abingdon Press_cropped

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to review. But as always, all opinions expressed here are 100 % my own. 

Review: A Healing Heart by Angela Breidenbach

Admittedly, this is not a book I would have picked up myself, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. It’s a good story with believable characters I grew to love. This is especially true of the main character, Mara.

I immediately felt a kinship to her, as she finds herself – after the death of her husband – trying to do it all. Feeling overwhelmed, she’s running the small but growing business they started together and
raising their three kids.

In a state of raw grief all this becomes too much for her. A series of physical setbacks gives her some perspective and divine intervention brings the right person into her life at the exact right time. Will she regain her equilibrium? You’ll have to read it to find out.

Though written from the Christian faith, the author is never preachy or dogmatic. The text touches on universal themes that apply to those of any faith, such as why bad things happen to good people and forgiveness.

Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of this book

The publishers have generously given me a copy of the book, A Healing Heart, to give away to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. To get a chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on this post and tell me if you have ever ended up loving a book you didn’t expect to. If so, what was it?

Contest ends November 6, 2014. Only US and Canadian entrants are eligible due to shipping costs.

Comments

  1. I wish it happened more often – I get too stuck in my favored genres! Also, I tend to have a pretty good sense about books so I can generally tell if I will like something or not – the only examples I can think of where I was wrong about a book were really promising ones that I ended up hating! Haha!

  2. The Harry Potter books ! I wasn’t sure about all that magical stuff… But it’s been a love story since the first lines. I’m a HUGE Harry Potter fan 🙂

  3. I can’t think of the titles right off the top of my head, but it has happened and what a wonderful surprise.

  4. Kind of embarrassing but I loved twilight when I read it.. it just sucked me in! It doesn’t even come close to how much I love Harry Potter though!

  5. Well kinda every book. I actually can’t think of one I didn’t like or just hated. My most favorite book I read again and again is The Shack.

  6. The Twilight series – not into that type of book, but totally surprised and had to read all 3.

  8. I’d love to read this book. My all time favorite has been Beyond Heartache by Margaret Jhonson.

  11. I love to read. I was really liking the book “The Giver” and them the end left me hanging. Not fond of that. I’d love to read this book. Thanks

  12. the Twilight series being one of those I thought OH BOY another teenager book, by the 5th chapter I was totally hooked and had to go back to the store the next day to buy the next two books. It was very hard to wait for the last books to come out. I really enjoy finding a book that I pick up and can enjoy all the way to the end, especially one I wasn’t sure about to begin with.

  14. the traveling pants…i read them with my then teenage daughter…i love the bonding time discussing the books!

  16. I tend to pick up books I think I will enjoy so I guess I can’t say I’ve been surprised that I enjoyed them.

Have you read?

Book Review- Scrappiness Is Happiness – Inside The Book

First Impressions While Flipping Through the Book

Some quilting books feel calm and minimal. Others feel like opening a box of bright fabric scraps that instantly makes you want to start sewing.

That was my first reaction when I started flipping through Scrappiness Is Happiness by Lori Holt.

This book is packed with colour, cheerful quilt blocks, and the kind of playful patchwork designs that make scrap quilting so addictive. I found myself stopping on page after page thinking, “That block would be perfect for leftover charm squares…”

It’s the sort of book that encourages you to dig straight into your scrap bins.

What This Quilting Book Is All About

As the title suggests, this book celebrates scrap quilting.

Instead of focusing on a single large quilt pattern, the book includes a large collection of quilt blocks and scrappy quilt layouts designed to use small pieces of fabric.

If you’re someone who hates throwing away fabric leftovers (which is most quilters), this book is full of inspiration for turning those scraps into beautiful quilts.

Inside the book you’ll find:

  • dozens of colourful quilt block patterns
     • scrappy quilt layouts
     • projects designed for leftover fabrics
     • Lori Holt’s signature cheerful quilting style

The Quilt Blocks That Caught My Eye

While browsing the pages, several blocks immediately stood out.

There are plenty of classic quilt block shapes, but the way they’re presented with bright fabrics makes them feel fresh and modern.

The blocks are ideal for:

  • scrap quilts
     • sampler quilts
     • block-of-the-month style projects
     • mixing prints and colours

I particularly loved the blocks that combine traditional shapes with playful colour placement. They’re simple enough to sew but still look visually interesting when repeated across a quilt.

The Style of the Book

If you’re familiar with Lori Holt’s work, you’ll recognise her style straight away.

The book leans heavily into:

  • bright cheerful fabrics
     • vintage-inspired colour palettes
     • classic patchwork shapes
     • fun and approachable quilt designs

It’s the kind of quilting book that feels uplifting to browse. Even if you’re not ready to start a new quilt immediately, it’s inspiring just to flip through the block designs.

Who This Book Is Best For

After spending time looking through the book, I’d say it’s ideal for:

  • quilters who love scrap quilting
     • anyone wanting to use up leftover fabric pieces
     • makers who enjoy block-based quilt designs
     • quilters looking for colourful, cheerful quilt inspiration

Many of the blocks are approachable enough for confident beginners, but the variety also keeps experienced quilters interested.

Would I Recommend It?

If your scrap bin is starting to overflow (which tends to happen to all of us eventually), Scrappiness Is Happiness is the kind of book that turns those leftover fabrics into opportunity.

It’s full of lively quilt block ideas and creative layouts that make scrap quilting feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

For quilters who enjoy bright fabrics, classic patchwork shapes, and the freedom of scrappy quilt design, this book is a fun and inspiring addition to the quilting bookshelf.