The Aloha Quilt...Review

About the book:
Another season of Elm Creek Quilt Camp has come to a close, and Bonnie Markham faces a bleak and lonely winter ahead, with her quilt shop out of business and her divorce looming. A welcome escape comes when Claire, a beloved college friend, unexpectedly invites her to Maui to help launch an exciting new business: a quilter’s retreat set at a bed and breakfast amid the vibrant colors and balmy breezes of the Hawaiian Islands. Soon Bonnie finds herself looking out on sparkling waters and banyan trees, planning quilting courses, and learning the history and intricacies of Hawaiian quilting, all the while helping Claire run the inn.

As Bonnie’s adventure unfolds, it quickly becomes clear that Claire’s new business isn’t the only excitement in store for her. Her cheating, soon-to-be ex-husband decides he wants her stake in Elm Creek Quilts, which threatens not only her financial well-being but her dearest friendships as well. Luckily she has the artistic challenge of creating her own unique Hawaiian quilt pattern to distract her—and new friends like Hinano Paoa, owner of the Nä Mele Hawai‘i Music Shop, who introduces Bonnie to the fascinating traditions of Hawaiian culture and reminds her that love can be found when and where you least expect it.


I hadn't planned on reading any more Elm Creek Quilter books. However, this one was sitting alone on a shelf at the library and I went ahead and picked it up.  If nothing else, I thought it would prove entertaining.  I was surprised at how original it actually was.  This one is number 16 in the series and several of the books have been rehashes of previous books which is rather annoying.  The Aloha Quilt wasn't a rehash, which was refreshing.

In the Chiaverini tradition of giving every single character her own story, this time around we learn about Bonnie's life and experiences.  In the midst of an acrimonious divorce from a philandering husband, Bonnie travels to Hawaii to assist her friend, Claire, with the launch of a new quilt camp.  Bonnie's adventures include new friends, new quilts, frustrations, betrayals and irritating ex-spouses.  But, as she learns the Hawaiian style of quilting, she also learns about herself. 

The author includes quite a bit of Hawaiian history as well as the history of quilting in Hawaii.  I found the quilting history fascinating.  An easy read.  A nice diversion.  Fans of the Elm Creek series will definitely enjoy it.

Thanks to my local library for having a copy I could borrow.  You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 4/11

* * *
3/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I do not plan on reading anymore of the Quilters stories. I got burnt out on them a long time ago. But maybe will pick this one up???

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