Book: Tempest's Course

Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored. There she meets Army veteran Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she and Tom grow closer. And as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns the secrets of the quilt and Mary's own sad tale of regret. Then Tom learns secrets of his own family's past, and both Tom and Kelly learn they are tied to Gray House in ways they never imagined.

***

I'm enjoying these books that are based around quilts - yes, there is a whole series, but all by different authors.  This one is focused on the story around a 150 year old quilt with just a whiff of smoke to it.  This one was a quick read and unfortunately I could pretty much smell the plot twist coming from the beginning.  The mysterious "old man" who's story is interwoven through the chapters with no names being named.  The romance that pops up between Tom and Kelly even as they each have to deal with their pasts.

Overall it was an enjoyable read and an interesting premise I just don't think it was superbly written.  I'd give it probably 3 out of 5 stars.  

***

If you would like to read the first chapter of Tempest's Course, go HERE.

Lynette Sowell is an award-winning novelist. Her most recent novel, Tempest’s Course, is part of the Quilts of Love line from Abingdon Press. When Lynette’s not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for the Copperas Cove Leader-Press. Lynette was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland but makes her home in Coppress Cove, Texas, with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained.