I liked how the author portrayed the various Amish towns and how they have a lot in common despite their differences. Barbara Schwartz had the guts to follow her heart, and the love of the outdoors. She felt free being a part of everything nature has to offer, including all the beautiful flowers and landscapes. Her heritage was something I enjoyed learning about. I loved going into quilt shops and picturing the fabric and quilt squares described in the book.. Fun!

I thought Melvin Bontrage was a stand-up guy. I respected the way he fought for his family and went after his goals. Despite how challenging it was, his devotion to his family kept him going.

Later, by accident, Melvin and Barbara run into each other (literary) Both agree they never want to see each other again. But you can’t help but bump into each other in a small community. Oh, when they meet the sparks fly and not in a good way.

The book is a happy story with close knit families, quilts, lovely scenery and flowers, mischievous twins, and hilarious antics. What’s not to love?. As you become engrossed in this intriguing story, you can't help but smile. If you love quilts like I do, you'll enjoy this story. If gardening is your passion, then this is also for you. This offers a relaxing and gratifying escape.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

What a wonderful start to a new series! This is such a sweet Amish romance that the author brings to life with her words. You can feel the emotions, see the scenery and you feel like you are there. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

My Review: This was a unique story and I truly enjoyed it. I do not do a synopsis on a book as that's readily available, but this Amish book was faith-based but more focused on the two main characters. It took a unique look at some of the jobs Amish people do and how that job impacts their lives.

This story was well written. The characters quite well developed and the story flowed well. I was sorry to see it end when it did.

The editing was mostly well done. The errors were more with punctuation or a missing word here and there but it was a minor annoyance.

I give this a 4 out of 5-star review. I was given this book through CelebrateLit to read and review. I am not required to give a positive review and all thoughts are solely my own.

Thank you netgallery and Mindy Steele for the ARC. This delightful Amish story filled my morning completely. It was funny and sweet and allowed a look into two different communities. I would absolutely recommend this book to people who love reading an Amish romance novel and for anyone enjoying a cozy little clean romance. It was lovely.

Readers who like Amish fiction, quilting and flowers will enjoy this sweet story. Having traveled to Shipshewana, the story of crafting the beautiful quilt gardens was interesting. Barbara and Melvin's friendship and budding romance is predictable but enjoyable. A good, clean, relaxing story. Recommended.

This is a lovely, gentle, sweet, Amish story. Barbara was the dutiful daughter, but try as she might, she couldn't quilt and didn't enjoy it. It took her, going for a visit to her grandparent's to finally admit her feelings to someone.

Whilst visiting her grandparents, she met Melvin. He had lost both his parents in a tragic accident, and has since been looking after his Sister and her daughter, as they had lost their husband/father.

Although it was a nice story, I felt it was a bit too sweet/bland for my tastes, but those of you who enjoy Amish stories will probably enjoy this. I did appreciate the faith aspect in this book though and I may read more from this Author. I read this through netgalley. The opinions are my own.

I give the book five “flowers”!
Words cannot describe how much l've enjoyed this book! There is something about Mindy Steele’s writing that pulls you right in. I will be reading this author's every book!"
Barbara is from a family of quilters, EXCEPT she can’t quilt. Barbara gets sent from Kentucky to Indiana to stay with her grandparents where she meets Melvin. Melvin is a landscaper who is helping his widowed sister raise her daughter. They work together to plant beautiful “flower quilts” and a friendship is also budding.
Good news, this is the first book in a series. Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Square Peg in a Round Hole

Have you ever tried putting a square peg into a round hole? It's not going to happen, and yet that is exactly what Barbara Schwartz's family was trying to do to her. But no matter how hard she tried, Barbara was not cut out to be a quilter. Now if you talk to her about gardening and flowers, she is top notch, which is, much to his surprise, exactly what Melvin Bontrager is about to find out.

I loved Barbara and Melvin's story. Mindy Steele has a way of flawlessly putting two unlikely characters together in a way that you would never imagine, and it always works. Yes, there are ups and downs, but that is the best part of the journey. She also adds real places and describes them is such a way that you feel like you are right there seeing it up close and personal. And if that's not enough, she adds some great secondary characters that add much to the story. The entire combination will keep you smiling and glued to the pages up to the very end. It's just that good.

Book Quotes:

One cannot know another's day without walking in his shadow.

He might not understand Gott's plan for his life, but he believed in his heart that trusting Him was imperative.

I was provided with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

A wonderful story between Barbara and Melvin. Barbara loves planting flowers but her family insists she learn to quilt. She tries but it just not her thing. Then she starts planting flowers in quilt patterns, she is working with Melvin and he sees his business growing from her designs, Flower quilts are not all that is blooming. I recommend this book. I was provided a copy by Netgalley but the opinions are mine.

The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele is a heartwarming Amish story. I thought the story was well-written with developed characters. I enjoyed getting to know Barbara Schwartz and Melvin Bontrager. I also liked Barbara’s grandparents (they are sweet, caring people) and Sarah (Melvin’s sister). Barbara’s mother and grandmother are both excellent quilters. Barbara would rather be outside working in the gardens than getting her finger pricked by a needle (she really should wear a thimble). Her quilting challenges were amusing. I understood her struggle. Barbara wants to please her family, but with regard to quilting, she is all thumbs. Barbara managed to get herself into some comical situations. I laughed often while reading The Flower Quilter. I enjoyed learning about quilt gardens and the Heritage Trail in Indiana. It turns out there is more than one way to quilt. It was interesting learning the differences and similarities between Amish communities (in this case, Kentucky and Indiana). I can tell that the author did her research for this book. The Flower Quilter is a story full of emotions, and I like that I was left smiling when I closed the book. The Flower Quilter is the first book in The Heart of the Amish series, and I am looking forward to the next installment. One of my favorite quotes is, “Finding something you love, even for as short as a single summer, is a gift. So is finding beauty in what others tend to overlook.” The Flower Quilter is an uplifting tale with quilt quibbles, beautiful blooms, troublesome twins, amusing misadventures, bevy of red barns, and gorgeous gardens.

What a lovely story about two people who don't exactly fit into the traditional amish roles. Barbara's mother sends her from Kentucky off to Ohio thinking her grandmother needs help in her quilt shop. What her mother wants, is for her to learn how to quilt like herself, siblings and talented grandmother. Barbara hates it and has the bandaged fingers to show for it. On the first day she arrive Melvin Bontrager nearly runs her over with his buggy while crossing the street. This won't be the only time she runs into this fella. While Barbara confesses to her grandmother her dislike of sewing her grandfather comes up with a different plan. As a favor Melvin takes Barabara to one of his Landscaping jobs, what they both find out is how love blooms when you beleive in the creativity of life.

5 stars, Quilting Mediums

THE FLOWER QUILTER
by Mindy Steele

Every family has that one member who rebels against everything. Barbara Schwartz feels like she can't be who she is meant to be, in her family of quilters. She'd much rather be working all day in the garden than be stuck inside, sticking her fingers with a needle.

Melvin Bontrager is losing his way of life in a landscaping business. He believes the only way he can survive and financially take care of his widowed sister and niece is to go work in a factory and be cut off from the wonderful outdoors that he loves.

Thankfully, God has more in store for them both. This is a delightful story, that shows us that you don't have to conform to a mold, to be a useful, productive person.

My favorite characters are Tough and Knot, a set of mischievous twin boys, Melvin, and Barbara.

"Worry over today, for tomorrow comes too quick." "Love never ends, and it bears all things."

I'm grateful for the complimentary copy of #TheFlowerQuilter by #BarbourPublishing #BarbourFiction @BarbourFiction I was not obligated to post a review.

#Flowers #Beauty #Landscaping #Love #InspyFic #ChristianFic #Amish #Romance #NewRelease #MindySteele @MindySteele

I enjoyed the Flower Quilter very much. Barbara and Melvin’s story was a bit different from most Amish stories. They were from different districts with different restrictions. Barbara is not your traditional Amish woman, she would rather garden than quilt much to her mother’s dismay. Her parents send her to Indiana from Kentucky to help her grandparents. They hope she will learn to quilt from her grandmother. There she meets Melvin, who almost runs her over. With a little nudge/matchmaking from her grandparents, Barbara ends up helping Melvin with his landscaping business. There they both get to know each other better and uses Barbara’s designs that make quilt designs with flowers. I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

Have you ever read a book that makes you pause and smile or laugh out loud? This sweet story brought this out in me many times. Then I'd think, "I love this!"
Mindy Steele has fleshed out two delightful main Amish characters. Melvin, the brooding tough man with a growly demeanor and pure but aching heart that is ridden with guilt. Barbara, the ever sweet and long-suffering young woman who in obedience tries hard to do what her mother expects of her even though she can't stand the family tradition. As the two start working together at her grandfather's request they get to observe and appreciate one another, establishing a friendship that could lead to more. Her need to return to her Kentucky home and his responsibilities in Indiana will separate them at summers' end.
There is descriptive writing and a loveable group of secondary characters that keeps the story flowing for a most enjoyable read.
I received the advanced reader's copy from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion about the book.

A classic Amish love story with all the character you expect and comfortable plot twists. Relationships that appear to impossible in the highly-structured communities somehow work out through the design of the author.

I was totally involved with the characters of The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele from the first page. I could relate to trying to fit the mold expected by a parent and having to find my own voice. Each person has to find their own path in life and Barbara did just that.

Sent to help her grandparents, Barbara simply cannot quilt even with the help of her grossmammi, who is the best quilter. Her dawdi decides to step in and help her find her own voice. Thus enters Melvin. Melvin is a landscaper and is caring for his widowed sister and her daughter.

Barbara and Melvin have many heartaches and obstacles to overcome, including their dislike of each other. Will they be able to work together long enough to discover how much they have in common? And, how much they really care for each other?

A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.

This is another good book by Mindy Steele. It centers around Barbara and Melvin that are from different Amish districts but find themselves brought together by Barbara's grandparents. They share a love of flowers and create flower beds in quilt pattern designs. This book is about love, forgiveness and the power of prayer. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Publication Date: 09.01.23 by Barbour Publishing 256p
Genre: Christian, Romance
5 Stars!

I highly recommend this Christian romance novel as it completely delivers, as promised, a glorious story full of faith, hope, tender romance, and love!

The two main characters, Barbara and Melvin, are well-developed, realistically flawed, and oh so lovable. The author perfectly developed the storyline, kept this reader entertained and turning the pages, and left this completely enchanted to the end.

The faith content which includes Scripture and prayers, blooms with genuineness. With God at the center of it all, family, friendships, and love are wonderfully cultivated and exquisitely cherished. May I always be mindful that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17).

Here is one of a multitude of engaging quotes I highlighted: “For as long as she could remember, Barbara had focused more on doing things she didn’t particularly like instead of what stirred her heart. With time untethered and no one about to question her wandering, she let herself ponder as she strolled along. She inhaled the sweet fragrances and drank her fill in this connection with God and nature. A person could learn much from nature. One could either be part of the garden, or they could forge out another path and create their own garden.”

I hope to read all of Mindy Steele’s books based on how well I loved the writing style of this happily-ever-after, all-emotions-engaged story!

I am so thankful that via NetGalley and Barbour Publishing approved my request to view a complimentary eARC of The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele. It is such an enjoyable read! All opinions contained in this review are my own and authentic. I am not required to write a positive review.

I will wait until 30 days from publication date before sharing this review everywhere including Goodreads, Amazon, Christianbook.com, BookBub, Instagram (@DevotedToHope), Barnes & Noble, BAM, etc. and my blog. I will attached the links to this NetGalley review as they are posted.

Barbara Schwartz from Kentucky, and a family of quilters, realizes that she cannot quilt, nor has the desire to like the rest of her family. Her parents send her to Indiana to help her grandparents for the summer. Her grandmother owns a quilt shop and Barbara’s mother feels like the grandmother can instill this craft into the heart and mind of Barbara.

Barbara, however, would much rather work with dirt and plants. Her grandparents realize this may be her calling. Through helping out a young landscaper in the area, Barbara’s special craft is made known to her and her grandparents.

Barbara develops friendships while there that helps her realize her calling in life and how her future will play out.

This is a sweet Amish romance that you will not want to miss reading. I do recommend it for those that enjoy reading Amish books.

I read just one other book by Ms. Mandy Steele in the past, and was thrilled to see another book offered to read thru Barbour Publishing by this author. She seems to have a good strong handle on the Amish culture. She showed the Amish in two different locations, and the difference between when they are literally in the midst of a much larger town and one where they are more separate from all "englishers". The characters were deep and wonderful, and there was even a major plot twist! I LOVE a good plot twist when I just never see it coming! I am thrilled to have discovered this author to solidly add to one of my most enjoyed writers. I will continue to watch for the opportunity to fully enjoy her story telling in the future.

I will absolutely be recommending this book on my blog found at https://thefinalwordbooks.blogspot.com. I only publish reviews that meet a certain level of criteria, as I search for the very best work (in my opinion).


Thank you, Barbour Publishing, for this opportunity to read your books simply in exchange for an honest review.