I really loved the first book in this series, so I was really excited to give this one a read. It did not disappoint. This time it features a group of knitters (and crocheters!) making shawls for caregivers of dementia patients. I loved all the personalities in the group. I love that this book, like the first, featured multigenerational friendships and a strong church community. These people really let their faith influence their lives, and it made a difference in the lives of others around them. To me, this together with great storytelling make for a strong Christian fiction book. There were hard topics, but there were also genuinely funny moments to balance those out. A great read! Highly recommended.

I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a review. All opinions are honest and my own.

I loved the first book in this series, so I was looking forward to picking this book up. It did not disappoint! I loved that there is so much going on with the different characters and that the story does such a wonderful job of pointing the reader to God. Highly recommend this one!

Author Sharon Mondragon has done it again! The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs was such a fun, uplifting read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I will confess that I stayed up way too late reading it and put off other things I should have been doing to finish it. It’s one of those books that you can’t wait to get to the next chapter to find out what happens.

The cast of characters, some of whom were found in Sharon's first book, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady, are quirky and lovable. It was a pleasure to meet those repeat characters again, and to be introduced to new ones as well. Another thing that makes this book stand out is that many of the characters are senior citizens, but they aren’t stereotypical at all. They are lively, active and funny.

Quick! Add this book to your must-read list. It’s sure to be one of the highlights of 2024!

his is a new author for me which I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. I enjoyed this author's writing skills as well as her attention to details that brought her characters to life. This is a well written story that will warm your heart as well as bring some humor to your life. This is a story of love, loss and the fear of being forgotten. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story from the start. They took me on an emotional roller coaster ride that had me coming back for more. They are strong, relateable characters that add so much to the story. This is a story that you don't want to miss. A story that has great growth as well as hard to put down. This is a fast paced, easy to read story that I think everyone will be able to connect with including myself. This is a must read story that I highly recommend. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author.

I felt a kinship from the moment I started reading The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs. I could see my grandparents in these characters. Oh, how I miss them so much. I lost my grandfather to dementia a few years ago and seeing him lose his essence is still one of the hardest things I’ve witnessed in my life. For all of the caretakers out there my prayers are with you. It is one of the toughest and most thankless jobs.

This novel felt so real that it was, at times, hard to read. Life can be hard and getting older can be even harder. We can’t help the cards that we’re dealt, but we can be thankful for every tiny blessing and squeeze out as much joy as we can in every moment we’re given. I have been thinking about getting older a lot lately and what will happen when I reach the point that I can’t take care of myself. I hope that I can find a tribe like the Woolgatherer’s so that I can not only have the camaraderie but also an outreach and purpose.

The end of the novel warmed my heart like no other. Seeing lives healed and the Lord at work through prayer is always so amazing. I love it so much. The power of prayer is real and though you never know what someone else is going through you can always pray.

This is one of my favorite novels of 2024 and I feel so thankful that I was able to read this incredible story.

I loved this book!! It's so good! It's full of emotions and has a wonderful cast of characters that will keep you turning the pages. This book made me laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. I highly recommend this book! It deserves more than a 5 star rating!
I received a complimentary copy from Independent Publishers Group and Sharon J. Mondragón via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs was my first book by author Sharon J. Mondragon but will not be my last. Honestly, the title was off putting for me. In spite of a slow start, I was intrigued by the book! The Woolgathering Castoffs knit (or crochet) shawls for the caregivers of alzheimer's residents in a memory care facility. You will gain insight into the feelings of spouses, children and grandchildren of these patients. If you know anyone dealing with the care of a person with memory issues, you need to read this book! It is humorous but delivers a good message. I received a complimentary e-book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this story! It was enjoyable to read about real life after the age of 60. But lest you think this is all about senior citizens, it’s not. There are plenty of younger people in it as well. This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but reading book 1, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady, will help you understand some of the nuances. Plus it’s a really good book as well.

Mature adults don’t always act mature, and we see that in this story. I laughed at some of the pranks and attitudes while I sympathized with life taking some unexpected turns. We see how alzheimer’s disease affects everyone, not just the patient. Patience is the key with this one.

I seriously wanted to get out my knitting needles and get going on a prayer shawl. What comfort they bring people. Do read this book if you enjoy Christian contemporary fiction with no romance. Or almost none because life does have romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This novel is so much more than a great and entertaining story! It is a primer on how to really see people and how to touch the lives of others with prayer and prayer shawls. The plot is about the Woolgathering Castoffs who meet twice a week at their nursing home in order to knit or crochet their projects together. Each project is a prayer shawl for a person whose live has been affected by “Old-Timer’s Disease.” As the ladies and one gentleman gather together, they share their expertise with the craft and their life experiences with one another as well as with visitors who come to see their loved ones. The story was heartbreaking at times as some of the characters were rebuffed by their loved ones who had no memory of them at all. But is was also filled with hope as the group joined forces to help those feeling rejected and invisible. I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought possible since I had never read a book by this author before. This is an extraordinary look at the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and the special love it takes to be committed to the person suffering from this disease. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, all of whom were portrayed realistically with flaws and many of whom needed to get in touch with God again. Although it is hard to choose just one, I think my favorite character was Edna, a woman who is a resident with a heart full of hurt who holds her wounds tightly tucked inside but who faithfully attends the meetings and teaches others to crochet. The plot moved along at the perfect pace for the story being told, one of redemption and God’s love as well as the love and forgiveness of others, but especially one of hope in what seems like hopeless circumstances. This novel rates as one of the best and most faith-filled books I have ever read and its simple truths and lovingkindness of the characters will long stay with me as a practice we could all exhibit more often. The author will be added to my list of “must read” authors as the lessons I learned from this book are priceless and the memories of the wonderful character development amazed me.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this boo from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Can one start off a review with saying, “Go out and immediately order this book?” For, without a doubt, this book is worthy of it. This novel tops its predecessor, which was a stellar, five star book.

The book centers on the Woolgathers, the spin off knitting/crocheting group formed at the local retirement village/Memory Care facility that make prayer shawls. It chronicles the ups and downs of the members with each other and their loved ones. Various other characters add color to the challenges they encounter. Sam, in particular, is a man brought into the group as he is unable to visit his wife who no longer knows him due to her Alzheimer’s and has become afraid of him. The subject of dementia and its impact is explored from several different perspectives as the family members grieve the loss and yet maintain a relationship with their loved ones. The book is a testament to friendship and faithful love.

The book has all the elements of a great story. Lovable, sweet, funny, and quirky characters. An excellent and enthralling plot arc. A story that is thought-provoking and touches the heart. Beautiful lessons woven in. What more could one ask for except for another book in the saga?

Buy this book! It’s worth it. I was given an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved Sharon Mondragon's first book in this series - The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady. It was a 5 star book for me.. one of the best books I have read. So to be honest, I was a bit concerned about this book. I feared it would let me down.. not be as wonderful as book 1. My fear were unwarranted!

Another amazing and moving book by Sharon Mondragon! Easily as good (if not better) than the first book. This book looks at life.. many aspects of it. Aging, love, friendship, loss, fear, mindset and so much more! And the author does an excellent job of weaving in faith in a natural way.. not contrived or forced. I also love that not every character is a sold out Christian or has a rock solid faith. Very realistically and well done!

I received a pre-release book from the publisher, but was not required to leave a review. The opinion presented here is my own.

This is a fantastic follow up to one of my all time favorite books! I loved “The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady” when I read it a couple of years ago and this sequel was just as good. The Woolgatherers are such a fun group, I’d be like Tara and want to join them too! I love their heart for helping people and how they help the people God puts in their paths, and even each other. This is just such a wonderful story and I loved everything about it!

I was swept away by the beautiful words on the pages of The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs. The relationships that exist between the members of the Woolgatherers as well as those that develop as you travel through the pages of this beautiful and moving story will touch you deeply. This is the sequel to The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady, which I continue to say is one of the best books I have EVER read. So when the opportunity arose to read the second book in the Purls and Prayers series, I was excited to get lost in the pages.

This book focuses on the effects dementia has on family members of those afflicted with this horrible disease ... from spouses to children to grandchildren. The thought of making prayer shawls appeals to me. The fact that the people who are making the shawls are praying as they begin each knitting/crocheting session, while they are creating these beautiful gifts, and then when they are taken to the church and are prayed over by the minister makes them even more precious. From Sam to Edna to Rose to Jenny to Tara and Samantha ... you will fall in love with the delightful personalities as well as some of the crotchety ones. Plus if you read the first book in the series, you will recognize a few returning characters. But as you dig deeper into the story and the lives of the characters, your heart will swell and the tears will flow. The focus on faith and prayer is what makes a difference in the lives of so many people. Friendship, caring, love, support, and prayer are the things that touch the lives of those who spend time together as Woolgatherers. There are also threads of conflict and disagreements. But woven together, the positive moments of kindness and love will blossom and grow into deep and touching relationships which will have you smiling with tear-filled eyes.

I am so happy this is one of the first books I’ve read in 2024 and know that it will be one of the best I’ll have the pleasure of reading this year. What a great way to start a new year in my book reading excursion! (You don’t need to read the first one to appreciate this second book, but I can’t encourage you enough to rush out and buy it!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Kregel Publications for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs by Sharon J Mondragon
This is the second book in the series .Some characters from the first book return. We meet new people too. This book brings crocheters more into the spotlight. It explains the importance of having people who care around you. It reveals the Value of taking care of yourself and getting medical care for prevention and when it is really needed and demonstrates how sharing helps others . This book shows how multi generations can work together and have a positive outcome. It will be a help to caregiver’s, especially those caring for people with memory problems.
I was provided a copy of this book. This is my honest review.

A beautiful, sweet, heartwarming story that brought tears and smiles. There are many ways to show God's love to others. Whether creating through handiwork such as knitting and crocheting, or praying when we don't have the words, our efforts have the ability to touch the lives of others at the most important times. Many lessons can be learned from reading this book. I look forward to reading more by this author. I receieved a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

This is a fantastic book! I was immediately hooked from the beginning, and I could barely put the book down! The ladies of the Woolgatherers are relatable and easy to like!

Edna is my favorite! She seems all crusty and formidable, but her heart is hurting. Susan cracked me up! Health conscious and not afraid to speak up! Rose, the patient one. Listening and praying. Sam, he touched my heart. His story is heartbreaking, but he learns so much with the wonderful knitting group! I just started crocheting with a group from church, so this book was really relatable!

The biggest takeaway that I gleaned from the book is to pray for people. Everyone is going through something, and the simple act of prayer can make a difference! I'm glad that Sharon Mondragon doesn't shy away from spiritual issues. It made the book enjoyable and encouraging!

I was provided a copy of the book from the publisher/author via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.