Carla Olson Gade has been imaging stories most of her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing Inspirational Historical Romance. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Writers, and the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.
Her publishing credits also include a variety of newspaper articles, newsletters, and web content. She also enjoys developing discipleship materials for women. She has been a book judge for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest (RWA), and ACFW’s Genesis Contest.
In addition to writing, Carla is a freelance website designer and webhost and an advocate for adult literacy. An experienced event and program planner/promoter, Carla designs marketing materials for her writing group, women’s ministry, and other functions. Carla has also spoken at several women’s events and facilitated many workshops and classes through the years.
An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy, web design, and photography. A native New Englander, she lives in beautiful rural Maine with her “hero” husband and two young adult sons, and a new grandson.
Learn more about Carla and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston Mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan—a design for love.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pattern for Romance, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Pattern for Romance was an interesting and informative tale about life in Boston prior to the American Revolution that featured Honour Metcalf, a skilled quilter and Joshua Sutton, an equally skilled tailor. I enjoyed reading about the development of their relationship despite the many setbacks Honour’s health. I especially liked the way Joshua felt led to protect and defend Honour even before he realized the depths of his feelings for her.
I have grown up around quilters who go as far back as my great-grandmother and my mother-in-law was a prize winning quilter also so each of the books in this series has been of great interest to me. I loved the fact that Honour’s quilts were what she called “whole cloth” quilts as I have a definite preference for those even though my relatives never made one. I own two such quilts but I am sad to say that they were machine quilted. I wish I had the incentive to make one but I am not a quilter.
The plot of Pattern for Romance moved at a steady pace and I liked the twists and turns it took as it worked its way to the conclusion. The story contained ample drama and romance with a bit of danger and mystery. I also liked the way Honour and Joshua talked about their faith and the way it matured as the story progressed.
