We've hung out with Carla at Ink Dots before, and I'm thrilled to welcome her back for another visit. Carla's has been imagining stories for most of her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing historical Christian romance. An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy and photography. A native New Englander, she writes from her home in beautiful rural Maine where she resides with her “hero” husband and two young adult sons. You may visit her online at carlagade.com
Pattern for Romance (1769, Boston, Massachusetts)
Sometimes God's pattern for our lives can lead us somewhere unexpected.
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.
Carla says ~ One thing I enjoyed today is...having a lobster roll for dinner with sweet potato fries. It is summer here in Maine and fresh lobster is aplenty.
A secret pleasure of mine is...genealogy. I don’t know if that’s such a secret, but I love researching mine and my husband’s ancestors and find it a very relaxing task, albeit tedious. I totally get lost in time and sometimes spend hours on end filling in the details of my family tree from old New England which has strong English and Scottish roots. Our Scandinavian history is a bit more difficult to trace.
A moment that changed my life is...becoming a grandmother four months ago. I think my world stopped for a while and now I’m trying to catch up. I watch him at least one day per week so this is something new I am fitting into my writing schedule. My life feels good and satisfying right now. Oh, I've watched this cherub grow on facebook, and love watching you relish your grandma role and precious grandson. :)
When I was a child I wanted to...be a missionary. And in a way I think I am. My writing is a ministry to me and I love to weave the threads of faith into my stories. The themes found in Pattern for Romance are faith, honesty, and trust.
I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but...my book Mistletoe Memories comes out in September. Just had to sneak that in. ;) Allowed. :) We look forward to celebrating all your releases.
I chose this period of history to set my story in because...my fascination with early America prompted me to wonder about the earliest forms of quilting in the colonies. I expected to discover beautiful patch-work quilts, but instead learned about whole-cloth quilting. Exquisite designs were stitched into garments such as petticoats, waistcoats, and even gowns. Quilted bedcoverings came later and chose a pivotal time in history before the American Revolution when these quilts were also at the height of popularity. Pattern for Romance is the Quilts of Love novel with the earliest quilting setting.
Thanks for joining us again, Carla. I'm so thrilled to share Pattern For Romance with Ink Dots readers. Thank you Dotti!
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For your chance to win a copy of Carla's book, please leave a comment below. I'll announce the winner on Friday. Tell us if you've ever tried your hand at quilting. I have one unfinished quilt top. That's how far I dabbled in the art. But I personally know experts who've produce amazing pieces.
How about you...? Are you an expert, or a dabbler like me?
Good luck in the draw, and happy reading.
