I liked this book, it was the second in the series.

There were lot of good reasons to like this book - good characters, catching up with people from past books, the story line.

There were a few reasons not to like this book - John ( and how his part played out), the ending,

I felt a little let down like there was something building and then in like 2 pages it was over ( )

4 Stars

Stitches in Time Series book 2

The Heart's Journey is the second book of the series. It is also the second one that I have read but I started with book 3 Heart in Hand. Even though I have read the books out of order I have enjoyed reading Stitches in Time. I have a feeling some of the characters in this book have been introduced in their own book. But I would like to read more of Barbara's novels in the future.

Naomi is engaged to be married to John but her choice is not the best. He is controlling where she is and what she does. He even hurt her some. Naomi is hiding how she feels from everyone.

Naomi makes quilts in the craft store that her Grandma Leah and her two cousins own with her. It is winter and Leah is thinking of going to visit her friend in Florida. Before she can bring it up she has a fall and sprains her foot badly.

Leah still wants to go even if she is on crutches. Nick is their english driver who gives them rides to and back from work says he will drive her to Florida and take a vacation too. Naomi says she will go with her grandmother too to help her.

Naomi fiance says she can't go but Naomi plans to go anyway.
Nick has had a crush on Naomi for awhile but he has not let her know it. He really likes Leah and is a good friend to her. Nick and Naomi spend a lot of time together and their friendship continues to grow. Nick even kisses her and she kisses him back.

Naomi fiance shows up in Florida to spy on her. This is the weak part of the story I felt that their was parts missed or cut out of how long was he actually in florida and the break up was too easy.

I like the characters and enjoyed reading about Naomi and Nick. Their joy at the simple things.( I like things simple but love electricity and microwave,cars ect.) I was drawn to their story.

I was given this ebook to read and in return give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Published October 1st 2012 by Abingdon Press 283 pages ISBN:1426714335

Description below taken off of Netgalley.com

Naomi knows she should be excited about her upcoming wedding but she remains unmoved. Not only are her feelings for her fiance lackluster but she believes he may see her more as a servant than a partner. And he's so controlling. Is it too late to back out of the marriage?

While praying for God's guidance, Naomi takes a break from her duties as a quilter and travels with her grandmother to Pinecraft, Florida. Along the way Naomi finds herself becoming attracted to Nick, their Englisch driver and friend, and the two begin to fall in love. The journey soon becomes one in which Naomi explores her most secret dream for love. But can she veer off the "safe" path she'd envisioned for her life to marry Nick? ( )

This meeting with the Cousins Naomi, Anna, and Mary Katherine along with their Grandmother Leah, brings to light a dark subject of Abuse. Whether it is physical or verbal, it shouldn't happen, but does.
Naomi is now experiencing this from the man she gave her heart to, and is engaged to marry...John.
When Leah takes a tumble and hurts her ankle, Nick their driver is immediately there to take her to the hospital, and wait and help. He learns that she, Leah, has been feeling a bit down and wants to go and visit the Amish Community in Pinecraft, Florida, he decides to take a vacation and take her.
Naomi decides that this is a way to take a break from John, even if he has forbidden her to go. Will this finally give her the chance to examine her feelings, and maybe get away from this bad relationship?
What Naomi doesn't expect is finding feelings for Nick...that can't be possible. He is English and she Amish.
This is a really sweet story, that you feel a sense of danger lurking in the background. Will Naomi come to realize that John's abuse is not love? Enjoy this winter visit to Florida...experience Naomi's first glimpse of the ocean! Pick you morning breakfast off your Orange tree...yum! Think I'll pack my bags!! Enjoy!

I received this book from Pump Your Book Virtual Tours, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

I do enjoy my Amish fiction and this one takes on two topics unique within this genre - at least as far as the numerous books I have read - abuse within the Amish community and an outsider falling in love with a member of the Amish and trying to decide whether a relationship can exist.

Naomi is engaged to be married to a young man who caught her eye at first but is now becoming more and more controlling of her time, activities and friendships. He has even started getting violent with her, He is, of course always very sorry and he finds a way to place the blame on Naomi. Her grandmother is worried about her and finds a way for the two of them to go on a vacation to an Amish/Mennonite community in Florida. What Naomi's grandmother doesn't fully realize is that their driver, Nick has very strong feelings for Naomi.

While on vacation Naomi works through her feelings for her fiance and comes to a decision. A decision he doesn't like. Naomi also finds support through a local group of abused women. This is where, I think the book fell down some. This could have been a moving and useful way to educate and explore this kind of psychological abuse by Ms Cameron barely brushes the surface. I appreciate that this is a light, romantic read but it could have been dealt with in a less throw away manner.

Naomi is a smart girl and she comes around to expressing that strength in an incredibly fast turnaround. She goes from mouse to lion in about 4 pages and this was not realistic and it made the ending feel rushed.

I did enjoy getting to know these women as they worked at their quilt shop - I'm sure the first book built some foundation and perhaps the next one with add even more to the development of the house of Naomi, her cousins and grandmother. I will look forward to it to find out. ( )

Naomi has mixed feelings regarding her upcoming marriage to John. His controlling ways have her backing away from the relationship. When her grandmother needs a traveling companion to Florida, Naomi volunteers to go along, but she never planned on a mutual attraction developing between her and their Englisch driver.

Barbara Cameron has written an Amish fiction novel with a new twist: domestic abuse. As much as we would like to believe that they live in an idyllic paradise, they have problems just as everyone else does. This is a topic that needs to be addressed in general Christian fiction more often, so finding it in this genre was definitely a breath of fresh air. It was handled sensitively, giving the reader real information in a fictional format. Very nicely done. I will be looking for Ms. Cameron's novels at my local bookstore.

5 stars


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Pump Up Your Book book review bloggers program. 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.” ( )