Helpful Score: 6
Sandra Dallas' talent lies in finding beauty, strength, and compassion in the small, simple moments of women's lives. She has done it again in this Civil-War-era novel, once again using the theme of quilting to highlight her characters' lives. Even as Alice uses patience and skill to make otherwise useless bits and pieces of fabric into expressions of love that are both beautiful and practical, so does the story piece together bits and pieces to create a skillfully wrought portrait of the characters' lives and time.
Helpful Score: 4
I LOVED this one! The narrative took a little getting used to at first since she writes in letter form, but I loved the story and the characters. As always, Sandra Dallas keeps you spellbound!
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book. A very interesting story set in Civil War times from the perspective of a young newlywed who's husband goes off to war. I couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 3
Bases during the Civil War, this is a story about a young bride who must care for her mother-in-law while her husband is away. Alice writes letters to her sister which provides the reader with view of life during the era. There is suspense, love, and devotion throughout the story. Easy read.
Helpful Score: 3
first book I have read by sandra dallas,,,,,loved it !!!! will keep on reading more
Helpful Score: 2
I was taken in by this book the moment that I opened its cover. I love this author's writing style, and loved the setting of the Civil War era, in Iowa. Funny, but I used to live near where this fictional town was located and my town was mentioned several times! Very powerful and moving book, written as letters to a sister.
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting and well written book of a woman who lives at at a Iowa farm during the Civil War. It is written through her letters to her sister. I felt involved and so interested in her hardships and daily life. Would have loved if it had a sequel. Would recommend it to all. Great reading!
Helpful Score: 2
An insightful book into life in a small Iowa town during the Civil War. The book is comprised of a series of letters from a young, newly married girl, to her sister. Alice lives on a farm with her cold, disapproving mother-in-law while her husband is off fighting for the Union. If you're a quilter you'll enjoy the references to quilting.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick read and the growth of the main character was well done. I am curious about some of what I considered more modern ideas/topics being discussed in the book, but possibly I don't know my history as well as I thought! Despite that I really loved the book.
Helpful Score: 1
A unique story written through letters that will make you laugh at times and feel sad at times. Nice pace.
Helpful Score: 1
I like Sandra Dallas's books, though this one took a while to get into. Not one of her best, in my opinion tho interesting historical info about daily life during the Civil War. Light fare.
Helpful Score: 1
Ms. Dallas has an interesting way of capturing the speech mannerisms of certain periods or regions. I like the quirkiness of this and the story background is very interesting also. An enjoyable read on a rainy day.
Helpful Score: 1
Sandra Dallas does it again! I couldn't stop reading this book. She brought her characters to life!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. It was written in a great style - letters from one sister to another. Through her letters you see her mature and know the struggles she faced during the time her husband was away as a soldier during the Civil War. Some of the letters made you smile and some made you cry - altogether I would definitely recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters dug their way into my heart and I missed them when the book was finished. There was mystery, surprise, history, a love story, characters you couldn't wait to spend time with. This book came recommended by a friend and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to others!
Helpful Score: 1
Not as compelling as The Diary of Mattie Spenser by the same author, but very interesting. The book as written as a collection of letters from the main character to her sister. Takes place during the Civil War and is seen through the eyes of a young bride.
Helpful Score: 1
Book is written completely in letter form from one sister to another revealing her life during the Civil War. Very interesting...
Very good story. Would recommend this title.
A really fun read. I've read a couple others by this author and want to read them all. Highly recommended.
Great condition and fast delivery.. love Sandra Dallas's books
This book is written in the form of letters (from Alice to her sister). The way it's written almost makes it seem like you're going through someone's box of history. I like that it gives you an indepth look into Alice's personality. That would be tough to be left with a mother in law who doesn't like you much!
Beautiful story and a quick read
Typical of Sandra Dallas -- a good story
Great story!
Alice Bullock is a young newlywed whose lhusband, Charlie, has just joined the Union Army, leaving her on his Iowa farm with only his formidable mother for company. Alice writes lively letters to her sister filled with accounts of local quilting bees, the rigors of farm life, and the customs of small-towm America. But no town is too small for intrigue and treachery, and when Alice finds herself accused of murder, she discovers her own hidden strengths.
Alice Bullock is a young newlywed whose husband,Charlie, has just joined the Union Army,leaving her on his Iowa farm with only his formidable mother for company.
Alice Bullock is a young newlywed whose husband, Charlie, has just joined the Union Army, leaving her on his Iowa farm with only his formidable mother for company. Equally talented at sewing and gossip, and not overly fond of hard work, Alice writes lively letters to her sister filled with accounts of local quilting bees, the rigors of farm life, and the customs of small-town America. But no town is too small for intrigue and treachery, and when Alice finds herself accused of murder, she must rely on support from unlikely sources.
Some slight damage to the back cover.
