Most Popular Books by Marie Bostwick

In this compelling, heartwarming novel from New York Times bestselling author Marie Bostwick, one woman finds new purpose in a new phase of life . . . “Whatever comes your way, find the happiness in it.” Hope Carpenter received that advice from her mother decades ago. Now, with their four children grown, Hope and her husband, Rick, are suddenly facing an uncertain future, after a forced retirement strains both their savings and their marriage. Seeking inspiration and a financial boost, Hope gets a job teaching crafts to inmates at a local women’s prison. At first, Hope feels foolish and irrelevant, struggling to relate to women whose choices seem so different from her own. But with time, and the encouragement of the prison chaplain, she begins to discover common ground with the inmates, in their worries about their children and families, their fear of having failed those who need them. Just like her, they want to make something of themselves, but believe it might be impossible. Embarking on an ambitious quilting project, Hope and her students begin to bond. Together, piece by piece, they learn to defy expectations—their own and others’—and to see that it’s never too late to stitch together a life that, even in its imperfections, is both surprising and beautiful. Praise for Marie Bostwick and Her Novels “Reading Marie Bostwick is like wrapping yourself up in a warm, hand-crafted quilt.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author “It takes great skill to write a heartwarming story about grief, and Bostwick proves she is up to the task. . . . A great addition to any women’s-fiction collection.” —Booklist “Beautiful, thought-provoking, tragic and redeeming, The Second Sister is a feel-good goldmine.” —USAToday.com

A successful quilter worries about a new rival—and a newly independent son—in a novel by the New York Times-bestselling author of Between Heaven and Texas. Mary Dell Templeton prefers the quiet, quirky charms of Too Much, Texas to the bright lights of Dallas any day. She''s relieved to be moving back to her hometown--and bringing her cable TV show, Quintessential Quilting, with her. There are just a couple of wrinkles in her plan. Her son, Howard, who is her talented co-host and color consultant, and happens to have Down syndrome, wants to stay in Dallas and become more independent. Meanwhile, Mary Dell''s new boss hopes to attract a different demographic--by bringing in a younger co-host. What Holly Silva knows about quilting wouldn''t fill a thimble, but she''s smart and ambitious. Her career hinges on outshining the formidable Mary Dell in order to earn her own show. Yet as Holly adapts to small-town living and begins a new romance, and Mary Dell considers rekindling an old one, the two find unlikely kinship. For as Mary Dell knows, the women of Too Much have a knack for untangling the knottiest problems when they work together. And sometimes the pattern for happiness is as simple and surprising as it is beautiful… "Marie Bostwick is my go-to author…always powerful, inspiring, and uplifting." –Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author "A brilliant storyteller." --Las Vegas Review-Journal

An uplifting story of three grief support group dropouts—women united in loss and rescued through friendship—from the New York Times bestselling author. Fifteen years ago, Grace Saunders vowed to take her beloved husband for better or worse. Now she’s coming to terms with difficult choices as she crafts a memory quilt from scraps of their life together—a life torn to shreds by an accident that has left him in a coma. Enduring months of limbo, Grace is at least not alone. Nan has been widowed for twenty years, but now, with her children grown, her home feels painfully empty. Even the company of her golden retriever, Blixen, and a series of other rescue dogs, can’t fill the void. Then there’s Monica, a feisty woman with a biting wit who’s reeling following her husband’s death—and the revelation of his infidelity. As for Grace, a chance evening with a man she barely knows brings a glimmer of joy she hasn’t felt since the tragedy—along with feelings of turmoil and guilt. But her struggle to cope will force all three women to face their fears, share their deepest secrets—and lean on one another as they move from grief and isolation to hope, and a second chance at happiness . . . Praise for Marie Bostwick “Marie Bostwick is my go-to author . . . always powerful, inspiring, and uplifting.” —Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author “Reading Marie Bostwick is like wrapping yourself up in a warm, hand-crafted quilt. Her books, rich in character and plot, are stitched together by a skilled wordsmith.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

First in the series of four very different women whose paths cross, changing their lives forever. “A big-hearted novel filled with wit and wisdom.” —Susan Wiggs It’s a long way from Fort Worth, Texas, to New Bern, Connecticut, yet it only takes a day in the charming Yankee town to make Evelyn Dixon realize she’s found her new home. The abrupt end of her marriage was Evelyn’s wake-up call to get busy chasing her dream of opening a quilt shop. Finding a storefront is easy enough; starting a new life isn’t. Little does Evelyn imagine it will bring a trio like Abigail Burgess, her niece Liza, and Margot Matthews through her door . . . Troubled and angry after her mother’s death, Liza threatens to embarrass her Aunt Abigail all over town unless she joins her for quilting classes. A victim of downsizing, Margot hopes an event at the quilt shop will be a chance to network—and keep from dying of boredom. As they stitch their unique creations, Evelyn, Abigail, Liza, and Margot form a sisterhood they never sought—but one they’ll be grateful for when the unexpected provides a poignant reminder of the single thread that binds us all . . . “Bostwick’s warmly nourishing, emotionally compelling novel is quiet yet powerful.” —Chicago Tribune “[A] buoyant novel about the value of friendship among women . . . Bostwick’s polished style and command of plot make this story of bonding and sisterhood a tantalizing book club contender.” —Publishers Weekly “A pleasant story of friendship . . . will remind readers of Debbie Macomber’s popular The Shop on Blossom Street.” —Library Journal

“A truly wonderful tale of spirit, faith and true friendship” in the quilting series from the New York Times bestselling author of Threading the Needle (Fresh Fiction). Christmas is fast approaching, and New Bern, Connecticut, is about to receive the gift of a new pastor, hired sight unseen to fill in while Reverend Tucker is on sabbatical. Meanwhile, Margot Matthews’ friend, Abigail, is trying to match-make even though Margot has all but given up on romance. She loves her job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and the life and friendships she’s made in New Bern; she just never thought she’d still be single on her fortieth birthday. It’s a shock to the entire town when Phillip A. Clarkson turns out to be Philippa. Truth be told, not everyone is happy about having a female pastor. Yet despite a rocky start, Philippa begins to settle in—finding ways to ease the townspeople’s burdens, joining the quilting circle, and forging a fast friendship with Margot. When tragedy threatens to tear Margot’s family apart, that bond—and the help of her quilting sisterhood—will prove a saving grace. And as she untangles her feelings for another new arrival in town, Margot begins to realize that it is the surprising detours woven into life’s fabric that provide its richest hues and deepest meaning . . . Praise for the Cobbled Court Quilts series “A big-hearted novel filled with wit and wisdom.” —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author “Bostwick’s warmly nourishing, emotionally compelling novel is quiet yet powerful.” —Chicago Tribune “Heartwarming . . . an unbreakable thread of friendship and faith.” —Publishers Weekly

“An inspirational story of forgiveness and restoration” in the quilting circle series from the New York Times bestselling author of A Thread So Thin (Fresh Fiction). The economic downturn has hit New Bern, Connecticut, and Tessa Woodruff’s herbal apothecary shop, For the Love of Lavender, is suffering. So is her once-happy thirty-four-year marriage. To relieve the strain, Tessa signs up for a quilting class at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop, and to her surprise, rediscovers the power of sisterhood—along with the childhood friend she thought she’d lost forever . . . When her husband is convicted of running a Ponzi scheme, Madelyn Beecher is left with nothing but her late grandmother’s cottage in New Bern. Unfortunately, the cottage is in terrible shape, and Madelyn’s only hope is to transform it into an inn. But to succeed, she’ll need the help of her fellow quilters, including the one friend she never thought she’d see again—or forgive. Now Madelyn and Tessa will have to relive old memories, forge new ones, and realize it’s possible to start over, one stitch at a time—as long as you’re surrounded by friends . . . Praise for the Cobbled Court Quilts series “A big-hearted novel filled with wit and wisdom.” —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author “Bostwick’s warmly nourishing, emotionally compelling novel is quiet yet powerful.” —Chicago Tribune “Heartwarming . . . an unbreakable thread of friendship and faith.” —Publishers Weekly “An endearing tale that will please all readers.” —Manic Readers

“An endearing tale” of friendship, love, and the choices we must make in their name from the New York Times bestselling author of A Thread of Truth (Manic Readers). While New Bern, Connecticut, lies under a blanket of snow, the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop remains a cozy haven for its owner, Evelyn Dixon, and her friends. Evelyn relishes winter’s slower pace—besides, internet sales are hopping, thanks to her son Garrett’s efforts. In addition to helping out at the shop, Garrett has also been patiently waiting for his girlfriend, Liza, to finish art school in New York City. But as much as Evelyn loves Liza, she wonders if it’s a good idea for her son to be so serious, so soon, with a young woman who’s just getting ready to spread her wings . . . Liza’s wondering the same thing—especially after Garrett rolls out the red carpet for a super-romantic New Year’s Eve—complete with marriage proposal. Garrett’s the closest thing to perfect she’s ever known, but what about her own imperfections? The only happy marriage Liza’s ever seen is her Aunt Abigail’s, and it took her decades to tie the knot. Soon, Liza is not only struggling with her own fears, but with the mixed reactions of her friends and family. And when she finds herself torn between a rare career opportunity and her love for Garrett, Liza must grasp at the thinnest of threads—and pray it holds . . . Praise for Marie Bostwick’s A Single Thread “A big-hearted novel filled with wit and wisdom.” —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author “Bostwick’s warmly nourishing, emotionally compelling novel is quiet yet powerful.” —Chicago Tribune

Three unconventional sisters are reunited in this “beautiful story about the ties that bind” from the New York Times bestselling author (Melanie Benjamin). Every child prodigy grows up eventually. For the Promise sisters, escaping their mother’s narcissism and the notoriety that came with her bestselling book hasn’t been easy. Minerva Promise claimed that her three “test tube” daughters—gifted pianist Joanie, artistic Meg, and storyteller Avery—were engineered and molded to be geniuses. In adulthood, their modest lives fall far short of her grand ambitions. But now, twenty years after the book’s release, she hopes to redeem herself by taking part in a new documentary. Meg, who hasn’t picked up a paintbrush in years, adamantly refuses to participate, until a car accident leaves her with crushing medical bills. While she recuperates in Seattle, the three sisters reluctantly meet with filmmaker Hal Seeger, another former prodigy. Like them, he’s familiar with the weight of failed potential. But as he digs deeper, he uncovers secrets they’ve hidden from each other—and a revelation that will challenge their beliefs, even as it spurs them to forge their own extraordinary lives at last. Praise for Marie Bostwick “Reading Marie Bostwick is like wrapping yourself up in a warm, hand-crafted quilt. Her books, rich in character and plot, are stitched together by a skilled wordsmith.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author “Marie Bostwick is my go-to author . . . always powerful, inspiring, and uplifting.” —Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Political campaign advisor Lucy Toomey is forced to return to her hometown when her mentally impaired sister dies. In order to inherit their family home, her sister''s will requires Lucy to reside there for eight weeks. Her return to Nilson''s Bay, Wisconsin, is a time of reflection, healing, acceptance and romance"--

Gifted quilter Mary Dell Templeton is enjoying life with her new husband, and when their son is born, a child as different as he is wonderful, she must reconsider what truly matters as she begins to piece together the life she''s always wanted.

“A gripping, evocative read that will set your heart to soaring into the turbulent skies of WWII” from the New York Times–bestselling author (Debbie Macomber). Morgan Glennon’s destiny points straight up into Oklahoma’s clear, blue sky. It’s been that way since he was four years old, imagining the famous flier father he’s never met. Morgan leaves college to enlist as a Navy pilot, and his whole world suddenly changes when America goes to war. Watching his friends fall in battle, robs Morgan of the joy he always felt in the air. It will take one very unusual woman to help him get it back . . . Georgia Jean Carter learned early never to rely on a man for anything but trouble. Airplanes are different: they take a girl places most boyfriends can’t. Remarkably, the war makes it possible for Georgia to do her part as a pilot. Flying with the WASPs brings a special sense of belonging—yet there’s something missing that Georgia doesn’t recognize until a brief encounter sets her dreaming about a young flyboy she barely knows . . . “An uplifting and spirit-nurturing read.” —Fresh Fiction “Bostwick does an excellent job of telling the story of the WASP.” —Library Journal “A one-of-a-kind find, the sort of book that completely transports you to another place in time.” —RT Book Reviews “[A] solid WWII era romance . . . Bostwick fills out their destinies satisfyingly and delivers tempting brushes with intimacy at all the right moments before the end-of-war denouement.” —Publishers Weekly

"When her marriage of twenty-six years seems to be coming apart at the seams, Gayla flees to New Bern, Connecticut, to see if she can overcome the feelings of betrayal, forgive her husband, and create a new future"--Provided by publisher.

This would be easier if I were writing about someone else. Then I could change it, fatten up the thin parts and leave out the dull ones, turning them twice like frayed collars and cuffs, making them over into something more romantic than they really were, but then the remembering would be neither so painful, nor so sweet. I suppose you can''t have one without the other. . . Evangeline Glennon knows plenty about life''s highs and lows. Still, she feels lucky, surrounded as she is by people who care deeply: Papa, who''s never lost his Irish brogue or the twinkle in his eye; endlessly practical, generous Mama; and steadfast best friend Ruby. Romance would be too much for a girl like Eva to expect. Then again, love has a tendency to find those who aren''t looking for it. . . Out of a clear blue sky, a dashing young aviator makes an impossibly gentle landing in Papa''s Oklahoma wheat field. After taking her up in his plane, "Slim" leaves Eva with an exhilarating new perspective--and an even more precious gift that changes her forever. But that''s only the beginning. The world is changing, too--and only the strongest in body and spirit will weather what is to come. Now, while tracing from afar the progress of the brave young barnstormer she knew so briefly, Eva stitches her heart and soul into intricate quilts whose images take extraordinary form from the heartbreak and joy of parallel lives. . . "A lyrical, lush, and lovely novel from a clever and talented new writer." --Jane Green "A gripping, heartwarming story. . .complete with fascinating characters and a page-turning plot." --Dorothy Garlock Marie Bostwick Skinner was born and raised in the Northwest. Since marrying the love of her life twenty-three years ago, she has never known a moment''s boredom. Marie and her family have moved a score of times, living in eight U.S. states and two Mexican cities, and collecting a vast and cherished array of friends and experiences. Marie now lives with her husband and three handsome sons in Connecticut where she writes, reads, quilts, and is privileged to serve the women of her local church.

The New York Times bestselling author stitches “an unbreakable thread of friendship and faith” into her second novel in her quilting series (Publishers Weekly). Come home to Marie Bostwick’s poignant novel of new beginnings, old friends, and the rich, varied tapestry of lives fully lived . . . At twenty-seven, having fled an abusive marriage with little more than her kids and the clothes on her back, Ivy Peterman figures she has nowhere to go but up. Quaint, historic New Bern, Connecticut, seems as good a place as any to start fresh. With a part-time job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and budding friendships, Ivy feels hopeful for the first time in ages. But when a popular quilting TV show is taped at the quilt shop, Ivy’s unwitting appearance in an on-air promo alerts her ex-husband to her whereabouts. Suddenly, Ivy is facing the fight of her life—one that forces her to face her deepest fears as a woman and a mother. This time, however, she’s got a sisterhood behind her: companions as complex, strong, and lasting as the quilts they stitch . . . Praise for Marie Bostwick’s A Single Thread “A big-hearted novel filled with wit and wisdom.” —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author “Bostwick’s warmly nourishing, emotionally compelling novel is quiet yet powerful.” —Chicago Tribune “Marie Bostwick beautifully captures the very essence of women’s friendships—the love, the pain, the trust, the forgiveness—and crafts a seamless and heartfelt novel from them . . . a writer at the top of her game.” —Kristy Kiernan, award-winning author of Catching Genius

One extraordinary woman will come of age--and come into her own-- in this haunting, elegiac portrait of an ever-changing America during the tumult and uncertainty of World War II. After the death of her mother, Elise Braun is sent to live with a new family in the United States and to start a new life. Her father only wants to save his daughter from the impending war in her native Germany--and the horrors of the new Nazi regime. But Elise can only feel a sense of abandonment and resentment toward the one man who is supposed to protect her. An accomplished pianist, music has become her only solace from the loneliness and loss that makes it so difficult for her to love or trust anyone. . . Devastated by his wife''s death, Herman Braun knows that he''s incapable of caring for the daughter he loves so deeply. He also knows that Germany is becoming a treacherous country in the hands of a tyrant, one he must defy at any price--even the price of sending his daughter away to a strange new land. It''s a choice that may cost him his family--and his life. Now, with the war over, Elise has grown into the beautiful and brave young woman her father always hoped she would be. But underneath the polished façade, she remains torn between her love for her adoptive home and the heartbreak caused by her homeland. As she struggles to find her place in a harrowing new world, she must also learn to acknowledge her love for her father, the man who traded his happiness for her own. . .

“The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is wise, witty, and utterly compelling.” —Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author of The Friends We Keep Evvie Drake Starts Over meets The Friday Night Knitting Club in this wise and witty novel about a fired advice columnist who discovers lost and found family members in Charleston, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Second Sister. Celia Fairchild, known as advice columnist ‘Dear Calpurnia’, has insight into everybody’s problems – except her own. Still bruised by the end of a marriage she thought was her last chance to create a family, Celia receives an unexpected answer to a “Dear Birthmother” letter. Celia throws herself into proving she’s a perfect adoptive mother material – with a stable home and income – only to lose her job. Her one option: sell the Charleston house left to her by her recently departed, estranged Aunt Calpurnia. Arriving in Charleston, Celia learns that Calpurnia had become a hoarder, the house is a wreck, and selling it will require a drastic, rapid makeover. The task of renovation seems overwhelming and risky. But with the help of new neighbors, old friends, and an unlikely sisterhood of strong, creative women who need her as much as she needs them, Celia knits together the truth about her estranged family — and about herself. The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is an unforgettable novel of secrets revealed, laughter released, creativity rediscovered, and waves of wisdom by a writer Robyn Carr calls "my go-to author for feel-good novels.”

From the author of The Restoration of Celia Fairchild, comes a novel about the meaning of family and the places we call home. If you love “southern summer” fiction authors like Mary Alice Monroe and Kristy Woodson Harvey you’ll love this delicious novel about family, friendship, and finding your true path in life. Esme Cahill thinks she has failed spectacularly: fired from her New York City publishing job, divorced from her husband, and possessing little more than a broken-down car and a pile of unfinished manuscripts, she drives home to Asheville at the request of her late grandmother, Adele, who had begged her, just before she died, to return to the place she grew up. There she discovers the once-charming lakeside retreat run by her family is sliding toward financial ruin, so with the help of her grandfather, George; estranged mother, Robyn; and a travelling chef Dawes (maker of the world’s best grilled cheese sandwich) they set to work. In the attic, Esme unearths a trove of museum-worthy art quilts, sewn by Adele. Piecing together the inspiration behind them, Esme discovers a forgotten chapter in her family history and her grandmother’s untold story, that of a gifted artist who never received her due. This is an always-emotional, sometimes humorous, very human novel of what it means to be family—the ties that bind us together and the unintentional hurts that can rend us apart. And, along the way, Esme learns that failure can be the first step toward the life you’re meant to find.

New York Times Bestseller Curl up by the Yuletide with these heartwarming stories that add a touch of wonder to your holidays. . . "Comfort and Joy" by Fern Michaels Ever since Angie Bradford took over her mother''s gift wrap business in the Eagle Department Store, she and handsome store chief Josh Eagle have been at odds. When Josh threatens to give up on the business and move to London, and a devastating storm may destroy their Christmas season, Angie never expects help to come in the form of a holiday miracle. . . "A High-Kicking Christmas" by Marie Bostwick After ten years as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, Kendra Erickson needs a break from Christmas. But when an injury lands her in small-town Vermont where she finds herself directing the local holiday pageant alongside the charming new pastor, Kendra reconsiders her views on life, love--and the most romantic season of all. . . "Suzanna''s Stockings" by Cathy Lamb When an accident lands Suzanna Everts in the hospital for Christmas this year, she''ll need a little magic to save the holiday season. Enter sexy, but Scrooge-like, land developer Jack Benson to the rescue, proving to Suzanna that the best gifts are those that take you completely by surprise. . . "Family Blessings" by Deborah J. Wolf Tired of dealing with her squabbling family, Kacey would rather not be home for the holidays. But Christmas memories hold a special power that is enough to remind a family of the blessings they share--and awaken Kacey to the promise of new love. . .

They bring joy, wonder--and all the happiness of the season. Let these delightful stories of love and miracles light up your holidays with cheer. . . "Snow Angels," by Fern Michaels The only way irresistibly handsome Olympic skier Max Jorgenson wants to spend Christmas is. . .alone. But when social worker Grace Landry stumbles into his log cabin during a snowstorm, an unexpected magic rekindles his heart, his hopes, and the sweetest of Christmas dreams. . . "The Presents of Angels" by Marie Bostwick Ex-Rockette Kendra Loomis doesn''t regret giving up New York''s bright lights to be a Vermont minister''s wife. But their small town''s Christmas countdown is becoming a major stress-fest--and the only way she can save the day is to prove that giving is the most precious gift of all. . . "Decorations" by Janna McMahan All Michelle Duncan wanted for Christmas was a new life. And by helping her ailing mother she found one--as manager of a charming holiday craft store. She never expected that the fringe benefits would be muscular sculptor Baxter Brow--and one last chance to make all her wishes come true. . . "Miracle on Main Street" by Rosalind Noonan New York City policeman Joe Cody and his wife Sheila can''t afford much of a holiday for their two kids. He''s sure not expecting much yuletide joy while working on Christmas Day--until a desperate wish and several unexplainable events open his eyes to a wonderland of blessings and love. . .

A collection of holiday tales by four different authors includes Fern Michaels'' "Mister Christmas," in which attorney Claire O''Brien travels to Ireland to change a wealthy client''s will, only to face resistance from his nephew.

Four dissatisfied sixties-era housewives form a book club turned sisterhood that will hold fast amid the turmoil of a rapidly changing world and alter the course of each of their lives. By early 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb, suburban housewives in a brand-new "planned community" in Northern Virginia, appear to have it all. The fact that "all" doesn''t feel like enough leaves them feeling confused and guilty, certain the fault must lie with them. Things begin to change when they form a book club with Charlotte Gustafson--the eccentric and artsy "new neighbor" from Manhattan--and read Betty Friedan''s just-released book, The Feminine Mystique. Controversial and groundbreaking, the book struck a chord with an entire generation of women, helping them realize that they weren''t alone in their dissatisfactions, or their longings, lifting their eyes to new horizons of possibility and achievement. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv are among them. But is it really the book that alters the lives of these four very different women? Or is it the bond of sisterhood that helps them find courage to confront the past, navigate turmoil in a rapidly changing world, and see themselves in a new and limitless light?