About the Book The Flower Quilter

Book: The Flower Quilter

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: September, 2023

Barbara Breaks from Amish Tradition to Express Her Artistry

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Barbara Schwartz was born into a family of quilters, but she would rather eat dirt than partake in another quilting frolic or sew on another binding. When her parents send her to Indiana to help her grandmother in her quilting shop, she finds herself amongst a very different community. It’s only one summer and then she will be back in Kentucky where she belongs.

Melvin Bontrager’s world stopped six years ago when his parents died. Now when his only means of providing for his widowed sister and niece is threatened, Melvin finds his landscaping business disappearing too. When spring delivers a newcomer who is immune to his salty moods, Melvin does something he has never done before, accepts help.

What blooms is the last thing Barbara ever expected, and everything Melvin could ever want.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on The Flower Quilter

The Flower Quilter is a wonderful novel set in Amish country that you’re going to enjoy reading. It’s a sweet story!  It’s also the first book in a series.  I for one always love starting a new series!  And I can’t wait to see what comes next for this one as this was truly a sweet story that read well. 

I love quilting. It is relaxing for me.  I’ve done some form of it for years.  In fact, I did my first nine patch when I was 8 years old at a Civil War Reenactment.   Since then I’ve been in love with it. 

Now flower quilting. I’ve never done that. My dad is a horticulturist though so I’m no stranger to flowers and bushes and plants, etc.  But I’ve never purposefully done a flower garden. 

I loved learning about flower quilting.  The characters I met along the way were wonderful as well.  It was such a fun and sweet read.  I can’t wait to see what else comes from this series!

I loved how Barbara and Melvin getting such fun looks at their personalities.  It’s always fun to meet new friends!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations. 

About the Author of The Flower Quilter

Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

I’ve connected with many wonderful readers since my debut in 2021 and while attending my first multi-author and reader event in Shipshewana, Indiana, I was blessed to finally meet many of them in person. I connected with my amazing assistant, my Mississippi fishing buddy, and the golden girls who have been with me from the beginning. God handpicked each of these women and I am so thankful he did.

I knew before leaving home I would not be writing about Shipshewana or the touristy areas considering I love our small rural communities, but you know what they say about thinking you know everything. . .

I was charmed at a little Bed and Breakfast and further charmed by Bridgett the owner.

After touring the Amish Market and a few other memorable sites, my husband and I spent an afternoon with our dear friends Barb and Mel. Barb insisted I see her favorite place, the Krider Fair Gardens. Being a lover of flowers and gardening myself, I was entranced. I walked over every inch and stored its details in my heart. And, I even called my mother.

I quickly learned the quilt gardens were signature in Indiana, sprawling along the Pumkinvine Trail and covering multiple counties. From May to September, thousands come to photograph the designs that change each year.

There is even an app for that now.

I had learned so much about Amish gardens and greenhouses from my neighbors who had family-owned greenhouses which I wrote about in An Amish Flower Farm.

It was also a no-brainer that I would include quilting into the story.

I love to quilt, much more than my dear sweet heroine needless to say.

I was especially happy to include the quilt shop, just a block down from The Blue Gate and the owner was thrilled her shop was the inspiration for Anna Beechy’s quilt shop.

Writing about two different Amish communities was a fun challenge made easy thanks to dear friends from both. Especially Anna Mae, the best garden tea maker north of Ohio who never let my questions bother her.

What was most memorable about writing this book over all others?

I had no desk!!!

I love writing about new things not explored yet, and well…my writer’s heart was ready to start before we even got home. Often, I let an idea percolate for a few days, but this story unfolded like a favorite re-run and I knew all the words. It was time to get writing, but suddenly we had covid and hours turned to days and weeks. It was a scary time as my husband struggled with it terribly, but we got through and then Hurricane Ida struck the south and my husband was called up.

I decided to travel with my husband and son to deliver Fema Relief.

My family needed me, and I needed to write this book!!! So, in pure Mindy fashion, I packed up my notepads, and extra fine-tip pens, and did both.

The draft of The Flower Quilter was written in the back of an old semi that leaked like a strainer as we delivered trailers and supplies from Kentucky to the hardest-hit areas of Mississippi and Louisiana nonstop for nine days.

I hope to never try that again, but no matter what we encountered, those gardens of Indiana, keep popping up and adding a little sunshine to the chaos around me. God sure knows how to keep beauty in focus when everything gets turned upside down. He also knows how to take our worst traits and turn them into something remarkable.

I hope you love this story and my take on the gardens as much as I did. Thank you for being part of the tour!!! May God bless and keep you!

Blog Stops for The Flower Quilter

lakesidelivingsite, September 26

The Avid Reader, September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 27

Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 28 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

She Lives To Read, September 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30

Mary Hake, September 30

Connie’s History Classroom, October 1

Christina’s Corner, October 1

The Book Club Network, October 2

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 4

Books I’ve Read, October 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 5

For Him and My Family, October 6

Elly Gilbert, October 6

Cover Lover Book Review, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 9

Splashes of Joy, October 9

Giveaway for The Flower Quilter

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize package a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/282a3/the-flower-quilter-celebration-tour-giveaway