‘Sonoma Rose’ characters have an edge

I started reading Jennifer Chiaverini’s new Elm Creek Quilts novel, “Sonoma Rose” last night and couldn’t put it down. I plowed through half of the book before I decided I absolutely had to go to bed if I was going to be of any use today. Part of what has me so enthralled in Chiaverini’s […]

‘More Custom Slipcovers’ not for beginners

I’m not a novice when it comes to creating slipcovers. I’m working on recovering a patio set, but in that case I just removed the cover, took it apart and used the fabric as a pattern to cut and sew my new slipcover. The techniques in “More Custom Slipcovers: Easy to Make and Snug-Fitting” by Marge […]

‘Sonoma Rose’ packed with suspense

The air is thick with tension as Rosa’s abusive husband John leaves the house, mistrusting of who his wife might entertain in his absence. The guest that does arrives is not Rosa’s childhood sweetheart and former lover, Lars Jorgensen, but his family’s hired hand Elizabeth Nelson, Sylvia’s cousin, who was the main character of “The […]

‘Persian Pickle Club’ is a must read

It’s the Depression, it’s Kansas and the Persian Pickle Club is very good at keeping a secret. That’s the three things you have to know before picking up “The Persian Pickle Club” by Dallas, Sandra. This book has been out for nearly two decades, but it is still a great read. It was recommended to […]