Pockets of Promise (The Pocket Quilt)

Pockets of Promise

 (The Pocket Quilt) 

Paperback – 

April 30, 2020

by Laurie Stroup Smith  (Author)

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Vinspire Publishing 
• ISBN-13: 978-1734150742

Mariah Mast's best friend, Josiah Weaver, has concentrated his efforts on providing for their future together, but on her eighteenth birthday, Mariah finds herself edging away from Josiah and her faith. An encounter with police, a misunderstanding of intentions, and hurt feelings compound her confusion. Her grandmother sends her to stay with an aunt in Pinecraft and gives her a pocket quilt with handwritten messages tucked inside.

Thrilled to have her help at the bed and breakfast, Aunt Birdie introduces Mariah to a group of new friends, including Luke Yoder, a young Amish man who works for his father's construction company. Spending time with him opens up a new world for Mariah. Her grandmother's words of wisdom offer guidance as she makes a decision that will have lasting consequences for those she loves. Will she find fulfillment in Florida? Or does her heart belong in Holmes County?

Marilyn's thoughts:  This debut book by Laurie Stroup Smith is a winner with the creativity of the story surrounding Mariah Mast discovering who and what she truly wanted in life. Her struggle with knowing if she wanted to be baptized into the Amish faith is realistic with teenagers today in every culture. A trip to Florida to assist an aunt with her bed and breakfast, a quilt from her Mammi filled with letters of her life just might be the answer along with meeting new friends and hearing their struggles. The scenes were picturesque and the dialogue easy to follow where I was right with Mariah and the other characters. There is a faith message for readers who especially enjoy that aspect in Amish fiction. I look forward to reading more books by this upcoming author.

I received a complimentary advance e-copy and was under no obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own sincere thoughts.