Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Threads of Hope by Christa Allan




About the Book:

Passed over for promotion and dumped by her boyfriend, Nina O’Malley is further frustrated when her editor assigns her one of the “soft” stories she despises—covering a gala benefit supporting the AIDS Memorial Quilt. More determined than ever to prove she deserves a promotion to the NY office, Nina decides to write a series featuring a local quilting group raising money for AIDs research.

At the event, she runs into her high school nemesis: Greg is a widower and the adoptive father of Jazarah, an HIV positive girl from Ethiopia. Unlike Nina, Greg has faith in a loving God, and he trusts in God’s plan for his life.

Greg and Nina grow closer, and as Nina interviews the quilt families, she begins to question the choices she has made and her lack of faith. Nina suddenly finds herself facing two possible dreams, two paths for her life.


My Thoughts:

Christa Allan has a heart for the least of these, and it shows in the stories she chooses to tell.  Her contribution to the "Quilts of Love" series educates us on the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the love and work that goes into the memorial project.

Nina can't seem to find her footing in life, romantically or professionally.  She gives her best effort but can't seem to get past her own personal glass ceiling.  When the opportunity to put together a series on the AIDS Memorial Quilt, Nina puts her hopes in the story giving her that nudge over the top.

Greg was one of 'those guys' in high school, making Nina feel small and insignificant.  When she runs in to him at the benefit, all the old feelings rush over her.  Will she be able to believe that he's changed?

Surprises await Nina as she navigates her story for the magazine, and she ends up learning more than her readers do.  Christa has done her homework on this magnificent memorial project, and I can tell it is a project close to her heart.

That said, Nina was a bit extra insecure for me...and I was Nina in high school.  But she seemed just a bit too victimized and skeptical of everyone around her.  I loved Greg and his energetic daughter, but would have loved a little more character development...seen a bit more about the old Greg might have soften my feelings for Nina.

"Threads of Hope" is a nice addition to the "Quilts of Love" series.  The story is unique and the message of hope is a necessary message.  I just wanted a little more than I found within the pages.  Maybe the book was too short for the importance of the story.

I received an advance copy of "Threads of Hope" from Abingdon Press and Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for an honest review.  I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as some of the other books in the series.  Recommended light reading.

Happy Reading!

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1 comment:

Christa Allan said...

Thank you for featuring my novel. I appreciate your review!