Review ~ Murder, Simply Stitched by Isabella Alan

When Angela Braddock enters her quilts in an Amish auction, she never expects one of her neighbors to end up going, going, gone....
                          
Angie is finding her niche as the new owner of her late aunt’s Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch. But as the summer is winding down, so is business. To bolster support for the shop, Angie decides to sell her quilts in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction, including some of her aunt’s most prized works.
 
The quilts promise to be a hit—but the gavel comes down on the lively event when Angie stumbles upon the body of township trustee Wanda Hunt behind a canning shed. The cause of death: a poisoned blueberry fry pie from Rachel Miller’s bakery table. Now Angie’s closest friend is a murder suspect. With Angie taking the lead, she and the other women of her aunt’s quilting circle set out to patch together the clues and stop a killer set on shredding the simple peace of Rolling Brook.
 
Includes Quilting Tips!

My Review

When I read a book, I want to feel as if I'm a part of the story. The great thing about this book...I moved right in to the community of Rolling Brook. These characters are sweet, annoying, weird and just plain fun to be around.

Murder, Simply Stitched didn’t necessarily keep me on the edge of my seat with a constant thrill ride but what it did do was fold me into a family made of friendships built on a foundation of faith and trust. I don’t think I’m biased when I say these things make great story. And…I was absolutely surprised by whodunit. I was just sorry the murder was committed using a Blueberry Fry Pie. I mean, really. That’s my favorite kind of pie and it could have an impact on whether or not I ever eat another one J

I can honestly recommend Isabella Alan’s cozy mysteries to anyone. They are clean in every way, and being so makes them appropriate for readers of any age. They also appeal to me because I started out reading cozies as a young girl and they fueled my love for books and reading. Plus, if you are a quilter you will love the covers. How’s that for a pun? *grin*

This is book two in the inspirational An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. Be sure and check out the first one, Murder, Plain and Simple, as well as the novella Plainly Murder.

I want to thank the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. No compensation has been received. 

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

A glorious day in the mountains ~ Rural Thursday

This is kind of a long post so I apologize in advance! At least I didn't post all 106 pictures I took, though :)
(If you click on the pictures, they enlarge and look better)

On Saturday, it was a gorgeous day here in the Carolinas, not a cloud in the sky, and perfect for sight seeing. We set off to an Amish community about 1 1/2 hrs away. 

It's not everyday we see one of these signs. 

We ate lunch here. They have a deli and make the most delicious sandwiches on homemade breads. 

They're huge! I had turkey on wheat with tomatoes, lettuce & cheese.

 Their baked goods are almost to die for! We bought homemade donuts, a blackberry coffee cake, cinnamon bagel chips, and ginger snaps! Needless to say, none of it lasted long. Also brought home some rye flour that I am looking forward to making rye bread with :)

They're such nice people. I asked if I could photograph their buggy. I didn't want to intrude on their privacy. There were no horses hitched up here. Probably because it was Saturday and too many cars around! 

We also met the nicest man, Alvin Mast. He has the most beautiful yard with lots, and I mean LOTS, of birdhouses for the Martin's. Alvin is quite the Martin expert and was happy to share his vast knowledge with me. I didn't take photos as I felt kind of awkward asking. I'm now thoroughly set on getting some white gourds and putting them out in my garden! 

Then we set out for Mt Airy, aka Mayberry...

and onward and upward to Fancy Gap VA and The Blue Ridge Parkway...

Grandfather Mtn in the distance...

We had to take a short detour due to guardrails being installed on a section of the parkway. 

We saw these cool barns! They're part of the American Quilt Barn Trail.

And if you've hung in here this long, you're doing good! Almost done...

While on our detour, we stopped at a yard sale. I found some lovely pieces of china. 

Here's a teacup & saucer so you can see the pattern. 

I made a Trash to Treasure post here.

AND...

last but not least is Redrock...he lives down the road from me and is famous in these parts.  

I wish my camera was better. He is so majestic looking!  

Thanks for hangin' in there through all the photos. 

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

I'm linked up on Rural Thursday.