I think of autumn as the beginning of a time for cozy evenings. Shorter days (alas!) mean longer evenings inside and my mind drifts to more time for reading. I know many in Buttercupland share my love of reading and many share a love of knitting. Thanks to the I Read with Audra Program (Audra Jennings PR) and Kregel Publications I was introduced to the perfect book for readers who are looking for a cozy and engaging read and for anyone who loves knitting.
Margaret, Rose, Jane and Fran are a church prayer and prayer shawl knitting group that meets at the same time and same place every week. When their settled routine is disrupted, and they begin to meet at the local shopping mall, they are all in for changes. We get to know the members of the group, their congregation and a wonderful set of characters that become part of their world.
Besides being simply an engaging and very enjoyable read, it was a perfect prod for my thoughts on change. Too often in the last few months, I've thought "I want my pre-Pandemic life back", even though I know that's not possible. Throughout the book one of the characters wanted the exact setting restored and didn't take kindly (or at all) to change. I saw myself reflected and appreciated the lesson.
I hope I've enticed you to add The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady to your reading list. To make it possibly a little easier I'm adding the link to a giveaway for a copy of the book. The giveaway ends on October 19. Hop over, friends. This is one book that you will really enjoy.
About the Author:
Sharon J. Mondragón writes about the place where kindness and courage meet. Her debut novel, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady (originally titled The Heavenly Hugs Prayer Shawl Ministry) was the 2017 winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award in the Short Novel Category, and she has also been recognized by The Saturday Evening Post where her short story, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” was an Honorable Mention Awardee in the 2014 their Great American Fiction Contest.
Mondragón has been active in prayer shawl ministry since 2008 and currently serves as facilitator for the prayer shawl ministry at her church, St. Paul Episcopal in Waxahachie, TX. She also knits with the Circle of Healing at Red Oak United Methodist Church. She is a Level 2 Certified Knitting Instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and teaches beginning knitting at a local yarn store.
Mondragón is the mother of five grown children and has four grandchildren. After 26 years as an Army wife, she has settled in Midlothian, TX with her hero/husband, her laptop, and her yarn stash.
Visit Sharon Mondragón’s website and blog at www.sharonjmondragon.com and follow her on Facebook (Sherry Mondragón) and Twitter (@SJ_Mondragón).
I spent some time perusing Sharon Mondragon's website and found it as warm and interesting as the book. One of the pages is about knitting a prayer shawl and I think the knitters in the group will find it fascinating. Has anyone in Buttercupland knit a prayer shawl?
Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the I Read with Audra program (Audra Jennings PR) and Kregel Publications
As ever, thanks for visiting and lots of happy reading!
7 comments
I've never done prayer shawls, but did do friendship shawls and knitted quite a few for friends and family. I still have yarn left to make more. This book sounds like one I would enjoy I'll have to see if I can get it on my kindle from the library.Thanks for the review.
This takes me back to our time in a bookshop in Mailing road discussing books! Thanks for the recommendation! Have a great week.
Wren x
This sounds like a nice book to read now that fall has arrived.
I've never knitted a shawl, but I've crocheted many of them. The book sounds very interesting. I'll have to look it up. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
This sounds like a good one, Carol, and good timing. I've been thinking about trying knitting again this winter. I went through a long streak of sweaters decades ago, then the ubiquitous scarves and dishcloths and felted purses. Then I stopped -- and (unless moths have devoured it) still have some yarn to play with. The change element of this book sounds very interesting.
Sounds an interesting book. Change is difficult but necessary. I too find change upsetting as I am happy with my routine. But, we need to keep updated and moving. I have tried knitting a scarf and it was a disaster. I ll stick to blogging.
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