Mary

To say I was extremely disappointed in the latest Elm Creek quilt novel is an understatement. Had Ms. Chiaverini followed previous formats this may have been an enjoyable book. Under the guise of introducing us to new quilters as we revisit Elm Creek Manor, Ms Chiaverini misleads purchasers by instead presenting a book in which she can expound her political views of outrage against elected officials trying to reign in expenses and balance budgets. One of her story lines was of a California librarian who fears the loss of her job, painting a negative picture of anyone who would dare support the need to curtail library services in favor of other vital service as being ignorant and selfish. The taxpayers who voted against a tax increase to save the librarian’s job are portrayed as uninformed even though a millage increase might negatively affect their ability to actually stay afloat. She even takes a swipe at private schools whose libraries are staffed by parent volunteers as being ineffective as a resource to students when she laments that some public schools have cut back on library services. The story even included of all things a book burning demonstration against the library to show how intolerant are those who do not subscribe to Ms. Chiaverini’s political point of view.

I loved the Elm Creek Quilter series and had purchased every novel and the quilt instruction books..........until this book. I had even discussed with other quilters at a quilt shop one day how badly I felt when Ms. Chiaverini wrote the Wedding Quilt as I thought it was the end of her series. Now I am sorry it wasn't.

This was a complete rip-off. It is a Cedar Grove Christmas!!!! When I contacted the Debbie Macomber web-site, I was told that 8 Poppy Lane and a Cedar Grove Christmas were reissued as a paperback because some people will not buy a hardback and if I had read her newsletter I would have known so.