FRIENDSHIPS
Romance stories focus on the growing relationship between two people. But most of us have other kinds of relationships: those we have with family, coworkers, and friends. Each type of relationship plays an important part in our lives, and when one is taken away, we feel that loss. When I retired from teaching, I was happy about having more time to pursue other things (like writing!) but I missed the everyday connection with my colleagues.
In The Friendship Star Quilt, Anne Brown is running from an abusive ex-husband. One of the ways he manipulated her was by taking away her connections with friends. While hiding in Grandville, Michigan, she finds a group of women who become her new friends. Through them, Anne finds the strength to stand up to her ex-husband when he reappears.
The Stitching Post Quilt Shop is the setting for the weekly gathering of a group of women who come to sew, but leave with lasting friendships. The first book in the series, The Calico Heart, was nominated for a RONE award for Best Contemporary Book of 2013. Patricia Kiyono and Stephanie Michels are pleased to announce the release of the second book in the series, The Friendship Star Quilt.
BLURB:
Anne Brown loves her job at The Stitching Post Quilt Shop in Grandville, Michigan, but she keeps a suitcase packed so she can leave at a moment’s notice. Living under the radar, she longs for a normal life, but settles for listening to family stories told by the friendly ladies of the quilting club who meet at the shop on Tuesday evenings. When she meets Brad, the handsome band director of an area high school and his adorable daughter, Anne begins to hope for a happily ever after of her own. But someone has far different plans.
Brad Carmichael is juggling the demands of his job as band director at Rivertown High School with trying to be a better father to his daughter. When Brad is late picking Jennie up from a birthday party, the pretty young clerk from the local quilt shop comes to his rescue. Kind-hearted and talented, Anne becomes a vital part of Brad and Jennie’s lives. But her past threatens to destroy their relationship.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Patricia Kiyono retired from public school teaching, and is now an adjunct faculty member at Grand Valley State 
University, where she instructs future teachers. Born in Japan, she lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from their five children and nine grandchildren. In addition to writing, she enjoys sewing, scrapbooking, playing in local bands and orchestras, and taking care of grandchildren.
Stephanie Michels considers herself a “Jill of All Trades.” During her corporate career, she worked as a computer trainer, advertising copywriter, personnel agent, radio DJ, magazine columnist, and a financial planner among other things. She recently left those behind in order to focus on writing full time.
Raised in Michigan, she lived in South Carolina, Missouri, and Germany, before returning to the Mitten State to raise her family. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her reading or spending time with family, friends, and Beta Sigma Phi sisters.
The Friendship Star Quilt is her second novel with writing partner, Patricia Kiyono.
BUY LINKS:
The Friendship Star Quilt is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords, as well as other ebook outlets.
GIVEAWAY!
Stephanie Michels is giving away a $5 Amazon gift card at each stop of our blog tour to a random commenter. To win, please leave a comment about how important friendships are to you! And to increase your chances, visit author M. S. Kaye’s blog tomorrow!
Happy Reading~~ Kathy L Wheeler
I blink for two days and look what happens! Thank all of you for stopping by. I know Patricia and Stephanie will have fabulous success.
I think they are incredibly important, it is great to not only have someone to have fun with but also to lean on during the tough times
I am reading The Friendship Star Quilt and loving the story! The story itself has so many emotions that Anne has gone through in her life, losing her parents, her grandparents and dealing with an abusive husband and losing her baby. But I love the friendships she is making with the ladies that come to the quilt shop.
My grandmother made mostly Star quilts, so this makes me also think of her.
Thanks for stopping in, Diane!
I agree, Yolanda. I’d really be lost without my friends!
Thank you Susan, If you and your friends and/or book clubs read it, please let us know! You can reach me through my website: http://patriciakiyono.com
Thanks so much for your kind words – and thanks for stopping in!
Friendship to me means someone with whom you can laugh and cry with. Friendship is someone with whom you can trust you inner most thoughts with and not worry about being judged. A true friend will stand by you in good times and bad times. Friendship should always be cherished!
This sounds like a great book. Best wishes.
Kathy, Congratulation! You are the winner of the $5 gift card. If you’ll send me an email at stephaniemichels@comcast.net with your email address and tell me whether you want an Amazon or a Barnes & Noble card, I’ll get it sent to you.
Thanks for your comments,
Stephanie
So true, Betty. Girl friends (and friends period) help us through all the stages of our lives.
Thanks, Peg. I hope you’ll enjoy this one, too! I think it’s my favorite so far…but then all of them are as they get finished.
Friendship/relationship books are very popular with my retired friends (and two book clubs). This one sounds delightful!
I agree Betty! One can never have too many friends. Thank you so much for reading, and for sharing.
I learned many years ago I need my girlfriends, my husband was my best friend and we could talk and share everything, but still there was just something inside of me that searched for another type of closeness. I joined a sorority to have the companionship of many ladies. I also found good friends through church, attending Bible Study and even my Grief group help to bring the love and friendship of wonderful ladies into my life. One can never have enough friends, male or female as they add purpose to our lives.
And thank you for having us here, Kathy!nn1
I don’t have any sisters, but my brothers are my lifeline. And their wives are good friends, too. Thanks for stopping in, Mary!
Thanks for stopping in, MJ! I agree, it helps to have friendships, and my friendship with my hubby is special.
If you love Stephanie’s books, I know you’ll adore this one! Thanks so much for stopping in, Peg!
Thanks so much for the endorsement, RT!
My sisters are my best friends – all 5 of them. Loved ones to share lifes joys & a life line to help weather any storm.
The book sounds intriguing! Friendships are vital with me, none more so than my friendship with my husband. They are really what gives meaning to life. I’ve been blessed to make many more friends over the Internet, too. Thanks for sharing this post today!
Okay – – – so I love anything that Stephanie Michels writes! How could we possibly describe how important friendships are? But, from toddler age until near-retirement, I can attest that I would never have survived the journey without my dearest friends. It’s wonderful to have this newest book to enjoy! Blessings!
Alicia, you are so right: friendships are so important to a woman.
I feel so bad when I see young girls get so wrapped up in a boy that they ignore their girlfriends. They have no idea how important those girls are. Luckily, most reconnect later on and eventually realize how girlfriends help lift you over the the speed bumps in life.
Thanks for the kind words, Mary. I’m very glad you enjoyed the book!
Krysten, friends are so important. I think we all need a good “side-kick” or two…or twelve! 🙂
I love her books, too, RT/ Especially her Regencies and her Samurai books. 🙂
Linda, good point. I have friends with many interests: sorority sister/friends, writing friends, family friends, work friends, painting friends, etc. They offer us like minds to brainstorm ideas, bemoan setbacks, share discoveries, and laugh. God bless them all; each is a treasure.
Sue, thanks for stopping by. IT’s always nice to meet another Beta Sigma Phis Sister.
Sounds like a great book and it’s nice to see the focus on friendship.
I have read Patricia Kiyono books and am never disappointed. Here’s wishing both of you many sales!
-R.T. Wolfe
We have such talented Sisters! Ihave a Beta Sigma Phi home in Hawaii and Arizona for rent and love to have good reads available, thank you. Sincerely,.Susie
Thanks so much, Kathy! I’ve got scrapbooking friends, sewing friends, music-making friends, and teaching friends. They’re all important to me!
This book looks like a lovely read! I’m always amazed how writers work together on a book. Friendships are very important and we couldn’t survive without them. For me, my closest friends are my family but I love meeting with my book club friends once a month.
I agree, Linda. Both old and new friendships have special places in our lives. Thanks so much for stopping in!
Thank you so much for reading it, Mary! Sometimes you don’t know how much you need other people until they’re not there.
I believe that one makes new friendships throughout their journey here on earth. Long-time friends that one meets in school and remain close to are important as they know most of your “history” and they are someone that you can talk with about “the early days”, while friends that we meet along the way help with our growing and maturing time as we age.Different circles of friends are important so we continue to learn new things in life.
Kathy, thanks for hosting the first stop on the Blog Tour. Patty and I really appreciate it. Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog and commenting. It is always wonderful to connect with new readers.
~Stephanie
Very important and this book warms your heart with the friendships and relationships formed. ‘)
Thank you, Alicia! We’re hoping that lots of women (and men!) will relate. So glad you came to visit!
Thank you, Kelley! It’s been fun writing about this special group of women and discovering what their trials and strengths are. And one of the things that helps them get through their trials is their strong bond with each other.
Thanks for stopping by, girls!
The series sounds wonderful. What a great idea and a unique setting. Friendship is such an important part of a woman’s life. I can see how readers would really relate to these books. Congrats and best of luck, ladies!
This sounds wonderful! It’s true that the best and usually longest lasting friendships in my life, are the ones that were most unexpected.
Best to you!