Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Welcoming Patricia Kiyono & Stephanie Michels, Authors of The Friendship Star Quilt

| Edit Post
Today I'm welcoming author duo Patricia Kiyono & Stephanie Michels. They're talking about their new book The Friendship Star Quilt. 

Quilts are an important part of American history. Originally created to simply keep warm during winter months, the art of quilting became popular once fabrics no longer needed to be imported or hand woven. Amish quilts are known for their beauty and craftsmanship, and during the mid-1800s some quilts were used as signals and maps in the Underground Railroad.

Anne Brown is a battered woman, all alone in the world, but somehow she stumbles into The Stitching Post Quilt Shop, where she finds the help she needs. Encouraged by her new friendships, she starts to create a quilt using a pattern called The Friendship Star. It’s symbolic of her new hopes and dreams. But her dark past is always lurking, ready to shatter her newfound peace.

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.



The Friendship Star Quilt is available at:

Barnes & Noble  Smashwords  Amazon

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 Linda Caroll-Bradd's blog tomorrow!
Labels:,,,,,,,,

20 comments:

  1. Patricia KiyonoApril 16, 2014 at 10:51 AM

    Thanks so much for having us here, Kristin!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 16, 2014 at 4:39 PM

      Kristin, it's always a pleasure to visit your lovely blog. Thank you for hosting us.

      Delete
    2. Kristin WallaceApril 16, 2014 at 8:58 PM

      Glad to have you. My aunt is an amazing quilter. I need to tell her about your book. I bet she'd enjoy it.

      Delete
  2. UnknownApril 16, 2014 at 11:25 AM

    Friendship is very important. Everyone needs someone to trust and to count on always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patricia KiyonoApril 16, 2014 at 12:12 PM

      I agree, Mary! Thanks so much for stopping in.

      Delete
    2. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 16, 2014 at 4:41 PM

      I don't know what I'd do without my friends. They've laughed with me in crazy times and cried with me in sad times.

      Delete
  3. UnknownApril 16, 2014 at 12:13 PM

    It's amazing how friends can take the sting out of the bad times and turn the good into the spectacular. Here's a big shout out to my fabulous battle buddies over here in Bavaria. (You know who you are.) Together we are strong!

    Jo Grafford

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patricia KiyonoApril 16, 2014 at 1:25 PM

      Thanks for stopping, Jo! I can imagine how important friends are when you have to move thousands of miles away from your family. I'm glad you're bonding with your fellow military wives!

      Delete
    2. Patricia KiyonoApril 16, 2014 at 1:43 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 16, 2014 at 4:43 PM

      Jo, so nice of you to stop. I remember when I lived in Germany how grateful I was for the other Air Force wives and families. :)

      Delete
  4. KarenApril 16, 2014 at 1:18 PM

    Lovely post, I think you can get through anything if you have a good friend by your side.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kathy Heare WattsApril 16, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    Loved the book The Friendship Star Quilt by Patricia Kiyono and Stephanie Michels. Such a well written story that has lots of emotions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 16, 2014 at 4:47 PM

      Thank you for the kind words. I'm very glad you liked it.

      Glad you could stop by and join us.

      Delete
    2. Patricia KiyonoApril 16, 2014 at 8:34 PM

      Thanks for sharing that!

      Delete
  6. LaVerne St. GeorgeApril 18, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    I have one sister who is related and several Sisters-of-the-Heart. My family, my life is bigger, sweeter, and crazier because of the "extra" sisters I've met along life's journey. No doubt about it...friends make life better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patricia KiyonoApril 18, 2014 at 9:22 PM

      I love the name Sisters-of-the-Heart! Since I don't have sisters, these are the people I depend on for so many things. Thanks so much for stopping, LaVerne!

      Delete
    2. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 19, 2014 at 10:26 AM

      LaVerne, I agree with Patty. Sisters-of-the Heart is a wonderful way to describe women who are so much more than friends. Thanks for stopping in and sharing with us.

      Delete
  7. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 19, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    Thank you to all who stopped by the blog tour. I'll be drawing the name for the gift card winner on Sunday evening. I'll also be doing a final surprise drawing of all our hosts and everyone who commented at any of the stops on our blog tour for a fun promo mug filled with M&M's. You'll get one entry for each stop you made. I'll post the winner of that gift on Sunday night, too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Stephanie Michels, authorApril 20, 2014 at 7:08 PM

    Laverne St. George, congratulations! You are the winner of the $5 gift card. Please send your email address to me at stephaniemichels@comcast.net and let me know if you want an Amazon card or a Barnes & Noble card. Thank You.

    Winner of the chocolate-filled coffee mug is Peg Spoelstra. Peg, I'll make arrangements to get the mug to you.

    Congratulations to both of you, and thank you everyone who visited with us.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)