In Marie Bostwick’s newest Cobbled Court Quilts novel, APART AT THE SEAMS, 11-year-old Bethany asks her mother, “Don’t you want to be in love?” As the biblical allusion “Out of the mouths of babes” indicates, in their innocence children can ask penetrating questions. Do we all want love? Can one survive heartbreak? Few people would answer “no” if asked if they want to be in love, but the question is how many can forgive and learn to trust again after betrayal.

Through alternating points of view of the protagonists, Ivy and Gayla, the reader sees how the lives of the women have been turned upside down following unexpected events. In quilting terms, as the title so aptly expresses, the women’s lives have been torn apart at the seams. Ivy’s abusive husband is about to be paroled and demands to see his children. Her daughter Bethany refuses to meet with him, even with another person in the room. Gayla inadvertently reads a memo stating that her husband, Brian, has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Gayla says, “I was empty. I was alone. I didn’t belong to anyone. What a relief.” But for how long does the ending of her marriage seem to be a respite? How many dishes does she have to throw to release her fury?

"APART AT THE SEAMS is a perfect read for women trying to do it all. If you are a romantic or a wannabe romantic, read Ms. Bostwick’s cozy-as-a-well-worn-quilt novel to see if the fabric of Gayla’s marriage is strong enough to seamlessly sew her life back together."

The two women need a support group and find it in a quilting circle. Rather than admit to the reason she has fled to New Bern, Connecticut, Gayla claims she is on a sabbatical of new experiences, prompting the quilting circle members to follow her example and do something they have always dreamed of doing but had put aside because of other commitments. In addition to challenging themselves to complete a bucket-list of activities, the members work to create crazy quilts from materials of significant family and personal memories.

Quilters seeking something new and inspiring will find it in APART AT THE SEAMS. At one point, Ivy says, “Being able to talk to someone who’s already gone through it gives the other person hope, helps them feel less alone.” Readers facing similar issues can identify with the characters. The book helps them realize others endure comparable problems.

APART AT THE SEAMS is a perfect read for women trying to do it all. If you are a romantic or a wannabe romantic, read Ms. Bostwick’s cozy-as-a-well-worn-quilt novel to see if the fabric of Gayla’s marriage is strong enough to seamlessly sew her life back together.

Marie Bostwick will serve as the celebrity author for Florida Writers Foundation’s October 23rd daylong seminar, “Conception to Completion: A Bestselling Author’s Guide to Writing.” The nonprofit Florida Writers Foundation promotes literacy. She is also a future keynote speaker and the Speaker of Renown for the Florida Writers Association’s October conference in Lake Mary, Florida. Her publisher, Kensington, will provide first edition copies of one of her books, and she will autograph books at the conference.

Pick up a copy of APART AT THE SEAMS. Summer is approaching, and this uplifting contemporary romance would make a perfect beach read.