Blog Tour/Review: Libby Morgan: Reunion by Leah Zieber

Publication Date: September 7, 2014
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 283
ASIN: B00O35L1MO
Series: American Heritage Quilt Series
Genre: YA/Historical Fiction

My Rating=4.5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Coming from a long line of seamstresses, Libby has yet to sew anything more than the rudimentary button or hem, but on a visit to Connecticut she learns more than just how to sew patchwork. Set in 1855 New England and London, this tender story, Libby Morgan: Reunion, follows tenacious Elizabeth (Libby) Jane Morgan through her thirteenth summer of new adventures at home and abroad. She is given a birthday gift of sewing tools and fabric, as well as old family letters to use as templates for making her first quilt. Her decision to first read the letters results in questions that only her Grandmother Morgan’s stories can answer—stories of true love, horrible loss and family connections to London nobles. Her keen eye and inquisitive nature draws her family into a mysterious investigation that tests their faith, challenges their ability to forgive, and results in a resurrection and reunion of lost hearts.

I loved this book! It's the summer of 1855 and Libby Morgan is 13 years old. She travels with her mother from Boston to Connecticut to visit her Aunt Ellen and Grandmother Morgan. She's an only child and has had a fine education but isn't very good at needlework. Her birthday gift is sewing tools and as she uses some old family letters to make her first quilt, she learns some family history, some of which isn't openly talked about. She keeps asking questions and, through a series of events, is able to give fresh insight on a tragic story that occurred many years ago which creates hope for a happy ending.

Libby was a fun character to read about. She's smart, kind and has good manners but slips from time to time so she's not always proper. Later in the book, she takes a trip to England with her father, paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather and makes some friends on the ship, Gertrude and Finn. She's mostly around adults so I liked to see her interact with other children. Her 13th summer is full of new adventures and experiences and I enjoyed getting to know her.

I'm not a quilter so sometimes the quilting references slowed the story down for me. There's a "Glossary of Textile Terms" in the back which helped me understand what the author was referring to so I felt like I learned something, too. Then the story would start to pick up again and would be hard for me to put down. I liked how the mystery unfolded and the bits and pieces that were given which made me anxious for the entire story. It's tragic and it was certainly easy to understand why her grandmother wanted to leave England and there was really only one way she would return. I enjoyed the ending but would definitely be interested in more books about Libby when she gets older, especially to see if anything happens between her and Finn.

There's a lot to enjoy about this heartwarming coming-of-age story and I will pass it on to my daughter to read. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future!

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About the Author

Leah A. Zieber is a quilt historian and quilt maker from Temecula, California, specializing in American quilt history and reproduction quilts from the nineteenth century. Her quilts have been exhibited across the country in quilt shows, museums and historical societies and were most recently published in Stars: A Study of 19th Century Star Quilts. Leah has worked closely with Southern California collectors, cataloging, managing, and independently researching their textile collections. Her own collection of antique quilts and related textile items spans one hundred and eighty five years, and she shares her knowledge of American quilt history using her collection in lectures and workshops. Libby Morgan: Reunion is her debut novel and the first in her American Heritage Quilt Series.

For more information please visit Leah Zieber's website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Libby Morgan: Reunion Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 1
Review at WV Stitcher

Tuesday, December 2
Spotlight at I'd Rather Be Reading

Thursday, December 4
Interview & Giveaway at Reading Lark

Friday, December 5
Review at Book Nerd

Saturday, December 6
Review at Mel's Shelves

Monday, December 8
Review at Forever Ashley

Tuesday, December 9
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Spotlight at Boom Baby Reviews

Wednesday, December 10
Review at Luxury Reading
Spotlight & Giveaway at Mina's Bookshelf

Friday, December 12
Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Monday, December 15
Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, December 16
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews

Wednesday, December 17
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, December 18
Guest Post at Historical Tapestry

Friday, December 19
Guest Post at Book Babe