I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser Series: The Pattern Artist #2
Published by Barbour Publishing, Incorporated on July 1, 2018
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance
Pages: 320
Source: Barbour Publishing
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The American Dream thrives in 1912 New York City
Annie Wood, the housemaid-turned-pattern designer in The Pattern Artist, jumps at the chance to design her own clothing line when a wealthy New York couple offers to finance her endeavor. Joining the project is Annie's new husband, Sean Culver, her best friend at Butterick, Maude Nascato, and a mother figure, Edna Holmquist.
Annie and her colleagues give up their careers, risking everything to follow a shared passion: clothes that are both fashionable and functional for modern, busy women in 1912.
Personal and financial setbacks test old relationships and new romances while threatening to keep the business from ever selling a single dress. No one said it would be easy. But the promise of the American Dream holds a deep hope for those who work hard, trust God, and never give up.
Everything in life brings regrets. I totally regret eating that last piece of Parmesan chicken bites just now, I went from satisfied to oh my gravy now I’m overfull. But coffee ice cream later right? That’s this book for me. The one too many bites of chicken? That I picked up this book not realizing it was second in a series until it was too late to go back and read book one. The coffee ice cream? That it was OK. That I still ‘got’ the story and the characters and loved it all. OK, maybe loved is too strong a word but I got it. I didn’t need book one as the story wove in the need to know information seamlessly without feeling like I was being pushed. I’m sure there are things that I missed out on and I fully intend to go back and read book one, but this story provided all the bones I needed I truly enjoy this book and understand the backstory.
One thing really burned my buttons though. The Titanic. I get it, apparently there was a thing that kept them from boarding the ship they had tickets to ride. I get it, they were lucky to be alive. I get it. And I was told about it like every day of their lives. Over. And. Over. And. Over. Titanic. OK, done ranting, perhaps. . .maybe. . .for now. I need to mention that this is not your typical uplifting feel-good book as most Christian Fiction is. I mean it has those elements but there is also domestic violence, sexual assault, and family conflict. Women were chattel, property; with no rights and no opportunities. Until they made their own. I mean it does have a strong thread of faith and overcoming and nothing is overt nor graphic but it was there. And with faith and love and patience and understanding and a whole lot of gumption these friends overcame a lot. They had some help along the way and they came together stronger for it.
These friends bring so much to the table and they do it so well. I keep going back to faith and patience and overcoming but it was there. They had a dream, they found a way to make the dream happen, they hit setbacks and lost funding and they still dreamed. And they found a way to make that dream happen. They dealt with their past hurts and their future anxiety. They found their voice in a time when they weren’t allowed a voice. They reconnected with old friends and family and cleared up misunderstandings. They lived and breathed and changed their history and their future. People just like them changed our history and our futures. This book brought me so much depth. Yes there were hard topics that were lived through. Topics that for some people, unfortunately, make this book something they aren’t ready to read. But there is also redemption and healing. And the Titanic. And coffee ice cream.
About Nancy Moser
I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I live in the Midwest and relish family time, movies, singing, and knitting. I
love Cole slaw, popcorn with far too much butter, and peanut butter cups. I don’t do well in the heat of summer,
but bask in the cool days of autumn and spring. I am fascinated with clouds. My degree is in architecture and I can
wire an electrical fixture without getting shocked. I am of fan of antiques–humans included.
And I write.
I am the author of inspirational novels and novellas that focus on discovering our unique purpose–for we each have
one. The trick is to find out what it is. This quest is important to me because I discovered my purpose and am
happily living it out through my writing. My genres include both contemporary and historical stories. I find that the
themes are much the same. Only the details of life and fashion vary.
I believe I am one of the few people in the world who look forward to Monday morning because it means I can get
back to writing. I get up very early– 4:30 or 5–eager to dive into the lives of my characters. I only hope they are
eager for Monday too.
I work hard to keep you turning those pages. If one of my books keeps you up late? Victory is mine!
Whether you’re reading a book about Mozart’s sister, a plane crash, a Victorian boarding house, or time travel, I
hope my books help you take one step closer to the amazing knowledge of your own God-given purpose.
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