Book Review: “Ties That Bind”

Book Review: “Ties That Bind” by New York Times best selling author (and member of Covenant Church of Thomaston, CT) Marie Bostwick.

Not because she’s one of my bffs and not because I’m her Personal Assistant, but Marie Bostwick is one of my favorite authors. She has 9 novels and 3 novellas in print and more “in the works”. She is giving away a copy of Ties That Bind to a randomly drawn person that submits a comment to this blog post. Even if your comment is one word (like “hello”). So click on the little cloud at the upper right to comment and be eligible to win. (and to let us know you are out there!)  This is one of six in the Cobbled Court Quilt series. Each book is a “stand alone” but once you read one, you will want to get to know each character better…

Set in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, in fictional New Bern, Marie brings you into the fold of dear friends who often gather at The Cobbled Court Quilt Shop. It’s nearing Christmas when Reverend Tucker of the New Bern Community Church becomes very ill. They need to find a new pastor quickly. It’s hilarious to read about the list and resumes of the candidates, but the committee ends up choosing Philip A. Clarkson. Much to everyone’s surprise, when the new pastor arrives they meet Philippa Clarkson!

She is adopted. “My parents, Philip and Joyce, look like an ad for Scandinavian Airlines–tall, blond and Nordic—where as I am short, dark and Hispanic. My birth mother was Puerto Rican. Judging from the tight curls in my hair, my father may have been African American, but no one knows. My parents and I do not share even one drop of the same blood, but they love me like their own. Another thing my parents, specifically my father, do not share with me is exactly what all those search committees were looking for–an inspired gift of oratory. He has it. I don’t. That’s why I’ve been passed over for so many pulpits. But finally, I have a church and six months to prove myself.” When she arrives in town, the folks meet her and are surprised to see her and say “we didn’t know Reverend Clarkson had a wife”. Philippa responds with “I don’t”.

You will read about some pushback a few of the congregants give who weren’t quite ready for a woman pastor. Find out what happens! I’m not sure how many novelists have a Hispanic woman pastor as their main character, but my friend Marie does and I’m glad. I hope you will look for this story as well as Marie’s other books. Click here to link to her website.