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scoutmomskf's review
4.0
A short, sweet story that, for me, served as an introduction to Smith's Crossroads Café series. I was immediately intrigued by the working farm that served as a place of healing for abused women. When a new woman arrives at the farm, Cathy immediately recognizes Lucy's shell-shocked attitude. Even though I haven't read her story, enough of Cathy's background was given to bring me up to speed. I loved her immediate empathy with the survivor and her determination to bring Lucy back to the world of the living.
Cathy knows that the best way to do that is through the power of love, and nothing says love like the comfort food prepared by the Café's Delta Whittlespoon. Specifically, the almost magical biscuits and gravy. My heart broke at first sight of Lucy, wearing layers of clothes and quilts, so traumatized that she couldn't even eat. Like helping an injured wild animal, Cathy and Delta moved slowly and softly so they wouldn't frighten her. It was heartwarming to see their success and Lucy's improvement over the next few days.
What they need next is something that will give Lucy a reason to go on. There is a paranormal touch in the story as Lucy takes refuge in the wool barn at the farm. The wool brings her comfort and makes her feel safe. She even claims that it talks to her. When Cathy and Delta bring her a spinning wheel and the instructions on how to use it, there is a spark of interest. But what gets Cathy's attention is what Lucy says the wool told her. I loved the ending and seeing Lucy's prediction come true, as well as the progress she has made.
This story appears to be the prequel for the next book in the series about Lucy and the man that Delta says is her mate.
Cathy knows that the best way to do that is through the power of love, and nothing says love like the comfort food prepared by the Café's Delta Whittlespoon. Specifically, the almost magical biscuits and gravy. My heart broke at first sight of Lucy, wearing layers of clothes and quilts, so traumatized that she couldn't even eat. Like helping an injured wild animal, Cathy and Delta moved slowly and softly so they wouldn't frighten her. It was heartwarming to see their success and Lucy's improvement over the next few days.
What they need next is something that will give Lucy a reason to go on. There is a paranormal touch in the story as Lucy takes refuge in the wool barn at the farm. The wool brings her comfort and makes her feel safe. She even claims that it talks to her. When Cathy and Delta bring her a spinning wheel and the instructions on how to use it, there is a spark of interest. But what gets Cathy's attention is what Lucy says the wool told her. I loved the ending and seeing Lucy's prediction come true, as well as the progress she has made.
This story appears to be the prequel for the next book in the series about Lucy and the man that Delta says is her mate.
bookwyrm_lark's review
3.0
"The Yarn Spinner" both intrigued and frustrated me. While it's well-written in terms of engaging my interest and involving me emotionally, it can't make up its mind whether the protagonist is the narrator Cathy or Lucy, the young woman the story is ostensibly about. While I expected to learn more about Lucy's healing process, much of that takes place almost entirely off-stage, as it were... and the romance mentioned in the blurb is nowhere to be found. I suspect "The Yarn Spinner" is meant as a teaser for the third MacBrides/Crossroads Cafe novella (the first two, a novella and a short novel, are already available), and that Lucy's story will be expanded upon in that volume.
"The Yarn Spinner" did succeed is in piquing my interest in the first book in the overall series, The Crossroads Cafe. Cathy is the main character in that book, and I learned enough about her in "The Yarn Spinner" to want to know more. I'd also like to follow Lucy's story, and I hope that whenever the next book or novella comes out, it does focus on her.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
"The Yarn Spinner" did succeed is in piquing my interest in the first book in the overall series, The Crossroads Cafe. Cathy is the main character in that book, and I learned enough about her in "The Yarn Spinner" to want to know more. I'd also like to follow Lucy's story, and I hope that whenever the next book or novella comes out, it does focus on her.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
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