Sam Kinkade is finally feeling at home as a minister in rural Toms Brook, Virginia, content with his life and Shenandoah Valley congregation. But his plans to welcome the area's growing Hispanic community are being met with resistance. Fortunately, when the church-run community center is threatened, a stranger named Elisa Martinez walks through his door and Sam realizes he has found a woman capable of building bridges. Elisa isn't looking to make connections. She has come to Tom's Brook to hide. But despite her fears of discovery, she is enchanted by the beautiful work of—and the friendship offered by—the women who invite her to join their quilting circle. And even though she fears the consequences for both of them, she finds herself powerfully drawn to Sam, and to the generations-old love story rooted in the town's past. Will she and Sam repeat the past, or can they find the love and the freedom they seek at last?
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"I went straight into this book after Wedding Ring. I was pleased to meet Helen and quilters again, and to see further into Tessa's life. This story is Sam's. By the end some tears were shed, and I had been fully engrossed in this book, again the sense of community was outstanding as ER explored the issue of integrating 'outsiders' into a place. A wonderful story."
— Kathryn (5 out of 5 stars)
“Endless Chain is a novel with depth and style, as refreshing and sweet as Sam Kinkade's idealism. And like Sam, Emilie Richards refuses to preach when a little inspiration will do just fine.”
— WNBC.com“Heartfelt.
— Publishers Weekly“Charming.”
— Library Journal“Richards seamlessly joins contrasting and complementing elements—an intriguing political mystery, a long-forgotten local tragedy, and a contemporary love story—in an emotionally charged and transcendent tale of the ways love and faith can triumph in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.”
— Booklist" It was a fairly good read. I was getting a little impatient for the heroine's story to unfold. A few things didn't sit right with me in this book. 1. He didn't think he HAD to report child abuse... he thought it was up to his own discretion. 2. He waited until he fell in love with someone else before he broke off his engagement, and yet he was supposed to have very strong morals. 3. the whole climax thing at the end I found confusing and not well thought out. I am not sure why he got more jail time, and how convenient that her political troubles could be taken care of withing 6 months. A little too far fetched for me. "
— Denise, 2/10/2014" I loved this book. It's not great literature but a heartwarming read. "
— Linda, 1/29/2014" This was a fun read but also teaches a lesson on intolerance of the Latino community in America. It is a mystery too :). "
— Janice, 1/21/2014" I really enjoyed this - it took me a while to figure out it was the second in a series to "Wedding Ring" which I'd read quite some time ago. Now I'm eager to read the 3rd. I think the author's combination of quilting, character development (which is great) and her tackling social and psychological issues make these books a really interesting read. "
— Mary-Frances, 1/20/2014" While this novel has many elements of the unrealistic romance, and more than that, a Christian romance, I have to give it kudos for supporting the cause of of our unjust involvement in Central America. Additionally, it showed the human side of undocumented workers - and why would they be presented any other way (but they are). And, as if there wasn't enough about man's inhumanity to man, she threw in a a little story about slavery and the Underground Railroad. "
— Patty, 1/20/2014" Highly recommended from my Mom. So far so good! "
— Brooke, 1/19/2014" Part of the Shenandoah Valley series. I really liked the whole series. "
— Janet, 1/6/2014" This book didn't disappoint. The author has a way of keeping you reading until the very end. She leaves out just enough to keep you guessing. I loved the connection between Elsa and Sam. "
— Johnkellybennett, 1/3/2014" This story is pieced together like a quilt and shows the way people's lives connect with each other in a community. "
— Barbara, 12/26/2013" Cute book - Easy read - enjoyable - not too heavy. "
— Susan, 12/25/2013" This one is about a single pastor in a small town and a Hispanic woman with a secret. "
— Karen, 12/22/2013" I mainly read this because my mother-in-law loaned it to me and loved it. I was surprised that I actually really enjoyed it. I would actually give it somewhere between 3.5 and 4. "
— Lisa, 12/7/2013" Another book where the reader makes or breaks the book. "
— Odetta, 11/27/2013" Coworker again. This was better then I expected with a surprise twist I didn't expect. "
— Christine, 9/23/2013" It was an enjoyable read, not totally predictable anyway. "
— Mariola, 5/22/2013" very good book , loved the history. "
— Marcia, 5/20/2013" Sam Kinkade, a minister in rural Toms Brook, Va., antagonizes some of his congregation while trying to serve his ever-increasing Hispanic population. He also becomes involved with Elissa Martinez who has problems and secrets of her own. "
— Kitty, 1/9/2013" Librarian recommended "
— Liz, 8/19/2012" Pretty decent, a great discussion of human rights without being preachy about it. "
— Stasha, 6/15/2012" I liked it. But didn't love it. A bit simple in plot. Nothing that surprised me much. A love story and they wind up together ... not terribly interesting. Yet I loved the characters and would read the other books in this series. "
— Pamela, 11/6/2011" I am enjoying this writer...in that soft, spiritual way...not sure this would fit the 'needs' of everyone, but these are nice go to books for a trip, or something to play in the background while you are quilting! "
— Cindy, 9/30/2011" Sam Kinkade is feeling at home as minister, welcoming the Hispanic community "
— Debbie, 5/11/2011" Slow start great ending couldnt stop crying at the last church scene!! "
— Jen, 4/9/2011" Not my favorite in the series, but still worth reading. I felt that keeping the identity of the principal character a secret during the first half of the book was contrived. All-in-all, though, I'm glad I slogged through it. "
— Terry, 12/20/2010" I loved this book. It's not great literature but a heartwarming read. "
— Linda, 11/2/2010" Once again I find myself saying the same thing about Emilie Richards writing is that I liked the book, but didn't like it. The story line was okay and the characters seemed a little too false. "
— Sarah, 6/11/2010" This was a fun read but also teaches a lesson on intolerance of the Latino community in America. It is a mystery too :). "
— Janice, 6/3/2010" Not my favorite in the series, but still worth reading. I felt that keeping the identity of the principal character a secret during the first half of the book was contrived. All-in-all, though, I'm glad I slogged through it. "
— Terry, 10/27/2009" Part of the Shenandoah Valley series. I really liked the whole series. "
— Janet, 8/14/2009" This is the second in the Shenandoah series. I already love hearing about the secondary characters from the first book. So glad I found a new author to binge on. "
— Kim, 7/9/2009" Cute book - Easy read - enjoyable - not too heavy. "
— Susan, 7/7/2009" I mainly read this because my mother-in-law loaned it to me and loved it. I was surprised that I actually really enjoyed it. I would actually give it somewhere between 3.5 and 4. "
— Lisa, 1/13/2009" Sam Kinkade, a minister in rural Toms Brook, Va., antagonizes some of his congregation while trying to serve his ever-increasing Hispanic population. He also becomes involved with Elissa Martinez who has problems and secrets of her own. "
— Kitty, 12/30/2008" This one is about a single pastor in a small town and a Hispanic woman with a secret. "
— Karen, 10/5/2008" Highly recommended from my Mom. So far so good! "
— Brooke, 9/14/2008Emilie Richards is the bestselling author of more than seventy novels, including the 1994 Rita winner Dragonslayer. Three of her books have been finalists for Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and she was a finalist for their Career Achievement Award. Her many novels feature complex characterizations and in-depth explorations of social issues, a result of her training and experience as a family counselor.
Isabel Keating has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards for her audiobook narration and twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actress, she garnered a Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, and a Tony nomination for her critically acclaimed 2004 Broadway performance as Judy Garland in The Boy from Oz. She was awarded the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress in 2000 for her portrayal of Flora Crewe in Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink.