The Pledge

Written by Jane Peart

Narrated by Emily Durante

With the death of her father, Jo-Beth, her brother, and their mother, Johanna, move in with relatives in town. There, Johanna makes a living sewing her exquisite quilts and Jo-Beth discovers a special friend. Kind, thoughtful, and deep, Wesley Rutherford draws Jo-Beth like a magnet. . .and their attachment to one another becomes strong. Strong enough to endure separation while Wes studies in Philadelphia. Strong enough to make their future together seem certain. . .until the Civil War forces a decision that places Wes at odds with friends and family. Can their love survive a war that will rend a nation in two? Like the pieces of silk, velvet, and ribbon in one of her mother's quilts, the patchwork events of Jo-Beth's life will be knit together by God into a pattern of their own--one of sorrow, joy, and grace. . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Mar 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9780310875758

Jane Peart

Jane Peart was a best-selling novelist in both the secular and Christian markets. Her beloved Brides of Montclair Series is one of the longest continuous series on the market. She also published the American Quilts Series, and the Orphan Train Trilogy.

Reviews for The Pledge

[judyg54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is book 2 in 'The American Quilt Series" and it was an enjoyable read. This book picks up about 18 years after book one, "The Pattern", and is about Johanna and Ross Davison's daughter, JoBeth. With the death of JoBeth's father, her, her brother and mother moved back into town with relatives. There JoBeth will meet a special friend in Wesley Rutherford and their attachment to each other will grow stronger through the years. But the future together suddenly seems uncertain as the year is 1861 and the Civil War is about to break out between the North and the South. Wes can't fight for something he doesn't believe in, so travels North to live with his Grandmother. JoBeth has a divided heart, as her family is in the South fighting for what they believe in and her one true love is doing the same up North. Tensions are high and JoBeth must make some hard decisions.I liked the way this story portrayed the feelings of both sides of this war. I also liked the way the author gave us some insights into the White House back then and the President, Abraham Lincoln. It was a time of bitter conflict and I most appreciated Wesley's take on what was going on. Too bad more people couldn't see things from his point of view. It is a tender love story, but much more because it gives us a glimpse into a time of history that is full of pain and sorrow. I look forward to reading the conclusion to this series, "The Promise" next.