The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Margaret, Rose, Jane, and Fran had a good thing meet every week in the quiet of their peaceful chapel and knit prayer shawls. No muss, just ministry. That is, until their pastor boots them out of the church in his last-ditch effort to revive the dwindling congregation.

Uptight Margaret isn’t having it. Knitting prayer shawls where people can watch is the most ridiculous idea she’s ever heard of, and she’s heard plenty. Prayer belongs in the church, not out among the heathen masses. How are they supposed to knit holiness into these shawls if they’re constantly distracted by the public? But with no choice, the others embrace the challenge. They pack their knitting bags and drag Margaret–grumbling the whole way–to the mall with them. She can’t wait to prove them all wrong when it fails miserably, and show the pastor that she always knows best.

Without the familiar mold the group has been stuck in, their own losses, pain, and struggles rise to the surface. And the people and situations they encounter every time they try to sit quietly and knit are taking them a lot further out of their comfort zone than they ever imagined. Can they find the courage to tackle the increasing number of knotty issues they learn about in the community–or will the tangle be too much to unravel?

Sharon Mondragon’s debut is warm and delightful, full of real laughter, grief, and personality. It beautifully illustrates the power of women across generations to reach people for Christ.

My Review:

published in 2021

This is a case of trusting a book recommendation even though the only thing you know about ‘The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady’ is that it has an odd title:-) Even though it’s not your usual type of read. No ticking genre and trope boxes or studiously examining every nuance of the synopsis first. Nope. Just a cautious reader fuelled by a bit of bibliophile bravery who went in blind! Gasp! That’s waaaayyy out of my comfort zone! All because a friend said: “Pssst, this is a good book. You should read it.” And, yowza! But am I ever glad I did!

Heartwarming and charming, but hard hitting too. A plot with a faith thread so significant that the whole story would unravel without it. Beautifully written, with such relatable characters! Ladies who could easily be sharing a pew with you at church on Sunday.

I love how this little group of prayer shawl knitters know next to nothing about each other even though they’ve been meeting together for years! Until their pastor shakes up their orderly little world and casts them out of the prayer chapel and into the community, encouraging them to (gasp) knit and pray in public!

Bwahahaha! Humour abounds, especially when it comes to Margaret’s jaded view of their new situation. Her acerbic tongue and blatantly forthright nature had me alternating between laughter and despair because we’ve all known a Margaret or two. Fran, Rose and Jane all have softer personalities which makes for a nice contrast and creates some interesting conflict.

But it’s when they start to meet people in their community that this story takes on a life of its own. A mix of humour and heartache all jumbled together as these four ladies interact with strangers. People who are in need of their unique gifts and talents, if only they have the courage to share.

So many moving stories woven together — especially as we learn about the personal challenges of each knitter. Their back stories intertwine with the lives of new friends and it’s easy to see God’s hand in it all. I reached the end with tears in my eyes and hope in my heart. What an exceptional debut novel!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 17 2024.

22 thoughts on “The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady + Giveaway”

  1. As I read the review I was actually starting to hope this was a giveaway novel. You’re right Kav, I would never have picked this book to put on my list. I love do so love stories like this but the title definitely threw me off. So yes I want to read it now. Thanks a lot for the opportunity and the interview.

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  3. Another “unlikely” noticing first, part of author’s name in the title. I, too, wouldn’t have selected this jumbled sounding intro to this book. You have pulled me in with your added interesting review.
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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  4. I’ve seen this book around and wondered what it was about. Thanks for the review. Sounds good Please put my name in for this one. Thanks for all you do!

    Nora finding hope at yahoo

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      1. Thank you for the insight. Not every book works for book club. The worst thing that could happen (besides everyone hating the book) is we all get together and say boy that was good and nothing else is said. LOL!!

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  5. I probably said it before, but all I can say is – WOW! What an amazing sounding book and I’m sure a fabulous read. I love it when we are amazed by a story that is so profound, but also one that was not likely one we would have selected if it hadn’t been so highly recommended to us by a friend, author or blogger. I can tell right off that this would be a book that I would devour, happily review and gladly recommend on to others as well.

    Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Yes — I was so stubborn about not reading it because I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of story it was. So silly! And now I have the sequel on hold at my library. Hasn’t come in yet, but you can bet I’ll be reading it right away once I get my hands on it! Good luck, Kay!

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  6. I LOVED this book and did you know the second one is out??? I have not been able to get my hands on it yet, but it is on my radar!!! Fabulous review, Kav. cilydav at hotmail dot com

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    1. That’s so neat, Lucy! I don’t knit or crochet but I’m trying to learn crocheting this winter. I have the wool and the hook and now I need the gumption to give it a try — and a good how-to YouTube video. 🙂 Good luck!

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  9. My daughter told me this was a great book and recommended it for my book club. We’ll be reading it in April. I’m really looking forward to reading it.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  11. Bwhahaha…..I knew you’d love t this one if you just gave it a try!!! 😂😂

    Now I’m looking forward to the next book, which I HOPE my library will purchase “The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs” 😁💖

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    1. I should listen to you more often! Bwahahaha! You were so right about this book. My library has The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs on order and I’m on the hold list so, hopefully soon. 🙂

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