The Tangled Tale of the Wool Gathering Cast-Offs + Giveaway

random retro read

A humorous, heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the power of community

Fair Meadows Retirement Community might as well be a country club for most of the retirees enjoying the pool, golf course, and book clubs. But for the caregivers whose family members reside upstairs in the special Memory Care Unit, vacation is over.

Comforting these caregivers is exactly why the Woolgatherers group has formed. They make prayer shawls to support those affected by the heartbreaking reality of not being recognized by a loved one-people like Sam Talbot, who has been barely existing since his wife moved into Memory Care. He finds that his life has lost all color and meaning without her.

That’s something the Woolgatherers can’t bear to see. Flirtatious Jenny Alderman, cranky crocheter Edna O’Brian, kind Rose Harker, and the rest of the prayer shawl group weave him into the circle. Sam has no idea how he got tangled up with them, and he’s no good at knitting. But when one member talks him into taking up his wife’s old crochet hooks, he discovers that this one small gesture might just have the power to heal his life–or even save it.

Full of Sharon Mondragon’s characteristic humor and heart, this book wrestles with the loneliness of being the forgotten spouse of a dementia patient, moving past the fear that the spouses often face into the love and compassion that can make all the difference.

My Review:

published in 2024

This book has been on my TBR for way too long and now that I’ve read it, I’m wondering what on earth I was waiting for?! Mondragon’s unique blend of humour and faith bring such heart and hope to life’s everyday stories. Well worth stepping out of my usual genre comfort zone!

This is a kind of spin off of ‘The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady’ though you don’t need to read that book in order to enjoy this one. But the storytelling approach is similar – multiple POVs from an eclectic mix of characters drawn together by a unique knitting group.

The Woolgatherers meet three mornings a week to knit (or crochet) prayer shawls for caregivers of dementia patients. I was charmed by the humour, touched by the compassion and gut punched by the hard hitting reality of this dreaded ‘old timer’s disease.’

The prayer group sets up in the lobby of the memory care unit in their retirement community and it isn’t long before others are drawn into their circle. Prayers are lifted, lives are changed and I came away from this read with the realization that you are never too old and it’s never too late to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Heartwarming, hard hitting and utterly captivating from start to finish!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs, 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 June 13 2026

28 thoughts on “The Tangled Tale of the Wool Gathering Cast-Offs + Giveaway”

  1. Thank you so much for the reminder of a fabulous book already on my TBR list. THE TANGLED TALE OF THE WOOL GATHERING CAST-OFFS sounded like a book I’d very much enjoy when I first read your review. Reading it again, I know I would. Like you, I’m wondering what has taken me so long because my desire to read it is even stronger now.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy, which would make reading it sooner than later.

    Have a terrific Tuesday! Mine will be a busy one. Traveling 2 1/2 hours each was to see two specialists and then stopping my our friends to do chores (2 hours minimum) before getting back home. Praying for stamina today.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  2. I have yet to read this and I totally meant to way before now! Loved her first book and I’m sure this is just ad good 😊❤

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I loved the first book too, which is why it’s so strange that I waited so long to read this one! Silly me. There’s some lovely connections with the first book too that you’ll enjoy. Good luck, Trixi!

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  7. Sounds like a fun read, I am not familiar with this author and would like to read this book.

    Thanks for the review.

    cenyatwoathotmaildotcom

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  8. I did not realize that this series is Christian Fiction!  Then I saw that she wrote Grandma Ruth Doesn’t Go to Funerals (definitely recognized that as CF).I find that title is both strange and intriguing.  My library has three of the yarn series plus the Grandma Ruth one.  So, take note that I have some shelf control! (no entry).

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  11. I thoroughly enjoyed The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady, and I am sure this one will be no different! They are a nice change of pace from the typical romantic suspense or contemporary and historical romance. I normally read.

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  13. i loved The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady but I’ve failed to read more of Sharon’s books. Thanks for reminding what I’m missing!

    Connie

    cps1950ATgmailDOTcom

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