Originally Posted by Sandy1951

I agree with Edie on the importance of reading/listening to Jennifer Chiaverini's books in order. You get so much more out of them that way. I think that's true about a few of the other authors previously mentioned, too.

I really liked Emilie Richards' Shenandoah series, but it's vital (IMHO, lol) to read the first book in the series first. In fact, I think they're all best read in order:

Wedding Ring
Endless Chain
Lover's Knot
Touching Stars
Sister's Choice

Emilie Richards also has a mystery series that touches on quilting and other types of crafts, whose "heroine" and amateur sleuth is a real hoot. She's a pastor's wife who has to be constantly aware of how her activities affect her husband's position in their church. Her mother is the quilter and crafter, who plays a larger part in the last three books. Again, I recommend reading the books in order:

Blessed is the Busybody
Let There be Suspects
Beware False Profits
A Lie for a Lie

I really, really enjoyed Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series. I liked them so much that I wanted to space them out so they'd last longer, but I just couldn't; I read them as fast as I could. Then I read them again. It's too bad they're not on audio, at least, I don't think they are. Edie, did you realize you didn't list all the books? I know I'm repeating myself, but again I strongly recommend reading these in order. This is a series that most definitely builds on past books:

Fool's Puzzle
Irish Chain
Kansas Troubles
Goose in the Pond
Dove in the Window
Mariner's Compass
Seven Sisters
Arkansas Traveler
Steps to the Altar
Sunshine and Shadow
Broken Dishes
Delectable Mountains
Tumbling Blocks
State Fair (release date May 2010)

Fowler also published a book of quilt patterns based on the first handful of books called "Benni Harper's Quilt Album." She also included stories about the characters that you'll enjoy more after you read some of the books.

Ghostrider mentioned "A Single Thread" by Marie Bostwick. "A Thread of Truth" is the sequel.

I read a knitting novel I enjoyed (I forgot to check if it's on audio). The author is British, so it was published in England under a different title, which matches the book better. Gil McNeil is the author; the U.S. title is "The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club." McNeil published a sequel in 2008 that I haven't read yet, since it won't be published in the U.S. until 5-11-10. Grrrrr...that's a pet peeve of mine. Why does it sometimes take two years for British books to get published here? I'm sure publishers have a good reason, but frustrated readers, like me, would like to see them published here much sooner. Anyway, the sequel is "Needles and Pearls."

There's another quilting series that no one's mentioned, but I can't think now what it is. I'll have to look it up and post again.

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. There's some books mentioned in this thread I haven't read, but I'll remedy that pretty quickly. :D