Growing up, I always had a book with me and read every chance I got. Now as an adult, I don’t often have the luxury of reading like I used to, but I’ve been making an effort to read more when I can.
I recently discovered a Facebook group called Avid Readers of Christian Fiction where everyone shares books they’re reading and enjoying. One of the books recommended was The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady. I usually prefer historic fiction to contemporary, but loved the concept of the book, so I ordered it. I’m so glad I did!
The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady is about a group of older women who get together in the Hope of Glory Community Church prayer chapel and knit prayer shawls. Only the church is dying, and the pastor decides the women should take their knitting out into the public. This doesn’t exactly go over well, but the group ends up meeting in an alcove in front of Macy’s in the mall. Their ministry transforms from a silent time of prayer to a chaotic time of interruptions by mall employees and shoppers in need of prayer.
From the moment I opened up the book, I had a hard time putting it back down. I literally read the entire book in a matter of hours. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with the Heavenly Hugs Prayer Shawl Ministry.
The book is amazing on its own, but I absolutely love that it’s Sharon J. Mondragon’s debut novel. Sharon is a former homeschool mom whose children are grown. She’s also the facilitator for a prayer shawl ministry. The story won the 2017 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for unpublished fiction, and now it’s the first in a series of books published by Kregal Publications. What an inspiring story for aspiring novelists.
As an added bonus, you can get a free 6-week Bible study to go along with the novel. I checked it out, and really like the way she ties in the story with Scripture about God calling people out of their comfort zones.
If you’re looking for an engaging read about true to life church women, check out The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady.
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