Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing Give-a-way!

2 things I love.....

1. reading
2. crafts

This book was a perfect match. I picked the book up on a Friday and by Saturday afternoon, my kids were running the show because Mommy had locked herself in her room.....to read. Totally kidding. I did what all Mom's do. I stayed up way too late reading in bed.


Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing is the second Fiction novel from the one and only Kathy Cano-Murillo better known as Crafty Chica. I was introduced to Kathy through my constant blog reading and my passion for Chicana art and literature. Her art work is fantastic and her writing is just as fantastical.(Yes I know that's not a real word.)

Here is just one reason I like Kathy Cano-Murillo so much. Her bio includes this...

"Kathy's mission is to promote, celebrate and share in the Chicano craft experience. As a professional crafter, she is impressed that Latinos make up a large part of the $31 billion craft industry. Her goal is to promote and motivate women of all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities to join in the art and craft movement." 

When the chance to review this new book came up I jumped at it. I am going to admit I have not read Kathy's first book, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. The book came and I was super excited to start reading. Then I got nervous, what if I didn't like it? What if I had to write a bad review? I cracked open the book and dove in and my fears subsided as the book quickly became one of those "I can't put it down" kind of books.

The story revolves around Scarlet Santana, a young single woman who decided to put her college degree away and to follow her passion of sewing. As a way to raise money for a prestigious designer class Scarlet puts together a class on patternless sewing. The novel follows the stories of Scarlet and her students and how one little weekly class and a mystery changes everything. One part I really enjoyed was the way music was embedded into the story. It was like it came with its own soundtrack! And just when you think you have the mystery solved there is a twist. Very Mexican novella like!




 

 The characters were so well crafted. Most of the characters are Latina's and Kathy managed to keep the characters culture and ethnicity alive and an aspect of the story without turning them into stereotypes. She makes her Latino characters authentic so that other Latina's can relate. Scarlet and her students are lovable Latina's who's issues and victories everyone can relate to.

So the bottom line...... I loved it! A book filled with love, betrayal, secrets, fashion, family drama, and following your dreams. What's not to love!

And now the best part of this whole review. I am giving away a copy of this fabulous book AND a copy of Waking Up in the Land Of Glitter! That's right you can win 2 books!

Here is the dilio. In the book Scarlet Santana does what most of us can only dream of doing. She leaves the corporate, steady paycheck world behind to live her passion. For a chance to win both books leave me a comment and tell me if you could live your passion what would you be doing? Be sure to leave me your email address so I can get back to you if you're the big WIENER! 

A winner will be chosen at random and contest ends on Thursday March 24th.

Good Luck!