Product Description

Can a middle-aged Christian woman be faithful, fashionable, and fabulous? As a successful fundraising executive in Southern California, Dee Decker's glamorous job revolves around one gala event after another. In a world populated by highly competitive, impossibly thin, perfectly coiffed, designer-outfitted women who lunch-for-a-living, Dee is overweight but nonetheless has a well-earned reputation of being cool, calm, and collected. That is, until she discovers her husband has been having an affair. Dee embarks on a journey of transformational change and self-discovery. She undergoes gastric bypass surgery and in less than one year loses 150 pounds.

She becomes a new person inside and out, and the future looks bright. But then a job offer sends her life in a direction she hadn't expected. Her past and present are about to collide in a major way.

Will Dee discover how to balance the fast-paced Southern California lifestyle with her new values?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #986216 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Released on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
"...well-drawn characters and fascinating storytelling..." -- W. Terry Whalin, faithfulreader.com

"Well written and with a light touch, this novel is engaging." -- Romantic Times, June 2006

From the Back Cover
"Allison Bottke is a fresh, honest voice in contemporary fiction in the chick lit style . . . A Stitch in Time leaves the reader with a renewed appreciation for God's grace and purpose at all stages of our lives."

—Lauraine Snelling, author of the DAUGHTERS OF BLESSINGS series "A Stitch in Time is a witty look at an all-too-flawed woman in search of perfection, and boy, could I relate to her! A wonderful read."

—Angela Hunt, author of The Novelist "Allison Bottke pens a wonderful tale of forgiveness and reconciliation. A Stitch in Time takes the reader through a lifestyle few have experienced first-hand, while dealing with emotions and day to day conflicts familiar to us all. This book is sure to please."

—Tracie Peterson, author of HEIRS OF MONTANA and What She Left for Me "Breakout novelist Allison Bottke will gain hordes of fans with the first of (what we can hope to be) many novels! From the first page, you'll not want to put this one down. . . . A Stitch in Time proves that we are all hungry for more of God, no matter where we come from or what we do. A must read!"

—Eva Marie Everson, coauthor of The Potluck Club "Slip into the pages of this high-fashion treat and escape into a world where true beauty shines past the glitz of glamour and into your heart."

—Linda Evans Shepherd, coauthor of The Potluck Club, host of Right to the Heart Radio, founder of AWSA "Allison Bottke's debut novel sings like a well-loved song. I laughed and cried. The characters are so real I felt as though I had made a new set of friends."

—Tracey Bateman, author of Leave it to Claire "If one could mesh the modern sophistication of Vera Wang and the fun, boldness of Tommy Hilfiger into words, you'd come close to A Stitch in Time. I found myself totally wrapped up in the characters and had a hard time putting this book down. Ms. Bottke's first novel introduces an exuberant, fresh voice to fiction, and I'm eager to read more from this talented novelist!"

—Tricia Goyer, author of the award-winning novel, Night Song "What a delight! Allison Bottke has given us a heroine who is endearing, flawed, funny, and wise as she attacks life, dealing with family, business, and her new, deeply felt faith. I highly recommend A Stitch in Time."

—Gayle Roper, Allah's Fire "Allison Bottke sets the standard for excellence and keeps readers coming back for more!"

—Debra White Smith, author of THE AUSTEN SERIES "Intelligent. Witty. Real. Energetic. Fascinating. Life-changing. All of these characteristics of Allison's debut novel make it some of the best fiction I've read in a long time."

—Heather Gemmen, author of Startling Beauty "As a Southern California fundraising consultant, I found Dee Decker's fictional journey to be filled with a hearty and entertaining combination of fact and fantasy. Allison has penned the journey of one determined woman through the joys and perils of non-profit fundraising while battling her own personal spiritual challenges in a touching and amusing fashion . . . A fun read throughout!"

—Sharon Esterley, Esterley Events "Allison has done a wonderful job in combining real-life issues of weight loss surgery with a fictional character. The story of Dee Decker is as informative as it is entertaining."

—Monica Ganz, Ph.D., Director of Events and Support Groups for ObesityHelp, Inc. "Issues of self-worth and personal image drive the characters, but it's Allison Bottke's attention to detail that will keep you turning pages."

—Sue Buchanan, author/speaker "Bottke takes the reader on an intimate journey of betrayal, forgiveness, and self-discovery with Dee, a successful, social-climbing wife and mother who, through difficult circumstances, learns who she is and what she really values. Written with realism and compassion, the novel explores the challenges of life after weight loss surgery and the amazing transformations in body and mind the procedure brings. In Dee, we see the common frailties of human nature and the power of convictions to bring us full circle in life and love." —Tammy J. Colter, Editor-In-Chief, OH Magazine, ObesityHelp.com "A Stitch in Time is glitter, glamour, glory and grace all wrapped up in a fashionable, flamboyant package of spell-binding reading that puts you in the middle of the society scene, the faith walk, and the grace of forgiveness."

—Thelma Wells, president of A Woman of God Ministries

About the Author
Allison Bottke is the creative force behind the God Allows U-Turns series and ministry, author of God Answers Prayers and God Answers Moms' Prayers, and coauthor of I Can't Do It All, a women's self-help book. Stitch in Time is her first novel. In addition to her writing, Allison is in demand as a speaker. A conservative Christian who spent her first 35 years as a nonbeliever, her personal U-Turn story has been seen on The 700 Club, heard on Decision Today radio, and broadcasted in many other television, radio, and news media. Allison and her husband make their home in southern Minnesota.

Customer Reviews

Debut Novel Implies the Teaching of What It Means to Be a Christian in Everyday Life
Dee Harris is busy with the reconstruction of her life in so many areas. Her 30-year marriage to her husband, Lyle, seems to be over after she caught him having an affair.

Her two 30-plus year old children are still living at home with their father. She lost 150 pounds and has undergone several reconstructive surgeries.

Her career as a consultant has really taken off. All of this, plus she has become a Christian.

Dee's life is very fast-paced. Her job at LeGrande Enterprises includes helping raise money for causes through events and helping committees plan out projects.

Eating has always been a comfort to Dee, but after her weight loss surgery, she has to be extra careful to eat in a whole new way. At one event, Dee eats an egg roll that wasn't chewed enough which sent Dee to the ladies room.

This is where she meets Lily. Lily is a very wealthy lady who lives in Las Vegas. She needs help in planning and implementing a huge building project. Is this a divine appointment?

Dee's boss and friend, Areta, does not understand Dee's Christianity. Stress mounts as reports are given to Areta about Dee aggressively evangelizing clients and coworkers. Where are these anonymous reports coming from?

Dee wants to divorce her husband for she cannot forgive him for the affair. Lyle is not cooperating by not signing the divorce papers. Her children, Kelsey and Kent, have enjoyed their lives living at home. Their lives begin to change along with their attitudes toward their mother.

Lily's nephew, Carter, is a handsome cowboy who is on the committee for the project. He becomes an interest to Dee on a personal basis.

Carter's twin, Colt, died and has left his land for the project to build an art museum that will glorify God in the arts. Problems arise as the committee members have different views on how this should be done. Will the project get started by the January 1 deadline, or will the land be forfeited?

Allison Bottke does a wonderful job with her first novel. Her sense of humor and detail gives life to the story and makes it fun and believable.

Incredible First Time Novelist Has Hit Gold!
A Stitch in Time is a must-read! Dee Decker is a heroine, not only for those who are or have been overweight, but also for any woman who struggles to survive in a dog-eat-dog world of luncheons, business dinners, and posh banquets. She is the poster child for every woman whose husband has been unfaithful, whose children have been ungrateful, and who looks for herself outside of herself rather than what is at the core of a woman, her heart.

A Real Page Turner
Allison Bottke so accurately portrays the honest struggles of being a new Christian in the real world. This book is not only fun and a great read but one that so many women can relate to. I can't wait to read her next book.