The oldest surviving court records in America were used to write this historical fiction series about a family whose descendants migrated to Alabama before statehood.
Many Alabama ancestors followed the same path from England to Virginia, on to the Carolinas, Tennessee, and eventually migrating to Alabama
TAPESTRY OF LOVE SERIES was inspired by the Cottingham family of Bibb County, Alabama and historical events they may have encountered on their journey from England to Alabama.
Court records dating back to the early 1630’s in Virginia create historical accuracy as the reader is taken back to the primitive days of colonial America where the Pattendens encounter life-changing difficulties with Indians, ducking stools, illness, massacres, death, loneliness, love, and greed.
The story begins in 17th century England during the reign of Charles I with RIBBON OF LOVE and follows a young couple’s harrowing journey to the eastern shore of Virginia where they experience joy, tragedy, and loss. Their life continues in Maryland where they flee to avoid religious persecution in the next novel FAITH AND COURAGE. The third novel, FREEHEARTS, reveals life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
REVIEWS OF
Ribbon of Love is a wonderful love story of Henry and Mary living and struggling to succeed as one of the first families in the colony of Virginia in the 1600s. In addition to the love story, the descriptions of the clothing, home furnishings, personalities, family life, church, and community are most intriguing. The exhilarating action and subplots keep the reader in constant anticipation. It is almost impossible to put the book down until completion. – Dr. Don P. Brandon, Retired Professor, Anderson University.
I just finished reading this loving and delightfully written story. I’m telling everyone I know about it. Not only is the story entertaining, it opens the eastern shore of the Early Virginia Colony to the reader as a picture book. The characters seem extraordinary real. I know this story of “Ribbon of Love” will touch many peoples hearts. Bill T.
REVIEWS OF
Highly recommended! I really enjoyed this 2nd book in Tapestry of Love Series. I could hardly wait to begin the third! I find Donna Causey’s writing to be fluid, easy to understand and with great purpose. She takes you through the days of the early Pioneers in such a way that brings an understanding that cannot be gained merely by reading textbooks. A lovely journey through American history! Mary Robinson
Excellent Series I have read all three books in the series and would recommend them to anyone. They show what life was like in the 1600’s, and the hardships people endured. Mawbetty2
REVIEWS OF
FreeHearts – I love reading about this era, the comments of Mary Jane when she lost her beloved husband were so spot on, it really brought back the exact pain & thoughts I experienced when I lost my husband. I can’t imagine what it was like back there with so many children, being a woman with no say in the business. Waiting for the next one to see how the Cottingham children do taking care of the parents’ plantation. smba
Donna Causey does it again!! This is a must-read for anyone who wants a true view of what colonial life was like in the 1700’s Each book’s writing gets stronger, characters become real, the struggles and sorrows that laid the foundation for this country, I hope that each reader will come away with a deeper love for our country and our ancestors. Addictedtobooks
UPDATE: TAPESTRY OF LOVE SERIES: Three Books in One – read all three books in the series (964 pages) for one low price!
Good reading
Do you have any info on a group of French noblemen and their families who were exiled when Napoleon was overthrown. They ended up in South Alabama , where they tried to grow olives. My great great grandfather helped these people survive the Alabama wilderness.Very interesting story. I think John Wayne made a movie about this interaction of nobility and frontiersman.
We don’t have a story on the website about them but we do in our Alabama Footprints book: Immigrants. http://alabamapioneers.com/alabama-immigrants/#sthash.PBW698tW.dpbs The book also includes many name and biographies of some from the company who remained in Alabama.They were called the Vine and Olive company.
Donna
The Partin family was another that came to Virginia and then eventually to Alabama.
Taylor Giddiens
My family was one of those families, on both sides.
I’ve enjoyed all three books in this series and am looking forward to the continuing story and the move to Alabama.
Hi Patricia, I’m glad you enjoyed them. Actually, book 4 “Discordance” is start of the Cottingham family if you haven’t read it. https://amzn.to/2wI5M3t
https://amzn.to/2wI5M3t
Alabama Pioneers Yes, I’ve enjoyed that one also. I’m looking for volume two of the Cottinghams series. I’m so glad that I can get them on my kindle and am looking forward to VII.
Some of my ancestors came through North Carolina before moving on to Alabama, & some were from Scotland.
Alice Ussery Ziemer mine too
Alice Ussery Ziemer my Mother was an Ussery. Once was a thorough and very exhaustive Ussery genealogy site on the internet maintained by Cindy Casey. I can no longer find it.
Sounds like my family
Are any of the books paperbound?
They are all paperback and ebook.
On my Dad’s side, they came through New York in 1657 or earlier. The then went to New Jersey, then to South Carolina, Georgia, then to Alabama. My Momma’s side I’ve hit a brick wall. North Carolina is the last place I can trace them.
Roxanne Daughtry
My family records show we came from Wales to N Alabama !! Griffith
Cheri Griffith Mincey all our Nettles ancestry fron Whales has been researched. The Rikard side also. Also the Cravens and Dumas and Pickett on my grandmother’s side.
Richard Pace was my ancestor who was one of the first from London to come to the New World .
My 3rd Great grandmother shows to have been born in Alabama/Mississippi. So don’t know the confusion. They were shown in Mississippi territory?
My ancestors came from Germany to Virginia. They migrated to Alabama and eventually ended up in Mississippi
Mine came over to Vermont then down to Alabama
Interesting. My Ferrill ancestors settled and farmed in N / S Carolina. Also, Eastwood’s are some of our ancestors, maybe not in Carolinas.
This is a wonderful series! I’m waiting on the next book.