Wheelers Design: Pottery and Pineapples

Tropical islands, an incredible opportunity shared well, a few misunderstandings, and some beautiful lessons from both pottery and pineapples shape Wheeler’s Design into a must-read story!

I read it in one sitting, and am still thinking about some of the lessons and fun several weeks later.

Maybe you could request your local library purchase a copy. But find a way to get your hands on a copy of this one!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.

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About the Book

Book: Wheeler’s Design

Author: Rachel Skatvold

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 28, 2023

Wheeler's Design, by Rachel Skatvold, book cover, couple on a beach, with pink flowers.

Clay is messy and so is Sabrina’s life sometimes, but will God mold it into a work of art?

Sabrina Wheeler, single mom and business owner, won a scholarship to expand her pottery studio on Luamua Island. Now, she can finally have the career and life she’s been praying for. The scholarship includes a mentor, and Sabrina is anxious to make a good impression.

For Chad Berkley, an impromptu business trip to the Suamalie Islands couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Aside from it triggering his OCD personality, he also has important obligations in Yorkshire, and being absent for a month was not in his plans. The new assignment is an honor, however, and a huge step up in his career. He can’t risk disappointing his boss now.

But then he sees Sabrina. After their brief meeting at the business conference, he hasn’t stopped thinking of her. How had he missed that she is the business owner he’s been sent to mentor? Talk about distractions on his first big assignment. Will he be able to push his personal feelings aside and keep his focus on business?

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

She’s done it again. Wheeler’s Design is so much fun. I love the connection to the Independence Islands. It’s a treat if you’ve read them, but not the slightest bit confusing if you haven’t.

And Sabrina is a pretty awesome person. Generous, forgiving, willing to learn. The fact that her idea of organized looks like complete chaos to some (read: Chad), doesn’t mean she doesn’t know where to find everything.

I laughed quite a few times, and learned a few things. The lessons from this pineapple gardener and her friend Elena (can’t wait for her story!) gave me some things to think about.

And Chad, well, his heart is big, his communication and trust sometimes get short-circuited, but he isn’t afraid to apologize and mend fences.

I received a copy of this book from #CelebrateLit, and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

About the Author

Rachel Skatvold author, smiling, outside by some trees.

Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing Christian romance and devotionals. Rachel has published over a dozen novels, including books in the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming and Brides of Pelican Rapids Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.

More from Rachel

mother/daughter hugging. Caption: "... sometimes family isn't perfect. It can be broken and messy, but God can mold it back together into a beautiful work of art." Chad, Wheeler's Design.

Sabrina Wheeler’s life has not gone quite the way she imagined. As a single mom, waitress, and in-home art studio owner with many responsibilities, she often wonders how her life could have gone if she’d taken a different path. After attending a small business convention and winning a scholarship to launch her mobile art studio, Sabriana sees her path shifting. Could this signal a new beginning for her? Find out in Wheeler’s Design.

Hands forming a pot on a potter's wheel, Caption: Isaiah 64:8 "and yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

Wheeler’s Design is inspired by the verse, Isaiah 64:8. “And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand.”

During hard times we can all feel as though our lives resemble lumps of discarded clay. Yet, the truth is, we are God’s masterpiece in progress. He is still molding and shaping us into what we are meant to be. He will never discard us if we are His children.

During high school, I discovered a love for making pottery. While learning the art, it amazed me clay can be recycled over and over if the project doesn’t turn out right. It only has to be dried out a little and wedged until all the air bubbles are out before it can be molded into something new. As a busy homeschool mom and author I don’t have as much time for art, but it is still something I enjoy and have taught my children how to throw a pot on our pottery wheel at home. This special experience with my kids provided the inspiration for the relationship between Sabrina and her daughter, Hazel, who both share a love for making pottery.

Thank you for following the celebration tour for Wheeler’s Design. Please remember to follow the blog stops this week and don’t forget to enter in the giveaway!