Friday, August 7, 2015

Judith Miller: The Potter’s Lady *GIVEAWAY*

By Kelly Bridgewater

From Amazon
Back Cover Copy:

When Rose McKay convinces her brother, Ewan, to invest in a pottery business, she's determined to assist him in making the venture a success. Having just graduated from the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, she believes she can design pieces that will sell well. In her efforts to help the pottery flourish, Rose reconnects with Joshua Harkness, who oversees his own family's pottery works in a nearby town.

Rylan Campbell has never liked change, but the new owners of the pottery seem to be the decent sort. He just wishes Rose wouldn't insist on cleaning and moving everything. But when McKay Pottery starts losing business to the Harkness company, Rylan realizes Joshua might be taking advantage of Rose.

Then Franklin Hotels announces a design contest. Winning the Franklin contract would be exactly the boost McKay Pottery needs, so Rose and Rylan work closely together to create something magnificent. With Joshua's company as their main competition, can Rylan convince Rose her trust in Joshua may be misplaced?

My Thoughts:

I have enjoyed Judith Miller’s Postcards from Pullman’s series, so I thought I would give Judith Miller another chance. I am glad I did. Miller’s latest release, The Potter’s Lady, is a different and unique historical romance.

I really enjoy how in the four books that I have read of Millers all of the heroine are strong characters. Even during the historical time period when women weren’t shined or allowed to blossomed, Miller allows her women characters to be educated and have a voice in a changing world. This makes her heroines come to life for me. I enjoy reading about strong women who want to change the world around them for the better. This time around was no exception. Rose is a woman who has a strong eye for art and design but believes in the education of all and a cleaner working environment.

Miller does a great job at bringing the historical period of 1872 to life. I really felt like I was roaming the pottery and missing the train as it crossed the railroad tracks through town. Miller captures the emotions and  hurts of the society and brings it to life in my imagination. Miller is a master at using her research to tell a story, not bore her readers with annoying facts. Instead she allows me to take a journey through history with her characters.

I don’t blame Miller for this, but the only problem I had was with the nanny. I don’t know if it is because I just finished a book with the same issue for the servant. I think it is. Recently, I just finished another book where the servant was being bribed by someone with power through money, prestige, and a chance at a better lifestyle for gossip about the family she worked for. It felt like I was reading the same thing again. I think it has become a trend among historical fiction writers.

I believe fans of historical fiction would enjoy this book and love learning more about the horrible working conditions in factories in 1872.

I received a complimentary copy of The Potter’s Lady from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

********GIVEAWAY**************

Guess what????? Would you like to win my copy of Judith Miller’s The Potter’s Lady?

Sign up using the Rafflecopter Giveaway box enclosed. Don't forget to leave a blog comment!

*U.S Rez Only (Sorry! We do love the rest of you too!)

** Entries will be checked and falsified entries will be disqualified.

Good luck!!!!


********************************


a Rafflecopter giveaway

49 comments:

  1. I enjoyed the Pullman series too. Thanks for the chance to win her new book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pegg for stopping by and commenting! This was a good book too. Good luck!

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never read any of her books, but this sounds good. I recently started reading the historical romances. I love the beautiful details.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leslie thank you for stopping by and commenting. Historical romances give us, as the reader, a chance to experience another lifetime. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  4. I love that historical romances take us to a different time and setting and how the author makes that time and place come alive for the readers after all the research they have done. I love the romance aspect to see how the characters dealt with their circumstances in that time period.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I completely agree with you, Maryann. That is my favorite part of a historical romance too. Thank you for atopping by. Good luck! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Judith Miller's books are very good! I love historical fiction!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Beth!! I appreciate you taking the time to visit. Good luck in the contest!

      Delete
  7. It is the only way I get my history lesson, lol. I hated history in school but I love reading about people, families, small towns, etc. it the historical fiction. I know that they are not true but I also know that authors do research to make the stories as true to the times as they can and that is one thing that makes them good the background about the area.

    wfnren at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Wendy. I personally know many historical writers who spend many hours researching, even visiting the places their stories take place to make their stories more authentic. Good luck!

      Delete
  8. I love learning about different times in history and their way of life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree, Appleblossom! I appreciate the time you took to comment on this review. Good luck!

      Delete
  9. I love reading historical novels. I read as many as I can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Cynthia! Historical romances are my second favorite genre behind mystery and suspense. Thank you for visiting and commenting. I hope to hear from you again. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  10. I like to learn about other times and other places. I don't usually check the statements the authors make about history; I'm just hoping they got their facts right so I'm actually learning things that are true! :) Most of the time historical books make me grateful I am living in the era I am!
    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am grateful for indoor plumbing and washing machines. Thank you Anne for stopping by and visiting. Good luck with the giveaway!

      Delete
  11. I read book 1 ~ I would like to continue with book 2!! Excellent writings. Please add me to the drawing for The Potter's Lady. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved the Pullman series stories too! Kathleen

      Delete
    2. I haven't gotten around to reading book one yet, Lane. My to - read - pile is about to tumble over. I really enjoyed the Pullman series! Thank you for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  12. I would totally love to read this novel!! Thanks for review and giveaway!!

    sydneyjames68[at]gmail[dot]com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One thing that I love about historical romance is that I get to go on a journey to another time period and see how romance works then as well. :)

      Delete
    2. Yes, Syndney. It is surprising that the people before us had the same struggles as us in romance, but with different complications. Thank you for commenting. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  13. I especialy love Christian Romance because they are uplifting.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I LOVE uplifting books too, Ann. Books that grip my heart and help me in my walk with God. What else is a book for? Thank you for stopping by. Good luck in the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love to read historical romance because i get to l experience how life was , and lets me "escape" into a different time for awhile ! As for the romance it is fun to read the different dating customs, that were so different from today's.
    mcnuttjem0(AT)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love "escaping" for a while too, Jackie. Thank you for visiting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  16. I love historical romance because it can be so passionate without being smutty! Our ancestors had emotions that ran just as deep as ours, and it's so wonderful to get a snapshot of what it must've been like for them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, Karen. I love reading all types of stories without all the smutt in the romance. Makes me truly grateful for God's love for us. Thank you for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  17. She's a great writer.
    I do enjoy historical fiction it reminds me of history I've forgotten.
    karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Karen. World War II genre does that right now for me. I never want to forget the horror that happened during those years. Thank you for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  18. I like reading historical romances because I can travel back in time to days when there were gentlemen and ladies. Thanks for the review and giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy the days of gentleman and ladies too, Loraine. Good fiction takes you away. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the contest!

      Delete
  19. I love all of the things I learn in historical fiction novels! This one sounds really great. I like that it's something different! I've never read anything about a potter before, and I'm sure I'll love it! Mdp94 (at) bellsouth (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never read anything about a potter before either, Morgan. This was a fascinating book where I learned something too. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  20. I love to learn Something when reading , that's why I love historical fiction so much. Sounds like Judith Miller might be the author for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too love to learn something when I read a book, Patty. Thank you for commenting and good luck with the giveaway!

      Delete
  21. A well-researched historical romance teaches me about history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is important to learn more about history, and a story is a great way to do it, BJM. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  22. How people lived years ago has always intrigued me plus I've always liked a good romance story so historical romance is right up my alley.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is interesting to learn how others lived historically speaking, Laurie. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  23. I love the history. That is whT makes these types great.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. History unites us all, Virginia. We need to keep teaching the younger generations or we're in trouble. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  24. Love historical fiction genre, your Pullman series enjoyed by many. Excited about this new one. Would be fantastic to win.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for commenting, Linda. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  25. The good manners! Society was of ladies & gentlemen.. I enjoy the balls and clothing. The back in time is always a good read

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know plenty of writers, such as Sarah Ladd, who admire the clothes from the era they write in, Deanna. So you're not alone in that thought. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete
  26. I love historical Christian fiction (especially the regency era) because it's a way to travel back in time & learn history in a unique way. I like the clothing, the balls, the social customs, grace, elegance & chivalry of lords & ladies. With Christian fiction I like the clean, sweet romance without bad language & trashiness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you agboss! I totally agree with everything you said. I couldn't have said it better. Thank you for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Delete