Ainslee
McKay's world is shaken when she discovers her twin sister has not only eloped
with a man she barely knows but now Ainslee must fulfill their obligation at a
tile works in Weston, West Virginia. Ainslee must learn the ropes and, if she
can keep the tile works profitable, her brother will help her sell the
business.
When Levi Judson arrives and shows Ainslee his designs for new tiles, she's impressed by his skill and passion for the business. But he's hiding his true reason for coming to Weston. And Ainslee knows he'd be crushed to learn his plans for a long career at McKay Tile Works are in vain since she intends to sell. Can the growing feelings between them survive if the truth comes to light--or is a future together as untenable as the future of the tile works itself?
When Levi Judson arrives and shows Ainslee his designs for new tiles, she's impressed by his skill and passion for the business. But he's hiding his true reason for coming to Weston. And Ainslee knows he'd be crushed to learn his plans for a long career at McKay Tile Works are in vain since she intends to sell. Can the growing feelings between them survive if the truth comes to light--or is a future together as untenable as the future of the tile works itself?
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| From Amazon |
My Review:
I
enjoyed Judith Miller's The Potter's Wife.
It was the fourth book that I have read by her. When I read a historical novel,
I want to be taken back to the time period and never once doubt the research
and the story that the writer has created for me. In Miller's stories, I never
once doubt her love of history and her ability to bring the story to life with
her research.
In
the Refined by Love series, I enjoy how Miller took three different positions
of a brick maker, pottery maker, and a tile maker and showed me the inner workings of these
three types of factories. Her research into how each item is made caught my
attention. I really enjoyed learning more about the process to make these
items, which helped build our museums, buildings, and flatware. The setting of each of these factories and
their communities jumped off the page. It reminded me of small town America
with everyone knowing everyone.
As
for the characters, I enjoyed how Miller made the stories intertwine with the recurring
characters. The family featured is a family of four children who left Ireland
to come to America for a better life. In each of the three books, I watched the
oldest brother, oldest sister, and younger twin mature and develop. I really
enjoyed how Miller made all the women strong heroines who showed they could run
a business just as well as a man. I wish there was more information about
Ainslee's twin sister instead of just letters from her.
Since
The Artisan's Wife is a historical
romance, the plot and romance must go hand in hand. I enjoyed how the romance
did not take president over the plot. The plot was the most important with a
sprinkling of romance to satisfy the romance readers. Even though I did enjoy
the story, about sixty percent in, the plot dragged, and I couldn't wait to
finish the novel.
The Artisan's Wife is a
well-researched novel by a definite history novel. With strong heroines and the
men who love them, Judith Miller's The
Artisan's Wife is a novel worth savoring as I learned about the early
factories that shaped the landscape of America.
I received a complimentary copy of The Artisan's Wife from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions stated are all my own.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
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