Another well written Judith Miller book. Great lessons on family, devotion, trust God even when His path seems unclear, and supporting fellow Christians in time of need whether it be emotionally, spiritually, or helping them become financially responsible. Highly recommend.
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
Judith Miller is one of those talented writers who can go from one genre to another. While I have read several of her Amana Colony novels, I think her other styles would be my favorites. Like this one here. The Brickmaker's Bride is probably my all time favorite from Mrs. Miller. Especially when it is written by her alone. I immediately connected with Laura. Her father has died and her mother wants to sell the brickmaking business that he built. It isn't done in a mean way at all but the daughter really connected with her father during work times and she feels close to the business. The two men buying it are as far apart as two men can be, even though they are related. Ewan is much more likable and I quickly took a liking to him. Now Laura's want-to-be fiance? I don't think I ever took a liking to him. Seemed decent but did not like him at all!
One of my favorite things about reading historical books like this is the facts you learn about. Like the hatred and distrust of the immigrants. Just because Ewan and Hugh are Scots-Irish they are disliked and thought to be not trust-worthy. And not saying that people aren't trust-worthy, but just because of their nationality people make disparaging remarks about them. I just found it interesting to see this and how in some ways things have changed but in other ways not all that much. The part about brick making was neat too. I felt like I learned things instead of just reading a book to get through it. Definitely enjoyed this one!!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
One of my favorite things about reading historical books like this is the facts you learn about. Like the hatred and distrust of the immigrants. Just because Ewan and Hugh are Scots-Irish they are disliked and thought to be not trust-worthy. And not saying that people aren't trust-worthy, but just because of their nationality people make disparaging remarks about them. I just found it interesting to see this and how in some ways things have changed but in other ways not all that much. The part about brick making was neat too. I felt like I learned things instead of just reading a book to get through it. Definitely enjoyed this one!!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed The Brickmaker's Bride (Refined by Love, Bk 1) on + 811 more book reviews
i really enjoyed this historic novel by Judith Miller. Interesting characters and plot. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended!
About this book:
"In the Clay-Rich Hill of the Newly Founded State of West Virginia, Tow Families Tentatively Come Together to Rebuild a War-Torn Brickmaking Business.
Ewan McKay has immigrated to West Virginia with his aunt and uncle, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial help. Uncle Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, and it's Ewan's job to get the company up and running again.
Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he quickly feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man--a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Resolving that he'll make the brickworks enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Ireland, Ewan pours all his energy into the new job.
But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work is put in jeopardy. As his hopes for the future crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. Can she help him save the brickworks, and will Ewan finally get a shot at winning her heart?"
Series: Book #1 in the "Refined by Love" series.
Spiritual Content- Genesis 11:3 at the beginning; Ewan has a strong Faith & witnesses as well; Church going; Scriptures are mentioned; Laura questions God's plan; Many talks about Heaven, God, His plans & Him blessing us; Prayers.
*Note: "folks refer to Pittsburgh as h*ll with the lid taken off" and "some say that living in Pittsburgh is good practice for those who are on their way to that fiery furnace the Bible promises." are both said once.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a "blarney" and a "shoddy"; Winston says he's heard that Irish men are prone to drinking; Mentions of gambling & Mentions of drinking; Pipes are smoked.
Sexual Content- six semi-detailed kisses; Notices of lips & touches; *Spoilers* (view spoiler)*End of Spoilers* Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Laura Woodfield
-Ewan McKay
P.O.V. switches between them Set in 1868-1870{Chapters 1-12: 1868; Chap. 13-28: 1869; Chap. 29-End: 1870}
346 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While at first learning about the making of bricks was interesting, it was much slower in the beginning than at the end. It was pretty cute though.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}
"In the Clay-Rich Hill of the Newly Founded State of West Virginia, Tow Families Tentatively Come Together to Rebuild a War-Torn Brickmaking Business.
Ewan McKay has immigrated to West Virginia with his aunt and uncle, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial help. Uncle Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, and it's Ewan's job to get the company up and running again.
Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he quickly feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man--a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Resolving that he'll make the brickworks enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Ireland, Ewan pours all his energy into the new job.
But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work is put in jeopardy. As his hopes for the future crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. Can she help him save the brickworks, and will Ewan finally get a shot at winning her heart?"
Series: Book #1 in the "Refined by Love" series.
Spiritual Content- Genesis 11:3 at the beginning; Ewan has a strong Faith & witnesses as well; Church going; Scriptures are mentioned; Laura questions God's plan; Many talks about Heaven, God, His plans & Him blessing us; Prayers.
*Note: "folks refer to Pittsburgh as h*ll with the lid taken off" and "some say that living in Pittsburgh is good practice for those who are on their way to that fiery furnace the Bible promises." are both said once.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a "blarney" and a "shoddy"; Winston says he's heard that Irish men are prone to drinking; Mentions of gambling & Mentions of drinking; Pipes are smoked.
Sexual Content- six semi-detailed kisses; Notices of lips & touches; *Spoilers* (view spoiler)*End of Spoilers* Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Laura Woodfield
-Ewan McKay
P.O.V. switches between them Set in 1868-1870{Chapters 1-12: 1868; Chap. 13-28: 1869; Chap. 29-End: 1870}
346 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While at first learning about the making of bricks was interesting, it was much slower in the beginning than at the end. It was pretty cute though.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}
