“The Brickmaker’s Bride” Book Review

Dec 15, 2014 by Rachel

Welcome back to Rachel’s Back Talk! I’m so glad you could join me again. Today I am reviewing Judith Miller’s newest book, The Brickmaker’s Bride. This is book one in the series “Refined by Love.” I’ve read some of the books Judith co-wrote with Tracie Peterson, but this was the first “solo” book that I’ve read of hers and it was wonderful!

 

As is my custom, if I could ask Judith one question about The Brickmaker’s Bride, it would be — “Did you enjoy writing about the tense relationship between Ewan and Uncle Hugh?” And if you want to know why I asked that question, I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

 

And without further ado, on to Rachel’s Back Talk!
                                                                      

 

From the Back Cover:

In the clay-rich hills of the newly founded state of West Virginia, two 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?

 

Rachel’s Back Talk:

5 – award winning covers

This was a page-turning book! The plot line was different from what I had ever read. First off, you have a brickmaker as the core of the story which is something that you don’t typically read about. Combine that with post-Civil war, social class clashes, and a complicated love triangle and you have a tremendous book!

 

Laura and her mother are apart of the wealthy social class and they recently sell the family brickyard to an Irish man and his nephew. These new owners are quite the pair. The one (uncle) always claims he is in charge, yet he never seems to make sound business decisions and is concerned about making sure his wife stays happy. The nephew, Ewan, is doing everything in his power to make sure this business succeeds to be able to make a name for himself.

 

I just loved the different twists and turns in the book, especially the manner in which Mrs. Woodfield conducts herself with such dignity and etiquette in every situation!

 

Other Books of Judith’s that I will read next:

A Daughter’s Inheritance (Broadmoor Legacy, Book 1)

In the Company of Secrets (Postcards from Pullman Book #1)

The Carousel Painter