Reading the back of this book alone made me want to pick it up. Everyone knows I’m a fan of historicals set around the Civil War period. This story opens shortly after the war, when folks were trying to start over, new states were forming, and progress was rapidly changing the face of the world around them.
I liked Ewan and Laura’s characters and the dilemmas they each faced in their own unique walks of life. It was easy to like them and I was hoping for them to get together from the start.
However, some of the other characters were so unlikeable that I had a hard time even reading some of the scenes that included them. I must admit I grew a little tired of their outright rude remarks and harsh attitudes. I kept waiting for those side characters to be redeemed and was left a little unsatisfied with them overall.
The historical detail readers have come to expect from this beloved author is most certainly there, but I got a little lost in the facts from time to time. Read to learn and I think you’ll enjoy it. There is a lot of things I had never known about the brickmaking business before. It was an interesting perspective to spotlight.
To me, the history came first and the love story, second. I’m not saying that’s all bad either. Just don’t expect the romance part to play the most prominent role. I enjoyed Ewan and Laura’s story, but I must say I wished to see more change and growth in their characters.
Despite my couple disappointments with this novel, I have no doubt this series will be welcomed by historical fans everywhere. It offers a fresh world for readers to devour and the opportunity to see God work amazing things through difficult circumstances.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publisher for my copy.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and uncle from northern Scotland to West Virginia, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial assistance from his uncle Hugh. Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, but it’s Ewan who gets the business up and running again. Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner’s daughter, and he feels a connection with her, but she’s being courted by another man–a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Besides, Ewan has resolved he’ll focus on making the brickmaking operation enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Scotland.
But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan’s hard work may come to naught. As his plans begin to crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. She and her mother may have a way to save the brickworks, and in turn Ewan may have another shot at winning Laura’s heart.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Although born and reared in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Judy moved to Kansas at the age of seventeen and has considered the sunflower state ‘home’ ever since. She currently lives in Topeka. She enjoys reading, traveling, researching history, and Bible study.
Writing Christian fiction is Judy’s second career. For many years she worked as a legal assistant in law firms and later worked in government law offices. She has retired from legal work in order to write fulltime —a vocation she considers both a ministry and a blessing.
Judy has authored or co-authored more than twenty-five books since she began writing in 1996. She is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, several of which have placed in the CBA and ECPA top ten lists. It is her deep desire to point readers to the love and grace of Jesus.
Learn more at http://judithmccoymiller.com/
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