Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Brickmaker's Bride

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, JUDITH
THE BRICKMAKER'S BRIDE

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?

My Review:

Be prepared to settle in and enjoy this exceptional novel. It's the kind of book you lose yourself in. The characters become real -- and not just the hero and heroine. There are some (unfortunately) very real secondary characters as well. Take Winston Hawkins for instance. Smarmy and self-serving. Shudder. Like reading fingernails on a blackboard. I did not like that man! And Ewan's aunt. Merciful heavens but she must have given the poor author a headache every time she burst onto a scene!

As distasteful as those two are, they provided wonderful opportunities for conflict that kept me riveted to the page. In fact it wasn't long before a niggling sense of wariness developed into full blown dread as I began to see how everything was going to play out. Nooooooo! But Miller throws in some surprising twists that make the conclusion anything but predictable.

The historical details are exquisite and I so appreciate the care this author takes with her research. All those little details enrich the reading experience so much. I think The Brickmaker's Bride might just be my favourite Miller book yet.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Brickmaker's Bride please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 9  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

36 comments:

  1. thanks for the chance to read this novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  2. Would love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway. slvie50athotmaildotcom.

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  3. Ah, something raw and real again. Love me some well-written villains! Love me some complicated love pair!

    Count me in, Kav, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. These villains will certainly keep your blood pressure up. Good luck, Janka.

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  4. I would love this book. I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed! Thank you for the opportunity, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  5. Thank you for the review. Can't wait to read this one. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  6. I've been seeing this book around the book/author blogosphere recently and have been very interested in it

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It just released and it's fantastic. Good luck!

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  7. Judith Miller is an author whose books I enjoy reading. A few years ago, she spoke with my book club when she was visiting our town. She's a very nice lady. Thanks for the chance to win The Brickmaker's Bride.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Oh, lucky you, Pam. That must have been an awesome book club meeting! Good luck!

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  8. I don't think I've read one of Judith's books yet but would love to. Include me, please, Kav. Thanks!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. This would be a great one to start with, Cheryl especially since it's the beginning of a new series. Good luck!

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  9. I am aching to read this book! I just knew it would be an exquisite story and your wonderful review has certainly confirmed that, Kav. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of THE BRICKMAKER'S BRIDE!!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  10. I have been getting my eye on this one. Sounds so good.
    Campbellamyd At gmail dot com

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  11. It is always interesting when the conclusion is unpredictable.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. You're right, rubynreba. Love authors who keep me on my toes. Good luck!

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  12. This sounds like a great book. The secondary characters sound as fascinating as the main ones! Thanks for the great review Kav!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. That's a key to a great author -- when she can make all the characters come alive. Good luck, Maryann.

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  13. I love historical and I love Judith!

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  14. Sounds like a wonderful read! I love when a book has plenty of tension and stress, and as much as I may hate actually disliking a character's actions so much that I hate the character, I love when an author gets me that invested! Great review! Please include me!
    KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Amen, Kelly. And there's something so cleansing about hurling all your negative emotions at a book character. No one gets hurt for your venting! LOL Good luck!

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  15. I really love Judith Miller's books and it has been awhile since I've read one. Love the cover and your review as always! Please toss my name in the hat!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Diana. And this is a great one to get reacquainted with Miller again. Good luck!

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  16. Judith Miller is one of my favorite authors! I have The Brickmaker's Bride on my reading wishlist.

    ~Tammi

    dandtdearing{at}earthlink{dot}net

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    1. It's a great addition to your list, Tammi. Good luck!

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  17. Please drop my name in the hat! Thanks for the giveaway.

    writer_weaverATyahooDOTcom

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  18. Oh ... a Judith Miller story .. love them. But this one sure sounds exhausting. Oh well make a good story line right. rrwalter34 ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. She is such a good author. Good luck, Becky.

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