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| GIVEAWAY |
A PERFECT SILHOUETTE
In 1850 Manchester, New Hampshire, Mellicent "Mellie" Blanchard becomes a mill worker to help support her family. In search of additional earning opportunities, she approaches a daguerreotype shop owner with the proposal that he hire her to make paper cuttings or silhouette portraits for those who can't afford an expressive daguerreotype.
When a particularly charming customer asks to escort her home, the seeds of romance begin to blossom. All the pieces of her new life seem to have fallen perfectly into place, but when her new venture brings her an unexpected opportunity, she learns all is not as it seems. Will Mellie, who is keeping secrets of her own, find happiness in the new life she has carved out for herself in the busy mill town?
My Review:
Judith Miller finds the most intriguing tidbits to spice up her historical novels -- in this case, the heroine's unique talent for crafting silhouette portraits with paper and scissors in a matter of moments. I'm so fascinated by this technique that I actually had to google it. If you're interested in seeing a 'live action' shot of a silhouette portrait being made check out this link:
http://www.silhouettesbyhand.com/galleries
I've long been interested in the social justice issues surrounding 19th century textile mills -- ever since I read Lyddie by Katherine Paterson eons ago so I appreciated Miller's stunning research skills and the way she brought the aspects of mill work to life. From stringent boardinghouse rules to the horrid working conditions, the author does justice to the complicated issues facing mill owners and workers trying to keep pace with a changing work environment.
Amidst that tumultuous backdrop, Mellie and Morgan meet and fall in love. Well, of course, it isn't that simple. Secrets abound, all of them threatening hopes of any sort of happily ever after and all a reader can do is hunker down into a page-turning frenzy to see things put to right. Miller leaves a few dangling story threads which lead me to believe there might just be a sequel in the works, though I can't find anything online to confirm that. (Fingers crossed it is so.)
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Perfect Silhouette, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 11 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!
Very Interesting Sounding
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a copy 😃💖😍💗
iamabho AT gmail DOT com 💜💙💜
You're welcome, Linda. Good luck!
DeleteThank You Kav 😊
DeleteOoh, you even gave us a link to it! Sweet. I will be checking that out. Those silhouettes have always intrigued me. lattebooks at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI saw a man doing them at a country fair. His scissors snipped and paper flew and -- poof -- a silhouette. So cool. Good luck, Susan!
DeleteI know a lady who cuts silhouette's! What an interesting craft/profession.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Glad to hear it's not a dying art. Good luck, Patty.
DeleteSounds like one not to miss!
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
Good luck, Caryl!
DeleteI enjoy reading her books. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteShe's a mainstay in any Christian Fiction collection. Good luck, Kim!
DeleteIt's been awhile since I've read a book by Judith Miller, though I've always found them to be well-researched and interesting. A Perfect Silhouette sounds like another book to add to my "want to read" list.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Her historical details are so intriguing. Good luck, Pam!
DeleteThis sounds so intriguing! I want in! :D
ReplyDeleteHope your 2020 is going well,
Amada
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom
You're in! Happy New Year, Amada. And good luck!
DeleteIt would be awesome to see such a artful skill first hand. Some folks are so talented it's unreal.
ReplyDeleteWell, what do you know - another new to me author, but one I know I'm going to love getting to know. "A PERFECT SILHOUETTE" sounds wonderful. I love a romance that keeps you turning pages and sitting on the edge of your seat all the while leaning a bit about how it was to live in the "good old days".
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Ohhh -- Judith Miller has been writing a long time. She's co-authored with Tracie Peterson too. Bet your library has some of her books. Good luck, Kay!
DeleteThat is God given talent right there spectacular. This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteTighefan42atgmaildotcom
You're welcome, Tighefan. Good luck!
DeleteBook twinning dance. I loved the unique story.
ReplyDeleteYipee -- I wonder if there's an appropriate Scherenschnitte dance? Something lively and quick, I would think. One, two, three, one, two, three...
DeleteI’ve made scherenschnitte Christmas ornaments. Two two three......😃🤣
DeleteOooohhhh -- I've seen those in magazines but never tried them...way too intricate for me.
DeleteThis is so interesting! I remember my mother doing a silhouette of my brother when he was a little boy. She set up a lamp and put a paper on the wall behind him and drew around the shadow. That was more than 55 years ago. I would love to win this book. I enjoy books by Judith Miller.
ReplyDeletepaulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet
We used to make those kinds of silhouettes for the grade six graduating classes every year to decorate the gym. Mellie does hers with just paper and scissors -- no outline or sketching before hand. Good luck, Paula!
DeleteMy mother gave me a paper cutting of a fancy heart that is set between two pieces of glass and taped nicely around the edges. It’s matted on blue paper. A favorite keepsake.
DeleteHow very interesting! I think I'd really like this story. And since one of my nicknames is Mellie I'm doubly intrigued. You don't find many heroines with that name. Lol
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at gmail dot com
That is very cool! You're right -- this is the first Mellie I've come across in fiction...and in real life, come to think of it. Good luck, Melissa!
DeleteSounds like a great book!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
It is! Good luck, Melanie!
DeleteSounds interesting and recently read a book by her. teshawATsbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Tammie!
DeleteSounds like another great read from Judith Miller, I really enjoy her books. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
You're welcome, Wendy. Good luck!
DeleteSounds great!
ReplyDeletekarenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, Karen!
DeleteI remember this from the 1980's time frame in which traditional, cottage, and other historical decor and crafts were very popular and had made a resurgence.....I speculate part of the impetus was our Bicentennial in 1976. I did attend a large arts and crafts marketplace/show held in a metropolitan convention center where an artisan was doing this, and there were also non-portrait items already framed and for sale. Very interesting. I also remember that magazines like Colonial Homes (my Mom subscribed to that) and similar had ads for such. The book sounds very interesting in many respects! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe woman who does the paper silhouettes in the video I posted dresses in Colonial costume. Seems like she does a circuit of heritage fairs? I don't understand how anyone can make portraits this way -- a true talent. Glad it's not lost forever. Good luck, CC!
DeleteI have never heard of crafting silhouettes with mere paper & scissors....how fascinating!! Now the book title makes perfect sense 😊 Thanks for sharing the link to the video, it's quite mesmerizing!
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Isn't it though? Hard to comprehend the precision and talent when my paper snowflakes always look like train wrecks. :-) Good luck, Trixi!
DeleteIt's been way too long since I've read anything by Judith Miller.
ReplyDeletepocoauthorATgmailDOTcom
She's a staple in a Christian Fiction diet. Good luck, Nicole.
DeleteWhat an interesting setting!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, SIS!
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