The Brickmaker's Bride: Refined By Love Book One By Judith Miller

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description: 

In the clay-rich hills of the newly founded state of West Virginia, two families tentatively come together to rebuild a war-torn brick making 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 brick making 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 Thoughts: 

The Brickmaker's Bride is Book One of Judith Miller's new series, Refined By Love and it is great. As a huge fan of Judith Miller books I was excited to have the opportunity to read her latest series. The Brickmaker's Bride takes place in West Virginia, a newly founded state after the Civil War.  The Woodfield's lost their patriarch in the Civil War and are forced to sell his brickyard since there is no man to run it in their family and this gives them the means to live the lifestyle they have been accustomed to. Laura Woodfield doesn't want to lose the brickyard, she spent much time there with her father helping run it. Even though Laura was inside doing the books, she knew everything there is to run the brickyard but as a woman it is not something she can do.  Ewan McKay, Uncle Hugh, Aunt Margaret, and Kathleen immigrate to the US from Ireland  to buy and run a brickyard. Ewan has promised to trade his skill in brick making to come to the US. Uncle Hugh buys the brickyard from The Woodfields and wants Ewan to run it. Ewan enlists help from Laura Woodfield to understand the books and hopefully to receive help from her to help secure contracts. As they work together, Laura and Ewan find they have a connection even though Laura is engaged.  Ewan puts his everything in this brickyard but Uncle Hugh gets himself and the brickyard in trouble with a bad business decision and The Woodfields find themselves offering assistance to Ewan so that he can keep the brickyard and have a future, a future that hopefully includes Laura Woodfield. 

The Brickmaker's Bride is the first book in Judith Miller's latest series called Refined By Love and it's a fantastic book. This is a wonderful Christian Historical Fiction that takes place right after the Civil War in the newly founded state, West Virginia.  Judith Miller writes with authority about The Civil War, West Virginia, brick making process, brickyard management, unwed mothers, banking, and government of this time.  As a huge fan of history I absolutely love all things Civil War including the post Civil War rebuilding.  Judith Miller intertwines fact and fiction in this story. I found myself learning about things I hadn't known about during this important time in our history. I loved the characters in this story because none of them were perfect and it was interesting to watch the transformation of these characters.  Some of the characters surprised me especially Uncle Hugh and Winston. The Brickmaker's Bride grabbed my attention from the start and kept it until the end. Judith Miller has written a wonderful story that does not disappoint. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this book 4 STARS.

 Don't miss Judith Miller's latest novel, The Brickmaker's Bride. CBA Retailers + Resources raves, ". . . a wonderful story about faith and love throughout life’s trials."

Judith is celebrating with a Kindle HDX giveaway and  a "Refined by Love" Facebook author event on November 4th.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 4th. Winner will be announced at the Refined by Love Facebook Author Event. Connect with Judith for a fascinating evening centered around her new Civil War-era series. She'll be hosting a book club discussion, giving away prizes, answering your questions, offering an exclusive peek at the next book in the Refined by Love series, and much more!

So grab your copy of The Brickmaker's Bride and join Judith and friends on the evening of November 4th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!