The Artisan's Wife (Refined by Love Book #3)
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4.2 • 6 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Delightful Blend of History and Romance
Ainslee McKay's world is shaken when she discovers her twin sister has not only eloped with a man she barely knows but now Ainslee must fulfill their obligation at a tile works in Weston, West Virginia. Ainslee must learn the ropes and, if she can keep the tile works profitable, her brother will help her sell the business.
When Levi Judson arrives and shows Ainslee his designs for new tiles, she's impressed by his skill and passion for the business. But he's hiding his true reason for coming to Weston. And Ainslee knows he'd be crushed to learn his plans for a long career at McKay Tile Works are in vain since she intends to sell. Can the growing feelings between them survive if the truth comes to light--or is a future together as untenable as the future of the tile works itself?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Miller (The Potter's Lady) continues her Refined by Love series with the third installment, a charming historical romance centered on a family of Irish immigrants. The McKays are now far removed from the hardships of their homeland, finding love and prosperity in West Virginia in the 1870s. Ainslee McKay, quite content with living comfortably with family, is coerced by her twin sister into taking on the daunting task of running a tile works on the other side of the state in Weston. On the brink of their departure, her sister elopes, leaving Ainslee to bear responsibility for the family's new investment. Determined to return home as soon as possible, Ainslee keeps focused on the tile works' profitability with the intent of selling it off until Levi Judson comes to town. He's an experienced tile maker, and his relocation to Weston is the subject of much speculation. Having been dumped by his fianc e after it's revealed that his brother has a mental condition, Levi is now hesitant to reveal that his brother is a patient at the nearby asylum. This lighthearted, entertaining story contains a moving message: that simple acts of kindness can positively effect the lives of others when fear of the unknown is dissuaded and compassion and selflessness take hold.
Customer Reviews
Third book in series!
The Artisan’s Wife by Judith Miller is the third (and final) book in Refined by Love series. Ainslee McKay is happy teaching students, but her sister Adaira has an artistic streak. Adaira convinced her brother to purchase a tile works where she could use her artistic talents. Ainslee would run the business end. Shortly before they are to leave, Adaira disappears. She ran off and eloped with Chester Mulvane. The family had no idea she was that serious about the man she married. Ainslee will have to go off on her own to run McKay Tile Works. Ainslee has confidence issues and does not want to leave home on her own (she only agreed to the venture to please her twin). Ainslee gets her brother’s agreement that he will try and sell the tile works so she can return home soon (preferably within six months). Levi Judson has moved to Weston, West Virginia to be near his brother. His brother, Noah, has some mental issues (he is not crazy) and is being housed at Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum. Noah worked at a tile works in Philadelphia and he has some unique and creative ideas. But if the McKay’s are selling the business, they will not be interested in trying out new ideas. As Ainslee settles into her new life and role at McKay Tile Works, she starts to enjoy her new life. Ainslee also gets involved in a project at the asylum helping the patients. When Levi shows her his new designs, Ainslee thinks they are beautiful and unique. They could be a profitable venture for the tile works. But is Ainslee willing to stay in Weston?
The Artisan’s Wife is a sweet novel. I liked how Ainslee grew and changed after spending time in Weston. Her sister leaving her in the lurch was really a blessing in disguise. The tile descriptions sounded gorgeous (I wish there were pictures). The novel is well-written and engaging. It had a good pace/flow. The characters were relatable. They felt like real people and fit into the time period. I completely understood how Ainslee would feel. How nervous she would be going off on her own to a new city, job, and place to live. The romance is very subtle in the book. It plays out in the background (I like how the author did it). This is a Christian novel that teaches forgiveness (something Ainslee struggled with in the book), power of prayer, God’s plan for our lives, and misperceptions (how people viewed the residents of the asylum). I give The Artisan’s Wife 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). This novel is part of a series, but can be read alone. We are updated on the lives of the couples from the previous novels. We get to check in with Rose and Rylan (who run the pottery works), Ewan and Laura (as well as Grandmother Woodfield), and Chester and Adaira. One thing I did find annoying was Ainslee “fainting” episodes. There were too many of them to be believable (women usually fainted because their corsets were too tight and they could not get enough air into their lungs). I look forward to reading more books by Judith Miller.
I received a complimentary copy of The Artisan’s Wife in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.