The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller - It was the unusual setting of this historical novel that first drew my interest. It takes place in the newly established state of West Virginia, shortly after the Civil War. Irish immigrant Ewan McKay and his uncle Hugh purchase a brickmaking business from a widow and her daughter, Laura Woodfield. Hugh holds the purse strings for the business but isn't inclined to do much of the work, but expects Ewan to build up the business. Ewan puts in long thankless hours and does his best to re-hire good workers, manage the brickmaking operation, and negotiate contracts in order to make the business profitable - his motivation being Uncle Hugh's elusive promise to make him a full partner and bring his younger sisters over from Ireland when the business is profitable enough. Laura grew up helping her father with the business so she and her mother are more than willing to help Ewan as much as possible. While spending time working together, Ewan and Laura cannot escape the relationship growing between them, but there are definite obstacles to overcome. To start with, Laura is being courted by the Woodfield family lawyer, a man with the wealth and social connections that Ewan knows he can't compete with. Laura also has a secret that she fears will make her an undesirable wife for Ewan. And to complicate matters further, Uncle Hugh makes some poor business decisions that put the entire brickmaking business at risk, and if they lose the business, Ewan fears he will have no chance to win Laura at all.
I loved the characters and setting of this novel. The connection between Ewan and Laura is obvious right from the start, and I couldn't help but cheer Ewan on in his determination to make the business an honest success in spite of his uncle's poor decisions. Although Laura had agreed to allow the lawyer to court her, it was out of a resignation that she had to take what she could get, and I didn't like him at all, which kept me wondering until Laura's secret was revealed - what it was that made her think the ambitious lawyer was the only man likely to accept her. Compulsive gambler Uncle Hugh and his demanding and critical wife Maggie were a constant thorn in the side for Ewan, but they also provided quite a bit of humor throughout the story.
Overall I loved the book, and once I got started, I was completely hooked. A minor detail that I couldn't help but wonder about all the way through was why Ewan and Hugh had different surnames, when it was mentioned that Ewan's father was brother to Hugh. I was also a little surprised at the reaction of the lawyer when Laura finally turned him down and chose Ewan instead. (I don't think that's a spoiler - it's obvious from the book's title that Laura will wind up with Ewan!) The lawyer's jealousy and possessiveness led me to expect something different when Laura's decision was made, but I won't spoil that!
From the publisher:
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 operating 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?
Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.
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