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144th out of 558 books
—
445 voters
The Carousel Painter
by
Judith McCoy Miller (Goodreads Author)
Without the means to support herself after her father dies, Carrington Brouwer receives the opportunity to use her artistic talent at her friend's father's carousel factory. But the men at the factory are not happy that a woman has been given the very desirable job of painting the elaborately carved horses. When mishaps occur at the factory and jewelry disappears from the...more
Paperback, 335 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published August 13th 2009)
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Each attendee at a performance of "Carousel" (at the Goodspeed Opera House, woot!) was issued a copy of this book. I (who dislike Rodgers and Hammerstein) received my copy from my friendneice, who had no use for it because she is 10.
One indication that a book is dreadful is that brand new copies are given away indiscriminately. A copy on every seat of a (weeknight) event means it doesn't sell in the lobby (also it suggests vanity publishing).
The (lack of) cover design was the second sign that n...more
One indication that a book is dreadful is that brand new copies are given away indiscriminately. A copy on every seat of a (weeknight) event means it doesn't sell in the lobby (also it suggests vanity publishing).
The (lack of) cover design was the second sign that n...more
Well, where to begin? I was really hoping I'd like this one. Unfortunately it fell short for me. It's not a bad book, but there were too many things that didn't flow well together. From the very beginning, we're told that Carrie and Augusta Galloway are good friends yet I could never find a reason why Carrie held so tightly to her friendship with Augusta. The person Augusta was painted to be prior to the novel's beginning and what I actually read did not even seem like the same person at all. Pe...more
I purchased this book because it was on sale and the title drew me in. I am fascinated with carousels, so how could I not buy it? I really hesitated because I figured it would be another run-of-the-mill Christian romance novel. I was very wrong! This Christian novel has strong, realistic characters who experience real-life emotions. It has enough mystery to make it a page-turner, and I was fascinated by all the facts about a carousel factory. I was thrilled to read about the steps, time, effort,...more
I am a huge fan of Tracie Peterson and have read all her books thus far...so I was looking for a new author to pick up to keep me busy reading. After reading the Broadmoor Legacy Series (co-authored by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller) I decided to try a book by Miller. I had heard good things about Miller's newest book...and I was not disappointed. Since Miller co-authored her first few books with Peterson they have a very similar writing style.
The Carousel Painter was a fantastic book! Set in...more
The Carousel Painter was a fantastic book! Set in...more
The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller is Christian novel telling the story of a young woman who goes to work at a carousel factory working as a painter. Being the only woman employed at the factory, she endures many difficulties in her job brought on by both the men at the factory and their wives who resent having a beautiful young woman working with their husbands. However, she forms a friendship with the head carousel painter who teaches her more about how to live as a Christian. She also form...more
You know, God has a way of weaving every aspect of our lives together in ways we would never expect. I just had a long conversation about about how people read these romances in order to escape the every day troubles they face and yet... let me be transparent with you once again... this book captured me in a way I had never thought possible.
It's not the first time it's happened. I think Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss was the first one that spoke to me where I was at and encouraged me...more
It's not the first time it's happened. I think Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss was the first one that spoke to me where I was at and encouraged me...more
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The Carousel Painter starts with a promising and uncommon theme, a young girl moves to the states from paris after her father's death and is offered a job as a carousel horse painter. Unfortunately, after this initial set-up the events that follow are all too familiar. A so-so romance, trial after trial for our heroine, and a lacking mystery. The mystery spurred me to continue reading, but the resolution was anticlimactic and predictable. It was tied-up just in time to have the perfect happy end...more
So often I find myself disappointed by Christian fiction. The reasons are many and varied. Thankfully this book avoided most of the pitfalls. I will say that I really liked how this book weaved Christian topics into the story. Instead of just mentioning the characters were people of faith, the book actually touched upon things that we as Christians deal with on a daily basis. It was nice to see the author actually make daily Christian struggles, such as controlling anger and trusting in God even...more
Twins Enoch and Taylor arrive in Gooding, Texas, having been signed on as a veterinarian and doctor respectively. Unfortunately, the town got more than they bargained for in Taylor because she's a woman. The town was taken aback, fully expecting both of them to be men. Being 1892, they don't take this very well at all. The only way to get into their graces is to prove her abilities, which she has opportunity to do very quickly with Karl Van der Vort. She has to doctor him emergently and is able...more
I received this as an ARC. I hadn't realized (through my fault or the publisher's, I don't know) that the book was a Christian fiction piece. Oops. I'm really not a fan of the genre, though I did read a lot of them growing up (deconverted in the meantime). But, I'm a fair person, so I read it anyway, comparing it in my head to other works of Christian lit I read growing up. So, ignoring my philosophical quips, how's the book? Miller is a good writer on the sentence level. It was definitely an ea...more
This was another perfect choice to read through the holidays. It was a light read, but had an interesting story line along with some historical background concerning the creation of carousels and the hardships of women entering the work place in that ppoint in history. It was easily read over several days of traveling - a perfect airport read. It did seem that problems were solved in a relatively short period of time and everything works out very easily for Carrie. I did not realize it was Chris...more
Judith Miller is an author I have encountered when she co-authors books with Tracy Peterson, but I have never tried one she wrote herself, and I'm very glad I did. The carousel factory and the work that goes on there is a wonderful, unique setting, and the other elements of clean romance, mystery, and the growing faith of the main characters make it hard to put down. Carrie's giggling got a tad bit annoying, but it also made her a real person with weaknesses and flaws. The outcome of the mystery...more
Ah, a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of the other historical fiction titles I've read this year. The story was unique, the characters were interesting, and the "conversion scene" wasn't there! The main character learned about God in a natural, realistic fashion rather than a sudden light bulb moment.
I can't give the book four stars, as it's not something I would own or reread. Other reviewers noted that the giggling was annoying. I believe Miller was trying to give the main character a u...more
I can't give the book four stars, as it's not something I would own or reread. Other reviewers noted that the giggling was annoying. I believe Miller was trying to give the main character a u...more
Mix the sweet promise of a carousel factory with the spunk of a heroine who must make her own way, and you might think the end result would be a heartwarming story perfect for moments of escape. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. All the elements are just a little off: the romance is flat, the characters are uncomplicated, and the mystery never is. I can't understand why authors continue to create "good" protagonists who are beset by large numbers of simultaneous trials just to have circumstance...more
A cute read. I enjoyed this book immensely. Josef was a very intriguing character to read about as well as Carrington.
After Carrington's father dies, she accepts her friend's invitation to come to America. Carrington jumps on the oppurtunity, but Mrs. Galloway isn't as thrilled.
Determined not to be a bruden, she searches for a job. Mr. Galloway helps her find a job and she starts painting for his carousel company.
However, the males working in the factory aren't as thrilled. Will she lose her job...more
After Carrington's father dies, she accepts her friend's invitation to come to America. Carrington jumps on the oppurtunity, but Mrs. Galloway isn't as thrilled.
Determined not to be a bruden, she searches for a job. Mr. Galloway helps her find a job and she starts painting for his carousel company.
However, the males working in the factory aren't as thrilled. Will she lose her job...more
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This book was well written. I was interested in the idea behind the story; however, I found that the actual plot lacked substance. It seemed a bit rushed about halfway through the book. The author spent a great deal writing scenes in the carousel factory and less time developing a solid plot. I figured that the romance would happen between Josef and Carrie, however, I was surprised at how brief their romance was. I can't even recall when they actually fell in love. Although this wouldn't be amon...more
The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller is a delightful historical romance. Carrie Brouwer has returned home to America after her father's death in France. The two of them had lived in Paris, both practicing their beloved art of painting while he taught student painters to make ends meet. She moves in with her friend Augusta Galloway, but quickly discovers that she is not a welcome guest but a unwelcome pest, so she takes a job painting horses at Augusta's father's carousel factory. There she meet...more
This really wasn't a bad book, but I never would have touched it if I had known it was Christian lit. My rating is mostly contingent on my feelings for that genre, and I suspect that people who like reading Christian lit would very much enjoy reading this book.
But me? No. Carrie is just so passive. She wanders to a new country by an act of invitation. She ventures into employment by another invitation. She roams over to a new place to live by suggestion. Her plan to avoid making waves at work is...more
But me? No. Carrie is just so passive. She wanders to a new country by an act of invitation. She ventures into employment by another invitation. She roams over to a new place to live by suggestion. Her plan to avoid making waves at work is...more
Everybody has fond memories of perching on the beautiful horses on a carousel and going round and round. Reading this story was just as much fun. The characters were interesting and the background even more so. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into a carousel factory. Judith Miller has a way of transporting her readers into another era and then telling her story in page-turning fashion. A little history, a good dollop of romance and a side dressing of mystery made this story a good read.
I really liked this book. it's a historical story about a young woman who is struggling to find acceptance in the eyes of her peers, and to finally live her dream, with a bit of romance along the way. I loved all the different characters, and how they were portrayed, and the story-line. A story worth reading!
This story pointed out how far women have come in finding jobs that suit them and that enjoy not just the jobs they are allowed to have. And I'm so glad that Carry didn't try to be someone she was not join her friend in the "rich" life style of empty headed dressing and tea parties, etc. I enjoyed the story a lot.
This story was an absolute joy to read. I didn't want it to end! The author did a great job of combining the mystery of the missing jewelry and paintings with the romance between the two characters. I absolutely loved the story. Definitely would recommend.
I've read a few other books that this author co-authored but never a book she wrote alone. It was a good book but nothing to run out and buy tonight. It was fairly predictable but easy to read and entertaining.
I really enjoyed Miller's Carousel Painter. It was a unique concept, that of an early 20th century carousel factory. I look forward to more stand alone novels from this author.
This book was disappointing to me on many levels. No character development, no chemistry, weak mystery, etc! And yet I kept reading?!?!
I really enjoyed this one. The romance started early and kept good pace throughout the book. It was a bit fast-paced, but it didn't seem too fast. I thought the author did a wonderful job at vivid describing everything, and I loved her characters. I could identify with Carrie in her inadequate feelings towards being worthy enough or just enough for the answers to her prayers and for God to help her. She felt as though she didn't have enough faith or strength to withstand the trials that come. Su...more
It was a good book, just disappointed in the end.
It was a cute story - but not my favorite Christian based novels. The synopsis was more interesting then the actual story was.
interesting story good read
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Judith McCoy Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.
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