The Artisan's Wife

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%E2%80%94until 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%C3%A9e 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. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary. (Aug.)