The Carousel Painter

Carrington Brouwer is invited by her friend, Augusta Galloway, to move to the US from France after her father dies and she has no family left. Carrington arrives to quite an unexpected welcome. Augusta's mother doesn't seem well pleased with her arrival. Carrington feels as if she needs to make do on her own rather than live with the Galloways. She is a painter and is not exactly sure what she could do to live on her own. Carrington finds an unexpected ally in Augusta's mother when she suggests that she work for Mr. Galloway at the carousel factory painting their carvings for the carousel. Mr. Galloway agrees and Carrington begins the difficulty of working in a factory full of men and being the only woman worker. It is 1890, so this is quite a foreign idea and not very acceptable. Carrington finds a boardinghouse near the factory to live at and meets Mr. Kaestner, who also happens to be her supervisor at the factory. He has his own difficulties with her as well, but his feelings begin to change as he sees Carrington's character shine through. I really liked this book. It was full of suspense, romance, and much more. I am in awe of the strength that Carrington had to be able to withstand the trials of being the only woman in the factory. She struggles with her faith and learns along the way how to develop a better relationship with God.

Most everyone has fond memories of perching on one of 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 makes The Carousel Painter a good read.

I loved this book. The only reason that I did not finish it at one time is because I had to go to sleep to be at work on time the next morning. It drew me in the first page and I turned pages as fast as possible. I could not wait to find out what happened next with Miss Carrington Brouwer. The plot and characters are unique and interesting. It is not overwrought in historical details but enough to keep you interested.The writing is excellent and the story flows good. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It is going on my keeper shelf. :)

I really enjoyed this book! It is a story about a girl, Carrington Brouwer, who ends up working in a carousel factory in the late 1800s. Being a woman in this time period, you had very few options to work outside of the home. The carousel factory seems like the perfect place for her as she is a painter, and a good one at that. It seems like everyone is against her working there, from the men in the factory to their wives at home! Other struggles plague Carrington and an intriguing mystery begins with the disappearance of one of her wealthy friend's mother's valuables. I thought this book was well written and it kept my interest up to the last sentence! In fact, I wish there had been a chapter to two more. This is the first time I have read any of Judith Miller's work and I was not disappointed! I hope she continues with these characters in another book. I don't want to give too much of this enjoyable story away, so I will not go into more detail. I hope the next time you find time to read a book, you will pick up a copy of `The Carousel Painter' and enjoy it as much as I did!

This is the first of Judith Miller's books that I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that the heroine was unique -- the idea that she was a painter and as a young woman alone in the world in 1890 she becomes a carousel painter to provide for herself. Because of the time period, her presence in the factory causes all kinds of trouble. Then there's her friend's beau who seems intent on pursuing Carrington rather than the friend. There is a richness to this book on many levels -- but the one that sticks out to me is the way she seeks answers to why bad things happen to Christians. Carrington is young in her faith and facing a challenge that could destroy her precarious situation...through it all she asks the question many of us have asked as well. Where is God when life hurts? If you're looking for a historical romance that is set in a time and place far from the prairies or Revolutionary days, then this book will be an enjoyable breath of fresh air for you!