There were interesting characters in this book. And their personalities varied. This book was an exploration in Kentucky during the great depression. While part of the “My Father’s” series, it works well as a standalone novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kindle for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The history of a Kentucky family from the Great Depression through to 1942. With plenty of money, these characters running the Hillbound Tobacco Farm bring out the best and worst in human behavior. From the slaves working there to the bosses running the company, there is a lot to be proud of and ashamed of from these characters. A good read.

DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE by ANNETTE VALENTINE tells the story of the Maxwell family from 1921 to 1942, It is moving and inspirational, with an interesting plot and great character portrayal.
Gracie Maxwell is the protagonist and we see her determination to improve, not only herself, but also the world around her. She and her brother Henry suffer more from her father's betrayal than her two married sisters do, and it is interesting to see Gracie's spiritual growth and growing maturity after she has been to stay with the Willoughbys at the potter's house. This biblical theme is well developed throughout the novel which deals largely with broken people. There is also a strong Christian message of overcoming evil, restoration and hope. One of my favourite quotations is Gracie saying, "My having gone down to the potter's house had turned my brokenness into wholeness and imprinted on me the signature of my maker."
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I have not read the first book in the series, but Down to the Potter's House can easily be read as a stand alone. I am really looking forward to the next novel in the series. This is the first book i have read by this author and will most definitely not be the last!
It is a most enjoyable and interesting read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Morgan James Fiction. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This was a dual-timeline historical fiction book creating an emotional story that I couldn't put down. This is the second book in the series, but it wasn't hard to get into what was happening, so I don't think it's necessary to read the first book before starting this one. The author has really written a story that drives you to feel for the characters, making all their hardship hit the reader hard. I loved how the story created such a powerful reaction for me.

The characters are facing challenges and struggles that create a story of hope and transformation for them. I really enjoyed watching them handle the issues and found myself drawn to how things would work out. I think this is a perfect book for readers that enjoy becoming emotionally invested in a story's characters!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I received a free electronic ARC of this Christian novel from Netgalley, Annette Valentine, and Norman James, publisher. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This is part of a series but completely stand-alone.

With a flashback to 1922, our story begins in Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky in early 1930 in the Maxwell family home, the 560-acre Hillbound Tobacco Farm. Elkton is facing another of several years of extreme drought, the unfolding Depression, and the impending death of their matriarch, Annabelle Maxwell. The elder two daughters of the Maxwell family are married, Emma Rivers to a tobacco farmer named Elmer a couple of hours away by train, and Millicent Carver to Jim, owner of the grocery/hardware store in Elkton. Of the younger two, Henry is basically running the Hillbound tobacco fields with the help of Moe Lee and his family, children of one of Grandfather Maxwell's slave, and Gracie is looking at the last two years of high school before she attends teacher's college. It looks like the children of Senator Robert Maxwell and wife Annabelle are settled into their futures. Until the neighbor, Felix Delaney marries Francine Willoughby. Francine has a way of interfering with all sorts of plans. And enticing all sorts of men... It is possible the family will not be able to protect themselves against her machinations. Even with the help of the Potter.

this was a really enjoyable read, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the time period. I look forward to more from the author.

O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isiah 64:8

Down to the Potter’s House is a tale of hope. It is the story of the Maxwell family and their family farm, Hillbound, in 1930s Kentucky. Here the former state Senator Robert Maxwell, his wife, Annabelle, and their four children; Millicent, Emma, Henry and Gracie live and raise tobacco. Hillbound is a huge farm, and provides for the Maxwell’s a good life.


At fifteen, Gracie has her life planned. She will finish high school, go to college to become a teacher, and then set out for the mission field in Sudan, to teach the African children, just like she has taught the colored farm children.

But, when her mother gets sick, plans begin to fall apart. Gracie’s father distances himself from his ailing wife and his family. The house and farm fall into disarray. With her two older sisters now married, Gracie and her brother struggle together to keep things running. She longs for school to begin and approval from her father. Then her mother dies.

Annette Valentine spins a tale of hurt, hardship, and transformation. Within the pages of Down to the Potter’s House, we will follow Gracie as she battles forward to face new challenges that will forever change her.

How will her father’s affection for the neighbor, Francine, and their new partnership in horseracing affect the family? Can her brother Henry keep the farm afloat at the hands of a man who treats him like a hired hand? Will faith be enough to save them and their beloved Hillbound?

Gracie prays that God will continue to shape her life as if she is a clay pot in the potter’s hands. Will he?

I received an ARC from Books Forward.

This is a wonderful tale. Enjoy!

I received a copy from netGalley, all opinions are mine.
This is truly embarrassing, I did not enjoy the reading of "Down to the Potter's House". the writing and the story are not to be criticised, it is just that I could not get into the story. I expected to read about a woman, and I ended up reading about a family. I thought why not ? But then the dysfonctionement of the nucleus shadowed the whole book. The passing of time seems to be told like you comment a photo album. but again, this is how I felt, it does mean the book has no interest.

My thanks to Annette Valentine, Morgan James Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC OF DOWN TO THE POTTER'S HOUSE.
A huge, sweeping story set from the 1920s to the 40s, Gracie Maxwell must come to terms with her mother's death and her father's indifference to this profound time in all their lives. He is a bigot, a bully...and unfaithful with their widowed neighbour, Francine, while her mother is dying. Gracie discovers this later on, but even as a young girl she cannot ignore the treatment of those human beings that are bought and sold and used on their tobacco farm. I found the novel a little difficult to get into, but when I did I was swept away, my stomach churning at the wrongs aimed at Gracie and Henry, and Moe Lee and his family. One to remember.

First, great book! Faith based and riveting from early in the story.

Second, this book is based on Ms. Valentine's family history. And that makes it even more amazing. However, it would have been nice to know this is the middle book in a trilogy. I had to research this for myself.

Third, where can I find the first book??

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy. I'd love to read more.