The Amethyst Heart

Rating:
Summary: It's About Time!!
Review: I have been searching for years for a Christian author who doesn't hit you over the head with the "message." Up until now, Francine Rivers is the only one who could do that!! I am so thankful to have found Penelope J. Stokes!! This is the 2nd novel I have read by her and will now systematically work my way through her books!! If any of them hold a candle to The Amethyst Heart, I am in for a rare treat!!

The Amethyst Heart captured my imagination from the beginning and held it until I closed the book. What a fabulous history lesson this was....not written in a heavy-handed way, but pushed along with the strength of the characters Stokes draws. I miss them already!!

Rating:
Summary: The best Penelope J. Stokes book yet!!!
Review: I have read several of Penelope J. Stokes books, starting with The Blue Bottle Club (which was wonderful). The Amber Photograph and The Treasure Box were both great too! But so far, I would say that The Amethyst Heart is the best one I've read. I was unable to put this book down- I read it during every spare minute I could find. I would definitely have to say that over this past year, Penelope J. Stokes has become one of my all-time favorite authors.
Penelope, keep those novels coming!!!

Rating:
Summary: The best Penelope J. Stokes book yet!!!
Review: I have read several of Penelope J. Stokes books, starting with The Blue Bottle Club (which was wonderful). The Amber Photograph and The Treasure Box were both great too! But so far, I would say that The Amethyst Heart is the best one I've read. I was unable to put this book down- I read it during every spare minute I could find. I would definitely have to say that over this past year, Penelope J. Stokes has become one of my all-time favorite authors.
Penelope, keep those novels coming!!!

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC !!
Review: I have to agree with everyone else here who said it was a "can't put down" marvelous read! Christian fiction has come a long way since the olden days when it was a bit "hooky" and not believable -- not to mention not interesting. Ms. Stokes knows how to grab you and keep you reading!! Thank the LORD for good Christian writers!!

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC !!
Review: i just ABSOULUTLY loved this book!! i noticed my mom was just raving about this book so i stole it from her and only meant to read just that first page i open to--yeah right!!! i could not put the book down! as soon as i did, i picked it right back up! that was the first christain book i ever read. now i have every penelope j stokes book you can think of. all of them i read within 1 day each, which was right after another. after i got done reading them, it like, "now what do i do? back to realilty." i could not wait till i get the next one. i actually went to the town where she lives and met her pastor, (which is my friend's grampa) Penelope is such a talented writer. i love her style!! my mom bought this book for my grandma and my 9 year old cousin stole it from her and couldn't put it down! they're not meant for kids but they're still good.

Rating:
Summary: A Story Not To Forget
Review: I ordered this book when I was in high school. It had been sitting on my book shelf for a few years, then I finally decided to actually read it. I finished the book in three days and was sorry that it took me so long to pick it up. From the first page the book takes you in as if you were Ms.Noble's great granddaughter. Throughout the story I laughed and cried till the very end. I loved it so much that I bought an additional two copies as Christmas gifts to my co-workers. Its a book worthy of sharing.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you Penelope J. Stokes!
Review: I purchased this book at a thrift store to resale online, and after someone purchased it at auction, I was excited. Unfortunately, they didn't pay for over a month. I truly feel that God had His hand on this situation. I was thinking of relisting it again this Saturday evening, and I came to amazon.com to see what it was selling for. I began to read all of the reviews, and I felt that God was calling me to read it.

Oh how amazing He is!!

This book has got to be the most AWESOME book I have ever read. It captured me and brought me into the lives of each of it's characters. I had a hard time putting it down, but since I homeschool, I had to leave it once and a while. I finished it in 48 hours, and I was saddened when it ended. I felt so close to the people in this book.

God truly guided the hand of Penelope J. Stokes! I am so thankful that she was His faithful servent and wrote this book. She will never know how much it has meant to me!

Rating:
Summary: Touching the Heart
Review: In a world where we are surrounded with so much anger it was truly a joy to read Ms. Stokes Amethyst Heart. She touches on very disturbing issues, many of which still need so much resolution, with such understanding and tender care. It also intrigued me that she used a cross-generational relationship in which to frame her story. I unreservedly recommend this book and have already done so at the writing seminar at my website. There I have praised it as a fine work to use as a model on how to write about angry subjects with tenderness, care, and resolution.
Thank you so much, Ms. Stokes, for the healing in Amethyst Heart.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Incredible!
Review: Mrs. Stokes has a gift for writing that puts you into the story. I wondered how she could top "The Blue Bottle Club", which had twists, turns and surprises until the very end. She did it again and hit "The Amethyst Heart" out of the ballpark! It was one of the most touching stories that I have ever read. I sincerely hope that there will be more books coming from Mrs. Stokes. I would definitely recommend both of her books, however with a warning: You won't be able to put it down until you finish it!

Rating:
Summary: A new fan for Penelope Stokes!
Review: This is the first novel by Penelope Stokes that I have read, but certainly it won't be the last! This book had everything, romance, adventure, history, and all without any bad language or explicit sex. The story revolves around 93 year old Amethyst, who is about to be evicted from her lifelong home by her own son. After taking her great granddaughter (also named Amethyst) hostage, Amethyst begins to tell her the history of the house and her ancestors, beginning with Silas Noble who came to Mississippi to be a doctor for the plantations in the area. He married Pearl, another who shared his beliefs that everyone, slaves and the wealthy deserve the same medical care. Throughout their married lives, Pearl and Silas are great friends with the black slaves and even help many of them escape to the north. After Silas passes on, he leaves the land to his best friend and former slave, Booker's son Enoch instead of his own son Abe, who is the complete opposite of his parents. The story continues with the next generations, Abe's daughter and Enoch's and how they continued the fight to make black people free and accepted. The book is always interesting and one of those stories you wish wouldn't end. I am looking forward to reading all the other novels by Penelope Stokes and would recommend this to any age group.