The Clever Mill House byJodi Lew-Smith

Publication Date: August 15, 2014

Caspian Press

Formats: eBook, Paperback

Pages: 424



Genre: Historical Fiction





A young woman’s gift could weave together the fabric of a nation...

1810, upstate New York. 21-year-old Ella Kenyon is happiest gliding through the thick woods around her small frontier town, knife in hand, her sharp eyes tracking game. A gift for engineering is in her blood, but she would gladly trade it for more time in the forest. If only her grandfather's dying wish hadn't trapped her into a fight she never wanted.

Six years ago, Ella's grandfather made her vow to finish his life's work: a flax-milling machine that has the potential to rescue her mother, brother, and sister from the brutality of life with her drunkard father. The copious linen it yields could save her struggling town, subjugate the growing grip of southern cotton. Or it could be Ella's downfall. If she's not quick enough, not clever enough to succeed, more than her own life rests in the balance...

Praise for The Clever Mill Horse

“Jodi Lew-Smith's The Clever Mill Horse is that rarest of all contemporary novels: an authentically old-fashioned adventure story, in all the best senses. Full of drama, humor, plot surprises, and, best of all, memorable characters, The Clever Mill Horse had me hooked from page one. Best of all, there's a sequel coming. I can't wait.” - Howard Frank Mosher, author of Where the Rivers Flow North


“In this delightful debut novel set in the early 19th century, a young woman fights to patent her flax-milling machine. . .An assured, cleverly plotted piece of historical fiction with an irrepressible female protagonist.” - Kirkus Reviews

“. . .intricately plotted and exceedingly well paced. . . filled with danger, science, and suspense, the story rings true with historical and natural detail. . . a complete and finely polished first novel.” - Foreword Reviews

Buy the Book

Amazon

Nook

Google Play

Kobo

About the Author

Jodi Lew-Smith lives on a farm in northern Vermont with her patient husband, three wonderfully impatient children, a bevy of pets and farm animals, and 250 exceedingly patient apple trees which, if they could talk, would suggest that she stop writing and start pruning. Luckily they’re pretty quiet.

With a doctorate in plant genetics, she also lives a double life as a vegetable breeder at High Mowing Seeds. She is grateful for the chance to do so many things in one lifetime, and only wishes she could do them all better. Maybe in the next life she’ll be able to make up her mind.

For more about Jodi and about the lives and world of the characters in the novel, visit her website or blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

The Clever Mill Horse Blog Tour Schedule

Wednesday, November 12

Spotlight at Flashlight Commentary

Thursday, November 13

Guest Post & Giveaway at Passages to the Past


Friday, November 14

Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews and More


Monday, November 17

Review at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews

Tuesday, November 18

Guest Post at Just One More Chapter

Friday, November 21

Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews


Monday, November 24

Spotlight at Mel's Shelves


Tuesday, November 25

Spotlight at Book Nerd

Interview at Boom Baby Reviews



Friday, November 28

Review at Readers' Oasis



Monday, December 1

Review at Book Babe

Spotlight & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages



Wednesday, December 3

Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Spotlight at Layered Pages