Down to the Potter’s House. Annette Valentine

      Endorsements

      “With all the characteristics required of a first-rate novel, Down to the Potter’s House delivers a gripping narrative of true love, deceptive betrayal, intense suspense, prevailing hope, malicious scheming, and bitter disappointment. Author Annette Valentine has an absolutely exceptional gift of word-craft, allowing the reader to visualize thoroughly the scenes as she paints the picture in remarkable detail. The story is set in rural Kentucky, covering a time from the late 1920s to the early 1940s as experienced by young Gracie Maxwell. She teases the reader by intimations of a terrible evil that unfolds as Gracie gradually comes to understand the horrifying effects of the evil Francine Delaney. It is an excellent novel, the second in a trilogy based on her own family that compels the reader’s attention from first to last.”

      DAVID LAWRENCE, Ph.D.

      Retired professor of European history

      Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee

      “Annette Valentine has written a fast-moving novel of romance and redemption, intrigue and revenge with a finely-tuned protagonist who grows from naive schoolgirl to committed missionary to loving wife and mother. Written in an exquisite style, Down to the Potter’s House is an astute study of the contrast between good and evil inside an extended family.”

      PATRICIA A. PINGRY

      Best-selling Children’s book author

      “This is an entertaining and compelling novel set in Western Kentucky during the early 1900s. Annette Valentine’s characters have real-life and captivating personalities that keep the novel’s flow appropriate and attention-keeping. She creates a sharp contrast in the main characters’ personas—one who is manipulative and controlling versus another who seeks good and positivity. Also, the reader’s interest is captured as scenes flow with everything from Kentucky racehorses to Model T’s to locomotives. The story is intriguing and introduces at least two unexpected surprises that captivate the reader and keep one’s interest peaked. Very enjoyable!”

      MORRIS HADDEN

      Senior Litigation Partner

      Hunter, Smith & Davis, LLP

      Kingsport, Tennessee

      “In the compelling sequel to her first book, Annette Valentine allows us to further delve into her father’s indomitable spirit and character through the eyes of Gracie Maxwell. I was moved by Gracie’s ability to rise above her stepmother’s venom and her father’s disloyalty, always striving to help those less fortunate. Her deep-rooted faith, strength of family, and profound love for Simon complete this remarkable story of two souls destined to become one. I eagerly await the third story in the trilogy.”

      NANCY DANIELS

      President, Voice Dynamic

      Somerdale, New Jersey

      www.voicedynamic.com

      “Down to the Potter’s House is a powerfully moving continuation in the saga based on the author’s family roots. She deftly captured the spirit of growing up in the South and managed to tap my emotion of happiness, sadness, reality, and hope. I regretted that the book came to an end and can’t wait for Annette Valentine’s next story in this series.”

      CHARLOTTE WOOD

      Corporate Marketing/Communications Director

      Amerigroup Healthcare Corporation, Retired

      “I was completely mesmerized by Annette Valentine’s Down to the Potter’s House. The intriguing narrative of Gracie Maxwell, a story capturing the reader’s attention from its onset, portrays lives shaped by Todd County, Kentucky. Mrs. Valentine’s imagery, characterization, and her skillful use of language add to the unfolding drama of individuals who are clearly molded by God.”

      CAROLYN WELLS

      Author of T Is for Todd County

      Retired English teacher,

      Todd County Central High School, Elkton, Kentucky

      “Courage and defense of freedom mark the American World War II experience. So do devotion to family and unbridled fear about the fate of loved ones facing the enemy, half a world away. Annette Valentine’s engrossing new work captures the anguish and hope of those waiting at home, digesting headlines and longing for peace.

      GORDON H. “NICK” MUELLER, Ph.D

      President and CEO Emeritus

      The National WWII Museum

Down to the Potter’s House

      Annette

      Valentine

      NEW YORK

      LONDON • NASHVILLE • MELBOURNE • VANCOUVER

      Down to the Potter’s House

      A Novel

      © 2021 Annette Valentine

      All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

      Published in New York, New York, by Morgan James Publishing. Morgan James is a trademark of Morgan James, LLC. www.MorganJamesPublishing.com

      ISBN 9781631950797 paperback

      ISBN 9781631950803 eBook

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2020933961

      Cover Design by:

      Eve DeGrie and Royce DeGrie

      Cover Layout by:

      Rachel Lopez

       www.r2cdesign.com

      Interior Design by:

      Christopher Kirk

       www.GFSstudio.com

      Disclaimer: This is a work of fi ction. All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of some public fi gures, are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fi ctitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, whether living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Accounts of incidents and their locale are not intended to portray anything beyond an entirely fi ctional setting.

      Morgan James is a proud partner of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg. Partners in building since 2006.

      Get involved today! Visit

      MorganJamesPublishing.com/giving-back

      For my daughter, Jenifer Hofmann For my son, Ken Valentine And my grandchildren: Sarah, John, Mark, Andrew, and Georgia Valentine, and Anna Hofmann

      Acknowledgments

      I wish to thank many friends whose dogged support was a pillar of strength in times when I needed it most. A good word, an encouraging word, and the kindnesses that kept me pushing never went unnoticed. Thank you for the generosity of sincere interest and constructive input that impacted me on