Customer Reviews

The Amethyst Heart

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Penelope Stokes has the gift of transporting the reader from every day life to an extraordinary place that touches the heart and renews the spirit. One of the simplest purest messages of The Amythest Heart closes the age gap and reminds us getting old doesn't stop us from feeling. From Two to Ninety and beyond, we all hurt, we all feel, we all love. The characters are not only vivid but surely must be alive somewhere.

I carried this book everywhere with me for the two days it took to finish it. It was worth every dish I didn't wash, every bed I didn't make and every meeting I ducked out of. I will be anxiously watching the shelves for the next one Ms. Stokes writes!

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!!

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.

I couldn't put this down from the time I started it until I had completely finished it!

Stokes has outdone her Blue Bottle Club--and that's saying a lot! This book is really a great read, with characters who capture your heart and a story that just won't let you go!

I didn't want it to end! This is the kind of book you'll read over and over again! At least, I know I will!

This book is one of those rare finds! Miss Amethyst Noble has lived a long time. And, she has a situation which brings herself and her great-grand-daughter together. Sparking an interest in her great-grand-daughter, she tells the story of her family history. You are literally transported back into time. After reading this novel, I find myself wanting to be "Noble" and good. And, wishing I had sat at my grandmother's side and listened to her stories. I would recommend this book to anyone!

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!

I have read Penelope Stokes' Circle of Grace book from the library. I checked the author on her official website and I was impressed by her education and writing skills and style. After that, I start to buy books which she has authored. I have purchased The Amethyst Heart and The Amber Photograph and will intend to buy the rest of her books.
First, the title of this book is touchy...amethyst which is a spiritual stone. Secondly, she puts bible verses and passages that are applicable to the lines in her story which makes it a more enjoyable read. Then in this book, there are touches of civil war issues and racism which are intriguing subjects and as her words flow, the reader will feel that he or she is being mentally taken to this imaginative world and being a witness to this story. I think this is one of her best, if not her best written story judging from the 3 books that Ms. Stokes authored that I have read.
Would I recommend it to every reader? Absolutely, because I believe in her style and her prose is written very adequately and consistent to her very excellent writing gift and talent.

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.

I finished this book last night, and had tears in my eyes. What a wonderful book! Penelope Stokes has covered it all--history, race relations, faith . . . the story of a brave woman and her family, some of whom made wise choices, and some who did not. I highly recommend this book.

I have recently discovered Ms. Stokes books and "The Amethyst Heart" is my favorite. After purchasing a few of her books, I decided to use my local library to continue with her collection. Now I need to purchase "The Amethyst Heart" so I can highlight various sentences and thoughts for future reference. This book was a very enjoyable, inspirational novel that I look forward to owning and reading again.