A Fragile Design (Bells of Lowell Series #2) (Paperback)

by Tracie Peterson (Author), Judith McCoy Miller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Both an enjoyable history lesson as well as a lively romance..." -- Library Journal, Sept. 2003

"Extraordinary writing, an outstanding, unusual plot, and fascinating characters make A Fragile Design another success for these talented writers." -- Rendezvous, May 2003

Product Description
Book 2 of The Bells of Lowell. The mill town of Lowell, Massachusetts, beckons Arabella Newberry when she decides to flee the life of the Shakers. There she finds the independence she seeks and a greater purpose as she works for educational reform. But Lowell, plagued by ethnic strife, seems no longer a safe haven but rather a danger when several girls go missing. As rumors and conflict invade the industry of the mill, Arabella struggles with her own heart as two men vie for her love.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764226894
• ISBN-13: 978-0764226892
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #176,711 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Journey with Bella as she establishes a new life for herself, November 17, 2003

By	E. J. Schroder "KiwiElle" (Palmerston North, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Experience drama, romance and intrigue in one of America's early industrial settlements. In this second volume of the Bells of Lowell series, the story picks up with two Shaker girls who make a break from the life they've known for a new beginning working in the textile mills of Lowell, Massachusetts. Accustomed to a life of equality between men and women, Bella and Daughtie are shocked to discover life in the outside world not quite so lenient towards women. Eager to set things right, Bella strives to forge a place for women in a society dominated by men, while trying to fight off the advances of heartbreaker Taylor Manning and gain a foothold in her new life of independence. In the midst of all this, girls are going missing from the Irish settlement, and rumours of an uprising cause tempers to flare and rationality to cease. It'll take more than a few level heads to cool things down, especially when girls from the mills start to disappear as well... A FRAGILE DESIGN is a riveting sequel to the story started in DAUGHTER OF THE LOOM. ~~Ellie Schroder, owner of The Christian Fiction Site

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 15, 2004

By	Elizabeth Merry (Moran, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Bella is a young woman with ideas that don't always fit the times. She has her own mind and likes to use it and when her head isn't turned by the attractive Taylor, he sets out to make her fall for him, but somewhere along the way he falls for her. When Bella in kidnapped, he pleads for God to keep her safe.
The second book in the Bells of Lowell series is another wonderful one. The teaming of Peterson and Miller is an excellent one and I hope we get many more books from them!

4.0 out of 5 stars Changing one heart at a time, April 15, 2008

By	Shari A. Bradley "Shari nose in a book" (Vista CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As with #1 in this series, it is a lovely reading experience. Strong, capable females, believable characters and situations, and always illustrating the beauty and value of a changed heart.