Bread and Dreams

Mina Duo #2

by Jonatha Ceely

In 1848, a time when sail was giving way to the swift power of steam, Mina boards the sailing ship Victoria, headed for a new life in America. Orphaned and alone, under the protection of her friend Mr. Serle, Mina is, like the Victoria, at the mercy of the winds of fate. But what awaits both Mina and her protector in New York is a world rich with opportunity and danger.

As Mr. Serle, a master chef, finds work in a bustling hotel, Mina tries the life of a salesgirl and then joins the downstairs kitchen of a wealthy family, where she soon proves her exquisite touch with food. But mysteries swirl all around the Westervelt home, and soon they engulf Mina too. As she tries to navigate the shoals and eddies of hidden affairs and powerful secrets, and as her feelings for the mysterious Mr. Serle subtly begin to shift, a remarkable series of events begins to unfold. For Mina, an extraordinary adventure begins, one that will take her far away from New York—and bring a sudden, surprising change of heart…and an unexpected gift of love and responsibility.

From the gaslit streets of old New York to the cargo-crowded waterways of the Erie Canal, from one man fighting a personal battle of faith, duty, and desire to another scarred in body and soul by was, Bread and Dreams is filled with marvelously drawn characters and vivid images.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jessica Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, feminist historical novel with vivid characterization and realistic yet page-turning plot and tons of historical texture and detail. could not put it down. starts off 1848 on the boat to nyc, has a great big fabulous chunk in nyc, and then the main character goes and works on a boat on the erie canal! in drag!

a really great book, about all my favorite stuff. might not be quite as exciting to you if you don't share some of the same loves. but i LOOOVED it!

"When I found the place at last, another problem faced me. The packet boats that take passengers do not begin at Albany. It it necessary to take the train to a city farther west — Schenectady, a strange name."

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover art & title drew me to this novel. The 19th century Irish heroine is bound for America aboard ship disguised as a boy. She is assistant to the ship's cook & journals her experiences in story format. The writing style/point of view is beautifully rendered so far. Can't wait to really dig into this novel.

This is a novel to savor. The simple, artful prose, engaging characters & historically accuracy & presentation is top shelf. I have reserved its predecessor: Mina at my local library. I assume the next novel may complete a trilogy.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Mina and this does not disappoint - we pick up the story just as we left it as Mina and Mr Serle set sail from Liverpool to New York to seek their fortunes and search for Mina's brother Daniel.
Mina dresses as a boy to be able to work with Mr Serle as his kitchen assistant. Once they arrive in New York, however, she casts off her disguise and becomes Mina again. She swiftly finds her brother, safe and well, working in a big hotel. Dangers abound for a single young woman in a big city but our girl is up to the task, determined and spunky as ever.
Mina finds friends and uses her cooking skills to find work, but her happiness and satisfaction in being house cook doesn't last long. Daniel leaves to seek his fortune in California in the height of the gold rush, after yearning and hoping for so long, Mina is crushed by his leaving. After a pretty horrific event at the hands of the son of the household she cooks for, she runs away and encounters one of the crew from the Victoria, trying to leave behind her feelings for Mr Serle and failing. Donning her disguise once more by day, she works with Flint on a cargo barge, gaining a small child and big dog along the way, eventually settling in Uncas Falls where she finds community and a certain calm.
At its heart, this book is both a coming of age adventure and a love story and Mina's childish infatuation is replaced by something much more mature. Through mutual friends, Mina and Mr Serle are brought back together again to finally admit their love for each other and decide to be together.
A very satisfying, well crafted read.

[Mindy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually books like these, that follow the course of a character's life and the choices they make, involve being hurt by awful people or crumbling marriages and leave me feeling depressed. It was really refreshing that the difficulties in this book came largely from circumstances that couldn't be helped, like migrant ships wrecking in poor weather, and the main characters as well as those around them were generally kind, or at least normal, people. In fact, Mr. Seely is one of the kindest, most caring and selfless characters created in books I've read, and it was a real treat to see how he and Mina treated those around them and each other. I also think this book will appeal to Millennials more than some other books of this type because of how religion is handled toward the end. A beautiful, uplifting read that inspires me to be a little bit kinder.

[Kristin Komar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sequel to “Mina” by Jonatha Ceely. In 1848, Mina boards the sailing ship, Victoria, headed for America. She is orphaned and alone and accompanied by her friend, Mr. Serle. What awaits Mina and Mr. Serle are opportunity and danger. Mr. Serle, a mater chef, finds work in a bustling hotel. Mina tries the life of a salesgirl and then joins the downstairs kitchen of a wealthy family, where she soon proves her exquisite touch with food. But mysteries swirl all around the Westerfield home and soon they engulf Mina too. She stays with a different family, goes to the Erie Canal and the Niagara Falls, adopts an orphaned boy and his dog.

[DENISE HUETH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more

I can’t believe the story is over. I loved the 2 books. A great love story and of course happy ending that made me cry for the last chapter.
With the pandemic and horrible news we deal with each day it was good to hear how a woman can bear up to adversity, survive and still have love.
I feel so much better after reading the books. Thank you!

[Tatyana Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather disappointing sequel to Mina. I felt it was written by two different people. Mina geared towards mature audience and Bread & Dreams assumed its readers were in elementary school. The plot was all over place. Underdeveloped characters. If in the first book you couldn't help but feel sorry for Mina and Mr. Serle, in the 2nd installment you wanted to slap them both.

[AL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this to be a slower paced read (in a good way!) as it wasn’t some intense thriller but somewhat of a coming of age/love story .. I enjoyed taking my time with it. I’d you’re an upstate or western New Yorker there are some shoutouts in here!

There is a book before this that I haven’t read yet but I’m excited to read more of this strong Mina!

[Becky Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story - not necessarily a page-turner and a bit more time spent on the description of food and cooking than I cared for - but still certainly worth reading. The slowly unfolding love story, in its beauty and innocence, redeems all else.

[Cindy Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the last!

Read both in the series! A true historical novel full of love and light. I recommend it for the clarity of writing. From Irish emigration to a new life, with all the bumps in the road, Mina carries us with her, close to her heart.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not want the book to end

A very sweet book about relationships with lots of history too.
There was always a lot going on with the characters who were so genuine and honorable.
I loved this book

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Mina is a strong, inspiring character who faces challenges and grows through them. She is very introspective and strong. I really enjoyed watching her life’s story unfold.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed both books about her. The ending I guess was to be expected but slightly flat.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mina & Bread and Dreams

These two books are, without a doubt, the best books I’ve read in some time. Thank you Jonatha Celly. Can we expect more like these?

[Carol K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, a lovely character who survives against all the odds. A very pleasant read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I was in the mood to read a love story. I was expecting the book to be a bit sappy, but it turned out to be a really good story with characters that I loved.

The book is written in journal style, which I was disappointed to discover. However, after the first few entries, the writing became very detailed and the journal style didn't bother me. It actually made the story move along quickly and added some suspense to the book.

The author did a great job developing characters that I fell in love with. For a love story, the plot wasn't completely predictable either. Great book that I would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction with independent female characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Club book - I didn't expect to like this book and was honestly dreading it, but I was very wrong. I fell in love with the main character, Mina, and enjoyed living her life with her. My only regret is that I didn't realize this was a sequel. I would have preferred to have read the prequel, Mina, first. Even without having read that though, the author does a wonderful job of explaining the events leading up to the story.

[Sheri Carsello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the favorite books I have read. I have thought a lot about this book off and on after I read it. It is written beautifully. The relationship between the two main characters--Mr. Searle and Mina--is done so well and developed so very carefully and slowly. I miss them now that I am not reading the book.

[Margi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not great, historical fiction. Was quite enamored with Mina, her character was very well written. I also like how cooking brings alot of the characters together. I found the romances predictable, but, overlooking that, I enjoyed the historical story. ( )

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great story! Makes me want to read the first one for sure. I was truly surprised and honestly delighted by how much I enjoyed this tale of a woman trying to make her life work in a time and place that certainly wasn't trying to make it any easier. Really good story and very fast read.

[Jacque Sherbak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written historical romantic fiction. I read this sequel first being unaware that there was a prequel "Mina." I did read the prequel; but, I found "Bread and Dreams" to be much more interesting--one of my all time favorite reads.

[Krysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word: Quaint. This is the sequel to her first book, Mina. I would recommend this to those who enjoy reading 18th-and 19th-century classics. Suitable for the YA crowd too.

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

book club book, good read

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book was ok.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sequel to Mina. I ordered it right away. I wanted to see what became of Mina and Mr. Serle after they left Ireland for America. I'm not waiting to see if there will be any more to this series.

[G Gadus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous sequel to "Mina!"

[Amyem]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the journal format of this novel. It is the continuation of Mina's life in America.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost gave this 5 stars. Needs 41/2. Felt like this was a story from a friend. Caused a few tears. Then I found out there was a book one. I hate reading sequels before the first book.