What do you think?
Rate this book
The Amethyst Heart
Ninety-three-year-old Amethyst Noble, a staunch lifelong protector of the Noble family's motto--Sincerity, Purity, Nobility--must defend that honored tradition from the subterfuge of her manipulative and grasping son, hoping to install the old traditions in her granddaughter. 25,000 first printing.
Paperback
First published June 20, 2000
31 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Penelope J. Stokes
44 books181 followersIt’s often been debated whether a person’s destiny lies in genetics or environment, but either way, I suppose I was destined to be a fiction writer. A Baby Boomer with an English teacher and a social worker for parents, I grew up being challenged to develop my imagination, and to seek out for myself the meaning and significance of life. I learned early both the magic and mystery of stories and the importance of people–their dreams, their hopes, their longings, their struggles.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 4, 2023
3⭐️
Amethyst is a feisty, southern 93-year-old woman, living alone on her family land. But when her selfish, broke son becomes desperate and tries to legally push her out of her home for his own financial gain, things get interesting.
Armed at the front door with a shotgun, and her 17-year-old difficult great-granddaughter caught in the middle, Amethyst retells the past history of her family in this house throughout generations of fighting racism and fighting for God’s truth.
I struggle with rating this one because the story was very interesting and well written except for the use of the N word, and variants of it.
I understand that this was common language at the time, but I personally, don’t want to be reading that word and becoming desensitized to it.
Language: 12 N words and countless variants of it….💔
Amethyst is a feisty, southern 93-year-old woman, living alone on her family land. But when her selfish, broke son becomes desperate and tries to legally push her out of her home for his own financial gain, things get interesting.
Armed at the front door with a shotgun, and her 17-year-old difficult great-granddaughter caught in the middle, Amethyst retells the past history of her family in this house throughout generations of fighting racism and fighting for God’s truth.
I struggle with rating this one because the story was very interesting and well written except for the use of the N word, and variants of it.
I understand that this was common language at the time, but I personally, don’t want to be reading that word and becoming desensitized to it.
Language: 12 N words and countless variants of it….💔
April 23, 2012
At the library the other day my three year old daughter pulled this book off the shelf and brought it to me. She said it was a princess book for me to read. (The cover shows a girl in a long dress in front of a plantation house.) I decided to give it a shot even though I had no idea what it was about and was very plesantly suprised. This was a wonderful book! I was very quickly pulled in by Amethyst's story and frankly had a hard time putting it down. The characters were strong and developed continually throughout the story. I usually don't read books about slavery or the civil rights movement because it is so sad and full of horrifying acts. This book, while dealing with these issues, focused more on the spiritual strength and faith the people had to have to carry them through those times. I thought the author did a wonderful job. This book is completly out of my usual reading genre, I'm more of a sci-fi/fantasy girl, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking into what else this author has to offer. Maybe I should let my daughter pick my books more often!
April 13, 2008
I love historical fiction, and this book touches on some of the most major events in the past 100 years. Awesome read!
July 13, 2012
I absolutely loved this book. Miss Amethyst is a 93 year old woman that owns an historic antebellum home that has been in her family for generations. Her son is trying to put her in an old folks home and sell it from under her to help cover his debts he has acquired through bad choices. She will have none of it, and she ends up taking her great-granddaughter "hostage" for a couple weeks. During this time she tells the story of her family over the generations.
The characters are so well developed, I felt as if I was part of the family. It's a beautiful story of love, faith, compassion and courage. I learned many lessons through reading this book, and it's one I would read again.
The characters are so well developed, I felt as if I was part of the family. It's a beautiful story of love, faith, compassion and courage. I learned many lessons through reading this book, and it's one I would read again.
January 28, 2018
A wonderful story set in the Deep South, with several generations and their stories that Amethyst Noble tells as her ninety-nine years goes on. An arrogant son, and more interesting family members and towns people keep her on her toes as she remembers all the memories of the past that involves an amethyst brooch, several of her grandmothers journals and the house she lives in. The story also is about slaves, plantations, and freedom. I really admire Amethyst and enjoyed reading this book.
From Amazon:
When she discovers her son has designs to sell her home out from under her, Miss Amethyst-ninety-three years old and as sharp as ever-isn't about to let her legacy go. She pins her hopes on her granddaughter, Little Am, a good-natured child who has mutated in her teenage years into something else altogether. Whatever it takes, Little Am will know that the Noble family heritage is worth fighting for.
From Amazon:
When she discovers her son has designs to sell her home out from under her, Miss Amethyst-ninety-three years old and as sharp as ever-isn't about to let her legacy go. She pins her hopes on her granddaughter, Little Am, a good-natured child who has mutated in her teenage years into something else altogether. Whatever it takes, Little Am will know that the Noble family heritage is worth fighting for.
November 2, 2018
Miss Amethyst is 93, but still sharp as a tack. She figures out immediately that her son is up to something and wants to sell her house. On his return, she greets him with a polite refusal to let him back in and a gun. Her hopes lie with her great-granddaughter, who has come to stay and she begins to relay the family history to Little Am, who belies her punk-like look and is fascinated by hearing about the house and her family tree. We see the amethyst pin passed down and the variation in generations of the family, which seems to alternate between hard-working generations and those that struggle. In the meantime, her son decides to challenge her mental fitness in court, but he may face a tougher battle than he expected.
April 10, 2020
Applause for this book filled with awesome storylines. It made me laugh and cry, and one chapter in particular made me what to should with joy! I was expecting a sweet story about generations in between the jewelry piece. This book is so much more! It's all about bigotry, prejudice, inequality...and then some. It opened my eyes again to realize that we are NOT treated equal, even today. God has commanded us to love one another, and has reminded us that only HE sees the heart of people. I cheered on the abolitionists in this story. This book is a reminder that we need to see others how God sees them.
January 17, 2022
Miss Amethyst tells the story of Noble house to her great granddaughter as her only son makes plans to have her ruled incompetent and moved to a adult care center. The estate got it's start pre-1850, and has survived the civil war, the turn of the century, the 1st world war - burned after the second world war, and now stands threatened to be sold.
Considering the author has a PhD in Renaissance Literature, I expected a more complicated story. It was predictable, and sadly repeated so many cliched stories of the Old South slave owner and KKK bigot. Still I cried many times. A quick read for nearly 400 pages.
Considering the author has a PhD in Renaissance Literature, I expected a more complicated story. It was predictable, and sadly repeated so many cliched stories of the Old South slave owner and KKK bigot. Still I cried many times. A quick read for nearly 400 pages.
August 17, 2023
4.5 stars.
I loved this book for so many reasons. The characters were well defined, and each had a distinct voice and character. The author didn't shy away from an uncomfortable historical topic - the abolition of slavery in the US. She also didn't sugarcoat Christian ancestry in families. Families aren't perfect, even Christian ones, and the author clearly shows that we are all free to decide how to live our lives. I think this aspect would appeal to non-Christian audiences as well as the target audience. I admired the main female protagonist for her strength, faith and candor. I'll be passing my copy on to family and friends to read.
I loved this book for so many reasons. The characters were well defined, and each had a distinct voice and character. The author didn't shy away from an uncomfortable historical topic - the abolition of slavery in the US. She also didn't sugarcoat Christian ancestry in families. Families aren't perfect, even Christian ones, and the author clearly shows that we are all free to decide how to live our lives. I think this aspect would appeal to non-Christian audiences as well as the target audience. I admired the main female protagonist for her strength, faith and candor. I'll be passing my copy on to family and friends to read.
January 18, 2026
I just finished this. At first, I thought it was just a pleasant read. Then, it continued to have thought-provoking details; the main character Miss Amethyst continued to go through events which were presented to evoke deep consideration. I found the perspective of the Civil War, Reconstruction, WW2, etc. interesting. I wanted to applaud her succinct thoughts of volatile situations. I definitely wanted to cheer for the “good guys” but I found myself compassionate to the lesser characters.
I’m off to find another book by this author!
I’m off to find another book by this author!
July 17, 2024
This book is really about Amethyst’s grandparents who were abolitionists pre and post civil war. And then about Amethyst who fought for civil rights in the 1940s and on. She tells these stories to her own granddaughter when her son tries to take their family home away from her. Good book. I enjoyed it.
December 21, 2019
My favorite book by Penelope Stokes to date! I will continue to read all she writes. She gently leads us through Southern American history form 1853 to 1999, incorporating issues of slavery, Civil Rights, along with passion, strength, faith, and love. "I'm doing it because it's right."
May 12, 2020
Very good. About the courage it takes to fight for the oppressed in any age. Against slavery, against racism, against Nazi hate, against hate due to disabilities and now due to sex discrimination. God preaches acceptance always. Great read. Little preachy but more about courage..
September 7, 2020
Fun read! Decent historical fiction look through some hard times in our nation.
Main complaint is that it's framed around white her0es/heroines. We have enough white heroism (in all historical accounts- fiction and non-fiction)
Main complaint is that it's framed around white her0es/heroines. We have enough white heroism (in all historical accounts- fiction and non-fiction)
October 21, 2023
I love this book! It starts out very funny! I really enjoy books about family legacies and this one was full of it. It was a moving book that was convicting about doing what’s right even though it isn’t easy. This was a great read!!!
November 21, 2018
Awesome story. Now I have a new author to follow!
February 9, 2019
What can I say I love all her books.
May 20, 2019
Hilarious. Educational. This book has been passed down in my family.
October 5, 2019
Excellent read.
December 17, 2022
Another great book
November 6, 2009
I've read a couple of other books by this author before, so when I saw this one on the "bargain" shelf at my local Christian bookstore, I picked it up. I didn't really know what it was about or what to expect. You can check at Amazon and read the blurb about the book, but suffice it to say, I really really liked it! I'd probably give it 4.5 out of 5, but chose 4 stars here with their rating system.
Perhaps one reason I really enjoyed this book is that it's set in (fictional) Cambridge, Mississippi. Now, if you're from my part of the country, you'll get a big kick out of that. Cambridge is a college town, with a university there that also has a law school. Funny, but we have a town in my state called Oxford, Mississippi that meets that description. It always gave me a little giggle when they called the town by name.
The book opens with 93 year old Amethyst Noble learning that her only son is in financial trouble and wants to move her into a nursing home and sell the family home. Amethyst ends up taking her great granddaughter "hostage" (the girl gets a kick out of her grandma acting eccentric and agrees to stay) and tells her son that she has a shotgun and is not going to be removed from her home. The story goes from there as Amethyst relays the story of her family, the Noble family, back to pre-Civil War times. She tells the story of her grandparents, Silas and Pearl, her parents and her own life to her great-granddaughter. It is a wonderful story and really swept me into it. It's about race relations, our country's history, all bound up into one family's struggle in the rural South in the 1800 and 1900's. There's wonderful examples of faith, love, nobility, loyalty, grace and forgiveness in this book, and there's even a little Scripture thrown in for good measure. My kind of book :)
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it if you enjoy a blend of Christian fiction, historical fiction and an interest in the racial issues in our country throughout history.
Perhaps one reason I really enjoyed this book is that it's set in (fictional) Cambridge, Mississippi. Now, if you're from my part of the country, you'll get a big kick out of that. Cambridge is a college town, with a university there that also has a law school. Funny, but we have a town in my state called Oxford, Mississippi that meets that description. It always gave me a little giggle when they called the town by name.
The book opens with 93 year old Amethyst Noble learning that her only son is in financial trouble and wants to move her into a nursing home and sell the family home. Amethyst ends up taking her great granddaughter "hostage" (the girl gets a kick out of her grandma acting eccentric and agrees to stay) and tells her son that she has a shotgun and is not going to be removed from her home. The story goes from there as Amethyst relays the story of her family, the Noble family, back to pre-Civil War times. She tells the story of her grandparents, Silas and Pearl, her parents and her own life to her great-granddaughter. It is a wonderful story and really swept me into it. It's about race relations, our country's history, all bound up into one family's struggle in the rural South in the 1800 and 1900's. There's wonderful examples of faith, love, nobility, loyalty, grace and forgiveness in this book, and there's even a little Scripture thrown in for good measure. My kind of book :)
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it if you enjoy a blend of Christian fiction, historical fiction and an interest in the racial issues in our country throughout history.
February 19, 2017
Another wonderful book from Penelope Stokes. This one is mainly about a woman who lived to be almost 100, who loved and helped other people as best she could. She practiced the teachings of Jesus regardless of anyone's color and then later told her great-granddaughter about her life and instilled in her, her spiritual heritage.
September 6, 2013
It's hard to write a novel covering 100 years of racism without inserting modern political correctness in it. And when it does slip in, the result is a book that is a bit too self righteous and preachy.
There were a few interesting characters in the book, but most of the characters were very unbelievable, one-dimensional, and not particularly likable.
I did enjoy the way that the generations of one family had rather "Forrest Gump" moments of being able to be acquainted with every important political leader from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King.
Definitely fits in the genre of Christian fiction; very moral--similar in reading style and difficulty to a Nicholas Sparks novel.
I did find portions of the story captivating,and it kept me reading, but I've thought little about it since I finished it--it wasn't the kind of book that stuck with me.
I also had some questions about historical accuracy in the book. Would someone during slavery time really have said, "You've got my number" meaning, "you've figured me out?" When did that phrase come about? I assumed it had to do with phone numbers, or lotteries, neither of which would have helped coin the phrase before the civil war.
I don't want to dissuade others from reading the book. It's a fine, light read.
There were a few interesting characters in the book, but most of the characters were very unbelievable, one-dimensional, and not particularly likable.
I did enjoy the way that the generations of one family had rather "Forrest Gump" moments of being able to be acquainted with every important political leader from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King.
Definitely fits in the genre of Christian fiction; very moral--similar in reading style and difficulty to a Nicholas Sparks novel.
I did find portions of the story captivating,and it kept me reading, but I've thought little about it since I finished it--it wasn't the kind of book that stuck with me.
I also had some questions about historical accuracy in the book. Would someone during slavery time really have said, "You've got my number" meaning, "you've figured me out?" When did that phrase come about? I assumed it had to do with phone numbers, or lotteries, neither of which would have helped coin the phrase before the civil war.
I don't want to dissuade others from reading the book. It's a fine, light read.
September 1, 2014
Excellent novel filled with rich history and vivid detail. Very well developed characters which I grew to care for, deeply. There were times when I laughed out loud and others where my heart was almost breaking.
I've read a few books by this author and they all were great, but I think this is the best one, so far.
This story really helps to put value where it belongs.
I can't decide which was my favorite character because there were several that I truly enjoyed. At first, I wasn't sure about Little Am, but she grew on me with her remarks. Ü
Silas Noble was someone to respect and admire.
Silvie was so sweet and loyal to her family and lifelong friend.
Of course, Amethyst was full of spunk, which I loved about her. She was so much more than a lady, mother and a friend to many. Amethyst was a woman of courage and learned to trust in God to see her through.
I'm sure I will be thinking about this story for a long time to come.
I've read a few books by this author and they all were great, but I think this is the best one, so far.
This story really helps to put value where it belongs.
I can't decide which was my favorite character because there were several that I truly enjoyed. At first, I wasn't sure about Little Am, but she grew on me with her remarks. Ü
Silas Noble was someone to respect and admire.
Silvie was so sweet and loyal to her family and lifelong friend.
Of course, Amethyst was full of spunk, which I loved about her. She was so much more than a lady, mother and a friend to many. Amethyst was a woman of courage and learned to trust in God to see her through.
I'm sure I will be thinking about this story for a long time to come.
February 22, 2018
I had heard numerous wonderful comments about this book, and decided to check it out for myself. It's a well told story of family history, slavery, romance, and the threads that hold all of these themes together. I enjoyed the approach the author used in telling the protagonist's story to her teen-aged great-granddaughter by relating her family history through imagery. Believable and relatable, the issues and time frame were well drawn out, descriptive and factual.
I recommend this book to young adults as well as older readers because of the nature of the relationships portrayed throughout this family history. Trust, forgiveness and compassion are well portrayed through this eloquent story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I recommend this book to young adults as well as older readers because of the nature of the relationships portrayed throughout this family history. Trust, forgiveness and compassion are well portrayed through this eloquent story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 23, 2023
This book was so much better than I thought it was going to be. I have no idea when I bought it but I have never really reached for it and I regret it. The main character Amethyst is everything I aspire to be! Her moral compass is so strong and right and she has the courage to actually stand up and fight for what’s right. I really was obsessed with this story and only took forever to read it cuz I had a baby 😂 From the start of this book I was hooked. The way they described the civil rights movement from the very beginning to the end was perfectly done. There were some seriously heartbreaking parts of this book and they were mostly so heartbreaking because I’m sure they have actually happened in history. In conclusion I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to others.
October 5, 2009
All-Time-Favorite!
Set in the 90s, an elderly woman sets out to save her home from her grandson. She ends up taking hostage her great-grand-daughter and begins to tell the story of when the house was first built by the elderly woman's great-grandfather. Jumping to the past, the story takes you through betrayal, unbreakable bonds, love that is beyond this world, and family both blood and not. The time is just before the civil war and travels through to the 90s.
I don't know how many times I have read this book, but it always to amazes me the bonds that the characters have. The passion for life. I learned a great deal about my own life by reading about Amethyst's life.
Set in the 90s, an elderly woman sets out to save her home from her grandson. She ends up taking hostage her great-grand-daughter and begins to tell the story of when the house was first built by the elderly woman's great-grandfather. Jumping to the past, the story takes you through betrayal, unbreakable bonds, love that is beyond this world, and family both blood and not. The time is just before the civil war and travels through to the 90s.
I don't know how many times I have read this book, but it always to amazes me the bonds that the characters have. The passion for life. I learned a great deal about my own life by reading about Amethyst's life.
January 16, 2013
This book, by Penelope J Stokes, was apparently a "Crossing Book Club" entry at one time (per the book cover). (Is Crossings Book Club still in existence??) It was a quick read, entertaining, clean and very nicely God-focused without being "preachy". The story is about 5 generations of the Noble Family as told by 93 year old Amethyst Noble Wainwright Godwin to her great-granddaucther also named Amethyst and covers in a light weight manner history from slaves and the Emancipation Proclamation through the start of the Civil Rights era. I would definitely recommend this book!
September 20, 2010
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are well developed and the story line is rich with history spanning 140 years. Set in the deep south in Charleston, Mississipi - the story weaves it way through several generations - as being told by 93 year old Amethyst to her 17 year old great grandaughter and namesake. A story of a family's heritage - a legacy of love, courage, acceptance and deep faith through the social changes in Charleston, beginning in the year 1854 through 1993.
May 20, 2011
I liked this book, a lot. I was just disappointed that it turned out to be a romance novel. (That is not the way that it was advertised). I think that there were six weddings in the book, but there may have been more. Over all I really liked the book. The majority of the book is set in the early 1900's in the deep south. Much of the book is about the fight for racial freedom. like I said, a good book, gripping story line, but more romance than I thought was necessary.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews