Gold Rush Brides: The Beginning
592259
This was a wonderful historical fiction that had lots of interesting information about women during the gold rust and how they managed to survive and thrive.  Hope you enjoy this book like I did.
549461
What a great mail order bride story. How sad they started out in the orphanage and how after. So many years they finally found each other again. I loved this boom.
2834334
Excellent book about an important historical event in Alaska, the Gold Rush, and how these people handled their greed.  Their greed actually killed many of them, and nearly killed the last two.  It is amazing how they let the dream of getting rich cloud their judgements.  Hannah, the leading female character, really had a hard time in life by her choices in men.  Of course, back then women didn't have the rights they do now, but she really was responsible for her poor choices.  I really wonder if after they returned back to civilization if she left her husband?  Sort of wish the book went on to finish it at the end.
1347401
San Francisco, 1849.

A story about a family headed out to California with gold-rush fever. Three siblings who lose their father and their story of survival in an inhospitable territory.

I enjoyed this quite a bit and recommend it.  There are other reviews with many details, but wanted to post that I liked it too :)
3077330
This is a story of two newlyweds and their journey to start a new life together in California.  When they reach their destination, however, it's not at all what they expected it to be.  Things take a very humbling turn and they begin to uncover the secrets of the past in the valley they reside in.
3875177
This story gives you a look into the difficulties women faced in the early time of America. When men ruled everything and women were just starting to make their voices heard. The story also shows there were caring men who would listen and help.
1501916
Book had good story about how the west survised the gold sliver days. Book well written with good discriptions carecters and area surrounding the mining sites. Plan to read  aqll books he has wrote.
3054492
Things have sure changed since 1902. Young women had their husband's chosen by their parents and most were happy for this to happen.
Alice wants so much out of life she loves to paint but her father is pushing for her marriage to a longtime friend Richard but this isn't what she wants and she makes sure that she is given time to think about her future. Richard is happy to marry Alice as they are such good friends and they have known each other their whole lives. They don't have much in common so why should they marry to make others happy.
William is new to the States and he is enjoying his time there with his family and he is so happy as he has his eye on two young lady but it is the mysterious Francesca that makes sure that he notices her as she wants to marry well.
Can William get to spend more time with Francesca and will he win her hand.
Claire is in love with Richard but she can't do anything about it without hurting Alice so what will she do. Who will get their dream wedding and who will find the freedom to spread their wings and fly?
A great period story as it is full of life and the descriptions of everyday going ons is amazing. The characters all have their quirks and that is what made it so interesting as I couldn't wait to see what was coming next. It has a nice steady pace with a great flow to the story as there wasn't a dull moment. It will appeal to all ages as it is a great read for that lazy day. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3359359
California during the 1850's Gold Rush was no place for a woman and Owen Carlton knew that only too well. He and Sam had been looking for gold like all the other hopefuls but between the two of them, Sam was better at finding the nuggets. Unfortunately, Owen was better at spending the money at the local saloon.

After finding a rather large nugget, Owen sat drunk and bragging at the local watering hole. He was proud of his Sam finding the biggest nuggets, and as he told the story, two men overheard him. Sam had been a bit of trouble in town attempting to drag Owen out of the saloon and had been thrown out of the front door into the mud for her efforts. Then there was the beehive incident, but the men decided to kidnap Sam for the boy's gold finding skills.

Sheriff Trace Wallace overheard the two green outlaws and hoped they were the claim jumpers he'd been looking for. He was working undercover and decided to fall in with the unlawful pair to protect the kid.

Hardheaded Sam was a handful and Trace quickly found out Sam wasn't a boy but a beautiful young woman hidden away in men's clothing which included a large hat which she never took off. As Trace watched her, studying her delicate features he caught a glimpse of her long, flowing tresses; his heart was swept away.

Trace liked his life as a loner and Sam had long played the role of a boy and knew nothing of love but he was changing and she was learning. With the arrival of another group of outlaws, things changed and it didn't look good for the pair.

Terri Crews writes wonderful tales of the old west. I have enjoyed both of her books and got so wrapped up in the characters, I couldn't put the books down. I'm a California native and know exactly where the story took place. Ms Crews' paints lovely pictures that sweep the reader back to Gold Rush days.
3374356
If you enjoy reading about strong women who shape their world Pastora is for you.  Young Lucy marries to head to California and discovers herself on the way.  After her husband's disappearance, she finds out what a scoundrel he really was.  Refusing to let aritifical mores stand in the way of making a fortune, "Pastora" turns her hand to many profitable ventures, some of which cost her dearly in the end.  Her story is interwoven with the story of the beginnings of San Francisco and Gold Rush era California.  You wil love it!!!
1478829
an uninvited mail-order-bride arrives for one of the bachelors in this small town.  The women folk get wind of it and try to work it out to get the potential groom to acquire interest by scheming and plotting.  Unfortunately the bride-to-be has no return funds and must play along with the plot.
4479693
Mona Hodgson's writing style and descriptive narratives paint a very clear picture of what a turn of the century western gold mining town must have been like. She draws you in and gives you the feeling you are walking through the streets of Cripple Creek as you read. This is the second book in her series "The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek". While it is a successful stand alone novel, I would have liked to have read the first one just so I could keep the characters and their relationships straight in my mind.

There is a long list of characters, a few pivotal ones and several peripheral ones but equally enjoyable. One of my favorites is young Abraham. He loves to make people laugh and thrives on thinking up new jokes to tell to anyone who will listen.

The main character is Ida Sinclair, one of four Sinclair sisters. She is a smart, ambitious, independent Christian young woman determined to break through the barrier and become a success in the world of business. After a very distasteful occurrence with a male professor, she travels to join two of her sisters in the gold mining town of Cripple Creek. Soon after arriving, she is employed by Mollie O'Bryan, a self-made, successful business woman, who is thought of by some as unscrupulous and of questionable character. She also meets two young men who are clearly interested in courting her. Colin Wagner is a sophisticated and influential lawyer who represents Mollie in her business dealings. Tucker Raines is a traveling preacher whose family owns the local ice house. His father falls ill and Tucker comes to town to take over the business while his father recuperates. On the surface, each man looks like a worthy suitor but each has his own secrets that for one reason or another, they are reluctant to share.

As events unfold, Ida's faith and deep convictions cause her to question many aspects of her life and the decisions she has made.

This is a very enjoyable story that touches on the issues of women's rights, mental illness, and the gold rush and all the economic and cultural developments that occurred at that time in our history, including the emerging Stock Exchange.

There are questions in the back of the book for book discussion groups. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
1924692
A new contribution to the literature of the women who won the Wild West, Mary Volmer's first novel is set during the California Gold Rush where daring souls labored for long days digging and panning. Each has a history and they keep their own counsel. They ask few questions and give wide berth to one another, so when young Alex arrives in town disguised as a boy her secrets remain hidden. As the story unfolds and Alex's troubled past is revealed, the story becomes golden indeed. Mary Volmer beautifully captures rugged living and fortune-hungry optimism of the American frontier.
1860306
I absolutely loved this book.  Fascinating what two ladies of their time dared to do.  This was one book I was sorry to reach the end of and would certainly read a sequel if they went back to Dawson the next summer as planned.  Of particular interest was the type of men that reached the area to endure and mine for gold--not the usual lowlifes as drawn to other gold fields. I'd had no idea.  Peony
2264395
I love the old west history. With a gang of brothers robbing the gold, and then going to church to reform... Well it makes an interesting story. The best part though... You will just have to read the book :)
2896000
Excellent book, good information on the gold rush.
567043
I loved the setting of the story. It takes you back to the early days during gold mining describing how people lived together in a small community. The tie of friendship that develops between Hennie  and Nit is powerful. The young and the old need and learn from each other. The art of quilting is a beautiful craft woven throughout to help tell the story.