Well, we have all had that feeling like a fish out of water, right? Like for instance you have just moved to a new place and everything just seems foreign, the people, the places, the way they do things. Well that is how the poor heroine Shannon Adair of Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher feels as she is starting a whole new life with her widowed father Reverend Delaney Adair as they are trying to get settled in Grand Coeur, Idaho, this rather rougher than- what -shes- used to- type of place, so much different than where she was raised in Virginia. The setting is 1864 smack dab in the middle of the civil war and her Southern allegiances are strong. Her father feels firmly called to this new community of less refinement and sentiments both towards the union and the confederacy, but people he feels called to minister to; Shannon is not so sure. Thus begins her struggle to surrender to God in this new place.
Shannon soon finds purpose to her time in the gold mining town of Grand Coeur by drawing on her nursing skills honed back home in Virginia while tending to many wounded soldiers. But as there is no battlefield here, just a critically ill woman who has recently arrived in Grand Coeur herself, seeking to reconnect with her brother Matt Dubois and with her young son in tow, she is in need of much care and help caring for her son. Shannon immediately has compassion on this woman and a friendship is forged. Not at all impressed by her brother Matt Dubois at first, as his political views did not line up at all with hers, she is not immediately inclined to pay much notice of him, but as time goes on, her interest in Mr. Dubois grows as does his interest in her.
I enjoy books in the civil war era for sure- such a confusing, complicated time for our country at war against itself. I really enjoyed this book and especially liked the character of Reverend Adair as he was a man who really loved God, and although a southerner at heart, he still took a stand with regards to the Souths view on slavery and how he did not feel it was right. He also was very in tune to the prejudice in this small town towards the Chinese population and was taking steps to try and remedy that. I just enjoyed that the character was able to look beyond what the North thought, what the South thought and try to be more concerned with what God thought concerning, people, politics and the church. I thought that was very well done. The romance between Shannon and Matt had a good flow to it and even that moment of crisis (a couple of them) where you hoped that all would turn out right in the end , but you werent sure to which I will not divulge how that ends up!
For those that enjoy a good civil war, historical fiction read, this one is for you. Robin Lee Hatcher delivers a lovely read once again.
4 stars
I was graciously provided a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions expressed were honest and my own.
Shannon soon finds purpose to her time in the gold mining town of Grand Coeur by drawing on her nursing skills honed back home in Virginia while tending to many wounded soldiers. But as there is no battlefield here, just a critically ill woman who has recently arrived in Grand Coeur herself, seeking to reconnect with her brother Matt Dubois and with her young son in tow, she is in need of much care and help caring for her son. Shannon immediately has compassion on this woman and a friendship is forged. Not at all impressed by her brother Matt Dubois at first, as his political views did not line up at all with hers, she is not immediately inclined to pay much notice of him, but as time goes on, her interest in Mr. Dubois grows as does his interest in her.
I enjoy books in the civil war era for sure- such a confusing, complicated time for our country at war against itself. I really enjoyed this book and especially liked the character of Reverend Adair as he was a man who really loved God, and although a southerner at heart, he still took a stand with regards to the Souths view on slavery and how he did not feel it was right. He also was very in tune to the prejudice in this small town towards the Chinese population and was taking steps to try and remedy that. I just enjoyed that the character was able to look beyond what the North thought, what the South thought and try to be more concerned with what God thought concerning, people, politics and the church. I thought that was very well done. The romance between Shannon and Matt had a good flow to it and even that moment of crisis (a couple of them) where you hoped that all would turn out right in the end , but you werent sure to which I will not divulge how that ends up!
For those that enjoy a good civil war, historical fiction read, this one is for you. Robin Lee Hatcher delivers a lovely read once again.
4 stars
I was graciously provided a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions expressed were honest and my own.
Very good story! Robin Lee Hatcher never fails to write an enjoyable book with a great storyline and interesting characters. Highly recommended!
The latest addition to the Women of Faith fiction line is a treasure, just as the title assumes. I fell in love with the cover first, but the story quickly measured up to how lovely the outside promises.
A western romance, it brings so much into the story, angst from a Civil War still raging, affecting relationships and emotions even states away. I loved how the historical culture affected and played a role in the characters and their growth.
Characters were likeable, even though Shannon starts the novel with a stuck-up mentality, she quickly becomes a giving and loving character, growing and changing with the flow of the plot. The romance presses upon the characters, due to circumstances, but I loved seeing Shannon and Matthew find attraction in the otheralmost without realizing it.
The actual writing of the book is warm and inviting me to indulge in just one more chapter. Its the kind of story that nearly left me in tears at one point and anxious for the characters to work out their differences and struggles.
Finely crafted, well written, it doesnt have a great deal of suspense or I guess, for lack of a better word worry for the reader, but I nonetheless found enjoyment within its pages. Characters and situations alike made for a quick, welcoming read.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
A western romance, it brings so much into the story, angst from a Civil War still raging, affecting relationships and emotions even states away. I loved how the historical culture affected and played a role in the characters and their growth.
Characters were likeable, even though Shannon starts the novel with a stuck-up mentality, she quickly becomes a giving and loving character, growing and changing with the flow of the plot. The romance presses upon the characters, due to circumstances, but I loved seeing Shannon and Matthew find attraction in the otheralmost without realizing it.
The actual writing of the book is warm and inviting me to indulge in just one more chapter. Its the kind of story that nearly left me in tears at one point and anxious for the characters to work out their differences and struggles.
Finely crafted, well written, it doesnt have a great deal of suspense or I guess, for lack of a better word worry for the reader, but I nonetheless found enjoyment within its pages. Characters and situations alike made for a quick, welcoming read.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
I am a big fan of Robin Hatcher's previous books and normally I like a historical novel. But for some reason I just could not get into this book. This book was somewhat a different style for Robin and I felt it was not written as entertaining as the others. I like how her books make you smile and laugh but this one didn't do that as much.
The characters were well written and the plot sounded good. The main female character was very mouthy almost and I hate when a lady is like that. The hero was very manly and I liked him better than Shannon. I finished the book but had to push myself to read it. It may have just been me so I strongly urge you to pick up a copy, you may really enjoy it:) Looking forward to Robin's next book but glad it is part of another series.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
The characters were well written and the plot sounded good. The main female character was very mouthy almost and I hate when a lady is like that. The hero was very manly and I liked him better than Shannon. I finished the book but had to push myself to read it. It may have just been me so I strongly urge you to pick up a copy, you may really enjoy it:) Looking forward to Robin's next book but glad it is part of another series.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
