I really enjoyed the other two "My Heart Belongs In" books, but could not get into this one. I'm not sure if it was the setting or what, but the characters never really gelled for me and the storyline was meh.

Castle Gate, Utah 1910 where prejudice and pride mingle to bring dissension of race and class. Where no Greek is welcomed among Americans and vice versa. That is until one American woman dares cross the line to teach Greek children English & her heart becomes entangled with two of her students and their uncle. When a dream teaching position is offered in Salt Lake City, will Leanna leave the life she knows for something better, or will her heart lead somewhere she never dreamed?

This story is full of heartache & pain for both Leanna and Alex who are fighting for a better life among a mining camp, along with hatred for the Greeks. I love how the author shows Leanna's strong faith in God and how Alex begins to see it for himself. Having walked away when he feels God took his wife from him, he can't deny the positive effect it has on her and how it seeps through in everything she does. His niece and nephew play an important role in getting these two together, engulfing Leanna deeper into the Pappa's family. They fight the attraction that's there because of his family and the townspeople's prejudice against their different nationalities. It's an impossible situation but God is a God of possibilities! I loved seeing their journey to happily ever after. There's a lot of twists and monkey wrenches thrown in to keep you reading just to find out what happens and how they overcome the obstacles. Historical fiction and romance at it's best, plenty of tense conflict to keep you glued to the pages, strong faith in spite of difficult circumstances, and a sigh worthy ending all make this a story that will linger a while in your heart. I look forward to more from Angie Dicken!

Set in Utah in 1910 mining country, this novel explores the mining life and also the Greek Americans who come to this country to work. Leanna lost her husband to mining and now wants out of Castle Gate more than anything. Then she agrees to mind two Greek children as she teaches. I won't give the full synopsis here, but if you are interested in this area of history, Angie Dicken has written a very credible story involving this, to me, little known area and occupations. Worth the read.

*I was given a preview copy of this book. My opinion is my own.

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate Utah: A book full of pride, prejudice, forgiveness, and love. This is the first book I have read by Angie Dickens. It was enjoyable and a little frustrating at times. Leanna and Alex are two hurting people of different nationalities, who have to overcome the prejudices from the mining community they live in, in Castle Gate, Utah and Alex's family. I didn't know that the Greeks were looked down on just as much as the Irish and Chinesse were in the the early 1900s. So I learned some new information in this book.
I received this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah by Angie Dicken is a story of forbidden love and overcoming obstacles in life set in 1910.
Widowed school teacher, Leanna McKee is planning to leave Castle Gate after the devastating loss of her husband to the mine. She wants nothing more to do with the dirt, grime and rugged men associated with the local mine. When she meets Alex Pappas, whose niece and nephew she teaches, her heart begins to betray her and she wonders if she can ignore common beliefs of separation between the American born and Greek born residents of Castle Gate. She quickly learns the American miners are not happy about them being friends and threats are made to the Pappas family. Is it time for Leanna to move on? Will she ever forget Alex and be able to love again?
I enjoyed this story as well as the other “My Heart Belongs” stories I have read. The characters are very realistic and mostly act as one would expect a rational person to act. Both and Alex and Leanna have to explore their own hearts and come to grips with how the guilt over their own actions have contributed to the past. They also have to deal with old world family expectations for how they should behave and interact with others. There is a lot going on in this story and lots of twists, turns and side stories to keep the reader well engaged in the storyline. The author does an excellent job of making the reader feel a part of the action. I really wanted to give Leanna a piece of my mind at times!
I give this book a solid 5 of 5 stars. I recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction and especially fans of the “My Heart Belongs” series.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is a historical fiction book that deals with love where prejudices against a certain type of people keep the two lovers apart. History has shown us prejudices...and they continue. It was great to see the heroine and hero not lose faith.

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah started slowly for me. I wasn’t sure I would read this book but once the story got going, I had a hard time putting it down.

Angie Dicken did an excellent job portraying the tension felt among immigrants and those who “belonged” in Castle Gate. Having grown up with similar struggles in a different setting, I very much felt the reality of this conflict.

Leanna McKee left her family and pampered lifestyle with big dreams for her marriage and changing the world with her progressive thinking. After the death of her husband she left in poverty, bitter and disillusioned.

Alex Pappas came to America from Greece to make money needed for medical treatments for his ailing wife, who died before he could return to her. He is left bitter by his life’s events and the difficult circumstances he faces in America.

Leanna and Alex face opposition to their growing friendship at every turn. Social and cultural differences are strong and divisive. Dicken does a wonderful job weaving circumstances together as both Leanna and Alex learn to forgive and put others needs ahead of their own as they face prejudice, hatred, and disaster.

There are many twists in this story that will keep the reader turning pages .

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for a mining camp story, so I was drawn to Dicken's Castle Gate and wasn't let down. The story didn't focus on life inside the mines quite so much but was rich on the difficulties of the immigrant miners, namely the Greek miners. The place where this story really shined was in immersing the reader into the Greek culture and traditions. This is an area that I haven't run across often in Christian Fiction and found it delightful. It's always sobering to witness prejudices being played out in a story, and I leave with so much respect for those who traveled the hard roads earlier in our nation's history as well as leave with a lesson or two about how to respond to it in today's climate.
My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah was a delightful read with a delightful cast! I enjoyed my time with the Pappas family and only wish we could expect more from these friends.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah 4 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Fiction or mining camp settings.

~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for my review. All thoughts are my own.

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice is a good read. I really liked it and look forward to more by this author.

A sweet romance with a good story line and likable characters make this a very interesting book.