Like I said, WOW!
I love historical romances and this is definitely an incredible one!
I love it when not everything is centered around the romance and we get to see the real context and issues people lived in that era. This is the Golden Rush in San Francisco in 859. I didn't know about this historical period with detail, but Kimberley Woodhouse made me immerse and almost feel as if I was there! The evil and greed, the hardship, the slavery and abuse, but the hope and kindness in the good and sacrificing people who wanted to do their contribution of good for a better world!
After being widowed, Olivia has a hard time until she finally finds her brother Daniel. She starts working for him in his restaurant in San Francisco. After what she sees, and all the marriage proposal she gets, she knows she'll never marry a gold miner.. Those men are not what she envisions in what she wants in a husband. That is until she meets Joseph, Daniel's friend. Joseph is involved in mining, but he's not greedy as the others, and he is now interested in political causes to help the helpless, like the chinese forced into labor. Olivia sees he's different, he's compassionate and cares about the less fortunate welfare. But behind the crime they discover, and a fire that threatens the city, will they be able to have a chance at love? Will what they do make a change, even if small, in the city of San Francisco?
This was a beautiful and touching story. There's sweet romamance, but as I said, there's so much more. It's an inspiring story and I admired how Ms Woodhouse weaves the faith elements in a natural and non preachy way. I loved how Olivia, Joseph and Daniel studied the Bible and tried to find God's message for them.
It's a book that captivates, that has so much to learn, that inspires and also very enjoyable, in spite of the hardship and difficult themes.
I loved the characters, they are deep and compelling, realistic, and loveable. Daniel too! Hope he has his story!
I totally recommend this book! Ms. Woodhouse is a wonderful author. I want to read all of her books.
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher via NetGalley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.

The Golden Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse is book 8 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Kimberly Woodhouse is a favorite author of mine and I love this series. I was even more excited to read a story set in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities in the world! This story did not disappoint. Historic San Francisco came alive and, being a Bay Area native, I absolutely loved the many familiar cities and places. But even more than all this-- this novel is a deeply felt novel of family and has a strong spiritual component that is sadly missing from many Christian novels today. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I have been thoroughly enjoying the Daughters of the Mayflower series and this one certainly does not disappoint! Young Olivia is on her way to join her brother Daniel in San Francisco, where he owns a restaurant that feeds many of those who have come for the Gold Rush. The circumstances that have brought her to the city are ones that she finds impossible to forgive. Will the time spent learning from the journals of the past bring healing into her life? Can she learn to believe that God has a plan for her, He is with her and won't ever leave her?

In 1849 San Francisco was a lawless city, with drunkenness, debauchery, slavery and murder. How was one to be a light for the Lord in such darkness! Was it possible that a Bible Study after lunch in the restaurant might reach into that wickedness and start to change lives?

The author has given great historical detail of what life was like during the Gold Rush particularly in this city. I appreciated the notes at the back of the book that gave even more detail as to the history of that time.

I received this ARC through NetGalley. The impressions and opinions are my own.

This is another in the Mayflower series done by several different authors. It is a very good historical series. I've enjoyed most of the books and learned alot of interesting facts shared by the various authors. The Golden Bride can stand alone, however, as a good read.

Most of the story follows Olivia Brighton as she travels to San Francisco to join her brother after her parents have died. She marries quickly for survival and becomes a widow just as quickly. She arrives in San Francisco jaded and determined to endure a just fate of spinsterhood. But she grows in her faith and in emotional maturity as she helps her brother manage his restaurant and as she joins forces with Daniel's best friend Joseph to improve the plight of their new city.

Romance blooms slowly between Olivia and Joseph while Joseph struggles to find those responsible for an underground slave trade and abuse of children. Daniel has given Olivia a trunk that had belonged to their mother and holds the journals of several of her ancestors including her mother. She finds commonalitiy with them and encouragement from their struggles and achievements.

I recommend this book for your summer reading pile and thank Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

Many people traveled to San Francisco in 1849 hoping to strike it rich by finding gold. Olivia Brighton just wants to get there because it's her only chance of survival. Her parents and husband have both died and the only family member she has left is her older brother Daniel who is living there. Luckily she locates her brother in SF, but soon discovers that this city is not a safe place for a single young woman. Living conditions in the city are dangerous and dirty and morals are low. Olivia finds the safest place in town is just to stay put as a waitress at her brother's successful restaurant where it is not uncommon for her to receive dozens of proposals in one day. Olivia doesn't need romance in her life and she certainly doesn't need to marry a gold miner. However, she does find it is becoming harder and harder to resist falling in love with Joseph Sawyer (her brother's best friend). Joseph Sawyer may own a gold mine but he's the opposite of a greedy gold miner. He's determined to bring about some positive change in town and Olivia gets swept up into many of these plans. Olivia and Joseph's determination to make San Francisco a safer place comes with many dangers that will test their love and put both of their lives in danger.

The Golden Bride is the 8th book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series which is written by a variety of different authors. I thought it was fun to have Olivia read journals that were kept by other main characters from previous books in the series. The allusions to these past characters is small and would not impact someone's ability to read this book as a stand alone. I find this series to be particularly interesting because I always learn a little bit of American history along the way. For example, I've always heard stories about the Gold Rush but didn't realize how horrible conditions were in the fledgling city of San Francisco until reading this book. Thanks to Barbour Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Golden Bride. It's always a pleasure to read books from this series. I love how the female lead characters are always strong willed and feisty women who are always able to improve their faith in God while discovering love. It would be difficult to read one of these books and not feel satisfied at the end. All thoughts expressed in this review are my honest opinions of the book and series.

If you are a fan of historical and Christian fiction, this is a book I would recommend for you. I've enjoyed this series, discovering and learning more about different moments in history. The different authors of this series have really put a lot of time and effort into researching and knowing the history they are writing about. That's been a big aspect of what has kept pulling me into reading all the books in this series. And I would venture to guess that it is the same for many other readers.

This book focuses on the California Gold Rush in 1849 and how it changed the city of San Francisco. There's a lot of history woven into the story of Olivia, her brother and his friend, Joseph Sawyer. I enjoyed the added element of suspense as well as the themes of allowing forgiveness and healing for ourselves because of our shortcomings and mistakes.

Overall it was a good read. The opening of the story pulled me in and I felt a connection with Olivia. I felt sadness for her struggle and choices, as well as watching her come to terms with her life. I liked both her brother and Joseph's characters and the goodness of them, especially amidst so much chaos and disorderly conduct from those living around them during the gold rush. But overall, I didn't feel like I stayed as connected with the characters as much as I would have liked as their story unfolded more. Their stories were interesting and well thought out but I didn't feel a strong pull towards them. I'm not sure if it was the book, or probably just me and the craziness of my schedule at the time of reading this. One of those times where I wasn't quite in the mood for this book and didn't connect as much, whereas if I'd read it at a different time I would feel a stronger connection. I can't quite decide. But I will continue to recommend this book even though it wasn't one I was absolutely in love with. I know many other readers will thoroughly enjoy this one.

There is a sweet love story throughout the story. Two characters who are searching for healing and helping others.

I have the next book in the series waiting for me and on my reading list for the near future. It is also written by the same author and I am really looking forward to it. Maybe the subject matter, the gold rush, is partially why I didn't quite connect as much to this book. I've read other books set in this same moment of history and I didn't really enjoy them. That's a thought. But whatever it is, don't let my thoughts and rating determine your decision to read this one.

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril. Some talk (nothing graphic) about slavery, brothels, drinking, thieving and such (it's all part of the time period). This is a Christian fiction so the characters do talk about religion and church and trying to teach others about God.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Books, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

"The Golden Bride" tells the story of a young widow trying to survive in the rough and tumble reality of San Francisco during the Gold Rush. She encounters difficulties with trying to live a godly life in a very worldly and somewhat dangerous town. This author has written many other books in the Mayflower Brides series, but this is my favorite one so far.

The author does not sanitize or romanticize the historical reality of this boom town. Readers will most likely discover some history of this town that they have been unaware of all, and much of it is rather sad and sordid. However, this being a work of historical fiction, the author has done her research well, and provides end notes to assist the reader in seeking out more information about this famous and infamous time in American history. Christian readers will appreciate the Christian message inherent in this story. In addition, the story contains a good romance and a lot of action.

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Golden Bride is the8th book of the Christian fiction series, “Daughters of the Mayflower”. The author, Kimberly Woodhouse has adeptly woven her characters into the history of 1849 San Francisco.

Olivia Livingston Brighton has just buried her parents and her husband of six weeks. She finds her way alone to her brother’s restaurant in San Francisco. Daniel Livingston is her only living relative.

The Golden Brideis set dramatically against the gold rush of 1849 as the California Territory seeks statehood. Unscrupulous men running prostitution, human trafficking of both adults and children, and hostile takeovers of gold mines are setting themselves up to take over the city — and they almost succeed.

Ms. Woodhouse has penned a beautifully written, and historically accurate record of the dark history of that time and place, and of course, there is a little romance thrown into the story. Each book in this series seems to be better than the one before it, and The Golden Brideis no different. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.

What Makes This Reviewer Grumpy?

Singular/plural confusion;
excessive use of the word “that”;
split infinitives;
beginning sentences with conjunctions;
using “to try and…” rather than “to try to…”;
using “bring” in place of “take”;
a question that ends with a period.

I received an ARC of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.

 
The golden bride by Kimberley Woodhouse
 
This is my first book of Kimberly Woodhouse and well, I just love her writing style. From the first line, I knew this was a great story. I didn’t know how good.
 
So, we continue on The Daughters of the Mayflower journey and now we are in San Francisco 1849. I really like that in the introduction the author takes time to explain a bit of the historical background. When the story begins we first meet Olivia who is married to a man she barely knew in order to save herself from the difficulty the came her after her mother and father dead. There is an accident and her husband die, and Olivia is with a huge amount of guilt. She decides to go to her brother that life and has a prospering restaurant in San Francisco. The description of the tents, the lawlessness, the number of people that were daily arriving due to the gold fever was unexpected for her. She finally arrives, and start working with his brother Daniel at the restaurant. Olivia feels like she can be forgiven and she is determined to not married again. On the other hand, we have Joseph Sawyer, best friend of Daniel. A man who was broken, an owner of a gold mine and he also involved with the town council. From the first moment, he meets Olivia he finds her lovely, but he also knows that her heart is truly hurt. If I have to say the one thing  I LOVE this book. It has a great balance, the personal situations, the fear, anxiety, guilt, doubts; all those are things we can all relate. The historical facts and information that makes the story richer and compelling, but most of all the power of prayer and a surrendered heart. I haven’t read Mary Elizabeth story on the first book and the Patriot bride, but I like the addition of their thoughts and wisdom through the journals. And how can they impact our lives.
 
An important historical year, filled with a beautiful story, romance, a mysterious villain, faith and wonderful end. If you like a good historical fiction book, this book is a must-read.
 
Truly grateful to Barbour for the ARC of this book.

This historical novel is set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush and reveals some of the unseemly goings on along with much emphasis on faith in God and living for Him. Newly widowed Olivia joins her brother, Daniel, in this burgeoning city and works in his busy restaurant. Exciting developments occur as their friend, Joseph, tries to uncover who is enslaving people and spiriting them away. Danger lurks, but they continue their efforts to do what is right. The characters seemed authentic, but I think they could have gone a bit deeper to help readers more fully connect. The book definitely held my interest and arrived at a satisfying conclusion. Each book in this series stands on its own. I received a copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful story that brought in loss and grief, guilt and redemption, faith and strength, and sweet and clean love. The characters are wonderful, the story informative, unique, and interesting. And I love happy endings! I definitely recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.

Personal Raing: 4.57
Star Rating: 5/5

I loved The Golden Bride, the eighth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book in this series focuses on an important time in history and the various authors do a fantastic job at keeping a cohesive flow from one book to another. Kimberley Woodhouse continues with setting Olivia's story in San Francisco during the 1849 Gold Rush.

I warmed to Olivia right away because she wasn't instantly mature. She questioned her choices and regretted her mistakes, but she had good motives and theses were carried throughout the story. She quickly learned how to handle herself around men of the world, but her thoughts about marriage still needed work.

Olivia worked in a restaurant so, surprisingly, this book was more about the city of San Francisco than it was the gold miners and their camps. The city was full of lust, stealing, prostitution, gambling and murder (these subjects were handled discreetly). It wasn't a city of godly people, but Olivia's brother, Daniel, and his friend, Joseph, were great examples of how gentlemen should behave while surrounded with such greed and sin.

Olivia, Daniel and Joseph worked politically to clean the city, but another depth was to clean it up one person at a time. They did this by holding Bible Studies. Detail about these Bible Studies were left to the imagination, but we know that the unacceptable were accepted and lives were changed. Beautiful faith content was written into conversations which made it easy to understand.

I always appreciate the notes from the author concerning their research. The notes at the end of this book gives the reader an opportunity to learn even more about San Francisco during this time. It is exactly what I needed after reading the last page. I didn't want this book to end because I was enjoying the character interactions.

I would recommend this book to those who love Christian fiction, history and clean romance. It's got all the elements for an enjoyable read.

*I received this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. Thank You. I am not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour Books, April 2019
Series: Daughters of the Mayflower, #8
Format: eBook, Kindle

You guys know historical fiction books aren’t always my cup of tea. When I pick a historical fiction book it is because I genuinely believe it has potential, and I’m glad to say, The Golden Bride did not disappoint. But what did I love so much about this book, you may ask. Well, almost everything, lol. This book has such a rich historical story that opened my eyes to the realities of the San Francisco gold rush. Yeah, we’ve all watched movies of the gold rush and the people that sold everything to go and chase the ”golden dream”, but the truths lived out there were different, and this book portrayed them so beautifully it’s truly a double win. Also, there are some deep topics touched in this book (though not in detail) like the slave trade, sin, egoism, racism, etc. and I respect the author so much for portraying them so well and not ”sweetening” the realities at that time in history.

Well, about the characters, Olivia and Thomas, they are completely adorable beings I just wished I could hug forever! There are wonderful relationships along with the book between brother and sister and also, of course, lovers (hehehe). The deep Christian message is beautiful, and I feel that my faith has, in a way, been challenged. It encouraged me to read about the hardships these people went through and see that even though the world seemed at its worst, there was still a small group of people that remained standing up for what was right — a truly charming story.

Cleanness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Characters:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/4

The Golden Bride is historical fiction that takes place in a young San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Well researched history yet clearly in the Sweet and Clean category. The plight of young women, children and immigrants in a burgeoning city with little to no infrastructure is touched on. The spiritual internal life and desire to make a positive impact is what is focussed on the most. Topics of grief, guilt, greed and spiritual growth are dealt with in light of family, friends and a second chance at love. It's a Christian book so there are many scriptures and "Bible study" sprinkled throughout that are applicable. I appreciated the excellent descriptions of both the historical family's journals and the various living conditions throughout the city. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical fiction.
#TheGoldenBride #NetGalley

Olivia is on her way with her new husband to mine gold when he goes hunting and shoots himself by accident not surviving. She goes to San Francisco to find her brother who is the owner of the best place to eat in the city.. This is a story about three people, Olivia, her brother and Joseph a friend of her brother's who try to help San Francisco become a place everyone with families would like to live. They have to fight the lawlessness of 1849 but eventually they do a good job. How they work at it is this story.

Ive enjoyed all the books Ive read in this series. I haven't read them all, or in order, but it doesn't really matter.
They are written by different authors (Kimberley Woodhouse has written four in the series) and they follow different women from the family in different times in history.
This particular book is set in San Francisco during the gold rush. It was interesting and an informative read. It was the "preachiest" so far of the books that I have read, too much for my taste.
It is fairly predictable but still an enjoyable read.
Warning: there is mild talk of prostitution and some violence/human slavery.

Olivia Brighton knows she's going to have to live with her decisions for the rest of her life. Her brother in San Francisco is her destination. Her guilt and a vow never to marry again. Joseph Sawyer immediately smitten with her. San Francisco has turned into a lawless gold town with danger around every corner. An anonymous benefactor wanting to take over the city puts Joseph in danger. Will Olivia change her mind with God's help and Joseph's patience? Can they figure out who's behind all the evil happening in San Francisco? Can they save their city during a gold rush? Is there a chance Olivia will become The Golden Bride?

Olivia Brighton married a stranger the day she met him and has regretted it ever since. On their way to San Francisco to be near her brother, they meander all over the countryside. Finally, moving toward their destination, her husband stops for supplies and buys gold mining equipment with the last of their money. Olivia complains about not having any food and her husband goes off to hunt and doesn't show back up. She goes looking a and finds him dead of an accidental gunshot wound. Feeling guilty for all the negative feelings and complaining she vows never to marry again especially a gold miner. Olivia does what needs to be done and heads for San Francisco. She arrives and is immediately a sensation because of how few women there are in the town. Olivia confides in her brother what happened and meets his best friend Joseph Sawyer. Joseph is immediately smitten with Olivia. There is a major obstacle in his way the gold mine he has. The two of them become friends and hide deeper feelings for each other. Joseph is patient. Olivia is dealing with her feelings for Joseph and her guilt, along with the continuation of getting marriage propositions and aggressive patron at the restaurant. She helps the two men with a petition to change San Francisco. Joseph doesn't trust one of his fellow councilmen and the town's benefactor. When his mine foreman comes to him about giving his arriving brothers a job its a yes. The brothers disappear and Joseph agrees to help them. Joseph starts to follow the untrustworthy councilmen and sees him around houses that have a shady feel to them. The three of them begin a bible study at the restaurant. Olivia's brother decides to expand his business and put Olivia in charge of the original restaurant. Joseph and Olivia get closer he reveals that he owns a gold mine. The city council finally hire a police force and the chief asks Joseph to go undercover to get evidence of the crimes going on. He must not tell anyone and it puts distance between him and his friends. Olivia and Joseph have fallen in love with each other. Joseph is found out and captured and put on a boat in the harbor. There is a fire and Olivia saves the books and friends from the fire. Joseph and her brother come to her rescue when she escapes the fire and they go to the place where Joseph and Olivia went on a picnic. Joseph and the chief of police go make arrests when the town's benefactor decides to reveal himself. Joseph proposes to Olivia and 19 years later they've got a several kids and she's showing their 13 year old the diaries from her relatives that helped her through her troubles along the way while they wait for Joseph and her brother's family to come.

Kimberly Woodhouse blends the other three books she's written for the Daughter's of the Mayflower series into this book by revisiting the past lives of Olivia Brighton's female relatives from The Mayflower Bride, The Pirate Bride and The Patriot Bride and her own mother through the journals that her great grandmothers wrote. She uses them to help her find the way through the guilt to the love of her life. You can feel these character's connection to each other and to God. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment in the Daughter's of the Mayflower series.

I can not open this file on my nook or my computer, it goes to page 5 and then freezes the screen.. I can't review what i can't see.
thank you for giving me the option to review this book

Romance, clean; Strong Christian Faith elements.
Olivia's story starts out with several tragedies. Historical setting, with several interesting characters and events. Hard work, honesty, faith, and a bit of romance intermingled with the historical San Fransisco setting. Gold Rush Era, lots of characters with lots of different worries and concerns. Depravity and crime run rampant in the city, and Daniel's restaurant and the church he and Joseph built are a haven for many. Good food, a bit of faith, and honest pricing.
Characters are good, told from alternating perspectives, but just wanted a bit more. The ending felt like it just tied together a bit too quickly. I wanted more from this book. I think it had the opportunity to be better. Still a good read, fun backstory, and honest, heartfelt characters. A perfect historical escape with some drama, a bit of intrigue, and some lovely attraction.

This is a Historic San Francisco Romance, set during the Gold Rush. Reading about the Human Trafficking of the Chinese back then; wasn't easy for me. But, Kimberley Woodhouse very sensitively writes about this timely subject! "The Golden Bride"is a Great, Historic, American, Christian, Romantic Suspense, that I highly Recommend! I was able to read this Wonderful Story thanks to NetGalley.