This was such an interesting and eye-opening story with a detailed description of what San Francisco was like during the Gold Rush! Poor Olivia had no choice but to go to the city with no law and mostly no morals. The only other women she saw there were prostitutes. The two upstanding men there were her brother and his best friend, Joseph. Olivia learned how to hold her own against the unsavory gold miners who came into her brother's restaurant, where she worked. She, her brother, and Joseph also took a moral stand, by starting a bible study there and fighting for the rights of those with lesser or no voice. Included in those were Chinese slaves that were being hidden in captivity. Will she find promise for the future and possibly love in this amoral city?
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Good story. I learned a lot of history and the characters were compelling. Sometimes it felt like it got a little bogged down in details that were unnecessary but I enjoyed the read.

Olivia's parents are dead and she is left with only debt and a farm that has to be sold. A shotgun wedding to Hezekiah Brighton seems to be her only choice as he will pay off her debt and is heading to the California gold fields where her brother lives. Then Hezekiah dies on the trail, and Olivia must now finish the trip and fend for herself. When she finally finds Daniel, she also finds that she is one of the few women amongst the thousands of gold miners and the stench, unlawfulness, and immorality filling the streets of San Francisco.

Olivia was one gutsy, feisty young woman. But her negativity and self-doubt as well as her lack of faith all seemed to hinder her from being all that she could be. Daniel and Joseph were both wonderful male heroes. Daniel was caring and supportive of Olivia and made sure his sister was kept safe. Joseph was a swoon worthy hero who had had a rough start in life; but once he found salvation, he became strong and caring towards his fellow man. I loved how they all support one another in their faith journey and thought the daily Bible study was a wonderful idea for this rough and tumble town.

With a hint of suspense, a touch of romance, a strong cast of characters, and a well researched San Francisco setting, this was another great story in the series of the Daughters of the Mayflower. I will hate to say goodbye to the Lytton family and their descendants when this series ends.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me review this book. Olivia Brighton is working for her brother in San Francisco during the gold rush. She has decided that she will never marry a gold miner. She starts spending a lot of time with her brother's friend, Joseph who is a gold miner.

This was a clean, sweet, inspirational read. It was a delight to read.

Romance and Intrigue During the Gold Rush in San Francisco

Olivia is headed to San Francisco during the 1849 California Gold Rush, but she’s not looking for gold. With her parents dead, she needs to find her brother, Daniel, who owns a prosperous restaurant in the town.

Olivia married hastily to get someone to take her to San Francisco, but before she gets there her new husband is dead of an accidental shotgun wound. The city is nothing like she expected. Rough men are everywhere. When she finds her brother’s restaurant, he tells her that the city has become wild and she won’t be safe unless she’s with him.

Olivia takes a job in his restaurant where she’s under Daniel’s eye. There she meets Jacob Sawyer. He is a miner who struck it rich and is now trying to help the town become an organized and law-abiding place to live. Olivia is drawn to him, but she doesn’t want to marry a gold miner.

This novel like the previous novels in the Daughters of the Mayflower series presents an accurate picture of the time period with a romance fitted into the time and setting. This book shows how two friends try to bring God to this tumultuous city and establish the rule of law. It’s a lovely story although at times the pace is rather slow.

I enjoyed the note at the end in which the author presents some of her research. This is another good addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series and manages to get in a hint of the other books through the diaries of Olivia’s great grandmother and great great great grandmother. (I’m not sure I have enough greats, but it’s a delightful way to pull the series together.)

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

My Review: 

Genre: Historical, Christian, romance, fiction.

My Rating: 4 stars.

My Recommendation: 13 up.

My Favorite Character/s: Joseph was so surprisingly deep with a kind and sweet attitude. He was so kind and yet tough without being boring or too overprotective.

My Verse for Joseph is Mark 4:31

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: (King James Version.)

Olivia was a sweet heroine and I really liked her reaction with the pie. 😉

My Verse for Olivia is Proverbs 3:5
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (King James Version.)

Then there's Daniel! He's the kind, protective, Christian, older, kinder brother. He's also the comic relief . . . The guy that also picks the wrong time to interrupt -- on purpose.

My Verse for Daniel is Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (King James Version.)

My Thoughts: The books in this series have been so interesting! The history and feeling in this book was so spot on and I liked the plot though the ending was a little fast for me. And as of now Kimberley Woodhouse is a need to read author, I've enjoyed each of her books that I've read and look forward to reading more!

Warnings: There is some human-trafficking, and a boy is beaten by a man, as well as slavery.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it!

Like other books in this series, I found The Golden Bride to be a sweet inspirational story. The characters were sweet, though they did fall a bit flat for my taste. What drew me to this book was the period in which it was set. I thought the author did a fine job of representing this period. Woodhouse writes about the turmoil that enraptured the city of San Francisco during the Gold Rush without the novel becoming too gritty.

A nice, light historical read, The Golden Bride is a good novel for readers who enjoy sweet historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Olivia, a recent widow, travels to San Francisco to her brother Daniel's. Daniel is a good Christian man who owns a successful restaurant. His best friend, Joseph is a city councilman who wants to make San Francisco a safe place to live. Olivia receives multiple marriage proposals a year as she works as a waitress in Daniel's restaurant, but she doesn't think that she wants to marry again. Joseph's goodness and looks attracts her, but his investigation into corruption might endanger him. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I liked the book, but it didn't draw me in the story as much as the other books in the series. The examples that Olivia, Joseph, and Daniel gave to the other citizens was admirable. I recommend this series.

“The Golden Bride” is one of those books that you’ll either love it or not. Or you gel well with it or not so much.

I absolutely adored the style of writing and the time period it was written in. I would like to read something else from the author though.

Olivia and Joseph’s potential relationship was frustrating... they take subtle step forward and two large steps back. If only they would take that leap! And/ or talk it out.

Book 8 in the Daughters of Mayflower series. And my first book I have read in the series.

———-

Olivia finds herself a widow after several weeks of marriage to a man she only just met. She doesn’t marry him for love at first sight but more out of convenience - she has recently lost both her parents and needs to travel to her brother who lives in San Francisco. He provides for both the stability and a way to get to San Francisco. After a tragic incident, Olivia travels alone to San Franciso where her brother Daniel welcomes his only remaining family member back into his life and home.

She starts working at her brother’s restaurant to earn her keep and to keep her sorrow, from the loss of both parents and husband, at bay. She blames herself for all three deaths, and throughout the book learns to forgive herself.

Joseph is a good friend of Daniel’s. Ex-gold digger, turn gold mine owner. He - with Daniel’s help - has found Jesus when times were really tough. He is a good man, and is often found helping where he can to those that need it.

The three of them - Olivia, Daniel and Joseph - put plans in motion to make San Francisco a better and safer place. Corruption, slave trade, the gold rush, devastating town, and brothels. In amongst all this, the three start a small bible group to help each person, who require it and are willing to ask for it, one at a time.

Christianity and faith plays a big part in the book - recommended for those who enjoy a good Christian fictional story.

Star Rating: 3.8

** I received a copy of “The Golden Bride” (Daughter of Mayflower #8) by Kimberley Woodhouse via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#TheGoldenBride #NetGalley

Olivia Brighton is working for her brother in San Francisco during the gold rush. She has decided she will never marry a gold miner but she spends a lot of time with her brother's friend, Joseph who is a gold miner. Will God change her mind?

This was a clean, sweet, inspirational read. It is enjoyable!

Outstanding Christian fiction! I think this book, maybe even more than some of the others in the series, gives the opportunity to see not just characters of faith, but characters who are changed in a big way by their faith. Woodhouse's characters talk about their life before Christ, and how their lives have changed for the better. A side-story line even goes so far as to show that no one of us is beyond redemption, and that God can change any life - no matter where you've come from or what you've done. And, that once you've had an encounter with God, you can't stay the same.
Seeing Olivia read back through the journals of the women in her family (women from previous books in the series!) and how it helped her grow in her faith made me a bit sad that I don't have that kind of record of my family history to guide me.
As with all of the Daughters of the Mayflower books, there is a sweet and wonderful romance with a dashing hero, and some action and mystery to add to the suspense. I have truly enjoyed this series, and it has expanded my horizons of historical fiction - I've read many time periods I wouldn't have picked up otherwise. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, sweet romance and cozy stories.

This is my favorite novel so far in the Daughters of the Mayflower series – I love it! The characters are extremely likable, the mystery is intriguing, and the historical research and setting is fascinating. This is a San Francisco that few of us imagined before many worked together for governance and safety in the California territory.

It is 1849. Olivia’s parents died, and she sold their farm to pay the debts. She then married a man she just met to help with debts and head toward her beloved brother’s home and restaurant in San Francisco. Her bridegroom changed his mind almost daily on what quick-money deal he wanted in on. Finally, he purchased gold mining equipment with their last dollar, leaving them no money for food. Hezekiah Brighton died while trying to hunt something for dinner and Olivia carries the guilt for his death like a huge sack of boulders.

San Francisco was not what Olivia expected. She traveled through miles of tents and shacks to get to her brother’s place. Livvy’s brother Daniel was thrilled to see her and welcomed her into his home over the restaurant. Since it was not safe for her to go anywhere alone in the city, Livvy was happy to work at his restaurant. Then she met some of the men who dined there. One man was a little too friendly and she delivered his pie directly to his face.

Daniel’s best friend Joseph saw it and was immediately attracted by her feisty personality. Daniel sees San Francisco as the mission field the Lord led him to, and Joseph was one man he ministered to. They grew into a close friendship and fellowship. Now they discuss what they can do to shine their light in the city teeming with evil. They begin a Bible study group during the afternoon at the restaurant and Olivia meets a remarkable woman. Together they seek the source of the adult and child slave trade in the city while Joseph works with the city council to get good police and fire departments.

Joseph is interested in Olivia, but she believes Hezekiah died because of her complaining and poor attitude, vowing to never marry again. Livvy begins to read the journals of her ancestors, including the woman who came over on the Mayflower more than 200 years earlier. As she reads their histories and returns to reading her Bible, her heart changes. Upcoming events will call upon every attribute she gains from the Lord and her ancestors’ writings, as their lives will soon be at stake.

The characters are very well defined. I really like and empathize with Olivia. She is interesting, genuine, and has challenges with grace and receiving God’s forgiveness. Daniel and Joseph are strong in their faith; the three learn from each other even as Olivia gets back to her relationship with the Lord that can change her from the inside out.

What I appreciate most is the faith portrayed by Daniel, Joseph, and Olivia, and the transparency of Olivia with her faith struggles. This sets it apart from many Christian novels, as the witness of faith from Joseph and Daniel are powerful. I also appreciate Olivia’s new friend, Julia, who may not be accepted by society, but she certainly helps the three friends with their quest to find the slave traders to free the adults and children, no matter the cost. I highly recommend this fabulous novel of God’s love, second chances, and learning from the past to have a better future.

From a grateful heart: I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, a positive review was not required.

I've read all the the Daughters of the Mayflower books so far and really enjoyed them. This one, sadly, is not one of my favorites. One of my biggest pet peeves is when there are portions of the book from the villain's perspective when the villain is purely bad, with no complexity. Also, I felt as if the main action towards the end of the book was told rather than shown. There were portions of the book I enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Another installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, like all of them this is a standalone, although the others are definitely worth reading too.

Author Kimberley Woodhouse gives us a descriptive look at San Francisco during the Gold Rush Era. While I knew about the roughness of the miners during that time frame, I wasn’t aware of the slavery that went on. I found the history of it quite interesting.

Woodhouse’s characters are not only well developed but they are true to life with their ups and downs; life’s challenges. I especially liked seeing Olivia’s spiritual growth as she sought God.

With suspense, light romance, and lots of drama, if you enjoy historical fiction I highly recommend The Golden Bride.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The California Gold Rush from the Side of the good guys, the ones who stayed around to bring God and civilization to the chaotic frontier. And romance.
I received a free copy from the publisher but as always, my opinions are my own.

This book, The Golden Bride, by Kimberley Woodhouse, took me to a time in our country's history with which I was not very familiar. I was interested to read about the growth in San Francisco during the gold rush era. I think the author did a job balancing the history and character story line. I didn't feel that I was reading a history book, but I got a dash of history with a good, and somewhat intriguing romance. I would definitely recommend this book as well as the series, The Daughters of the Mayflower.

As I've found to be true with the other books by Ms Woodhouse, you can tell as you read how much time and effort she has put into researching this time period and weaving that research into the story.
Her characters are intelligent and daring, and the main character focuses on digging into her Bible and the journals of her ancestors to grow personally.

I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from Kimberly Woodhouse

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. All opinions are my own

I reviewed this book for Hope by the Book's Web Extras and my comments may be find at https://www.hopebythebook.com/

This is another wonderful book in the series! One of the things I like about this is how there;s references to previous books without taking away from the current plot. This wasn't my favorite in the book, but that has far more to do with the fact that this isn't one of my favorite historical time periods to read. That being said, wonderful characters and a fantastic description of gold rush in San Francisco.

*thank you so much to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for this free copy in exchange for an honest review*

Another great book in the series! The California gold rush was a time of great luck, country expansion, and apparently rapid-fire marriage proposals.
Instead of allowing herself to be swept up in the allure of a rich husband who’s struck gold, Olivia holds out for someone she know will truly love her and be a good match for her...even if he’s got a few bad qualities too.
Ms Woodhouse does so well with painting pictures in her work!