The Golden Bride

I just loved The Golden Bride. I have read all of the books in this series and they are all equally good. Each of them are written by great authors and each from a different period of time.

The Golden Bride is from the mid 1800's and set in San Francisco during the gold rush. Olivia Brighton has lost both of her parents and her husband whom she had only been married to for six weeks. She married him after only knowing him for a day and their brief marriage was not good. Now Olivia finds herself in San Francisco. She is working and living with her brother, Daniel, in his restaurant. The town of San Francisco is dirty and dangerous. But in Daniel's restaurant, Olivia is safe. Daniel is a Christian and in him she finds hope again. Daniel gives Olivia a box that belonged to her mother. It was a treasure that had been passed down from generation to generation. In the box, Olivia finds the journals of three wonderful women. In those journals, Olivia finds strength and healing.

Joseph Sawyer is a gold miner that has been very successful. He is Daniel's best friend and he is a Christian. He, Daniel and Olivia begin a Bible study in the afternoons. Olivia has a wall built up around her heart due to feeling unworthy of love, but as those walls fall down she finds herself longing for love again. Joseph and Olivia have found a way into each other's hearts. But they live in dangerous times and Joseph has become aware of a danger that he cannot ignore. As Joseph goes undercover to try and rescue imprisoned men, women and children, his safety is in jeopardy. He longs for a future with Olivia but must try to fulfill a promise he made to rescue his foreman's family.

The Golden Bride is beautifully written. The romance between Olivia and Joseph is so endearing. There is enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. The ending is just perfect.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

This book gave me a whole new insight into the 1800's and the city of San Francisco during the gold rush. It was crowded, dirty, full of mostly men searching for their share of gold. People were coming in on boats by the thousands and by horse on land. The heroine began her journey with her husband of a few weeks, Hezekiah. He was such a dreamer but sort of likeable. His head was full of excitement when he heard about the gold in San Francisco and he and Olivia started to the city to make their fortune. But not everything goes as planned, but i don't want to spoil anything for readers, so i won't tell. Olivia finally reaches the city and finds her brother and lives with him. She meets his friend Joseph who owns a goldmine. They are Christians in a town that seen few moral people and find themselves in perilous situations. The story is both a mystery and a bit of a love story. It builds slowly and of course they get their happy ending. This book will really open a lot of eyes about the way San Francisco was during the gold rush period and the greed and desperation of some men and some men were too evil to believe. The events in the story were a surprise as i had never considered those events happening before. Sad to say the least. So I recommend this book to people who enjoy a mystery, love story and historical time periods. There are so many interesting things in the book i could not mention them all, so i encourage everyone to read this book. Another great book in the Mayflower Bride series.

I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. The opinion is my own, freely given.

This is a great book! If you are looking for a book that is full of suspense, drama and romance, this book is for you! It is very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat, This book is set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush of the 1880's, and is very eye-opening about how nasty and lawless it was back then. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review.

I am very much enjoying the entire Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book builds my knowledge of history and appreciation for our country. While each book stands alone, I eagerly look forward to each new installment.

This book, like the ones before it, has characters that bring history to life. Some of that is not so pretty. I was unaware of the atrocities that happened during the gold rush of 1849. The human trafficking, crime, and pitiful living conditions that most of the newcomers to San Francisco endured were things that I was unaware of prior to this book. With that being said, the author did a very good job of keeping the book from being a downer.

I enjoyed this book and the characters within. I plan to follow up on the historical notes at the end of the book and learn even more about this fascinating period of history.

I follow the GoodReads rating system. Please note that this means even the 3-star books are ones I liked.
1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing; I’ll read it over and over and/or it will impact my daily life.

The newest addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series brings interesting history, strong characters, and a lot of faith, plus a tender romance. Newly widowed Olivia Brighton needs all the courage and wit she can muster to face the daily challenges of life in chaotic 1849 San Francisco. Her kind and industrious brother Daniel provides a safe place to live and work at his busy restaurant. Along with his good friend, Joseph, they hope to bring light and order to the dark and dangerous city.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Olivia has a lot to overcome from the loss of her parents and short-lived marriage. It was heartening to see her growth from being fearful and guilt ridden, to becoming a woman of faith and courage, reaching out to help others, instead of focusing so much on her own perceived shortcomings. I liked the journal entries from her ancestors, which were a real encouragement, boosting her faith and reminding her that she wasn't alone. Daniel and Joseph were great men of faith and integrity, noble and willing to sacrifice to help others. They were real lights in a dark place. The author does a good job of painting the picture of how crazy the city was at the time, and doesn't shy away from the dark side of the boom town era. The ending was exciting with some mystery and action adding interest to the plot.

Readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction with some romance and faith, may like this one. It easily reads as a stand alone, with a few recaps from previous books. The author notes at the end highlight facts included in the story, sharing resources for further reading.
3.5 stars

THE GOLDEN BRIDE by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE is an historical romance novel with the Christian message beautifully woven through it, and making up a large part of the main characters' lives.
The story takes place in San Fransisco during the gold rush and we are made aware of the horrors that took place during that period, when gold and the accumulation of wealth led to human trafficking, prostitution and general degradation. The author has obviously done a great deal of research into this period of history.
When Daniel Livingston's sister, Olivia, comes to stay with him in San Fransisco and work at his restaurant, she turns quite a few heads, including that of his best friend Joseph. The three of them start a bible study at the restaurant in the afternoons and really try to live out their faith in improving conditions in the rather lawless community in which they live.
Danger and intrigue follow our three main characters and this makes for an exciting read.
I wa given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing Inc. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Of the series, this has been my favorite! One thing I really liked about it was how it incorporated the story lines of the previous books in the series into the plot. She learns from the stories of strength her ancestors share in their journals, and that helps to give backstory for those readers who may not have followed the series from the Mayflower on. There is a lot of great history about San Fran and this era, including the dangers and debauchery that is so often glossed over, and the characters are very realistic. Looking forward to what historical event Emma brings us next!

I have to admit that this book had everything that a great novel should have. It had a rich blend of historical facts and mystery that made it difficult to put down. For every somber historical fact, there was also a lighthearted moment often between Olivia, her brother or Joseph.
The characters were lifelike in their emotions and actions, especially Olivia. Despite everything she had gone through, she eventually came to find hope through reading the Bible with Joseph and her brother, Daniel.
I would recommend this delightful tale to anyone who is in need of a historical mystery with a touch of romance.
Personal Rating: 5 Stars
Content Rating: 4 Stars
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A story of a young woman that journeys to San Francisco to live with her brother, she endures hardship as her new husband dies. She continues on to find her brother, and she meets his best friend. The story gets more interesting toward the end, with spying, danger, and fire that nearly destroys the city. An exciting tale that I enjoyed reading!

The Golden Bride takes you on a journey to historic California. A land of gold, danger, & full of men starved for the opportunity to make money. Some who were willing to make it by any means available. Yet for all those men, there were few women. So why does a Godfearing woman head to this lawless town? Will she be able to stand, or once her faith is tested by the firery trials headed her way, will her faith be left in ashes? Find out for yourself in this well researched novel by Kimberley Woodhouse. I've enjoyed reading this book, and once again glimpsing some of the trials that people went through to help form this great country. The history buff in me was able to enjoy the descriptive background, while the romantic side of me appreciated the journey to finding love.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher under no obligation. All opinions expressed are entirely my own:-)

This is another great addition to the Daughters of The Mayflower. I have read all the other books in this series and find them all educational and entertaining. Even though they are fictional novels, there are a lot of parts to the books that are taken from our history. I look forward to reading the authors notes at the end to learn which is historically accurate and what parts are from the author.

Kimberly has a special way of making a scene come to life. That along with her ability to craft interesting, believable characters makes for a very good read.
The story is set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. I have read several stories with that location and during the same time period. That was a very hard and lawless time. It has been referred to as the Sodom and Gomorrah of America. I liked the way Kimberley included these facts without going into great detail. I am sure it would be hard to write about, it is hard to read some of what went on. I think Kimberley did a wonderful job of drawing light out of this darkness.

This book is about sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, romance,faith and family trees.

If you are a fan of Christian historical romance, you will not be disappointed with Kimberly Woodhouse's new book.

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

I recently read The Golden Bride and enjoyed it! This book is part of a series of stories about brides throughout history. Each one is set in a unique time period and faces challenging situations. I love how each story threads our need for God in our everyday life.

Olivia is heading to California with a foolish husband when tragedy strikes. She must reach her brother in San Francisco when she becomes a widow. Olivia is a serious young woman who has experienced a hard life. Readers may feel she is forced to handle too much throughout the book but life is often difficult and we must turn to God for strength to keep going.

Joseph is a gold-miner turned town leader in the story and he is best friend to Olivia's brother. He must help keep San Francisco safe from an unscrupulous and anonymous business leader. Together Olivia and Joseph learn to trust and work together. There is danger and secrets as Olivia and Joseph make the city safe for the abused and disadvantaged immigrants.

This is an enjoyable, somewhat predictable novel.

This is the latest book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. In this story, Olivia finds herself as a widow with regrets of past choices made. Now in San Francisco she starts to rebuild her life along with many gold miners who cross her way while working at her brother's eating establishment.

Again a wonderful Christian read with interesting historical information. Really enjoyed this book. And have enjoyed the series! Well, worth your time reading.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

The Golden Bride is beautifully written. The romance between Olivia and Joseph is so endearing. There is enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. It is full of suspense, drama, and romance, set in San Francisco in the 1880s during the gold rush. Overall, I love this book and highly recommend to people who are the fan of mystery, romance and historical periods. It easily reads as a stand alone, with a few recaps from previous books.

I have been reading the Daughters of the Mayflower series since the beginning, and you'd think that it might be wearing a little thin by now - it isn't.

If you enjoy history, adventure and romance you will enjoy this series and this book in particular. Author Kimberley Woodhouse takes the family tree a little further into the gold rush era (a long way from the Mayflower), but as Olivia Brighton discovers, her ancestor's journals still have a valuable lesson to teach her.

I loved how the author did not stray from highlighting the faith of the main characters - Olivia, Daniel and Joseph. The theme of trusting in God and relying on Him when things are bad was evident as Olivia struggled to come to terms with some bad choices she made, but for which she believed she deserved "punishment" from God. As she discovers, that's not how God works.

As she, her brother Daniel and her romantic interest Joseph, soon discover, waiting on God and trusting in Him to do great things is vital in a sin-filled world.

I look forward to the next book in this series.

This was a great story about a young lady that grows in her faith as she faces a city filled with crime. I enjoyed watching her character grow throughout the book. She developed a backbone and she also grew in her relationship with Christ. Joseph was making a way for himself in the city of crime and trying to make the city better. I liked his redemption story and how Olivia's brother had a hand in helping Joseph meet Jesus. Their friendship was deep and similar to David and Jonathon's in the Bible. Joseph had a compassionate heart and used to reach out to those in need. I enjoyed watching how the three of them took on the crimes that were plaguing their city. At times the book was slow to read, but the depth of the characters was great. I felt like I really knew them. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys historical romance and enjoys books with a Christian theme.

The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse is the newest installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Set during the San Fransisco gold rush, this story led me through a story of mystery, justice, and discovery. As one who loves historical fiction, I greatly appreciated the attention to detail and accuracy interspersed in a plot that kept me riveted. The continued sense of suspense combined with hope carried the story through the end, and I found myself lost within its pages. This is truly a must read not only for the engaging plot, but also for the unforgettable characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I've read 5 of the Brides of the Mayflower books and have enjoyed them all. As I've read them out of order I haven't yet read Ms. Woodhouse's other contributions to this wonderful series.

This novel takes place in San Francisco during the Gold Rush of 1849. Olivia is a lovely and compassionate heroine, although why she initially thinks she's flawed and unworthy is a mystery to me, as I found her guilt misplaced. Making her way to San Francisco alone after her husband's tragic death, Olivia displays courage, determination and fortitude. Her brother Daniel and her love interest Joseph are both upstanding, generous and moral men. What I found particularly inspiring is the trio's treatment of the brothel owner, Julia, in spite of others' opinions. There are fires, human trafficking, and general corruption, sad realities of San Francisco at the time.

As in the other novels in this series, the historical details are accurate and informative.

I love this series, and The Golden Bride was a great addition. It brought to life the happenings within San Francisco during the gold rush, not out in the fields finding the gold.

It is the story of Olivia Brighton, a young woman on her own after tragedy takes her husband of just a few short weeks. Olivia is on her way to San Francisco to see her brother after her parents suddenly die. Her brother, Daniel owns a prosperous restaurant there and she is bound to get to him. Once there she works in the restaurant and meets Daniel's best friend, Jacob Sawyer. Jacob is everything Olivia despises particularly a gold rusher. But it is his faith in God and his love for God that draws Olivia to him. With no actual law in the city, fires and crime are high on the city counsel's order to get underhand. But if George Banister and his silent partner have anything to do with the building of the city, they will do not so kindly, and it is up to Jacob to find out their secret.

This was a lovely book about life in the city of San Francisco, before it was a state, the fact that it was basically a tent city and the danger of fires, and the fact there was no law to uphold any law there may be. It was the story of a very prosperous restaurant owner and his sister, along with their friend that tried to bring God into these wayward men that were there for nothing other than to get rich. But it was the story of a young widow, who vowed never to marry again because of circumstances in her marriage, but that love can break down those walls. I love that Ms. Woodhouse puts an epilogue in her books so we know what happens to the characters later in life. I love this series and cannot wait to continue and see where it leads next.

I received this from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

I sincerely hope that they once again decide to add more books to this series. I've enjoyed each one so far and I really liked how it was formatted to slowly move forward through time. While each of the books can be read as a stand-alone, the knowledge that the characters are related through the generations ties a stronger bond to the history of our nation. We are a product of the generations before us, and how this series ties that concept together is remarkable. While this book is similar in that it can be read as a stand-alone, it also contains journal entries from previous characters. It wouldn't necessarily lead the reader to feel lost in any way, but if you've read the previous books it will certainly give you a deeper appreciation for their connections.

I enjoyed each of the books in this series, but I have to admit that the ones written by Kimberley Woodhouse are my absolute favorites. The author's love of history is clearly observed in her writing. Not surprising, I read this book in a single evening. It was well written and highly engaging. I appreciate Kimberley's intent to be respective of history while wanting something a bit more light-hearted. In my opinion I think she was able achieve a satisfying balance.

I think my favorite piece of this story is the concept that life often doesn't turn out as we expect--both the good and the bad. When Olivia's brother Daniel moved to San Francisco, there was no way he would know how quickly the area would boom. With the reason for that growth circling around a wide-spread, selfish desire for wealth--it's no wonder that it brought with it a whole lot of trouble. Yet despite the conflict, Daniel continues to seek the Lord in his steps for the future. In the beginning Olivia was hit with the recent death of her parents which resulted in a quick marriage of convenience followed by unexpected widowhood. How does one move forward when life throws the unexpected at you? I really liked how the author fleshed this out in the story.

I honestly don't think I can recommend this series enough. While I admit I had my favorites, I've enjoyed each story and appreciate the generational history contained in the pages (fictional or not). I hope they decide to continue moving through history, but if not I can at least say I've appreciated the time I've already been able to spend in it.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this one as I am not a big of Gold Rush stories. In all honesty, I was drawn in from the first paragraphs and completely committed to Olivia's story by the time the fullness of the Gold Rush was established. It was so well written and engaging! The chemistry between Olivia and Joseph is so genuine and pure. A lovely depiction of how Christ truly redeems us and makes us new creations.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse is the next book in the “Daughters of the Mayflower” series. It can be read alone if you haven’t read the others; there is enough background that you will not feel lost.
This story begins with Olivia Brighton and her husband Hezekiah somewhere between San Jose and San Francisco CA. Olivia married her husband one day after meeting him and shortly after the death of her parents. He has promised to get her to San Francisco where her only relative, her brother Daniel, lives. Olivia has many doubts about the relationship and blames herself when Hezekiah is accidentally killed. Will she be able to make it to San Francisco on her own? Will her guilt pull her away from a relationship with God? Will she be able to forgive herself and find love again?
I really enjoy Kimberley’s style of writing. She mixes history and fiction together seamlessly to create a story that you can’t put down. The characters are so well written that they come alive on the pages. Whether a good or bad guy you can understand their motives for what they are doing. She also includes details of her research and explains which parts of the story are historical and which are fiction and which characters were real people. I enjoy reading this almost as much as the story. I give this book 5 of 5 stars and believe it will appeal to a wide audience of Christian readers.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book and it is now probably my favourite of the series. The characters' interaction and the building romance reminded me a bit of Karen Witemeyer's books. The plot of the slave trade black market was intriguing and I enjoyed following Joseph's path to try and uncover this and set the slaves free. And then you have two Godly men who strives to always walk in God's will and Olivia who grew from a nagging fearful girl to a courageous women of God.

One of my favourite parts was where Olivia stood up and befriended Julia, while everyone basically disowned her. And the theme of how God can change you, wipe your past clean and use you for good and His will was so beautifully displayed.

What I've come to love about Kimberley Woodhouse's books is how her characters have a relationship with God and you are there, part of their journey in getting to know Him more intimately and allowing Him to change and grow them to become better versions of them.

What I specifically loved from this book was how Olivia read her great-great-great-great (probably another great in there)' and great-grandmother's journals (from The Mayflower Bride and The Patriot Bride) since I loved both of there ladies and their stories as well.

I think Kimberley Woodhouse did a great job of bringing a story about San Francisco's darker past to light and she had me smiling a very cheesy grin at the ending.

Well, I have to say that "The Golden Bride" another great addition to the" Daughters of the Mayflower" series. Kimberley Woodhouse wrote a wonderful story. I was pulled in from the very first page and I had a hard time putting it down.

The story is about love, learning to forgive, and visiting the past.. You learn about Olivia's struggles to San Francisco, and struggles she faces once she arrives.
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My favorite parts of the whole book is when Olivia is able to read journals from five generations before her great grandmother. She learns about her families struggles, which starts from the trip over from Europe to America on the Mayflower. She is able to realize there is not much of a deference between past generation struggles and what she is going through today.

This is just a great book and I recommend it to anyone that likes a good Christian book.

I absolutely loved reading The Golden Bride! The characters pulled me into the story, I adored Olivia. Olivia was such a strong and Godly woman who found joy in God’s work. I found myself so engrossed in the story that I could almost see the over crowding, and tents set up all over the place. The author does a excellent job of describing the conditions of the city and the people of that time. This story brings hope of a future and of good that God has for us. My emotions were a whirl wind with this beautiful book, I’m excited to see what Kimberly Woodhouse writes next.

Kimberley Woodhouse again delights with her newest book in the Daughters of the Mayflower Series, The Golden Bride. Set during the gold rush of 1849 in San Francisco, I learned more about the real down and sometimes dirty history of really happened in that era. As always intrigues me in historical novels, this one has been well-researched, and I felt a part of the story.

Poor widow Olivia Brighton, after being married only 6 weeks, goes in search of her only living relative, Daniel, who runs a restaurant in San Francisco. Through the discovery of her ancestor’s journals, Olivia finds a lifeline to help heal her heart, and we see her blossom from a discouraged young woman into a very strong, courageous woman.

She, Daniel, and friend Joseph Sawyer vow to help put a stop to the degradation happening in the fast-growing city. As they tackle their objective, Olivia learns to open herself up, listen to what God is telling her, and to find real love.

You won’t want to put this book down, the plot twists will keep you turning the pages!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

I have enjoyed some books in this series more than others so I’m happy to report this one is great. The characters are noble and good and their story is well written. This is one of those books that is paced well and you will enjoy it from the beginning. It has less action and a heroine who is a bit milder, and perhaps more realistic, than some of the more adventurous ones found in other books in this series. Olivia is a sweet character who must put her past experiences behind her and believe in herself to move forward. She travels to San Francisco to be with her brother and is shocked by the state of the city. Readers might also be appalled at what was going on during the Gold Rush. Most references are oblique so I don’t think that will be be a problem for most readers. I had never considered the consequences of the lawlessness that pervaded that time and it was eye opening. Aside from Olivia’s journey to San Francisco, which is very brief, the entire book takes place in the city.

The budding romance between Olivia and her brother’s friend Joseph is very sweet. In fact it’s so well written that it would be a great example for a young woman in finding the right qualities in a husband. There is a scene where Joseph is being considerate that brought to mind a Bible passage for Olivia on how a husband should treat his wife that is so wonderful. It’s something I would want my daughter to read when she is older.

Olivia is dealing with doubt and Joseph is confronting real danger in the city. Olivia will turn to God and the Bible to resolve her struggles. Joseph will put himself at risk to save others. Eventually they will overcome their struggles. While danger is fictional the author put in some real characters from time period and a few real quotes from them as well. This was a great read!

This is Book 8 of the Daughters of the Mayflower series that brings a lot of history, interesting characters, and a lot of faith, with a bit of romance intertwined. Olivia Brighton finds herself in need of a husband and also needs all the courage she can to face all of the challenges that San Francisco can bring in the year of 1849. It is “gold rush” and Daniel, her brother provides her a safe haven to live and work at his restaurant.

Livvy has a lot to overcome as she deals with the lost of her parents and short marriage. The gold mines, fires, brothels and other day-to-day chaos makes this book worth the read. This is a heartwarming story of a woman who reaches out to help others regardless of her circumstances. One note in this story that was very interesting was the journal readings of her ancestors that added to her faith in God and letting her know she was not alone in her journey. Her brother and Joseph his friend, were nicely written as men of integrity and who held the faith and beliefs that she did.

As I have not had the privilege of reading all in this series and only a few, this story did not fail in keeping this reader interested. The author did a very nice job of letting you see into the city and all the goings on around. Very historical and well written even though there are some darker sides in the city during that era. I loved the plot and thought this was a nice historical Christian story full of faith with a bit of romance. It is an easy and comfortable read.

I received a copy of this ARC provided by the Author/Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

The Golden Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #8) by Kimberly Woodhouse is a work of fiction based on historical facts.After her parents death Olivia and her new husband set our for a new life. Fate changes that when her husband dies before they reach their destination. A young woman, Olivia, arrives in San Francisco. The conditions in 1849 San Francisco are deplorable. Dirt Roads, poorly built buildings, no law enforcement, no fire departments, human trafficking, dirty gold miners are a few of the things Olivia finds. The biggest surprise is when Olivia finds love. Great read for historical fiction and Christian fiction fans.

In The Golden Bride, Kimberley Woodhouse continues the next book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Based in the mid-1800, this book is set in San Francisco during the gold rush. At the beginning of the book, you meet Olivia Brighton. Olivia’s goal is to reach San Francisco to find her brother. He owns a restaurant there in town. After several trials, she finally makes it to this new town that has been waylaid by men looking for gold. They all have one goal and that is to become rich. However, she gets to know her brother’s friend, Joseph, who is not like all of these other men. He does own a gold mine, though, and she is hesitant at first to be around him because of this. In this book, the reader will be reminded of Olivia’s ancestors and will get brief glimpses into the past. This historical novel continues down the family line for this one family. This is a unique and interesting series. Each book introduces the reader to a new time period. The books can be read alone, but I would recommend all of the books in the series. I highly recommend this book and believe you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

What is it about reading about a gold rush, or buried treasure that is so fascinating? Is it the fun in daydreaming that maybe someday I’ll be the one to strike gold or find buried treasure? Or could it maybe have something to do with the mystery and adventure surrounding something most people have never been a part of? However, the California gold rush in 1849 was not all as exciting and fun as I’d always imagined. Kimberley Woodhouse shows that fact in The Golden Bride.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it might have changed my view of the gold rush, it taught me many golden nuggets of American history that I never knew before. There were so many historical details about San Francisco during this time that were incorporated into the story, but I was so focused on the actual story and the problems the characters found themselves facing, that I didn’t even realize I was learning quite a bit. The story itself was well written and kept my attention. I was drawn into the story of Olivia, Daniel, and Joseph and their fight against the crime in San Francisco. I found myself wanting to go out into the city and help them fight! However, I would be a little late considering it was over 150 years ago! I also enjoyed how there were short portions from previous books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series that showed how Olivia was tied to her relatives who were heroines in other books in the series. It was definitely an interesting book and I absolutely enjoyed reading it.

I recommend this book for someone who enjoys historical fiction and romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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

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.

The Golden Bride is a wonderful addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series! I really enjoyed how Kimberely Woodhouse tied in the stories from the past. I also enjoyed the characters...they worked together toward a common goal, they were each strong yet in need of personal growth, they relied on each other, and helped each other when needed. I appreciated the spiritual thread throughout the story as well. Ms. Woodhouse did a fantastic job making it prominent and yet, not preachy...just well thought out and natural. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, along with seeing what's next for Kimberely Woodhouse!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Kimberly Woodhouse has a gift of writing Christian fiction. She does great research for her stories, and is then able to incorporate those facts in a readable and interesting story. She has done this again in telling the story of Olivia and her life in San Francisco in the year 1849. San Francisco was a corrupt city at that time and the author helps us to see that corruption without overwhelming the good parts of this story.

Olivia has faced heartache in the death of her beloved parents. To be able to travel to her brother in San Francisco, she impulsively makes a decision to marry a man she has known for only one day. But tragedy occurs before they reach the city, and Olivia finds herself facing her future alone with only her brother, Daniel, for support. She gives up all her dreams of marriage and a family, and throws herself into her work in San Francisco.

I liked Olivia and had sympathy for her being in such a difficult situation. Her impulsive decisions and gloomy outlook takes over her personality at the beginning, but it was interesting watching her grow and change as she studied the Bible along with her brother. She becomes a strong woman of character in a city filled with evil. Both Joseph and Daniel are honorable Christian men who desire to help individuals and make a difference in their city and all three make a great team. The romance between Olivia and Joseph is very sweet and makes a nice contrast to the suspenseful part of the storyline.

Even though this is part of a series, this story stands on its own. I’d recommend going back and reading this series as all the stories have been good.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. It was interesting visiting San Francisco at a time where it was far from glamorous. Olivia had to face several unfortunate situations in her life, and I liked seeing her grow and become stronger through them. Being the only single woman around hundreds of men would be a whole different situation in itself. It was fun to see Olivias spunk and how she took the men to task if they got too out of hand. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t see how it was going to possibly end where I felt that everything was tied together, but it totally did. It was fun watching Olivia and her long lost brother get reacquainted with each other, and how she grew in her faith because of him. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. There was just the right amount of suspense to keep me biting my nails, while hoping for the best. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Widowed after only 6 months, Olivia has come to know more than her fair share of hardship and grief.  She blames herself for the accident that took her husband's life and has built up a wall around her heart. Will she be able to forgive herself and discover the life that God has planned? Working along-side her brother at his restaurant in San Francisco she sees first hand the hardship of these people. Olivia joins with her brother and his friend, Joseph Sawyer to make changes that will improve the town. 

With this 8th book in the Brides of the Mayflower collection, we travel to the wild and unruly gold town of 1849 San Francisco.  This stand-alone story is sure to pull you in and carry you along on a delightful mystery as you try to discover who is the mastermind behind the slave-trade, among other nefarious deeds. 

I loved the dynamic characters and a rich historical tapestry of this delightful story. You are sure to be enchanted with this story. Be sure to pick-up your copy today!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

The Golden Bride is the newest installment of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I love that you can read them in any order without becoming muddled or confused. They are part of a series but have their own singular story.

Out of the many books I’ve read in this series, I was pulled in most quickly by this one. I instantly connected with Olivia and sympathized with her plight. She was put in an impossible situation (for that time) and I could imagine making some of the same choices (and mistakes) that she did. I had a difficult time believing the guilt she felt though.

I love the central themes of faith and family, bringing strength and softness to the story that I find appealing. Olivia’s relationship with her brother Daniel feels devoted and authentic, and the attraction to her brother’s friend, Joseph, felt organic. Daniel has kind spirit and succeeds at being a decent guy in an indecent place. But overall, my favorite character is Joseph. I find his tenderness and substance appealing and honorable.

I can picture the entire story so well. The descriptions aren’t overdone—just enough to paint the scene. A full and satisfying Christian story—my favorite of the Daughters of the Mayflower series.


#TheGoldenBride

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour
Series: Daughters of the Mayflower series (Book 8)
Pages: 256
First Line: No matter how much he thought he deserved to be one, Olivia Brighton’s husband of six weeks was not a king.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

This has been a very enjoyable story to read. The author has taken us back to San Francisco in 1849. The town was in chaos because of the gold rush. So many people traveled there to get rich. I could visualize the tents and shanty’s that surrounded the town as swarms of families came to find gold. There was no law around to corral the thieves, drunken men or even anyone who would step in and settle a fight.

Olivia is a wonderful character who travels to be with her brother who lives in San Francisco. She carries a burden with her that causes her not to ever love again. I felt her pain as she grieves the loss of her parents. It was such a joy to read when she finally reunited with her brother. I loved how her brother Daniel welcomed her into his home with open arms. Working in his restaurant was very tiring and it sure wasn’t fun fighting off men in the restaurant. She is one woman who has no problem standing up for herself as one man finds out when a pie comes flying into his face. I think he will take a step back for now on instead of thinking he can put his hands on Olivia.

Daniel is a hard working man who has worried about his sister for awhile. He is glad to have her near him again and I loved how he wasn't ashamed to pray or show his faith. He is the kind of man who would be a good catch. Daniel is very protective of his sister and knows the danger that she could face in the city. The town has been taken over by unsavory characters and the author does a great job of giving us a glimpse into what it was like during this time period.

Joseph is Daniel's best friend and they both want to help improve things in the city so it will be safer. Olivia and Joseph seem to hit it off at first until she finds out what he does for a living. She promised herself she would not get mixed up with another man who does what Joseph does for a living. They are both smitten with each other and Olivia will have to decide if she can accept what Joseph does. Joseph is a fair man and treats his employees with respect so maybe Olivia will change her mind about him.

I loved the intrigue in the book about men and children turning up missing There are a few characters in the story who are greedy and use people to benefit their own pockets. They need to be stopped before harm comes to innocent people. The story is a great adventure as Olivia learns about forgiveness, Daniel helps his friend who finds himself in danger and Joseph who will seek justice for innocent people. Don't miss this story that takes us into the days of gold fever and a lesson in acceptance and forgiveness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

As with each installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, “The Golden Bride” does not disappoint. Kimberley Woodhouse has written earlier books in this sequence, and this one delivers just as much vigor and dynamism. These books are fairly short for novels, but they are nevertheless overflowing with spiritual truths and faith in action. Aligning the plotlines with significant events in American history underscores the Christian foundation of our nation and its perseverance throughout times of war, personal trials, and provincial struggles. Realizing how much our forebears overcame provides strength for our own journey and an illuminating perspective for dealing with contemporary issues.

Indeed, the world of California in 1849 as illustrated in “The Golden Bride” bears a striking resemblance to today’s world. Corruption and immorality run rampant in the territory as people, mostly men, flock to the fields in search of gold. San Francisco is a lawless den of iniquity when newly widowed and heartbroken Olivia Brighton arrives in search of her brother, Daniel. He owns and runs Livingston’s Restaurant, and along with his best friend, Joseph Sawyer, serves as a beacon of hope in the face of evils such as gangs, brothels, and human trafficking and slave labor. Olivia joins their efforts to uplift and redeem the town despite opposition. Their ministry is deeply inspiring because they are able to truly make a difference in their community through determination, sacrifice, and most of all a strong reliance upon the Lord.

Olivia’s development as a character spoke to me more than any other. At the beginning of the novel, she is filled with self-loathing and guilt, but reading journals from her ancestors, who were women featured in previous stories in this series, positively influences her faith journey. One of my favorite passages describes so many of us: “she’d prayed for help but kept tight hold of the reins of her life.” We so often do the same. We carry burdens that were never meant for us and we allow fear to control us instead of trusting in the One who promises to work all things together for our good. As Olivia comes to realize, He has a plan and a purpose for each of us and can bring about goodness and blessing from every situation if only we will surrender to Him and trust Him.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Golden Bride swore she would never marry any man who was involved with gold mining in any way.. Wow! What a life she must have had in San Francisco during the gold rush. To find young men of faith, one being her brother, trying to make their home town more live-able and safe was an informative and interesting story. The way women were treated and then the poor souls forced into slavery when there was no police or laws yet in this town was quite an eye opener! I thought the ending was perfect! I also liked the information the author shared about San Francisco at the end of the book, so interesting!
I requested a book through NetGalley no review was required. My review is voluntary.

The Golden Bride is book eight in The Daughters of the Mayflower series, and was written by Kimberley Woodhouse.
Summary: Olivia Brighton has had a rough year. First, her parents pass away. Then, her husband. If only she had been a better daughter. A better wife.
But now, she must press on to San Francisco. Her brother owns a successful restaurant there, and she hopes to reconnect with him and start a new life. That is, if she can survive all of the guilt she feels.
Will Olivia be able to come to terms with her past and open her heart again to someone new? Or will everything she and her brother have worked for be destroyed by a disastrous fire?
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It is well-written, covers a lot of interesting history from the time of the gold rush in California, and how unruly and disorganized San Francisco was at that time. It also has some really good messages about redemption and God’s grace.
I have not read any of the previous books in this series, but can say this book stands on its own, and it is not necessary to have read any of the others in order to enjoy this story.
This is a wonderful historical romance, and I encourage you to pick it up!
As always, I thank Barbour Publishing, Inc. for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Kimberley Woodhouse does it again!
Interesting historical facts delivered in an amazing way, feisty characters, and a sweet love story!
Evil villains, beautiful (clean) romance and history galore run rampant in Woodhouse's newest novel. And I must say, she did not disappoint!

This book, I think, is my favorite of this author's!
I loved the characters; the story was amazing as usual, though difficult to read at times. Woodhouse captured 1849, San Francisco in all its real hardship. I was surprised to learn it was very much like "modern" day Sodom and Gomorrah.

As always with Kimberley Woodhouse's books I learned an abundance (Thanks for writing amazing stories that count as my history lesson for the day!)

My heart soared and melted with the cute scenes of Olivia and Joseph!
But they weren't all cute. Woodhouse went into deep topics (though I was shocked to discover she didn't write all the horrific details, I shuddered and cried at what she did write ) with this newest installment of "The Mayflower Brides Collection."
Human slave trade, terrible sin, greed, this author is not afraid to speak about the things we shy away from.

In the midst of these difficult topics there was light hearted banter, a sweet brother/sister relationship, and a sweet, sweet love story, not just man/woman but Child/God.


Olivia and Joseph (and Daniel because I liked him too much not to mention!) were relatable, encouraging, and inspired me to deepen my faith in Christ.
I appreciate the life lessons Woodhouse weaves into her stories, I'm always so blessed by her writing.

I can't tell you the number of times I sighed with delight and contentment
I was really into these characters and this story, I'm heart broken to let them go. But the ending could not have been more beautiful.
I leave with a full and happy heart, with a love bursting for these new friends that will forever live in my heart.

Definitely, definitely don't miss The Golden Bride!

~Rebekah

**Thank you so much to the author/publisher for a free copy of this book. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely by own. **

I really am loving reading this series and learning about different cities and the important history taking place there in days past. This one focuses on San Fran. Olivia's brother is older than her by 10 years and has been living there for awhile. After her parents and husband of a very short time pass away she knows she must travel there to be with, Daniel, her bother and only family left.
I loved the author's authentic description of this Gold Rush city and how life was back then. She touched on many historical things and how corrupt so many of the people there were. Makes sense to me though, all those people flocking there for a gold rush, there wasn't enough gold for all of them. The journal is an important book that is mentioned in the first book in this series and everyone one after that. It gets passed down to a daughter in the family. It's beautiful because the words in it are so encouraging and an important faith message. I love how good I feel after reading one of this author's books because I learn fascinating history and her pages are filled with God's encouraging faith message.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this story of perseverance and faith, set against the backdrop of San Francisco's Gold Fever era. I thought the characters were true to the era and behaved as I want to believe real (Christian) people of the setting would have acted. The author brought out some of the ugliness of the era without getting graphic so the story remains appropriate for a wide range of ages.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

I have enjoyed all the books I have read in The Daughters of the Mayflower series but I LOVED The Golden Bride. The characters immediately made me want to ‘know them more’. Interesting look into the California gold rush period. The story highlighted how difficult it would have been to be a woman living in such a place but it was not heavy or dark. If you like historical fiction I think you’ll love this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is a great book for when you're just looking for a nice enjoyable read. The story was very sweet. I loved the setting of Gold Rush San Fransisco during the 19th century. While I love fiction, I love history too, so I loved reading an enjoyable story while also learning about a time I didn't know much about. I also love that characters from previous books were referenced- I love when authors do that. All in all a good read!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

"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 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.

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.

Another book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series full of history, faith and love. The story is set in 1849 in San Francisco. It paints a picture of chaos and challenges that occurred during that historical period. The main character is a young girl named Olivia. She is recently widowed and finds refuge with her brother and his friend. She must face life head on with faith and courage during a very dark time. You will also find a bit of mystery in the plot. It can be read on it's own, but does include a bit of history from previous books. Those who love historical fiction with faith and love, will enjoy this read.

This is a wonderful historical romance!

I loved all three of the main characters. As soon as I met Olivia Brighten my heart broke for her and all of the grief that she was carrying. I can’t imagine losing both of my parents at the same time. That fact that she carried on and dealt with the trip to San Francisco to join her brother Daniel was amazing. She definitely needed time to heal from all of the loss.

One of the things that I really liked about Joseph Sawyer was that he was willing to take things slowly and build a friendship with Olivia. I also enjoyed the strong emphasis on prayer and trusting God that was displayed by Joseph, Daniel, and Olivia throughout the story.

The historical content was great. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but most of what I learned about the Gold Rush in school has been lost over the years. It was nice to get a look at the attitudes of the men in San Francisco at this time through the eyes of a god-fearing woman.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

This book swept me away! I now want this entire series! San Fransisco, the gold rush, drama, and adventure, it's all in this story. It's fantastical historical Christian fiction. I don't think I've read this author before either. Olivia was easy to identify with. She is in debt, her family has passed, she is trying to not lose the farm, and then there is this insta-wedding. So she marries Hezekiah and they set off to get to her brother in California. That didn't go as planned, because her new husband dies on the trip! But God has plans because now she's meet another man. Is there hope for a life in CA yet? 

It has a fantastic epilogue that I liked and plenty of faith and trust principles worked into the story. 

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

This is Book 8 of the Daughters of the Mayflower series that brings a lot of history, interesting characters, and a lot of faith, with a bit of romance intertwined. Olivia Brighton finds herself in need of a husband and also needs all the courage she can to face all of the challenges that San Francisco can bring in the year of 1849. It is “gold rush” and Daniel, her brother provides her a safe haven to live and work at his restaurant.

Livvy has a lot to overcome as she deals with the lost of her parents and short marriage. The gold mines, fires, brothels and other day-to-day chaos makes this book worth the read. This is a heartwarming story of a woman who reaches out to help others regardless of her circumstances. One note in this story that was very interesting was the journal readings of her ancestors that added to her faith in God and letting her know she was not alone in her journey. Her brother and Joseph his friend, were nicely written as men of integrity and who held the faith and beliefs that she did.

As I have not had the privilege of reading all in this series and only a few, this story did not fail in keeping this reader interested. The author did a very nice job of letting you see into the city and all the goings on around. Very historical and well written even though there are some darker sides in the city during that era. I loved the plot and thought this was a nice historical Christian story full of faith with a bit of romance. It is an easy and comfortable read.

I want to preface this review by stating that this is the eighth review I have written during the holiday season. Having read more than three times that number of “holiday” themed books during this time, I must say that this is a book that should not be missed. That having been said, let me proceed with my review.

SETTING: Dec 1814 .
Miss Cynthia Louise Finch, age of thirty, (having failed to capture the attention of a single gentleman during 6 seasons), acts as a chaperone for her cousin Gertie, accompanying her to the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmas house party. Gertie, who is as shy as Cynthia Louise is adventurous and outgoing, is on notice from her father that she is to make a match before returning home, or she will be exchanged for land and given to a lecherous old man. Cynthia Louise, therefore, is determined to champion Gertie in capturing the Duke’s attention, as well as his hand in marriage, at this party.

Meet Duke Nottingvale. Brought up to be the ever ‘proper Paragon that every Duke should be’, never breaks any of society’s rules. At the advanced age of 30, his mother is pressing him to marry, encouraging him to choose from among his house guests for the next duchess.

Mix: one irrepressible hoyden (Cynthia Louise) and a Paragon of Society, and one has a reaction not to be missed!

CRITIQUE:
Storyline- utterly superb! Well-paced and packed with unexpected twists holding the reader’s attention.
Character development: characters whose personalities blossom during the story, drawing us ever closer to them.
Romance- grows from a spark at the beginning of the story to a blaze at the end. Kisses but otherwise perfect
for younger readers.
Is there a HEA for our H and h? Absolutely! And the world is a better place for it.

I received an advance copy from Net Galley. My review is voluntary and reflects my own opinions.