6 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed reading about very early San Francisco days - images of the muddy streets and living conditions were very vivid. The main character Rachel I had mixed feelings about. I admired her courage and her resoluteness to remain a Christian lady when all else around her was depravity but I grew impatient with her inability to 'forgive' those who engaged in 'sin'. I did want to learn more of Johnnie Parker's struggle with coming to terms with God. A sequel exploring his life and development would be nice as well as stories about Lissa (Rachel's sister) and Michael (Rachel's brother).
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
This author is a very vivid writer...more vivid than the typical Christian fiction. She loves the Lord and the end always works out, but there is a struggle in all of her books. She is a great writer, just a bit too edgy for a Christian novel for me.

Courtney A. (
aggielawyer) - Bremond, TX wrote on 3/27/2009...
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is my favorite Deeanne Gist book. I can't even put my finger on it, but I loved the storyline and the changes in the main characters--especially the love story of the main characters. Be warned that her books contain some real-life elements and not every character makes the 'Christian' decision, but moral comes through loud and clear.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
In an attempt to review this book, I am a little bit at a loss for words. For those of you who know the other books that I read, recommend and love, I can tell you that the humor is something similar to that found in novels of my beloved favorite author Mary Connealy. The drama is amazing and the characters rip out your heart.
Easily, this novel is powerful, funny, and full of thought-provoking plot. Throughout the entire story, I felt like I was right there along with our protagonist. In so many of the situations, while she worked to finding a solution to a current dilemma, I would have just sat down and cried. Through these three hundred pages, author Deeanne Gist has really woven together a story that makes you think about what you do in your own walk with Christ and realize the bits and pieces that might need a little more tweaking and a bit more Bible Devotion.
There are people who will not appreciate this book because it may make them uncomfortable. But it does it in a way that is really attempting to show what is the purpose behind our God breathed lives and I praise this book fully for what it is capable as accomplishing as a tool for good.
I highly recommend this book to young women and older women alike. Especially those entering the romantic scene. For younger girls however, I would not say to avoid the book, but to read it and be able to discuss it with a mother, sister, or older friend.
The writing is incredible and will leaving you thirsting for more. At one point I had to put down the book while I was highly frustrated with a few particular characters and then I found myself irritated with my husband because of misplaced anger. A book that can lead on into my own life is obviously powerful enough to make me think.*grin*
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This I think is the best Deanne Gist book that I have read so far, I could not put it down until I finished it can't wait for more books by this aurthor I think I have read all of her books now and loved them all, if you like historical christian fiction this is the book for you!
Theresa
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is hard to put down! A book about the gold rush days and a young lady and her sister and brother coming to CA. Their father died on the boat coming over. They are alone and must find their way. Great book.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book! Can't wait to read more from Gist!

Teresa G. (
tgriffis) - Waycross, GA wrote on 7/26/2009...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the 2nd book I've read by Deeanne Gist and really enjoyed it. Made me glad to know that when God forgives, He also forgets. Being human, forgetting can be a huge problem, and even forgiving is hard for some of us.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a light, enjoyable read that gives an insight into the challenges faced by women as the wild west was settled.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent story! Well written historical novel. Romantic but poignant.