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.

Title: The Golden Bride
Author: Kimberly Woodhouse
Pages: 256
Year: 2019
Publisher: Barbour Books
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Olivia Brighton is a young widow, living with her older brother in San Francisco in 1849. Gold fever has run rampant over most of the population. Crime is everywhere. It isn’t safe for Olivia to go outside alone. There is no government, police force or fire safety in existence. Her marriage ended after only three months when her husband accidentally shot himself on the way to San Francisco to dig for gold. He spent the last of their money on gold digging supplies. Olivia tells herself she wasn’t a very good wife in her short marriage and doesn’t deserve a second chance. She has promised herself she will not marry again, especially a miner.
Joseph Sawyer owns a gold mine and is wealthy, but he keeps that a secret from most people. He has recently become a Christian thanks to Olivia’s brother, Daniel. He knows all he has is a blessing from God, and he does all he can to help and serve others. He serves on the city council as they try to get down to brass tacks about what needs to happen first in San Francisco as far as policies. His mining foreman brings to his attention the possibility of human trafficking, and Joseph goes undercover to try and rescue these people. He has never done anything like this before. Can he find these people in time?
I liked the faith element so prevalent in this story. The willingness to accept the socially unacceptable. The practiced what they preached. The way they lived showed their faith to all. They lived sacrificially so others could be served. I always like the history included in fictional accounts and the author’s note after each story. I learn something new every time, which keeps me growing as a person. I definitely learned about servanthood in this novel and to have my focus be on others not myself.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

This is actually the first book I've read of this series. I loved how the author showed the growth in faith in Olivia as she read her ancestors' journals and had Bible studies with her brother and Joseph. There was also enough drama to keep the story interesting and moving. ( )

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. ( )

"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. ( )