My Thoughts - Gold Rush Bride Tegan Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

 

About the Book

Book: Gold Rush Bride Tegan

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 25, 2022

Tegan Llewellyn has always been different than her adopted family, except Grandmother Hannah, a prospector during the 1829 Georgia gold rush. Now, seventy years later there are reports of gold in Nome, and the opportunity is too good to pass up. But Tegan doesn’t count on the dangers that strike from the moment she steps off the steamer, including the threat of losing her heart.

Elijah Hunter has prospected for gold all over the US and Canada and likes being on the move. The last thing he expects to find on his latest search is a lady miner who proves to be nothing but trouble. Can he convince her that leaving is for her own good before it’s too late…for both of them?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of World War II and a former trustee for her local public library. She now resides in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities are exploring the state’s historical sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

 

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

 

I am constantly amazed at the extraordinary things women did over the course of history (mostly done in dresses and skirts until about eighty years ago!). When I stumbled on the fact that women were involved during the gold and silver rushes that occurred in the US and its territories, I knew I had to tell their story.

 

A significant number of women followed husbands, brothers, or fathers, but an intrepid few set out on their own to find their fortune for as many reasons as there were women. Some went to escape difficult (or abusive) situations at home and others because they felt they had no choice. But there was a small percentage who made their way across thousands of miles for the sheer adventure.

 

The Nome Gold Rush started 175 years ago in 1898, and was different than previous rushes in that much of the gold was on the beach and could be plucked from the sand without any need for a claim. Later, claims were required to mine gold from the Snake River, and this is when things got dirty.

 

Initially, the courts upheld original claims, but after some of the “claim jumpers” offered to share proceeds from their invalid claims, a few crooked judges and politicians decided this was a great opportunity to line their pockets. Already guilty of stealing votes and voter intimidation, Alexander McKenzie, National Committeeman for North Dakota headed the pack and created an elaborate scheme with the help of Judge Arthur Noyes. It would take nearly two years for the men to be arrested and brought to trial. I included a fictionalized version of this situation in Gold Rush Bride Tegan.

 

I visited Alaska before writing Tegan and was overwhelmed by its majestic beauty. The photos I’d seen before the trip didn’t do justice to the reality of the state’s glaciers, mountains, rivers, and forests. Wildlife is so abundant that it literally walked or flew through town giving us “up close and personal” experiences with moose, wild sheep, eagles, and more.

 

Because of the inaccessibility of much of the state, one in fifty Alaskans hold a pilot’s license as compared to the national average which is one in seven hundred. However, in 1898, prospectors didn’t have that luxury, instead making their way to San Francisco by rail and then either going overland with wagons and mules or up the coast on schooners, either choice a difficult and arduous journey.

 

It is my hope that Gold Rush Bride Tegan honors the stalwart women who left all they knew for the chance of a lifetime.

 

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

My Thoughts

Gold Rush Bride Tegan is the third installment from Linda Shenton Matchett’s Gold Rush Brides series. I’ve been fortunate enough to read the entire series. However they can be read as stand alone stories. The author always does such a wonderful job in bringing history to life. She is one of my favorite historical fiction authors to read.

This is Tegan’s story. It’s set in 1899. Tegan comes from a family of women gold prospector. While she is adopted she pours over the diary of her grandmother, Hannah who struck gold in Dahlonga Georgia. She has done extensive research and feels ready to take her chances. She isn’t afraid of what may await her in Nome, Alaska.

Elijah Hunter has prospected for gold all over the US and Canada. He meets Tegan when she gets off the boat and tries to convince her to go back home. However he’s drawn to her stubbornness and her feisty personality.

I loved the chemistry between these two. The author did a wonderful job in creating their characters. I loved the description of the settings. The story pulls you in within the first few pages.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Sylvan Musings, May 10 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Book Reviews, May 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 15

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 16 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 16

Connie’s History Classroom, May 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 18

By The Book, May 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 19

Books Less Travelled, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

For the Love of Literature, May 22 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/25f59/gold-rush-bride-tegan-celebration-tour-giveaway