Saturday, May 13, 2023

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?

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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 REVIEW

I am big fan of this author because her stories are so realistic that I want to travel back in time and enjoy the characters more. Her description of Alaska is breathtaking and I loved learning more about panning for gold. People had dreams of making it rich but our main character had another reason for going off on this adventure.

It is not very likely that Tegan will be welcomed panning for gold. After all, men think women should leave the hard tasks to them. They don’t know Tegan though. She has this fire within her that she is determined to prove that women are capable of doing many things. She is strong and I admired her independence and how she wanted everyone to believe she didn’t need anyone protecting her.

Elijah is a gentleman who is there along the shore with everyone else looking to strike it rich. He isn’t very impressed with Tegan and her friend being there but he does treat them with kindness. When someone attacks Tegan he steps up to help. Their relationship is funny to read as they have this love/hate encounter going on. He needs to keep a watchful eye out because someone is trying scare the women away.

Greed slithers its way into the story as someone is stealing claims and causing chaos among many. The author is gifted in details and helps readers feel emotions of the characters. Tegan is feeling that she doesn’t quite fit in with her family back home. I loved how Elijah explains that we are all different in some way. Her parents chose to adopt her because they loved her. Jesus loves each of us and knows that we are priceless. If only Tegan can see how cherished she is then she can bring down that wall she has built around herself. Patience is very evidently needed by Tegan as she wants to rush things that are important to protect her claim. How many of us have a problem with patience? We want to rush ahead of God thinking we know better than He does. I love how he gently disciplines us and helps us see where we need to ask for help.

Thank you to the author for writing a story that illustrates how we need to trust God and allow Him to direct our paths. As Tegan grows spiritually she learns that there are good people out there who want to show her unconditional love. We all need to remember to ask for help and not try to do things on our own.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.