The Lady's Mine

I have been a fan of Francine Rivers’ books for years. Her novels are always well-researched and beautifully plotted with characters that touch the heart. The Lady’s Mine was a bit different from her other historical novels, but in a good way. The setting of a late 1800s California mining town came to life for me. It was if I could hear the goings on at the fandango halls and saloons and experience the scents that were part of the day 😉 . Along with the vivid setting, the characters soon captured my heart. Kathryn Walsh is a determined young woman sent west by her family for the crimes of holding convictions and speaking her mind — something not accepted in high-brow Boston of the period. She lands in Calvada to take possession of an inheritance left her uncle. Bets are soon placed by the men of Calvada as to how long a lady like Kathryn will last in the rough town. An unworked mine and a printing press are the main things left to her, and she soon begins to upset those all around her. I loved the light hand that Rivers used in this novel. There are some serious themes that run through the book, as well as some hard facts surrounding the life of Calvada, especially for women, but Rivers creates a refreshingly charming read. Yes, life was hard. Yes, injustice seemed to dog the peoples’ lives. And yes, Kathryn received censure, ridicule, and even threats for her opinions in her uncle’s revived newspaper. But there were also scenes of hope and joy and romance, with not a little bit of humor thrown in. My book club chose to discuss The Lady’s Mine, and it created more conversation than we have had in a long time. The historical setting, the roles of women and their place in society, as well as the twists and turns the plot took gave us a lot to talk about. I very much enjoyed The Lady’s Mine. It was a charming read that I was sorry to see end. Highly recommended! Highly Recommended. Audience: adults. (I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Love her writing. Look for other books from Francine Rivers - you won’t regret it. She is interesting and you see stories in a new light

I never thought I'd give a Francine Rivers book less than a 5-star rating, but this one unfortunately has earned only 4. She is by far my favorite author of all time and it makes me sad to give this rating, but I have to be honest in my review. This novel is just so different, compared to all her previous Christian books, of which I've read all. I usually read the Author's Note first before I read any book, and I'm especially glad I did this time or I would have kept wondering if I had accidentally purchased the book by mistake, thinking it was a Rivers work. So I realize she wanted this book to be very different, lighthearted, fun, and humorous. And it is. Although the story was mostly entertaining, it dragged at times, especially towards the end, and was sometimes confusing and hard to follow. I skim read the last several chapters just to get it finished. Also, the writing style seemed very simple, with the exception of frequent very witty bits of humor. I did laugh out loud quite a few times. But nothing like Rivers' readers have come to expect given her decades of proven writing expertise. Actually, it hardly seemed like she wrote it herself. I guess I am just disappointed overall. I respect her desire to write something completely different and lighthearted, but I'm just not used to her writing this kind of book or the completely different, simplistic style. So although I'm glad I read it because she's my fave, I just want to tell people that it's not going to be at all what they have come to expect from her. It's a whole different side of Mrs. Rivers we get to see.

Enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. Vividly descriptive, held my interest as a historical romance fiction novel. Loved the mood, theme, and characters.

One of my fave books I’ve ever read. Highly recommend for a good clean Christian romance filled with so many entertaining twists and turns. Fave Francine Rivers book so far!

"The Lady's Mine" by Francine Rivers is a sweeping historical romance set against the rugged backdrop of 1875 California, where the clash of ambition and heart unfolds in the mining town of Calvada. When Kathryn Walsh, a determined suffragette banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, arrives to claim her inheritance—a defunct newspaper office and a seemingly worthless mine—she is immediately struck by the struggles of the local miners and their families. Driven by her sense of justice, Kathryn resolves to relaunch her uncle’s newspaper, igniting her passionate pursuit of truth in a town dominated by powerful men. Matthias Beck, the owner of a local saloon and hotel, finds himself drawn to Kathryn’s fierce tenacity and outspoken nature, recognizing the danger that such tenacity can bring. As their paths intertwine, both are forced to confront their pasts and the transformative power of love as they work together to address the challenges facing their community. Rivers expertly weaves themes of strength, love, and resilience into a narrative that highlights the enduring spirit of those who dare to fight for what’s right. "The Lady's Mine" is a captivating read that not only delivers a compelling love story but also reflects on the struggles of forging a new life in a lawless boomtown, showcasing that sometimes love is more valuable than gold.

Love Francine River's novels. This one does not disappoint.

Francine Rivers never disappoints. Always a pleasure to read good bible based books with human interests. I highly recommend reading.