Lady’s Mine, The

"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.

There is a very strong feminist theme throughout, which I enjoyed.There are a variety of characters - some you'll love, some you'll find annoying and some you'll outright hate (but that's what's so entertaining).If I could say one thing, it's that the romance is very cliché. (SLIGHT SPOILER) There are two guys both in love with the same girl, with one being a good guy and the other being a creepy not nice guy (hence "the lady's mine", because they constantly fight to win her affection throughout).That being said, although this is a scenario which we've all seen before, Rivers still manages to put her own twist on it. Yet again, we follow characters on their wonderful journeys of finding/re-finding God, and the setting in which it all takes place makes for an interesting read.Best of all, I suppose, is that it is most definitely a romantic piece. (SLIGHT SPOILER) If you want to see a strong independent woman fall for a good-hearted man who has found God, this book's for you.Would recommend and I'll be coming back to this book many times in the future.

Francine Rivers vuelve a tener otro hit monumental con su story-telling de novela que esta muy espectacular, facil de leer y bella de sumergirse.

Francine Rivers is my favourite author! I've read every book she wrote (well not the ones that she took off the market). I was so happy to see her return to writing again. Rivers fans will not be disappointed. She has a gift that she shares with us. You won't be able to put it down. I start her books in the morning so I can spend all day reading.

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.)