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Silver Hills Trilogy #1
Light of My Heart
A lovely young physician fights the brothels and saloons of a frontier town as she encounters controversy--and unexpected romance--along the way. Book 1 in the Silver Hills Trilogy.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2004
280 people are currently reading
646 people want to read
About the author
Ginny Aiken
51 books97 followersGinny Aiken, a former newspaper reporter, lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three younger sons--the oldest is married, has flown the coop, and made her a doting grandmother. Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Valencia and Caracas Venezuela, Ginny discovered books at an early age. She wrote her first novel at age fifteen while she trained with the Ballets de Caracas, later to be known as the Venezuelan National Ballet. She burned that tome when she turned a "mature" sixteen. An ecletic list of jobs--including stints as reporter, paralegal, choreographer, language teacher, retail salesperson, wife, mother of four boys, and herder of their numerous and assorted friends, including the 135 members of first the Crossmen and then the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps--brought her back to books in search of her sanity. She is now the author of twenty-seven published works, but she hasn't caught up with that elusive sanity yet.
http://ginnyaikenwrites.com/About_Me....
http://ginnyaikenwrites.com/About_Me....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 26, 2015
I just did not care for this style of writing. This is actually the second Ginny Aiken book I have read and I probably should make it my last; but I do have the other two in this series so maybe they will be better. The paragraphs are so wordy and clogged with quite a bit of useless detail. A woman's curl in her hair really should not contain such lengthy descriptions. It was just too much. I so missed a good story here; this was just way too much overdone romance for me from the first chapter on.
July 13, 2017
A heartwarming and meaningful novel. You’ll want to pick this one up and sink into it. Spiritual lessons throughout as this female doctor takes on this town and the brothel women.
July 12, 2017
This caught my eye seeing that the protagonist is a female doctor in late 1890s. A historical plausible fact, seeing that the first female doctor was Elizabeth Blackwell in 1880s, I think. Dr. Letitia Morgan is a homeopathic doctor as opposed to the allopathic physician. But more on this later.
This historical romance novel starts off shaky but developed and improved as it progressed. The characters were fleshed out well, but it was hard to decide from their actions their ages. For example Eric is described as an old widower but the description doesn't add up. This discrepancy occurs with time flow, for example there was some confusion with when winter had ended and the lag between events isn't always clear. I was not a fan of the underlying tone between homeopathic and allopathic physicians. There are some areas which require suspension of belief. Despite these defects, the themes of guilt, pride, redemption, hypocrisy and being an example were enough to hold interest.
This historical romance novel starts off shaky but developed and improved as it progressed. The characters were fleshed out well, but it was hard to decide from their actions their ages. For example Eric is described as an old widower but the description doesn't add up. This discrepancy occurs with time flow, for example there was some confusion with when winter had ended and the lag between events isn't always clear. I was not a fan of the underlying tone between homeopathic and allopathic physicians. There are some areas which require suspension of belief. Despite these defects, the themes of guilt, pride, redemption, hypocrisy and being an example were enough to hold interest.
April 24, 2024
An inspiring book and a joy to read.
This is a book for any one who knows mistakes have been made. It provides hope and courage that a better life is possible.
This is a book for any one who knows mistakes have been made. It provides hope and courage that a better life is possible.
December 28, 2017
The story line was fine but some of the emotions for the characters was a bit over the top for me; mostly because it was repeated so often. Definitely chick lit. Somewhat "schmaltzy" as in violins and bleeding hearts. I did appreciate the emphasis on doing the right thing as the woman doctor in the story continues to ruffle feathers and create scandal as she reaches out to "the soiled doves" and unlovely in the small mining town in Colorado.
July 11, 2019
This is a very enjoyable story about a woman doctor. Forgiveness, prejudice, greed, change, family, tragedy, triumph, and faith all enter into the plot. Letitia and Eric are admirable characters who have a lot to learn about themselves and each other as they try to change a community for the better.
July 21, 2015
This book was alright....I gave it 3 stars and that was being kinda generous.
It is a good story, but it's fairly slow moving at parts. I speed read through the last 100 pages.
It is a good story, but it's fairly slow moving at parts. I speed read through the last 100 pages.
November 28, 2022
I took to this title when I read the synopsis saying it was about a female doctor near the turn of the last century. A book about a female doctor sounded good to this old, retired nurse.
It's not good. It's GREAT!
The book is an inspirational romance rooted firmly in a real world setting. Letitia, the homeopathic physician, believes that, as the book of James makes clear, faith without action is not real faith. Prayers require "feet" of their own - the willingness to take God's answer and do as He directs, either in the scriptures to which He guides a believer, or bybthat "still, small voice" s well described by Elijah the Prophet, when, wearied by his God-directed battle against the prophets of Baal (hundreds in number, surrounding him with enemies), and contending with the powerful Jezebel's threats, Elijah fled into the wilderness. He felt depressed and very alone. God let him rest - sent food via the birds and led him to a stream of clean flowing water. Then, God set the record straight and the prophet went baxk to doing God's will.
So it is with the protagonists, one of whom remains in close contaxt with God but still fights battles of faith, and the other who takes blame on himself that is not his to near, while turning his back on the God he so desperately needs.
In their own ways, both are fighting for social justoce, through- in Letitia's case, by whom she treats and why, and in Eric's case, via his newspaper, back when there were still journalists of some integrity who challenged the status quo. Their budding love can only be resolved if both face their mistakes and remember the good they have done, and if Eric can return to Jesus so that nothing lies between them and, if it has survived, their blossoming love.
Many of this same era preached from the pulpit about social justice but didn't include the emessage of what Jesus has done for us. These slid into today's liberal and far-from-God's-will mainline protestant denominations. Their message was echoed by atheists and agnostics who were either openly hostile to Christianity and God, or worse, indifferent to the merest possibility He might be interested. Then there were the genuine Bible believing, Scripture inspired, God-led believers who acted to do what Jesus did: remember that as you did it unto the least of these, you did it to Him, with the reverse being true - ignoring the least of these was ignoring Him. The judgment of "polite, Christian society" against those who do as the Lord commands shows the difference between those who attend church but never soak in the message (turning church into a social club, not the Body of Christ there to do His bidding) and those for whom the message is up.close and personal, just as the kife, ministry, death, and resirrection of Chrost was up close and personal, and whose message that He was not sent to bring those who already knew God to reoentance, but those in most need of God's love and forgiveness. Consider the hated tax collector Matthew, the woman taken in adultery, the Samaritan woman, and many more, about whom many of the religious figures of the time said were bearing the consequences of their own and/or generational sin, and who missed no opportunity to chide, confront, accuse, and berate Jesus and His doscioles, wspecially the 12 who followed him everywhere. As one pastor put it, "Saying you're a Christian because you attend church is like saying you're a car because you're standing in a garage." Having been a victim of such prejudices as a child - which drove me to explore the Bible, volunteer in church, and later, to explore the occult and the world's major religions starting at age 16 (even to reading all or most of their sacred writings), trying to figure out what was wrong with me that both mainline denominations calling themselves Christian and those irreligious found me defective, and that teachers bullied me (which allowed the children tacit permission to do the same, which they did). As ai fonally learned to srand up for myself, stopping the bullying, I took up with younger kids and protected them amd taught them what I knew of self defense. It was much later than that when, having chisen the occult because, in its own way, it was at least hinest about its aims, I went with a friend to a Christian meeting to see if the alleged "holy rollers" (the one church I didn't dare visit at home) really rolled, jumoed over pews, and hung from the chandeliers as I'd been told they did. They didn't, but I heard and understood the fospel.and got saved out of the occult...10 years after my believing but church-hating MGM taught me self defense and how to handle bullies. Now I understood how she could disdain church but still rely on God.
It's not good. It's GREAT!
The book is an inspirational romance rooted firmly in a real world setting. Letitia, the homeopathic physician, believes that, as the book of James makes clear, faith without action is not real faith. Prayers require "feet" of their own - the willingness to take God's answer and do as He directs, either in the scriptures to which He guides a believer, or bybthat "still, small voice" s well described by Elijah the Prophet, when, wearied by his God-directed battle against the prophets of Baal (hundreds in number, surrounding him with enemies), and contending with the powerful Jezebel's threats, Elijah fled into the wilderness. He felt depressed and very alone. God let him rest - sent food via the birds and led him to a stream of clean flowing water. Then, God set the record straight and the prophet went baxk to doing God's will.
So it is with the protagonists, one of whom remains in close contaxt with God but still fights battles of faith, and the other who takes blame on himself that is not his to near, while turning his back on the God he so desperately needs.
In their own ways, both are fighting for social justoce, through- in Letitia's case, by whom she treats and why, and in Eric's case, via his newspaper, back when there were still journalists of some integrity who challenged the status quo. Their budding love can only be resolved if both face their mistakes and remember the good they have done, and if Eric can return to Jesus so that nothing lies between them and, if it has survived, their blossoming love.
Many of this same era preached from the pulpit about social justice but didn't include the emessage of what Jesus has done for us. These slid into today's liberal and far-from-God's-will mainline protestant denominations. Their message was echoed by atheists and agnostics who were either openly hostile to Christianity and God, or worse, indifferent to the merest possibility He might be interested. Then there were the genuine Bible believing, Scripture inspired, God-led believers who acted to do what Jesus did: remember that as you did it unto the least of these, you did it to Him, with the reverse being true - ignoring the least of these was ignoring Him. The judgment of "polite, Christian society" against those who do as the Lord commands shows the difference between those who attend church but never soak in the message (turning church into a social club, not the Body of Christ there to do His bidding) and those for whom the message is up.close and personal, just as the kife, ministry, death, and resirrection of Chrost was up close and personal, and whose message that He was not sent to bring those who already knew God to reoentance, but those in most need of God's love and forgiveness. Consider the hated tax collector Matthew, the woman taken in adultery, the Samaritan woman, and many more, about whom many of the religious figures of the time said were bearing the consequences of their own and/or generational sin, and who missed no opportunity to chide, confront, accuse, and berate Jesus and His doscioles, wspecially the 12 who followed him everywhere. As one pastor put it, "Saying you're a Christian because you attend church is like saying you're a car because you're standing in a garage." Having been a victim of such prejudices as a child - which drove me to explore the Bible, volunteer in church, and later, to explore the occult and the world's major religions starting at age 16 (even to reading all or most of their sacred writings), trying to figure out what was wrong with me that both mainline denominations calling themselves Christian and those irreligious found me defective, and that teachers bullied me (which allowed the children tacit permission to do the same, which they did). As ai fonally learned to srand up for myself, stopping the bullying, I took up with younger kids and protected them amd taught them what I knew of self defense. It was much later than that when, having chisen the occult because, in its own way, it was at least hinest about its aims, I went with a friend to a Christian meeting to see if the alleged "holy rollers" (the one church I didn't dare visit at home) really rolled, jumoed over pews, and hung from the chandeliers as I'd been told they did. They didn't, but I heard and understood the fospel.and got saved out of the occult...10 years after my believing but church-hating MGM taught me self defense and how to handle bullies. Now I understood how she could disdain church but still rely on God.
April 7, 2020
An excellent Christian romance set in the fictional mining town of Hartville, Colorado, in 1893.
Dr. Letitia Morgan has responded to a request for a woman doctor to come to Hartville, especially to care for the women and children of the town. Almost immediately, she finds herself butting heads with Eric Wagner, the editor of the local newspaper, the Hartville Day. Eric is trying to close down the local brothels and run the women who work there out of town; Letty is more interested in saving the lives and souls of the women, especially those in their teens and younger who are being exploited. Will these two stubborn, headstrong people discover that they can work together ... and that perhaps God has a plan for the two of them?
There were relatively few editing oversights in the Kindle version: Location 798, Try as she might, he couldn't pay attention / Try as HE might, he couldn't pay attention ; 990, and settle into town / and settle IN TO town ; 1216, ruffling to rights every wrong / ruffling to RIGHT every wrong ;
Location 1679, the shadows . . . stretched unnaturally long, mocking Eric with their enormity / the shadows . . . stretched unnaturally long, mocking Eric with their SHEER SIZE (or EXTENT, or IMMENSITY; "enormity" has a connotation of extreme wickedness) ; 2645, flourished in the Stone's unconditional love / flourished in the STONES' unconditional love (plural possessive) .
Dr. Letitia Morgan has responded to a request for a woman doctor to come to Hartville, especially to care for the women and children of the town. Almost immediately, she finds herself butting heads with Eric Wagner, the editor of the local newspaper, the Hartville Day. Eric is trying to close down the local brothels and run the women who work there out of town; Letty is more interested in saving the lives and souls of the women, especially those in their teens and younger who are being exploited. Will these two stubborn, headstrong people discover that they can work together ... and that perhaps God has a plan for the two of them?
There were relatively few editing oversights in the Kindle version: Location 798, Try as she might, he couldn't pay attention / Try as HE might, he couldn't pay attention ; 990, and settle into town / and settle IN TO town ; 1216, ruffling to rights every wrong / ruffling to RIGHT every wrong ;
Location 1679, the shadows . . . stretched unnaturally long, mocking Eric with their enormity / the shadows . . . stretched unnaturally long, mocking Eric with their SHEER SIZE (or EXTENT, or IMMENSITY; "enormity" has a connotation of extreme wickedness) ; 2645, flourished in the Stone's unconditional love / flourished in the STONES' unconditional love (plural possessive) .
December 24, 2018
Romance-wise, this book was middle of the road and got heavy-handed with a push for Eric's salvation near the end, but there were a few aspects to the story I enjoyed. First off was the history of female doctors in frontier towns, but that has actually been done elsewhere with a little more draw than this book, as has the plight of young prostitutes as "soiled doves." What was unique was the fact that Letty was a homeopathic doctor who comes up against the judgment of the AMA and the local, male "allopath" who paints her gender and practice all with the same prejudicial brush. I would like to know more about the history of homeopathy because of this book. The portrayal of the suffragette was also an interesting side note, if not central to the story.
Sadly, Letty's character rubbed me the wrong way often. It seems she is just as prejudicial in her views of men and paints others with that same broad brush. In her fervor to treat and help the disenfranchised in the town, she seems to blame all men for the faults of some. In the end, I think I could have liked the characters more than I ended up doing.
Sadly, Letty's character rubbed me the wrong way often. It seems she is just as prejudicial in her views of men and paints others with that same broad brush. In her fervor to treat and help the disenfranchised in the town, she seems to blame all men for the faults of some. In the end, I think I could have liked the characters more than I ended up doing.
November 15, 2017
I enjoyed this historical fiction. Dr. Letitia Morgan is feisty and determined to succeed. “The prejudice again women doctors made it impossible for her to be successful.” Her tenacity is inspiring as she focuses on “her God-given gift to heal.” I think women often abandon their dreams of marriage and children to pursue a career. The tension between Letty and Eric adds drama and romance. His heart though broken is not closed off to those in need. The story touches on past violence and the unsavory vices of men but doesn’t discount accountability. Aiken handles sensitive topics with a gentle touch. Themes in this book include redemption, rescuing the forgotten, neglected, and downtrodden, and a heart turned to God. “…his heart longs for the woman who’d stormed his town and laid siege on his heart.”
March 18, 2025
This book about a lady doctor in the late 1800's had some very interesting parts. The doctor, Letty, answers a letter asking for a female doctor for the town of Hopeville, Colorado. There, she vows to help anyone who needs help, regardless of who they are. Her well intentions are not always met with acceptance. These points lead to some interesting events. She also ends up falling in love with Eric, who still lives with the guilt of losing his wife and newborn son in child birth. For much of the story, it goes back and forth. He loves her, he won't allow himself to love her, he loves her, he won't love her. This caused the story to become very slow and repetitive throughout many chapters. This is why I only give it 3 stars.
June 14, 2017
A tender love story of a woman determined to live her life as she wishes, as a doctor. Being a female doctor in a period when women who took up this profession were frowned on, didn't discourage Letty. She found a position in a small town, but little did she know all the good she would be able to do for the town's residents. Her enormous generous heart sought to help and protect a family of children who needed not only material aid, but love as well.
Her story is based on hope, love and above all, trust in God. A lovely read to inspire your heart.
Her story is based on hope, love and above all, trust in God. A lovely read to inspire your heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2017
LIGHT OF MY HEART by Ginny Aiken book 1 in "Silver Hills"
In the days of the late 1800's women were't Dr. as Letty found out, traveling to Colorado, were one was needed. They opened there arms and heart to her. As was also in the 1800 's brothel were common with the saloons. When she took on the women from them, caused quite an uproar in the town. Along with a town drunk and his kids that were up to mischief and stealing. A love may come from the newspaper guy Eric, if she gets out from all the talk in town. Delightful reading as all of Ginny books are.
In the days of the late 1800's women were't Dr. as Letty found out, traveling to Colorado, were one was needed. They opened there arms and heart to her. As was also in the 1800 's brothel were common with the saloons. When she took on the women from them, caused quite an uproar in the town. Along with a town drunk and his kids that were up to mischief and stealing. A love may come from the newspaper guy Eric, if she gets out from all the talk in town. Delightful reading as all of Ginny books are.
January 23, 2019
This was a book I had trouble putting down. I loved this being about a female doctor from Philly, who no one wants as a doctor. That is not a career for a woman. In 1858, my cousin Rebecca Lewis (Fussell) was among the first to graduate as a doctor in Philly. So this story touched me in a personal way. The character, Letty, moved to Colorado to practice. She prayed that the people there would be more accepting of her. She had her ups and downs. But her faith and determination kept her moving forward both professionally and personally.
March 9, 2020
Wonderful, uplifting story
Life proposes many challenges and few of us travel through unscathed. What makes the difference in whether we become the victor or the victim is who travels with us and directs our steps. Letty and Eric’s story well illustrates the power of a life directed and sustained by a loving, forgiving and involved Heavenly Father verses an existence where the “self” is the sole determinant of value and goals. This was a lovely narrative and I do not hesitate to recommend it.
Life proposes many challenges and few of us travel through unscathed. What makes the difference in whether we become the victor or the victim is who travels with us and directs our steps. Letty and Eric’s story well illustrates the power of a life directed and sustained by a loving, forgiving and involved Heavenly Father verses an existence where the “self” is the sole determinant of value and goals. This was a lovely narrative and I do not hesitate to recommend it.
May 24, 2025
Overall a pretty good read. I found the writing to be a bit repetitive. Eric feels so unworthy of Letty and it wouldn’t be “wise” to follow through…this was reiterated multiple times and the wording hardly changed or explained it from a different tack. The romantic interest starts almost immediately, not a huge plot foundation was built up. The plot gets better as it goes on, but still not very deep.
September 19, 2019
First of three
Light of my Heart by Ginny Aiken is set in Colorado in the late 1800s. A newspaper editor & crusader meets his match in the new lady doctor & crusader. It takes them a while to realize they are crusading for the same things, just in different ways. Good start to the series.
Light of my Heart by Ginny Aiken is set in Colorado in the late 1800s. A newspaper editor & crusader meets his match in the new lady doctor & crusader. It takes them a while to realize they are crusading for the same things, just in different ways. Good start to the series.
June 19, 2017
Light of My Heart
I will definitely try to read your other books if they are as good as this one. Yes, there was love, anger, pain, and family affairs that made this story as good as it is.
I will definitely try to read your other books if they are as good as this one. Yes, there was love, anger, pain, and family affairs that made this story as good as it is.
July 15, 2017
Good story about woman doctor in the West in mining town in late 1800s, but far too much drivel about her thoughts and the thoughts of her love interest. Parts were corny or unrealistic. I am not inclined to continue the trilogy.
June 23, 2018
Easy read
This was a good book to take on a trip. I could lay it down and come back without missing anything. I enjoyed the setting and the fact that my granddaughter could also read it because it was Christian based.
This was a good book to take on a trip. I could lay it down and come back without missing anything. I enjoyed the setting and the fact that my granddaughter could also read it because it was Christian based.
August 3, 2018
Illuminating
From the first word to the last, I couldn't put it down. From snack breaks to lunches to days off, I couldn't wait to get back to the book and read. Encouraging and hopeful.
From the first word to the last, I couldn't put it down. From snack breaks to lunches to days off, I couldn't wait to get back to the book and read. Encouraging and hopeful.
May 4, 2024
bull headed determination
In this book, Ginny illustrates how we can be determined to be “good” people and still be far outside God’s will for our lives. Only through and with Him can we truly become the “best” person that we can be!
In this book, Ginny illustrates how we can be determined to be “good” people and still be far outside God’s will for our lives. Only through and with Him can we truly become the “best” person that we can be!
June 18, 2017
Imho, I expected this book to be a little darker. but I really enjoyed it
January 30, 2018
It took a long time to like the characters and for anything to happen.
March 25, 2018
Historical & romance
I enjoyed the characters and situations created by this author. The back story of closing down the brothels added another layer of interest.
I enjoyed the characters and situations created by this author. The back story of closing down the brothels added another layer of interest.
April 5, 2018
If only all life could have such happy endings. Very good book.
March 18, 2019
Enjoyed the book. Nice read, appreciated the direction of the author. Ie Christian Based. Forgiveness and Love can conquer si much in life.
September 30, 2019
Great book!
This book kept my attention the entire day and I couldn't put it down! Great book! Can't wait to read the next in the series
This book kept my attention the entire day and I couldn't put it down! Great book! Can't wait to read the next in the series
April 21, 2020
Love it!
Wow! That sure was an involved and interesting story. There was more than one tangled mess to sort out. A one sitting read for sure
Wow! That sure was an involved and interesting story. There was more than one tangled mess to sort out. A one sitting read for sure
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews