Waltzing In Ragtime

by Eileen Charbonneau

By 1900, San Francisco is a far cry from the makeshift boom-town it was in its gold rush days. Olana Whittaker, the daughter of a lumber baron, is struggling to make her own way as a journalist for the Gold Coast Chronicle--but must use a male pseudonym to be read seriously. While covering the opening of Sequoia National Park, Olana meets ranger Matthew Hart and soon learns to appreciate his cause--saving the land from men like her father.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

485 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Eileen Charbonneau is the author of award-winning historical novels for adults and young people. Her stories explore America through eyes of her immigrants, her native peoples, her women. Eileen’s books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others. She runs a small bed and breakfast inn with her husband in the brave little state of Vermont, where the world appears on their doorstep to see the leaves go glorious evey autumn. Eileen is addicted to maple creemies, period dramas and American roots music.

Reviews

[D.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evocative and beautifully written, this story features a somewhat neglected (though no less magical) historical setting, a tough yet tender heroine, and a wounded hero who'll melt your heart. A modern woman's historical heroine, budding journalist and wealthy heiress Olana Whittaker is the perfect match for grizzled, damaged hero and proto-conservationist, Matthew Hart. Reminiscent of 'Legends of the Fall' with a west coast setting, elements of magical realism, and a delightful blend of sweeping epic and intimate romance, this story will stay with you long after you reach the end.

[Mary-Margaret Kenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

This may possibly be the WORST book that I have ever read. The writing is extremely choppy, I had to reread several passages three or more times to try to make sense of what was going on, the characters feel very inauthentic, and especially in Matthew's case, silly and largely irrelevant. Furthermore, the plot jumps all over the place, with secondary and tertiary characters randomly popping back into the story with no legitimate reason for being there.
Bought it in a thrift store for $0.50 and I feel like I was ripped off.

[Cheryl]

Not sure why I tried to read this. An LFL find that somehow looked interesting at the time? In any case, I quickly found that it's not for me. May 2023

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent story about the lives of Matt and Olana in and around San Francisco leading up to and during the great earthquake of 1906. Matt is a ranger in the newly formed Sequoia national park and Olana is the privileged daughter of a lumber baron. Their lives wind together through adventure, dark history, heartache to triumph.

[Abigail Gullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am re-reading this western adventure as I prepare my own journey to the modern day west. San Francisco here I come!

[Robert Crooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a prolific, award-winning author of historical fiction and historical romance, this novel is one of her earlier works and still among my favorites from her celebrated career. A marvelous, passionate and engaging love story that deals intelligently and seriously with the always related issues of nature's spiritual essence and the problems of urban development.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the San Francisco & Red Wood background info.