Silver Rush: a Silverton novella

by Raima Larter

After several years of marriage without a child, Maggie McPhee, a pub owner in late-1850s Boston, discovers she is finally pregnant. After rushing home to tell her husband the good news, she discovers that Silas has made good on his threat to give up his medical practice and go West to seek his fortune in silver. The same thing happened to Maggie’s Ma, when Papa left for California to look for gold. Determined to not suffer the same fate as her mother, Maggie sells her belongings and embarks on the greatest adventure of her she will travel across the still-young country and track down her wayward husband.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

Raima Larter is a writer and scientist. A former college professor and government scientist, she is the author of numerous short stories, three novels, and the popular science book, "Spiritual Insights from the New Science: Complex Systems and Life," published by World Scientific in 2021. Her newest novel is "The Kiss Catastrophe," published in 2024. Raima's first novel, "Fearless," was published by New Meridian Arts Press in February, 2019. Her second novel, "Belle o' the Waters" was published by Mascot Books in April, 2019. Her short stories have been nominated for awards, including the Pushcart Prize. Raima authors the blog, Complexity Simplified, covering topics from science to religion and spirituality and also contributes articles about scientific discoveries to the American Institute of Physics website and other online publications. She has two short story collections, “The Gate of Heaven and Other Story Worlds,” published in 2012, and "Motherhood and Other Magical Realms," published in 2022.

Reviews

[Tiffany Wittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader for review.
With her fourth novel of the silver rush of the 1800’s, Raima Larter brings a variety of characters to readers. The novel starts with the female barkeep Maggie as she breaks up a fight between two patrons. Then is introduced the doc, McPhee who she is deemed to marry later on in the book. With the advent of the Silver Rush in 1852, Dr. McPhee yens to deduce the ore from the rock itself. He mines the rock and builds a lab in the back of the bar Maggie runs to drag the metal from the ore.
When silver is found in California, Dr.McPhee treks to the west leaving Maggie and their unborn daughter alone with nothing but a journal and a map to find him. But find them Maggie does. Starting a long journey across the west, Maggie ties her wagon onto the convoy of a Mormon family going to Utah. Eventually Maggie finds Dr.McPhee and his new silver mine, and their everlasting love.
This fast moving novel brings the 1800’s saga of the Silver Rush to the reader with clear images. The doctor to lovers trope is rampant in this historical fiction. Lovers of Nora Roberts will enjoy this novel immensely.

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. It isn’t the most exciting book I've read, but it was good enough to finish. Some of the character connections and overlap seem farfetched, but it is a fiction story, so that feels expected. I did see that it is the first of a series. I won’t be continuing in the series because I am content with how it ended, and I don’t need to have any other closure with the characters.

[Miranda Summerset · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 STARS! A fantastic historical adventure that is a blast to read from start to end. The characters are relatable & easy to connect with, & the time period is a fascinating one to read about. This is a great story that really makes you question how far love can take you.
Thank you to The Niche Reader for the arc copy!

[Ashley D'Mello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - it was a take on Western life from a woman’s perspective and the prevailing laws at the time which was very refreshing and insightful.
One or two additional perspectives would have rounded things better perhaps.
I felt the reasoning for the break up was more ‘silver fever’ but went along with the reasoning!

I received a free copy of this book via Niche Reader

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the premise a bit off for the era but the writing and adventures wonderful. A pregnant woman would not set off cross country in that era alone, it was really unheard of. BUT the way it was written and the friends she made were plausible and very entertaining.

[BookwormBraggings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful for this era. A bit depressing tbh. However, it was an entertaining read and kept me turning the pages.

[Ron Frampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting read but not to sure of facts of the era

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This appears to be a novella to introduce a new series. Maggie was the main character and it told of her journey westward from Boston to,find her husband, Silas. Maggie was certainly a strong woman and she needed to be, although there were times when she doubted herself and wondered if she can carry on. Maggie meets a number of interesting characters along the way. I was disappointed in the character of her husband, Silas. He seemed very selfish and cowardly in his actions and was obsessed with finding a silver mine. It does appear that the town of Silverton was evolving and I assume the characters stories will be continued. There are various attitudes referring to the Mormons and also a woman’s place. This was an interesting read with interesting characters. I received a copy via Niche Reader and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.