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Silver Lining
Hailed as "one of the best writers in the business" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, multi-award-winning author Maggie Osborne delivers hilarious and heartrending tales of resilient women full of grit, pride, and dignity who shine through hard times. Now meet the most irresistible and independent heroine of them all, a woman called Low Down, who never had anything good happen to her until the day she asked for the one thing that only a man could give her. . . . As scruffy and rootless as the other prospectors searching for gold in the Rockies, Low Down wanted nothing in return for nursing a raggedy bunch through the pox. But when pressed to reveal her heart's wish, she admits, "I want a baby." Not a husband, not a forced marriage to the proud man who drew the scratched marble and became honor bound to marry her. To be sure, Max McCord was easy on the eyes, but he loved another woman and dreamed of a different life. Yet they agreed to a temporary marriage that could end only in disaster. But can this strange twist of fate lead to the silver lining that both have been searching for?
344 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
215 people are currently reading
8128 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Osborne
31 books518 followersaka
Margaret St. George
Maggie Osborne is the author of I Do, I Do, I Do and Silver Lining, as well as more than forty contemporary and historical romance novels written as Maggie Osborne and Margaret St. George. She has won numerous awards from Romantic Times, Affaire de Coeur, BookraK, the Colorado Romance Writers, and Coeur du Bois, among others. Osborne won the RITA for long historical from the Romance Writers of America in 1998. Maggie lives in a resort town in the Colorado mountains with her husband, one mule, two horses, one cat, and one dog, all of whom are a lot of aggravation, but she loves them anyway.
Margaret St. George
Maggie Osborne is the author of I Do, I Do, I Do and Silver Lining, as well as more than forty contemporary and historical romance novels written as Maggie Osborne and Margaret St. George. She has won numerous awards from Romantic Times, Affaire de Coeur, BookraK, the Colorado Romance Writers, and Coeur du Bois, among others. Osborne won the RITA for long historical from the Romance Writers of America in 1998. Maggie lives in a resort town in the Colorado mountains with her husband, one mule, two horses, one cat, and one dog, all of whom are a lot of aggravation, but she loves them anyway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,061 reviews
June 15, 2017
multiplied a hundred times over. My first re-read of this beauty in 2017.
Would you like to see something pretty? It might make you feel better.
I would rate this book a 5 just for Low Down - forgetting everything else that made this book spectacular.
I read this many times over, years ago, and decided to re-read before reviewing just in case it wasn't as all that as I remember. It is. Probably even more so, now that I have so many more books to compare it to. Where to start?
Low Down is glorious. She is tenacious, authentic, grateful, open, bull-headed, appreciative, funny, quirky and resilient. And deep down, she's a sweetheart.
The spoon. Oh, the spoon.
Maggie Osborne makes me laugh.
"If I fall down the stairs," she added in a low, dry voice, "and end up sprawled at the bottom in front of all those swells, I'm going to pretend that I'm dead. You tell someone to haul me off to the nearest boardinghouse, then go have your supper.
I was so frustrated with Max. I'm putting this in the 'things I loved' box because I was meant to be frustrated. He was so stuck up his own ass over Philadelphia that he couldn't see all the amazing-ness that was right in front of him. I wanted to beat his ass so hard over how he treated my girl Low.
Did I mention I loved Low Down? Maybe I did, but did I mention that she is the only character I've ever read that singlehandedly carried a ranch through winter. She was the shit. Like - never met a character as everything good as this one. And the humiliation she faces when this book kicks off - I don't know anyone who could bear that, and yet she does. Repeatedly, she takes the shit life throws at her and never complains. Just keeps on going, looking for the good in life.
- I also really enjoyed the peripheral characters: the McCords, the boys from the mountain, the ranch hands, the gossip-y bitches in town, Philadelphia... even if they were assholes, I enjoyed the way they were portrayed.
- There's this sad thing that happens, or rather, there's this thing Philadelphia does because she's a cunt. For me, it was too much. Too sad. Too cold. Too unfair. And I so wish Philadelphia died a slow and agonizing death over it.
Perfection. Apparently, Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a Maggie Osborne fan. That's like Santa thinking someone is better than Santa, and then getting a visit from the Better-than-Santa Santa. In other words - of course this was going to be a 5 star read.
June 17, 2013
I hated this book and skimmed much of the second half.
The plot in a nutshell: Out of misplaced sense of obligation, the hero marries an uncouth spinster, jilting his fiancée, shaming and humiliating her and ruining her future because he has already taken her virginity. But hey, it’s okay, as he eventually falls in love with his wife and the jilted fiancée turns out to be a bitch anyway.
The story combines two elements I dislike in romance—unrealistic premise and betrayal.
The heroine nurses a crowd of prospectors through illness and they want to reward her. She decides she wants a baby—not a husband, just a baby. The story is set during a period when illegitimate children were outcasts in society and brought great shame to the mother. On top of that, we are led to believe that the heroine is almost destitute, unable to provide for a child. I have no sympathy for a woman who puts her maternal yearnings above the welfare of the child she plans to have. Moreover, the heroine does not appear to have any maternal instincts anyway-there are orphans in the mining camp but she has taken no interest in them. The whole situation is unrealistic, a contrived vehicle to create conflict.
However, if the heroine really wanted a baby, surely in a territory with a huge shortage of women she could find any number of men to have sex with her, including volunteering in a whorehouse if she cannot be bothered with the social aspects of finding a man to bed her.
But, as the plot goes, one of the prospectors has to impregnate her. There are no volunteers. For the sake of decency the impregnation is upgraded to marriage. Again, there are no volunteers. Due to the lack of single women in the West many lonely men scrimp and save to pay the passage for a mail order bride from the East where there is a surplus of unattached females. However, in this story the single men prefer to remain lonely and celibate. Another strike against credibility.
The men draw lots to pick a bridegroom. Despite his imminent wedding to his fiancée, the hero does not exclude himself from the draw, and he gets picked for the duty. He says he doesn’t want to marry the heroine, the heroine says she doesn’t want to marry anyone at all. Both are extremely strong-willed people but somehow they allow themselves to be pushed into saying the required words in the hasty wedding ceremony and end up husband and wife.
The next day they regret the whole thing and decide to divorce, but just to create another contrived twist to the plot, a few days later they have sex—not because of lust, but to try to take care of the impregnation business. Of course, this means the marriage has been consummated and can no longer be annulled. I cannot believe that neither of them thought about this before they jumped into bed.
They still plan to divorce, and yet the hero takes the heroine home to live with his family, introducing her to all and sundry as his wife, at which point he finally gets round to telling his fiancée that she’s been dumped.
The hero is not blind to what he is doing. He broods over the fact that he is tarnishing his honour, shaming and humiliating the woman he loves, ruining her future and creating a scandal that will blight his family and hers for decades to come. But he goes ahead and does it anyway, and instead of trying to limit the damage by going to live somewhere else, he settles on his family's ranch in the town where his fiancée lives, thus ensuring that all their friends and neighbours get to witness the scandal as it unfolds. However, in terms of loss of honour he draws a line at allowing his wife to buy her own dresses, as it would be dishonourable for a man not to be able to support his wife.
The dumped fiancée, who is pregnant, is expected to be nice about it all. She is expected to treat the wife with courtesy. It is not the wife’s fault that the hero drew the lot, they tell her. Nobody suggests that the heroine, who knew the hero was engaged, could have said, sorry, I’ll pass on this one as he is already taken and can you please pick an unattached man for me.
The fiancée is portrayed as a caricature of a spoiled, self-centered bitch. Her hatred of the wife is so fierce, she comes across as hysterical. She is self-absorbed to the extent of appearing delusional. She has secrets to protect, and yet, instead of going away to have the baby—which would protect her secrets—she agrees to save her reputation by marrying the hero’s brother, which forces her to live in the same house as the heroine and is guaranteed to expose her guilty secret. What kind of an idiot would do this–instead of choosing the easy way out by going away to have the baby, she decides to hang around to ensure her misery and ruination?
It’s annoying when characters act in a completely illogical manner for the sake of creating plot twists, and I hate it when the happiness of the central couple is achieved at the expense of someone else’s destruction. Society beauties getting their come-uppance and gutter-girls triumphing over them seem to be a trend for this author. Although I enjoy the writing style, I won’t be reading any more of her books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2024
The first half of the book I was thinking this is a solid 4* and it was the last half that kicked it up to being a 5* read. The main character Low Down/ Louise is a wonderfully fully developed female lead. Her life has been difficult, but she has made the best of it and never expected much in return. Max is good character but is written more as a standard male. The secondary characters add so much to the plot without overshadowing it. Even the evil other woman never shines as bright as Low Down. Great western I recommend.
June 12, 2015
Aw, I really loved this one.
Louise Downe (Low Down) was such a strong heroine. She didn't back down from what she wanted and she wasn't going to change her ways to suit anyone. Louise is vulnerable but doesn't want folks to know that. She tries to be strong and come across as one of the boys.
Max, Max, Max. Oh, how you did not want to be cornered into what you had to do but you did. But she grew on you and you on her.
Philadelphia. Stupid name. Stupid girl. Did not like her at all.
Life on the land was tough but Max and Louise worked hard.
All Louise wanted was a baby, but in the end she got a loving family. Not just Max but his mother and his siblings.
I will definitely be checking out more by this author.
I would have loved an epilogue but that's just me!!
“All my life I dreamed of having someone think I was beautiful.”
As scruffy and rootless as the other prospectors searching for gold in the Rockies, Low Down wanted nothing in return for nursing a raggedy bunch through the pox. But when pressed to reveal her heart's wish, she admits, "I want a baby."
Louise Downe (Low Down) was such a strong heroine. She didn't back down from what she wanted and she wasn't going to change her ways to suit anyone. Louise is vulnerable but doesn't want folks to know that. She tries to be strong and come across as one of the boys.
Max, Max, Max. Oh, how you did not want to be cornered into what you had to do but you did. But she grew on you and you on her.
“I love you, Louise Downe McCord. You drive me absolutely crazy sometimes, and this is one of those times, but I love you.”
Philadelphia. Stupid name. Stupid girl. Did not like her at all.
Life on the land was tough but Max and Louise worked hard.
All Louise wanted was a baby, but in the end she got a loving family. Not just Max but his mother and his siblings.
I will definitely be checking out more by this author.
I would have loved an epilogue but that's just me!!
July 25, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
Reread July 2022:
Still as good as the first time I read it. Love the heroine.
Original review:
I don't read a lot of books set in the time period of this book.. if any. So, this was nice for a change. It had fun bits and really sad ones as well.
I truly felt for the heroine, Low Down/Louise. She was such a resilient and strong woman.
Whenever I read historical novels I always stumble across these ingenues who are so delicate but sassy and strong in spirit.. you know the type. But Louise truly epitomised the rough around the edges tomboy who has no class but is hardworking and honest. She was all that but at the same time she had an innocent and sensitive side which really made you care and feel bad for her.
Honestly, if it wasn't for the heroine this novel would not get such high rating from me. Max (the hero) was a bit wishy washy and very confused by his whole "be a man of honour" mantra.. at which he failed a lot of times by the way.
Reread July 2022:
Still as good as the first time I read it. Love the heroine.
Original review:
I don't read a lot of books set in the time period of this book.. if any. So, this was nice for a change. It had fun bits and really sad ones as well.
I truly felt for the heroine, Low Down/Louise. She was such a resilient and strong woman.
Whenever I read historical novels I always stumble across these ingenues who are so delicate but sassy and strong in spirit.. you know the type. But Louise truly epitomised the rough around the edges tomboy who has no class but is hardworking and honest. She was all that but at the same time she had an innocent and sensitive side which really made you care and feel bad for her.
Honestly, if it wasn't for the heroine this novel would not get such high rating from me. Max (the hero) was a bit wishy washy and very confused by his whole "be a man of honour" mantra.. at which he failed a lot of times by the way.
December 12, 2011
★★★★★ Whoa, baby! (Baby being the operative word here!) Another great book by the exceptional Ms. Osborne. I just love the way she gets me to care about a different type of heroine. I can ache with them, yet
not
pity them. Watching them each transform in different ways is a pleasure.
Every cloud has a silver lining. ~ Proverb
In this one the heroine, Low Down, is definitely not your mainstream historical romance heroine. Instead she is a complex blend of an eternal positivist and someone suffering from unrealized self-worth. She often slips a proverb into her conversation or thought process, but she literally embodies one: Every cloud has a silver lining! With this attitude toward life, how can she help but have all her dreams come true; discovering she is worthy of them along the way. Of course, I knew that all along; she captured my attention, my sense of humor, and my heart from the very first page.
I must admit that when I read reviews that the hero, Max, was already promised to another woman, yet made to be part of the “unlucky twenty-four,” I was a little skeptical about this storyline. Nevertheless, the way Ms. Osborne writes the scene and sets it up in escalating stages worked for me.
Max is the one who does the majority of the growing in this story – and, let me tell you, he needs to! I had a few problems with him (and why, at first I was going to mark it off by ½ star -- he frustrated me so much at times), but his transition was absolutely inevitable, deliciously slow, and entirely realistic. So neat to see him realize the treasure he has in his wife. Amazing secondary characters in this one too.
Every cloud has a silver lining. ~ Proverb
In this one the heroine, Low Down, is definitely not your mainstream historical romance heroine. Instead she is a complex blend of an eternal positivist and someone suffering from unrealized self-worth. She often slips a proverb into her conversation or thought process, but she literally embodies one: Every cloud has a silver lining! With this attitude toward life, how can she help but have all her dreams come true; discovering she is worthy of them along the way. Of course, I knew that all along; she captured my attention, my sense of humor, and my heart from the very first page.
I must admit that when I read reviews that the hero, Max, was already promised to another woman, yet made to be part of the “unlucky twenty-four,” I was a little skeptical about this storyline. Nevertheless, the way Ms. Osborne writes the scene and sets it up in escalating stages worked for me.
Max is the one who does the majority of the growing in this story – and, let me tell you, he needs to! I had a few problems with him (and why, at first I was going to mark it off by ½ star -- he frustrated me so much at times), but his transition was absolutely inevitable, deliciously slow, and entirely realistic. So neat to see him realize the treasure he has in his wife. Amazing secondary characters in this one too.
November 27, 2021
Re-read
I'ver read too many stinkers lately and wanted a palate cleanser.
Bumping this to four stars for such an awesome heroine. Down to earth, sensible without being boring, and really a joy to read.
Why can't authors write more female characters like Low Down instead of the desperate, spineless doormats we see too often?
FIRST REVIEW
Low Down’s threat to a man sick with smallpox in order to make him live...
On her wedding night...
To the evil OW..
Not a perfect book, romance or whatever, but the heroine shows flashes of brilliance and the hero is smart enough to open his eyes to what his ex is really like.
PLOT
The h saves what is left of the men in gold rush town from small pox. The men are horrified when all she asks for in payment is a baby as the h looks a little rough. The priest strong-arms the h and H into a MOC despite the fact he is engaged.
Uneven story as their romance progresses from there. The H eventually falls for the heroine and the evil OW ups the ante on awfulness. The H is furious initially about being deprived of his fiancee, but as events unfold he realizes it was a gift. The evil OW's dialogue and inner thoughts are out there and enteratiningly OTT.
I'ver read too many stinkers lately and wanted a palate cleanser.
Bumping this to four stars for such an awesome heroine. Down to earth, sensible without being boring, and really a joy to read.
Why can't authors write more female characters like Low Down instead of the desperate, spineless doormats we see too often?
FIRST REVIEW
Low Down’s threat to a man sick with smallpox in order to make him live...
This one's eyes were closed and she wasn't sure he was breathing until she shook him and saw his chest heave. Leaning to his ear, ignoring the weeping sores and the stench, she whispered, "Can you hear me, you worthless no-good worm? This is Martha, your first wife. I'm waiting for you, you spineless lazy chunk of pig offal. Go on and die so we can be together for all eternity." His breath hitched and a shudder of recoil ran through his body. She decided that he might just make it.
On her wedding night...
”I told you already that I did this before a long time ago. I didn't like it much, and I wasn't good at it, so don't get your expectations up. Just do what you have to do and don't dawdle around.”
To the evil OW..
"To tell you the truth, I don't know why I'm trying to help you. You're about as worthless a person as I ever met. But I'm here for the duration. I guess tending sick folks or folks in pain is a flaw in my character. Now do you want to know what's happening to you, or not?"
Not a perfect book, romance or whatever, but the heroine shows flashes of brilliance and the hero is smart enough to open his eyes to what his ex is really like.
PLOT
The h saves what is left of the men in gold rush town from small pox. The men are horrified when all she asks for in payment is a baby as the h looks a little rough. The priest strong-arms the h and H into a MOC despite the fact he is engaged.
Uneven story as their romance progresses from there. The H eventually falls for the heroine and the evil OW ups the ante on awfulness. The H is furious initially about being deprived of his fiancee, but as events unfold he realizes it was a gift. The evil OW's dialogue and inner thoughts are out there and enteratiningly OTT.
July 23, 2022
I haven’t felt like reading HR lately but this gold mining in the USA western was all I needed to remember why I like them so much.
The plot was unconventional, not all the she’s so beautiful/I’m in love with her already, but a slowburn. I even despised the characters some times, but as Low Down, they grow on you until you can’t help but love them the all, even the despicable ones (okay, maybe loving is a bit of a stretch).
Anyway, I loved them all, I loved the well paced story and I’m stalking the author’s work to keep reading her books 🥺
The plot was unconventional, not all the she’s so beautiful/I’m in love with her already, but a slowburn. I even despised the characters some times, but as Low Down, they grow on you until you can’t help but love them the all, even the despicable ones (okay, maybe loving is a bit of a stretch).
Anyway, I loved them all, I loved the well paced story and I’m stalking the author’s work to keep reading her books 🥺
February 14, 2017
One of my all time favourite films is Calamity Jane (and The Goonies but that's beside the point). Calamity and Low Down are so similar (that was a major factor in how much I liked this book), they prefer trousers, like to drink liquor and do 'men's' work. You won't see them in dresses sitting around sewing and just generally looking dainty. No. Even the thought of that disturbs them. But because they're different the men don't look at them as women or womanly. They're not ladies in any sense the men are used to. They're strong, independent and feisty. They won't be bossed about and have their decisions made for them. GIRL POWER
"I am what I am, and damned if I'm going to apologize for it!"
This wasn't a fluffy romance like I first suspected it would be. It was SO SO angsty, the kind of angst that makes your chest ache. That completely drives you up the wall, but you still keep reading because you just can't look away. It's like that last piece of chocolate that you have to eat so it's not left on it's own, even though you already feel slightly sick because you've eaten too much.
Anyway ...
Low Down was amazing. Max, yeah it took some time for me to like him BUT I did (right at the end). Philadelphia - oh how I wanted to hurt that wench. I dislike her more than the words horny and moist and I REALLY hate those words.
Yes, huge parts of this drove me insane, even though I knew what was going to happen. How does that even make sense! This was the type of book that I hate to love but love anyway cause clearly I'm a glutton for punishment.
"Mark my words, Max. Someday you're going to hold that marble, and it won't be a symbol of all you lost. that marble will be the gold you went to Piney Creek to find. It will be the most precious thing you own."
I don't normally pick up historical romance books, I'm not even sure why really, but I can tell you that I'd give Nuki a big wet kiss then maybe smack her, just for recommending this to me. It put me through the ringer.
And I realise (after reading this back) that I make no sense, oh well Tally Ho!
"I am what I am, and damned if I'm going to apologize for it!"
This wasn't a fluffy romance like I first suspected it would be. It was SO SO angsty, the kind of angst that makes your chest ache. That completely drives you up the wall, but you still keep reading because you just can't look away. It's like that last piece of chocolate that you have to eat so it's not left on it's own, even though you already feel slightly sick because you've eaten too much.
Anyway ...
Low Down was amazing. Max, yeah it took some time for me to like him BUT I did (right at the end). Philadelphia - oh how I wanted to hurt that wench. I dislike her more than the words horny and moist and I REALLY hate those words.
Yes, huge parts of this drove me insane, even though I knew what was going to happen. How does that even make sense! This was the type of book that I hate to love but love anyway cause clearly I'm a glutton for punishment.
"Mark my words, Max. Someday you're going to hold that marble, and it won't be a symbol of all you lost. that marble will be the gold you went to Piney Creek to find. It will be the most precious thing you own."
I don't normally pick up historical romance books, I'm not even sure why really, but I can tell you that I'd give Nuki a big wet kiss then maybe smack her, just for recommending this to me. It put me through the ringer.
And I realise (after reading this back) that I make no sense, oh well Tally Ho!
August 28, 2024
The first half of this book was 5-star closing in on 10-star. I positively LOVED Low Down, the heroine. One of my favorite heroines of all time, I think. Brave, straightforward, self-sufficient, at home in mud-covered trousers, and the least self-pitying protagonist anyone could imagine. If I was in trouble, I would want a friend like Low Down. I wanted to strangle Max for not seeing the rare gemstone under the mud from the get-go.
Like I said, 5 for-certain stars.
Then a little past the halfway point, the author introduced a villainess so loathsome that I knew I was going to love hating her. Trouble is, I think the author loved to hate her too, so much so that she shifted too much of the spotlight off Low Down and Max and let the vile Philadelphia almost hijack the book. So I decided 4.5 stars, rounded up.
THEN came the last 5%, in which the villainess’ ill-used husband—a wonderful guy she lucked into and didn’t deserve—offered to stay married to her, in spite of all the evil she had wrought, including murdering her baby. And THEN Max, though rejecting her, treated her gently and caressed her face, and thought that she and his ill-used brother would do well together. I guess he forgot she had just murdered her baby.
So one star off for a ridiculously unjust ending, but still a grand adventure of a book.
Like I said, 5 for-certain stars.
Then a little past the halfway point, the author introduced a villainess so loathsome that I knew I was going to love hating her. Trouble is, I think the author loved to hate her too, so much so that she shifted too much of the spotlight off Low Down and Max and let the vile Philadelphia almost hijack the book. So I decided 4.5 stars, rounded up.
THEN came the last 5%, in which the villainess’ ill-used husband—a wonderful guy she lucked into and didn’t deserve—offered to stay married to her, in spite of all the evil she had wrought, including murdering her baby. And THEN Max, though rejecting her, treated her gently and caressed her face, and thought that she and his ill-used brother would do well together. I guess he forgot she had just murdered her baby.
So one star off for a ridiculously unjust ending, but still a grand adventure of a book.
June 11, 2020
5 STARS
This was absolutely delightful! I could never tire of reading stories like this. And for a change, a rare gem of a heroine here, one who outshined the hero a hundred fold. I will admit I was confused and a little shocked by her name and her demeanor in the beginning of the book, but in the end, it was perfect for her. All of it was perfect. So much meaning packed into this book. The proverbs the songbooks, the fucking spoon, and yes, even that damn green marble. And for once a character who remained true to her nature all the way to the end. LOVED IT.
My only grievance was the lack of an epilogue. And the fact that I'm going to have a bit of a book hangover after this.
Someday you're going to hold that marble, and it won't be a symbol of all you lost. That marble will be the gold you went to Piney Creek to find. It will be the most precious thing you own.
This was absolutely delightful! I could never tire of reading stories like this. And for a change, a rare gem of a heroine here, one who outshined the hero a hundred fold. I will admit I was confused and a little shocked by her name and her demeanor in the beginning of the book, but in the end, it was perfect for her. All of it was perfect. So much meaning packed into this book. The proverbs the songbooks, the fucking spoon, and yes, even that damn green marble. And for once a character who remained true to her nature all the way to the end. LOVED IT.
My only grievance was the lack of an epilogue. And the fact that I'm going to have a bit of a book hangover after this.
"All my life I dreamed of having someone think I was beautiful," she whispered.
February 18, 2012
It’s a feel good story. Nicely done. I loved Louise.
STORY BRIEF:
Smallpox comes to a community of gold miners in Colorado. Low Down (Louise) is the only one who doesn’t get sick. She cares for all the sick men, cleaning up their vomit, feeding them, and insulting them to make them want to fight and live. They survive and owe her their lives. They ask her to name whatever she wants. They will give it to her. At first she declines, but in a moment of openness tells them her dream is to have her own baby. So a drawing is held among the guys, and Max draws the marble with an X scratched into it. Then the local preacher insists the future child not be a bastard and marries them on the spot. All the other miners are counting on Max to do the honorable thing and make her pregnant. Low Down tells Max that she will be happy to get a divorce and be out of his life as soon as she is pregnant.
Max and Low Down leave the mining camp and travel to his family ranch. Max had been engaged to Philadelphia. Max breaks the news that he can’t marry Philadelphia until he and Low Down can get a divorce later. But then Philadelphia announces she is pregnant. So Philadelphia is forced to marry someone else to reduce the scandal.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
What a wonderful story. Low Down was an orphan, mistreated, and now self reliant. She has wonderful qualities. All of a sudden she’s part of a large loving family and doing things she had never done before. She falls in love with Max. Philadelphia is a lying, cheating, mean, rude, manipulative, selfish girl. Max has no idea how lucky he is to have escaped being married to her. I enjoyed it. It was fun. I loved the relationship that developed with Low Down and Max. It was an interesting and unplanned coincidence that Low Down was like Max’s mother. Max had chosen to marry petite, short, pretty Philadelphia, yet he ends up with someone like his mother, tall, strong, with good values.
If you’re looking for a strong, smart hero to swoon over, you might be disappointed. Max is a dolt, because he falls for Philadelphia (a shallow woman) and takes a long time to see Louise’s values. He didn’t do anything to impress me, but I liked it because it’s a neat story about a wonderful character - Louise.
One part kind of stuck with me. Page 210. When Philadelphia was introduced to Low Down (Louise), Philadelphia said cruel and mean things. Louise responded politely. Later Louise “thought about all the things she might have said in response to Philadelphia’s remarks. The only reason she’d taken Philadelphia’s comments lying down was because she felt sorry for her, and because she knew Livvy (Max’s mother) desperately did not want an open breech within the family. For Livvy’s sake, Louise had decided that she would do whatever it took not to cause further trouble. If that meant letting Philadelphia walk all over her, well, so be it. There was nothing Philadelphia could say to her that she hadn’t heard before.” Most of the time I think we need to stand up for ourselves when treated rudely, but this was a touching example of someone who did not stand up for herself, and it was the better thing to do. I admired Louise not only for that but for other things as well.
DATA:
Story length: 344 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 11. Setting: probably late 1800s Colorado. Copyright: 2000. Genre: western historical romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read the following Maggie Osborne books. Dates are copyright dates.
3 ½ stars. The Wives of Bowie Stone 1994
4 stars. The Promise of Jenny Jones 1997
3 stars. A Stranger’s Wife 1999
4 stars. I Do, I Do, I Do 2000
4 stars. Silver Lining 2000
STORY BRIEF:
Smallpox comes to a community of gold miners in Colorado. Low Down (Louise) is the only one who doesn’t get sick. She cares for all the sick men, cleaning up their vomit, feeding them, and insulting them to make them want to fight and live. They survive and owe her their lives. They ask her to name whatever she wants. They will give it to her. At first she declines, but in a moment of openness tells them her dream is to have her own baby. So a drawing is held among the guys, and Max draws the marble with an X scratched into it. Then the local preacher insists the future child not be a bastard and marries them on the spot. All the other miners are counting on Max to do the honorable thing and make her pregnant. Low Down tells Max that she will be happy to get a divorce and be out of his life as soon as she is pregnant.
Max and Low Down leave the mining camp and travel to his family ranch. Max had been engaged to Philadelphia. Max breaks the news that he can’t marry Philadelphia until he and Low Down can get a divorce later. But then Philadelphia announces she is pregnant. So Philadelphia is forced to marry someone else to reduce the scandal.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
What a wonderful story. Low Down was an orphan, mistreated, and now self reliant. She has wonderful qualities. All of a sudden she’s part of a large loving family and doing things she had never done before. She falls in love with Max. Philadelphia is a lying, cheating, mean, rude, manipulative, selfish girl. Max has no idea how lucky he is to have escaped being married to her. I enjoyed it. It was fun. I loved the relationship that developed with Low Down and Max. It was an interesting and unplanned coincidence that Low Down was like Max’s mother. Max had chosen to marry petite, short, pretty Philadelphia, yet he ends up with someone like his mother, tall, strong, with good values.
If you’re looking for a strong, smart hero to swoon over, you might be disappointed. Max is a dolt, because he falls for Philadelphia (a shallow woman) and takes a long time to see Louise’s values. He didn’t do anything to impress me, but I liked it because it’s a neat story about a wonderful character - Louise.
One part kind of stuck with me. Page 210. When Philadelphia was introduced to Low Down (Louise), Philadelphia said cruel and mean things. Louise responded politely. Later Louise “thought about all the things she might have said in response to Philadelphia’s remarks. The only reason she’d taken Philadelphia’s comments lying down was because she felt sorry for her, and because she knew Livvy (Max’s mother) desperately did not want an open breech within the family. For Livvy’s sake, Louise had decided that she would do whatever it took not to cause further trouble. If that meant letting Philadelphia walk all over her, well, so be it. There was nothing Philadelphia could say to her that she hadn’t heard before.” Most of the time I think we need to stand up for ourselves when treated rudely, but this was a touching example of someone who did not stand up for herself, and it was the better thing to do. I admired Louise not only for that but for other things as well.
DATA:
Story length: 344 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 11. Setting: probably late 1800s Colorado. Copyright: 2000. Genre: western historical romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read the following Maggie Osborne books. Dates are copyright dates.
3 ½ stars. The Wives of Bowie Stone 1994
4 stars. The Promise of Jenny Jones 1997
3 stars. A Stranger’s Wife 1999
4 stars. I Do, I Do, I Do 2000
4 stars. Silver Lining 2000
July 26, 2019
Talk about throwing your fate onto the universe and seeing what will happen. This was a fun exploration of a forced marriage between the "angel of mercy" who saved a bunch of lives from small pox and the man who drew the green marble that marked him as her "reward" - husband and baby daddy.
That green marble saved the H from a disastrous marriage to the OW, but it took him awhile to figure that out. Meanwhile the heroine, who was orphaned at age five and has turned her hand at many occupations, makes the best of this new chapter in her life. While she resents having to obey/compromise with a husband, she genuinely tries to fit into the hero's world and be his helpmate/partner. I really admired her character - her resourcefulness, her sense of humor, her ability to see another's point of view. I loved her attachment to her silver spoon, her song books and her giant nightgown.
The hero is sulky at first, and then full of guilt and remorse. There was really no way from him to atone for his "sins" against the OW on his own. He needed the author to create an unworthy OW - and the author came through for him with a thoroughly awful (and duplicitous) character. This OW got what she deserved - including a husband (H's brother) who seems to know how to handle her. At first I thought the H's brother got ripped off by the author, but he got a lucrative career and a new start - so a win for him, too.
And that's what HEAs are all about. :)
I can see that this would be a great re-read. There isn't a lot of suspense but the character development is steady with so many funny and/or memorable scenes. The heroine rarely feels sorry for herself so the tone isn't angsty. Heroine is second best at the beginning, but the hero always looks for the good in her. He isn't critical or cruel just bemused and baffled. His wrestling with the giant nightgown kind of sums it all up.
That green marble saved the H from a disastrous marriage to the OW, but it took him awhile to figure that out. Meanwhile the heroine, who was orphaned at age five and has turned her hand at many occupations, makes the best of this new chapter in her life. While she resents having to obey/compromise with a husband, she genuinely tries to fit into the hero's world and be his helpmate/partner. I really admired her character - her resourcefulness, her sense of humor, her ability to see another's point of view. I loved her attachment to her silver spoon, her song books and her giant nightgown.
The hero is sulky at first, and then full of guilt and remorse. There was really no way from him to atone for his "sins" against the OW on his own. He needed the author to create an unworthy OW - and the author came through for him with a thoroughly awful (and duplicitous) character. This OW got what she deserved - including a husband (H's brother) who seems to know how to handle her. At first I thought the H's brother got ripped off by the author, but he got a lucrative career and a new start - so a win for him, too.
And that's what HEAs are all about. :)
I can see that this would be a great re-read. There isn't a lot of suspense but the character development is steady with so many funny and/or memorable scenes. The heroine rarely feels sorry for herself so the tone isn't angsty. Heroine is second best at the beginning, but the hero always looks for the good in her. He isn't critical or cruel just bemused and baffled. His wrestling with the giant nightgown kind of sums it all up.
August 7, 2020
I like this book. But not as much as most reviewers, I think.
January 20, 2024
Reread- and bumping up to 4 ⭐. It could've/would've been a 5⭐ if the awful OW would've received some comeuppance. It was infuriating that she just waltzed off... I can't believe the H and his family didn't make a bigger deal. We also needed an epilogue since the conflict resolution was so rushed. Maybe an epilogue where the happy couple had 5 kids and Philadelphia died of consumption. 🤷♀️😼
It does take a while for Louise/Low Down to shine, but I loved her growth.
****Original Review***
The plot is a little out there. Max and his gold rush buds fall ill with chicken pox, Low Down nurses them to health. They grant her a wish, and she chooses a baby...so they draw straws...er marbles to see who must do the deed. Max is engaged but is bullied into joining the draft...so he finds himself married that very night.
A few things I struggled to get on board with...
1- I thought it ridiculous that she would choose to just have a kid. If she really wanted one and didn’t want a husband she would have just hooked up. Not to mention she did not seem in the least bit maternal, plus she has no way to provide for a baby. She’d been living in a tent.
2- When no one wanted to step up, she pushed on and had them draw marbles.
3- The names are awful...Low Down, Philadelphia, Wally
4-Low Down had a sad story, but I struggled with her. I liked that she was strong, but she was very brash.
5- The H is pining after another woman for 65% of the book.
BUT, With all that said, she was also kind , loyal , hardworking and such a better person than Philadelphia. Max wasn’t happy about the marriage, but he was never unkind to L. He took her for granted, but wasn’t cruel. I wish the conclusion would have come earlier so we had some “together time” We had just got to where we had been waiting to get to for most of the book... then it just ended abruptly.
It does take a while for Louise/Low Down to shine, but I loved her growth.
****Original Review***
The plot is a little out there. Max and his gold rush buds fall ill with chicken pox, Low Down nurses them to health. They grant her a wish, and she chooses a baby...so they draw straws...er marbles to see who must do the deed. Max is engaged but is bullied into joining the draft...so he finds himself married that very night.
A few things I struggled to get on board with...
1- I thought it ridiculous that she would choose to just have a kid. If she really wanted one and didn’t want a husband she would have just hooked up. Not to mention she did not seem in the least bit maternal, plus she has no way to provide for a baby. She’d been living in a tent.
2- When no one wanted to step up, she pushed on and had them draw marbles.
3- The names are awful...Low Down, Philadelphia, Wally
4-Low Down had a sad story, but I struggled with her. I liked that she was strong, but she was very brash.
5- The H is pining after another woman for 65% of the book.
BUT, With all that said, she was also kind , loyal , hardworking and such a better person than Philadelphia. Max wasn’t happy about the marriage, but he was never unkind to L. He took her for granted, but wasn’t cruel. I wish the conclusion would have come earlier so we had some “together time” We had just got to where we had been waiting to get to for most of the book... then it just ended abruptly.
March 31, 2011
Maggie Osborne does it again and I remain a devoted fan after finishing this gem. There is no one like this author.
Silver Lining is a book about two main things:
1. The danger of judging people based on outward appearances, and
2. Transformation.
I won't rehash the plot of this book, but I will say that it begins with a woman named "Low Down" and ends with a woman named Louise McCord. Although in essence the woman is the same person, there is a definite transformation in her throughout the book that will warm the heart and touch the soul!
This is a multi-layered book that involves many different characters and family relationships. The main story is predominantly about Max and Louise, but the entire McCord family plays a crucial role in this story. Objects (namely a marble and a silver spoon) play a symbolic role in what ultimately pulls at the heart strings and Ms. Osborne skillfully and convincingly weaves this tale of unlikely love between two very likeable characters.
I love this author. I love her characters and her ability to remind me about the power love has in our lives. The power to change and transform, the power to heal, and the power to unite.
Silver Lining is a book about two main things:
1. The danger of judging people based on outward appearances, and
2. Transformation.
I won't rehash the plot of this book, but I will say that it begins with a woman named "Low Down" and ends with a woman named Louise McCord. Although in essence the woman is the same person, there is a definite transformation in her throughout the book that will warm the heart and touch the soul!
This is a multi-layered book that involves many different characters and family relationships. The main story is predominantly about Max and Louise, but the entire McCord family plays a crucial role in this story. Objects (namely a marble and a silver spoon) play a symbolic role in what ultimately pulls at the heart strings and Ms. Osborne skillfully and convincingly weaves this tale of unlikely love between two very likeable characters.
I love this author. I love her characters and her ability to remind me about the power love has in our lives. The power to change and transform, the power to heal, and the power to unite.
September 8, 2015
As scruffy and rootless as the other prospectors searching for gold in the Rockies, Low Down wanted nothing in return for nursing a raggedy bunch through the pox. But when pressed to reveal her heart's wish, she admits she wants a baby. Not a husband, not a forced marriage to the proud man who drew the scratched marble and became honor bound to marry her. To be sure, Max McCord was easy on the eyes, but he loved another woman and dreamed of a different life. Yet they agreed to a temporary marriage that could end only in disaster. But can this strange twist of fate lead to the silver lining that both have been searching for?
What a hoot! Actually, this was really a heart wrenching story at times and I went from wanting to slap somebody (dagnamit) to wanting to hug someone. I absolutely loved Low Down aka Louise. She was such an unusual and wonderful heroine. A beautiful sunflower surrounded by roses. It took a little longer to like Max but I had his back by the end. There wasn't a lot of surprises for me but getting there was a joy. The story ran at a nice comfortable gait from the starting point to the finish line.
What a hoot! Actually, this was really a heart wrenching story at times and I went from wanting to slap somebody (dagnamit) to wanting to hug someone. I absolutely loved Low Down aka Louise. She was such an unusual and wonderful heroine. A beautiful sunflower surrounded by roses. It took a little longer to like Max but I had his back by the end. There wasn't a lot of surprises for me but getting there was a joy. The story ran at a nice comfortable gait from the starting point to the finish line.
December 29, 2014
This is my first novel by this very talented author and recommended to me by Jill and Denise. Thank you my GR friends...I loved it!
Without a doubt, my emotions were completely involved and the journey of Low Down and her transformation into Louise Downe is what held me captivated. This amazing heroine will forever be one of my favorites! Downtrodden yes, but filled with a remarkable resilience that I very much admired. And as the story unfolds her soul-wrenching admissions tore at my heart. I found myself wanting EVERYTHING Good for her!
Max McCord is a man of honor who always tried to do what was right even if his choices were hard. At first, he didn't have me in his corner with the love triangle involved. But that quickly changed and by the end I was pulling for him and knew he was perfect for Louise.
I laughed; I cried and did not want to put this book down!
Without a doubt, my emotions were completely involved and the journey of Low Down and her transformation into Louise Downe is what held me captivated. This amazing heroine will forever be one of my favorites! Downtrodden yes, but filled with a remarkable resilience that I very much admired. And as the story unfolds her soul-wrenching admissions tore at my heart. I found myself wanting EVERYTHING Good for her!
Max McCord is a man of honor who always tried to do what was right even if his choices were hard. At first, he didn't have me in his corner with the love triangle involved. But that quickly changed and by the end I was pulling for him and knew he was perfect for Louise.
I laughed; I cried and did not want to put this book down!
September 15, 2025
Almost two thirds of this book is the hero pining for his ex-fiancee who's ofcourse a grade A bitch and trying to blame everyone else for the mess he's in. Definitely not what I'm looking for in a romance. 😌
March 22, 2009
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!
Where do I start? "Low Down" nurses her fellow miners through a smallpox outbreak when no one else would. As a token of their gratitude they offer her "anything her heart desires", little knowing what was to come. After goading for her several moments she finally says she'd like to have a baby. She doesn't want marriage or a commitment, just a baby. Suddenly the miners and the local preacher take to this like duck to a water and the next thing Low Down knows, she's the prize for a husband lottery.
Max McCord draws the fated marble and marries Low Down, even though he is engaged to someone else and slated to marry in 2 weeks. He tries to tell the preacher that but they hold him to it. So Max, being an honorable man, marries Low Down and they set off for his hometown (close to Denver) to stay with his family. He and Low Down agree to get her pregnant and then quietly divorce, since neither of them wanted a marriage in the first place.
Low Down starts the book as a scruffy, dirty, hasn't taken a bath in several months woman miner. In fact, her own husband realized he doesn't know her real name until after they are married! "Louise Downe" she replies upon being asked. She goes on to explain she is an orphan and was adopted on the orphan train from NYC by a Missouri Couple. They were cruel to her and the mother called her a "Low Down good for nothing *&^%" most of her life. So at 13 she ran away and has been called Low Down ever since. After a good bath and some new clothing, Louise is while not a ravishing beauty, still a very "handsome" woman of 28.
Back in Max's hometown we discover that his fiancee is pregnant! This only makes the scandal of Max's marriage that much worse and his fiancee is forced to marry Max's brother Wally in order to deflect some of the scrutiny and shame. Its a tense situation for everyone, but mostly Louise, who in a gesture of trying to fit in and not cause her new "family" any more trauma, takes horrible remarks made about her in silence. That is not to say it doesn't affect her, but she tries to brush it off saying that her past has prepared her for it and "it doesn't matter". Max, while not being outright mean to Louise, does have some moments where he blames her for all his troubles.
Louise is what I'd call a tortured heroine. Having grown up an orphan in an abusive foster home, she has never known love. Having her own baby she believes will be all she will ever need in life - someone to love unconditionally that will love her back the same way. She puts everyone else ahead of herself, including those who are spiteful and mean to her and never seeks retribution. Some might say that's being a doormat but if you read the book, you'll see that Louise just doesn't expect anything less - its what she's used to.
Alot happens at the end of the book and there most definitely is a happily ever after, which in my opinion makes this a desert island keeper. A western Cinderella story!
Where do I start? "Low Down" nurses her fellow miners through a smallpox outbreak when no one else would. As a token of their gratitude they offer her "anything her heart desires", little knowing what was to come. After goading for her several moments she finally says she'd like to have a baby. She doesn't want marriage or a commitment, just a baby. Suddenly the miners and the local preacher take to this like duck to a water and the next thing Low Down knows, she's the prize for a husband lottery.
Max McCord draws the fated marble and marries Low Down, even though he is engaged to someone else and slated to marry in 2 weeks. He tries to tell the preacher that but they hold him to it. So Max, being an honorable man, marries Low Down and they set off for his hometown (close to Denver) to stay with his family. He and Low Down agree to get her pregnant and then quietly divorce, since neither of them wanted a marriage in the first place.
Low Down starts the book as a scruffy, dirty, hasn't taken a bath in several months woman miner. In fact, her own husband realized he doesn't know her real name until after they are married! "Louise Downe" she replies upon being asked. She goes on to explain she is an orphan and was adopted on the orphan train from NYC by a Missouri Couple. They were cruel to her and the mother called her a "Low Down good for nothing *&^%" most of her life. So at 13 she ran away and has been called Low Down ever since. After a good bath and some new clothing, Louise is while not a ravishing beauty, still a very "handsome" woman of 28.
Back in Max's hometown we discover that his fiancee is pregnant! This only makes the scandal of Max's marriage that much worse and his fiancee is forced to marry Max's brother Wally in order to deflect some of the scrutiny and shame. Its a tense situation for everyone, but mostly Louise, who in a gesture of trying to fit in and not cause her new "family" any more trauma, takes horrible remarks made about her in silence. That is not to say it doesn't affect her, but she tries to brush it off saying that her past has prepared her for it and "it doesn't matter". Max, while not being outright mean to Louise, does have some moments where he blames her for all his troubles.
Louise is what I'd call a tortured heroine. Having grown up an orphan in an abusive foster home, she has never known love. Having her own baby she believes will be all she will ever need in life - someone to love unconditionally that will love her back the same way. She puts everyone else ahead of herself, including those who are spiteful and mean to her and never seeks retribution. Some might say that's being a doormat but if you read the book, you'll see that Louise just doesn't expect anything less - its what she's used to.
Alot happens at the end of the book and there most definitely is a happily ever after, which in my opinion makes this a desert island keeper. A western Cinderella story!
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February 18, 2016
4 stars
I don't even know how to rate this book. Louise is by far one of the most amazing heroine I've ever read in a very long time. There wasn't a time I wasn't routing for her. The other characters on the other hand were debatable and the plot in some ways felt like a soap opera. This wasn't as action packed as MOs other book I read but I found it more emotional and the pace of their relationship is exactly how romance should be written.
I don't even know how to rate this book. Louise is by far one of the most amazing heroine I've ever read in a very long time. There wasn't a time I wasn't routing for her. The other characters on the other hand were debatable and the plot in some ways felt like a soap opera. This wasn't as action packed as MOs other book I read but I found it more emotional and the pace of their relationship is exactly how romance should be written.
June 1, 2009
A fantastic romance, one of the best I've read all year. I am so going to find more books by this author. The heroine Louise/Low Down has to be one of the most original and likable heroines ever written, and Max was such a great match for her.
August 27, 2020
3.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was enjoyable mainly due to the characters. I really loved Louise! I also liked her relationship with the H’s mom, sister and niece. The OW was a nasty villain that I loved to hate, and the H was honorable though sometimes stupid. My biggest issue was the ending. I think it is so dumb that we don’t get the amount of closure that the story leads us up to (see spoiler tag in closure section below). I also wanted more of the romantic parts (or bedroom chemistry 😏). Super frustrating, but still an enjoyable read.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Louise and Max’s story. They are together in a gold mining camp and Louise nurses Max and many other men back to health after small pox hit the camp. As a return on her brave efforts, the surviving men of the camp offer Louise anything and she says she wants a baby. Max is volunteered and forced to marry Louise even though he is supposed to marry another woman in two week’s time. There is a lot of family, town, and OW drama when he takes Louise home with him, some sweet moments, and a few sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing mainly on Louise and Max in 3rd person narrative (some side characters too).
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the super abrupt ending. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings. More like a friends to lovers story.
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Max. I liked him, but then he wouldn’t stick up for Louise like I though he should.
h (heroine) rating: 5 stars. Low Down/Louise. She was a mess! But a good person that I was rooting for from the beginning.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Mild. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but very much and not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes, kind of
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Yes
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ended way to abruptly though I would still call it a HEA ending. I don’t understand why we couldn’t experience the h !!
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Overall Opinion: This was enjoyable mainly due to the characters. I really loved Louise! I also liked her relationship with the H’s mom, sister and niece. The OW was a nasty villain that I loved to hate, and the H was honorable though sometimes stupid. My biggest issue was the ending. I think it is so dumb that we don’t get the amount of closure that the story leads us up to (see spoiler tag in closure section below). I also wanted more of the romantic parts (or bedroom chemistry 😏). Super frustrating, but still an enjoyable read.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Louise and Max’s story. They are together in a gold mining camp and Louise nurses Max and many other men back to health after small pox hit the camp. As a return on her brave efforts, the surviving men of the camp offer Louise anything and she says she wants a baby. Max is volunteered and forced to marry Louise even though he is supposed to marry another woman in two week’s time. There is a lot of family, town, and OW drama when he takes Louise home with him, some sweet moments, and a few sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing mainly on Louise and Max in 3rd person narrative (some side characters too).
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the super abrupt ending. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings. More like a friends to lovers story.
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Max. I liked him, but then he wouldn’t stick up for Louise like I though he should.
h (heroine) rating: 5 stars. Low Down/Louise. She was a mess! But a good person that I was rooting for from the beginning.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Mild. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but very much and not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes, kind of
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Yes
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ended way to abruptly though I would still call it a HEA ending. I don’t understand why we couldn’t experience the h !!
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
June 6, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. A beautifully written love story! My first book by Maggie Osbourne and I can't wait to read her others.
The characters were all written perfectly, from the good to the bad. This romance leaned toward the more realistic side than fairy-tale side with the aspect of falling in love. It's been awhile since I couldn't wait to get home from work to see what happens next in the story.
With as much as I disliked the character Philadelphia, I could totally picture a spoiled brat acting as she did and thought she was written perfectly splendidly horrible :) What I didn't get though, was why everyone just stood around and never really called her out for blatantly disrespecting Louise as she did at family gatherings. No one stood up for her, and that left me feeling crushed for Louise.
I also didn't understand what inspired Wally to make the proposal to Philadelphia, after all was said and done. Exactly what did he see in her that did NOT make him want to turn around and run as fast as he could?!?!?
Back to the main characters... this would have been a keeper had there been any steam at all. It was only heavy on a great plot that often left me guessing what would happen next and rooting for some really great, well written characters... but sadly no chemistry or steam.
The characters were all written perfectly, from the good to the bad. This romance leaned toward the more realistic side than fairy-tale side with the aspect of falling in love. It's been awhile since I couldn't wait to get home from work to see what happens next in the story.
With as much as I disliked the character Philadelphia, I could totally picture a spoiled brat acting as she did and thought she was written perfectly splendidly horrible :) What I didn't get though, was why everyone just stood around and never really called her out for blatantly disrespecting Louise as she did at family gatherings. No one stood up for her, and that left me feeling crushed for Louise.
I also didn't understand what inspired Wally to make the proposal to Philadelphia, after all was said and done. Exactly what did he see in her that did NOT make him want to turn around and run as fast as he could?!?!?
Back to the main characters... this would have been a keeper had there been any steam at all. It was only heavy on a great plot that often left me guessing what would happen next and rooting for some really great, well written characters... but sadly no chemistry or steam.
October 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this western historical romance. The main characters LowDown/Louise and Max marry early in the book and there aren't big misunderstandings or what have you that drive them apart. There was plenty of tension and conflict in that Max had been in love with and engaged to another woman up until he was honor bound to marry Louis. But they were together learning to make their marriage work while the other situation played out.
Characterization was good all around and the secondary characters were well drawn and believable. Even though the other woman had a substantial part in the story she didn't take over the plot in any way. Solid writing all around, good word choices that illustrate characters. No info dumping all the action and development happen on screen. The plot was solid and tight. A wonderful example of only the necessary scenes but plenty of them.
A sweet sweet story.
Characterization was good all around and the secondary characters were well drawn and believable. Even though the other woman had a substantial part in the story she didn't take over the plot in any way. Solid writing all around, good word choices that illustrate characters. No info dumping all the action and development happen on screen. The plot was solid and tight. A wonderful example of only the necessary scenes but plenty of them.
A sweet sweet story.
May 14, 2024
AWESOME RE_READDDDDDDDDDDDDdd
Re-RE-READ, beautiful!
RE-READ
THE BEST
Wonderful, heartwarming story! What a beautiful writing style, it was my first book from this author in original version, without being translated and i’m in love!
Strong, the strongest heroine, great hero, a lot of drama, strong family who helps each other in very difficult times, not a judgmental.
I love secondary character a lot as well.
What a times, huh? No delivery apps o taxi apps, no nothing, but what a strong people. I’m in awe, seriously!
To my re-reading list directly, i have read it in 7 hours, all night reading, till 6.00 in the morning, it was worth it.
Re-RE-READ, beautiful!
RE-READ
THE BEST
Wonderful, heartwarming story! What a beautiful writing style, it was my first book from this author in original version, without being translated and i’m in love!
Strong, the strongest heroine, great hero, a lot of drama, strong family who helps each other in very difficult times, not a judgmental.
I love secondary character a lot as well.
What a times, huh? No delivery apps o taxi apps, no nothing, but what a strong people. I’m in awe, seriously!
To my re-reading list directly, i have read it in 7 hours, all night reading, till 6.00 in the morning, it was worth it.
April 22, 2018
This year I've been lucky to find plenty of romance books that I really loved! And Silver Lining is one of them.
The novel opens with a predicament, and as it progresses, things only get worse and worse and worse to a point where I really didn't know how on earth any of it could get any better, much less resolve itself. I was constantly on my toes rooting for the heroine and falling in love with the family (the secondary characters).
So yeah, Silver Lining really really really made me care. I loved every minute of it.
The novel opens with a predicament, and as it progresses, things only get worse and worse and worse to a point where I really didn't know how on earth any of it could get any better, much less resolve itself. I was constantly on my toes rooting for the heroine and falling in love with the family (the secondary characters).
So yeah, Silver Lining really really really made me care. I loved every minute of it.
October 17, 2017
A well deserved 5 brightest stars.
Maggie Osborne, you just have the gift to make ugly look beautiful. It was a wonderful book. This is my first read from this author. I suggest everyone to try it. I am going and attacking the rest of the books of Maggie Osborne.
Maggie Osborne, you just have the gift to make ugly look beautiful. It was a wonderful book. This is my first read from this author. I suggest everyone to try it. I am going and attacking the rest of the books of Maggie Osborne.
October 14, 2021
This book gave me all the feels….
I laughed out loud. I cried a tear or two. I was so frustrated that I had to take a melatonin and chill the F out before bed…I mean how pitiful that I let a book get me so worked up? I blame hormones and excellent writing. Anyway, enough about me, lets get to this book.
Low Down/Louise is the BEST, just try and change my mind…I’ll fight you!
The book starts off with an unpleasant scene full of ailing prospectors who are all sick/near death from the dreaded pox. They’re all in pain and being taken care of by none other than Miss. Low Down, a self-sufficient female prospector with integrity and a heart of gold. This scene pulls us right in and familiarizes us with our charming and brilliant heroine.
“A man could shoot a squirrel out of a tree from a distance of sixty feet. But he couldn’t vomit into a bucket or pee into a pot only two feet away. It was one of the great mysteries of life.”
As a child I was obsessed with musicals, and one of my top favorites was Doris Day as Calamity Jane….and wow LD was giving me strong Calamity vibes. She made me wince, made me spit my water out, she gave me horrible secondhand embarrassment, but she also completely charmed me every single time she opened her mouth. She stole the show.
Max (our hero) was a kettle of fish, BUT I do not believe for one second, he deserved all the hate the reviewers gave him. I won’t go into the plot here, but Max got himself in a terrible position and did the absolute best he could. His character, however, took a backseat to LD, and while he was important, he wasn’t the reason I fell in love with this book. I fell in love with the heroine… SHE was the hero. SHE saved the day. SHE made me swoon….
“I ain’t got much to give to take your mind off hurting, but I’m offering you what I got.”
The villain of this book is the worst kind of villain IMO. I hated the cow…nope… I won’t even call her a cow because I happen to like cows. This villain was plain horrible, and I hated her. The end goodbye. I refuse to spend anymore time discussing HER.
I really cannot say enough good things about this book or Low Down. Charming, brilliant, sweet, loving, frustrating…the list goes on. Low Down/Louise was such a prickly pear…. tough and thorny on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to warm up their cold dead heart.
I laughed out loud. I cried a tear or two. I was so frustrated that I had to take a melatonin and chill the F out before bed…I mean how pitiful that I let a book get me so worked up? I blame hormones and excellent writing. Anyway, enough about me, lets get to this book.
Low Down/Louise is the BEST, just try and change my mind…I’ll fight you!
The book starts off with an unpleasant scene full of ailing prospectors who are all sick/near death from the dreaded pox. They’re all in pain and being taken care of by none other than Miss. Low Down, a self-sufficient female prospector with integrity and a heart of gold. This scene pulls us right in and familiarizes us with our charming and brilliant heroine.
“A man could shoot a squirrel out of a tree from a distance of sixty feet. But he couldn’t vomit into a bucket or pee into a pot only two feet away. It was one of the great mysteries of life.”
As a child I was obsessed with musicals, and one of my top favorites was Doris Day as Calamity Jane….and wow LD was giving me strong Calamity vibes. She made me wince, made me spit my water out, she gave me horrible secondhand embarrassment, but she also completely charmed me every single time she opened her mouth. She stole the show.
Max (our hero) was a kettle of fish, BUT I do not believe for one second, he deserved all the hate the reviewers gave him. I won’t go into the plot here, but Max got himself in a terrible position and did the absolute best he could. His character, however, took a backseat to LD, and while he was important, he wasn’t the reason I fell in love with this book. I fell in love with the heroine… SHE was the hero. SHE saved the day. SHE made me swoon….
“I ain’t got much to give to take your mind off hurting, but I’m offering you what I got.”
The villain of this book is the worst kind of villain IMO. I hated the cow…nope… I won’t even call her a cow because I happen to like cows. This villain was plain horrible, and I hated her. The end goodbye. I refuse to spend anymore time discussing HER.
I really cannot say enough good things about this book or Low Down. Charming, brilliant, sweet, loving, frustrating…the list goes on. Low Down/Louise was such a prickly pear…. tough and thorny on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to warm up their cold dead heart.
April 20, 2011
So I have decided to just do a Maggie Osborne glom. Her writing voice is simply speaking to me right now. Prior to my foray into her books, I hadn't read a western, Americana romance since...well... the late 80s maybe. I think maybe The Gamble by LaVyrle Spencer was my last one or close to it.
This one was just as wonderful as the other two. I think sometimes I get so exasperated with romance because the overwhelming majority of heroines are beautiful and no matter their issues or problems they always seem to inhabit a place of inner certainty. This is by no means a bad thing as I couldn't stand a drip of a heroine either. But it does offer a lack of variety. And it can't be a mistake that I often find heroes more memorable than the heroines after the book is closed.
But MO writes female characters that are incredibly vivid and really distinctive. It may just be one small thing that sets her apart, but it is enough to cut them from the herd, so to speak.
In this one, Louise (also known as Low Down) is our intrepid heroine whose seminal memory is of traveling west on an orphan train and living in a foster home where she was repeatedly told she was worthless. But she has worked all her life in good, honest work and tried not to be so worthless. In this chapter of her life, she is a gold prospector, in a little town that is beset by a small pox epidemic. She alone stayed to nurse back to health over sixty miners after everyone else left the place to become all but a ghost town.
With insults, threats and sheer force of will she manages to help save these rough, gruff miners. After the epidemic is over they all celebrate and want to reward her with whatever her little heart desires. She does the unthinkable. She asks for a baby.
This sets off a chain of events that culminates in her marriage to one of the miners, Max McCord. Max is a man of honor who does his duty to the woman who saved his life, but it is a bitter pill to swallow. He was to be married to the woman of his dreams within weeks. But now he is taking Louise home instead and it will cause a scandal.
From here, the rest of the tale is a well written, totally engrossing story about living with the choices we all make. I like that the story doesn't shy away from the awkwardness of the pairing, how they have to weather out the scandal, the fall-out Max has to face for jilting his bride. But it also spools out wonderfully as each character reacts and acts to the situation. And there is a natural, sweet progression to the story as Max (and Louise) realizes her true worth both within her self and to him. By the time they realize they are in love it feels just right.
It is also worth a mention that Louise isn't the only strongly drawn female character. Max's mother Livvy is a true matriarch whose driving purpose is to keep her family strong and together and her actions bear that out. And then there is Philadelphia, Max's erstwhile fiancee. In light of how MO created the character arc for another wealthy, spoiled character in Brides of Prairie Gold, I was interested to see if Philadelphia's arc would be as rich and nuanced as Augusta's was in that book. While Philadelphia's story wasn't as layered or as interesting as Augusta's it was nonetheless still a fascinating look at a character and the writing elevated her above the run of the mill villainess.
Really good book, highly recommended!
This one was just as wonderful as the other two. I think sometimes I get so exasperated with romance because the overwhelming majority of heroines are beautiful and no matter their issues or problems they always seem to inhabit a place of inner certainty. This is by no means a bad thing as I couldn't stand a drip of a heroine either. But it does offer a lack of variety. And it can't be a mistake that I often find heroes more memorable than the heroines after the book is closed.
But MO writes female characters that are incredibly vivid and really distinctive. It may just be one small thing that sets her apart, but it is enough to cut them from the herd, so to speak.
In this one, Louise (also known as Low Down) is our intrepid heroine whose seminal memory is of traveling west on an orphan train and living in a foster home where she was repeatedly told she was worthless. But she has worked all her life in good, honest work and tried not to be so worthless. In this chapter of her life, she is a gold prospector, in a little town that is beset by a small pox epidemic. She alone stayed to nurse back to health over sixty miners after everyone else left the place to become all but a ghost town.
With insults, threats and sheer force of will she manages to help save these rough, gruff miners. After the epidemic is over they all celebrate and want to reward her with whatever her little heart desires. She does the unthinkable. She asks for a baby.
This sets off a chain of events that culminates in her marriage to one of the miners, Max McCord. Max is a man of honor who does his duty to the woman who saved his life, but it is a bitter pill to swallow. He was to be married to the woman of his dreams within weeks. But now he is taking Louise home instead and it will cause a scandal.
From here, the rest of the tale is a well written, totally engrossing story about living with the choices we all make. I like that the story doesn't shy away from the awkwardness of the pairing, how they have to weather out the scandal, the fall-out Max has to face for jilting his bride. But it also spools out wonderfully as each character reacts and acts to the situation. And there is a natural, sweet progression to the story as Max (and Louise) realizes her true worth both within her self and to him. By the time they realize they are in love it feels just right.
It is also worth a mention that Louise isn't the only strongly drawn female character. Max's mother Livvy is a true matriarch whose driving purpose is to keep her family strong and together and her actions bear that out. And then there is Philadelphia, Max's erstwhile fiancee. In light of how MO created the character arc for another wealthy, spoiled character in Brides of Prairie Gold, I was interested to see if Philadelphia's arc would be as rich and nuanced as Augusta's was in that book. While Philadelphia's story wasn't as layered or as interesting as Augusta's it was nonetheless still a fascinating look at a character and the writing elevated her above the run of the mill villainess.
Really good book, highly recommended!
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