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Lost Heiresses #1
Behind a Lady's Smile
The Lost Heiresses
It’s one thing for a girl to lose her way, quite another to lose her heart…
Genny Hayes could charm a bear away from a pot of honey. But raised in the forests of Yosemite, she’s met precious few men to practice her smiles upon. Until a marvelously handsome photographer appears in her little corner of the wilderness and she convinces him to take her clear across the country and over the seas to England, where she has a titled grandmother and grandfather waiting to claim her. On their whirlwind journey, she’ll have the chance to bedazzle and befuddle store clerks and train robbers, society matrons and big city reporters, maids and madams, but the one man she most wants to beguile seems determined to play the gentlemen and leave her untouched. Until love steps in and knocks them both head over heels…
It’s one thing for a girl to lose her way, quite another to lose her heart…
Genny Hayes could charm a bear away from a pot of honey. But raised in the forests of Yosemite, she’s met precious few men to practice her smiles upon. Until a marvelously handsome photographer appears in her little corner of the wilderness and she convinces him to take her clear across the country and over the seas to England, where she has a titled grandmother and grandfather waiting to claim her. On their whirlwind journey, she’ll have the chance to bedazzle and befuddle store clerks and train robbers, society matrons and big city reporters, maids and madams, but the one man she most wants to beguile seems determined to play the gentlemen and leave her untouched. Until love steps in and knocks them both head over heels…
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
388 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Jane Goodger
24 books285 followersI grew up in western Massachusetts and have lived most my adult life in New England. Thanks to my adventurous husband, I've also done brief stints in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy. Although I've written four contemporary romances under the name Jane Blackwood, my first love is historical romances set in Victorian times. I've written 17 of those with more on the way.
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 8, 2017
Crass language and explicit scenes make this book, and author, a no-go for me. I prefer the regency/western genres to be clean and perchance a bit more romanticized. Gentlemen should be just that, gentlemen. And the women should be ladies worth waiting for. Nothing wrong with embracing chivalry and good old fashioned morals.
July 3, 2015
10/06/15.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
Review to be posted soon.
_________________
3/07/15
Finally. It's been a month since I read this book. And my review is finally up!
My God!
I had been on a historical-romance marathon a month back. I devoured anything Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn. I wasn't very happy with most of the books - In fact, McNaught's works and protagonists were so repetitive and I could almost predict what was going to happen next.
And that's when I got this one. It was a good change and genuinely, a really good book.
I was afraid that it would have too much of drama at one point. But of course, it didn't. I loved the writing and I loved the characters!
Genevieve "Genny" Hayes is a naïve, innocent girl who is left alone in a small cabin in the woods after her father is killed.
Genny is the granddaughter of a Duke.
Mitch Campbell, an average guy, who is barely scraping through with his wages, meets Genny when he startles her and causes her leg to break.
From this point, Mitch's life is never the same. Initially, he decides to help Genny get back to her Grandparents in the interest of getting money and setting up his own photo studio in New York. As he gets to know Genny, he cannot help but like her.
I loved how their relationship progressed slowly. How they went from companions to friends and then lovers. It was gradual and in a comfortable pace.
The adventures on the way, Genny's hilarious actions, the ending... I absolutely loved it.
This will definitely be one of the best historical romance novels I've ever read.
*Received ARC via Kensington Books and Netgalley*
Review also posted at: www.shameekalovesreading.wordpress.com
I LOVED IT!!!!!
Review to be posted soon.
_________________
3/07/15
Finally. It's been a month since I read this book. And my review is finally up!
My God!
I had been on a historical-romance marathon a month back. I devoured anything Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn. I wasn't very happy with most of the books - In fact, McNaught's works and protagonists were so repetitive and I could almost predict what was going to happen next.
And that's when I got this one. It was a good change and genuinely, a really good book.
I was afraid that it would have too much of drama at one point. But of course, it didn't. I loved the writing and I loved the characters!
Genevieve "Genny" Hayes is a naïve, innocent girl who is left alone in a small cabin in the woods after her father is killed.
Genny is the granddaughter of a Duke.
Mitch Campbell, an average guy, who is barely scraping through with his wages, meets Genny when he startles her and causes her leg to break.
From this point, Mitch's life is never the same. Initially, he decides to help Genny get back to her Grandparents in the interest of getting money and setting up his own photo studio in New York. As he gets to know Genny, he cannot help but like her.
I loved how their relationship progressed slowly. How they went from companions to friends and then lovers. It was gradual and in a comfortable pace.
The adventures on the way, Genny's hilarious actions, the ending... I absolutely loved it.
This will definitely be one of the best historical romance novels I've ever read.
*Received ARC via Kensington Books and Netgalley*
Review also posted at: www.shameekalovesreading.wordpress.com
August 26, 2015
Buddy read with Layla
September 22, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads First Reads.
Genny Hayes had lived in a cabin in the middle of Yosemite with her father for years until her father was attacked by a bear and killed. She didn't know her way to the nearest town so when she spotted a photographer in the woods near her cabin she spied on him to see if he was a good man that might help her.
Mitch Campbell had been working as a photographer for years to save enough to open his own studio in New York. When he finds Genny spying on him he startles her and she breaks her leg. Feeling guilty he decides to stay with her until she recovers. When Genny first tells Mitch that she needs to get to England to meet her long lost grandparents who are a Duke and Duchess, Mitch of course agrees to take her thinking of a reward and so the journey begins for the pair.
At first Mitch came across to me as someone more of Genny's fathers age and not suited for a love interest. But as the story goes on we learn more about the pair and it became a bit more believable of a romance. However, I did find my curiosity over the mysterious Duke and Duchess more compelling to keep reading than the actual romance in the book. Overall I'd say an average historical romance novel. I'd like to of been more into the relationship in the story than I was.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Genny Hayes had lived in a cabin in the middle of Yosemite with her father for years until her father was attacked by a bear and killed. She didn't know her way to the nearest town so when she spotted a photographer in the woods near her cabin she spied on him to see if he was a good man that might help her.
Mitch Campbell had been working as a photographer for years to save enough to open his own studio in New York. When he finds Genny spying on him he startles her and she breaks her leg. Feeling guilty he decides to stay with her until she recovers. When Genny first tells Mitch that she needs to get to England to meet her long lost grandparents who are a Duke and Duchess, Mitch of course agrees to take her thinking of a reward and so the journey begins for the pair.
At first Mitch came across to me as someone more of Genny's fathers age and not suited for a love interest. But as the story goes on we learn more about the pair and it became a bit more believable of a romance. However, I did find my curiosity over the mysterious Duke and Duchess more compelling to keep reading than the actual romance in the book. Overall I'd say an average historical romance novel. I'd like to of been more into the relationship in the story than I was.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
November 25, 2015
This review is about the author's writing style. I truly enjoy Jane Goodger's books and this one is no different. The innocent, yet charming Genny Hayes and the protector, Mitch Campbell is a good match. I enjoy how Ms. Goodger builds up the characters' relationship, not just have them bed hopping. I also like, before the ending, her couples usually marry which we get to experience their newlywedded life. Her characters feel like real people not just the romance of the Tons' elite. Although, I don't recall reading how the heroine came to live in the Yosemite Mountains.
Her novels are full of adventure e.g. life experiences to travel experiences. In this HR novel the characters start in California then head to Nebraska, next to New York, they cross the Atlantic Ocean, and finally return to the States. The traveling evoked feelings of anticipation. I kept reading because of the thrill of needing to know what's going to happen when they reach the final destination. No spoilers ...you gotta read the book.
Generally, I avoid stories where crossing oceans or seas are involved, because I know what to expect, however this is different. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the journey on the "OCEANIC" cruise liner. I felt as if I were there with them.
Most of her HR books are written during the Victorian era, so details about the industrial development are written into the story. Unfortunately, sometimes the details slowed the pace.
Overall, IMO Ms. Goodger is a good creative writer. The trope of an aristocratic female and a common man is generally hard to create because it's not social standards. Goodger handled the task with a good plot and good dialogue.
It would be a nice treat to have her books in audio format.
3.75 stars...due to pacing and to many cliches. For me, the book ended with a pleasant singsong 'ah' moment.
Her novels are full of adventure e.g. life experiences to travel experiences. In this HR novel the characters start in California then head to Nebraska, next to New York, they cross the Atlantic Ocean, and finally return to the States. The traveling evoked feelings of anticipation. I kept reading because of the thrill of needing to know what's going to happen when they reach the final destination. No spoilers ...you gotta read the book.
Generally, I avoid stories where crossing oceans or seas are involved, because I know what to expect, however this is different. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the journey on the "OCEANIC" cruise liner. I felt as if I were there with them.
Most of her HR books are written during the Victorian era, so details about the industrial development are written into the story. Unfortunately, sometimes the details slowed the pace.
Overall, IMO Ms. Goodger is a good creative writer. The trope of an aristocratic female and a common man is generally hard to create because it's not social standards. Goodger handled the task with a good plot and good dialogue.
It would be a nice treat to have her books in audio format.
3.75 stars...due to pacing and to many cliches. For me, the book ended with a pleasant singsong 'ah' moment.
July 11, 2017
This is a historical romance but the language and happenings that made up the story felt decidedly not historical. Also, for anyone interested this book is R rated, which I was not expecting. I skipped over a few scenes that were unnecessarily detailed. Lastly, I did not really like the hero in the book. The only reason I finished it was out of curiosity as to how the author would wrap up the story. It is due to that curiosity that I gave it 2 stars.
April 3, 2016
This was a wonderful story!! Full of adventure near and far!
May 10, 2018
This book has been in my TBR like for sometime, though I can not say why I have not read it. This was a very enjoyable read. It started a bit slow, but once into the book, it did hold my attention. The characters were very likeable, a little different persons from the usual historical romance. Circumstances have put Genny and Mitch together. She just wants to go to England and finally meet her grandparents, thinking they would greet her with open arms. Mitch was hoping for a reward so he could setup his own photography studio. As they travel from California to New York and then to England, they have some adventures and find what they were looking for was with them all the time...each other. A nice story with characters you want to root for. I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
April 14, 2025
Surprisingly sweet. I'm not a huge fan of fiction set in the 19th century American west (no real reason; just doesn't appeal to me), but this was a good read.
FMC's parents were English; her mother, the daughter of a duke, married to disoblige her parents, and she and her husband moved to America. At the beginning of the novel, the FMC has lost both her parents and is living by herself in the vicinity of Yosemite.
MMC is the illegitimate son of a New York City actress and is a Union veteran. He's an aspiring photographer spending his summer in the wilderness doing idk what to earn money to purchase his own photography studio when he stumbles across the FMC.
She asks him to take her back to her grandparents in England to fulfil her father's dying wish, and off they go.
They have adventures, fall in love, and overcome obstacles, followed by a very happy ending.
FMC's parents were English; her mother, the daughter of a duke, married to disoblige her parents, and she and her husband moved to America. At the beginning of the novel, the FMC has lost both her parents and is living by herself in the vicinity of Yosemite.
MMC is the illegitimate son of a New York City actress and is a Union veteran. He's an aspiring photographer spending his summer in the wilderness doing idk what to earn money to purchase his own photography studio when he stumbles across the FMC.
She asks him to take her back to her grandparents in England to fulfil her father's dying wish, and off they go.
They have adventures, fall in love, and overcome obstacles, followed by a very happy ending.
January 23, 2021
Sweet besotted hero, Mitch, who will do anything for Genny (she's also very likable)! So refreshing to read about a hero who is open with his feelings (after some turmoil in the first half of the story), confesses his love and trusts the heroine completely. There's lots of drama and obstacles, but that only make these two characters more endearing as they fight for each other.
An enjoyable light read.
An enjoyable light read.
September 14, 2023
Benny’s father made her promise before he died that she would go to England to meet her grandparents. She is spying on a photographer to see if he would be trustworthy when he sneaked up behind her and scared her. She fell off a cliff and broke her leg. He agreed to take her to England. He was in hopes of getting a reward for escorting her there. But the trip from California to London is quite long and expensive. Lots of things happen along the way. It is a delightful book.
June 23, 2017
Not Bad
Not sure how the title relates, but this was a good story. There were a couple of proofreading errors. (page 64 of 243) If there were more, then the story was so interesting they went unnoticed. I found the infrequent course language detracted from the story and possibly thrown in for effect. Without it I would have rated higher.
Not sure how the title relates, but this was a good story. There were a couple of proofreading errors. (page 64 of 243) If there were more, then the story was so interesting they went unnoticed. I found the infrequent course language detracted from the story and possibly thrown in for effect. Without it I would have rated higher.
July 31, 2017
If you like historical romance, then you MUST read this book. It's absolutely awesome. I loved it! Great characters, all of them. Great storyline, which was awesome from start to finish. This book is an example of great romance novel writing. It's got all the bells and whistles that you want in a book of this type. A great love story, that has an AWESOME ending!
March 19, 2018
Hmmm. Seem to be having a hard time finishing a book. Author tried to make heroine so innocent she ended up stupid. Couldn���t stand the high handed treatment of her, and her constant gullibility. Beginning in Yosemite was fun, it went downhill from there.
June 15, 2018
An enjoyable read from beginning to end
Genny is a beautiful heroine. Her Cinderella story has many twists and turns. The characters and the many twists make the story a worthwhile read.
Genny is a beautiful heroine. Her Cinderella story has many twists and turns. The characters and the many twists make the story a worthwhile read.
March 5, 2019
Had a happy ending and I enjoyed it despite getting impatient with the heroine for being so naive about half way through the book! But then I do enjoy a sappy romance every once in awhile. And because Georgette Heyer is no longer writing her superb Regency Romances.
October 31, 2022
I actually enjoyed this story. The characters were believable and the storyline was a little different from the normal romance genre. Whilst I am definitely not a prude I found the sex scenes not only a bit over the top but also out of sync with Genny's naivete. Overall a good fun read.
March 2, 2023
A quick read. Less satisfying than some of this authors works but there is enough strength in the characters to enjoy the story. The will he/she won’t he/she fall in love came very early on so was a bit tedious in getting there.
June 21, 2017
Great read
Wonderful book.....this lady can write. I couldn't put it down, but it's late so I'll go to bed now. Goodnight
Wonderful book.....this lady can write. I couldn't put it down, but it's late so I'll go to bed now. Goodnight
June 22, 2017
A nice sexy fairy tale. After writing this review, I may probably forget I have ever read it. It is one of those things that fit into the cliche "it was good while it lasted" and leave it at that.
June 22, 2017
Kinda boring
Sorry I read the beginning and the end that's all I could stand , there wasn't enough in the middle to keep me interested. I only read the ending because I was curious
Sorry I read the beginning and the end that's all I could stand , there wasn't enough in the middle to keep me interested. I only read the ending because I was curious
June 26, 2017
Super cute.
June 29, 2017
I chose this title because of its beautiful cover. A sweet innocent young gal living in the wilderness meets a rugged mountain man type to help her trek across land and ocean to get to England
September 21, 2018
Good story
But I aS disappointed with the authors use of The Lords name in vain. Really did not need the sex scenes.
But I aS disappointed with the authors use of The Lords name in vain. Really did not need the sex scenes.
October 3, 2019
Felt preposterous to me.
January 16, 2021
Hilariously good fun
August 25, 2021
Love this across country love story
I like that the story went all the way across the United States and even to Europe. Good news for lovers.
I like that the story went all the way across the United States and even to Europe. Good news for lovers.
October 4, 2015
3.5 stars
(Under Construction)
Generally this historical romance wasn't bad but I had different expectations and was a little disappointed because my expectations weren't fulfilled. Before purchasing (or in this case pre-ordering) this novel I haven't read the description and therefore didn't knew anything about the story. So I cannot recommend this novel nor can I do the opposite it definitely depends on what the reader likes or dislikes.
So what did I expect and what did I get.
I didn't knew this story is set in the United States (only a short part is set in England and one cannot count this part because it is restricted to one house and didn't show the English society life that I like about HRs). And I'm not a fan of historicals set in the US, I haven't read one in years but remembered why I disliked them or rather never liked them as much as Regency England/Europe/Medieval HRs. I just missed the glamour and lifestyle of the English society or the atmosphere of good old Scotland. Sometimes people in "Behind a Lady's Smile" tried to behave like English peers but overall they didn't because all the characters in this book where of lower birth or in the case of our heroine never raised like a lady. So I missed some aspects I adore, the restrictions of society, the balls, etc.
A second aspect I am not a fan of are road trips and adventure setting in romances in general and this definitely was very adventurous. Most of the time the characters are travelling and at some point even a robbery was involved.
Although it was a good idea to skip bigger parts of the heroine's and hero's journey because nothing happened (the novel was long enough and sadly I felt its length) it was a bad thing at the same time because the relationship of the characters never moved forward in the time periods we never saw which is pretty unbelievable. It was as like we skipped weeks of travelling where the characters never talked or did anything to get to know each other. (They knew each other for one day, our heroine was hurt and our hero stayed with her (alone in a single room hut) and than the story skipped some weeks forward and they were still strangers... really?) I never thought that I missed something but although the characters knew each other for weeks or months it felt as if they only knew each other for days and so the relationship felt rushed. Otherwise I would have thought "Well, maybe they fell in love in the times we as a reader never saw" but sadly this wasn't the case.
And additionally in my eyes the story was pretty unbelievable. In my eyes there were many plot holes or things that weren't fully explained. Why did her father lived with her somewhere between nowhere and even bigger nowhere? And her grandmothers reaction was unbelievable too.
(Under Construction)
Generally this historical romance wasn't bad but I had different expectations and was a little disappointed because my expectations weren't fulfilled. Before purchasing (or in this case pre-ordering) this novel I haven't read the description and therefore didn't knew anything about the story. So I cannot recommend this novel nor can I do the opposite it definitely depends on what the reader likes or dislikes.
So what did I expect and what did I get.
I didn't knew this story is set in the United States (only a short part is set in England and one cannot count this part because it is restricted to one house and didn't show the English society life that I like about HRs). And I'm not a fan of historicals set in the US, I haven't read one in years but remembered why I disliked them or rather never liked them as much as Regency England/Europe/Medieval HRs. I just missed the glamour and lifestyle of the English society or the atmosphere of good old Scotland. Sometimes people in "Behind a Lady's Smile" tried to behave like English peers but overall they didn't because all the characters in this book where of lower birth or in the case of our heroine never raised like a lady. So I missed some aspects I adore, the restrictions of society, the balls, etc.
A second aspect I am not a fan of are road trips and adventure setting in romances in general and this definitely was very adventurous. Most of the time the characters are travelling and at some point even a robbery was involved.
Although it was a good idea to skip bigger parts of the heroine's and hero's journey because nothing happened (the novel was long enough and sadly I felt its length) it was a bad thing at the same time because the relationship of the characters never moved forward in the time periods we never saw which is pretty unbelievable. It was as like we skipped weeks of travelling where the characters never talked or did anything to get to know each other. (They knew each other for one day, our heroine was hurt and our hero stayed with her (alone in a single room hut) and than the story skipped some weeks forward and they were still strangers... really?) I never thought that I missed something but although the characters knew each other for weeks or months it felt as if they only knew each other for days and so the relationship felt rushed. Otherwise I would have thought "Well, maybe they fell in love in the times we as a reader never saw" but sadly this wasn't the case.
And additionally in my eyes the story was pretty unbelievable. In my eyes there were many plot holes or things that weren't fully explained. Why did her father lived with her somewhere between nowhere and even bigger nowhere? And her grandmothers reaction was unbelievable too.
September 16, 2015
The gorgeous cover for BEHIND A LADY’S SMILE grabbed my attention right away, and the content is just as wonderful! I had read and loved Ms. Goodger’s previous book, and BEHIND A LADY’S SMILE strengthens my opinion of the author.
Since her father’s death 8 months ago, Genevieve "Genny" Hayes has lived all alone in a cabin in the woods near Yosemite. She has seen a man about, and now she is watching him: he’s Mitch Campbell, who is with a team for the United States Geological Survey. Mitch dreams of opening a photographer’s studio in New York. But Mitch sees Genny, and inadvertently scares her, and things literally go downhill from there: Genny hurts herself, and Mitch takes care of her because he feels responsible, which in a way he is. Genny also happens to mention that she is the granddaughter of a duke; even though she has no idea what it means. Mitch knows it could mean a lot of money, and he could open his studio, and so on their way to England they go.
BEHIND A LADY’S SMILE is one of the most enchanting books I have ever read! The story is clever, Genny is absolutely charming and Mitch is very engaging as well. I also like that it’s a Victorian romance set in the American West. I could not say enough about Ms. Goodger’s writing: the story is different, the characters unusual, the pacing is perfect, the prose is lyrical and very descriptive. The author’s attention to detail is simply spectacular: she makes a bygone era come alive with her vivid descriptions, and character development is stellar. The dialogues are also a high point: Genny’s speech is distinctively English, due to her father’s education, while Mitch’s is American, and the author pays particular attention to the differences.
I loved how the romance slowly progressed, and even though Mitch is completely captivated by the sweet and naïve Genny, he behaves like a gentleman, even though it tries his patience. The adventures they experience are highly entertaining and entirely plausible. BEHIND A LADY’S SMILE is book one of Jane Goodger’s new series, Lost Heiresses, and I can hardly wait until the second instalment comes out. Perfectly delightful!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Since her father’s death 8 months ago, Genevieve "Genny" Hayes has lived all alone in a cabin in the woods near Yosemite. She has seen a man about, and now she is watching him: he’s Mitch Campbell, who is with a team for the United States Geological Survey. Mitch dreams of opening a photographer’s studio in New York. But Mitch sees Genny, and inadvertently scares her, and things literally go downhill from there: Genny hurts herself, and Mitch takes care of her because he feels responsible, which in a way he is. Genny also happens to mention that she is the granddaughter of a duke; even though she has no idea what it means. Mitch knows it could mean a lot of money, and he could open his studio, and so on their way to England they go.
BEHIND A LADY’S SMILE is one of the most enchanting books I have ever read! The story is clever, Genny is absolutely charming and Mitch is very engaging as well. I also like that it’s a Victorian romance set in the American West. I could not say enough about Ms. Goodger’s writing: the story is different, the characters unusual, the pacing is perfect, the prose is lyrical and very descriptive. The author’s attention to detail is simply spectacular: she makes a bygone era come alive with her vivid descriptions, and character development is stellar. The dialogues are also a high point: Genny’s speech is distinctively English, due to her father’s education, while Mitch’s is American, and the author pays particular attention to the differences.
I loved how the romance slowly progressed, and even though Mitch is completely captivated by the sweet and naïve Genny, he behaves like a gentleman, even though it tries his patience. The adventures they experience are highly entertaining and entirely plausible. BEHIND A LADY’S SMILE is book one of Jane Goodger’s new series, Lost Heiresses, and I can hardly wait until the second instalment comes out. Perfectly delightful!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2015
I received a complimentary book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Jane Goodger is a wonderful author who writes historical books that take place in the West. I read very few historical fiction boks but I always enjoy a good romantic Western. This genre appeals to me because the women are very independent and often act like women do in modern times. This book, in particular, takes place in the West during Victorian times.
In this story, Genevieve Hayes is all alone in her cabin in Yosemite after her parents both die. Her father, who is the last to die, requests that Genny go to England and move in with her aristocratic grandparents (her grandfather is a Duke). However, since she lives in the forest , away from most people, she never sees anyone who can help her accomplish this goal.
Eventually, whe meets Mitch Campbell near her home while he is taking pictures for the United States Geological Survey. He accidentally knocks Genny over and she breaks her leg. She is able to convince Mitch to take her overseas to her grandparents because he hopes for a large reward that he use to open a photography studio in New York.
Ms. Goodger has done such a wonderful job of describing the scenery throughout the book that I actually feel that I am travelling with Genny and Mitch. Also, the characters are written with such depth and so many different dimensions that I feel that I personally know Genny and Mitch.
As I mentioned before, Western women are very different than women in other historical books. In fact, although Genny is written as a very naïve young girl, she is willing to take risks as she travels with Mitch to England. In spite of this, she is a very upbeat, positive character who makes friends wherever she goes.
Also, I always enjoy a book where the author gives the characters a chance to slowly fall in love. In this book, Ms. Goodger takes her time allowing the characters, strangers really, to realistically fall in love over time. It is enchanting to watch the characters grow and change.
This book is the beginning of a new series. Judging by the quality and enjoyment factor in this book, I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Jane Goodger is a wonderful author who writes historical books that take place in the West. I read very few historical fiction boks but I always enjoy a good romantic Western. This genre appeals to me because the women are very independent and often act like women do in modern times. This book, in particular, takes place in the West during Victorian times.
In this story, Genevieve Hayes is all alone in her cabin in Yosemite after her parents both die. Her father, who is the last to die, requests that Genny go to England and move in with her aristocratic grandparents (her grandfather is a Duke). However, since she lives in the forest , away from most people, she never sees anyone who can help her accomplish this goal.
Eventually, whe meets Mitch Campbell near her home while he is taking pictures for the United States Geological Survey. He accidentally knocks Genny over and she breaks her leg. She is able to convince Mitch to take her overseas to her grandparents because he hopes for a large reward that he use to open a photography studio in New York.
Ms. Goodger has done such a wonderful job of describing the scenery throughout the book that I actually feel that I am travelling with Genny and Mitch. Also, the characters are written with such depth and so many different dimensions that I feel that I personally know Genny and Mitch.
As I mentioned before, Western women are very different than women in other historical books. In fact, although Genny is written as a very naïve young girl, she is willing to take risks as she travels with Mitch to England. In spite of this, she is a very upbeat, positive character who makes friends wherever she goes.
Also, I always enjoy a book where the author gives the characters a chance to slowly fall in love. In this book, Ms. Goodger takes her time allowing the characters, strangers really, to realistically fall in love over time. It is enchanting to watch the characters grow and change.
This book is the beginning of a new series. Judging by the quality and enjoyment factor in this book, I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews