Veins of Gold

by Charlie N. Holmberg, Piper Goodeve (Narrator)

Desperate to save her siblings from poverty, a young woman discovers magic fueled by gold . . . and a love for the man who wields it.

Abandoned by their father for the gold rush, Gentry and her siblings labor to survive alone in the inhospitable west. When bizarre natural disasters begin wreaking havoc on the land, Gentry discovers a world of magic. Desperate for help, she accepts aid from a mysterious stranger.

Winn not only sees the magic, but controls its hunger by feeding it gold—the very thing Gentry’s father left to acquire. But the earth’s unrest only grows worse, and Gentry’s fear leads her to a terrible choice: marry a wealthy man she does not love, or trust in Winn’s unpredictable power to save her family.

Duration: 9 hours, 16 minutes

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Magic, Historical, Fiction

9 pages, Audiobook

First published July 17, 2018

About the author

Charlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of fantasy and romance fiction, including the Paper Magician series, the Spellbreaker series, and the Whimbrel House series, and writes contemporary romance under C. N. Holmberg. She is published in over twenty languages and is a Goodreads Choice Award, ALA, and RITA finalist. Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters who also have boy names. A BYU alumna, she discovered in her thirties that she’s actually a cat person. She lives with her family in Utah. Visit her at www.charlienholmberg.com.

Amazon: amzn.to/2BXoQNZ
Instagram: Instagram.com/cnholmberg
Facebook: Facebook.com/cnholmberg
Twitter: Twitter.com/cnholmberg

Reviews

[Charlie Holmberg]

If Studio Ghibli wrote a western, it might look something like this book.

Available on Kindle Unlimited! | https://amzn.to/3iejvRO

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book because I'm not exactly sure what it was.... To begin with we have the earth in rebellion because of all of the gold being removed because of the new mines and this "magic man" hits the scene who somehow knows how to use gold to pay for the use of magic and "restore balance" (somehow?). Mind you the area we're talking about is hundreds of miles from the epicenter of the gold rush so why would the author set this story in the desert of Utah? Then we have three desperately impoverished siblings abandoned by the father who suffer one disaster after another, apparently at the hand of this "rebellious earth". Why them? What does the earth have against them in particular? Never explained but of course the "magic man" helps them and falls in love with the oldest sister. And we spend SO MUCH TIME on these many disasters and how damned desperate their situation is. So much so that when their situation FINALLY breaks, it's almost anticlimactic that Gentry accepts the rich neighbor's marriage proposal just to save her family (but of course she didn't sell the damn necklace first!!). The problem with the whole thing is that the author stretched the build up to this point SO LONG that it was obvious what would happen. Then she fixed every problem the family ever had, gave Gentry magic, found Winn's father (and who really cared), and fixed the Earth in the last 20 pages. And we never did find Gentry's father. In other words, this book seemed very strangely structured and I don't think it really knew what story it wanted to tell. I got to the end and said, "Yeah, so?".

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - English Ebook 🦋🦋🦋
Wild magic. Gentry is left behind with her younger brother and sister as her father leaves for the gold fields. They Just get by. Sometimes with hunger in her Belly’s. Then she meets Winn, and wild magic. And the world is different. I loved the interaction in between Winn and Gentry. It is difficult to make choices. Surely if you are responible for siblings. Loved this story. 🌹🌹🌹

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was not a bad story, I felt like the characters were a bit to perfect to be believed.

The cover however was the perfect fit of what you would expect to find in the book.


Happy Reading 📚📓📗📘📒📓📗📙📕📚📓📗📘📒📔📗📓📒📚📙📕📗📘📒📖

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is not what I was expecting at all. With a slightly depressing beginning, Gentry and her siblings, Rooster and Pearl, are trying to survive after their father leaves for the gold rush. In a wonderful and shocking mix of rich Western history, romance, and magic, the book really comes alive and captivated me from then on out.

The desperation rolls off of the pages through Gentry's character, as her family's struggles were realistic. I loved the characters--their relationships and emotions were gripping, and I especially enjoyed the friendship and bond they share with Hannah, a Mormon second wife, who has an interesting tie to their family.

The way the magic is tied to the story really invested me and had me curious. It really adds a unique element to a typical historical that sets it above and apart from the rest.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good historical fiction, but the magic system didn’t really fit, for me anyway. The pacing was pretty slow too. Enjoyable

[M R · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone from Utah, it was great to see the rich history of the place depicted without so many of the negative stereotypes associated with the wild west. Charlie Holmberg paints an accurate picture of the hard circumstances many early settlers in the area faced while weaving in a magic system that fit the wild feel of the area. As a fan of Miyazaki's films, I enjoyed the weird bird transformation magic and the shapeless beings that inhabited this little town. Very cool!
The romance was sweet and I like how flawed both characters were. Gentry is a little too self-sacrificing for my tastes at time, but I like how even her siblings pointed out how ridiculous she was being. The father's abandonment caused a lot of problems and I loved seeing this little family come together to survive.
Add in magical disasters and a mysterious, helpful young man to create on of my favorite Holmberg books to date. This one was closer in style to Followed by Frost than her Paper Magician series, which made me very happy.

I'd definitely recommend for fans of unique magic systems and mythology combined with a feisty female protagonist and sweet romance.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the relationship between Gentry and Winn. Set in historical Utah, the author brings out clever details about the terrain, creating an intricate magic system based on the earth's minerals. VEINS OF GOLD is a fun, adventurous read with plenty of romance and mystery sprinkled in.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by the author, and I didn't really know what to expect, other than she had great reviews from reader friends and authors. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing, and was easily drawn into the story and its characters. I always enjoy a western setting, and the addition of the paranormal/magic element made it exciting and new, with lots of unknowns. It was a nice balance of 1800's reality and imaginative fantasy. Gentry is strong and devoted to her family, and their increasingly desperate circumstances worry her to the point of anxiety. She has support from the Mormon family who adopted her half brother, and they help keep her grounded and hopeful. Winn is charming and sweet, and Gentry doesn't quite know what to make of her new friend. There are themes of self-reliance, trust, grief, and forgiveness that brought depth to the story. The concept of gold mining and the effect it had on the spirit of the land was intriguing, and I liked the way the author wove in elements of a Native American tribe, the crickets, and the seagulls- nods to the rich history of Utah. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Cerena · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in the place where this book was set, and having been raised in the lands of what once was the wild west, reading this book felt a little like coming home. I grew up on stories about real life pioneers, settlers, and cowboys, so reading a story as elegantly told as this one was an adventure I didn't know I was ready for.

I loved Veins of Gold. It's a story about the struggle to survive and learning to trust. It's a story about survival and has probably one of the coolest magic systems I've read. (Seriously... if you're into nature this is totally the book for you) I fell in love with the characters, *ahem... Winn* and loved the story. It's a western that's not quite what you'd expect, with the kind of magic that makes you want to go camping and the kind of romance that has you turning pages.

Loved it!

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and although I read the book description, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I'm not sure what genre this one falls into because it's set in Utah during the California gold rush, but it has magical/fantasy elements to it, in addition to romance--maybe historical fantasy romance?

Gentry Abrams, and her younger siblings Rooster and Pearl, are left by their father to survive on their own, while he goes to California to work with a gold mining company, taking one of their horses and their savings with him. Rooster works part-time at their neighbor's farm while Gentry tries her best to stretch every penny they have. Gentry and Pearl travel to American Fork to sell their mom's china, but run in to unexpected trouble and are rescued by Winn, who is unlike anyone Gentry's ever met.

My favorite parts of this book are Gentry and Winn's friendship/romance. I also liked Gentry's friendship with Hannah, a second wife who lives in American Fork. When Gentry refuses her help, Hannah tells Gentry that she needs to humble herself because she's prideful. "But the reason God put more than one person on the earth is so we'd help each other."

Gentry is strong for only 20 years old, but Hannah is right--she tries to do everything by herself without help from others and refuses to let her siblings, especially 12 year old Pearl, see her cry over anything. She doesn't trust others to help them, which I understood reading about her mom's infidelity and then their father's abandonment. What kind of man leaves a 20, 17, and 12 year old in the desert of Utah to survive on their own? I really want to find out more of where he went and what happens to him.

I liked how the author wove some things from Mormon/Utah history in to the story, although it was slightly changed--the locusts and seagulls is a story most of us remember from Pioneer history. The characters are well developed and their interactions with each other and their reactions to their plight are realistic. I was extremely happy with the way it ended, because they all deserved better than what life had given them up to that point.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by this book. It has such a mix of elements that I was drawn by. Magic, the west, The Mormon pioneers, gold rush and romance. I thought that would be an amazing combination. This is a story about Gentry a woman who still feels like a girl. She has had some tough life events and is shell shocked by it all. This is a well written story revolving around her and falling in love and discovering magic. My biggest problem with the story is how few happy moments there were in the story. They were few and far between and didn't last long. The more I read the unhappier I became, it ended beautifully and the more I thought about it the more I realized it's like looking for gold. Lots of misery with bright spots of gold here and there. This is more of a YA novel, it has that feel. This is not a Christian book, the character struggles with God, she is not LDS or Mormon. I would just call it the very historically accurate portrayal of how people felt at the time.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly unique and I couldn’t put it down. I’ve never read of a Magic like the kind that lived in this tale. I was so intrigued by Winn and wanted to know more about him and the magic that he knew.

Gentry was fascinating as well. She was incredibly selfless and took it upon herself to care for her siblings with little to no help from anyone else. She wouldn’t trust others, and wouldn’t trust herself. And that led to a heartbreaking loss before she could come to terms with the love she felt for Winn.

I’ve enjoyed every Charlie Holmberg book that I’ve read, but I have to say, this one might be my favorite.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie has outdone herself again! I feel like each book is better than the last! I love reading but rarely have the time anymore and it can take weeks for me to finish a book... Not this time! I couldn't put this down and finished it in 2 days!

I love the era this was written in and the hidden magic in the real world. The main character Gentry is strong and smart and has to make tough decisions. At one point I was almost crying! This book is definitely worth reading! I think it feels more like Followed by Frost than the Paper Magician series but to me that's a good thing!

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I have been watching Charlie Holmberg's books come out for years. I've had them on my list but haven't read any. I read a lot of books, many are books that are review books. So in my desire to read her books, I unfortunately hadn't. Until this book. I was so excited to get a copy for review. This book was not anything like what I was expecting. Honestly, I don't know what I was expecting but I was very pleasantly surprised with how the magic of the story worked. I really enjoyed the world that the author builds to create magic within reality.

Gentry and her siblings are left to figure out how to survive when their father leaves them to go to California to the gold mines. Struggling to get by and doing all she can to make ends meet, Gentry begins to encounter different experiences with magic. She doesn't know what is happening at first but slowly starts to realize she isn't hallucinating or imagining these encounters.

The best part of these encounters is Winn. He keeps showing up at the right time and helping her. As he realizes that she can see the magic as well, he starts teaching her slowly about it and why all the disruptions from magic are happening. This is set in Utah and shows some fun history from the earlier settlers and pioneers there. There really isn't anything about religion in the book, just the mention of the Mormon (or LDS) settlers living there.

I loved the seagulls and the locusts within the story. Especially at the end when Gentry has a discovery. Amid all of the struggles that Gentry is faced with, she also must decide what her heart wants. She has two men vying for her attention and as she is trying to understand magic, her heart, life and take care of her family, she might have to sacrifice more than what she can handle.

Definitely a fun book for fans of Charlie Holmberg, newbie fans (like me), magic lovers (just very mild magic), and especially lovers of a great read. I really enjoyed the development of the characters and the story line, connecting everything together in this book. Grab a copy and be swept away by the magic and love.

Content: Clean. Magic that is very mild. Sweet romance that is very mild.

I received a review copy. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Book Geek Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of Charlie N. Holmberg’s books. She is a captivating writer with a wonderful imagination. While Veins of Gold is not my favorite of her books, it’s still a very good read.

The bad news first: The one thing that bothered me about this story is that there wasn’t quite enough of it. I would have loved to see more depth in all of the areas—more magic and more explanation of what and why; more romance and depth to the relationship between Gentry and Winn; the family issues and character interactions were good, but I wanted more of them.

That said, however, I did enjoy this story. It’s difficult for me to geek out about all the things I loved, without giving away spoilers. A good portion of the delight I found in this book came in watching things slowly unfold—and I don’t want to ruin that for anyone.

The writing is stellar. Holmberg weaves setting, dialog, and action seamlessly. I really felt I was part of this story. I loved the play on words in the title. (That shows up once we get into the story a bit.)

The characters of Gentry and her siblings were well-done. I also loved the “adopted” Mormon family and how they helped Gentry and her siblings. (There is no preaching in this book.) Winn was a little confusing, and I’d like to have seen more of him to understand him better.

I thought the magic system was very imaginative—the power of the earth, gold, and the magic in animals. It was believable to me that this world of magic could have once existed, and I felt sad that it doesn’t anymore.

I think the thing I loved most was Gentry’s journey to understand the earth magic. I loved Winn’s seagulls and his method of travel. And I love the way Gentry was able to bring resolution to Winn’s childhood trauma.

There are a couple of mild swear words. There is the violence of natural disaster, the effects of poverty, and a few punches, but it’s not bad. The romance is very clean.

I recommend Veins of Gold to readers, age 14+. Also to readers who like mixed-genres, or are already Charlie N. Holmberg fans. I give it 4.5 STARS.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in an alternative version of the early days of Utah's history with many places and stories that were familiar to me. I loved the way Ms Holmberg added magic to that history. Gentry and Winn were complex but united in caring for the people around them and it was great to see the chemistry between them. Gentry's brother and sister were great supportive characters as was the magic.
I loved this story and the way it made magic seem possible in our world while it was also a love story.
I received a free copy for review but I enjoyed it enough to also purchase a copy for my library.

[Lacey Conrad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love books which include magic, but this one was sort of out of left field. It didn’t seem to have much substance to it. And as much as Gentry complained of stomach upset, I wish pepto bismol had been available. Also, the racism against the American Indian characters in the book was blatant and a bit difficult to swallow. I don’t care if it’s historically accurate-it’s a work of fiction. Don’t be racist. Id classify this as a romance-a slow, plodding bromance. Doesn’t make me want to read any more of her books.

[Little Timmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the Numia Trilogy and the Paper Magician series by this writer and several of her stand alone books. However this one just didn't do it for me. Much more a historical romance book with some slight fantasy thrown in. Not a bad book if you are really into her other writings but just not for me. Not recommended

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - English Ebook
Wild magic. Gentry is left behind with her younger brother and sister as her father leaves for the gold fields. They just get by. Some times with hunger in their belly's.
Than she meets Winn and wild magic.
And the world becomes different.

I loved the interaction between Winn and Gentry. It is difficult to make choices. Surely if you are responsible for your younger siblings. Loved this story

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am impressed. Charlie N. Holmberg has combined genres and created a wonderful book. This book contains some historical elements mixed with magic. She seamlessly brought them together to create a story that had a great feel to it.

One part that I particularly appreciated is that she made the earth a living entity. When you take away from part of the earth, balance needs to be restored in order to keep harmony. She also brought to life creatures that we normally dismiss. Even the locust has thoughts and can act. To me that was really cool, I loved it.

My favorite part was actually Gentry. She is a resilient young woman who had to grow up and take on responsibilities that she should have to worry about at a young age. I can't imagine living in a remote region during the pioneer times trying to feed and clothe a younger brother and sister with little to no resources. She is resilient. She was willing to give up the things that are important to her in order to take care of her family. She had friends who tried to help her see that it is OK to ask for help. We all need each other and that is why we are placed here, to help others in times of need.

The romance is sweet. Winn was the perfect romantic interest for her. He helped her see the beauty of the earth and all he asked is that she trust him. That is a hard one for someone who thinks that she has to do everything herself.

This is a great book for teens on up. It is clean and magical. I felt that there was a little bit of a sad tone to the book, but it all works out in the end.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veins of Gold is the first novel I have read by this author. The book is set in Utah during the gold rush of the 1850’s. I would describe this novel as a historical fantasy (a new concept for me), as it contains an enjoyable blend of history and magic. I was surprised (in a good way) by the way the author has used magic in her world, or rather more accurately, ascribed magic to the natural world. Her description of magic and the way in which the characters use it is very unique and I found it to be detailed and fun. The story line, while sad at times, is believable and true to the way life goes probably more often than we like to think about. However, this story has a lovely, joy filled ending (my favorite kind), and I believe teaches the importance of trusting those who have stood by us when times are hard, and having faith even when a good outcome seems impossible to achieve.
The characters were amusing and the relationship and interaction between them was believable and well developed. I love the moment when the main character, Gentry, realizes that God has blessed her with many people who care and support her, and that she should not dismiss their true affection simply because they are not a blood relation. Though this historical period is NOT my personal favorite (early 1800’s or 1900’s us my preferred literary milieu), I quite enjoyed reading this new take on magic. If you enjoy historical fiction particularly with an unexpected twist, you should give this book a try.

[Daphne Tatum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall impression: A vividly imagined historical fantasy set during the great gold rush, Veins of Gold serves up a swoon-worthy love interest, a determined heroine, and lots of magical adventure.

Perfect for:
– readers who love fantasy mixed with romance
– readers who enjoy fantastical magic
– readers who enjoy alternate historical fantasies

Charlie Holmberg is one of my auto-buy authors for a reason: I can always count on a fun read with an intriguing and original magic system, a sweet romance, and a heroine I can root for. Veins of Gold is no exception. Gentry Abrams is plucky and determined, trying to carve a decent life for herself and her siblings after her father leaves them to join the gold rush.

Enter Winn, a stranger with mysterious magical powers tied to gold...a stranger who quickly becomes a friend, and then more. Of course, while a ridiculously appealing, magic-wielding young man offers all the adventure and romance a gutsy heroine could want, he can't offer the one thing Gentry needs: stability for her family.

Set in the middle of Utah Territory, the harsh living conditions contrast beautifully with Winn's magic. Holmberg's lush imagery brings the setting to life and easily transports the reader into that world. The magic in this particular story is somewhat more fantastical than in Holmberg's other books (such as The Paper Magician), but it's just as enchanting.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book incorporated so many interesting dynamics. It was a little bit history- set during the time of the California gold rush but the characters were in Utah. It was also magical, which twisted the story around and made it far from a historical novel. I loved the earthy feel that weaved itself into everything and everyone. The land, animals and people were all connected and it was cool. The author took something that I'm familiar with and turned it into something full of imagination.

I really think the best word I can use to describe this book is interesting. I was so interested in knowing where this book was going and where it would end up. When I had to put it down, I was thinking about it, anxious to get back and see what would come next. I like when that happens!

This is actually the first book I've read by this author. I have a couple of her books, but haven't read them yet. I'll have to remedy that soon!

Oh! And one more thing. I love when a cover is a perfect representation of the story inside. This is cover is exactly that. And it's pretty too. :)

Content: A couple instances of mild swearing, mention of a mother's infidelity.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked "Veins of Gold" for its mix of genres. It is set in Utah in the middle of the 19th century, however, I would rather describe it as a fairy tale / fantasy novel. Especially the beginning reminded me of fairy tales. I also enjoyed how characters where presented and I would love to know how they'll fare in the future: Gentry is a very loveable character and the magic presented in their world is quite different to what one is used to. If you like Charlie's writing style (and e.g. The Paper Magician series), read this book. I read the book in less than three hours, so just invest a bit of time and dream yourself to Utha (where I've never been in contrast to all the other nice reviews).

[Laura Paulsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Charlie N. Holmbergs style of alternate historical fiction. (Is that a genre? Historical fiction in our history, just in an alternate universe or something?). I was sucked in from the beginning. The writing brings the book to life, while creating new worlds. Don't start this book when you have plans in the next few hours- you'll be sorry when you have to put it down and go do something else. But definitely read this one!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So unique!
The part of the blurb “if Studio Ghiblie wrote a western” gave an aspect I definitely enjoyed!!
This wasn’t my absolute fave of Charlie’s so far but there were so many things I loved too! It wasn’t… written as well in some ways, rounded out maybe?
But overall, I liked it!

[Evangeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in a giveaway hosted by Erin Summerill.

This book. The magic system. These characters.
I loved everything about this book and I really don’t have any complaints at all. I could not put it down and finished it in less than a day.

Gentry’s struggle to keep her family alive was so tragic and beautiful to read about. Her fierce love for them was so inspiring and really paints a picture for what women had to do for their families in those times. It really makes you thankful for how lucky we are today in America.

The magic was so unique and cool! I’ve never read anything like it and I just loved it. How the author came up with it I don’t know but wow. *applause*

I’m not usually a huge fan of romance but Gentry and Winn’s story was too cute not to love and they worked so well together. We need more relationships like theirs in YA lit.

All of the characters were actually the sweetest and I loved them all? That literally never happens for me but the only one I couldn’t stand was their dad.
Pearl and Rooster were both supportive and heartwarming, Winn was mysterious and charming, Hannah was the sweetest person to exist, and as mentioned before Gentry was strong and a huge inspiration.

This was probably my favorite book I read this month and I need to go check out the other books by this author!

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Charlie's books. I was so excited to read Veins of Gold and it was an excellent read. Gentry is a wonderful caretaker to her siblings and is faced with a lot once her father leaves for the gold rush and takes on the stresses that come with caring for a family on her own. Gentry keeps having strange encounters with wild magic and is thrown into that world. I really liked Gentry's character. She is faced with some tough choices. Pearl and Rooster were both fantastic. Pearl is a doll and Winn immediately stole the show for me. He was so intriguing and has a heart of gold. (No pun intended:)

Veins of Gold is full of mysterious magic and adventure. A great read!

[Lorieah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little confused by this book at first. Mormon/pioneer history mixed with magic, romance, and...the Gold Rush? But I was quickly engaged and couldn't put it down until I finished. Well written, a little heart-breaking, and an interesting twist on some well-known stories made this a fun and interesting read.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and I would gladly read another book by this author.