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Wyoming, 1902 - Ranch foreman Charlie Welch suspects his boss's daughter has returned home with purely selfish motives - she wants money.

After being estranged from her father for years, Opal Bright hopes her homecoming will result in both reconciliation and a solution to help the orphanage she sponsors back home in Omaha.

When Charlie and Opal find themselves mixed up with a ragtag group of bandits and trapped in an abandoned gold mine, they must risk everything to survive... including their hearts.

198 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2011

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1003 people want to read

About the author

Lacy Williams

192 books1,285 followers
Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

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5 stars
713 (40%)
4 stars
440 (25%)
3 stars
388 (22%)
2 stars
154 (8%)
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49 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
Profile Image for Kristina Hall.
Author 19 books433 followers
May 21, 2023
A quick historical romance read!

This is the first book I've read by Lacy Williams, and I enjoyed her writing style.

Tom and Ida were both well-drawn, sympathetic characters. I do believe they'd been featured as side characters in a previous book since they had a lot of interesting backstory that was explained enough that I didn't feel lost. There were a lot of side characters to keep up with for such a short book though, but I caught on pretty quickly to who everyone was.

Plenty of drama, romance, and some action kept me flipping electronic pages. I didn't like how Tom's bad childhood was used as an excuse for his sins/crimes, and I wasn't a fan of Ida kissing on him when he was an unbeliever or the bit of "good girl saves bad boy" that sneaked in. I did appreciate that Lacy Williams kept both the language and romance clean.

Overall, Heart of Gold was an entertaining book that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and historical romance.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the author/publisher through Celebrate Lit. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Profile Image for Misfit.
1,638 reviews353 followers
October 23, 2012
Like other reviewers have noted, this is a rather sweet love story set in 1902 Wyoming. A bit of a misunderstanding, crossed purposes and a scary night hiding out from the bad guys. The storyline is promising, but not well fleshed out, and well...needs to be longer and the characters better developed. Opal's a bit too much of a Mary-Sue, Charlie is just too busy getting the wrong impression from everything Opal says and as for the bad guys? There are better ways to tell me they're bad than to keep using scoundrels and cutthroats.

I picked this up free on Kindle, but I'd have been a bit upset if it had come out of pocket. Not a bad book by any stretch, but there just isn't enough substance here for me to rate it higher.
Profile Image for Anne.
502 reviews610 followers
October 11, 2014
I never know what to rate short stories and novellas. 1-2 stars seems fitting since it's such a short work, but it gives the impression that I didn't like it. 3 feels too mediocre, and 4-5 feels like it's too high. So, take this rating as "4-stars-really-good-novella" :)

Heart of Gold was a really fun story! Everything was super improbable and the romance totally unbelievable, but I quite enjoyed it anyways. Opal has traveled to her father's ranch hoping to get more money/gold to help with the finances of the orphanage she's working at, but because of a past feud they have trouble understanding each other. Her traveling escort is Charlie, who works for Opal's father and is like a son to him, and he and Opal are mutually attracted to each other from the beginning. When Opal accidentally states out loud that she's looking for gold, she attracts the undue attention of ruffians, who will stop at nothing to try and get the gold.

A very lively, adventurous story with a cute romance intertwined. To be taken with a grain of slat, however, since half the things that happen weren't plausible. Charlie wouldn't be hit by a bullet one moment, and riding ventre à terre the next. Nor would Opal's cat survive a whole journey shut up in a hatbox without any oxygen. And Opal and Charlie wouldn't make out in a cave without a thought as to the consequences. But all in all, if you're ready to accept highly improbable circumstances, it was a very enjoyable short story.
Profile Image for Melissa Lee.
402 reviews40 followers
October 7, 2015
Rating: 2.5/5

The pain of being sent away by her father to live with an aunt, as a child still runs deep for Opal. Now a young woman, she finds comfort in helping out at an orphanage. However the doors to the struggling orphanage may close for good due to lack of funds, so Opal takes it upon herself to get the money needed. She travels from Omaha to her father’s secluded ranch in Wyoming expecting gold. Set in 1902, this novella also follows the point of view of Charlie a ranch hand who is enlisted by his boss (Opal’s father) to make sure she stays with them. Danger and romance ensues.

A few points of interest I found in Heart of Gold, was in the time period and Opal’s personality. I love to read about the early 1900’s, especially when it involves places I’m not familiar with such as this setting of Wyoming. As for Opal’s personality, I was pleasantly surprised to find a female protagonist that was strong willed and feisty, not flighty and fragile. Unfortunately she came across as quite snobby at first but I believe that was due in part to lack of knowledge about the character. Another bonus was that fact that Charlie was a cowboy. Need I say more?

The first chapters in this novella were so fast paced, I felt that it was a bit rushed. In the end we do learn more about Opal and Charlie’s past, but it wasn’t enough for my liking. Perhaps it could have benefited from being just a tad bit longer, just to fill in some holes and give a better character development. I found it to be a decent past time, but not exactly memorable for me. In fact I had to go back over parts just to write up this review.

Although it didn’t resonate with me, I would recommend this book to people who enjoy fast paced romantic westerns. I would consider reading more from author Lacy Williams, but hopefully in a full length novel and not another short story.

For more of my reviews visit my blog:
http://mlsmanyreads.blogspot.ca/
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,215 reviews598 followers
March 31, 2016
3.5 stars

A sweet, quick read. There's danger, romance, and a good story. It was a pretty simple story, but that's not a bad thing in this case as I still enjoyed it. :)
Profile Image for Zury.
74 reviews5 followers
September 22, 2011
It was a cute short story with a slight sense of adventure. The story dances around a bit of romance between Charlie, a cowboy who works as a close partner and rancher to Frank, and Opal. Opal is now a woman on a mission: to visit her father as a last resort to help save her heartfelt desire of saving the children at the Orphanage back in Omaha. When she visits her father who sent her away to her aunt at such a young age, she can't help but still feel the resentment and abandonment all those years ago. Along the way, she meets her father's partner at the ranch, Charlie, who has a "Heart of Gold". Their romance is not evident in the beginning but hidden love and desire is definitely within themselves which eventually blossoms towards the end.

Like I said, it was a cute short story. A nice light read to pass the time or read before bed. Plus it was a freebie for the Kindle so why not?
Profile Image for Lacy Williams.
Author 192 books1,285 followers
Read
May 12, 2023
🎄🎄 Heart of Gold is available for pre-order. 🎄🎄

Check out this exclusive excerpt:



A tall tree stood sentinel behind the main residence. It even had a swing hanging from one high branch. How idyllic.
His heart leapt to see Ida on the porch. She was smiling at the deputy, a welcoming smile that made Tom’s gut twist in a way he’d never felt before.
Matty nudged him forward, and he took a step—or tried to. He’d forgotten for a moment about the leg irons, and what would’ve been his natural stride was tethered. He teetered for a moment before he caught his balance. He moved at an awkward shuffling gait that felt like a snail’s crawl.
By the time they reached the porch, he was flushed and sweating after the exertion.
“…some of the younger folks in town are getting together for a social early in the new year.” This from the young deputy who’d barely given Tom the time of day in that jail cell. Tom was surprised the man could string together that many words.
“Be a shame if you leave,” Tom said. “Hello, friend.” He winked at her as if he’d had a bath and a shave and they were meeting over a cup of cider at the social she wanted to attend.
Her smile slipped. It was slight, so slight that her brothers didn’t seem to notice. A half-step behind Tom, Matty murmured something about their mama.
Ida spoke to Tom. “You’re gray around the edges. That wagon was real comfortable, huh? You’d better come in and sit by the fire. I’ll grab you a cup of coffee.”
That was enough incentive for him.
“He’s not a guest,” the younger brother remarked in a tight voice. “You don’t have to wait on him.”
Ida glanced over her shoulder just before she passed through the doorway. “Of course he isn’t. But he’s injured and I have a duty to see that he’s healing.”
Her words were breezy as Tom rattled along behind her in his chains.
She brought him a steaming mug. She handed it to him as if he were a neighbor stopping by for a visit.
She was pretending.
She didn’t like him being here. He didn’t think she was afraid of him—he’d seen her toughness and fire out in the wilderness. But she was wary and uncomfortable.
She didn’t fool him with her smiles.


>> Pre-order now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZFQ7HDN
Profile Image for Cover Lover Book Review.
1,472 reviews87 followers
May 26, 2023
The Heart of Gold is a clean romance set in the Old West during Christmastime. The story centers on Ida, a woman who experienced a harrowing event, and Tom, the outlaw who saved her.

I don’t read a lot of westerns, but I just love a story of second chances! And normally an outlaw and a broken, frightened young woman wouldn’t make a favorable pair, but I rooted for them and hoped they’d find healing. Seeing beneath Tom’s veneer, I felt for him, and I connected with Ida and how she tried to appear brave and confident while her heart trembled.

With elements of acceptance, love, and forgiveness, this fast-paced redemption story is entertaining and expressive. I connected with the characters and enjoyed witnessing their growth.

First Line: Tom Seymore had never seen the inside of a jail cell before.
Series: Wind River Hearts book #17
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Author: Lacy Williams
Page Count: 198

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,885 reviews209 followers
June 9, 2023
Heart of Gold is a novella that is book seventeen in the Wind River Hearts series. You can probably pick it up and read it on its own, however, reading the book directly before this one helps set the stage for Heart of Gold. The book directly before this one is Christmas Homecoming.

I really enjoyed seeing Ida’s large extended family again. It was eye opening to realize the way that Tom Seymour had been treated as he was raised by his outlaw brothers. It was no surprise that they had wielded such control over him and influenced him in bad ways. But could it be possible for Tom to make a life change, learn about God’s love, and be influenced by Ida and her family?

This was a quick and enjoyable story that had some good romantic tension between Ida and Tom, as well as plenty of regular tension from all of Ida’s brothers as they watched out for her interests and made sure that Tom understood that they did not care for him and the bad choices that he had made in life.

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

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Judy.
3,290 reviews
February 14, 2014
Opal Bright comes to see her father for the first time since she turned six and was sent to live with her aunt in Omaha. She seen that gold was found and needed money to keep an orphanage open. Ends up there was no gold.

Charlie is the foreman on the ranch and Opal sees where her dad treats him more like a son. Both Opal and Frank are too stubborn to sit and talk things out.

When Charlie picked her up at the train station Opal announced loudly that she came for the gold, which immediately brought three scruffy guys chasing them for the gold. Charlie has promised to protect Opal for Frank, but the closeness is making him wish for something more lasting.

Just a short story but sweet. I am looking forward to reading her full size historical novel: Marrying Miss Marshal,



http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
Profile Image for Maggie Phillippi.
Author 2 books4 followers
February 13, 2012
This was a short story I downloaded for free.

I did like it. The excitement over being chased by bandits was fun. I thought the pet names Charlie kept trying to give Opal were hilarious.

I just couldn’t get past how rushed the romance was. I never did believe they fell in love. A lot of the feelings and thoughts were repeated as well. This either should have been a full length novel or some of the other elements should have been removed to make it simpler and allow for more character development.

If this novella ever gets turned into a full length novel, I will be one of the first people to buy!
Profile Image for Lucy.
1,166 reviews118 followers
May 18, 2023
Although this is part of a series I was able to read as an enjoyable stand-alone. It is a quick read but has a lot of action and romance packed into the setting of the old West. Miracles still happen at Christmas and this redemptive story shows that no matter how far we go we can still choose to do the right thing. Choices dictate destiny and Tom has a destiny he couldn’t imagine but God has a plan. I loved Ida and her boisterous family. A well rounded read that you can read in one setting.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Profile Image for JoAnn J. A.  Jordan.
333 reviews68 followers
August 10, 2011
This is a delightful romance with a bit of danger thrown in. Charlie and Opal have no intention of falling in love, but their misadventures bring them together in tempting ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short book, and though I don't usually read romances, I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Susan.
73 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2011
Just a short story, but I really this book. The characters were quite engaging and I would have enjoyed staying with them for a full-length novel.
Profile Image for EJ Johnson.
370 reviews
February 16, 2025
I read this for a light read between books with much heavier topics. I was free from the Author during Christmas time when she organized a gift book giveaway daily from 2o + different authors.
I have read a couple of the free books and they were ok. This is definitely the best so far. It is part of the series and I haven't read any of the others so I was sure I was missing lots of back stories. It was also a small book maybe more of a novella. I enjoyed the characters, the family dynamics of the main woman and the romance. It was better written than most light Christian reads. I'll probably look for more books by this author.
13 reviews
October 4, 2025
wind River Legacy series

I just finished this book and sure hope there will be more in this series! I’ve read most of the books in the series and couldn’t put each of the books down! I didn’t realize I was only missing a couple in my library on kindle. So I started from the beginning, and reread a couple, until I read the whole series! All the books were so good, kept you entertained, were well written. Lacy Williams is now one of my favorite authors! I’m checking now to see how many other of her books I have in my library so I can read more!
1,288 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2024
Short read. Had all the makings of a good outlaw story. Robbing a train and getting injured was not Tom's plan. His brothers were still on the loose. But he spent time with Ida's huge family over Christmas and longed for a life like that. He'd never experienced love like that. Tom's brothers found him though and Tom and Ida were on the run to hide from them. It had all the makings of a good second chance story for Tom. It took a while, but he got his happily ever after dream.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 23 books140 followers
December 29, 2024
The love story between Ida and Tom is filled with roadblocks. Ida's family and Ted's outlaw past with his brothers make him not a great candidate for a relationship. The author has woven a story of hardship, family ties, and redemption.

I enjoyed seeing the many layers of the main characters and came to know them well. Ted still surprised me in the ending, which wrapped everything up nicely.
Profile Image for Marielly Alvarez.
32 reviews
May 28, 2024
Intriguing

This short novella was very intriguing and a clean romance. I enjoyed every part of it. It's got my attention. This is a read that I couldn't put down as short as it was.
145 reviews
December 26, 2024
Unexpected

His brothers have stolen & hurt too many to count. He has riden with them without any choice. She is a nurse & has multiple family who are lawmen. Can these two have a future.
2,092 reviews19 followers
December 27, 2024
I liked it

I enjoyed the fact that the story continues from before. The characters are really well done, you can feel the family bonds. I always applaud a change or growth in character. This book does it well. Little increments throughout. A great ending. Makes you want more.
Profile Image for MileHighSunshine.
366 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2025
Excellent book!

You’ll love reading this book. It comes from a different perspective than I’ve ever read. The characters are very well written and the landscape descriptions beautiful.
Profile Image for Joy Harris.
144 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2024
Well-written but predictable. They start out disliking each other and end up in love. The plot moved quickly and I liked it.
Profile Image for Jane Weiler.
148 reviews
December 27, 2024
The right path

An enjoyable story of homesteading law enforcement of the old west with love in the mix.
You will enjoy this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews

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