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Come Forth As Gold
Book one of The Gold Series . . .
1945. World War II has come to an end. But the battle for a young boy's future is just beginning.
The small, dusty town of Goldfield, Nevada, is all that thirteen-year-old Claude Fisher has ever known. The youngest of three brothers, he spends his days running wild across the desert with his best friend and neighbor, Kitty Ralph. Despite Kitty’s tumultuous home life, they are happy and carefree. Life stretches before them like the flat plains of the desert they call home.
On the cusp of young adulthood, Claude is convinced that their friendship will someday turn into more. But one tranquil autumn evening, tragedy strikes, and suddenly Claude is left holding the pieces of a broken life.
Stripped of his best friend, Claude’s faith in the God he was raised to trust is shattered. As he navigates a future he didn’t expect, Claude wrestles to make sense of it all. Why does a sovereign God permit tragedy to happen? Is the sinner worthy of forgiveness? And will he ever find hope again after losing the girl he loved?
A sweeping tale of love, loss, and the renewal of faith in the face of tragedy.
1945. World War II has come to an end. But the battle for a young boy's future is just beginning.
The small, dusty town of Goldfield, Nevada, is all that thirteen-year-old Claude Fisher has ever known. The youngest of three brothers, he spends his days running wild across the desert with his best friend and neighbor, Kitty Ralph. Despite Kitty’s tumultuous home life, they are happy and carefree. Life stretches before them like the flat plains of the desert they call home.
On the cusp of young adulthood, Claude is convinced that their friendship will someday turn into more. But one tranquil autumn evening, tragedy strikes, and suddenly Claude is left holding the pieces of a broken life.
Stripped of his best friend, Claude’s faith in the God he was raised to trust is shattered. As he navigates a future he didn’t expect, Claude wrestles to make sense of it all. Why does a sovereign God permit tragedy to happen? Is the sinner worthy of forgiveness? And will he ever find hope again after losing the girl he loved?
A sweeping tale of love, loss, and the renewal of faith in the face of tragedy.
314 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2022
92 people are currently reading
1215 people want to read
About the author
Erica Dansereau
5 books222 followersErica Dansereau is an award-winning author known for her compelling storytelling and exploration of faith. She currently resides in Idaho with her husband and children. Aside from reading and writing books, Erica loves spending quality time with her family and friends, embarking on new adventures, and savoring a nice cup of coffee or tea.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 28, 2023
Wow. Where to begin?
Claude Fisher is such a likeable and relatable character. He’s just a typical kid growing up in Nevada, but he’s been dealt a heavy blow in life. Same with his best friend Kitty Ralph. Gosh, their friendship… I don’t think I’ve ever read anything more pure and sweet. Claude’s love and dedication to his friend reminds me a lot of Frederick in Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes (my favorite book!)
Okay, so this story was literal gold (pun intended). There was so much truth and beauty, and my heart hurt a ton. And that epilogue? I just about felt my chest crack open and I wanted to weep.
Erica, if you’re reading this, you have a serious gift for storytelling. I loved, LOVED, this story, and I eagerly anticipate whatever you write next! This comes out as one of my top favorite reads of the year!
Update:
This book comes out as one of my top favorites of all time! Just sayin’ :)
Claude Fisher is such a likeable and relatable character. He’s just a typical kid growing up in Nevada, but he’s been dealt a heavy blow in life. Same with his best friend Kitty Ralph. Gosh, their friendship… I don’t think I’ve ever read anything more pure and sweet. Claude’s love and dedication to his friend reminds me a lot of Frederick in Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes (my favorite book!)
Okay, so this story was literal gold (pun intended). There was so much truth and beauty, and my heart hurt a ton. And that epilogue? I just about felt my chest crack open and I wanted to weep.
Erica, if you’re reading this, you have a serious gift for storytelling. I loved, LOVED, this story, and I eagerly anticipate whatever you write next! This comes out as one of my top favorite reads of the year!
Update:
This book comes out as one of my top favorites of all time! Just sayin’ :)
June 14, 2022
"We’ve never been promised a life without darkness, but we have been given hope that one day all darkness will be replaced with light."
Another reviewer said this book was like if Peace Like a River and The Notebook had a baby, and that's EXACTLY IT.
EXCEPT Come Forth As Gold is also Christian, and that makes all the difference (seeing as I didn't like either of those books because they weren't and were therefore depressing😆).
Erica Dansereau's writing is superb, and should be getting widespread attention. The book was character driven and on the slow side, but it was designed to be on the slow side, so that's not a flaw. I would have like to see Claude and Kitty talk together about faith sooner, but it was enough to see his own faith grow throughout the book. The characters all felt realistic, the writing gentle, the characters likeable, and the gospel clear. I liked the ebb and flow as relationships drifted and strengthened in turn through different life phases, and the well-rounded nature of all the different types of relationships.
I'm glad I grabbed this book, and I think you should too.
Another reviewer said this book was like if Peace Like a River and The Notebook had a baby, and that's EXACTLY IT.
EXCEPT Come Forth As Gold is also Christian, and that makes all the difference (seeing as I didn't like either of those books because they weren't and were therefore depressing😆).
Erica Dansereau's writing is superb, and should be getting widespread attention. The book was character driven and on the slow side, but it was designed to be on the slow side, so that's not a flaw. I would have like to see Claude and Kitty talk together about faith sooner, but it was enough to see his own faith grow throughout the book. The characters all felt realistic, the writing gentle, the characters likeable, and the gospel clear. I liked the ebb and flow as relationships drifted and strengthened in turn through different life phases, and the well-rounded nature of all the different types of relationships.
I'm glad I grabbed this book, and I think you should too.
May 17, 2022
Come Forth As Gold took me by surprise in the best way possible. I didn't know what I was in for when I sat down for the first time to read this book. I had no idea how this story would grab hold of me and touch me on such a deep level. This book, I can easily say, is one of the best ones I've read this year. It's touching. Deep. Heartfelt and heartbreaking. Beautiful. Inspiring. It's a testimony to how God takes the brokenness of our lives and doesn't erase it, but makes something beautiful out of it.
The only thing I regret about this book is this: that it's over! I wasn't ready to let this story and these characters go. I know I'll definitely be revisiting this book in the future. Such an incredible story! Highly recommend this book!
"I was never as alone or helpless as I thought I was. God was with me every step of the way."
The only thing I regret about this book is this: that it's over! I wasn't ready to let this story and these characters go. I know I'll definitely be revisiting this book in the future. Such an incredible story! Highly recommend this book!
"I was never as alone or helpless as I thought I was. God was with me every step of the way."
May 30, 2023
Beautiful and touching!
This was such a heart-rendingly sweet story...
Characters:
Everything was told through Claude's eyes and he was such a dear! He had a temper on him but just so sweet to Kitty!
Kitty was a poor little darling! I wanted to hug her and whisk her away the whole time...poor thing.
Cliff and Vern were typical older brothers and I loved them! And their teasing...
And there were so many other great side characters as well!
Language:
The a word is used once...and there are a few times 5 or under that piss or pissed is used...not my favorite word...my 21 year old brother says it occasionally and always gets a glare from mom...and I just don't care for the word either...lol...
Romance:
Some kisses...some mentions of people being knocked up....nit my favorite aspect.
Content:
Some drinking...Kitty's father is a drunk. There is a death as well that is very very very sad! Like...yeah...and it's mentioned that Kitty's aunt is believed to be a hooked.
Overall:
The message behind the story of God always being there even when we think He is distant was beautiful. Claude was a dear.
The ending was bittersweet and I kind of wished it would have ended before the epilogue...but oh, well.
This was such a heart-rendingly sweet story...
Characters:
Everything was told through Claude's eyes and he was such a dear! He had a temper on him but just so sweet to Kitty!
Kitty was a poor little darling! I wanted to hug her and whisk her away the whole time...poor thing.
Cliff and Vern were typical older brothers and I loved them! And their teasing...
And there were so many other great side characters as well!
Language:
The a word is used once...and there are a few times 5 or under that piss or pissed is used...not my favorite word...my 21 year old brother says it occasionally and always gets a glare from mom...and I just don't care for the word either...lol...
Romance:
Some kisses...some mentions of people being knocked up....nit my favorite aspect.
Content:
Some drinking...Kitty's father is a drunk. There is a death as well that is very very very sad! Like...yeah...and it's mentioned that Kitty's aunt is believed to be a hooked.
Overall:
The message behind the story of God always being there even when we think He is distant was beautiful. Claude was a dear.
The ending was bittersweet and I kind of wished it would have ended before the epilogue...but oh, well.
February 28, 2023
I'm editing my original review because now that it's been almost 24 hours since I've finished reading the book, I'm able to better articulate the beauty of what I read!
Come Forth as Gold is by far one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. I can’t believe it isn't traditionally published! Normally I like to take my time reading books, but I literally couldn’t put this one down. I read it in 3 sittings!
This book should be used as a study for plot, character development, and theme. Erica pulled off each one incredibly well. She wrote from a boy's POV as a young teenager to young adulthood - a difficult feat! Furthermore, every character was believable. I believed every emotion, every action, every physical description. Just incredible writing. My heart broke and celebrated along with each character's triumphs and pitfalls.
There's so much more I could say about the touching moments in this beautiful book, but I don't want to give any spoilers. If you like historical fiction, coming-of-age novels, and clean reads that don't gloss over the trials of life, this book is for you.
Come Forth as Gold is by far one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. I can’t believe it isn't traditionally published! Normally I like to take my time reading books, but I literally couldn’t put this one down. I read it in 3 sittings!
This book should be used as a study for plot, character development, and theme. Erica pulled off each one incredibly well. She wrote from a boy's POV as a young teenager to young adulthood - a difficult feat! Furthermore, every character was believable. I believed every emotion, every action, every physical description. Just incredible writing. My heart broke and celebrated along with each character's triumphs and pitfalls.
There's so much more I could say about the touching moments in this beautiful book, but I don't want to give any spoilers. If you like historical fiction, coming-of-age novels, and clean reads that don't gloss over the trials of life, this book is for you.
April 5, 2022
WOW.
That's my reaction to this entire novel by Erica Dansereau. Wow.
My goal is to keep my reviews short from now on, so I'll try. I won't mention that the dedication had me in tears, and that the opening verse was just perfect.
I won't mention that I was IN this story. I was right there, listening to Kitty and Fly talk. I was crying with and for Kitty. And that was only after chapter 1!
I loved watching the characters grow up. You watch them grow from kids to teens to adults to grandparents. You're right there with them through both triumph and tragedy, and everything in between.
I can't believe this is Erica's debut novel. Her use of language and the descriptions she gives put you right there in the story. I can tell you right now that I WILL own a hard copy of this and any other book she writes. I was blown away.
*I was given an advanced reader's copy of this book, in order to review. All opinions are mine.*
That's my reaction to this entire novel by Erica Dansereau. Wow.
My goal is to keep my reviews short from now on, so I'll try. I won't mention that the dedication had me in tears, and that the opening verse was just perfect.
I won't mention that I was IN this story. I was right there, listening to Kitty and Fly talk. I was crying with and for Kitty. And that was only after chapter 1!
I loved watching the characters grow up. You watch them grow from kids to teens to adults to grandparents. You're right there with them through both triumph and tragedy, and everything in between.
I can't believe this is Erica's debut novel. Her use of language and the descriptions she gives put you right there in the story. I can tell you right now that I WILL own a hard copy of this and any other book she writes. I was blown away.
*I was given an advanced reader's copy of this book, in order to review. All opinions are mine.*
February 23, 2023
Absolutely beautiful.
June 10, 2024
“I just keep going back to this―no tragedy in all of history has ever come as a surprise to God. Not one.”
My oh my, this book! 😍
I never thought a book about a a teenage boy’s coming of age and dealing with tragedy would have me in such a chokehold, yet here we are.
Claude Fisher is a 13 year old boy living in a small desert town in Nevada just after WWII. He’s falling in love with his lifelong best friend, Kitty, and he’s finally being included by his older brothers in their fun. Life is good! Then tragedy strikes— over and over again— and life is never the same for the Fisher family. Claude, especially, must wade through some dark waters— trying to figure out how to live again, and coming to terms with what it means to look to Jesus.
The writing is gorgeous. The slow paced plot was still so interesting that I couldn’t look away. It was deep, meditative, and yet still fun at times too. Tough questions are grappled with, and we get an intimate look at a young man growing into his own faith. There is also a sweet romance in the background, and plenty of moments to either break or squeeze your heart.
I normally hate Christian fiction, but this is a new favorite book!
I recommend if you enjoy coming of age stories, books that are slow-paced and character-driven, and stories that enhance your faith.
CW: talk about sexual assault; alcoholism; some course language
5 ⭐️
“Claude, bad things are inevitable—it’s a fallen world, after all. But you have the choice to carry those bad things with you all your life or not. If you allow anger to consume you, oh boy, it will. It will morph you into something unrecognizable and swallow you whole, so you end up bitter and depressed like Jebediah Ralph. But I’ve found it’s a heck of a lot easier to lay it all down and let the Lord carry the weight. Trust in Him to sort everything out in His way, on His time.”
“I love you. There’s not much more to say except for that. I love you. I’ll say it again and again if I have to. I love you. I love you. Do you get it yet? I love you.” I’d never been surer of anything in my life.”
“We’ve never been promised a life without darkness, but we have been given hope that one day all darkness will be replaced with light.”
My oh my, this book! 😍
I never thought a book about a a teenage boy’s coming of age and dealing with tragedy would have me in such a chokehold, yet here we are.
Claude Fisher is a 13 year old boy living in a small desert town in Nevada just after WWII. He’s falling in love with his lifelong best friend, Kitty, and he’s finally being included by his older brothers in their fun. Life is good! Then tragedy strikes— over and over again— and life is never the same for the Fisher family. Claude, especially, must wade through some dark waters— trying to figure out how to live again, and coming to terms with what it means to look to Jesus.
The writing is gorgeous. The slow paced plot was still so interesting that I couldn’t look away. It was deep, meditative, and yet still fun at times too. Tough questions are grappled with, and we get an intimate look at a young man growing into his own faith. There is also a sweet romance in the background, and plenty of moments to either break or squeeze your heart.
I normally hate Christian fiction, but this is a new favorite book!
I recommend if you enjoy coming of age stories, books that are slow-paced and character-driven, and stories that enhance your faith.
CW: talk about sexual assault; alcoholism; some course language
5 ⭐️
“Claude, bad things are inevitable—it’s a fallen world, after all. But you have the choice to carry those bad things with you all your life or not. If you allow anger to consume you, oh boy, it will. It will morph you into something unrecognizable and swallow you whole, so you end up bitter and depressed like Jebediah Ralph. But I’ve found it’s a heck of a lot easier to lay it all down and let the Lord carry the weight. Trust in Him to sort everything out in His way, on His time.”
“I love you. There’s not much more to say except for that. I love you. I’ll say it again and again if I have to. I love you. I love you. Do you get it yet? I love you.” I’d never been surer of anything in my life.”
“We’ve never been promised a life without darkness, but we have been given hope that one day all darkness will be replaced with light.”
August 17, 2023
Come Forth As Gold by Erica
Topic or themes I saw: Shame, loss, grief, forgiveness, and healing from hard things in life.
Read it if you love:
✔️Christian Historical Fiction
✔️Character driven novels
✔️Clean Romance
✔️Strong family bonds
Story: This story begins with Claude and Kitty as young children and strong friends. But then life throws them a hard blow. Told through Claude’s perspective, I really appreciated how this novel took the hardships of life and blended in the hope and healing found in Christ. The characters were realistic and even though there was redemption there was also the journey of wrestling with the pain and imperfect reactions to loss and grief.
A few quotes I loved:
“Mourn your whole life if you need to. Just make sure you don’t quit living while you’re still alive.”
“The shame that had marked her face haunted me now as I thought of it. If I could, I would strip that shame from her in a second, wad it up, and throw it in the trash. Set fire to it if I had to. And then I’d hug her far into forever, assuring her that she was okay as many times as needed until she finally believed it too.”
Topic or themes I saw: Shame, loss, grief, forgiveness, and healing from hard things in life.
Read it if you love:
✔️Christian Historical Fiction
✔️Character driven novels
✔️Clean Romance
✔️Strong family bonds
Story: This story begins with Claude and Kitty as young children and strong friends. But then life throws them a hard blow. Told through Claude’s perspective, I really appreciated how this novel took the hardships of life and blended in the hope and healing found in Christ. The characters were realistic and even though there was redemption there was also the journey of wrestling with the pain and imperfect reactions to loss and grief.
A few quotes I loved:
“Mourn your whole life if you need to. Just make sure you don’t quit living while you’re still alive.”
“The shame that had marked her face haunted me now as I thought of it. If I could, I would strip that shame from her in a second, wad it up, and throw it in the trash. Set fire to it if I had to. And then I’d hug her far into forever, assuring her that she was okay as many times as needed until she finally believed it too.”
February 1, 2023
This sweet story is filled with lovely imagery, poignant moments, and the most adorable male MC. Seriously, we could all use a Claude Fisher in our life!
The vistas of the Nevada desert, the coming-of-age of Claude, the joys and pains of the Fisher family, the romance that made my heart swell, and the hope that filled this whole story were so beautifully written and I cannot recommend this book more!
If you love Historical Fiction, or Coming-of-Age tales, you’ll love this book. And even if you’re more of a Fantasy reader like me, you should definitely give this one a read too! It will definitely make your life a little brighter. ✨
The vistas of the Nevada desert, the coming-of-age of Claude, the joys and pains of the Fisher family, the romance that made my heart swell, and the hope that filled this whole story were so beautifully written and I cannot recommend this book more!
If you love Historical Fiction, or Coming-of-Age tales, you’ll love this book. And even if you’re more of a Fantasy reader like me, you should definitely give this one a read too! It will definitely make your life a little brighter. ✨
July 30, 2022
A lovely story, tender and sweet.
January 28, 2023
This book hurt. Especially the first third. Now, going into it, I could tell that if a book is going to have "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job. 23:10) as its motto thingie at the front, it's not going to be a light and joyful read. But oof, I was not expecting so much hard, sad, depressing stuff to pile on top of other other hard, sad, depressing stuff for so long, in such an unrelenting way.
Now, everything does get better eventually. Slowly. Hesitantly. But it does. I still wouldn't call this a book that I enjoyed, but I did appreciate it. And I did finish it. I think if you like intense, heavier books, you'd probably like it a lot.
It starts when thirteen-year-old Claude experiences two major losses back-to-back -- a death in the family, plus his lifelong best friend moving away. The two losses are related, too, which makes it even worse. Everything is grey and hopeless and horrible in his life for a long, long time. As he grows up into a young adult, things gradually improve, and he even finds love and gets married by the end. But the bleakness takes a long time to fade.
Dansereau has a lot to say about grief and comfort, and I think the real point is supposed to be how the comfort we get from God is longer-lasting than anything we can try to get without Him. But the Christian message was mostly oblique or subtext, and I was left feeling unsatisfied by the faith-based elements of the book.
Now, if you enjoy books about people going through very hard, very difficult times, you would probably like this book. Or if you have experienced deep grief like this and want to commiserate with someone fictional, maybe? I liked it all right, and Dansereau's writing was smooth and engaging, but this it not a book I will reread.
Now, everything does get better eventually. Slowly. Hesitantly. But it does. I still wouldn't call this a book that I enjoyed, but I did appreciate it. And I did finish it. I think if you like intense, heavier books, you'd probably like it a lot.
It starts when thirteen-year-old Claude experiences two major losses back-to-back -- a death in the family, plus his lifelong best friend moving away. The two losses are related, too, which makes it even worse. Everything is grey and hopeless and horrible in his life for a long, long time. As he grows up into a young adult, things gradually improve, and he even finds love and gets married by the end. But the bleakness takes a long time to fade.
Dansereau has a lot to say about grief and comfort, and I think the real point is supposed to be how the comfort we get from God is longer-lasting than anything we can try to get without Him. But the Christian message was mostly oblique or subtext, and I was left feeling unsatisfied by the faith-based elements of the book.
Now, if you enjoy books about people going through very hard, very difficult times, you would probably like this book. Or if you have experienced deep grief like this and want to commiserate with someone fictional, maybe? I liked it all right, and Dansereau's writing was smooth and engaging, but this it not a book I will reread.
August 25, 2022
This book is heartbreakingly beautiful. Erica doesn't shy away from dealing with difficult topics and real life, all through the lens of the gentle and loving mercy our Savior has for us.
Claude is a man among men. I loved his story so much, and the process by which he grows from a boy into a man is truly a refining fire.
Kitty is so sweet and sad and precious. She struggles with so many of the lies that girls and women tend to believe about themselves and while it was hard to watch her deal with it, it was also incredible to see how she grows and heals.
The rest of characters feel so real that I have expect they truly exist in Goldfield, Nevada.
Erica, thank you for writing this amazing story and sharing pieces of your heart with us. This is one that will stick with me for some time. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried more than once.
Claude is a man among men. I loved his story so much, and the process by which he grows from a boy into a man is truly a refining fire.
Kitty is so sweet and sad and precious. She struggles with so many of the lies that girls and women tend to believe about themselves and while it was hard to watch her deal with it, it was also incredible to see how she grows and heals.
The rest of characters feel so real that I have expect they truly exist in Goldfield, Nevada.
Erica, thank you for writing this amazing story and sharing pieces of your heart with us. This is one that will stick with me for some time. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried more than once.
July 29, 2022
This story was different than I expected, but not in a bad way.
There are so many sweet, tender, and beautiful moments in this story, and the characters weave their way into your heart. However, there are also some truly heart rending and deeply moving moments, grappling with grief, loss, seeing God at work in the midst of tragedy, and finding beauty in the brokenness.
And that epilogue?! Aaah, a sweet story all round.
Content: alcoholic father; mild language (p*ss; a**); a woman is said to work as a prostitute; mention of a young man inappropriately touching a young woman; talk of brothels and prostitution
There are so many sweet, tender, and beautiful moments in this story, and the characters weave their way into your heart. However, there are also some truly heart rending and deeply moving moments, grappling with grief, loss, seeing God at work in the midst of tragedy, and finding beauty in the brokenness.
And that epilogue?! Aaah, a sweet story all round.
Content: alcoholic father; mild language (p*ss; a**); a woman is said to work as a prostitute; mention of a young man inappropriately touching a young woman; talk of brothels and prostitution
January 22, 2024
Truly incredible. Beautiful, faith-filled story.
April 30, 2022
A lovely, sweet, exploration of grief, faith, and steadfast love. A little bit The Notebook, a little bit Peace Like a River. ❤️
August 20, 2022
FIVE STARS!!!!!
I’m not sure if words can properly express what a beautiful novel this is. I had the pleasure of being an early reader of Come Forth As Gold and I’ve read it several times since. From the moment I began to read the first chapter, I was obsessed with this story and these incredible characters. Claude’s journey through grief and healing is one I will never forget.
Dansereau has a way with words. She makes them burrow deep into your heart and take up residence there. Her settings are rich and vibrant. I was there in the desert with Kitty and Claude, feeling the heat, tasting the dust, hearing the laughter of these two as they dream of the future. And I was there with Claude when tragedy struck. His emotions became my emotions.
Not only is Dansereau a master of setting and plot, but her skill with character development is perhaps my favorite element of this novel. We follow Claude from young adulthood through graduation and beyond. He is an incredible character. Bold, passionate, emotional, flawed and human, but in a way that instantly connects your heart to his. Claude struggles with such relatable challenges. Grief and joy, loss and love, disappointment and hope, questioning God and then learning to trust. You’ll find yourself reflected within his journey.
And Kitty. She’ll capture your heart and make you long to protect her, just as Claude yearns to do.
I don’t often cry as I read, but there were certain chapters of this book that had me sobbing. Tears falling onto the page/can’t-see-properly-to-keep-reading kind of tears. Tears of sorrow, tears of joy. There is so much emotion, passion, and heart written into this book. Have the tissues handy.
Yet, though this book will spark intense emotion, there is so much healing to be found within its pages as well. Claude’s journey through grief, his commitment to faith, and the renewal of his hope mirror many of our own journeys through life’s ups and downs.
If you set aside one book to read this Easter weekend, please choose Come Forth As Gold. It will minister to your heart. And I think it will find a place on your favorites shelf for a long time to come.
*Found at all major book retailers*
Read the full review on my blog: https://britthoward.com/2022/08/19/bo...
I’m not sure if words can properly express what a beautiful novel this is. I had the pleasure of being an early reader of Come Forth As Gold and I’ve read it several times since. From the moment I began to read the first chapter, I was obsessed with this story and these incredible characters. Claude’s journey through grief and healing is one I will never forget.
Dansereau has a way with words. She makes them burrow deep into your heart and take up residence there. Her settings are rich and vibrant. I was there in the desert with Kitty and Claude, feeling the heat, tasting the dust, hearing the laughter of these two as they dream of the future. And I was there with Claude when tragedy struck. His emotions became my emotions.
Not only is Dansereau a master of setting and plot, but her skill with character development is perhaps my favorite element of this novel. We follow Claude from young adulthood through graduation and beyond. He is an incredible character. Bold, passionate, emotional, flawed and human, but in a way that instantly connects your heart to his. Claude struggles with such relatable challenges. Grief and joy, loss and love, disappointment and hope, questioning God and then learning to trust. You’ll find yourself reflected within his journey.
And Kitty. She’ll capture your heart and make you long to protect her, just as Claude yearns to do.
I don’t often cry as I read, but there were certain chapters of this book that had me sobbing. Tears falling onto the page/can’t-see-properly-to-keep-reading kind of tears. Tears of sorrow, tears of joy. There is so much emotion, passion, and heart written into this book. Have the tissues handy.
Yet, though this book will spark intense emotion, there is so much healing to be found within its pages as well. Claude’s journey through grief, his commitment to faith, and the renewal of his hope mirror many of our own journeys through life’s ups and downs.
If you set aside one book to read this Easter weekend, please choose Come Forth As Gold. It will minister to your heart. And I think it will find a place on your favorites shelf for a long time to come.
*Found at all major book retailers*
Read the full review on my blog: https://britthoward.com/2022/08/19/bo...
June 20, 2022
I kept seeing this book all over Instagram so I had to check it out! Isn’t the cover beautiful?
•
This story is about Claude, a young boy growing up in 1940 Nevada, and his best friend Kitty. Their families are very different, and Claude’s family is good at taking care of Kitty when her family is a mess— but then tragedy strikes. When trials come, how can their faith and family, not to mention Kitty and Claude’s friendship, survive? Claude is the narrator of this, and his tender heart and strong convictions are what make this an unforgettable book.
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No mature content. If you like coming of age stories like Ordinary Grace or even romances like The Notebook, I think you will love this one!
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This story is about Claude, a young boy growing up in 1940 Nevada, and his best friend Kitty. Their families are very different, and Claude’s family is good at taking care of Kitty when her family is a mess— but then tragedy strikes. When trials come, how can their faith and family, not to mention Kitty and Claude’s friendship, survive? Claude is the narrator of this, and his tender heart and strong convictions are what make this an unforgettable book.
•
No mature content. If you like coming of age stories like Ordinary Grace or even romances like The Notebook, I think you will love this one!
March 8, 2023
There are books that touch your heart and then there are books that touch your soul in places that have been asleep for a long time. This is one of those books. 😭❤️🥹
I will revisit this book forever. My heart is still aching over this beautiful story. To God be the glory, and many blessings for the future of this author!
Best thing you can do after you read this is tell every single soul about it 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I will revisit this book forever. My heart is still aching over this beautiful story. To God be the glory, and many blessings for the future of this author!
Best thing you can do after you read this is tell every single soul about it 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 28, 2022
This book got me out of my reading slump ♥️ Claude is such a sweet and relatable character! The pure sweetness of Claude in chapter 27 made me cry, which is always a marker of a good book to me!
July 26, 2024
Captivating. Heartwarming. Tear-jerking. These are just a few words I would use to describe Erica Dansereau’s book, Come Forth As Gold. Everything about this book made me fall in love with it, from the characters to the writing style to the overall story. If you like books filled with wholesome relationships, family bonds and powerful messages of hope, truth and forgiveness, you’ll love this book.
Something that really made me love this book was the feeling you get reading it. It’s set in the cute, historical town of Goldfield, Nevada, and Erica does an amazing job describing the small town and trying to get as close as she can to historical accuracy. Fly (Claude) and Kitty have the sweetest friendship, and their story is so well written that as soon as you finish the book all you want is more! It’s one of very few books I’ve read where once you finish the final page, there's a deep sense of sadness knowing you’ve finished and you can’t read about their story forever.
There’s so much more I could say about this book, but really all it comes down to is this: it’s such a sweet read, and it deserves more attention. You won’t be disappointed, and better yet, there’s now a sequel, too, titled After The Water Brooks. It likewise is a wonderful read. This book is by far on my “favorite books ever” list, and I can’t wait to read more books by Erica Danssereau in the future. She’s a gifted, talented writer who has touched the hearts of many through her stories.
Something that really made me love this book was the feeling you get reading it. It’s set in the cute, historical town of Goldfield, Nevada, and Erica does an amazing job describing the small town and trying to get as close as she can to historical accuracy. Fly (Claude) and Kitty have the sweetest friendship, and their story is so well written that as soon as you finish the book all you want is more! It’s one of very few books I’ve read where once you finish the final page, there's a deep sense of sadness knowing you’ve finished and you can’t read about their story forever.
There’s so much more I could say about this book, but really all it comes down to is this: it’s such a sweet read, and it deserves more attention. You won’t be disappointed, and better yet, there’s now a sequel, too, titled After The Water Brooks. It likewise is a wonderful read. This book is by far on my “favorite books ever” list, and I can’t wait to read more books by Erica Danssereau in the future. She’s a gifted, talented writer who has touched the hearts of many through her stories.
September 5, 2023
This was a beautiful wholesome debut novel. A fellow friend of Jesus and her writing is just so captivating and inspiring, truly a gift from God. Thank you for this story. There’s a reason why this was awarded the 2022 Best Indie Book Award Christian Fiction winner. I didn’t want this book to end I enjoyed it so much. I wanted to linger a while longer in this story.
This stunning cover is what drew me to this book in the first place and the insides are as equally beautiful. Claude has to be one of my favorite characters to date. I would have loved to have seen alternating POV chapters with Claude and Kitty- but that’s what After The Water Brooks is for, all about Kitty’s story - and I’m so excited to get my copy!
𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒:
⋄ Christian representation
⋄ Coming of age
⋄ Wholesome historical fiction/romance
This stunning cover is what drew me to this book in the first place and the insides are as equally beautiful. Claude has to be one of my favorite characters to date. I would have loved to have seen alternating POV chapters with Claude and Kitty- but that’s what After The Water Brooks is for, all about Kitty’s story - and I’m so excited to get my copy!
𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒:
⋄ Christian representation
⋄ Coming of age
⋄ Wholesome historical fiction/romance
Want to read
July 31, 2022DNF- This is just too sad for me right now. I’m sure it’s a lovely book but I need something a little lighter at this time in my life.
January 16, 2024
Heartbreakingly beautiful.
This is a tough one to review because I have so much to say. But, I’ll do my best to sum up.
I loved reading about a now ghost town in the state that my family is living. We are newish residences here and already feel so at home. So this was a welcome setting.
There is a lot of tragedy and heart break. Painful moment after painful moment. However, Claude and his family never loose hope. They struggle but always have their faith to lean on and get them through.
I love Claude and his father’s conversations. What a blessing Claude’s parents are. Not to just him and his siblings but to the lonely girl next door.
Kitty was a relatable character. A gentle girl living a hard and tough life.
Claude’s unfailing love and devotion to those dearest to him and to the Father is beyond swoon worthy.
I cried my eyes out when the Wilted and Quilted designed Kitty’s dress 🥹.
Big John was a special part of this story for me and he reminded me of Little John from Robin Hood. The trustworthy and loyal best friend.
“I don’t believe there’s anyone out of God’s jurisdiction to save.”
This book is everything and has it all.
This is a tough one to review because I have so much to say. But, I’ll do my best to sum up.
I loved reading about a now ghost town in the state that my family is living. We are newish residences here and already feel so at home. So this was a welcome setting.
There is a lot of tragedy and heart break. Painful moment after painful moment. However, Claude and his family never loose hope. They struggle but always have their faith to lean on and get them through.
I love Claude and his father’s conversations. What a blessing Claude’s parents are. Not to just him and his siblings but to the lonely girl next door.
Kitty was a relatable character. A gentle girl living a hard and tough life.
Claude’s unfailing love and devotion to those dearest to him and to the Father is beyond swoon worthy.
I cried my eyes out when the Wilted and Quilted designed Kitty’s dress 🥹.
Big John was a special part of this story for me and he reminded me of Little John from Robin Hood. The trustworthy and loyal best friend.
“I don’t believe there’s anyone out of God’s jurisdiction to save.”
This book is everything and has it all.
October 27, 2023
Loved this one! A sweet historical fiction that transports you to the 1930s and follows the life of Claude fisher. Family dynamics, romance, loss/pain/grief and forgiveness, are all themes woven throughout.
Through most of the book there are hints here and there of ties to Christianity but it isn’t until the last chapter/epilogue that it really is laid out with the gospel really clearly articulated which I loved but I kinda wish it had come sooner or been a more apparent theme throughout.
Other than that this one felt like a classic, coming of age, that makes you feel like you know the characters and become invested in their stories
Through most of the book there are hints here and there of ties to Christianity but it isn’t until the last chapter/epilogue that it really is laid out with the gospel really clearly articulated which I loved but I kinda wish it had come sooner or been a more apparent theme throughout.
Other than that this one felt like a classic, coming of age, that makes you feel like you know the characters and become invested in their stories
November 8, 2023
I have read a lot of Christian fiction in my younger years that shove God into every second and make it feel unnatural. This is the opposite. The people are real, they have real problems, and they are really searching for the right answers. It is so beautiful, so wonderfully written, and I would recommend it to each and every person.
July 27, 2022
A stunning debut in every single way. I adored this book from cover to cover, and I felt my heart break toward the end (in the best way). Erica has a gift with words. I eagerly await whatever she writes next!
did-not-finish
September 16, 2022While not over the top and in an understandable context, I didn't want to deal with even the tiny bit of language in this book.
As far as I had read (11%) it was very well written, sad, but also good.
As far as I had read (11%) it was very well written, sad, but also good.
March 11, 2023
Really enjoyed this.
July 12, 2025
“But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10
This story was absolutely beautiful. World War II has just ended and Claude and his best friend Kitty run around their dusty town in Nevada and are inseparable. How Erica made me feel like I was literally in this town in the dust & hot was incredible. This is told from Claude’s POV while he’s growing up and navigating a whole lot of stuff all at once. He wakes up and it seems like his life changes over night. Everything he once knew is now different. We get to walk with him for many years and also get a look into his parents life and his 2 brothers. I really don’t think I could say enough good things about this story or even do it justice. When I come across a book like this that makes me examine my own relationship with Jesus it is my absolute favorite thing. We see restoration, forgiveness, grace, and healing. This book is heavy but the title is so true with this one. I highly recommend getting this one on your TBR!
Quotes -
I hold onto that light now as my heart drums in my chest for Kitty. I’ve lost so many people I love, endured so much loss. Yet, I am not broken. And I know that is because there’s something holding me together—Christ.
“If you think that’s mean, then you’re not gonna like what I have to say next.” I took a deep breath. “I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time, and it’s going to take forever for me to stop loving you. But you know what I wish? I wish I didn’t love you. I wish you loved yourself instead.”
Content -
Kisses only
2 uses of mild language
Parental abandonment
Alcoholism
Cancer
Mentions of prostitution
Death of family member/grief
Implied Sexual assault (off page)
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