| She thinks he’s high-handed and out for her gold. He thinks she’s difficult and money-hungry. Will they discover that love is the true treasure? Scarred in a childhood accident, Caroline Vogel has yet to find a man willing to marry her, so she heads to the Pike’s Peak goldfields to pan enough ore to become a woman of means. When she and the handsome assistant trail boss hit it off, she begins to hope her future may not be spent alone. Then she catches wind of dark secrets from the man’s past, and she’s not sure what or who to believe. Orphaned as a teenager, Oliver Llewellyn stole to survive, then used his skills for the army during the war. Nowadays, he applies his knowledge to catch dangerous thieves for the Pinkerton Agency, so guarding a young woman during a wagon train journey should be easy. But he didn’t count on the fact she’d angered a man bent on revenge. He also didn’t count on losing his heart. |  |
Genre: Historical Romance
Release date: July 21, 2022
Release date: July 21, 2022
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Interview with Linda
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Gold Rush Bride Caroline is book 2 in the Gold Rush Bride series, and the main character is the daughter of the protagonist in book 1. I needed a rush that took place within a certain timeframe after book 1 and found the Pike’s Peak rush that occurred in 1859. I read diaries of women who participated in that rush and others, and a common theme emerged that the men didn’t want the women there, especially single women. The men didn’t seem to mind the wives as much, but they didn’t want to share “the goods” with singled or widowed women. At the same time, I read a story in which the main character lost an arm which I found intriguing. I decided to give my protagonist facial scars and explore what that would have been like.
Gold Rush Bride Caroline is book 2 in the Gold Rush Bride series, and the main character is the daughter of the protagonist in book 1. I needed a rush that took place within a certain timeframe after book 1 and found the Pike’s Peak rush that occurred in 1859. I read diaries of women who participated in that rush and others, and a common theme emerged that the men didn’t want the women there, especially single women. The men didn’t seem to mind the wives as much, but they didn’t want to share “the goods” with singled or widowed women. At the same time, I read a story in which the main character lost an arm which I found intriguing. I decided to give my protagonist facial scars and explore what that would have been like.
#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
After outlining the story over the course of about two weeks, I wrote the story in six weeks.
After outlining the story over the course of about two weeks, I wrote the story in six weeks.
#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I love exploring history and what it was like to live in a different time period, what were considered “modern” conveniences, etc. Because the Pike’s Peak rush created boomtowns, I wanted to learn how those places differed from “regular” towns of the era.
I love exploring history and what it was like to live in a different time period, what were considered “modern” conveniences, etc. Because the Pike’s Peak rush created boomtowns, I wanted to learn how those places differed from “regular” towns of the era.
#4. How did you name your characters?
My characters’ heritage is what drove their names. Caroline comes from a German heritage family, and I decided to make the male protagonist Welsh. I used websites that list names and their meanings for those backgrounds.
My characters’ heritage is what drove their names. Caroline comes from a German heritage family, and I decided to make the male protagonist Welsh. I used websites that list names and their meanings for those backgrounds.
#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
We are all beautiful and valuable to our heavenly Father, no matter our outward appearance. He is only interested in our hearts.
We are all beautiful and valuable to our heavenly Father, no matter our outward appearance. He is only interested in our hearts.
More from Linda
Dear Readers,
Have you ever heard the quote about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that says, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels?” Originally seen in a 1982 Frank and Ernest comic strip, the line has been used by many people from comedians to politicians.
A slight twist on the statement can be made about women in the centuries before modern attire allowed them to wear slacks…they did everything men did, but in floor-length skirts (to say nothing of when they had to wear corsets!). A few examples include cooking over an open hearth, hauling water before the invention of pumps and indoor plumbing, farm work such as milking cows or gardening, and riding a horse.
One of my favorite aspects about writing is developing the characters, especially the female protagonists. Mine are typically…well, untypical. The gals in my books are war correspondents, mechanics, spies, doctors, pilots, and midwives, just to name a few. While thinking about what to write next, I stumbled on an article about female prospectors, and I knew I had my story. The few images I found confirmed my suspicion. These women prospected alongside the men, swirling their pans of silt hour after hour…all while wearing a dress.
I continued to dig and was delighted to find journals and diaries of these stalwart women who either followed their husbands, brothers, or fathers to the gold field or actually set out on their own. The first book in the series, Gold Rush Bride Hannah takes in northern Georgia during the rush of 1829 when more than one million dollars of gold was unearthed.
Today’s tour book, Gold Rush Bride Caroline, is about Hannah’s daughter and takes place during the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in Colorado. I hope you enjoy Caroline’s story.
Blessings,
Linda Shenton Matchett
Have you ever heard the quote about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that says, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels?” Originally seen in a 1982 Frank and Ernest comic strip, the line has been used by many people from comedians to politicians.
A slight twist on the statement can be made about women in the centuries before modern attire allowed them to wear slacks…they did everything men did, but in floor-length skirts (to say nothing of when they had to wear corsets!). A few examples include cooking over an open hearth, hauling water before the invention of pumps and indoor plumbing, farm work such as milking cows or gardening, and riding a horse.
One of my favorite aspects about writing is developing the characters, especially the female protagonists. Mine are typically…well, untypical. The gals in my books are war correspondents, mechanics, spies, doctors, pilots, and midwives, just to name a few. While thinking about what to write next, I stumbled on an article about female prospectors, and I knew I had my story. The few images I found confirmed my suspicion. These women prospected alongside the men, swirling their pans of silt hour after hour…all while wearing a dress.
I continued to dig and was delighted to find journals and diaries of these stalwart women who either followed their husbands, brothers, or fathers to the gold field or actually set out on their own. The first book in the series, Gold Rush Bride Hannah takes in northern Georgia during the rush of 1829 when more than one million dollars of gold was unearthed.
Today’s tour book, Gold Rush Bride Caroline, is about Hannah’s daughter and takes place during the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in Colorado. I hope you enjoy Caroline’s story.
Blessings,
Linda Shenton Matchett
 Linda Shenton Matchett | Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!
a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 13
Texas Book-aholic, August 14
Inklings and notions, August 15
For Him and My Family, August 16
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 17
Bizwings Blog, August 18
deb’s Book Review, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 21
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 22 (Author Interview)
Book Looks by Lisa, August 22
Betti Mace, August 23
Connie’s History Classroom, August 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 26
Texas Book-aholic, August 14
Inklings and notions, August 15
For Him and My Family, August 16
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 17
Bizwings Blog, August 18
deb’s Book Review, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 21
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 22 (Author Interview)
Book Looks by Lisa, August 22
Betti Mace, August 23
Connie’s History Classroom, August 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 26