The story of Juniper a mail order bride to a small mining town. When the mine proves empty, her husband disappears leaving Juniper with her small daughter alone. She does have a best friend, Edie who shares her joys and sorrows.
Modern day story of Johnny, a man trying to escape his failed marriage. He buys the old cabin that Juniper and John lived in. He gets caught up in the past and finds healing for himself and his children. ( )

This book was just so satisfying. No over-gushy romance, just subtle friendship and a split time setting that had me captivated.

5 Stars

Content: loss of child, childbirth, spouse who cheated

*thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. ( )

This author marvelously allows readers to jump into the character’s skin, letting them experience the time period and its hardships up-close and personal. Much like the reenactments did for Johnny and his sister in the current timeline. Both periods in this novel have engaging and heartbreaking stories with brave and faithful characters. Juniper (historical timeline) and Johnny Cohen in (current timeline) are faced with incredibly difficult situations where they must make decisions that will affect the future of their families and everyone around them. I enjoyed seeing the growth in Juniper as she does what is required of her to survive, protect those she loves, and stay the course of fighting the good fight. She is courageous, loyal and does what she can to stay strong in her faith.

The novel opens in the years 1902. A woman and child are left in what is quickly becoming an empty community. She writes in her journal, “It’s paramount that my daughter and I survive the coming winter, yet ghost towns are not for the living. Still, this desolate place with its remaining miners and abandoned buildings is home.” She had to stay for the sake of her friend and the hope that her husband would return from the mine. But the situation and conflict of emotions are high as the characters face unbearable situations.

Johnny is a father who deeply loves his kids and wants to do the right thing by his marriage vows and his family. Johnny is captivated and encouraged by this historic house he’s bought to renovate and by the letters he’s found written by Juniper. He lives in the house that was part of the ghost town years ago. He remembers this house and the historical reenactments he and his sister went to when they were kids. Not only that, but he recalled how the “employees of the estate would dress up in olden-day costumes, and we kids gobbled down two-dollar hot dogs and cups of lemonade, then tried to pan for gold.” The realtor mentions that the owners want to sell the house to someone who appreciates its historical structure. Johnny feels a connection to the house. He pictures a swing tree and a woodland porch with room for two, it seems the rest of the story is about to begin for him and his kids.”

Both stories are filled with tender moments, and heartache but at the same time it is thought-provoking, vulnerable, and moving. It choked me up in parts. This is a novel that would work great for your next book club pick. The author includes a discussion guide to help create a lively discussion time for your group. There is so much to discuss. If you haven’t read a novel by this author, treat yourself to this one. It’s one you won’t soon forget.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

The Gold in These Hills by Joanne Bischof is the first novel I’ve read by this author, and I was completely blown away by the depth of this dual-time novel. I have come to love this genre, especially when the two timelines are intricately woven together. In this story, the characters are separated by a hundred years yet they are bound together not only by a historical farmhouse but by common hardships of heartache and rebirth.
Much like Johnny, I was captivated by Juniper and her struggles in the early 1900s. I could feel her strength, her determination to persevere at all cost, and yet I could also see how fragile her strength was. The author did such a beautiful job of creating vibrant and layered characters and drawing you to them. The many characters in this story (past and present) stayed with me even when I’d set my e-reader down.
This story deals with heavy, difficult topics, and yet it is beautiful from start to finish in how it shows the characters facing each difficulty head-on and forcing themselves to adapt, to keep living beyond each moment of trial.
Any Christian historical fiction fan will enjoy this story because of the history woven in both timelines. And all fans of dual timeline novels will enjoy Juniper and Johnny’s story. Just be prepared to feel a full spectrum of emotions as Joann Bischof whisks you into the story.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Told in two timelines, this story is set around the mining town of Kenworthy, California. At one time, the town was bustling with activity, but the mine yeilded no profits, the people moved on and Kenworthy turned into dying town with only a few people remaining.

Juniper Cohen was one of the residents who remained because her husband had disappeared and she was reluctant to leave in case he came back. Not knowing if he were dead or alive, Juniper prayed and wrote letters to him regularly, not knowing where to send them.

In the modern timeline, the story centers around John, a newly divorced young father who bought the historic home that Juniper Cohen once called home. As John remodels the home, he reads about the history of Kenworthy and about the Cohen family. He also meets a young woman with a family connection to Kenworthy. Soon they develop a friendship that looks as if it will be headed to romance.

I really had no idea about some of the things that happened during the mining era, so I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story. This is a very clean, Christian read with positive characters and a message of hope.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas-Nelson-Fiction for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review. ( )