Journey now to Castle Gate, Utah of 1910 where… Forbidden Love Tries to Survive Old World Expectations Schoolteacher Leanna McKee plans on leaving the coal mining town of Castle Gate, Utah, and never looking back. Good riddance to coal dust, rugged men, and the fatal mine that took her husband’s life. Until the widow meets a widower who awakens her heart…and she finds herself inexplicably … heart…and she finds herself inexplicably falling for miner Alex Pappas which stirs up a whole heap of trouble.
Alex’s Greek parents have arranged a more traditional match for him. When the schoolteacher’s association with the Greek family begins to anger the American miners, they threaten Alex and his family. Leanna has received an offer to teach elsewhere and feels she has no choice but to leave Castle Gate. . .though she will be leaving her heart behind.
More from My Heart Belongs in Series…
My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss: Priscilla’s Reveille by Erica Vetsch (January 2017)
My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmella’s Quandary by Susan Page Davis (March 2017)
My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca’s Plight by Susanne Dietze (May 2017)
My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring by Carrie Fancett Pagels (July 2017)
My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily’s Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar (September 2017)
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My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna’s Choice by Angie Dicken
1910 Castle Gate, Utah mining community… Different cultural backgrounds and prejudices are addressed in this heartwarming story. I love learning about the Greeks who emigrated to America and the struggles they had in the mining community. Alex was my favorite character, his strength and strong family values as well as his integrity. The Greek children quickly captured my heart, they are adorable. I appreciate the spiritual elements in the story-line and how faith is very important to Leanna and her decisions based on her faith. A heartwarming story.
Set in 1910, the coal mining town of Castle Gate is not a progressive community. Greeks and Americans don’t mix, or at least that is what many wish for and try to force upon the residents. Leanna is a widow whose deceased miner husband did not hold to those beliefs and it caused some trouble between him and the town folk. After his death, she begins to become acquainted with the Pappas’, a Greek family that owns a restaurant and whose son Alex was a good friend to Leanna’s husband, Jack, both working in the coal mines. Leanna and Alex fall in love which causes many distressful moments between them and some of the other miners/townsfolk who dislike the Greeks.
Author Angie Dicken is a third generation Greek American and knows her history, bringing to life the hardships and prejudices that faced this hard working people group. Leanna’s Choice has romance, strong characters, solid faith, and because it is a story about prejudice and racism, it contains some violence but not explicit. It induces thought regarding our own culture today and how, as Christ followers, we should embrace others. While I found it to be awfully slow moving, I think most fans of Christian historical fiction will find it a satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation has been received.
What a beautiful and heart warming story! I loved the characters and Alex’s family’s loyalty to each other. The author writes so that you feel and understand the hard and discouraging times of those who immigrated here. Leanna only wants to escape and move on to better things and crosses paths with Alex who just wants to keep building a life for him and his family in America. The romance is beautiful and swoon worthy! The detail in the Greek life and the scenery made me feel a part of the story. It made me cheer for Alex and Leanna through all the obstacles and setbacks almost as if they were family. Very well written!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
I’ve been enjoying the “My Heart Belongs” series, and this book is a great addition!
You can see that author Angie Dicken did a great deal of research. She portrays very well the trials that Greek immigrants dealt with during a time of racial tension between the Greek and American Miners. A time of which I was unaware.
With great character development, I quickly become engrossed in this book. There is much of the past that is regretted but God is allowed to move in the hearts of the various personalities. There is also a lot of prejudice and forgiveness in this miner’s camp. Along with a sweet romance, it’s a wonderful story.
If you enjoy historical Christian fiction then I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.