I was given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this novel by Cynthia L. Simmons. All opinions and thoughts are honest and one hundred percent my own as with all my book reviews.
About the Book:
Pursuing Gold (Elk Lake, October 2016)
With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in an economic crisis.
With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga.
Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise.
Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.
My Personal Review:
I have read a few other historical fiction novels lately and one thing I look for with each is a great back story in those first few chapters. I always enjoy learning that story and in doing so it helps me form a better connection with the characters.
In this novel, I felt like even though we had a little of the history between Peter and Mary Beth I did feel a bit lost in the story. It felt as if I was missing a few of the key pieces that would have drawn me in and brought me up to speed on what was happening.
Though the story started a little slow for me I will say that after the first few chapters I felt that things started to come together and the pieces of backstory I needed to really enjoy the story came together.
I felt that things picked up in pace and the suspense of the hunt for the mystery counterfeiters kept me reading.
With each page and chapter, we are carried along with Peter and Mary Beth as they struggle to solve the mystery before their fathers’ and their livelihood. As they both learn to adjust to the present circumstances and the Civil War that is drawing near they learn to trust more and lean more into their faith.
Pursing Gold is a nice easy read that I would recommend to anyone that enjoys the Civil War period.
About the Author, Cynthia L. Simmons:
Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher.
She’s a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today’s crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past.
Her first book, “Struggles and Triumphs,” was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.
I am a southern girl through and through that loves to laugh, cook, read and spend time with family. My passions outside of home schooling my son are ministering to those in need and creating art in the kitchen! Every day is an adventure in our little house and I wouldn’t trade it or the chance to share here with you for anything!
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