My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice

My impression of this book was that it was a page-turner from the beginning. I thought the storyline was really exciting to read. There is great anticipation that builds, crumbles, builds, crumbles, and builds again. I loved how the author painted the feel of America at that time. This was very frustrating and just the way it was back in the day... I'm so thankful there is no partiality with God. Check this one out for an excellent read!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"There is no darkness, but ignorance."

That is the central theme for the novel, My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate Utah, by Angie Dicken. Taking readers into the heart of the west in Castle Gate, Utah during the 1900's, we find racial prejudice present even in the past. For those immigrating from Greece to settle in the small towns ripe with the hope of prosperity and opportunity, they also face discrimination based on the fact, they are not considered true Americans and have to settle in a place outside of town known as Greek Town.

It is here that the Pappas family has found hope with the opening of their restaurant serving Greek food to those that work in the mines, more Greek immigrants. For someone like Alex who came here to make money to help care for the health of his wife back home, but tragically couldn't make enough before she passed away. He then used that money to bring his own family to America where they can all be together to make it in this new world.

Leanna McKee, a school teacher in Castle Rock, has found her own grief here, losing her husband Jack in an accident that left her a widow but also one with outstanding gambling debts her husband incurred without her knowledge. She dreams for a way to move forward in San Francisco where she has connections with her family, but without funds, she has to stay where she is until she has saved enough to make the move there. Thankfully that opportunity comes to her via Alex Pappas who needs someone to escort his niece and nephew back and forth to school while their parents tend to the health of their mother during her pregnancy. When he offers to pay her, she immediately accepts! Is this truly an opportunity from God or is this a complication she should avoid with the tensions building in Castle Rock against those that associate with the Greeks?

I received My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate Utah by Angie Dicken compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for immigrants to come to this country, legally at that time and the tensions that they had to deal with. Just friendships with those immigrants was often meet with hostility and anger to ensure that the discrimination would continue, despite how very wrong it was. I love how it is something that is worked out between Alex and Leanna by the conclusion of the novel, but also highlights a time in our own history when things did not goes as smooth as we might have believed. It also shows how strong traditions and culture were to those immigrants. Things they didn't want to leave behind.I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

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.

I enjoyed reading My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah by Angie Dicken. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing with no obligation to post a review.

In the year 1910, in a small mining town Leanna McKee is a school teacher. Her husband died as a result of a tragic mining accident. Leanna is left alone to decide what to do and where she should live.

Alex Pappas is a friend of her husband's that comes to Leanna for help caring for his niece and nephew. Alex and Leanna both have grief and regret for their past actions and decisions, They grow closer as they must deal with the prejudices and hostilities from other miners.

Another mining tragedy causes others to open up their eyes and see things differently. Eaith in God's plan though difficult is the key to finding the answers to their questions.

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice was okay for me. I could easily put it down. I like a book to pull me into the story so much that I have a hard time putting it down. The story was good, just not spectacular. I was totally unaware of coal mining in Utah. I think of West Virginia and Kentucky. I also did not know of the influx of Greek immigrants to that area at the turn of the 20th century. I enjoy learning about our country's rich history and this book provided on that count. The author did a great job of showing the prejudices regarding class, ethnicity, and religion that occurred at that time. I appreciated how the main character was humble and conscientious. Leanna admitted her faults and had a genuine desire to not repeat her mistakes. She showed loved to others at a time and place where it was apparently unpopular. I love how family was a big theme throughout the story. Aside from some slow spots, this book was pretty okay.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.