This story really flowed for me and I was able to really connect with the characters. Shannon Adair has traveled to Idaho Territory with her father, a reverend. She is not happy to have left her home in Virginia, which is currently embroiled in the battles taking place during the war between the states.

Matthew Dubois has also recently moved to this gold-mining town and has been joined by his dying sister and her young son. Shannon starts filling the need of nurse to Matthew's sister and although these people come from different backgrounds, on opposite sides of the war, deep feelings begin to develop.

I really enjoyed these characters and the setting for the story. There was a little action and adventure in the story, a sweet romance, some sadness and heartache, and God's providence throughout the story. I am so glad to have read this.

As usual, Ms. Hatcher, has written a wonderful story. Shannon Adair, who has worked as a nurse in Virgina, and her father move to Idaho in 1864 where he is new pastor of the church. She begins to take care of a young woman who is dying and finds herself becoming friends with her even though she is a Yankee. She also comes to love the woman's son and older brother. Their story takes some twists and turns and their faith helps them both to overcome obstacles in their way. A wonderful book.

Set in Grand Coeur, Idaho, a "rough and tumble" gold mining town during the Civil War in the USA, this delightful romance was a great read. Shannon Adair has come with her minister father to a place she initially finds very difficult. The arrival of Matthew Dubois's dying widowed sister provides Shannon with an outlet for her nursing skills, although the relationship is not without its challenges. Both ladies have suffered loss due to the war, but on opposing sides. Can friendship grow despite these differences? What about the fellows who are vying for Shannon's attention? Will her grieving her learn to love again?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Heart of Gold". The characters were well developed and believable. The way in which the characters developed over the duration of the story was appropriate and inspiring. The use of letters to Shannon's friend in Virginia was a great way to help the reader understand what was going on in Shannon's mind. Overall, this was a great read - enough adventure to make it interesting but not so much that it was not believable. I'd be happy to recommend it to others and I would certainly read other books by this author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I was recently able to review the book Heart of Gold written by one of my favorite authors, Robin Lee Hatcher!

The leading lady in this fictional book is Shannon. She travels with her father to Idaho. They are formerly from Virginia and Shannon is not at all sure that she should even be in Idaho. She misses Virginia and all her friends that she left behind. Shannon is unsure what purpose she will have in Idaho. Then she meets Matthew. His sister is a widow with a young son and she is sick. Since Shannon had experience nursing soldiers she steps in to help care for the woman. An unlikely friendship is started and Shannon begins to feel drawn to Matthew as well.

If you want to know more than that read the book. This one makes the list for a great summer read! Especially if you are going on a vacation. Pick up this book!

I picked this book up one day and had it finished the next. It had many twists and turns. I loved the story of the old days and how people lived. I loved reading about towns in Idaho where I live. It also told of adversity, romance, and family. It was happy one minute and sad the next. Robin writes such easy books to read. From the moment you pick them up you are involved with the characters and the story. I love the way her christian faith shows in her writing.