Better Than Gold

Better Than Gold By Laurie Alice Eakes Review by Roseanna White Lily is not in the small town of Browning City, Iowa to stay. Nothing in the world could possibly convince her to forego her dreams of city life--people, lights, and enough noise to keep her from ever feeling lonely again. It's what she wants. That's why she's determined to avoid Ben Purcell. The new man in town sends sparks down her spine, but he's made it clear he's in Browning City is his final destination, which means he isn't the right man for her. Ben's knows it's a bad idea to become attached to Lily Reese when she's so determined to leave the town he's falling in love with. He just can't help it. He has dreams of owning a farm and starting a family, and he begins to see her as the wife at his side. Except she doesn't want to be a farmer's wife--and who knows when he'll have enough saved to buy a farm. If only those rumors about gold hidden in the livery were true; the reward for finding it would set him for life. But he's not the first man to look for it, and no one else has had any luck. So Ben figures he'd better buckle down to good, hard work if he wants to get ahead. Better Than Gold was a wonderful historical romance that I read with full enjoyment. Set in 1876, the setting leaps to life from the get-go. Lily's a lively and quirky heroine, Ben's a solid and warm-hearted hero, and it was pure delight to watch their story unfold. I found Lily's spiritual struggles touching and meaningful, and Ben not only helps teach her, he learns some vital truths himself along the way. Laurie Alice Eakes brings humor, insight, and a healthy dose of gold-lust together to create a fast read that keeps the pages turning.

Laurie Alice Eakes is one of the best historical writers I've read. And this book, Better than Gold, does not disappoint. The characters, Lily and Ben are interesting, deep, flawed, yet lovable people who you will find yourself rooting for again and again. The setting and historic detail will pull you away to another time and place, and the romance will keep your toes warm at night! I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Eakes' books.

Laurie Alice Eakes does more than take readers to 1876 in Better Than Gold--she immerses them in the culture of Browning City, Iowa with impeccable research and a keen understanding of nineteenth-century American culture. Laced with clever humor and poignant, real-life faith issues, Better Than Gold is the tale of a treasure hunt for not just a cache of gold but that reward we all seek--the one that truly is better than gold. An uplifting, rewarding read.

Original and tender, BETTER THAN GOLD is the story of a hardworking, resourceful woman and the man who threatens her dreams with the hope of love. Lily Reese is a telegraph operator, and her plans don't include staying in a one-horse Iowa town. Ben Purcell has come to small-town Iowa in search of a place to put down roots. When he meets Lily, he knows he's come home, though she has other opinions. Throw in a mystery and a cache of gold, and you have a wonderful story!