Fields Of Gold

I honestly do not know why there aren't more reviews on this book or why it's not one of the top ten best-selling books. This is definitely one of the most touching and wonderful books I have read this year or ever. It is written so beautifully that it makes you feel the characters' pain, love, dreams and hopes. Evangeline, better known as Eva, is a character that will stay with you long after the last page has been turned. This is historical fiction and it is written so beautifully of a time that is still a sore touch in our nation's history ~~ the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. Eva grows up in Oklahoma on a dusty little farm. It's not an easy living but Eva was content. She has her parents and her best friend, Ruby and romance is too much to hope for, so she didn't dream of it. She pours her imagination and love into the most exquiste quilts ever. Then something magical happens to her and her life is forever changed. Woven in with little tidbits and historical facts ~~ this makes for a great read anytime of the year. It's beautifully written and lyrical. Bostwick writes with a flair that draws the reader into the story and doesn't let go even after the last page is turned. You keep turning the book over to see if there is any more to be said about Eva, Ruby, Morgan and Paul. And you hope that there will be a sequel. This book will haunt you because for a short time, the characters and their stories are real to the reader ~~ at least it was for me. And reading about Oklahoma, the Dust Bowl, the Aviation beginnings and small-town life, the Depression ~~ all became real to me for a short time as if I lived them. The stories are real even if the characters are fiction. It sheds light on a period of history that I've never really shown much interest in before. Now I am interested. If you're looking for something to read that will take you somewhere else for a time and draws you into the lives of the characters, this book is definitely it. It is delightful and wonderful ~~ not depressing and it does tug at the heartstrings. It's a book about life. 6-15-06

As a native Oklahoman, I found this to be a great book. It portrayed small town life very well. It was obvious Mrs. Bostwick did her research. Her portrayal of the hot summers was particularly accurate. The characters were real, with flaws and strengths that made them easy to relate to. The book was so engaging, I finished it in two days; because I wanted to see how it turned out. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes Dorthy Garlock, Jan Karon or Philip Gulley. As a matter of fact, I liked it so well, that I'm buying a copy for a friend's birthday. Sincerely, Shannon Combs

Luxury for me is reading in bed at night after a long hard day at work. This book was so good I had a hard time putting it down, to the point of staying up until the wee hours reading! Just kept thinking "one more page" and before I knew it, it was 3:00 AM! It was captivating and I loved it. Never wanted it to end!

Hope Marie Bostwick is working on a new book, I am a big fan! Fields of Gold is such a multi-leveled story with history, drama, romance and the personal triumph of its lead character that it was enjoyable and engrossing in lots of ways.

This was a charming novel and my only complaint was that it was over too soon! The fictional town of Dillon, Oklahoma had a really authentic small-town feel and even the minor characters were convincing, complex and often humorous. The language is so descriptive and in place, almost poetic, but it doesn't get so complicated that it bogs down the story. It was just beautifully written. I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone, but the author does an amazing job of including a real life historical figure in the story. It was obviously well researched historically, but the pacing was brisk and dialog fresh - a great historical novel. I also liked that the love relationships in the book were convincing but didn't go over the line with graphic sexual descriptions - I wouldn't be embarrassed to recommend this book to my daughter or my mother-in-law (or even my pastor's wife). Finally, the ending was very satisfying but also unpredictable. I just wished there had been more. I hope there will be a sequel.