The Prospector's Only Prospect by Dani Collins
The Prospector's Only Prospect by Dani Collins is a tale of two strong, independent people, having a
match of their wills in this forced proximity
with an arranged marriage story between a widower and a divorced woman who’s
supposed to take care of his three children.The year is 1859 and Virgil Gardner
is a gold miner in the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver City in the Territory
of Kansas. After his wife dies in childbirth back east and his three children
are sent to him he needs a bride; so he advertises for a mail-order bride. Instead
of the woman he has been writing, her sister Marigold Davis arrives in Denver. Upon
meeting Virgil, Marigold lets it be known that she will be a caretaker for his
three children, but that she wants no part of marriage. She’d been there before,
got burned, her reputation ruined; as she isn’t a widow but scandalously is a divorcee
and a suffragist. Virgil is completely caught off guard by the change-up in
brides, but despite feeling tricked and needing someone desperately as a mother
figure for his kids agrees that she can work off her stagecoach ticket by her
caring for the kids and housekeeping; or at least until she figures out the
harsh life of gold prospecting is too much for her.
Marigold has a background that has toughened her up. She needs the protection
of a man but really wants a partner. She earns the respect and affection of others
in camp almost before Virgil can lower his defenses. Virgil has his own back
story that includes years chasing the lure of gold and being away from his wife
and kids. It is hard to reconcile that person to the man he is now. Marigold
fell head over heels for the children, Harley, Nettie, Levi, and Marigold and
protected them with her life; even against a bear. Despite the living
conditions being primitive, all five are sharing a one room cabin, Marigold
isn’t a fish out of water. She takes to caring for the children, cooking and
even doing extra tasks like writing letters for miners or cutting hair to earn
a little extra. She isn’t perfect at everything but she doesn’t complain as she
learns about life in the mining camp. Virgil himself is hard working, stubborn
and cares for his workers and his children.
Ms.
Collins gave Marigold and Virgil time to get to know each other, fall in love
and then fight it out. Add in a grumpy sunshine dynamic and sizzling
tension and you have this amazing and enjoyable romance story. They both had things
to answer for, but watching them fall into their love and family was
fulfilling. It was also interesting to learn about what it means to be a
“fallen woman” and the mention of suffragettes for that time period. I recommend The Prospector's Only Prospect to other readers,
but especially those who enjoys a redeeming story.
I voluntarily reviewed a
complimentary copy of this book.
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