Waltz in the Wilderness is Kathleen Denly’s debut novel, and it’s excellent. It’s set in California during the Gold Rush, in the time when people referred to the East as “the States”. (That amused me.)

I found the beginning a little disjointed. I didn’t immediately realise that Eli was Eliza, or that her father had left her with her aunt and uncle. That could have been me—I wasn’t able to sit down and read the way I usually do. Instead, I was snatching a chapter here and a chapter there … not my preference.

But once I got into the story without interruptions, it flowed and flowed well. There was plenty of action (including a shipwreck and a near-drowning), a trek into the wilderness, and plenty of emotional conflict. Daniel is a great hero. He is a man of honour, choosing to do what he believes is right even when it’s hard.

My favourite character was Eliza.

She was a woman who could think and act for herself and wasn’t afraid to act outside society’s norms. She’s strong and independent, knows her own mind, and goes after what she wants … even if it doesn’t appear to make sense. But she’s also not the kind of woman who complains, no matter how bad the circumstances, and I could admire that about her (okay, so she did have a little moan at one point, but it didn’t last).

I especially liked the fact that Eliza and Daniel both developed as characters during the novel, especially in terms of their spiritual journeys. Eliza especially had some lessons to learn, and they came out naturally—which is a testament to Kathleen Denly’s writing.

Recommended.

Waltz in the Wilderness by @KathleenDenly is an enjoyable Christian historical romance debut, set in the American West during the gold rush. #ChristianRomance #BookReview Click To Tweet

Thanks to Wild Heart books for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

Waltz in the Wilderness is Kathleen’s debut novel and the first in a series of three stand-alone historical Christian romance novels connected by secondary characters and their beautiful Southern California setting.

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

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About Waltz in the Wilderness

She’s desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help.

Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother’s death, so she’ll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend’s unexpected assistance is a blessing she can’t refuse.

Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it’s been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancée is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.

When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?

Find Waltz in the Wilderness online at:

Amazon | Goodreads | Kobo

Read the introduction to Waltz in the Wilderness below: