Settlers & Toffs by Caryl McAdoo

Second in a series where the wagon train settlers moved on to their new destinies with new struggles as another wagon train moves across the country towards them. Each has opportunities to make a new prosperous life. Entertaining read, very well written. Intertwined ups and downs, dangers and attractions, kids trying to grow up. 

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#Settlers&Toffs #CarylMcAdoo #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #HistoricalRomance #FiveStarNovel 

 

About the Book

 

Book: Settlers & Toffs

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: August 23, 2023

New and old collide in SETTLERS & TOFFS as Ambrose Lee and Blaire build a hotel and a new life together with a remnant from the wagon train he captained in ’49. Settling in Auburn, California, they deal with the gold rush boom town’s growing pangs while the next Earl of Farnsworth, William Cromwell, voyages home to England with his intended Clara and her family. Though separated by a country and an ocean, troubles and trials plague them all. Revisit old friends from Book One WAGONS WEST and meet new ones in this second novel of the New Beginnings Family Saga! This story has been previously published on Kindle Vella with the same title as episodes for Season Two. Season Three, ANSWERING THE CALL episodes are now available at Kindle Vella now.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.

She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.

The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will. 

More from Caryl

I started writing “episodes” for Kindle Vella the first month they opened the new format with WAGONS WEST, season one in the New Beginnings Family Saga Season One. For those who don’t read at Kindle Vella, after the ”season” has been up thirty days, the author can create a book!

The episodes become chapters and WAGONS WEST debuted last November 2022! The SETTLERS & TOFFS story is “Season Two” and I’m tickled pink with it! Book One in the series was an epic wagon train story that ended when they got to the gold fields around Auburn California.

In Book Two, the characters spread out across the globe, and we follow them all. Some of those who arrived in covered wagons began to build the pioneer town of Auburn, making a new home for themselves. Some panning for gold and others building hotels and businesses the miners need.

Some travel to merry old England where one of the wagon train sojourners has been called home after his older brother’s death to be the future Earl of Farnsworth. Having fallen in love, he couldn’t bear to leave Clara behind, so arranges for her family to accompany him. So many of the main characters sail away cross the seas.

The third storyline in SETTLERS & TOFFS becomes another wagon train when the scout in book one decides with his wife to go and bring another group of settlers to the new land—a very lucrative business venture for the captains who knew the way.

There are plenty of characters who come in and out as the story progresses. I’ve come to love the primary ones. There are struggles at every turn. Trials and tribulations fill many of their days, but there are those joyous ones as well!

Through it all, the Lord—still on the throne and in control in 1850—helps His children overcome and blesses them beyond measure . . . just as He does today. He is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek him and obey His commandments—then and now.

My author’s motto is “Praying my story gives God glory!” I also pray that its readers will be drawn into a closer walk with the Almighty as they walk alongside these awesome, stalwart folks who settled the West! They had it rough, but God . . . PRAISE HIM!

They sure do! And so do I!
BLESSINGS!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5
Texas Book-aholic, November 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 8 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, November 9
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 10
Beauty in the Binding, November 11 (Author Interview)
The Lit Lady, November 11
For Him and My Family, November 12
For the Love of Literature, November 13 (Author Inteview)
Exploring the Written Word, November 13
Holly’s Book Corner, November 14
Cover Lover Book Review, November 15
Pause for Tales, November 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/28b2c/settlers-toffs-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Westering Women

Historical Fiction. Starts in February 1852 Chicago, Illinois, the journey ends in September 1852 in California. A wagon train was formed to bring brides to men in California. God fearing, moral men, asking for women who were the same. Many women joined the train, for many different reasons. It brought out the best in them, amazed others with their strength and when they made it - they were famous. The journey wasn't easy, and all had their secrets. Many were lost along the way, some turned back. This tells the story of a few of the core of the group. It's very well told, you feel as though you're travelling with them. I've always been fascinated by wagon train stories, have wondered if I would have made it. I'm pretty resourceful, but these ladies paved the way. They were almost all strangers when they started out, but were sisters by the time they survived the trail. There were many hardships that women faced in those days, and unfair treatment by men was accepted at that time. These women proved they didn't need men, and surprised many. Very good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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One More River to Cross by Jane Kirkpatrick

Most of this is facts that the author found in research. One of the first wagon trains to travel this area.

In the epilogue Jane said she hoped that this story might celebrate the honor of self-sacrifice, the wisdom of working together, and the power of persevering through community and faith. She did that exactly. This story is set in 1844 as a wagon train is progressing across country towards Oregon first then changing to California, which was still Mexican at the time. A fairly easy trip for the first part, they didn't take into the account the high mountains and altitude around Lake Tahoe, and thought California only had warm temperatures. Never expecting the deep, deep snow in the mountains. These became tremendous obstacles for them. Most were Irish, some from Canada.  Good old Irish stubbornness, brains and tenacity came into play as they determined to live and move to their goal. Women were expected to follow without question or input, not expected to think. This group of Irish girls got tired of that and when left to themselves learned what they needed to and proved resourcefulness of their own,  as the men left and forged ahead without them. As with all of Jane's books, there are always lessons to be learned that will apply to women everywhere, anytime.

Quotes
“An old Indian once told me, ‘When you come to a wide chasm— jump. It’s not as wide as you think.’ We had no alternative but to jump and so we did.”

“Taking things apart to re-create them,” Mary said. “That’s happening to us too,” Sarah said. “We’re having to remake ourselves here.” And so they did.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Golden Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

"Joseph wondered why the Lord tarried. It had to grieve Him to see the way the world had gone."

Interesting story of the early days of San Francisco, during the days of the gold rush. Tens of thousands of people descended on the area in just a matter of months. Two prosperous young men were trying to live in kindness and goodness amongst all the sin and corruption. They were the best of friends. Then Daniel's sister came to live with him. He owned a restaurant and she began to help him, fitting right in with him and his friend.

It's very realistic, through their thoughts seeing the struggle and difficulties of making a way for goodness when the evil around them was so strong. There wasn't any law or government, and there wasn't room for everyone. People lived and ran businesses out of tents. Discrimination, theft, all types of crime were unchecked. These characters all had and developed strong faith together, doing all they could to help others. Excellent investment in your time!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Deepest Roots of the Heart by Chautona Havig

I hate to judge a book by it's cover, but I put off reading this one because of it. The description sounded good, but the cover made it look boring. Not so at all - it's an excellent read! This is a historical romance within a historical romance.  Very well written, you form a bond with each of the characters. You can feel the depth of family honor, tradition and history of Avelino Carrillo. He returns from fighting WW2 in the Philippines with the intention of getting back his home and vineyard that has been in the family for generations.  It was nearly lost by his brother and signed over to a landshark, but Avelino is able to make a deal with him to earn it back by working in the vineyards for no salary for seven years. A deal that may not be what it seems.

The property has been rented out by the landshark. Thinking to rub it in, he sends Avelino to live in the garage apartment instead of the house. But Avelino is able to make a connection with the renters, Amelia and her Grandfather, who have a great respect for the Carillos and have started to restore the vines and vineyard.

Avelino is a talented storyteller,and little by little tells the story of the first Avelino who fought in the Mexican-American war and made his way from Texas to found the Ranchero. And he tells the story of his Great-Great Grandmother, whom Amelia resembles.  Amelia becomes entranced with the history and with Avelino. Between the stories and the struggles with day to day life, love begins to take root and entwine itself around them. But prejudice seems to surround Avelino wherever he goes, and he does not want to expose her to that.  Also his family is traditionally Catholic, hers is Baptist.  There is strength and honor in both families. Things are not always what they seem and a great deal is revealed about the townspeople. This is book one in a new series. I can't wait to read the next!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterfall Press- Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.

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