In Golden Splendor ~ book review

OK, I'm Irish and I find it interesting to read about the struggles Irish Immigrants had between growing up in Ireland and American discrimination. This is a story that is NOT told in school books and it isn't until you read historical novels and watch movies that you hear about the "No Jobs for the Irish" signs and the struggles that Irish Immigrants went through. It's interesting to see that every nationality had troubles when they came to the US. Here is a book that I found believable and hard to put down!

If you know someone who enjoys Louis LaMour, John Wayne or other Westerns (from way back when lol) - definitely consider getting a set of these books for their Christmas or Birthday gift. =D I know someone who will enjoy these.

In Golden Splendor 

an Heirs of Ireland Novel 

by Micheal K Reynolds 

ISBN: 978-1433678202

$ 11.09 (paperback)

$ 9.99 (kindle)

About the book: 

With more than 35 million people in the United States today of Irish ancestry, the history of immigration to America remains a popular topic. Michael K. Reynolds weaves a page turning gold rush story of Irish immigrants in his new novel, In Golden Splendor (Broadman & Holman, July 2013). Seamus Hanley is a lost soul, haunted by his past as a U.S. Army deserter and living alone in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in 1849. But after witnessing a deadly stage coach crash, he finds purpose in the scattered wreckage – a letter with a picture of a beautiful and captivating woman named Ashlyn living in San Francisco at the height of the Gold Rush. Moved by her written plea for help, he abandons all and sets out on an epic journey across the wild and picturesque American frontier. While being pursued by those who want to hang him, Seamus encounters fascinating characters including a young Pauite Indian who makes the ultimate sacrifice in helping Seamus to cross the snowy Yosemite Valley. Battered but changed for the better, Seamus reaches San Francisco on Christmas Eve as the city burns in the tragic fire of 1849. But there is little time for rest, as an even greater, more harrowing adventure involving Ashlyn is about to begin. 

My thoughts:

In Golden Splendor was everything I thought it was going to be. The story opens with a scene from Seamus's boyhood that shows the struggle he had growing up with an abusive father and the death of his baby brother who drowns. Seamus has everything against him and the bad decisions he makes as he grows up don't help either.

Although the book is 433 pages long (yes, it's a long one) the writing is very well done and I found In Golden Splendor held my attention. In fact, the writing reminds me much of Louis Lamour and the author can tell a story that seems believable and flows smoothly. I would of liked to hear more of Shila's story (the young Pauite Indian). He kind of comes out of the distance, saves Seamus and Winn's lives and gets him through the worst of his journey until Shila dies saving his life yet again. 

Another thing I really enjoyed about the writing is how the author teaches about God, how He supports us (even when it doesn't seem like He cares). Each of the segments of In Golden Splendor, each scene that Seamus struggles through slowly draws him to God and the conclusion supports God's Saving Grace and Shila illustrates Christ's Ultimate Sacrifice for you and me.

I definitely will keep this author on my bookshelf. I will be watching for and reading his other books in this series:

Click on the title to order: Flight of the Earls and Songs of the Shenandoah (avail to preorder now - releasing Jan 2014)

About the author: Michael K. Reynolds is the writer and producer of Emmy and Telly Award-winning film campaigns and has more than two decades of experience in fiction, journalism, copywriting, and documentary production. He owns Global Studio, a marketing agency, and is also an active leader in church and business, speaking in both ministry and corporate settings. He is the author of the popular Real Life. Real God. blog. Michael lives with his wife and three children in Reno, Nevada. 

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Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing!