Legends of Gold–and a giveaway

by

In my current series

Golden State Treasure

next up is

Legends of Gold

Here’s the thing about writing books…sometimes the research for them is JUST SO INTERESTING!

I started the series thinking of lost treasure, or a lost mine, in the Rocky Mountains, similar to The Lost Dutchmen’s Mine.

The Lost Dutchman’s mine…the story goes a man comes stumbling out of the mountains in Arizona with gold in his saddlebags. He was dying (I can’t remember exactly the story and rather than look it up I’ll just do my best to repeat it…which is how all wild tales of lost gold go, so why not continue that tradition?)

He ranted and raved about his gold mine, then died.

Thus began a wild search for this gold mine, using the man’s location, the nearby mountains and the man’s ravings as clues. No gold mine was ever found. But there was the gold in his saddlebags so it HAD to be true, right?

It’s said the west was full of such stories so I thought why not write my own?

A garbled journal with dubious clues. An obsessed man who ruined his family by abandoning them to search. Two of his three children are caught by thrill of this treasure hunt.

And my first book, Whispers of Fortune, begins with that third child, an older brother, bitter about his father’s abandonment, and determined to save his brothers from the same obsession, catches up with his treasure mad little brothers. In the course of book #1, we find out that there is SOMETHING out there. The journal, vague and hard to decipher, is definitely a guide to something. Now, finally, mainly because he can’t control his brothers, the older brother agrees to join in the hunt.

The thing about the research is, it starts to turn up very cool true historical facts that can weave their way into my book and there was some really interesting things going on historically at this time and in this place. Or before…which explains the gold.

This is Josh and Tilda’s story. Tilda, who came west searching for the same boys the older brother was, because they lied their way onto an orphan train SHE was in charge of, (they weren’t orphans for heaven’s sake) then ran away from the train, leaving her in a bad position with the people who sent her with the orphans…we can’t just LOSE children, Tilda.

So here she is and she rediscovers knowledge she has about old California and the history of Conquistadors that explored the California coast, and why is it so fascinating to her? And did Captain Cabrilla really come inland? And why is her old boss at the orphanage in New York City so insistent she comes back, when she’d been on the verge of firing her? And did–

Well you get it. So much stuff to read about and research and LOVE that it’s a wonder I can get a book written. And unexpected discoveries about times and places are their own kind of treasure!

Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.

Legends of Gold

Book #2 of Gold State Treasure

After years of solitude, Tilda Muirhead’s life takes an unexpected twist when she takes a position teaching at the orphanage on Two Harts Ranch following her cross-country pursuit of two brothers obsessed with a treasure map left by their adventurous grandfather. Tilda is now tasked with educating the mischievous brothers, who are bent on remaining out west until they find the hoped-for treasure. Then a man named Ben arrives, claiming to be her own long-lost brother. Raised as an orphan with no memory of her family, Tilda is both fascinated and wary of Ben’s sudden interest in finding her.

When Ben’s motives grow increasingly suspect, rancher Josh Hart suggests Tilda and the brothers set off on a quest with him that aims to protect Tilda while unearthing the map’s secrets. As they navigate the rugged wilderness, Tilda becomes captivated by the history behind the map, though she doubts it leads to anything more than old artifacts. Yet danger looms ever closer, and Tilda and Josh must rely on faith and their blossoming love to navigate the treacherous path ahead.

An action-packed Western of family, faith, and the quest to belong.

http://www.maryconnealy.com

 

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Author of Romantic Comedy...with Cowboys including the bestselling Kincaid Brides Series
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63 thoughts on “Legends of Gold–and a giveaway”

  3. That sounds intriguing and interesting. I am sure a lot of the stories and people were embellished over time.

  11. Mary, I actually do not know how your mind comes up with so many stories. It is wonderful. I always enjoy reading your books. What a wonderful talent God has blessed you with. Excited to read the rest of the series. Thank you for writing.

  12. I enjoyed reading Whispers of Fortune especially when I realized you tied it to characters from the Lumber Baron’s Daughters series. So fun. I am looking forward to reading this next book.

  14. I love to read about long ago happenings. So thrilling. Would love to win a signed book to keep and cherish.

  15. I have always been fascinated with the lost Dutchman’s mine. Including that will make for great reading.

  16. Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt! And I love the name Tilda. This sounds like a great read.

  17. LOVE the background knowledge for your book! As a retired teacher of 39 years, the storyline of a teaching position in an orphanage is fascinating. I’m interested in looking up book 1 now. Thanks!

    • The school they are running are working on finding gaps in what they know because there are PLENTY. Then letting them study and find what interests them and they love. Then focus on that.

  19. This sounds very interesting, I would really like to read this!! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!!

  20. My husband and a friend in their later years decided to pan for gold. Armed with two gold pans and buckets they found enough to pay for ice cream cones. The fun they had was priceless.

  22. This is what I enjoy about historical fiction! I learn so many fun and interesting history facts, but it’s never dry and boring (like what I learned in school) because it is set in story form. 🙂

    • Elizabeth, Ihe always wondered why history is a boring subject in school because history is fascinating. it’s the story of heroes and wars, events that changed the world. It should be so cool. Yet somehow school makes it boring. It’s a terrible missed opportunity.

  24. My husband lived in Arizona for a while. When we were newlyweds, we went to visit his brother, who still lived near Phoenix. We saw the Superstition Mountains and Jim told me the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. I’ve always found folklore interesting.

  27. Sounds like a fascinating book! Looking forward to reading it! We live in an area where there (supposedly) used to be quite a few gold mines and still hear about some crazy tales 🙂

  28. I grew up in Arizona not too far from the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine and heard those same stories all my life. Many people have searched for the mine to no avail. Maybe it really didn’t exist. I don’t think we will ever know. Would enjoy reading your book.

  30. Good morning, your book sounds like a Great read and I love the book cover, very intriguing! I know when I start looking for something and then I start researching it it so very interesting, I also love to research things , I have learned so many things I did not know so I am still learning. Thank you for sharing this info. and sharing about your book with us, I am going definitely going to add it to my TBR. Have a great day and a great weekend.

  31. I would imagine there are so many potential rabbit trails with the beauty and history of California as a backdrop, along with the orphan trains and the plight of orphans in general back in the 1800’s. My husband and I, on one of those bucket-list vacations, did visit Sutter’s Mill in CA, which was fascinating. I always enjoy your excellent historical research and intriguing characters!

  32. I am live in Southern Arizona and I am always interested in reading stories about the LostDutchman Mine and Superstition Mountains.

  33. NOT A DUPLICATE POST.I am live in Southern Arizona and I am always interested in reading stories about the LostDutchman Mine and Superstition Mountains.

  36. I don’t know how you get any books written. I look up one thing and I end up following links until the next time I realize, it’s time to go to bed…or even past time. I can’t get anything done. lol

  38. It must be both fascinating and overwhelming all the information you obtain for research, but it sounds really interesting nonetheless!

  41. If I were an author, I would never get a book finished, or maybe even started. I love research. Once I get down the rabbit hole of a subject, there are side subjects to check out, and more topics to research. I follow a site for several authors that has links to their research and there are often links within those that send me elsewhere. I would start reading and come up 2 or 3 hours later. I make sure I have a lot of time before heading there and sadly can’t visit very often. I look forward to this series.

  43. This book sounds amazing and the cover is beautiful! There is so much research now & very interesting. It is easy to get caught going down a rabbit hole when doing research. My oldest daughter always had that problem in school when she had a project or essay, etc…

  45. Definitely sounds intriguing. Do you have an idea about how many books will there be in the series?

  46. I’ve seen different stories about lost treasures and such. I love your spin on these. Different than I’ve read before as far as adventures go. I just may have to investigate your books. lol

  47. This book sounds like a great adventure filled with faith as well as questions as the group follows the map in search for treasure.

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