Gold Nuggets by Lynn Lovegreen
Blurb:
In the shadow of Denali, she has a home, and he finds adventure. Charlotte Cooper wants to stay near her parents’ home in Alaska. But her dreams of being a writer call her away to college or work, and she has to choose her own path in life.
Henry Reeves is a wealthy New Yorker seeking a summer adventure when he travels to Kantishna near the proposed Mt. McKinley National Park. He discovers two passions, one for Charlotte, and the other for keeping Alaska wildlife from being wiped out like the buffalo.
Charlotte and Henry find an attraction they can’t deny, but can they build a new life together between the wilderness and high society?
Buy Link: http://www.prismbookgroup.com/goldnuggets.html
Excerpt:
Henry looked at Charlotte and seemed to regard her for the first time. That didn’t bother her, since she was used to people not noticing her.
“Why are you working here, of all places?”
His face turned crimson as she looked at him, dumbfounded.
“Oh, I’m sorry. That wasn’t very gallant of me. But I assumed you were a passenger. Didn’t expect a young lady as a boatman.”
No, that wasn’t gallant. But she gave him credit for apologizing. “I accept your apology. You will find that women work as hard as men out here.”
“I do apologize, miss. Back where I come from, women tend to stay home.”
Daddy called from his place at his pole. “Women do all kinds of things up here. They run their own businesses, work alongside their families.”
“That’s wonderful.” He smiled at her as if to give his approval, which she didn’t need. She didn’t care what outsiders considered proper or not.
Henry took in the scene. She stole the opportunity to get a good look at him. He seemed to be a year or so older than she was, maybe eighteen. Vitality practically oozed out of his pores. It was easy to imagine him winning a footrace or wrestling a champion. Under his hat, the short hair seemed to accentuate his high cheekbones and strong jaw. His hazel eyes dashed this way and that. He was as pretty as a magpie, and just as annoying when he opened his mouth. She shouldn’t be uncharitable, though. Jane Austen, her role model, would be polite and gracious, and she would try to do the same.
Charlotte thought back to his last remark. It must be boring to stay home all the time. Those poor ladies in New York. She steered toward the deeper part of the river. There was still a lot of run-off from the snowmelt, since it was only June. They were making good time and might get home early today.
“Charlotte, you’re whistling,” Daddy called.
“Oh, sorry.” Her cheeks burned as she realized Henry was staring at her.
Daddy explained. “Sometimes she whistles when she’s not aware of it. I let her know so she can quit the habit.”
Henry beamed at her in a way that made her blush fade. “At least it’s a charming habit. You carry a tune well. ‘By the Light of the Silvery Moon’ is a great song.” Henry hummed a few bars. “What’s the name of this river?”
“Moose Creek,” she answered.
“Seen lots of moose around here?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Does this go all the way to the Denali country?”
She sighed. It wasn’t going to be a quiet trip. But at least he was curious, a sign of intelligence.
Author Bio: Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. She taught English for 20 years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, and hitting targets with a cowboy action shooting club. Her young adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
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