The Trouble with Nancy (Gold Diggers Collection One, #2)

by Chautona Havig

[phyllish]

A humorous look at the Pony Express and so much more!

I don't know why I'm always surprised when I'm surprised by twists in stories by Chautona Havig! She caught me off guard again in The Trouble with Nancy with a mystery.

Nancy was a silly girl and I probably wouldn't have cared for her if I had been introduced to her before the start of the story. She was frivolous and while she wasn't simple, she was much too impulsive, not thinking of the effect of her actions on others. Yet I wasn't introduced to her earlier. Instead it was when she realized that she needed to step up to the plate and help the family out.

And you know what? I loved Nancy and her determination despite difficult circumstances!

She couldn't ride a horse, in fact, she had great difficulty even mounting a horse! Falling while mounting, falling while riding. Jarred mercilessly while riding! While this made for a comical situation, it wasn't absurd. Instead of making me scoff at how ridiculous it was, it made me admire this young lady who was willing to sacrifice her comfortable life for the sake of her mother and brother. Despite fall after fall, embarrassment, and discomfort she persevered!

As you might imagine, Nancy had a lot of maturing to do. Not only that, she questioned her relationship with the Lord and whether He cared for her, or if this was some sort of punishment. As I do expect and appreciate with Chautona Havig's books, the spiritual aspects were insightful and integrated into the story quite naturally.

I also liked that this story showed what was happening back home in Indiana as Nancy traveled her lonely route. Nancy wasn't the only one facing perils in this story! All the characters were relate-able and I loved the ones I was supposed to love!

I also loved gaining more insight into the Pony Express, the types of riders selected (orphans preferred!) and the perils of their journeys. While this is not the first story I've read about a rider on the express, The Trouble with Nancy showed me things I had never considered.

If you enjoy historical fiction that teaches, challenges, inspires, makes you laugh and makes you sigh, look no further!

Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.