A Claim of Her Own

Title: A CLAIM OF HER OWN
Author: Stephanie Grace Whitson
Publisher: Bethany House
April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0512-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical


Mattie O’Keefe was desperate to escape her former life, and a man who wants to maker her more than a dance house girl. Desperate enough to walk all the way to the Badlands of South Dakota to a town called Deadwood, from Kansas. Mattie’s brother, Dillon had settled in Deadwood, and he promised to send for her as soon as he had a home to bring her too. But Mattie couldn’t wait. She had to leave now. After all, Dillon was boosting about making a fortune in the gold fields, and even though he’d be upset at first, soon he’d be glad that Mattie came.

But once Mattie arrives in Deadwood, she learns the horrible news that her brother is dead. With no where left to go, and no one to turn to , Mattie is soon convinced that gold mining is the key to her future.

When a handsome street preacher speaks against building up treasure on earth, Mattie determines not to listen, believing he doesn’t have the answers. But then circumstances force Mattie to decide where true riches lie—and what is worth dying for.

A CLAIM OF HER OWN is set in the real life town of Deadwood, South Dakota. It was fun revisiting the town and seeing it as it was in its early days. I also enjoyed getting to know some of the characters who walked the pages of this book, especially Swede, a strong, courageous woman who took a difficult path to support her family. Mattie, being a lady, surprised me by her strength; it was a joy to read her story.

The historical town of Deadwood is painted to vividly, that I could almost taste the mud and grit that people traveled as roads. I felt sorry for the women who walked those roads getting covered in mud, and worse. I could see the tents that were used as businesses and the slapped together buildings that were built of wood, but didn’t look as though they would withstand a rainstorm.

Readers of historical fiction will not want to miss A CLAIM OF HER OWN. It is a book that you will live along side the characters. Ms. Whitson is a talented author that I expect to see many more books by. The ending of A CLAIM OF HER OWN is simply precious. $13.99. 318 pages.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of review. No money was exchanged for this service.