Deeanne Gist

Rachel van Buren arrives in Gold Rush San Francisco with two wishes: to protect her younger siblings and to return east as soon as possible. Both goals prove more difficult than she could imagine as her brother and sister are lured by the city's dangerous freedom and a missionary-turned-gambler stakes a claim on her heart. Rachel won't give up without a fight though, and soon all will learn an eloquent but humorous lesson about what truly makes a lady. Speak Politely. Even when you're the only respectable woman around, protesting the decadence of a city lost to gold fever. Dress Modestly. Wear your sunbonnet at all times. Ensure nobody sees your work boots muddied by the San Francisco streets. Remain Devoted to Family. Protect your siblings from the lures of the city, even against their wishes. Stand Above Reproach. Most difficult when a wonderful man turns out to be a saloon owner. Rise Above Temptation. No, not even just a little kiss.... When these rules become increasingly difficult to uphold, can Rachel Van Buren remain a beacon of virtue in a city of vice?

A Novel

The Measure of a Lady

Jeni Enjaian

I had no idea that I thought so highly of this book the first time I read it. Some predictable parts appealed to me - predictable appeal, not in narrative. Other things rubbed me completely the wrong way. I found Rachel a difficult character to empathize with since her character leapt from one extreme to another. Gist left Lissa's character woefully flat. The only character I liked and understood was Johnnie. 

This book did not survive round two of the purge from my personal collection.

A review from my old blog...

I don't know why I added this book to my list because before seeing her name on my list I had never heard of her. I am wary of reading books by authors I have heard nothing about or read nothing by them... simply because of past experience.

Unfortunately I am even more wary when I dive into a book by a new Christian author because many times the writing is so pedestrian and trite... especially when the book is historical/western fiction.

I say all of that to say that I was pleasantly surprised by Ms. Gist. As I read the book and became more familiar with the characters. I started to become frustrated with Rachel's behavior because she was so stubbornly holier than thou. Yet at the same time I couldn't help but be drawn to her and her struggle to mesh her beliefs with a land that runs contrary to almost all of them. Every time it looked like Rachel could resolve her difficulties something else would crop up and make things all that more complicated.

When the book ended I found myself wanting more. I wanted a resolution to Lissa's story and perhaps Ms. Gist will write about that in the future. I don't know. I appreciate though Ms. Gist's lack of deus ex machina. Stories simply flow a whole lot better and are much more enjoyable without that particular hackneyed technique. 

I can't wait to read more of her works.

The Measure of a Lady A Novel

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