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Loving Vigil #1
My Loving Vigil Keeping
Della's giving up all the comforts of bustling Salt Lake City to teach school in a rural coal mining camp. Little does she know, she may soon be giving up her heart as well. But when tragedy strikes in the Scofield Mine, Della's life will be changed forever.
Based on true events, this thrilling romance from award-winning and bestselling author Carla Kelly is a must-read!
Based on true events, this thrilling romance from award-winning and bestselling author Carla Kelly is a must-read!
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2012
65 people are currently reading
1325 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books803 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
August 21, 2012
I am in complete ah of this story and it has now become one of my very favorite books. This story has so much heart, and I felt like mine was being tugged at continually. It brought me to tears several times. The emotions that are felt and brought to life in this story are so true to life. I love all of the characters and just wanted to reach through the pages and hug them all. I know, sounds a little over the top, but this story and it's characters is one I will not soon forget.
Della is a simple but beautiful young women raised by her uncle Karl and aunt Caroline, who are premier residents in Salt Lake City. Tragedy had taken her father, and her mother had left them when she was a young girl. Della's aunt was a nasty mean women, and that is putting it lightly,grr she made me so mad I wanted to reach through my kindle and do bodily harm to the women. Uncle Karl should have been more aware of what was going on concerning the care of his niece. I think the man must have been blind, but in truth I think he is a coward. Della has an opportunity to teach in Winter Quarters a coal mining community in Colorado. She wants to go there to start a new and do some personal healing of her heart. I loved these people of Winter Quarters they were amazing. Everything isn't perfect in the little town. There were definite social class prejudice that were brought to light in this story and were dealt with very well. Della makes friends and begins to start her life here. She also begins to loss her heart to a wonderful man.....but? The journey with Della in this little mining community was fun as well as heart wrenching, and I am so glad I was apart of it.
This story resonates with me on a personal level, my great-great grandmother was a child of the mines. Her father was a coal miner from England who came to America to work the mines with his brothers in Kimmer, Wyoming,. He brought his wife and Daughter Sarah (my grandmother) by ship. His wife decided to leave him and departed the boat with another man. He would not allow her to take Sarah with her. Sarah grew up in the mines and took care of her coal mining father who was a drunk. Her father would have her walk the rail tracks in search of spilled coal that they could use to keep warm with. My great-great grandfather found her with two buckets of coal tide to a pole around her back lying in the freezing snow almost dead. He took her home to his family and they nursed her back to health. Years later they would be married. She never went back to live with her father, he new were she was, he died later in a mine explosion. Sara later became a well known midwife in Star Valley, Wyoming. Mrs. Kelly helped to paint a picture with words for me of my grandmothers life through her story of Della, and I am very grateful, Thank you Mrs. Kelly.
I know I rambled some with this review, but if you love historical fiction, romance, beautiful writing, witty, strong, frustrating, chivalrous characters you will probably love this story too.
content:
clean read
warning lots of tissues for the happy and sad times:)
Della is a simple but beautiful young women raised by her uncle Karl and aunt Caroline, who are premier residents in Salt Lake City. Tragedy had taken her father, and her mother had left them when she was a young girl. Della's aunt was a nasty mean women, and that is putting it lightly,grr she made me so mad I wanted to reach through my kindle and do bodily harm to the women. Uncle Karl should have been more aware of what was going on concerning the care of his niece. I think the man must have been blind, but in truth I think he is a coward. Della has an opportunity to teach in Winter Quarters a coal mining community in Colorado. She wants to go there to start a new and do some personal healing of her heart. I loved these people of Winter Quarters they were amazing. Everything isn't perfect in the little town. There were definite social class prejudice that were brought to light in this story and were dealt with very well. Della makes friends and begins to start her life here. She also begins to loss her heart to a wonderful man.....but? The journey with Della in this little mining community was fun as well as heart wrenching, and I am so glad I was apart of it.
This story resonates with me on a personal level, my great-great grandmother was a child of the mines. Her father was a coal miner from England who came to America to work the mines with his brothers in Kimmer, Wyoming,. He brought his wife and Daughter Sarah (my grandmother) by ship. His wife decided to leave him and departed the boat with another man. He would not allow her to take Sarah with her. Sarah grew up in the mines and took care of her coal mining father who was a drunk. Her father would have her walk the rail tracks in search of spilled coal that they could use to keep warm with. My great-great grandfather found her with two buckets of coal tide to a pole around her back lying in the freezing snow almost dead. He took her home to his family and they nursed her back to health. Years later they would be married. She never went back to live with her father, he new were she was, he died later in a mine explosion. Sara later became a well known midwife in Star Valley, Wyoming. Mrs. Kelly helped to paint a picture with words for me of my grandmothers life through her story of Della, and I am very grateful, Thank you Mrs. Kelly.
I know I rambled some with this review, but if you love historical fiction, romance, beautiful writing, witty, strong, frustrating, chivalrous characters you will probably love this story too.
content:
clean read
warning lots of tissues for the happy and sad times:)
February 20, 2015
This is not a book for everyone, any more than any book is. But while I was wrapped up in the middle of it – wrapped up as if in a hand-stitched quilt – I couldn't help wishing it was, that everyone could enjoy the simple lovely sweetness of this book. It was such a balm to read, good-hearted and earnest and straightforward, no cynicism and no double meanings and no pretensions … I enjoy many kinds of books, but those that make me feel as this one did have a special place in my heart.
I have no idea what possessed me to request this book from Netgalley. The title sounds like the most standard of historical romance novels; there must have been something about the description. Then it languished on my Kindle for a bit, until one weekend day I clicked on it, more to skim a couple of chapters so that I could decline it and move on, I thought, than to actually read it. Heh. Suffice to say I didn't get much else done that day, and stayed up well past my bedtime, and while I didn't call in sick to work just so I could finish the book, I did need to call in sick and happily (if painfully) settled in to read the end.
It reminded me, strongly and in good ways, of Anne of Windy Poplars, and of Christy. In all three books a spirited young woman leaves her home and goes off to teach, though Anne is never called upon to look after the spiritual well-being of her charges as Christy and Della are. (And Della's home was something she was overjoyed to leave, as opposed to the other two.)
Della's duty takes her to an isolated coal mining community in Utah to teach the miners' children, mostly Welsh. Theirs is a filthy, horrifyingly dangerous existence – even with humane and careful mine owners, every day the men go into the mines is a day they might not come out. Della knows this well – her father was a coal miner, and died when she was very young, so this new life is familiar in ways both good and bad.
There was a strong Christian thread woven throughout this book – Latter Day Saints, specifically, which in its foreignness was a small hurdle for me and which in its LDSness will I'm sure be a larger hurdle for others. For me, though, whatever the trappings there was enough of a connection with the faith I grew up with and wish I still had. There was a sweet and gentle romance here, satisfying in its slow and natural growth and fruition; there was humor here, and a deep sadness that deepened when I found out that the mine disaster featured in the book was real. It was an old-fashioned story well told. I loved it.
My Loving Vigil Keeping:
Though I roam a minstrel lonely
All through the night
My true harp shall praise sing only
All through the night
Love's young dream, alas, is over
Yet my strains of love shall hover
Near the presence of my lover
All through the night
I have no idea what possessed me to request this book from Netgalley. The title sounds like the most standard of historical romance novels; there must have been something about the description. Then it languished on my Kindle for a bit, until one weekend day I clicked on it, more to skim a couple of chapters so that I could decline it and move on, I thought, than to actually read it. Heh. Suffice to say I didn't get much else done that day, and stayed up well past my bedtime, and while I didn't call in sick to work just so I could finish the book, I did need to call in sick and happily (if painfully) settled in to read the end.
It reminded me, strongly and in good ways, of Anne of Windy Poplars, and of Christy. In all three books a spirited young woman leaves her home and goes off to teach, though Anne is never called upon to look after the spiritual well-being of her charges as Christy and Della are. (And Della's home was something she was overjoyed to leave, as opposed to the other two.)
Della's duty takes her to an isolated coal mining community in Utah to teach the miners' children, mostly Welsh. Theirs is a filthy, horrifyingly dangerous existence – even with humane and careful mine owners, every day the men go into the mines is a day they might not come out. Della knows this well – her father was a coal miner, and died when she was very young, so this new life is familiar in ways both good and bad.
There was a strong Christian thread woven throughout this book – Latter Day Saints, specifically, which in its foreignness was a small hurdle for me and which in its LDSness will I'm sure be a larger hurdle for others. For me, though, whatever the trappings there was enough of a connection with the faith I grew up with and wish I still had. There was a sweet and gentle romance here, satisfying in its slow and natural growth and fruition; there was humor here, and a deep sadness that deepened when I found out that the mine disaster featured in the book was real. It was an old-fashioned story well told. I loved it.
My Loving Vigil Keeping:
Though I roam a minstrel lonely
All through the night
My true harp shall praise sing only
All through the night
Love's young dream, alas, is over
Yet my strains of love shall hover
Near the presence of my lover
All through the night
January 23, 2013
I read this book because it was my book club pick for the month. Let me back up a few months. I went in for my annual eye appointment and the tech that checked my eyes asked me what I was reading. That led to a conversation about books and soon she discovered I belonged to a book club. She told me her mother was an author who had written books for about 30 years. She told me she lived in Wellington a small nearby town. She had written a book about The Winter Quarters Mine disaster that had occurred in our mining community on May 1 in 1900. It was the worst mining disaster in history up to that point killing about 200 miners. The disaster occurred during the time when small mining towns dotted the area I now call home. Commuting was not possible so mine towns sprang up at the base of each mine. My grandfather mined coal. My dad grew up in many of the coal camps as his dad moved from one camp to the other following the coal. My dad mined coal for a short time and even my husband spent a summer or two in the mine. My neighbor and my brother-in-law have made a career of it. Mining is the economic base of our community. All through my growing up years whenever State History was studied one learned about the Winter Quarters Mine Disaster. I can't tell you how many times I've driven through Pleasant Valley that lies in the mountain tops to the northwest of us. Every time I pass the canyon my eyes glance up at the still standing shell of the mine offices. That is all that is left. I've never once thought of the little town that once thrived in this pretty little valley. Several times I have visited the Scofield cemetery where many of the miners were buried. One place from the book talks about how haunting it is that so many of the headstones have the same death date carved into their simple surfaces. I'd never thought about that until now. What I liked best about reading this book is it made me realize that people once lived there. They were real. They loved and laughed and they died there. So many women and children left Winter Quarters widowed and fatherless. It makes me very sad. The book was a little "all is sweet" but reading it in anticipation for the disaster I knew was coming made it bittersweet. I really liked it. As a bonus the author came to our book club meeting where we got acquainted with her and picked her brain about her research into the disaster.
October 29, 2012
To be fair, I rarely meet LDS fiction that I like and I have yet to enjoy a romance. This book didn't really have a chance then, did it? It is was not the worst thing I have ever read, but I felt the plot and character development were tired and cliche. Learning about the mine disaster was interesting and I appreciated the research and attention to detail the author gave to that part of the story. The nonfictional events of the book spoke to me much more than the fictional parts (i.e.the awful job assigned to Clarence Nix). Other than that I was underwhelmed. I would recommend it to folks who really appreciate this genre (it is better than some I have read), but otherwise don't bother.
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January 25, 2015
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book... for more, visit Punya Reviews...
I generally don’t read religious-themed novels, if ever, but Carla Kelly’s My Loving Vigil Keeping was so much more than just that. Not only was it rich in narratives but also a well researched novel based on a turn of the century mining town. But the most special thing about this novel was the fact that it was based on the Scofield Mining Disaster of May 1, 1900; a tragedy that took the lives of at last 200 miners on that fateful day.
I’ve never heard of the Scofield tragedy until I began reading the reviews of this book. Even then I didn’t really pay much attention to it, not knowing what to expect. What I didn’t expect is to completely get absorbed in the lives of these miners. Carla Kelly quite successfully blended her research into a fictional world that kept me hooked till the end. It’s then I begin reading about the tragedy and how it all happened. The information is not complete, and no one still knows exactly what happened inside the mines (#1 and #4) since high-tech equipments were unavailable at that time. My heart broke for these miners who passed on, also for their families who suffered thru the tragedy God knows for how long afterwards. I could only hope those miners didn’t suffer much... Unfortunately, even knowing that everything in this book led up to that disaster so that I’m prepared for it didn’t make it any more bearable when the inevitable happened. It broke my heart all the same.
Della, an orphan, came to live with her rich uncle and his family when she was only 12. Since her uncle was rather oblivious to anything other than his big lawyer job, he left everything else to the hands of his wife. Della, the proverbial ‘poor relation’, was never welcomed into this household with open arms as if she’d sully their uppity life and living with her presence! She was fed and had a place to live but that’s about it. Della was ignored most of the times, as were her needs while growing up. Della’s father, the younger brother, was the family ‘blacksheep’ who loved adventures. He was always trying out new things. So while Della’s uncle did his best to erase their family’s more humble past, her father went to a mine. He also met a beautiful Greek girl while in one of those, had Della but wasn’t able to marry her in the end. He tragically perished in a mining accident couple of years later. Della has never met her mother. Needless to say, Della’s mean aunt made it sure everyone around her knew that she’s illegitimate, leaving her quite effectively alone in the world. Della didn’t have a lovely childhood to be sure. She was an awkward child who was teased more often than not by her classmates which she coped by working at the school library. It also gave her a little financial help when she needed it the most. You just have to read it to believe it because honestly, there’s no way I can capture this girl’s sad and lonely childhood. It was a wonder that she grew up so well, or should I say, made herself grow so well!
Della has never complained to his uncle about the shabby way she had been treated. Either way, she was always set on leaving as soon as the opportunity arrived. She had been working as a teacher to a local school, much to Della’s snooty aunt’s dismay. Then one day, the opportunity finally arrives. Della finds a teaching job that no one was willing to take, in Winter Quarters in Scofield. But since it’s a mining town so high up in the mountains, that spot was left vacant. Della, probably for the first time in her life, felt this sudden impulse. She’s going to fill in; not only because it’d give her the perfect excuse to leave but also, it brought back some vague, yet long cherished memories of living in a mining town with her handsome father back in those days. No matter how much her uncle’s family wants to erase that thought, Della wants to relive it all over again. In a few days, she was on her way to a new beginning.
Della’s time in the Winter Quarters starts with adventures, and it remained that way; new adventures every day. She’s not fond of heights but she welcomes it nonetheless. On her way, at first, she meets the doctor of the town, Emil Isgreen. She’s then welcomed by Israel Bowman, the other teacher of the school she’d be teaching in. As her journey went on, Della also meets the miners. She’s pleasantly surprised by the revered way she’s treated by these men. It was very apparent that they wanted the best for their children, and was aware that nothing beat education. They also knew not many people wanted to venture out here, which made Della a celebrity of sorts for even wanting to be here, didn’t matter that her contract was only for a year. She’s very moved by this show of respect because her so-called living relatives never ever thought her that worthy. Yet these strangers did. Della’s now resolved to make the best of her time here, to do anything possible for the children of these miners.
Della began feeling at home very soon, not only because she’s was used to living in a mining town but also the way everybody made her feel welcomed. She wins over new fans each day by witty banters and easy camaraderie. The whole mining town is a big hub of mixed race; Welsh, Scottish, English as well as Finnish miners live here with their big families. I learned that because Scofield mines were known to be the safest in the country, it was called the ‘family mine’. Majority of the miners had more than one family member working side by side. So very ironical that depresses one even to think of it. Which is why, the whole community here was presented as a great big international family. Though in small ways they sought to preserve their own traditions, as a whole they stood together. I didn’t see any big conflict among them that could keep them apart. Della was promptly taken in in a way that she leaves her emotional. Her own blood relatives never made her feel as welcomed as these simple miners.
Della finds lodgings with the Welsh community thanks to a female boarding house owner. Mabli. She’s also introduced to many other miners with the help of the foreman, Rev. Parmley, an elderly Englishman who was popular among his charges. Incidentally, the people here were Mormons, something Della also shared with them, so they’d go to the church together. Many a pages in the story were spent on their church activities, mostly the choir and the hymns. Because Della had a great voice, she was told that her help might be needed here. In a funny way, she discovers that that is not the case as the church here already posses a superb choir. Every person who sang there had wonderfully brilliant voices. Even the people who attended would sing with the choir in such a harmony that left her overwhelmed with emotions more than once. For Della, the whole experience was simply divine.
Della wouldn’t have been a part of this choir had it not been for one Owen Davis; a miner and widowed father to 6 yrs. old Angharad, also a Master carpenter. She met Owen very early in the story through Rev. Parmley. They soon struck up a friendship of sort that developed into subtle attraction. Owen married young and lost his wife young. He raised Angharad almost alone from her infancy. What I meant as a big family would be this; when Gwyna died, Owen had to turn to the nursing mothers of his community day and night to feed his baby girl. This is how Angharad became a daughter to many a woman who nursed her whenever it was necessary. Owen is very loved by the community and everybody wants him to be happy. He’s still in love with his wife and hasn’t even thought about moving on beyond raising Angharad to the best of his capabilities. I really missed Owen’s POV throughout as the story because even though third person narratives, it was told from Della’s POV.
Della’s ties to big names, her uncle being THE famous railroad lawyer, while a distant but loving family friend being one of the richest men around, proved to be a trouble at first. The simple miners were wary of her rich relatives as well. But as soon as she cleared their doubt by talking about her own past and how her relatives’ big names don’t really count because she has known dire poverty just like them, Della was able to mingle with them more freely.
Mabli is Owen’s sister-in-law, so he regularly visits her boarding house. Della is also introduced to Angharad and instantly takes to her. Quickly enough, she has a life eked out with a daily routine as the school starts in full force. The only difficulty she faced was with Miss Clayson, the grumpy headmistress of the school. Everyone was so wary of her that they’d give her a wide berth, saying there’s a dragon lives in the basement of that school. Think I don’t have to explain where Miss Clayson used to live. :D She didn’t mingle much and was very rude to Della since day one, so much so that Della thought she’d lose her job sooner rather than later. This is why the transformation of that tentative relationship was more meaningful in the end of the story. But for now, somehow Della manages to hold on and starts her school job more pleasantly than she’d expected. She finds solace in the fact that the kids are brilliant, most very eager to attend school every day, learning as best as they could. Their day to day activities were a lovely read. By the time I got half-way through, it felt as if I was living there myself, learning their ways personally.
Owen’s attraction to Della was almost too subtle. He was a good man who couldn’t help wanting her. I saw how he became protective of her very early in the story. He was concerned about Della’s well being and tried to show it in small ways, like carving beautiful wooden pieces just for her or by walking her home in the evening. People in his community welcomed their budding relationship because they also loved Della. Since Gwyna’s death, no one saw Owen smile, let alone enjoying himself. But around Della, he was different, lighter somehow. Yet Owen didn’t know if he can move forward just yet, so it took him a while to come around. This reluctance to move forward becomes an issue for them. Della understood it, or tried her best and she held no grudges towards Gwyna. But being in love with a man who still couldn’t think beyond his past couldn’t have made any girl happy. Della wanted her own family. She adored Angharad who returned it tenfold. She had a wonderful relationship with Mabli too. Owen became her best friend soon after they met. She knew in her heart that Owen felt something special for her which is why his reluctance hurt. Della knew rejection and frustration too well but it hurt more because it came from him. She became insecure, not knowing if Owen would ever be able to accept this new reality. At one point, despite everyone wanting her to be around for as long as possible, Della becomes determined to move to a new school after her contract here ended. How can she live here day after day with this insecurity eating her from the inside out? TBH, I was also feeling her pain, yet I couldn’t completely blame Owen either. He was a very loyal man, think you get the picture.
I can honestly go on and on because the story goes to describe, at length, about many mining town activities (most I had no idea about) and the many traditions they held. The simple lives of the miners, their proud bearing and thoughts on their profession but most especially, their love for their families and a secret hope for a better future for their children. It’s not really possible for me to capture all in here. Only when you read is how you experience it. The romance of Della and Owen was not on the centerfold as the story was leading to that tragic event. The whole incident and the aftermath was so heart wrenching, especially when it was made to look as if Owen didn’t survive... I can’t explain to you how difficult it was for me to even get through the rest of the story. I probably wouldn’t have done a review but thankfully, he was one of the very lucky few who made an escape.
My Loving Vigil Keeping was a slow moving story but I didn’t care. The only complain I had would be the abrupt ending. Though there were some hasty hints to Della-Owen’s future, I needed to read it, to learn how they coped with the aftermaths. They only just found each-other right after such a big disaster, there definitely should’ve been a few more chapters for closure. I craved it and thought I was cheated out of it. Even after days of finishing the book, I kept thinking about them. I wish there was a follow up story because I’d absolutely love to read it. With that hope, I’ll conclude my review. 4.5 stars for a wonderfully heart-tugging read.
Note for those who don’t know: My Loving Vigil Keeping, the title, comes from the lyrics of a well-known traditional Welsh lullaby, “Ar Hyd y Nos” or “All Through the Night”. It’s a beautiful song and you can find different rendition in youtube. I had to go look for it and listen to it of course, my personal favorite being this one. :) After that, the title, as well as its connection to the storyline became more apparent. Many-a-times, you’ll find Owen and Della singing this song to Angharad in bed at night.
I generally don’t read religious-themed novels, if ever, but Carla Kelly’s My Loving Vigil Keeping was so much more than just that. Not only was it rich in narratives but also a well researched novel based on a turn of the century mining town. But the most special thing about this novel was the fact that it was based on the Scofield Mining Disaster of May 1, 1900; a tragedy that took the lives of at last 200 miners on that fateful day.
I’ve never heard of the Scofield tragedy until I began reading the reviews of this book. Even then I didn’t really pay much attention to it, not knowing what to expect. What I didn’t expect is to completely get absorbed in the lives of these miners. Carla Kelly quite successfully blended her research into a fictional world that kept me hooked till the end. It’s then I begin reading about the tragedy and how it all happened. The information is not complete, and no one still knows exactly what happened inside the mines (#1 and #4) since high-tech equipments were unavailable at that time. My heart broke for these miners who passed on, also for their families who suffered thru the tragedy God knows for how long afterwards. I could only hope those miners didn’t suffer much... Unfortunately, even knowing that everything in this book led up to that disaster so that I’m prepared for it didn’t make it any more bearable when the inevitable happened. It broke my heart all the same.
Della, an orphan, came to live with her rich uncle and his family when she was only 12. Since her uncle was rather oblivious to anything other than his big lawyer job, he left everything else to the hands of his wife. Della, the proverbial ‘poor relation’, was never welcomed into this household with open arms as if she’d sully their uppity life and living with her presence! She was fed and had a place to live but that’s about it. Della was ignored most of the times, as were her needs while growing up. Della’s father, the younger brother, was the family ‘blacksheep’ who loved adventures. He was always trying out new things. So while Della’s uncle did his best to erase their family’s more humble past, her father went to a mine. He also met a beautiful Greek girl while in one of those, had Della but wasn’t able to marry her in the end. He tragically perished in a mining accident couple of years later. Della has never met her mother. Needless to say, Della’s mean aunt made it sure everyone around her knew that she’s illegitimate, leaving her quite effectively alone in the world. Della didn’t have a lovely childhood to be sure. She was an awkward child who was teased more often than not by her classmates which she coped by working at the school library. It also gave her a little financial help when she needed it the most. You just have to read it to believe it because honestly, there’s no way I can capture this girl’s sad and lonely childhood. It was a wonder that she grew up so well, or should I say, made herself grow so well!
Della has never complained to his uncle about the shabby way she had been treated. Either way, she was always set on leaving as soon as the opportunity arrived. She had been working as a teacher to a local school, much to Della’s snooty aunt’s dismay. Then one day, the opportunity finally arrives. Della finds a teaching job that no one was willing to take, in Winter Quarters in Scofield. But since it’s a mining town so high up in the mountains, that spot was left vacant. Della, probably for the first time in her life, felt this sudden impulse. She’s going to fill in; not only because it’d give her the perfect excuse to leave but also, it brought back some vague, yet long cherished memories of living in a mining town with her handsome father back in those days. No matter how much her uncle’s family wants to erase that thought, Della wants to relive it all over again. In a few days, she was on her way to a new beginning.
Della’s time in the Winter Quarters starts with adventures, and it remained that way; new adventures every day. She’s not fond of heights but she welcomes it nonetheless. On her way, at first, she meets the doctor of the town, Emil Isgreen. She’s then welcomed by Israel Bowman, the other teacher of the school she’d be teaching in. As her journey went on, Della also meets the miners. She’s pleasantly surprised by the revered way she’s treated by these men. It was very apparent that they wanted the best for their children, and was aware that nothing beat education. They also knew not many people wanted to venture out here, which made Della a celebrity of sorts for even wanting to be here, didn’t matter that her contract was only for a year. She’s very moved by this show of respect because her so-called living relatives never ever thought her that worthy. Yet these strangers did. Della’s now resolved to make the best of her time here, to do anything possible for the children of these miners.
Della began feeling at home very soon, not only because she’s was used to living in a mining town but also the way everybody made her feel welcomed. She wins over new fans each day by witty banters and easy camaraderie. The whole mining town is a big hub of mixed race; Welsh, Scottish, English as well as Finnish miners live here with their big families. I learned that because Scofield mines were known to be the safest in the country, it was called the ‘family mine’. Majority of the miners had more than one family member working side by side. So very ironical that depresses one even to think of it. Which is why, the whole community here was presented as a great big international family. Though in small ways they sought to preserve their own traditions, as a whole they stood together. I didn’t see any big conflict among them that could keep them apart. Della was promptly taken in in a way that she leaves her emotional. Her own blood relatives never made her feel as welcomed as these simple miners.
Della finds lodgings with the Welsh community thanks to a female boarding house owner. Mabli. She’s also introduced to many other miners with the help of the foreman, Rev. Parmley, an elderly Englishman who was popular among his charges. Incidentally, the people here were Mormons, something Della also shared with them, so they’d go to the church together. Many a pages in the story were spent on their church activities, mostly the choir and the hymns. Because Della had a great voice, she was told that her help might be needed here. In a funny way, she discovers that that is not the case as the church here already posses a superb choir. Every person who sang there had wonderfully brilliant voices. Even the people who attended would sing with the choir in such a harmony that left her overwhelmed with emotions more than once. For Della, the whole experience was simply divine.
Della wouldn’t have been a part of this choir had it not been for one Owen Davis; a miner and widowed father to 6 yrs. old Angharad, also a Master carpenter. She met Owen very early in the story through Rev. Parmley. They soon struck up a friendship of sort that developed into subtle attraction. Owen married young and lost his wife young. He raised Angharad almost alone from her infancy. What I meant as a big family would be this; when Gwyna died, Owen had to turn to the nursing mothers of his community day and night to feed his baby girl. This is how Angharad became a daughter to many a woman who nursed her whenever it was necessary. Owen is very loved by the community and everybody wants him to be happy. He’s still in love with his wife and hasn’t even thought about moving on beyond raising Angharad to the best of his capabilities. I really missed Owen’s POV throughout as the story because even though third person narratives, it was told from Della’s POV.
Della’s ties to big names, her uncle being THE famous railroad lawyer, while a distant but loving family friend being one of the richest men around, proved to be a trouble at first. The simple miners were wary of her rich relatives as well. But as soon as she cleared their doubt by talking about her own past and how her relatives’ big names don’t really count because she has known dire poverty just like them, Della was able to mingle with them more freely.
Mabli is Owen’s sister-in-law, so he regularly visits her boarding house. Della is also introduced to Angharad and instantly takes to her. Quickly enough, she has a life eked out with a daily routine as the school starts in full force. The only difficulty she faced was with Miss Clayson, the grumpy headmistress of the school. Everyone was so wary of her that they’d give her a wide berth, saying there’s a dragon lives in the basement of that school. Think I don’t have to explain where Miss Clayson used to live. :D She didn’t mingle much and was very rude to Della since day one, so much so that Della thought she’d lose her job sooner rather than later. This is why the transformation of that tentative relationship was more meaningful in the end of the story. But for now, somehow Della manages to hold on and starts her school job more pleasantly than she’d expected. She finds solace in the fact that the kids are brilliant, most very eager to attend school every day, learning as best as they could. Their day to day activities were a lovely read. By the time I got half-way through, it felt as if I was living there myself, learning their ways personally.
Owen’s attraction to Della was almost too subtle. He was a good man who couldn’t help wanting her. I saw how he became protective of her very early in the story. He was concerned about Della’s well being and tried to show it in small ways, like carving beautiful wooden pieces just for her or by walking her home in the evening. People in his community welcomed their budding relationship because they also loved Della. Since Gwyna’s death, no one saw Owen smile, let alone enjoying himself. But around Della, he was different, lighter somehow. Yet Owen didn’t know if he can move forward just yet, so it took him a while to come around. This reluctance to move forward becomes an issue for them. Della understood it, or tried her best and she held no grudges towards Gwyna. But being in love with a man who still couldn’t think beyond his past couldn’t have made any girl happy. Della wanted her own family. She adored Angharad who returned it tenfold. She had a wonderful relationship with Mabli too. Owen became her best friend soon after they met. She knew in her heart that Owen felt something special for her which is why his reluctance hurt. Della knew rejection and frustration too well but it hurt more because it came from him. She became insecure, not knowing if Owen would ever be able to accept this new reality. At one point, despite everyone wanting her to be around for as long as possible, Della becomes determined to move to a new school after her contract here ended. How can she live here day after day with this insecurity eating her from the inside out? TBH, I was also feeling her pain, yet I couldn’t completely blame Owen either. He was a very loyal man, think you get the picture.
I can honestly go on and on because the story goes to describe, at length, about many mining town activities (most I had no idea about) and the many traditions they held. The simple lives of the miners, their proud bearing and thoughts on their profession but most especially, their love for their families and a secret hope for a better future for their children. It’s not really possible for me to capture all in here. Only when you read is how you experience it. The romance of Della and Owen was not on the centerfold as the story was leading to that tragic event. The whole incident and the aftermath was so heart wrenching, especially when it was made to look as if Owen didn’t survive... I can’t explain to you how difficult it was for me to even get through the rest of the story. I probably wouldn’t have done a review but thankfully, he was one of the very lucky few who made an escape.
My Loving Vigil Keeping was a slow moving story but I didn’t care. The only complain I had would be the abrupt ending. Though there were some hasty hints to Della-Owen’s future, I needed to read it, to learn how they coped with the aftermaths. They only just found each-other right after such a big disaster, there definitely should’ve been a few more chapters for closure. I craved it and thought I was cheated out of it. Even after days of finishing the book, I kept thinking about them. I wish there was a follow up story because I’d absolutely love to read it. With that hope, I’ll conclude my review. 4.5 stars for a wonderfully heart-tugging read.
Note for those who don’t know: My Loving Vigil Keeping, the title, comes from the lyrics of a well-known traditional Welsh lullaby, “Ar Hyd y Nos” or “All Through the Night”. It’s a beautiful song and you can find different rendition in youtube. I had to go look for it and listen to it of course, my personal favorite being this one. :) After that, the title, as well as its connection to the storyline became more apparent. Many-a-times, you’ll find Owen and Della singing this song to Angharad in bed at night.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2012
For the first 200 hundred pages I was bored. The author was trying to set up a backstory akin to Jane Eyre where the girl was neglected, but it didn't have the same effect. It wasn't until 300 pages into the book that I realized the extent of the neglect. The introduction of characters seemed flat as the main character entered a new city to teach. There were moments when a character would laugh out loud at something and I would go back and re-read the context to see if I missed the joke. The sprinkling of early mormon culture was good, but anyone outside our faith wouldn't understand the references.
As the main character came out of her shell, the book became a lot more approachable. After those first 200 pages I started to care about the characters a lot more. The two extremely tame romance scenes (it's set in nineteenth century so that was expected) made me giggle, but that could be because I don't generally read romance novels.
By the end I found myself almost crying when side characters died in the mine. I was less empathetic when the love interest was supposed to be dead. I had a hard time connecting to the main character. She was everything a good mormon girl in 1899 should be: meek, submissive, obedient, almost helpless. My husband thinks my inability to connect stems from my love of strong female characters as well as my upbringing with an extremely independent mother. She did eventually develop an appropriate level of independence for a single woman in a mining town in 1899.
I am glad I read it. It was interesting to learn about mining towns and the horrible tragedy at the Winter Quarters mine in Scofield. In the future I may even go visit the museum to learn more about it. But that's really the only reason I liked it.
As the main character came out of her shell, the book became a lot more approachable. After those first 200 pages I started to care about the characters a lot more. The two extremely tame romance scenes (it's set in nineteenth century so that was expected) made me giggle, but that could be because I don't generally read romance novels.
By the end I found myself almost crying when side characters died in the mine. I was less empathetic when the love interest was supposed to be dead. I had a hard time connecting to the main character. She was everything a good mormon girl in 1899 should be: meek, submissive, obedient, almost helpless. My husband thinks my inability to connect stems from my love of strong female characters as well as my upbringing with an extremely independent mother. She did eventually develop an appropriate level of independence for a single woman in a mining town in 1899.
I am glad I read it. It was interesting to learn about mining towns and the horrible tragedy at the Winter Quarters mine in Scofield. In the future I may even go visit the museum to learn more about it. But that's really the only reason I liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 15, 2016This is not a book I would normally read, but I went ahead and read it for two different reasons. First, my cutest friend in book club was pretty adamant that we read it. Her excitement intrigued me. Second, after asking her about the book I discovered that it concerned an event in my family history. My great-grandfather was the only doctor in Scofield Utah at the time and attended to the families during this tragic event. When I told my friend about this, she told me that there was a character in the book that was quite similar. As it turns out, my great-grandfather is featured as a sort of romantic interest of the main character. Now I really had to read it. Wouldn't you, if you were me?
Like I said before, I don't normally read romance novels, so I did have to push myself through this one at times. The first half was good, with only minor dalliances into the realm of romantic sappiness that ended quickly enough, but then it became more intense. The romantic interests constantly calling each other "butterbean" and "dirty bird" about did me in, and a slight to my great-grandfather's looks was a little rude, I must admit. All in all it wasn't bad. But I won't rate this book because I don't think it would be fair.
Like I said before, I don't normally read romance novels, so I did have to push myself through this one at times. The first half was good, with only minor dalliances into the realm of romantic sappiness that ended quickly enough, but then it became more intense. The romantic interests constantly calling each other "butterbean" and "dirty bird" about did me in, and a slight to my great-grandfather's looks was a little rude, I must admit. All in all it wasn't bad. But I won't rate this book because I don't think it would be fair.
October 9, 2012
Della is an orphaned child of the mine, so it's no surprise that she decides to head to Winter Quarter Mine (UT) in 1899 to teach the lower grades. While there, she is finally loved and accepted. Della has such a way about her and is able to touch many people. Although a fictional story, this story gives such a good insight into the life of a inning camp and the immigrants and their customs because it's based on actual events. I loved the banter between Owen and Della; I loved the friendships that Della was able to form and how she was able to push through the stereotypes surrounding her because of her family name. I loved it!!
Content: some sad things, but clean.
May 26, 2020
Lovely, if long winded, historical story based it seems on historical factual account about about mining and the people who lived with its dangers. It made for a hauntingly sad book. The h is the mining town's teacher, she shows a sweet public face but is trying to overcome loss and hurts. The H is a widowed miner, with a sweet little girl in the h's class. He's taken with her from the start, but he is also mourning his dead wife. It made for a wonderful read, but ultimately, there was just so much sadness and deprivation for me. Love this author though, she's brilliant.
July 3, 2017
I would give this book 5 stars except that the main character annoyed me sometimes. She could occasionally be overly dramatic (not in a humorous way). I also felt that the author kind of copied elements from Anne of Green Gables. I did enjoy the playful banter between Della and Owen, though.
Considering that some of the characters and events were real, I highly recommend having a box of tissues nearby.
Considering that some of the characters and events were real, I highly recommend having a box of tissues nearby.
Want to read
May 25, 2020FREE e-book https://amzn.to/3ghpTrr
(5/24/20)
(5/24/20)
November 28, 2012
Two things before I put in the spoiler cut.
1. The title is a phrase from the song "All Through the Night," or "Ar Hyd Y Nos": "Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,/All through the night./.../I my loving vigil keeping/All through the night." Before I realized this (which didn't take long because the words of the song are in the front of the book), I thought the title sounded a bit soppy. Now that I've read the whole story, I know it's perfect.
2. The other thing at the beginning of the book is a dedication. "In memory of the 200 men and boys who died in the Winter Quarters [Scofield] Mine Disaster, May 1, 1900."
This is a story set in the Winter Quarters coal mine company town, in 1899 and 1900. Think about that and think about whatever you know about mining before you decide to read this book. It is a romance and it follows the rules of the romance genre, but that's all the assurance I can give you.
1. The title is a phrase from the song "All Through the Night," or "Ar Hyd Y Nos": "Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,/All through the night./.../I my loving vigil keeping/All through the night." Before I realized this (which didn't take long because the words of the song are in the front of the book), I thought the title sounded a bit soppy. Now that I've read the whole story, I know it's perfect.
2. The other thing at the beginning of the book is a dedication. "In memory of the 200 men and boys who died in the Winter Quarters [Scofield] Mine Disaster, May 1, 1900."
This is a story set in the Winter Quarters coal mine company town, in 1899 and 1900. Think about that and think about whatever you know about mining before you decide to read this book. It is a romance and it follows the rules of the romance genre, but that's all the assurance I can give you.
April 16, 2013
I read this book with a Book Club and consequently, was introduced for the first time, to the works of Carla Kelly. I had visited the cemetery in Scofield previously, my heart yearning to know more about these dear people. (My great great grandfather was a miner in Lanarkshire, Scotland and died an early death.) How surprised was I to learn that my husband's great great uncle, Emil B. Isgreen, served as the physician/surgeon at Winter Quarters! We would never have known if not for Carla Kelly's thorough research as she created a loving romance story mingled with the real-life stories of those who lived in Winter Quarters. I thoroughly enjoyed "My Loving Vigil Keeping" and loved getting to "know" the families. I was meant to read this book!
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September 5, 2012I read this book because of the setting. Some of my ancestors lived in Winter Quarters during this time, and several of them died in the mine explosion of 1900. I've read quite a bit about this disaster. My grandmother grew up in Winter Quarters in the years following the disaster.
I have to say that the setting in this story was expertly crafted. The author created a rich backdrop by including many aspects of the life of this mining community. It felt absolutely real. The rest of the story elements were fine, but the setting was the star. Loved it!
I have to say that the setting in this story was expertly crafted. The author created a rich backdrop by including many aspects of the life of this mining community. It felt absolutely real. The rest of the story elements were fine, but the setting was the star. Loved it!
April 5, 2017
This is my favorite of the 3 Carla Kelly books I have read thus far, even though at a point near the end I wanted to throw the book across the room and not finish it. She based this on an historical event that was devastating. My 5 year old son was worried for me as he watched my cry through certain chapters. I like Kelly's characters in that they are believable, have human weaknesses, and thrive through their challenges...not just survive.
June 25, 2019
Finally! A book with LDS characters who actually behave like LDS people. I stopped reading LDS fiction a while ago because it didn't seem that their characters were any different from typical non-LDS people.
In this book, the characters not only go to church, but they pray (and fast when trying to make a particularly hard decision), they give and receive blessings, they meet with the bishop, and they receive callings.
There are not-so-nice LDS people and wonderful non-LDS people in this book, and they love and hurt and cry like real people. And the community of Winter Quarters, miners and others, become people I cared about and mourned when the Scofield Mine disaster occurred. The development of the protagonist's relationship with them all was believable and tender. I enjoyed spending time with them.
I particularly love how the story ended the way it did because someone obeyed a prompting from the Holy Ghost.
Amen!
In this book, the characters not only go to church, but they pray (and fast when trying to make a particularly hard decision), they give and receive blessings, they meet with the bishop, and they receive callings.
There are not-so-nice LDS people and wonderful non-LDS people in this book, and they love and hurt and cry like real people. And the community of Winter Quarters, miners and others, become people I cared about and mourned when the Scofield Mine disaster occurred. The development of the protagonist's relationship with them all was believable and tender. I enjoyed spending time with them.
I particularly love how the story ended the way it did because someone obeyed a prompting from the Holy Ghost.
Amen!
January 1, 2020
I've had this on my kindle for a while now and wanted to read it but it seemed so long. I was challenged to read it and I never back down from a challenge. I am so mad I WAITED! This is an amazing book and I'm not even talking about the historical references. Don't get me wrong the history is incredibly sad and I'm not taking away from that. That being said, the story and vigil in this book are unparalleled. It's an amazing book. Yes, there are religious references, this history is riddled with it, and it doesn't take away from the history nor the story. Strength, fortitude, and wit in the face of incredible odds are empowering.
May 18, 2018
Amazing. I love Kelly’s books so much. The characters matter to me, and I feel the emotion on every page.
October 15, 2018
Wow! What a beautiful book! Book club potential.
The relentless quote on p 337 touched my heart.
The relentless quote on p 337 touched my heart.
July 30, 2021
I loved this historical fiction novel. The characters were refreshingly real and the setting was unique. It was lovely and heartbreaking.
July 21, 2012
Oh, my goodness! I just read my all-time favorite book! No kidding!! I really, really loved this book! My Loving Vigil Keeping by Carla Kelly is of course from my favorite genre – historical fiction & it also includes romance!! The title comes from the lyrics of a very popular lullaby “All Through the Night” – one of my favorites as well.
Della is a young woman who had been orphaned early on- her mother had left when she was an infant, and her father was killed in a mine accident. She grew up in the home of her wealthy uncle, where she was looked down upon, and pretty much took care of herself. She got herself through school and eventually earned a one-year teaching certificate. After a couple of years teaching in a typical community/school, she goes out on a limb and applies for and accepts a position in a coal-mining community called Winter Quarters, located in Scofield, Utah.
It’s almost as if she were returning home – there are many similarities to her childhood community. However, the people of Winter Quarters relate her to the wealthy family that raised her and wonder why she is there. She has to earn the respect of these people of Winter Quarters and find herself.
Owen, oh how I loved Owen!! He is such a sweet, gentle man. The father of a beautiful little girl who also lost her mother at a young age – her mother died giving birth. Own is so perfect for Della. This growing, possible romance was so great to read. What I loved most about it was that it was not rushed. Real people with real issues and histories to overcome. What happens in the end, I will let you read the book to find out.
You will not believe everything that goes on in this story!!! Let me just tell you, there are many, many ups and downs. Times I laughed and times I really cried! I was cheering Della on throughout the whole book! I found her to be the best protagonist I have encountered in some time. She was just so real – emotions and actions so authentic. The other characters – especially those in Winter Quarters – were just what I imagined. They honestly made me want to check the place out for myself. Sounds strange doesn’t it? Why would I want to go to an old coal-town? Well, I was born and raised in West Virginia – where coal mining is a mainstay for many. While I did not grow up in a family of miners, many of my friends did. The town I grew up in was not a coal camp, but many years before I was born, that is what the town was all about! So, many of the same characteristics and lifestyles still lingered. Therefore, I completely related to the individuals in the novel.
Carla Kelly definitely knows what she is doing when writing a historical fiction. The events in the story are based in part on a very tragic mining event – the Scofield mining disaster of 1900. Lots of chilling events – many that made my heart bleed!!! At one point I was so angry with what was going on – or really, what I thought was going on. I was very happily surprised with the turn of events as the story unfolded. This is most assuredly a must-read – so don’t let it get by you!!!!
Della is a young woman who had been orphaned early on- her mother had left when she was an infant, and her father was killed in a mine accident. She grew up in the home of her wealthy uncle, where she was looked down upon, and pretty much took care of herself. She got herself through school and eventually earned a one-year teaching certificate. After a couple of years teaching in a typical community/school, she goes out on a limb and applies for and accepts a position in a coal-mining community called Winter Quarters, located in Scofield, Utah.
It’s almost as if she were returning home – there are many similarities to her childhood community. However, the people of Winter Quarters relate her to the wealthy family that raised her and wonder why she is there. She has to earn the respect of these people of Winter Quarters and find herself.
Owen, oh how I loved Owen!! He is such a sweet, gentle man. The father of a beautiful little girl who also lost her mother at a young age – her mother died giving birth. Own is so perfect for Della. This growing, possible romance was so great to read. What I loved most about it was that it was not rushed. Real people with real issues and histories to overcome. What happens in the end, I will let you read the book to find out.
You will not believe everything that goes on in this story!!! Let me just tell you, there are many, many ups and downs. Times I laughed and times I really cried! I was cheering Della on throughout the whole book! I found her to be the best protagonist I have encountered in some time. She was just so real – emotions and actions so authentic. The other characters – especially those in Winter Quarters – were just what I imagined. They honestly made me want to check the place out for myself. Sounds strange doesn’t it? Why would I want to go to an old coal-town? Well, I was born and raised in West Virginia – where coal mining is a mainstay for many. While I did not grow up in a family of miners, many of my friends did. The town I grew up in was not a coal camp, but many years before I was born, that is what the town was all about! So, many of the same characteristics and lifestyles still lingered. Therefore, I completely related to the individuals in the novel.
Carla Kelly definitely knows what she is doing when writing a historical fiction. The events in the story are based in part on a very tragic mining event – the Scofield mining disaster of 1900. Lots of chilling events – many that made my heart bleed!!! At one point I was so angry with what was going on – or really, what I thought was going on. I was very happily surprised with the turn of events as the story unfolded. This is most assuredly a must-read – so don’t let it get by you!!!!
September 24, 2012
My Loving Vigil Keeping by Carla Kelly
5 STARS
I did not know about the diaster that happened in 1900 and feel bad about that lack of knowledge. Right now I wish I had a car that was working I would go up the canyon and visit the cemetary. I wonder how many of my town of Fairview were a part of that mine.
The coals mines are a major employer of are town still today.
I loved the characters and now wonder who might have been real and what parts of the story is fiction. I could picture the train rides up the canyons so well. Carla told a compeling story of life in the coal mines of the 1900s.
I have always wondered why married women could not be teachers and when that changed.
Della Anders's father died in a mine and was sent to her Uncle in Salt Lake City to live with his family. He was well paid lawyer but his wife and daughters never welcomed her into the family. Never bought her clothes when she out grew them but a kindly librain took matters in her own and helped her to become independant and arranged jobs, lessons in sewing clothes.
Della because of her became a teacher after teaching two years in the west side of town she decided to teach in a mineing town for a year.
Owen Davis is a miner and proud of it. He is also a widower who still loves his deceased wife. He has a little girl Anghatad who is just starting school this year.
Owen is also a wood carver and he made lots of wooden letters for for the younger classrooms so his daughter would feel at home there. He was the choir directer and
was always trying to get Della to join the choir.
This is a tear jerker especially when you realize that it really happened so many men and boys that died in the mine. I am glad that I read it, eventhough I went through a lot of tissue.
I like how she told Mr. Auerbach about the children she taught. She also sent him pictures the children drew on the magic paper. I remember going to Auerbach department store. and all the windows that were decorated for the seasons.
This is a very clean read except for all the coal dust.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. I also won a copy of it from LDS Retailers Blog and plan to give it to a friend to enjoy too.
08/14/2012 PUB Cedar Fort Imprint Bonneville 440 pages
5 STARS
I did not know about the diaster that happened in 1900 and feel bad about that lack of knowledge. Right now I wish I had a car that was working I would go up the canyon and visit the cemetary. I wonder how many of my town of Fairview were a part of that mine.
The coals mines are a major employer of are town still today.
I loved the characters and now wonder who might have been real and what parts of the story is fiction. I could picture the train rides up the canyons so well. Carla told a compeling story of life in the coal mines of the 1900s.
I have always wondered why married women could not be teachers and when that changed.
Della Anders's father died in a mine and was sent to her Uncle in Salt Lake City to live with his family. He was well paid lawyer but his wife and daughters never welcomed her into the family. Never bought her clothes when she out grew them but a kindly librain took matters in her own and helped her to become independant and arranged jobs, lessons in sewing clothes.
Della because of her became a teacher after teaching two years in the west side of town she decided to teach in a mineing town for a year.
Owen Davis is a miner and proud of it. He is also a widower who still loves his deceased wife. He has a little girl Anghatad who is just starting school this year.
Owen is also a wood carver and he made lots of wooden letters for for the younger classrooms so his daughter would feel at home there. He was the choir directer and
was always trying to get Della to join the choir.
This is a tear jerker especially when you realize that it really happened so many men and boys that died in the mine. I am glad that I read it, eventhough I went through a lot of tissue.
I like how she told Mr. Auerbach about the children she taught. She also sent him pictures the children drew on the magic paper. I remember going to Auerbach department store. and all the windows that were decorated for the seasons.
This is a very clean read except for all the coal dust.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. I also won a copy of it from LDS Retailers Blog and plan to give it to a friend to enjoy too.
08/14/2012 PUB Cedar Fort Imprint Bonneville 440 pages
July 25, 2012
There are some books that just seem to speak to me as a reader. This is one of those. There are several reasons for this. First, the story involves a mining disaster in Utah and my grandfather died in a coal mining accident when my father was only nine days old. This left my grandmother with three children to raise on her own. After reading this book, I have a much deeper appreciation for what she must have gone through.
Another reason I found this book so compelling was the characters, I fell in love with them immediately. Della's courage and heart in facing her challenges despite relatives who treated her poorly won my heart immediately. How could I not cheer for someone who found much to live for despite her aunt's constant criticism. I also found myself falling for the Winter Quarters community. Despite a place of hard, dangerous work, the people that Della meets find much to rejoice in and they welcome her with open arms. The children that Della works so hard to teach reminded me of everything that I love about teaching and what is truly important about that profession.
The romance was a very sweet one and also realistic as Della and her love interest struggle with past losses and fears. I especially enjoyed the parts about the choir, so much so that I wished I could actually hear them sing! Religion does play a strong role in the story but not in any way intrusive, at least not in my opinion. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most was the feeling of goodness that radiated from it. So many books these days are so dark and depressing, but despite the heartache suffered by so many, there was also hope and friendship and love.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy a positive, uplifting, clean romance, just be sure to have a box of tissues near by. :)
If you are interested in other reviews of the book, see here for the rest of the blog tour.
Another reason I found this book so compelling was the characters, I fell in love with them immediately. Della's courage and heart in facing her challenges despite relatives who treated her poorly won my heart immediately. How could I not cheer for someone who found much to live for despite her aunt's constant criticism. I also found myself falling for the Winter Quarters community. Despite a place of hard, dangerous work, the people that Della meets find much to rejoice in and they welcome her with open arms. The children that Della works so hard to teach reminded me of everything that I love about teaching and what is truly important about that profession.
The romance was a very sweet one and also realistic as Della and her love interest struggle with past losses and fears. I especially enjoyed the parts about the choir, so much so that I wished I could actually hear them sing! Religion does play a strong role in the story but not in any way intrusive, at least not in my opinion. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most was the feeling of goodness that radiated from it. So many books these days are so dark and depressing, but despite the heartache suffered by so many, there was also hope and friendship and love.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy a positive, uplifting, clean romance, just be sure to have a box of tissues near by. :)
If you are interested in other reviews of the book, see here for the rest of the blog tour.
October 26, 2012
I had never heard of the Scofield Mining Disaster before reading Carla Kelly's My Loving Vigil Keeping. Now, the event, the people who lived in the mining town of Winter Quarters and the history behind May 1, 1900 are forever etched in my memory. I really enjoy Carla's new LDS Historical romances and this was no exception.
Ms. Kelly took personal interest in the stories of these men and women. I was so moved by the story I went online to find photos and additional histories about Scofield once I was done reading. The author has left her fingerprint in a story of the past by bringing it to life for readers of our generation--many of whom are ancestors left from the widows and fatherless children left behind by the mining tragedy. This book is authentic in its history; you wil feel like you are really there. It also weaves in a few more characters from Utah's history including Jess Knight and Mr. Auerbach of the prominent Utah department store rivaling ZCMI. This is a book I will be gifting for Christmas to my family. The pacing was a bit slow and there is a bit too much detail in the spa/kissing scenes for my taste, but that is only a small complaint.
I will read antyhing else Carla Kelly writes under Cedar Fort. She's done justice and a tender act of service to the over 200 Finns, Welsh, Scotts and local LDS people who lost their lives. I loved Owen for his tenacity and tenderness toward his wife and child-- Della for her bravery and spunk. My heart truly took in all the families of Winter Quarters and the humble but educated immigrants. Spot on, lovely character development. I'll be taking a trip to the mine and cemetery now that I feel like I know Bishop Parmley and all of his men.
Bring a box of kleenex for this one.
Content: mention of naked women in a spa, detailed kissing scene and small bath scene. Recommended for adults.
Ms. Kelly took personal interest in the stories of these men and women. I was so moved by the story I went online to find photos and additional histories about Scofield once I was done reading. The author has left her fingerprint in a story of the past by bringing it to life for readers of our generation--many of whom are ancestors left from the widows and fatherless children left behind by the mining tragedy. This book is authentic in its history; you wil feel like you are really there. It also weaves in a few more characters from Utah's history including Jess Knight and Mr. Auerbach of the prominent Utah department store rivaling ZCMI. This is a book I will be gifting for Christmas to my family. The pacing was a bit slow and there is a bit too much detail in the spa/kissing scenes for my taste, but that is only a small complaint.
I will read antyhing else Carla Kelly writes under Cedar Fort. She's done justice and a tender act of service to the over 200 Finns, Welsh, Scotts and local LDS people who lost their lives. I loved Owen for his tenacity and tenderness toward his wife and child-- Della for her bravery and spunk. My heart truly took in all the families of Winter Quarters and the humble but educated immigrants. Spot on, lovely character development. I'll be taking a trip to the mine and cemetery now that I feel like I know Bishop Parmley and all of his men.
Bring a box of kleenex for this one.
Content: mention of naked women in a spa, detailed kissing scene and small bath scene. Recommended for adults.
July 2, 2012
Della is a school teacher in the year 1899, she has taught school for two years in Salt Lake City, on the west side. She is the niece of prominent attorney Karl Anders, she's been raised by them since her father died in a mining accident when she was young, but she's never felt as though she were a part of the family. She spontaneously decided to take a teaching job in the small mining community of Winter Quarters, which her Aunt Caroline especially doesn't approve of. The town of Winter Quarters is far up the canyon and it's a bit of a trial to get there, even by train. The coal cars coming out of the canyon have the right of way on the train tracks, so the trains must wait on a side line and they shake uncontrollably as the coal cars rush by. This is very startling to Della, she's used to the big city, not to the life of a remote mining camp. It doesn't help that the principal of the school, Miss Clayson doesn't like her, or her curly hair! And her little house burned down right before her arrival, so Della has no where really to live. Things are looking hard, but then she meets the children and falls in love with them. But will the children be the only ones she falls in love with?
I LOVED this book, even 3 days after finishing it, I can't stop thinking about Della and the story. This story is a bit of historical fiction with romance thrown in. I had never heard the story of the Winter Quarters mine, but I find myself thinking about it and about the good people that lived there and worked in the mine. The plot was engaging, I didn't want to stop reading. I loved the characters. Carla Kelly's books are amazing and this book was no exception to that. I hope that there is a sequel to this one, I would really love to find out what happened to the people that lived in Winter Quarters.
I LOVED this book, even 3 days after finishing it, I can't stop thinking about Della and the story. This story is a bit of historical fiction with romance thrown in. I had never heard the story of the Winter Quarters mine, but I find myself thinking about it and about the good people that lived there and worked in the mine. The plot was engaging, I didn't want to stop reading. I loved the characters. Carla Kelly's books are amazing and this book was no exception to that. I hope that there is a sequel to this one, I would really love to find out what happened to the people that lived in Winter Quarters.
July 16, 2012
I'm happy to be a part of this Cedar Fort blog tour for Carla Kelly's new book. I've read other books by Carla Kelly and there is no doubt that she has a talent for writing. I've enjoyed her books but I think that I liked this book even better than the rest.
There were so many little things that made this book for me. The setting of this book is at the top of the list though. I love books that are based on historical events because they give me a sort of education while still feeding my love of a good fictional story. This book is set in Winter Quarters which is a mining town. I had heard of the tragedy of the Scofield Mines before but I really didn't know very much about it or the life of people there. Such hard working, dedicated people and such a tragedy dealt to them. I always appreciate a bit of explanation and "real" facts at the end of historical based books. They help solidify the real life event. Carla Kelly did this for me (yes, just for me) in this book and I loved reading it.
Some other little things that I loved were the Welsh words and songs, the broomstick that kept getting shorter, the wooden letters and the singing. You'll have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about. :)
Della is a strong woman. She has endured much heartache and we watch her step out on her own, determined to make a new life for herself. Carla Kelly always seems to write these no nonsense, strong female leads for her book and this was no exception.
The romance is VERY slow moving but also VERY sweet.
Oh, and one of my favorite scenes from the book. "Inside the house, she slammed the door to her room. It wasn't loud enough so she opened it and slammed it again then threw herself on the bed." Just a little tantrum that I MIGHT be able to relate to. ahem. :)
This book will be released in August.
There were so many little things that made this book for me. The setting of this book is at the top of the list though. I love books that are based on historical events because they give me a sort of education while still feeding my love of a good fictional story. This book is set in Winter Quarters which is a mining town. I had heard of the tragedy of the Scofield Mines before but I really didn't know very much about it or the life of people there. Such hard working, dedicated people and such a tragedy dealt to them. I always appreciate a bit of explanation and "real" facts at the end of historical based books. They help solidify the real life event. Carla Kelly did this for me (yes, just for me) in this book and I loved reading it.
Some other little things that I loved were the Welsh words and songs, the broomstick that kept getting shorter, the wooden letters and the singing. You'll have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about. :)
Della is a strong woman. She has endured much heartache and we watch her step out on her own, determined to make a new life for herself. Carla Kelly always seems to write these no nonsense, strong female leads for her book and this was no exception.
The romance is VERY slow moving but also VERY sweet.
Oh, and one of my favorite scenes from the book. "Inside the house, she slammed the door to her room. It wasn't loud enough so she opened it and slammed it again then threw herself on the bed." Just a little tantrum that I MIGHT be able to relate to. ahem. :)
This book will be released in August.
July 16, 2012
This book was based on true events, which made it all the more real for me. Della may be a fictional character, but she brought the feelings of that day to the forefront of my mind and I felt the devistation of the tragedy like I was there, and she was real.
Della has struggled to find her place in the world after her father died in a coal mining accident when she was 12 years old. Having not known her mother and had no other family close by, she was sent to live with her Uncle and Aunt in Salt Lake City Utah. Her Aunt and Cousins despised her and her Uncle was clueless to it. Even though she lived with them, she was alone and had to fend for herself.
She needed to get away and took a teaching job at Winter's Quarters, a coal mining camp. At first the families in the area looked down on her and couldn't figure out why a spoiled rich girl had taken a teaching job there in the first place. They didn't realize her Father was a coal miner and she was practically an orphan from 12 and on.
As the story unfolds there is laughter, drama, respect, understanding and love. Oh, and lots and lots of singing! Follow Della, or even become her as you read this book. Share her emotions and strategies as she starts to find her way to a place where she finally feels like she can belong.
Another great read from Carla Kelly! She even put information at the back of the book about the mine explosion and some more details of the real families and what happened to them after this tragedy. Perhaps there will be a sequel for Della where she finds her mother?? Either way pick up this book and transport yourself back in time and fall in love with the coal miners and their families!
Della has struggled to find her place in the world after her father died in a coal mining accident when she was 12 years old. Having not known her mother and had no other family close by, she was sent to live with her Uncle and Aunt in Salt Lake City Utah. Her Aunt and Cousins despised her and her Uncle was clueless to it. Even though she lived with them, she was alone and had to fend for herself.
She needed to get away and took a teaching job at Winter's Quarters, a coal mining camp. At first the families in the area looked down on her and couldn't figure out why a spoiled rich girl had taken a teaching job there in the first place. They didn't realize her Father was a coal miner and she was practically an orphan from 12 and on.
As the story unfolds there is laughter, drama, respect, understanding and love. Oh, and lots and lots of singing! Follow Della, or even become her as you read this book. Share her emotions and strategies as she starts to find her way to a place where she finally feels like she can belong.
Another great read from Carla Kelly! She even put information at the back of the book about the mine explosion and some more details of the real families and what happened to them after this tragedy. Perhaps there will be a sequel for Della where she finds her mother?? Either way pick up this book and transport yourself back in time and fall in love with the coal miners and their families!
March 11, 2013
My Loving Vigil Keeping is a historical romance taking place from 1899-1900. The story takes place in Winter Quaters, a mine near Scoffield, Utah. I was unaware of this particular place or the events associated with it.
Della accepts a job to be a school teacher in this remote settlement. She has been emotionally abused and neglected by her Uncle and his wife. Her father was a miner and died in the mine when she was 13 years old. The mining life is something she if familiar with and she goes to help the children of the miners, because she remembers what it was like.
The miners are mainly immigrants from many different cultures and countries. I loved the diversity portrayed and how the families of the miners loved and supported each other. They were very inspirational to me.
I particularly loved the use of Welch words in the book. I know a little weird, but I have always been fascinated and loved learning about people from Wales. My Great-Grandmother was an immigrant from Wales and I remember her stubbornness fondly. It brings a bit more of a longing to find out more about the people and culture.
For me that is always a plus when a book helps you want to learn more.
The story is sweet, sad, funny, and inspirational. I was literally brought to tears at some points and shaking my head at others.
This book is beautifully written. I felt as if I were in that desolate canyon with the characters. I could practically picture it in my mind. I grew to love the characters and had empathy for their trials.
Della accepts a job to be a school teacher in this remote settlement. She has been emotionally abused and neglected by her Uncle and his wife. Her father was a miner and died in the mine when she was 13 years old. The mining life is something she if familiar with and she goes to help the children of the miners, because she remembers what it was like.
The miners are mainly immigrants from many different cultures and countries. I loved the diversity portrayed and how the families of the miners loved and supported each other. They were very inspirational to me.
I particularly loved the use of Welch words in the book. I know a little weird, but I have always been fascinated and loved learning about people from Wales. My Great-Grandmother was an immigrant from Wales and I remember her stubbornness fondly. It brings a bit more of a longing to find out more about the people and culture.
For me that is always a plus when a book helps you want to learn more.
The story is sweet, sad, funny, and inspirational. I was literally brought to tears at some points and shaking my head at others.
This book is beautifully written. I felt as if I were in that desolate canyon with the characters. I could practically picture it in my mind. I grew to love the characters and had empathy for their trials.
July 17, 2012
Based on the Scofield Mine disaster of 1900 in Winter Quarters, Utah, Carla Kelly weaves a deft historical story that's both fascinating and vivid in historical details.
Della is alone, having first lost her mother, then her father in a coal-mining accident. When she's sent to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle in Salt Lake City, she grows up Cinderella-style. Her aunt treats her horribly, and her uncle is oblivious. Della scrapes by and earns a teaching degree. When she sees a job notice for a school teacher at a mining camp in Winter Quarters, she decides it's better than what she has to face at home.
The job starts out rough--not only physically, but the school principal seems to have a chip on her shoulder from the beginning. Yet the miners are ecstatic that she's there to teach her children. She becomes friends with a variety of miners and their wives,endearing her quickly to the the town and its children.
Della's journey is a frustrating one at many times with all of the challenges that she encounters. The most interesting parts of the book are how author Carla Kelly brings together the many different personalities and nationalities in the mining town and uses their characters to create the setting and set the reader up for the mine tragedy in which over 200 miners were killed.
Della's journey is also a hopeful one as she perseveres despite many odds and makes her life, and those around her, richer for it.
Della is alone, having first lost her mother, then her father in a coal-mining accident. When she's sent to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle in Salt Lake City, she grows up Cinderella-style. Her aunt treats her horribly, and her uncle is oblivious. Della scrapes by and earns a teaching degree. When she sees a job notice for a school teacher at a mining camp in Winter Quarters, she decides it's better than what she has to face at home.
The job starts out rough--not only physically, but the school principal seems to have a chip on her shoulder from the beginning. Yet the miners are ecstatic that she's there to teach her children. She becomes friends with a variety of miners and their wives,endearing her quickly to the the town and its children.
Della's journey is a frustrating one at many times with all of the challenges that she encounters. The most interesting parts of the book are how author Carla Kelly brings together the many different personalities and nationalities in the mining town and uses their characters to create the setting and set the reader up for the mine tragedy in which over 200 miners were killed.
Della's journey is also a hopeful one as she perseveres despite many odds and makes her life, and those around her, richer for it.
September 4, 2012
When I started My Loving Vigil Keeping I was thinking it might be the old cliche of a poor girl trying to get as far away from her mean rich relatives, so she spontaneously takes a job in the boonies. Of course she'd fall in love with the town and maybe a gentleman or two and get her happy ending.
I was both wrong and right.
Della Anders is no stranger to tragedy. Her father dies in a mining accident when she is small, her mother abandoned them when she was a baby, so she's sent to her rich uncle Karl and his family. They treat her no better than a servant, but Della perseveres and puts herself through school to get a teaching certificate. From there, she takes an advertisement for a job in a mining camp and becomes the teacher there. The author, Carla Kelly, actually intertwines real historical people from the Scofield mines with her fictional characters and she does a fantastic job of making the events leap off the page. I thought Della had real depth and I laughed and cried right along with her as she experienced finding herself, finding love, and then facing the fact that she could lose it all.
If you ever wanted to know more about mining and Utah at the turn of the century, all while wrapped in the fictional world mixed with real people, then this is the historical romance for you. Sweet, clean, realistic, and one you'll want to read again.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
I was both wrong and right.
Della Anders is no stranger to tragedy. Her father dies in a mining accident when she is small, her mother abandoned them when she was a baby, so she's sent to her rich uncle Karl and his family. They treat her no better than a servant, but Della perseveres and puts herself through school to get a teaching certificate. From there, she takes an advertisement for a job in a mining camp and becomes the teacher there. The author, Carla Kelly, actually intertwines real historical people from the Scofield mines with her fictional characters and she does a fantastic job of making the events leap off the page. I thought Della had real depth and I laughed and cried right along with her as she experienced finding herself, finding love, and then facing the fact that she could lose it all.
If you ever wanted to know more about mining and Utah at the turn of the century, all while wrapped in the fictional world mixed with real people, then this is the historical romance for you. Sweet, clean, realistic, and one you'll want to read again.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
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