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Fool's Gold
Love—is it worth its weight in gold?
It’s 1866 and the gold rush is on. Left to fend for herself in the wilds of New Zealand’s west coast, Lady Guinevere Stanhope is determined to do whatever it takes to rescue her ancestral home and restore her father’s good name.
Forced out of his native Ireland, Fergus O’Donnell dreams of striking gold. His fiercely held prejudices make him loath to help any English person, let alone a lady as haughty and obstinate as Guinevere. But when a flash flood hits, Fergus is compelled to rescue her, and their paths become entwined in this uncharted new world.
Though an intense attraction forms between them, both remain single-minded in pursuit of their dreams. Will they realize in time that all that glitters in not gold?
Zana's debut with Choc Lit, Close to the Wind, received a 4.5 stars in RT Book Reviews Magazine in November 2013. Zana is previously published with Harlequin, and has won two awards for her writing- 2008: SingleTitles Reviewers' Choice Award and the 2010 CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award.
It’s 1866 and the gold rush is on. Left to fend for herself in the wilds of New Zealand’s west coast, Lady Guinevere Stanhope is determined to do whatever it takes to rescue her ancestral home and restore her father’s good name.
Forced out of his native Ireland, Fergus O’Donnell dreams of striking gold. His fiercely held prejudices make him loath to help any English person, let alone a lady as haughty and obstinate as Guinevere. But when a flash flood hits, Fergus is compelled to rescue her, and their paths become entwined in this uncharted new world.
Though an intense attraction forms between them, both remain single-minded in pursuit of their dreams. Will they realize in time that all that glitters in not gold?
Zana's debut with Choc Lit, Close to the Wind, received a 4.5 stars in RT Book Reviews Magazine in November 2013. Zana is previously published with Harlequin, and has won two awards for her writing- 2008: SingleTitles Reviewers' Choice Award and the 2010 CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2014
6 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Zana Bell
11 books15 followersZana Bell grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe and studied English Literature at the University of Cape Town. After travelling for several years doing a wide range of jobs, she immigrated to New Zealand where she now lives with her family and cats in a small harbourside community.
She began writing, just for the fun of seeing whether she could actually complete a novel and immediately became hooked. Research is her primary love and writing gives her an excellent excuse to be obsessive or just plain nosey. She enjoys writing in a variety of genre but has a particular fondness for all things historical.
She began writing, just for the fun of seeing whether she could actually complete a novel and immediately became hooked. Research is her primary love and writing gives her an excellent excuse to be obsessive or just plain nosey. She enjoys writing in a variety of genre but has a particular fondness for all things historical.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 9, 2014
I love a headstrong heroine. I especially liked this headstrong heroine--so stubborn, argumentative, tired of men telling her what to do. Though this stubbornness backfires sometimes, like when she lost her horse. Grrr, lady. But I appreciate her sense of pride, the way she holds herself like a lady in all tricky situations (and there are quite a few!), they way she doesn't hold herself above others, and how when she's knocked down--broke with her dreams drowned in a river flood or when she's robbed--she gets right back up to try again.
The 411: Gwen and her father were on their way from England to New Zealand to take a prized photograph of the rare ostrich, but her father died on the ship, leaving Gwen in dire straits. She can go back to England and marry a man she does not love or she can continue her father's quest (and when that fails, anything else she sets her mind too, seriously) and make enough money to buy her beloved English manor back from the possible groom. But she meets a lovely Irishman...has a run of bad luck...makes some wonderful friends...and finally faces a brutal truth--as does the Irishman.
I really enjoyed this tale. I laughed many times, namely over the "dancing girl" fiasco. I warmed to many of the characters--the maid, Stella, Jack, Ben, and of course, Quinn. I became frustrated with them too--Quinn's refusal to practice what's he meant to do, Gwen's refusal to let go of her manor. I felt as though I was living the characters' lives right along side, the sign of a superb historical novel.
And I feel there's a moral in the end. Why strive to be what you yourself hate? And--oh, here's another--just what really makes a lady? Or a gentleman for that matter? The story shows how a titled and wealthy man can be a rogue while a miner can have the warmest heart.
Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
The 411: Gwen and her father were on their way from England to New Zealand to take a prized photograph of the rare ostrich, but her father died on the ship, leaving Gwen in dire straits. She can go back to England and marry a man she does not love or she can continue her father's quest (and when that fails, anything else she sets her mind too, seriously) and make enough money to buy her beloved English manor back from the possible groom. But she meets a lovely Irishman...has a run of bad luck...makes some wonderful friends...and finally faces a brutal truth--as does the Irishman.
I really enjoyed this tale. I laughed many times, namely over the "dancing girl" fiasco. I warmed to many of the characters--the maid, Stella, Jack, Ben, and of course, Quinn. I became frustrated with them too--Quinn's refusal to practice what's he meant to do, Gwen's refusal to let go of her manor. I felt as though I was living the characters' lives right along side, the sign of a superb historical novel.
And I feel there's a moral in the end. Why strive to be what you yourself hate? And--oh, here's another--just what really makes a lady? Or a gentleman for that matter? The story shows how a titled and wealthy man can be a rogue while a miner can have the warmest heart.
Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
December 20, 2014
First, look at that cover! Pretty!
Ok the book then ;) Again, first, yay New Zealand. Why is this a yay? Well honestly cos the last book I read that took place there was also written by Bell, and before that *crickets* Nothing. I love something new, a new setting, something I am not familiar with. The time also helped, since historical NZ sure is different.
But to the book then, we have Lady Gwen, stubborn, a bit reckless, but determined and wont let anyone put her down. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty either. She is not your typical lady either, she grew up around artists and had more freedom.
Then there is Quinn, a doctor, who fled Ireland, he hates the English. He has issues from the war, and the last thing he needs is a stubborn woman.
Now this is not a romance. Yes there is romance, but it's, see I always have this issue. It's not his fic, and not his rom. It's between the two. It's how they meet, become friendly (not too friendly!). Go separate ways, she learns to stand on her own, builds a life. And cos it's a middle thing, then yes at the end we all know they will live happily ever after. But as for romance, nah, no real romance. You need to learn what you want for yourself before you love someone else.
A bit of hardship, a sprinkle of romance, lovely characters and one woman's road to independence.
Ok the book then ;) Again, first, yay New Zealand. Why is this a yay? Well honestly cos the last book I read that took place there was also written by Bell, and before that *crickets* Nothing. I love something new, a new setting, something I am not familiar with. The time also helped, since historical NZ sure is different.
But to the book then, we have Lady Gwen, stubborn, a bit reckless, but determined and wont let anyone put her down. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty either. She is not your typical lady either, she grew up around artists and had more freedom.
Then there is Quinn, a doctor, who fled Ireland, he hates the English. He has issues from the war, and the last thing he needs is a stubborn woman.
Now this is not a romance. Yes there is romance, but it's, see I always have this issue. It's not his fic, and not his rom. It's between the two. It's how they meet, become friendly (not too friendly!). Go separate ways, she learns to stand on her own, builds a life. And cos it's a middle thing, then yes at the end we all know they will live happily ever after. But as for romance, nah, no real romance. You need to learn what you want for yourself before you love someone else.
A bit of hardship, a sprinkle of romance, lovely characters and one woman's road to independence.
October 6, 2014
Fool’s Gold is a book which is completely different from anything I’ve read in a long time, it is essentially a story of one woman’s journey from dependent rich daughter to headstrong independent woman which takes place on a gripping and enthralling adventure across New Zealand’ beautiful backdrop, with a sprinkling of romance. It is written in such a way that the reader will be hooked from the very first page.
The story is based around Lady Guinevere Stanhope and Doctor Quinn O’Donnell. They first meet in the depths of the forest, Guinevere looking to photograph the long lost Moa bird and Quinn looking to find gold. Initially there is hostility between the two as Guinevere is looking to be self-reliant after the loss of her father and Quinn being a doctor wants to play the rescuer and keep her safe. So begins their adventure, sometimes together, sometimes apart until the eventually find the dreams they have been searching for.
Both Quinn and Guinevere are very likable characters and all the way through I wanted them to find the happiness and peace they were seeking. Guinevere first comes across as stubborn, fragile and a little self-important but as her adventure unravels we see her grow into a strong and feisty woman who carves her own way in the world. Quinn is perfect handsome hero who just can’t stop helping people in need, even though he keeps claiming he no longer wants to be a doctor. He does seem a little blinded by his need to have land and build a big house but I was glad when he was able to leave his past behind him.
Fool’s Gold is a book which captivated me right from the start and I was sad when it was finished. It was so good, one of my top reads of the year. I recommend this book to everyone; it’s an incredible read which captures the true essence of human spirit in the face of adversity.
Rating 5/5
The story is based around Lady Guinevere Stanhope and Doctor Quinn O’Donnell. They first meet in the depths of the forest, Guinevere looking to photograph the long lost Moa bird and Quinn looking to find gold. Initially there is hostility between the two as Guinevere is looking to be self-reliant after the loss of her father and Quinn being a doctor wants to play the rescuer and keep her safe. So begins their adventure, sometimes together, sometimes apart until the eventually find the dreams they have been searching for.
Both Quinn and Guinevere are very likable characters and all the way through I wanted them to find the happiness and peace they were seeking. Guinevere first comes across as stubborn, fragile and a little self-important but as her adventure unravels we see her grow into a strong and feisty woman who carves her own way in the world. Quinn is perfect handsome hero who just can’t stop helping people in need, even though he keeps claiming he no longer wants to be a doctor. He does seem a little blinded by his need to have land and build a big house but I was glad when he was able to leave his past behind him.
Fool’s Gold is a book which captivated me right from the start and I was sad when it was finished. It was so good, one of my top reads of the year. I recommend this book to everyone; it’s an incredible read which captures the true essence of human spirit in the face of adversity.
Rating 5/5
September 24, 2014
Fool’s gold is a compelling novel about the perseverance of the human spirit. The scenery is breath-taking, and Zana Bell’s beautifully written saga, comes alive. Quinn is enchanting and has a bit of Mr. Darcy about him but Guinevere steals the show. At first she comes off as a spoilt rich girl, but when you get to know her more deeply, you find a strong and feisty heroine.
Fool’s gold was a delight to read and I was saddened when I finished. It was a great historical romance that lifted my spirits. I highly recommend.
Fool’s gold was a delight to read and I was saddened when I finished. It was a great historical romance that lifted my spirits. I highly recommend.
rom-historical
January 30, 2016For star rating and complete review please visit InD'tale Magazine online, Feb 2015 issue. http://www.indtale.com/reviews/histor...
June 29, 2019
I’m not an avid reader of historical romance, but I picked up (or rather downloaded) Zana Bell’s Fool’s Gold on the strength of its setting, New Zealand in 1866, definitely something different. Gwen (Lady Guinevere) Stanhope is an English woman left on her own in New Zealand after her father dies on the long sea voyage to the colony. Gwen has very little money, but she does have the photographic equipment with which her father had hoped to capture a picture of the (alas, extinct) moa and make enough money to buy back the mortgage on the family estate. Gwen is very nearly swept away by a sudden flood, only to be rescued by Quinn O’Donnell, an Irishman has arrived in New Zealand after serving as a surgeon in the American Civil War.
Gwen wants only to return to Maidenhurst, the family home in England, even if she has to marry the man who holds the mortgage (her father’s back up plan). Quinn hates the English and wants to build a new life in New Zealand. But this is a romance novel, so we know something’s going to give.
Along the way, Gwen tackles a number of jobs, even working briefly as a housemaid, learning quite a bit about herself and about the people she never noticed when she was a pampered lady in England, while Quinn learns what he is really meant to do with his life. Their romance grows slowly (heat level sweet) and believably.
The New Zealand setting is fascinating (and I assume authentic, as the author is a New Zealander), the characters are likeable, and the story held my attention.
Gwen wants only to return to Maidenhurst, the family home in England, even if she has to marry the man who holds the mortgage (her father’s back up plan). Quinn hates the English and wants to build a new life in New Zealand. But this is a romance novel, so we know something’s going to give.
Along the way, Gwen tackles a number of jobs, even working briefly as a housemaid, learning quite a bit about herself and about the people she never noticed when she was a pampered lady in England, while Quinn learns what he is really meant to do with his life. Their romance grows slowly (heat level sweet) and believably.
The New Zealand setting is fascinating (and I assume authentic, as the author is a New Zealander), the characters are likeable, and the story held my attention.
November 17, 2020
What a satisfying story with unusual characters! An English lady who is out of country and doesn’t really act like an English lady, an Irish man who was a doctor during the American Civil War, and a cast of other delightful characters and real questions about what is the most important in life make this a most delightful literary adventure.
April 17, 2025
What a tale! I was swept up with Quinn and Gwen from the beginning. Both are equal parts frustrating and lovable. I also loved all the side characters; Ben was adorable, and Stella was fabulous. As you would expect of a romance novel, there was a happy ending. I'm looking forward to reading more by Bell.
January 31, 2018
Guilty pleasure
July 9, 2018
Adorable. Predictable but I don't care. Similar to Pride and prejudice but more current.
January 31, 2019
Good, but nothing memorable, and nothing to write home about.
October 24, 2014
This is a historical set in New Zealand in 1866, and features one of the pluckiest heroines I’ve read recently. Guinevere is an English Lady who grew up on an estate with her open-minded father. Father loved artists, and the manor house was always full of artists, occasionally naked models, and progressive dinner conversation. Her father was so generous, in fact, that he pretty much lost all their money and mortgaged her beloved home to a neighbor, with the provision that, if Dad couldn’t repay the loan, Gwen could just marry the neighbor and keep the house anyway.
Gwen and her father travel to New Zealand to photograph a possibly extinct bird, because that picture could pay enough to get their house back. Unfortunately, dad didn’t survive the sea voyage. Gwen strikes out on her own, because it’s either get the picture or marry the stuffy old guy. She is told by every man she meets to “listen to reason,” it’s “for her own good,” and she is over it. She walks off into the forest with an old horse, a dog, and her father’s camera.
In the forest, Gwen meets Quinn, a gold-hunting Irishman who really, really hates the English nobility. He tries to give her advice in “that dismissive tone of male superiority she’d come to hate over the past month,” and she kindly tells him back off. Then she nearly drowns in a flood and he rescues her, so they have to continue their arguments over class while she recuperates in her hotel room. Quinn fully believes that Gwen sees him as some sort of servant, that she wouldn’t really talk to him as an equal, and that they aren’t friends. In fact, Gwen sees him as a decent chap who’s just a bit haunted.
The best parts of this book were the friendly chats between Gwen and Quinn, mostly because they came to lovingly tease each other:
“Just as a certain insufferable Irishman had once predicted, I was turned out without a character.”
“I knew it!” Quinn was triumphant.
She sighed. “My only consolation in this whole sorry affair is the knowledge that no gentleman would ever gloat over a woman’s misfortunes.”
They also discuss her unusual upbringing and Quinn’s biases against the upper class. He knows poverty and hard work, whereas she knows the luxury of discussing art and having servants clean the home.
The second-best parts of the book were the historical details. New Zealand had a bit of a gold rush, so it attracted all sorts of people. Gwen starts out in a small town that was probably the same as any in San Francisco or Alaska at that time, with crooked hotels, supply stores, and saloons with dancing girls. Then she makes her way to Christchurch, which is more civilized, and she works as a maid, finally learning about furniture polish and how to clean out a fireplace.
Gwen also turns her photography hobby into a career. She takes portraits of the rich in stuffy settings, yet she also focuses on the unseen workers like cooks and maids. Her eyes are opened as her fortunes rise and fall, and she uses her camera to share her view with the world.
The worst parts of the book were the times Gwen lost everything. It happened more than once. The first time, I could understand it as a good plot device. I just wish she didn’t have to be victimized again and again. She always turned her thoughts to her ancestors, who had never backed away from adversity, and picked herself up and dusted herself off. And except for the time she nearly drowned in a river, she did it without any help from a man.
This book is a fascinating glimpse of time and place, and it covers social issues of class and gender. With all that, the romance is sweet but very slow to burn. Quinn is too hung up on his past and prejudice to make any sort of move, and Gwen is too focused on saving her house and eventually returning to England to give him an opening. It all works out in the end, but I wouldn’t have minded a few more makeout sessions.
Rating: B
Review copy provided by the publisher.
This review originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2014/10/review...
Gwen and her father travel to New Zealand to photograph a possibly extinct bird, because that picture could pay enough to get their house back. Unfortunately, dad didn’t survive the sea voyage. Gwen strikes out on her own, because it’s either get the picture or marry the stuffy old guy. She is told by every man she meets to “listen to reason,” it’s “for her own good,” and she is over it. She walks off into the forest with an old horse, a dog, and her father’s camera.
In the forest, Gwen meets Quinn, a gold-hunting Irishman who really, really hates the English nobility. He tries to give her advice in “that dismissive tone of male superiority she’d come to hate over the past month,” and she kindly tells him back off. Then she nearly drowns in a flood and he rescues her, so they have to continue their arguments over class while she recuperates in her hotel room. Quinn fully believes that Gwen sees him as some sort of servant, that she wouldn’t really talk to him as an equal, and that they aren’t friends. In fact, Gwen sees him as a decent chap who’s just a bit haunted.
The best parts of this book were the friendly chats between Gwen and Quinn, mostly because they came to lovingly tease each other:
“Just as a certain insufferable Irishman had once predicted, I was turned out without a character.”
“I knew it!” Quinn was triumphant.
She sighed. “My only consolation in this whole sorry affair is the knowledge that no gentleman would ever gloat over a woman’s misfortunes.”
They also discuss her unusual upbringing and Quinn’s biases against the upper class. He knows poverty and hard work, whereas she knows the luxury of discussing art and having servants clean the home.
The second-best parts of the book were the historical details. New Zealand had a bit of a gold rush, so it attracted all sorts of people. Gwen starts out in a small town that was probably the same as any in San Francisco or Alaska at that time, with crooked hotels, supply stores, and saloons with dancing girls. Then she makes her way to Christchurch, which is more civilized, and she works as a maid, finally learning about furniture polish and how to clean out a fireplace.
Gwen also turns her photography hobby into a career. She takes portraits of the rich in stuffy settings, yet she also focuses on the unseen workers like cooks and maids. Her eyes are opened as her fortunes rise and fall, and she uses her camera to share her view with the world.
The worst parts of the book were the times Gwen lost everything. It happened more than once. The first time, I could understand it as a good plot device. I just wish she didn’t have to be victimized again and again. She always turned her thoughts to her ancestors, who had never backed away from adversity, and picked herself up and dusted herself off. And except for the time she nearly drowned in a river, she did it without any help from a man.
This book is a fascinating glimpse of time and place, and it covers social issues of class and gender. With all that, the romance is sweet but very slow to burn. Quinn is too hung up on his past and prejudice to make any sort of move, and Gwen is too focused on saving her house and eventually returning to England to give him an opening. It all works out in the end, but I wouldn’t have minded a few more makeout sessions.
Rating: B
Review copy provided by the publisher.
This review originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2014/10/review...
December 11, 2014
When we first meet Guinevere it would seem that she has not been named Stanhope lightly. Like her real-life namesake, Lady Hester, she is determined to be in charge of the situation and not allow a mere man to boss her around or insist on her behaving in conventional ways. Having had his fingers burned by the English aristocracy in the past, Quinn gives as good as he gets and is happy to leave her to suffer the consequences of her arrogance – for a while.
But this a romance, so it is not long before he comes to her rescue and, although she is grateful, her independence, his prejudices and a series of misfortunes and misunderstandings mean that they are separated just as they’ve begun to appreciate each other and we’ve got used to their banter. And the next time they meet, she has been transformed into the (rather incompetent) maidservant Gwen and he, as a friend of Jack, the son of the rich Christchurch household where she works, is a visitor. With a little help from Quinn, but ultimately a lot more from a new friend, Stella, and her own determination, Gwen makes her independent way in this new country, casting aside her old dreams and helping Quinn to realise that he has been blind to his own for many years.
The love story at the heart of this works because both characters have their faults. They share a certain amount of stubbornness and pride, so there is often less separating them than they imagine and this, together with their banter, makes for an entertaining will-they / won’t-they ever get together situation that only occasionally leaves you wanting to bang their heads together. The supporting characters are also rounded. Stella is fun, but useless; Jack besotted but hesitant; little Ben childish but determined; even Gwen’s long-term suitor and her louche one-time employer, who would be cardboard villains in another piece, are painted sympathetically.
The goldfields and the town which supports them are contrasted with the much more civilised Christchurch. I have no idea how accurate the portrayals are, but they seemed to match well with what I would expect – a little more tolerance of trade in high society than ‘at home’; still some rules of behaviour, however rough, in the male-dominated world of the goldfields. There might have been a few historical errors or implausibilities, but I didn’t want to stop the story in order to check those, or the natural history, or the mechanics of photography at the time which means I must have been caught up enough in the story not to care.
So why not a full five out of five? After all, I liked the characters, wasn’t put off by detail, enjoyed the dialogue … I think that maybe it was just a little predictable. Once it moved to the safety of Christchurch, although there was still conflict and the danger of penury still loomed, it felt like it could have been set in many other places and that the opportunity provided by the circumstances of the time was wasted. However, would still recommend, and will read another book by this author if it chances across my path.
Reviewed by Catherine This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
But this a romance, so it is not long before he comes to her rescue and, although she is grateful, her independence, his prejudices and a series of misfortunes and misunderstandings mean that they are separated just as they’ve begun to appreciate each other and we’ve got used to their banter. And the next time they meet, she has been transformed into the (rather incompetent) maidservant Gwen and he, as a friend of Jack, the son of the rich Christchurch household where she works, is a visitor. With a little help from Quinn, but ultimately a lot more from a new friend, Stella, and her own determination, Gwen makes her independent way in this new country, casting aside her old dreams and helping Quinn to realise that he has been blind to his own for many years.
The love story at the heart of this works because both characters have their faults. They share a certain amount of stubbornness and pride, so there is often less separating them than they imagine and this, together with their banter, makes for an entertaining will-they / won’t-they ever get together situation that only occasionally leaves you wanting to bang their heads together. The supporting characters are also rounded. Stella is fun, but useless; Jack besotted but hesitant; little Ben childish but determined; even Gwen’s long-term suitor and her louche one-time employer, who would be cardboard villains in another piece, are painted sympathetically.
The goldfields and the town which supports them are contrasted with the much more civilised Christchurch. I have no idea how accurate the portrayals are, but they seemed to match well with what I would expect – a little more tolerance of trade in high society than ‘at home’; still some rules of behaviour, however rough, in the male-dominated world of the goldfields. There might have been a few historical errors or implausibilities, but I didn’t want to stop the story in order to check those, or the natural history, or the mechanics of photography at the time which means I must have been caught up enough in the story not to care.
So why not a full five out of five? After all, I liked the characters, wasn’t put off by detail, enjoyed the dialogue … I think that maybe it was just a little predictable. Once it moved to the safety of Christchurch, although there was still conflict and the danger of penury still loomed, it felt like it could have been set in many other places and that the opportunity provided by the circumstances of the time was wasted. However, would still recommend, and will read another book by this author if it chances across my path.
Reviewed by Catherine This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
October 30, 2014
Fool's Gold is one of the best historical romantic fiction novels I have ever read! I was immediately intrigued by 1866 New Zealand and couldn't wait for the storyline to unfold.
As soon as the reader is introduced to both main characters, Guinevere and Quinn, I knew we were in for a treat. Both are incredibly opinionated and strong in their own way and I could only imagine how well these two would work as verbal sparring partners. The whole story is written in such a delicate and thoughtful way which made it so easy for me to get completely absorbed into the storyline.
The author portrays so incredibly well the struggles Guinevere faces - not only is she not used to the "simple life", but in addition she quickly realises that it is not easy as a woman to live in a town full of gold rush addicted miners.
Along the way, we get to meet a varied mix of characters who all contribute in one way or another to Guinevere's and Quinn's character development. I really loved the fact that not only Guinevere's and Quinn's story concluded in the end, but that also all of the other characters lives are so brilliantly tied. This is such a big bonus as I feel a lot of books finish the story that centres around the main characters, but the supporting cast just gets dropped somewhere along the way.
I am so happy to have discovered Zana Bell's writing. Fool's Gold is not her first novel (but the first one I've read by her) and I am hugely looking forward to delving into her other books.
As soon as the reader is introduced to both main characters, Guinevere and Quinn, I knew we were in for a treat. Both are incredibly opinionated and strong in their own way and I could only imagine how well these two would work as verbal sparring partners. The whole story is written in such a delicate and thoughtful way which made it so easy for me to get completely absorbed into the storyline.
The author portrays so incredibly well the struggles Guinevere faces - not only is she not used to the "simple life", but in addition she quickly realises that it is not easy as a woman to live in a town full of gold rush addicted miners.
Along the way, we get to meet a varied mix of characters who all contribute in one way or another to Guinevere's and Quinn's character development. I really loved the fact that not only Guinevere's and Quinn's story concluded in the end, but that also all of the other characters lives are so brilliantly tied. This is such a big bonus as I feel a lot of books finish the story that centres around the main characters, but the supporting cast just gets dropped somewhere along the way.
I am so happy to have discovered Zana Bell's writing. Fool's Gold is not her first novel (but the first one I've read by her) and I am hugely looking forward to delving into her other books.
June 26, 2015
Rating 2.5
This was book 2 in a series and I remember nothing of book 1 except that it was chick lit and I really liked it. :) in other words, if I have "met" any of these characters before in book 1, I do not remember them at all. I purchased this (book 2) a while ago, probably about the time I read book 1.
This was a nice story, with nice characters. I liked that it was set in New Zealand. However, I did do a bit of scan-reading, which is normally an automatic 2-star rating but, about halfway through, things picked up and the need to scan-read disappeared. If there is a book 3, I did not enjoy this enough to read on in the series.
This was book 2 in a series and I remember nothing of book 1 except that it was chick lit and I really liked it. :) in other words, if I have "met" any of these characters before in book 1, I do not remember them at all. I purchased this (book 2) a while ago, probably about the time I read book 1.
This was a nice story, with nice characters. I liked that it was set in New Zealand. However, I did do a bit of scan-reading, which is normally an automatic 2-star rating but, about halfway through, things picked up and the need to scan-read disappeared. If there is a book 3, I did not enjoy this enough to read on in the series.
July 31, 2015
I adored this historical romance with its headstrong, independent female lead and her ever respectful, admiring hero. The lead characters have great depth and realistic motivations, and the supporting cast well-constructed and equally loveable. I loved the historical New Zealand setting and the way the language so perfectly suits it. I stayed up all night reading it - a sure sign you've been caught by a page-turner. I'll be looking out for more by Zana Bell.
February 12, 2015
A Gold Rush of a Book
Well done Zana, another sparkling read.
New Zealand is always going to be a good subject for any novel, In Fool's Gold, Zana gives us a pair of well defined and likeable protagonists and a plot set in one of New Zealand's most vibrant periods.
Lots of challenges and upsets and a good crowd of supporting characters make this an attractive read.
Go on, you know you want to!
Well done Zana, another sparkling read.
New Zealand is always going to be a good subject for any novel, In Fool's Gold, Zana gives us a pair of well defined and likeable protagonists and a plot set in one of New Zealand's most vibrant periods.
Lots of challenges and upsets and a good crowd of supporting characters make this an attractive read.
Go on, you know you want to!
July 26, 2015
I listened to this book after downloading audio from the local library. Although I enjoyed, I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I were to obtain the paperback version from the library. I have not read any other books by Zana Bell and I shall be looking out for more books by this author. Loved the cover!
March 1, 2015
3.5/5.0
This is the type of story that one can really sink their teeth into!
Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
This is the type of story that one can really sink their teeth into!
Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
August 23, 2015
An Englishwoman and an Irish rogue meet in colonial New Zealand - not the average premise for a romance novel. Add to the mix Gwen's upbringing in a arty household and Quinn's hate of the English and it makes for an interesting story.
Want to read
July 12, 2014Does anyone else think the cover looks like Dianna Agron?
November 27, 2014
Great romantic story. She needed saving often...but I liked the twist at the end with her English suitor coming to "rescue" her and she being already a tough cookie on her own.
September 8, 2015
It's a good NZ read with strong characters in the early 19th century when we were a colony in it infancy. Little or no Maori featured but the Moa was in the book! Get it on audio .....
March 1, 2016
The characters in this book really come alive. A great read and a splendid to romance suitable for all readers
June 20, 2016
I really enjoyed the characters and the transformation of the heroine in this one. I also liked how the author wove other people's stories into the two main characters. The setting was great too!
December 13, 2016
Loved it,
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