The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper

Women of the West #1

by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This Wild West adventure just might be the life she was meant to live.

The future is clearly mapped out for New York socialite Eugenia "Gennie" Cooper, but she secretly longs to slip into the boots of her favorite dime-novel heroine and experience just one adventure before settling down. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to experience the Wild West, but her plans go awry when she is drawn into the lives of silver baron Daniel Beck and his daughter and finds herself caring for them more than is prudent--especially as she's supposed to go back to New York and marry another man.

As Gennie adapts to the rough-and-tumble world of 1880s Colorado, she must decide whether her future lies with the enigmatic Daniel Beck or back home with the life planned for her since birth. The question is whether Daniel's past---and disgruntled miners bent on revenge---will take that choice away from her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Christian, Historical Romance

344 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2009

About the author

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of more than one hundred novels with almost two million copies in print in the US and abroad.

A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and is the winner of the Inspirational Romance of the Year by Romantic Times magazine.

To connect with her through social media, check out the links on her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover and description did not sound entirely great to me, but I signed up for the "first reads" drawing on here, and won a copy. I gave it a try, but though it was an easy, fast read, I had to shake my head at nearly the whole thing. Here are some things I noted as I read. Do the ends justify the means? Would we want our daughters going off somewhere far away without even asking? Eugenia was quite deceitful in her exit, selfishly longing for adventure with a mere question about doing God's will (not thought out). She continued to be flirtatious, and the longing and kissing of both Eugenia and the silver baron were pretty awful. Love is not merely a feeling, unlike this book indicated. The only good things I can say about this book are that it had some adventure and the little girl was taught to behave better. Why, then, did I finish reading the book? Well, it wasn't the worst book in the world, but I admit I was probably foolish to read it all. Authors too seldom think about the examples their characters exhibit, instead mainly seeking an exciting plot or "realistically flawed" characters. I have sometimes fallen into that in my writing too, so I understand how that is.

I know my review may sound harsh, but if you think about it, are the morals and messages of this book really what we want to emulate and teach?

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.

9/6/2015-
"I enjoyed the very beginning, but as the plot went on, there was a lot of noticing, blushing, flirting, & kissing. Content such as: Many hints and mentions of people thinking Gennie & Daniel are sleeping together; Many mentions of a wedding night and wifely duties; A man tries grabbing a girl (nothing happens), made my rating low."

[Ginnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because it is about a governess, and I like that type of plot.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I think I will read more of her.

This had a good plot. I am not sure every minor detail was tied up at the conclusion, but otherwise I am satisfied.

Very humorous, paralled with the dime novel plot that the main caracter read at the begining of each chapter.

Eugenia Gennie Cooper is the daughter of a very rich New Yorker but when she gets the chance she goes out to Denver as a governess looking for adventure. And she gets one.

[Lesa Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book to read. Reminded me a little of Annie Oakley. If you like westerns you will enjoy.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to be reading 'The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck' soon, so I decided to read 'The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper' by Kathleen Y'Barbo first and then I plan to read 'Anna Finch and the Hired Gun' by Kathleen Y'Barbo.


This is the first book that I've read by Kathleen Y'Barbo, but it reminded me of 'A Lady Like Sarah' by Margaret Brownley which I've recently read. Both books have a historical/western theme.


'The Confidential Life of Eugenia "Gennie" Cooper' is a historical romance book set around 1880. Gennie enjoys reading Mae Winslow, 'Woman of the West' dime novels, but she has to read them under her bed covers for fear that her parents will find out.


'Someday, if Gennie ever had the nerve, she'd just head west down Fifth Avenue and keep walking until she reached South Dakota or Wyoming. Colorado maybe, where she could pan for gold or dig for silver. Maybe save some hapless child or even a whole town from whatever evil preyed upon it. Gennie smiled. Wouldn't that be an adventure?' - Page 3


Finally that day has come.


When Gennie's new chambermaid, Fiona McTaggart, tells Gennie about how Fiona's sister has to leave the man she loves before they can wed - to be the governess of Miss Charlotte Beck - Gennie gets an idea.


Since Gennie will be leaving New York for a month to go visit relatives in Boston, while Gennie's family is on a ship for their silver anniversary; why can't Gennie instead of going to Boston go to Denver, Colorado to be the Charlotte Beck's Governess and get the adventure she's dreamed of. Then once Fiona's sister is married and arrives in Denver, go back home to New York with her need for adventure filled.


The beginning of every chapter begins with a portion of a Mae Winslow 'Woman of the West' story. I found this interesting, because it was like reading two books in one. Mae Winslow story as well as Gennie's story.


Upon arriving in Denver, Gennie realizes that Charlotte Beck is not the sweet child she thought she would be. Instead she's a trouble-maker and thief. Gennie soon realizes this "job" won't be as easy as she first thought.


I found the entire story very charming, humorous, and captivating. Gennie and Daniel Beck's relationship had such depth and layers that I didn't want to stop reading 'The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper'.


I loved how the story unfolded and had many twists that I didn't expect. I am very much looking forward to reading 'Anna Finch and the Hired Gun'. I highly recommend 'The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper'.

[gremlinkitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper was an enjoyable foray into the adventures of Miss Eugenia "Gennie" Cooper. She was a thoroughly likable character with plenty of spunk and personality. When I requested this book, I didn't realize it was Christian Fiction and more romance than purely historical fiction. The latter doesn't matter much since I like romance, but since I'm neither Christian nor religious in the traditional sense, I hoped it wouldn't be too preachy a book. Luckily for me, the faith was written into the storyline seamlessly and in a believable manner.

From near the beginning the book left me wanting to know what would happen with Gennie and Daniel, what excitement lay ahead, etc. I did have doubts at how the book would actually end, even if it seemed as if it would be a bit predictable. While I do think Charlotte came around to Gennie too quickly, it was welcome and made it easier to like a child whose behavior was bratty and obnoxious. My biggest problems lay in the whole big "misunderstanding" in the hotel room. I felt that plotline was too forced and the author felt there needed to be a huge hurtle for the two leads. I'd rather a more western adventure for Gennie, full of trouble (like a Mae Winslow episode). Speaking of Mae Winslow, the excerpts (or whatchamacallits) at the beginning of each chapter detracted from the story and made it halt; I felt it unnecessary and it didn't add anything to the book as a whole. Maybe some of those would have been better added into the story or an extra at the end of the book. Lastly, and I may have just forgotten (I have to admit to rushing the last part of the book so I could finish it! :P), what happened with all the mine problems and what was the point of bringing that into the story in the first place? Maybe I just missed something. Otherwise I found the book well-written, entertaining, and hard to put down. Now I'm wondering if Miss Anna Finch will have her own story. :D

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this book falls into the "Meh" category. One on the one hand, I found the main characters to be entertaining, especially Eugenia whose enthusiasm for adventure is contagious. What I found annoying about the book, however, is how contrived some of the scenes were. For example, I literally cringed during the whole "we have to get married because the town passed a "good morality" clause" bit. The citizens came off as being purely tyrannical and very un-Christian, which I don't think that was the author's intent.

Another annoying aspect of the book was its pacing. Somehow I have trouble believing that Daniel traveled from Colorado to England and then to New York in less than a week. Hey, that type of travel itinerary maybe more common today but not in the 1880s! Not to mention, the author brings up the meeting with Daniel's estranged father and how Daniel dreads presenting his daughter to him. Yet, the meeting is barely acknowledged and mentioned only in passing towards the end as if the author ran out of steam and wanted to tie up all of the loose ends.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book last month. This book takes place in the "Wild West. This is not your normal Cowboy and Indian book. Eugena Cooper is a New York socialite and a very wealthy one with a true zest for life. She realizes before she gets married that she wants one more exciting adventure in her life. Eugena makes a switch with another woman that is hired to be a governess. I think being in her situation I may have done the same thing. What is life with out some excitement. She had fire in her blood and it just may have been Gods will for her to explore it.

The adventure then begins. I fell in love with Daniel Beck. Daniel is the man of the house with a successful business and the father of the child Eugena is schooling. Eugena is a beautiful woman that soon realizes she is in the company of a very wonderful Cowboy. I think she did a good job of fighting the urge to be with Daniel.

I really liked this book. It is a quick read and may make you want to visit Colorado.

[Nely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gennie is one of those characters that are so full of life that you can't help but want to know her in real life. Her story is very entertaining and fast-paced and just brimming with romance and adventure. A mix of everything that I like in a book. I did find that the Mae West excerpts were a bit distracting from the story but in the end it all came together nicely. Although, I did find that at times it was predictable, I couldn't help but wonder where the next chapter would lead. This is categorized as Christian Fiction - but it is not overly religious. It can definitely be enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians alike. This was a fast-paced adventure with great characters and loads of wonderful moments. If you're in the mood for a quick, fun read this should definitely be your choice.

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about love, adventure's in the wild west and learning to live your dreams. Eugenia Cooper is a very strong female who sets out to the wild west of Colorado to be a short term nanny for a bratty child named Charlotte. During her time there she encounters some difficult and trying times. And falls in love with Charlotte's father Daniel. This book was fast paced and full of hilarious moment's that you'll never forget. I highly recommend this book!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! It's been a while since I managed to read a book so quickly! My first book by this author, it won't be my last. There were some elements to the story that would cause me to recommend it be read by mature readers, however the story was fun and delightful. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALL 3 BOOKS IN 1 REVIEW (4star, 5star, 4star)

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper– Women of the West #1 of 3

•°• A Wild West Adventure •°•

Gennie Cooper is a fine New York, young lady of the late 1800s, destined to marry a respectable banker of admirable acquaintance, but she is looking for adventure like she reads in the popular (although not to be shared or discussed in proper society) dime novellas about Mae Winslow.
Daniel Beck is a businessman who splits his time between Denver Colorado, where he resides with his 10 year old high-strung daughter, Charlotte, and Leadville where his mining company produces silver.
When Gennie’s parents go travelling, she discovers her new maid’s sister is planning to provide temporary Governess services out west, and promptly concocts a plan to take her place.
A great adventure ensues and Gennie and Daniel collide (quite literally) with each other, changing the course of their lives forever.
This book was a nice diversion, with bits of faith sprinkled in. I found it enjoyable; not WOW, wonderful, but I was entertained.

This book also contains a short story at the top of each chapter, which is the dime novel about Mae Winslow, along with a short chapter at the end finishing her story. It was fun at first, but I really could not get into the bonus story, and lightly skimmed the end.

I was loaned this copy. My opinion is my own and without compensation. I give it a 4 star rating.

© 2009 WaterBrook Multomah, div of Random House
344 pages
Read: 4/18-19/2015
Reviewed: 4/20/2015


Anna Finch & the Hired Gun – Women of the West #2 of 3
Kathleen Y’Barbo

•°• Love Pinkertons! •°•

This was my favorite book of the series. In fact, I read it in one day, I was enjoying it so much. It features a handsome, faith-filled Pinkerton detective – Jeb Sanders – hired to watch the spunky Anna Finch, whom her father believes causes so much trouble she can’t catch a man.
Jeb believes he has been assigned the worst case ever – to babysit *some rich girl instead of catching thieves and murderers and following leads on the ruthless Doc Holliday (whom he has a personal vendetta against).
Anna, by all appearances, is *just that. But, secretly she is a published author, and a girl who’s heart desires riding the open plain from time-to-time, not sitting around wasting her days stitching and her nights at social events. She is also the last of 5 daughters and the only one not married. Her father intends to remedy that as soon as possible and has hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency to guard his willful daughter and keep her out of trouble, until such time as she is properly wed. The story starts off with a bang (literally), and Jeb and Anna are thrown together in an unexpected way. His job is made exceedingly difficult when she makes the acquaintance of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, and begins friendships with them. The story involves lots of sneaking around and even a healthy dose of danger, which was most enjoyable. For a faith-filled novel, I liked that the author gave us a little more danger and a little more passion than some authors of this genre without crossing the lines, in my opinion.

This book also contains short quotes at the top of each chapter regarding Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, my favorite being “This is funny.” – Doc Holliday’s reported last words. Ch. 8, pg. 73.
Additionally, there are historical facts about them listed in the back of the book.

I was loaned this copy. My opinion is my own and without compensation. I give it a 5 star rating, and recommend to others who enjoy historical, Christian novels – particularly western.

© 2010 WaterBrook Multomah, div of Random House
325 pages
Read: 4/20/2015
Reviewed: 4/21/2015


The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck – Women of the West #3 of 3
Kathleen Y’Barbo

•°• London & Colorado Collide •°•

Fun Quote: What happened unobserved did not have to be admitted. Chapter 8 page 63

This is the 4th Kathleen Y’Barbo book I have read. Admittedly I did enjoy it overall, but with a few issues.
Charlotte Beck is only 17 and throughout much of the first half of the story, she is a bit of a brat. At times she is amusing, but not as sensible as I would like. The 2nd half of the book picks up 4 years later, and she remains as stubborn as ever, even having gone away to college. Where she should have matured, it causes the story to drag. Alex Hambly is a royal viscount with a strong sense of family duty. Overall, a pleasant character to read about. He is thoroughly vexed by Charlotte who literally drops into his life. Not quite as plausible for me; four years is a long time to carry a torch from someone Alex Hambly barely knew. Although he is obligated to her, as we read, and has buried his feelings, they return all to quickly for me. It just didn’t make good sense.
A huge issue for me is a very detailed scene where Charlotte’s grandfather makes a big show of summoning Alex to give him an important letter, which he is then to deliver to his father. However, Alex’s father dies before he can. Shortly thereafter Alex crumples up the paper and we NEVER find out what was written on it. I felt ripped off! At the end of the story (small spoiler alert), Sept. 7, 1891 Charlotte loses something precious in the river. The next day, Sept. 8, when everyone is getting ready for a huge party at Charlotte’s home on the Colorado prairie, Alex has managed to ride out to the river, find the damaged item, get it to a restorer, have it restored, and wrap it up and present it to her that same night. Hmmm. Doubtful. Overall, it’s a good and enjoyable story with lots of potential. It just fell a bit short for me. However, I have enjoyed this author’s more recent works over this one, so I do not count her out (and having read book #2 in this series, have high hopes).

I was loaned this copy. My opinion is my own and without compensation. I give it a 4 star rating.

© 2011 WaterBrook Multomah, div of Random House
337 pages
Read: 4/15/2015 (I accidentally read this book first instead of last in the series)
Reviewed: 4/16/2015

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eugenia Cooper isn't ready to settle down and become the wife of staid New York banker Chandler Dodd. She longs for a western adventure like the heroine of her favorite dime novel series. So when the opportunity presents itself for her to travel west as a temporary governess, Gennie jumps at the chance. Her meeting with Daniel Beck is quite memorable. His household staff and daughter are rather unconventional. Gennie is in for quite a challenge and more of an adventure than she hoped for. This book is delightful with plenty of banter, adventure, and romance. Each chapter opens with a portion of Gennie's favorite dime novel as a fun bonus. I was looking for a light book with humor after reading an intense book and this one was perfect.

[Sheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have known from the tacky cover that I wouldn't like this one, but so many sweet stories have truly awful covers. I found the characters in this book to be disappointingly flat, lacking in any believable motivation for most of their actions and utterly devoid of development. The plot itself was rather forced and predictable, and the excerpts from the Mae West dime novel at the start of each chapter just irritated me. I almost quit reading, but I hate not to finish what I start.

[Jennifer Pryke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a lot of the story hard to swallow. I did enjoy reading it. The more I contemplated the book afterwards the less certain aspects made sense, or were believable. I finished reading the book at a very sleep deprived 5am without putting it down start to finish.

The ending was ridiculous and Disney-esque.

[MrsAReader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected more from this book. Knowing that it was a romance novel, I was definitely set up for the fairy-tale ending. The remainder of this book was uninteresting, and the characters were not believable.

[Lindsay Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story!

This book was entertaining, and I enjoyed rereading it! It’s been years since I read it, so I didn’t remember the plot. I’m looking forward to rereading the rest of the series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A socialite/adventurer's story with cute kids. Very nice read!

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sad I wasted time on this book. Maybe the other books are better, but this was not worth any time.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Julynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this tale of western adventure, silly escapades, and fun!!! Great story within a story and well written by Ms. Y'Barbo. So enjoyed it!!!

[Paschalis]

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[Kelsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this story out of order. Just didn't connect with the story.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5 stars

[David A. Akerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Story

The book was written in such a way that you could guess how it would end,but until the very end you did not know. You won't want to put it down.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a silly, easy, don’t have to think about it read, this would be it.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y'Barbo on read-more happy list. Crime fighter Mae excerpts intersperse with main plot where Manhattan deb Eugenia holidays as Denver governess exchanging melting kisses with her boss. His "imp" Charlotte 10 is part of fun. Standard love triangle has questionable answer.
Typo:C7p16 diffuse is defuse

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper gives you two stories for the price of one. No, it isn't one of those volumes which has one story at the front, and another than starts halfway through the book; rather, the two stories in one is a writing technique used by the author, Kathleen Y'Barbo. The heroine of the main story, Eugenia, likes to read what were called "dime novels" at the time this story is set, 1880. Dime novels were cheap, plot-driven stories that utilized the same characters over many books. Eugenia's favorites feature a herione, Mae Winslow, who lives in the wild west. Eugenia is a rich New York socialite who is almost engaged to be married to a rich banker, but she craves adventure. Then, just before she is to leave town to spend the summer with relatives in Boston, her new maid tells her that her (the maid's) sister is to leave for Colorado to act as a governess for a little girl. The sister is not happy about this because she is about to be married and this interferes with her plans. Eugenia concocts a scheme whereby she will go to Colorado in the sister's stead, work as a governess for a month, at which time the then married sister and her husband will come to Colorado and Eugenia will return to New York and her normal life.

As things are known to happen in novels, things don't go quite as planned and Eugenia ends up in Colorado without any of her things except the clothes on her back and some money. She ends up falling in front of (and then for) her employer. Other things happen that are about as improbable as the adventures in the dime novels she loves so much and in the end....

As I said, this book is two stories in one. Each chapter begins with part of a dime novel about Mae Winslow. Since there are no credits given, I assume this is a story written by Y'Barbo in the style of a dime novel, rather than a real example thereof. Then the story of Eugenia continues. While a little distracting at times, it was an interesting way of showing what type of story motivated Eugenia's love of adventure.

The book is Christian fiction, but it is one of those I wouldn't put in that category if asked to classify it. While God gets mentioned a time or two, He isn't the focus of the story. There are no conversion scenes, long prayers or sermons.

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper was a fun read and I thank the publisher for sending me a copy for review.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Interesting story. Despite that I read (accidentally) the second book, Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, before this one, I believe I liked this one more.
There was an enjoyable amount of romance, adventure, humor, and faith. Less on the faith though, unfortunately.
I neither laughed (though I was certainly amused at times) nor cried.
2.5 stars for the book cover. It's fine, though not especially interesting, and I don't picture Gennie to resemble the model.
(*SPOILER ALERT!!!*)
Gennie – She was quite a crazy girl. Her escapades put me in mind of Jen Turano's humerous heroines. I'm certain they would have all been best friends. I admired her spunk and courage and creativity, but I did not like her much in some areas. She seemed a bit flippant in the area of kissing. I really wish these ladies would not kiss more than one man. It is not romantic in the least.
Daniel – He was sweet. I believe the only matter in which I did not like him was his indecision when it came to Gennie, though the novel wouldn't be the same without it. He was awesome. I loved his strength, his bravery, his devotion, his protection. Oh, speaking of which, that whole scene in Leadville was ridiculous! Ladies or not, I was ready to sock those people for their stupidity. I understand the situation looked bad, but they weren't even willing to listen to an explanation. For crying out loud!
Charlotte – She, on the other hand, was very much a brat. At first, anyway. Later she was simply a sweetheart with attitude. But I'm telling you, if I had been that girl's governess/parent, I would have given the little chit a good spanking. She was crazy. I can't believe Daniel never noticed how bad she was getting. Well, thankfully Gennie was able to straighten her out, for the most part.
Anna – She was interesting. Quite a bit different from how I recall her in her own novel though. Less wild and daring. Hmm, not quite sure which one I prefer.
Mr. Beck – I had a very small introduction with Daniel's father but he appeared to be a kind man. I hope he and his son will renew their friendship. Edwin, on the other hand, can remain in England for all I care. I wonder when Charlotte will discover the truth about him.
Elias and Tova and Isak were wonderful as well. They preformed their duties to above and beyond, along with providing a strong dose of friendship. And I have a strong inkling they'll all be family soon.
Now I shall move on to Charlotte’s story and hold on to my seat during her sure-to-be-amusing adventure.