Overview
Elisabeth Parker comes to California from Massachusetts in 1849 with her new husband, Nate, to
reunite with her father, who’s struck gold on the American River. She soon realizes her husband is
not the man she thought—and neither is her father, who abandons them shortly after they arrive. As
Nate struggles with his sexuality, Elisabeth is forced to confront her preconceived notions of family,
love, and opportunity.
She finds comfort in corresponding with her childhood friend back home, writer Louisa May Alcott,
and spending time in the company of a mysterious Californio Don. Armed with Ralph Waldo
Emerson’s Self-Reliance, she sets out to determine her role in building the West, even as she comes
to terms with the sacrifices she must make to achieve independence and happiness.
Prospects of a Woman is a fresh, authentic retelling of the West that explores women’s contributions
in California and shatters the stereotypes of the typical hard-boiled novel of the West that has
captured the American imagination for over a century.
Review
Elizabeth has married Nate and they have struck out for California. They want to find Elizabeth’s father and create a new life. However, it does not magically happen the way Elizabeth expects. Nate does not turn out to be the man she thought he was and Elizabeth must rely on her own intellect to survive.
You talk about a book I wanted to throw across the room…THIS IS IT! I was so frustrated with Elizabeth on so many levels. And the repetition by the author! It was repeated multiple times about Elizabeth not liking ants. And apparently, Elizabeth is sex craved…another fact mentioned multiple times!
If you like westerns you may enjoy this one. However, this story fell a little short for me. And I hate to post a bad review. I hate to damage an author’s hard work based on my opinion. And this is only my opinion.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Buy the book:
Amazon
About the Author:
Born and raised on the American River in Sacramento, Wendy Voorsanger has long held an intense
interest in the historical women of California. She started her career in the Silicon Valley, writing
about technology trends and innovations for newspapers, magazines, and Fortune 100 companies.
She currently manages SheIsCalifornia.net, a blog dedicated to chronicling the accomplishments of
California women through history. Her debut historical novel, Prospects of a Woman will be published
in October 2020 (She Writes Press); an excerpt entitled “Shifting in California” won 1st place in the
California Writers Club short story contest and is published in the Fault Zone: Shift: An Anthology of
Stories.
She earned a B.A. in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and
an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a member of the Castro Writers’ Cooperative, the
Lit Camp Advisory Board, and the San Mateo Public Library Literary Society.
In addition to being an author, Wendy has worked as a lifeguard, ski instructor, and radio disc jockey.
Wendy lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.
Links
Author website: www.wendyvoorsanger.net
Additional website: Sheiscalifornia.com
Facebook: Author Wendy Voorsanger
Instagram: @authorwendyvoorsanger
YouTube book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RDfTJXFdfo&feature=youtu.be
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