Member Reviews
So Ms. Rosenberg is a new to me author - and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book. This book has well written characters and intriguing story line. Baby Doe is the main character who is intriuging, charming, and beautiful. You will see her story unfold in 19th Century gold country. One of the things I really liked is that her story is based on the real Baby Doe. This had me looking up the true Baby Doe. I love when I can read a book and learn some stuff along the way. I look forward to more from this author.
I received a copy of this book through the author. All thoughts are my own.
This is a story based on the real life figure of Elizabeth Tabor. She went to Colorado in search of gold. While there she faces many hardships. I found Elizabeth to be a strong and resilient figure. Despite many obstacles, she never let anything faze her. She was a strong woman throughout. The writing is very well-written and the setting is very realistic almost as if the reader was there walking beside the Elizabeth. This novel is perfect for fans of Janet Benton, Robert Hicks, and Jim Fergus. Full review to come!
Author Rebecca Rosenberg’s novel Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor explores the life of Baby Doe Tabor, née Elizabeth McCourt, during the late Victorian era in Colorado. Baby Doe and the economic upheaval and sociological changes of the Gilded Era is well-documented here. Baby Doe was an amazing woman and Rosenberg does an adequate job telling her story, though highly fictionalizing it. The story has the scope of a historical saga, but I was most disappointed in the lack of depth, especially emotional depth, in the novel. Events were mostly told rather than shown.
I definitely recommend this book. Lizzie is one strong women, trying to make a life for herself. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Don’t miss out.
GOLD DIGGER: THE REMARKABLE BABY DOE TABOR by Rebecca Rosenberg is a work of historical fiction based on the life of Elizabeth McCourt Doe Tabor, aka Baby Doe. It is set in the late 1800s during the heyday of gold and silver mining in Colorado. After moving to Colorado with her new husband, Harvey, to make their fortune in a gold mine, Baby Doe finds herself suddenly without a husband and living alone in poverty, estranged from friends and family. Later, she meets “silver king” and politician, Horace Tabor and despite him being married, they embark on a forbidden romance that eventually results in them both being shunned by the society they once dominated. This intriguing rags-to-riches-to-rags story is told with vivid descriptions and realistic detail. The characters were well-portrayed and believable and I loved how fiercely independent and resilient Baby Doe was in the face of all the difficulties she faced. I must confess I knew nothing about this strong woman from American history and I always like learning something new when I read historical fiction. I really enjoyed this well-written and engaging book and I look forward to the sequel, SILVER DOLLAR, coming later this year. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.
I received an advance copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading this new historical novel by Rebecca Rosenberg. The story of Lizzie"Baby Doe"Tabor, steeped in the Colorado mining heydays, reflects the politics and morality of this era, and the strength and self confidence of this remarkable young woman. This is a tale of love and survival!
I received a free copy of this digital ARC from the author in return for a fair and unbiased review. This book is historical fiction based on real people and places.
Lizzie leaves Oshkosh with her brand new husband Harvey to manage a gold mine in Colorado. She is a feisty character determined to help her husband and the mine become a success. She is given the nickname, Baby Doe (her eyes are likened to a baby deer's) and it sticks. It's an exciting time in Colorado. Fortunes are made and lost and towns are built. I liked the story at the beginning (3 stars) but towards the end I upgraded it to 4 stars and couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book.
#GoldDigger #NetGalley
Thank you to Rebecca Rosenberg and NetGalley for an ARC of Gold Digger in exchange for an honest review.
Very interesting, well written Historical fiction about the struggles and triumphs of Lizzie 'Baby Doe' Tabor. In the late 1800's., she was beautiful strong and stubborn and she defied Victorian gender values to work in the Colorado gold mines or what ever she needed to do to make it rich. I loved how the author weaved the story and how she portrayed the rich and colorful characters, I'm giving this one a 4 star rating and suggest you grab a copy!
It doesn't matter what era it is as proof that money does not buy happiness. I was amazed at the wealth and extravagance displayed and the lengths people went too to obtain it. I haven't read many books on the gold rush though it was interesting how much people just moved west in droves to find the American dream. I found the book to drag a little for me but the writing was well done.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This review was in my own words.
If you, like me, enjoy historical fiction centered around a courageous leading lady, then Gold Digger, The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor by Rebecca Rosenberg is the book for you. Set during the gold rush, this gem of a novel tells the rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-cliffhanger story of a young and newlywed woman who travels west to stake their claim on a mine gifted by her wealthy father-in-law. Her goal and her family’s expectation were that she would send riches home to bail out her bankrupt father. While Lizzie a/k/a Baby Doe is up for the challenge, her husband is not. He abandons her while she is carrying his child. Rather than return home a failure in the eyes of her family, Baby Doe resolves to make it on her own despite enormous odds.
As in Rosenberg’s earlier novel, The Secret Life of Mrs. London, Gold Digger has some hilarious and unexpectant scenes. The quick-witted and silver-tongued Baby Doe and had me snickering as she brushed off endless unwanted advances and engaged in Real Housewife franchise level spats with the women. Cast as a woman who could have any man she wanted but not a single female friend, Baby Doe kept her eye on the prize. Once she set her sights on the silver king Horace Tabor, you knew his heart didn’t stand a chance.
Gold Digger is rich with colorful characters, quick dialogue, interesting facts, and a fascinating era. An enthusiastic 4-star review; I eagerly await publication of the continuation of Baby Doe’s story in Rosenberg’s Silver Dollar, scheduled for publication in September 2019.
Thank you to Rebecca Rosenberg and NetGalley for an ARC of Gold Digger in exchange for an honest review.
I was instantly drawn in by the cover and then the summary. That is a lovely cover and the story sounds sooooooo good.
The story follows Baby Doe, born Elizabeth McCourt, who would become a legend of Colorado! Things do not start off so great. She thinks she finds her true love but is abandoned pregnant and no money. However, she kept pushing. Things happen and she meets Tabor who would move the Earth for her.
I felt so bad for Baby Doe. She was treated like crap by that jerkface! Ugh. He didn't deserve her. I'm glad Baby Doe realized this and got a divorce even though it went against her religion and society. But he didn't love her and she deserved better for sure.
Honestly? I wasn't a huge Tabor fan at first. It took eons for me to really warm up to him. Maybe it is because I didn't trust him? I'm not sure but I was constantly worried that he was going to hurt her. She really deserved happiness! I adored her. She was not only beautiful, but she was smart and strong.
I liked Billy at first, but grrrr he was a snot.
The writing was beautiful! I had enjoyed a previous novel by the author a while back and adored the writing style. This was the same. Simply lovely. It really hooks you into the story and characters.
The ending was cliff-hanger-ish...but not at the same time. I liked how it ended. You can leave as is or move forward. It was very nice, but it did make me sad at the same time. Oooo the feels.
I had no major issues at all. I really enjoyed the story. I highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers. I'll stamp this with 5 stars.
I love historical fiction. However, I only got through the first two chapters before I couldn't stand to read further. It contains too much description, and doesn't flow well.
I just read a terrific book. Gold Digger, The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor by Rebecca Rosenberg. It doesn't hit the market until May 28, 2019 but I suggest you put it on your TBR list. I've given it a, rare for me, 5 stars. I was offered the chance to read an advanced reader copy and I almost didn't, I vaguely knew of Baby Doe and didn't think I'd be interested. What a shame if I had passed it up. So, I voluntarily read and will review for you, with all thoughts and opinions being mine.
Gold fever hit the west when in 1848 gold nuggets were discovered. Go west young man and seek your fortune. Elizabeth 'Lizzie" McCourt is on her way to Colorado with her new husband, Harvey Doe. Harvey was a good catch, his father was mayor of Oshkosh. The downside is he's a mama's boy and she doesn't love him. The newlyweds were gifted a deed to the Fourth Of July gold mine in Central City, Colorado. A new start and a chance to help her family financially. If her family had whined for money one more time I was going to scream. Harvey goes back to Oshkosh to take care of his sick mother (yea right) and Lizzie is left to carry on and work the mine. She reminds the miners of a baby doe, it's a fun play on her name. and it sticks. She's now Baby Doe. Scandalously, she divorces Harvey and becomes a pariah to society.
Horace Tabor is a self made man. He's, of course, older than Baby and married but love doesn't care. He's such an interesting character. Made and lost fortunes but had no real head for business. The people around him were not always honest and sometimes just leaches. He and Baby are meant to be together and what a ride they had. From dead broke to having the president at your wedding back to dead broke, wow. Tabors story is as fascinating as Baby's. I did have one laugh out loud moment. Baby's brother comes to town and takes up with Oscar Wilde! It's a great section of the book.
It's obvious how much research went into this story, Ms Rosenberg did a wonderful job. We have something to look forward to, Silver Dollar, in 2020. The next chapter picks up after Tabor's death. Baby's story in no way ended there. Happy reading.
#Netgalley #LionHeartPublishing #RebeccaRosenberg #GoldDigger
Rebecca Rosenberg’s Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor is the rags-to-riches-to-rags true story of Lizzie “Baby Doe” Tabor. Set against the rough and tumble Colorado silver and gold rush in the late 1800s, Gold Digger brings history to life, portraying Baby Doe as a smart, strong-willed woman fighting to survive in tumultuous times. The author vividly describes the hardships of life in the frontier towns of Colorado, the capriciousness of mining for riches, and the indomitable spirit of Baby Doe as she navigates the fortunes and misfortunes of life in such a harsh environment. Weathering a disastrous first marriage, the loss of a child, the collapse of the silver market, and the scorn of society, Baby Doe Tabor’s strength and determination leap off the page. Add this extraordinary book to your TBR list. It’s a must-read.
American historical fiction is not my preferred genre. While Rosenberg does provide plenty of historical context about the development of the western frontier throughout the story, the book is more about the trails of the characters. We are given a glimpse to the grit and determination of Doe Tabor as she struggled to find her way. We see how she both dismissed and embraced her beauty to succeed. We see characters who weren't afraid to make decisions and how they both reaped and suffered as a result of those actions. It was interesting to read how Senator Tabor initiated such a building boom in Colorado. Rosenberg's writing style is easy to digest and she includes excerpts from Doe Tabor's diary throughout which is a nice touch.
Ah, I've been trying to read this book for the last few days. I've struggled mightily with it.
The book is dialog-driven, and the author depends on the dialog to further the story, instead of using descriptions in sentences and paragraphs. It's very hard for me to keep track of who's saying what. The book is also historical fiction, which is fine for characters who never existed, but when writing about real people, I find it disingenuous to put words in their mouths and attribute actions to them that they might or might not have ever said or done. This is a story, but not THE story of the Tabors.
If you want to know the real story of the Tabors, read a biography about them. If you want a fanciful story about some people named "Tabor", this is the book for you.
I give the author credit for writing a book, which I imagine is a hard thing to do. Baby Doe Tabor was a fascinating character, and there are other books that tell her real story.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a digital ARC of this title in via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I was fortunate enough to also receive an ARC of Rosenberg's title The Secret Life of Mrs London, my first title to read from this author. I really enjoyed it and found it to be well written and quite interesting, I was therefore really excited when the author gifted me her newest title for review. I had never heard of Baby Doe and knew very little of the gold and silver mines of Colorado. This title was also well researched and informative. There was a nice backstory included on Baby Doe and on Horace Tabor before they meet that helps you to learn about their own personalities, histories, strengths and weaknesses. I was not personally as interested in this story as I was in Mrs London's, but I still enjoyed reading the title and felt like I learned quite a bit from reading this. Ms. Rosenberg is a talented writer weaving history into a fictional story that is enjoyable to read. I would definitely recommend her to those interested in historical fiction and look forward to seeing what other titles she creates in the future.
Epic love story. Fantastic depiction of late 1800s-early 1900s gold rush in Colorado. I was not familiar with Baby Doe Tabor but after reading this book I want to find out more about her life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a woman determined to be independent and ask questions and stand up for herself.
It was a wild time in history, but also opulence and riches beyond compare for the lucky few. Baby Doe experiences everything from infidelity, miscarriage, betrayal, abandonment, crooks and more and swears off men and marriage.
When Horace Tabor meets Baby Doe, sparks fly (pun intended) and their love story is based on true admiration and respect. They both have big hearts and faith in human nature and each other.
I am thrilled to have discovered this California author and can’t wait to read the sequel!
Rebecca Rosenberg has brought history to life in this un...put...down...able book about Baby Doe Tabor! This is the genre of book that I love to read and I was thrilled with the opportunity to read an ARC copy! This fascinating woman in American history, particularly Colorado history, was beautiful, determined, strong and most of all a survivor. She endured the gamut of difficulties that life and society threw at her because of her strong will and the love she had for Horace Tabor.
Ms. Rosenberg has captured the essence and beauty not only of Baby Doe but also of Colorado. The descriptions she writes are so vivid and incredible. I grew up in Colorado with my dad taking me to many old ghost towns in the mountains and this book brought all those places to life as bustling, crowded places that brought miners in search of their fortunes in their hunt for silver and gold. From the clear, blue skies and streams to the scents of the pines. From the hardships and reality of what mining entailed to the high society of the Denver elites, I was living this tale of ups and downs with Baby Doe.
Ms. Rosenberg built this book upon the real life of Baby Doe Tabor and the history surrounding her. It's a wonderful "look" at who she was. The research, the history, the background to the characters is all brought together in a magnificent book that reads like it could be made into a top rated movie. I didn't want the book to end. I wanted more of Baby Doe and to my surprise! There is going to be a sequel! Silver Dollar! I will be waiting with great anticipation for what happens next in Baby Doe's life!
This book exceeded all my expectations and gave me an adventure back in history that I will never forget. I love Colorado. I love the rich history of that state. Ms. Rosenberg brought all that to me in this book plus so much more. I loved the adventure!
There are passages that are so profound and speak of the talent Ms. Rosenberg has at expressing the written word.
"The Matchless was a symbol of everything they stood for; tenacity, courage, and most of all, luck. Was that why he never let it go? He kept it for her."
"Love is like a wild horse, impossible to tame," she said. "The horse takes you places you never thought you'd go. But if you hold on tight, it always leads you home."
This is the second book by Ms. Rosenberg that I've read and highly recommend both. The first one is The Secret Life of Mrs. London. I am so looking forward to her next book, too! I want to thank Ms. Rosenberg for the honor of reading her amazing novel! I would give it way more than 5 stars if possible and I highly recommend her books
Women of the wild west...you won't want to miss this one. Her rags-to-riches and back to rags again story made her a well-known figure in her own day, and inspired an opera and a Hollywood movie based on her life...that's Elizabeth McCourt known as Baby Doe.
Born in Oshkosh, Wisc; married and moved to Colorado. She divorced him for drinking, gambling, frequenting brothels, and being unable to provide a living and he literally abandoned her. A strong women made her way and fell in love with Horance Taber, a wealthy silver magnate. From wealth to life of being destitute. An interesting period of time, a rough life for women and their struggles.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.