This author has such a way with words and creating a world where there is beauty and grand imagination. The cover of this book is also stunning and captures the setting beautifully. I will be honest in saying this story moved incredibly slow for me and I struggled at times to be fully engaged in what was happening. But I love the friendship that is written on the pages and it truly is what makes this book worth reading. Both Mercy and Rusty are very unique characters that are not at all what you might expect. There is also a mystery that flows through the chapters and takes the reader on a bit of a treasure hunt. This is not my favorite book by this author but it is still a worthwhile read. Be prepared for a much slower read but with a beautiful setting and characters that just might surprise you.

Three and a half stars.


"I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

“What do we do when both our worlds are dark? We do what you said. We both go out and see it. We defy the dark.”

This was a beautiful, insightful, and moving story. I was deeply touched by it, and the themes of friendship, family, priorities, loss, honor, love, and that God can restore what seems to be lost.

Amanda’s beautiful writing style was a pleasure to read, and I loved the unique mix of letters, news articles, and screenplays that she used to help tell the story. An absolutely heartwarming story of friendship, courage, healing, and hope. Simply lovely!

This is my first book by this author, and now I want to read everything she’s written.

I received a copy from the publisher and Austenprose via NetGalley, but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

4.5 stars! A beautifully written story of hope and healing. Rusty and Marybeth are long-time penpals who bond through the trials and challenges of adolescence. This relationship is artistically woven with the current year of 1948, giving the reader an exceptional glimpse of the girls' past and present interactions. Additionally, there is a decades old mystery to solve and a false accusation to unravel. Filled with wonderful characters and intriguing riddles to solve, this book is hard to put down. The story in itself can feel a bit like a riddle, with many unanswered questions in the first several chapters. Don't get hung up on what you think you don't understand as it all comes together in the end in a satisfying conclusion. I recommend reading this inspiring, engaging book.

I received a digital copy of this story. This review is my opinion.

Amanda Dykes is such a spectacular writer. Her words wrap around you until they're embedded in the core of your being; until your emotions are splayed out for everyone to see.

At first, everything in this book seemed disjointed, and I wondered how it would all fit together. But I've read nearly all of Amanda's books, and I know she's an expert weaver. And she weaved a beautiful, brilliant tale. A tale of heartbreak, of friendship, of mystery, of searching, of life.

So. If you don't mind ugly crying in front of your family, since you definitely will because some things just can't be helped, get this. Read it right now, no matter who you're around. Then we can talk about it. Because I so need to talk about the beauty of this story.

~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~

4.5 Stars

My. Goodness.

What a beautiful story of redemption, loss, heartbreak, healing, friendship, triumph . . .

The writing is so rich. I was constantly tabbing sentences, wanting to relish in the words because they're beautiful and deep.

At first, I did find all of the back and forth with timelines and different forms of communication to be a bit disorienting. But as I continued in the story and realized the mystery as it was unfolding, it ALL felt like pieces to a bigger picture . . . much like the journey our main characters traveled.

And these characters? They're nuanced and real. The whole community of Mercy Peak has a story to tell, and what a story it is.

Just don't miss this one, folks. It's a heart touching ride from beginning to end.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

I am completely blown away by this astonishing story. Amanda Dykes has a phenomenal way of writing. She wraps you up in a warm blanket, settles you in a cozy spot, and places the book gently in your hands. The story unwraps around you. You can hear the wind rushing down the mountains, the lake sparkling in the sunlight, the Wildwood Mansion crumbling down upon itself. An instant chill sliding down your spine as soon as you enter. This is just the tip of the mine shaft. This story I cannot get over. The characters immediately grab your attention. Full of life and vinegar. Two young ten-year-old's forming an instant connection over pen and ink. Who knew they would become one another's person. The one they can tell any secret to, the one they depend on, without ever seeing one another in the flesh. One day the letters just stop for the two of them. Leaving each feeling more hurt, stunned, and lost without their best friend.

Fast forward to 1948, and Mercy is now a Hollywood starlet. Everyone knows her, and her single tear. She makes for Colorado and the seclusion of Mercy Peak, as a scandal follows in her wake. All you know is that her hands are bandages, and she has nothing left to her name. She needs a place of solitude, where she is not known. Rusty's hometown will do. She buys the mansion owned by the only man the town has ever detested. He had controlled the town, ran his mines, and holed up in his castle. What she walks into is more than she ever expected. A town full of an array of characters that you want to be a part of. Everyone looking out for each other. The stories they weave leave Mercy in stitches and in awe. The best is about the disappearance of Galloping Goose #8. One night it simply vanished. Leaving the town wondering where it could have possibly gone. They have many thoughts, and ideas of what became of this railcar. When Mercy stumbles onto some clues, she is on the treasure hunt of a lifetime. That had me at the edge of my seat, dying to know what happened.

The foundation of this book is friendship. What happens when you have it, when it is ripped away, and how you move forward. The healing process, learning to trust again, and to depend on your people. I loved how Dykes brings the entire town into this story. It transported me directly to the glimmering gold in the peaks of Colorado. I cannot say enough positives about this book, you just need to trust me and read it! Thank you to Amanda Dykes, Bethany House, and Austenprose PR for my copy of this captivating read I will not soon forget!

"I sometimes think, when our dreams seem impossible to us, perhaps we just haven't seen yet how God will chase after our hearts with those very dreams, in the unlikeliest ways."

I was completely blown away by the musical quality of the author's voice. It was the first full-length novel by the author I read and I cannot believe I've waited this long to read this acclaimed author. And, yes, she deserves all the accolades and then some. It's a beautiful, heart-breaking, soul-aching, redemptive story of friendship, grief, loss, vulnerability, belonging, freedom, and hope. There is fantastic banter, raw emotions, and amazing treasure hunt wrapped in mystery to boot. The narrative uses flashbacks, letters, newspaper headlines, a play script, and research for a biography as well as traditional third person narrative to create wonderful depth and breadth.

I loved that the book started out with four friends making a pact and ended with two friends staying loyal and true. I loved their faithful, eccentric, and loving mountain community and their beloved train with nostalgic memories. A dash of Hollywood thrown into the story was fun but also eye-opening. There was even some tender steadfast romantic love in the plot which was so sweet and satisfying.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's one of the best reads of 2024. It will make you cry, laugh, swoon, think, and pray. It will make you contemplate "how extravagant a kindness this world is".

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Born of Guilded Mountains is a superbly written story. Amanda Dykes is an incredible author with an amazing ability to transport you into a story. She can truly make the story come to life in way that is often unmatched in the literary world.

I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Amanda Dykes is an author that will take you to places and times you’ve never been before.
Her writing style is so captivating and full of beautiful imagery that once you pick up a book of hers, you won't want to stop reading.
In this newest story, she has mixed in sweet pieces of letters, other communications, and news articles that help tell the story in a deep way.
It’s an adventure where we find how one life can make a difference in many lives. One choice can change many things, like a ripple in time. We all have the ability to influence those around us and those to come, and each of our choices connects to someone else.
This story sparkles and shines in her amazing way of writing, with many golden moments. I was taken away to mountain peaks, meadows, rivers, and caves. What a stunning tale!
Amanda Dykes has written a beautiful story of many people’s lives, all intertwined and deeply touched by loss, mystery, honor, and sweet love. It touched me to the core of my being.
This wonderful tale will sit in my heart for days to come. I highly recommend you pick it up and search for the gold in your life.
The publisher and NetGalley provided me with this book, but this did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story grew on me. I wasn't quite sure what do make of it after the first third or so: two teenage pen pals writing to each other over the years, story jumping between the past and present, and the inclusion of interview and Folio' notes which I found a distraction.

And then the pen pals grew up and one of them decided to visit the other after having being unceremoniously let go from their acting job. Marybeth Spatts (great name BTW) is a famous actress, Mercy Windsor, in what seems like another life. And then that career is snuffed out. She walks away with her head held high and goes in search of her long time pen pal, Rusty Bright, who lives in an innocuous place called Mercy Peak, Colorado.

But Rusty's been missing for a while. She went walkabout after her heart was broken and no one had heard from her for a while.

This beautiful story demonstrates Amanda Dykes craftspersonship in all its brilliance. She's a wonderful wordsmith in sharing a story of these two bestie's, Marybeth and Rusty, with the wildness and mystery of the mountains as a backdrop. Throw into the plot a crazy treasure hunt and a supporting cast of weird and wonderful mountain folk and this becomes an enchanting story.

Besides the friendship theme, Dykes weaves a second powerful theme through the story, one that struck me deeply. Our lives can go off course for a whole lot of reasons and we can feel we've missed our true destiny but God is a restorer of lives that have been seemingly lost. As Dykes states in her Note at the back, "He reaches into the void and breathes life." Dykes demonstrates God's hand reaching into many characters lives in this story. It's extremely powerful and encouraging.

If you've read one of Amanda Dykes stories, you'll want to read this one and if your new to her work, may I encourage you to step into Mercy Peak and be enchanted by her world building and beautiful narration and characters.

I feel very blessed to have received an early ebook copy of the story from Bethany House via Net Galley being part of Amanda Dykes' launch team. This has had no bearing on my review.

Another beautiful book by Amanda Dykes! It had themes of friendship, family, community, and faith and a cozy mountain setting which made it the perfect book to curl up with in the evenings!❤️

I quickly grew to care about our original main characters, Mercy and Rusty. I love books about friendship, especially pen pals, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. I loved reading about this friendship between two girls with completely different personalities who began their friendship by writing letters as young girls. I also enjoyed getting to know the rest of the characters in this tight-knit community in the mountains. Casey was definitely a favorite!

I absolutely love Amanda Dykes’ poetic writing! I teared up more than once because of the beautiful way she puts things. She is definitely a talented writer! Her writing simply inspires me and I love that!
The faith content was beautiful as was the author’s note. It touched my heart!

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book! I loved that there was a mystery woven into this story. While it took me a little bit to figure out what was going on in the book, it wasn’t long before I was invested in these characters and their stories. If you love books with a mountain setting in the late 1940s, pen pals, poetic writing, and a mystery/treasure hunt, I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

AmandaDykes has cemented her place as one of my favorite authors with this awe inspiring, mystical, magical story. Her writing evokes vivid pictures and profound concepts with its lyrical prose.
The story revolves around the friendship of Marybeth/Mercy and Ruby/Rusty starting out as 10 year old pen pals from a school project. Many years and life experiences later, they finally meet in Mercy Peak, a remote village in the mountains. The story is mesmerizing and sets the now grown women on a complicated treasure hunt. But they find much more than earthly treasure, they find the treasure of true friendship. *I have had very few friends in my life, and the close ones I have known have taught me one priceless thing: hope.* Marybeth.
The author takes the ordinary lives of the characters and teaches deep lessons of priorities, love, life and what matters most. *I think God made each moment and each moment matters.*
Another not-to-be-missed offering from an author who writes from the heart.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

An absolutely beautiful read. This author weaves stories like no other and I love the lyrical qualities her stories have. The opening chapter grabbed me immediately and I was entranced with how the story came together. Fantastic book!

Amanda Dykes is truly a phenomenal storyteller. Each time I pick up one of her books, I know that I am in for a beautiful story... and this one was absolutely no exception. This was such a beautiful story of friendship and treasure, but also about the unexpected twists and turns that life so often brings about. There were moments that had me reaching for the tissues, but overall left me with a feeling of hope in the end. There were lots of twists that kept me invested in the story--- though I don't want to give anything away. Th author did such a great job of revealing just enough of past events as the story went on to keep me reading on. Throughout the story, the story includes letters, screenplays and newspaper articles blended into the main story... which admittedly threw me for a moment, but by the end I thought this really added a unique element to the story that I really enjoyed. If you're looking for a beautiful Christian historical fiction story with beautiful friendships, heartache and found family, this is certainly one not to be missed.

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Simply beautiful!

Marybeth and Rusty, despite never having met in person, formed a deep and meaningful friendship as penpals through their childhood letters, and vow to meet one day to find the lost treasure that will save Rusty's small mountain town of Mercy Peak.

But an unexpected twist turns dreams into dust and years later, Marybeth, now a Hollywood starlet, decides to buy an abandoned estate in the small mountain town of Mercy Peak and is determined to keep her promises to her childhood friend Rusty.

As she settles into her new life in the small town, she finds herself on a treasure hunt that leads her to unexpected discoveries about herself and the true meaning of friendship.

What to love:
set in 1948
women's fiction
Hollywood starlet
small mountain town
beautiful friendships
treasure hunt
found family
elements of mystery and adventure
poetic prose
light faith thread

I am in love with this author's prose - she has a magical way with words that speak to my soul! This was such a heartwarming story with a diverse cast of endearing characters, each with a story to tell that touched my heart, and each with a life journey that led them to a place they didn't expect.

I loved the creativity of including some of the story in epistolary format - the newspaper articles and screenplays and letters, and I was caught up in the excitement of the treasure hunt trying to solve those clues!

I had so many questions at the beginning but all was slowly revealed in due time and led to an uplifting and satisfying conclusion. So many beautiful themes about enduring friendships and the power of healing. This book made my heart happy!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Beautifully crafted and insightfully plotted, as always. Amanda Dykes's creativity and sense of pacing make this book one to be savored, not inhaled too quickly. I love the ephemera throughout; it's a lovely touch.

Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes is an exceptional story of friendship, grief, healing, and mystery. A story of how God’s love can repair and restore us.

Dykes with her picturesque prose paints a lasting image of life in Mercy Peak within the mineral rich San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Due to an accidental mail mixup, Marybeth Spatts, of the coal mines of North Carolina, and Rusty Bright, of Mercy Peak, become pen pals and forever friends. Dykes draws her readers into their lives from the very beginning with her exquisite character development. They will grip your heart as you walk with them through life’s ups and downs feeling each and every emotional moment. Join their adventure as they work together figuring out the clues to the treasure, and much more along the way.

I was totally immersed and emotionally invested in the story throughout, and will forever savor, Born on Gilded Mountain, by Amanda Dykes. Unfortunately, all good stories must come to an end, and I reluctantly said goodbye to Marybeth, Rusty, and all the townsfolk of Mercy Peak, who left a lasting impact upon me.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

Amanda Dykes has a way with words that transports the reader into her setting and evokes a sense of wonder. The format of this book was so much fun as it is part narrative, part epistolary with letters, excerpts from newspapers, a screenplay, and interview transcripts. It also includes a lovely map of the town of Mercy Peak, CO. I always love books that include maps. It’s just an extra bit of bookish magic for me.

This is a story about enduring friendship set amidst the backdrop of a charming small town. It’s packed with adventure, treasure hunting clues, and an engaging mystery to be unraveled. I highly recommend this book if you love historical mystery, epistolary novels, and stories that will touch your heart.

Thank you to Bethany House and Austenprose for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I believe this is my favorite book to date by this author. What a wonderful story of friendship, hope, and healing. From the first letter between Rusty and Mercy, I was hooked. Each page was filled with poetic prose as we followed Mercy’s journey restoring an abandoned estate and putting together the clues that could answer the town’s lingering questions about a missing train. Between the mystery being solved, the fun amount of interesting characters, and the threads of healing and hope tying it together, this was a great read. Definitely recommend.

I received this book complimentary as a member of the author’s launch team. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.

BRILLIANT STORY OF A PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE FRIENDSHIP

The writer of this novel is one of my favorites. She uses beautiful word pictures to tell deep, meaningful stories! Born of Gilded Mountains is a brilliant story of a past, present, and future friendship. Readers are introduced to the two main characters as their friendship begins when they become pen pals in elementary school. They live across the country but quickly learn to take advantage of the opportunity to share their deepest feelings and longings through the writing of their letters. They understand how hearts can share things through letters that might never be able to be shared in person. There is freedom of expression in knowing that someone is waiting for your letters who loves you, trusts you, encourages you, respects you, and tells you the hard things, and in this friendship, the feelings go both ways. As they grow older, their circumstances change one fateful night, and they are separated, perhaps forever. Many years go by, and by God’s providence, they discover one another again. After working together to solve some mysteries, they soon realize that despite all the years of separation and misunderstandings, their old friendship is still there and how much they have missed each other. They work together on a common goal and know they will be friends for life and beyond.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.