The Measure of a Lady [Paperback]

Deeanne Gist (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Rachel van Buren arrives in Gold Rush San Francisco with two wishes: to protect her younger siblings and to return east as soon as possible. Both goals prove more difficult than she could imagine as her brother and sister are lured by the city's dangerous freedom and a missionary-turned-gambler stakes a claim on her heart. Rachel won't give up without a fight though, and soon all will learn an eloquent but humorous lesson about what truly makes a lady.

Speak Politely. Even when you're the only respectable woman around, protesting the decadence of a city lost to gold fever.

Dress Modestly. Wear your sunbonnet at all times. Ensure nobody sees your work boots muddied by the San Francisco streets.

Remain Devoted to Family. Protect your siblings from the lures of the city, even against their wishes.

Stand Above Reproach. Most difficult when a wonderful man turns out to be a saloon owner.

Rise Above Temptation. No, not even just a little kiss....

When these rules become increasingly difficult to uphold, can Rachel Van Buren remain a beacon of virtue in a city of vice?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gist follows her popular A Bride Most Begrudging (2005) with a -damsel-in-distress tale set in 1849 San Francisco, where Rachel Van Buren is marooned when her gold-crazed father dies. Rachel must also care for her two young siblings. She finds a city filled with mud and sin, and there is no other decent woman, or "sunbonnet," in residence. She'll have to adjust her straitlaced outlook or die, and adjust she does in this amusing, often almost titillating tale brimming with period detail. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"For the lover of historical Americana delivered with a dose of sweet romance, The Measure of a Lady... won't disappoint." -- Violet Nesdoly, blogcritics.org

"Ms. Gist does her homework offering a wealth of early San Francisco historical tidbits in an engaging and lively story." -- Romance Designs.com

"The book enlightened me about life in the Gold Rush, and entertained me with rounded protagonists." -- B.J. Sedlock, Historical Novels Review

"With her humorous but endearing stories, Deeanne Gist has become one of my very favorite authors." -- Sherrie Myers, romancejunkies.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House; 1ST edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764200739
• ISBN-13: 978-0764200731
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deeanne Gist -- known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee -- has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary love stories. Add to this four RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success.

She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesFriends.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars - Fantastic, realistic tale of Gold Rush love! June 6, 2006

By K. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Measure of a Lady is one of the most intelligently written Historical Christian novels that I have read in a while. Much like in Gist's first novel, "A Bride Most Begrudging", the author manages to develop characters, create an interesting plot with plausible twists, and deliver an encouraging "Christian" message far more effectively than her fellow Christian author peers can. Gist makes her characters come alive by creating them to be realistic, complete with flaws and stubbornness and sin. Even though the story may end pretty much the way you expect it to, Gist brings about that ending in ways that you wouldn't expect. Even though some of the dialogue is predictable and sappy, it is still captivating.

I fell in love with Gist's characters, and I would be delighted to see Gist's third novel revolve around Rachel's sister Lissa, to tie up her story, but that mostly likely won't happen. The fact that Gist left a couple of loose ends in her novel is yet another reason why I love it - everything doesn't always end perfectly and happily in real life.

I was also very impressed (once again) with Gist's attention to historical detail. She does a magnificent job of transporting the reader to another time and place. I found myself running all over the internet to find out as much as I could about San Francisco in 1849. I not only fell in love with the characters in this book, but also the setting - THAT takes talent!

Finally, in response to some reviews saying that "The Measure of a Lady" is "steamy" or inappropriate, I must say, I was rather pleased that Gist had the guts to write a novel that was a little more edgy than the cheesy and unrealistic Christian novels I have read in the past. By no means is this book explicit or inappropriate, in fact, I felt that Gist did a great job of treating her reader like an adult, and raising the bar a little. Most other Christian novels that I have read, I felt as though I was being talked down to, as though it was written for someone much younger than myself. I was very pleased at the content of this book in all aspects. I must say, that if a reviewer thought that THIS book was steamy, they ought to see one of my favorite books, "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers! Now THAT is a "steamy" book, and yet it is telling a story from the Bible!

If you are mature and can handle slightly more detail and intelligence than your average run-of-the-mill Christian novel, please give yourself the pleasure of reading "The Measure of a Lady".

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 4-1/2* Superb Early San Francisco Historical April 12, 2006

By M. Rondeau VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Following on the heels of her highly acclaimed debut A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING, Ms. Gist again engages and delights the reader with another inspirational historical set on the Pacific side of America - San Francisco, 1849.

The Van Buren family had set out for California with the same gold-rush fever as most. By the time their ship docked their father died leaving Rachel, the eldest, in charge of her two younger siblings - fifteen-year-old Lessa, and fourteen year old Michael. Arriving in San Francisco they did not find gold lining the streets, rather quagmires of mud that led into a town where civilized behavior seemed a foreign concept.

Wanting nothing more than to leave immediately and head back East, Rachel was faced with the reality of having to make due and create a good Christian home for herself and her siblings. The best option offered led her to make a bargain with handsome Johnnie Parker, missionary-turned-gambler, whom she negotiated a work for board arrangement. As Rachel worked towards the day a ship could return them home, her head fought her heart from falling for Johnnie and his sinful life. At the same time, her younger siblings were being lured away - Michael by the enticements of easy riches and Lessa by a forbidden relationship. Each had grown up knowing God but they would grow in rediscovering Him and learning the true values of love, family, and compassion.

*** Once again, Ms. Gist does her homework offering a wealth of early San Francisco historical tidbits in an engaging and lively story that pits a stalwart black and white type personality whose biggest lesson in life was to learn the true `measure of a lady'. While Rachel's `holier than thou' attitude was a bit trying at times the plot, story and wonderful secondary characters made this a terrific read. I personally loved Johnnie who was a fabulously charming and romantic character. His fortitude in waiting for Rachel to learn the true meaning of acceptance, compassion, and second chances was, for me, the mark of a true Christian.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It will touch your heart! June 19, 2006

By Armchair Interviews

Format:Paperback

Deeanne Gist's first book, A Bride Most Begrudging, captured my attention with her characters' quick wits and entertaining moments that overall you couldn't put it down. As I began to read her second book, The Measure of a Lady, I found myself missing the characters she created for her first novel. While Gist's second book started out slow, it didn't disappoint.

Lured to San Francisco during 1849, Rachel Van Buren's father never completes the journey that he set out on with his family. Instead, Rachel is left to care and provide for her younger sister and brother. Unable to book passage back home, Rachel and her siblings are stranded in San Francisco.

Johnnie Parker, a widower and former missionary, is the owner of a local hotel and casino. Allowing Rachel to take up residence with her siblings in his house, he hires her to cook and clean in his hotel. In the days to follow his aggravation and attraction for her grows.

In a town where there are no other women, Rachel is determined to be a light not only to her siblings, but to the entire surrounding area as well. When hardships and trials abound, Rachel's faith is put to the test. Can she hold onto her faith and draw closer to her Heavenly Father? Or will she compromise like so many others who have come before her?

While I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers--as the romantic descriptions are a little too detailed and insinuated more than usual for Christian fiction books, The Measure of a Lady is definitely well worth your time.

Armchair Interviews says: A lighthearted, inspirational book that will touch your heart.