A New Book Worth Reading or What to Read While STILL Social Distancing

A New Book Worth Reading 

or 

What to Read While STILL Social Distancing 

A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott--Inspirational Historical Romance

Thanks to Revell publishing and Regina Scott for the advanced review copy of the book. All opinions expressed in my review are entirely my own and not affected by the giveaway


Coraline Baxter is one of the most sought after socialites in all of Tacoma, Washington and wants nothing to do with marriage or dependency on a man. It's 1893 and in spite of a nationwide Panic (recession), she attended college and holds a job at her stepfather's bank, something she's proud of. Cora's mother, on the other hand, feels the overwhelming need to marry Cora off to a wealthy bachelor ASAP! Which is why Cora is standing in a seedy tavern searching for a man who can lead her up a mountain safely. Cora intends to climb Mount Rainer to promote women's suffrage and if she makes it to the summit, she has a deal with her mother to remain unmarried. Nathan Hardee has been through with society since they turned their backs on him after his father took his own life during a financial setback. He's seen spoiled debutantes before and he assumes Cora is no different so he refuses her request to take her to the top of the mountain. However, when he learns of her mother's plan to wed Cora to Cash Kincaid, Nathan relents. He'd rather lead Cora up a mountain than see her (or anyone) married to that scoundrel Kincaid. However, when Nathan demands Cora obey him in all things during the trip, she refuses. Cora, having seen how her mother struggled to support them and relied on men for help, Cora knows that life is not for her. She won't OBEY anyone. Does she have it in her to allow Nathan to guide her safely up the mountain? Can he accept her headstrong nature and still guide her up the mountain?

At over 350 pages this story is LONG! The exciting mountain climbing part only accounts for about 20 pages plus a few more before and after. The rest is more romance heavy. The beginning of the novel starts off slow. The characters annoyed me and I had a hard time getting into it. I read about 100 pages in one night and put the book down just fine. I picked it up the next night and read 100 more pages and felt let down because the action was over. The third night I pushed to finish the book. It didn't make me smile or clap or feel anything special but I enjoyed the story anyway. I especially like how the historical and geographical details are woven seamlessly into the story. Scott never steps out of her story to explain why there's a recession (Panic of 1893). She skillfully shows us Tacoma. We get to see both the glittering society and the out of work laborers agitating for their rights. I appreciate seeing both sides of the recession. We also get to see humble folks who live in the shadow of the mountain and truly love it. The geographical details are outstanding, helped along by the gorgeous promotional materials sent by the publisher. I've been to the Alps in Switzerland so I kind of have an idea of what it feels like to sit in the hot springs looking up at the mountains and how it looks and feels to stand on top of a glacier. (Fortunately no climbing is necessary today!) I loved the part of the book set in what's now Mount Rainier National Park and wished there was MORE of that and LESS romantic drama. I really enjoyed learning about the mountain. It is awesome in the true sense of the word! It was fun learning about another part of the country that feels like a totally different planet from my sea level east coast home.

The romance was predictable and unnecessarily long. It's a romance novel- we know what's going to happen LOL! There's a villain though and I had to skip to the end to see how the villain was vanquished or if, because this is an inspirational novel, the villain had to be redeemed. Fortunately for me, the "inspirational" bits seemed shoehorned in. They weren't necessary to the plot and I didn't really understand the point. Cora's revelation seemed out of character and pointless. I skimmed right over all that and the story worked out just fine without it.

The characters are well done for the most part. At first I didn't like Cora very much. Even though I'm in total agreement with her I found her personality abrasive. She's very cool and analytical at times and completely independent, which I admire, but she lacked empathy for others, particularly her mother. I must be getting old if I feel bad for the MOTHER who is one of the "villains" of the piece. Cora's mother is unyielding, Cora takes after her, but Mrs. Winston is the complete opposite of Cora in her approach to life. Mrs. Winston has had a really tough life. I would have liked more background information. Who is she that she had to marry two scoundrels and raise her daughter on her own before finding a wealthy man to take care of her. Mrs. Winston comes from a different generation. Her only options in life were marriage or teaching/spinsterhood. In the 1890s, there are more opportunities for women thanks to the Industrial Revolution and the emerging women's rights movement. Mrs. Winston doesn't quite understand this and Cora never tries to explain. Mrs. Winston thinks - because that's all she knows- marriage to a wealthy man is the only way for a woman to survive. She doesn't seem to be a good judge of character based on her first two husbands. She doesn't know anything about anyone except the superficial and people see what others let them see. Cora and her mother both have the same goal in mind, they just approach it different ways and don't see eye to eye. I relate to Cora butting heads with her mother and when my mom gets like that, I just tune her out and zone out. I wanted a little more understanding between them. What happened was pretty simplistic.

Cora's stubbornness didn't endear her to me either, at first. When your professional mountain climbing guide tells you he's going to order you about to SAVE YOUR LIFE you don't argue. I'm stubborn and independent too but even I wouldn't turn down a guide who promised to order me around. Yeesh. She improves upon acquaintance though once she fully understands the magnitude of the climb. It was pretty shocking to read how simple she seemed to think mountain climbing was. Once her adventure got underway she settled down and allowed Nathan to guide her. She knew she had to in order to reach the summit and achieve her goal. The whole time she starts to unbend. I like how sweet she is with her stepfather. He's more like a grandfather in the way he dotes on her. Their relationship is touching and I like watching it grow. I do wish Mr. Winston would stand up to his wife though.

Nathan Hardee is a good guy. I liked him right away. He's a little bit rough around the edges but I appreciate that. He chose to leave society behind and move out to the wilderness. He's happier there and more at peace. I appreciate how he tells it like it is and how he refuses to change who he is for someone else. I don't think the romantic journey in the last third was necessary for him at all. The first third was fine. I wasn't crazy about his thoughts on Cora's beauty at first but he soon comes to know her better and realize she isn't just a pretty face. She's kindhearted, passionate, determined (yes stubborn and independent). They're actually a lot alike! They come from the same background with similar backstories. Their mothers are essentially the same person but Nathan has come to accept friends among the Indians, farmers and other people in the wilderness. He rejects all society has to offer. Cora isn't quite there yet but I felt she should have been by the time she came down from the mountain. Nathan's compassion for others and his sense of honor really make him a standout hero. Like his friend Waldo, I was rooting for him to win over Cora. However, Waldo, as kind as he is, is meddling and I don't appreciate meddling. He needs to let Nathan and Cora work things out on their own. He's so sweet and humble he doesn't understand that marriage among society people is complicated. It's not about love, at least not entirely. Nathan understands this. Cora is trying to accept it but still dreams of love.

Cash Kincaid is Cora's suitor and her mother's choice for perfect husband. He's charming and a wealthy businessman. He claims to support Cora's cause but she knows him better than he thinks she does. He's a typical wrong suitor in a period romance and the perfect villain for this sort of story. There's more to him than meets the eye. Cora's mother naturally adores him because she can't see past his good looks and good manners. She loathes Nathan just because he chooses to dress like a backwoodsman and doesn't stay at hotels along the trail. Cash loathes Nathan for personal reasons and probably because he can see Nathan is becoming a threat to his pursuit of Cora.

Nathan's friends are lovely. Henry So-To-Lick and his wife Sally are awesome. Henry is wise and loving. I adore him and Sally together. They're so comfortable together and so happy. She's brave, strong and wholeheartedly supports women's suffrage. (Sadly, as an indigenous woman, she won't be allowed to vote in her lifetime). Their sons, Wickersham and Thomas, know their dad's feelings on the name of the mountain but rather than roll their eyes or make excuses to change the topic, they just laugh. I like a family that can laugh with each other. At the least the "Bostons" TRIED to have the mountain named after an indigenous word even if it was inaccurate. It's better than naming it after some random friend of the British explorer who chose the English name for the mountain. Henry and his family have different opinions and they respect each other's opinions and respect the conversation. It was refreshing to read about a debate that didn't get heated and end in shouting. Imagine that!

The Longmire clan are equally lovely. James and Virinda and their huge family take in travelers and basically invented the air bnb. Elcaine, the oldest son, is serious and literal minded. He's quick to take action when needed and a loving family man. Susan Longmire already climbed the mountain, proving women can do it. I bet she did it more easily than most men too. She's a hardy farm woman and lives on the land. Cora's friend Mimi is a delight. Intelligent and fiercely pro-women's suffrage, she runs circles around everyone, especially the brainless men who don't even know when they're being insulted. I love her and want to be her friend!

I'm glad I took a chance on this book and recommend it to those who like "sweet" romantic adventure stories and want to learn more about another place and time in American history.

The publisher sent these gorgeous promotional materials! If you would like a vintage style postcard, please leave a message in the comments with an e-mail address so I can contact you. I have two of each style to give away!