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Amanda Dykes joins us as a first-time guest on the podcast, talking about her book, Born of Gilded Mountains. We chat about the power of language, how friendships change over time, and why she puts Easter eggs in her books. Patrons hear about what she does to encourage her children to read.
Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes
Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain.
In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood’s beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory.
But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain’s lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago–along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that–if found–could right so many wrongs.
Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.
Get your copy of Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes.
Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She’s the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award, Christy Award finalist), All the Lost Places (starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. Find her online at amandadykes.com.
What People Are Saying About Born of Gilded Mountains:
“Born of Gilded Mountains, by Amanda Dykes, is a captivating novel that is exceptionally well-written and utterly memorable. This stunning historical fiction book is a pleasure to read from the first sentence to the last. It successfully carries the reader on a unique journey that touches the heart and inspires the soul. With settings that are truly immersive, characters that are unconventional, and an engaging plot full of surprises, this novel is not to be missed.
This novel abounds with beautifully descriptive and thoughtful sentences that beg to be admired. Ms. Dykes arranges written language on the page like a skilled artist brushes paint on a canvas, bringing to life a richly detailed story with each carefully chosen word and phrase. Intricate writing appeals to the reader’s senses and emotions forging a story that is meant to be felt and experienced. This book wraps the reader securely in its warm embrace of sophisticated storytelling, where they can snuggle deeply with contented satisfaction.
Through a variety of writing forms, the reader is cleverly transported back into a time of friendship, loss, adventure, courage, and hope. As the story unfolds, the main character finds it necessary to embark on a journey years in the making. This journey not only tests her emotionally, but also provides ample opportunities for self-discovery, healing, and redemption. More than simply leading her to a fresh start, this journey profoundly shapes her heart and defines her future.
Through captivating scenes of mystery, suspense, intrigue, sacrifice, and restoration, this journey also gives the reader the opportunity to become acquainted with an unforgettable cast of supporting characters. These characters, authentic and multifaceted, are the unexpected jewels within this treasure of a novel. Their longings, convictions, and actions glow brightly within their historical setting, and the reader will find it difficult to look away.
Born of Gilded Mountains is a well-crafted story of perseverance, courage, and love. Brimming with thoughtful descriptions that provide a fresh perspective on friendship, community, human worth, and God’s grace, it is also adventurous and compelling. This book is relevant, meaningful, and thought-provoking. It is a novel worthy of countless compliments and continuous attention, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.”
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