Legends of Gold

Author: Mary Connealy
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Golden State Treasure #2
Pages: 304
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

On a risky treasure hunt in the rugged wilderness, can love trump all odds?

After years of solitude, Tilda Muirhead's life takes an unexpected twist when she accepts a teaching position at Two Harts Ranch following her cross-country pursuit of two brothers obsessed with a treasure map left by their grandfather. Tilda is now tasked with educating those mischievous MacKenzie boys, who are bent on remaining out west with the rest of their family until they find the hoped-for treasure. Then a man named Ben arrives, claiming to be her own long-lost brother. Raised as an orphan with no memory of her past, Tilda is both fascinated and wary of Ben's sudden interest in finding her.

When Ben's motives grow increasingly suspect, rancher Josh Hart suggests Tilda and the young MacKenzies set off on a quest with him that aims to protect Tilda while unearthing the map's secrets. As they explore the wilderness, Tilda becomes captivated by the history behind the map, though she doubts it leads to anything more than old artifacts. Yet danger looms ever closer, and Tilda and Josh must rely on faith and their blossoming love to navigate the treacherous path ahead.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

This is the second book in the Golden State Treasure series and continues the story of the hunt for lost treasure by the two Mackenzie boys and those of the Two Harts Ranch. This story picks up with Brody Mackenzie and his new wife Ellie, directly after the last book. We are also given Ellie’s brother Josh Hart’s and Tilda Muirhead’s story. Tilda has been searching for the boys ever since they ran away from the orphan train.

So, while this continues the overarching theme, the spotlight does shine on Josh and Tilda, who have come up against another situation that has taken them by surprise. Tilda’s backstory of being an orphan has really opened her heart to orphans and what she finds at Two Harts Ranch is a place she might be able to call home and help orphans like herself. That is until a man shows up claiming to be her long-lost brother and wants to take her back to her father and the rest of the family. There are some major secrets, so I will just leave that there. Anyway, Tilda has finally, for the first time in her life, found a home and a possible love match with Josh, so she is reluctant to leave.

There is quite a bit of action and adventure in this novel with a few surprise twists. The love match is a bit instant, and not a favorite trope of mine. However, the necessity for certain plot lines becomes very evident and important. I do wish there was a list of characters to refer back to. The Two Hearts Ranch has quite a few characters living and working on it. Overall, another Hart sibling meets their love match and the mystery of the treasure looms in the background.

I was provided a copy of this novel by Bethany House publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Linda Klager

I thought this book would be worthwhile to read because it provided insight into what people experienced when traveling out West. Mary Connealy writes a lot about this era.

Tilda Muirhead decided to take a job as a teacher in California. She was a very caring young woman. Two orphaned children needed her guidance.

Along the way, Tilda meets John Hart. Tilda and Josh form a bond, and there is much adventure ahead. A long-lost brother shows up and causes danger for Tilda. He is very insistent that Tilda travel with him back to New York. The father that Tilda knew never paid much attention to her, and she did not want to travel back there.  

A partial treasure map was found, and a lot of interest was taken in following the clues to find the treasure. Of course, much adventure lies ahead along the way.

Tilda’s father and sister show up, and Tilda is torn between her romantic feelings for Josh and her new family life.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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