Hello Bookish Friends,
Today I’m really excited to be taking part in the Book Tour of, In Sight Of The Mountain
by, Jamie McGillen, which is being hosted by HFBT
In Sight of the Mountain by Jamie McGillen
~ Inspired by the trailblazing women of the 19th Century who dared to summit Mount Rainier ~
In the devastating aftermath of the 1889 Great Seattle Fire, nineteen-year-old Anna Gallagher faces considerable pressure to marry well and soon.
She has two serious suitors: a well-meaning but condescending doctor, and an evasive fisherman who challenges her mind. But Anna has no intention of giving up her freedom to keep house; she has a dream to reach the summit of Mount Rainier.
Despite her family’s disapproval and her own self-doubt, she secretly trains, raises money for supplies, and buys a train ticket to the base of the mountain. If she succeeds in reaching its icy peak, she could pioneer the way for women mountaineers; but it’s a tall task and there’s much at risk—including the heart of a man who just might love her as an equal.
On the journey, Anna will face glaciers, avalanches, and frozen temperatures, all without knowing if she even has a family or a future to return to.
In Sight of the Mountain is a charming coming-of-age story, but it also casts the reader’s gaze upon issues of colonialism, class, and women’s far-too-narrow options.
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Praise
“Focusing on themes of the liberation of women, the American class system and effects of colonialism, this intelligent and heart-warming novel introduces us to Anna Gallagher at the tender age of nineteen… In an epic and gripping work of historical fiction with modern sensibilities, author Jamie McGillen gives you everything you could possibly hope for in this inspiring and dramatic tale… Overall, In Sight of the Mountain is the perfect historical read for fans of pioneering heroes and tales of triumph over discrimination.” –K.C. Finn, Reader’s Favorite (5 Star Review)
“As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, I found it entertaining to try to picture Seattle as a frontier town and see Mount Rainier without its modern trappings. The story begins with the 1889 Seattle fire (a true event) and I was immediately hooked… In all, In Sight of the Mountain is a really great read–compelling, educational, containing complex characters and a well-crafted plot. Recommended for all readers YA and up who enjoy historical fiction. I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could.” –Donna Gielow McFarland, Reader’s Favorite (5 Star Review)
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can’t settle down until I do something great.
I just need a purpose for my life besides marriage, something adventurous
In Sight of the Mountain is an insightful, inspiring novel from Jamie McGillen. Breathtaking, picturesque details make this one of the best historical fiction of the Pacific northwest.
Anna Gallagher, emigrated to Seattle from Ireland by her grandfather Oscar after the death of her parents and grandmother of smallpox in Ireland. In 1889 Anna is nineteen years old, seeking a purpose for life besides that of a wife and mother. Craving adventures. Her grandfather, Oscar owns a bookshop in town and Anna works for him. She struggles under the weight of the restrictions society places on her gender and the roles they view as proper. Her grandfather is pressuring her to make a suitable match to secure her future, Anna has her own dreams.
Gallagher has created a riveting coming of age storyline the draws the reader in, with her effortless and engaging writing. The main protagonist Anna, is relatable and a wonderful developed heroine. Anna is headstrong and fiercely independent, she doesn’t want to give up her freedom and conform to what is expected of her.
She has two suits vying for her affection, one is a local doctor the other is her brother’s handsome friend, Ben. Which she feels drawn to because they both have a mutual shared love of adventure.
A chance meeting while walking in the woods, she meets Heather, a young native of the Duwamish tribe, who lives off-reservation with her baby and grandmother in a cabin deep in the woods. Anna’s grandfather couldn’t disapprove more. And after he discovers Anna’s friendship with Heather, he threatens to disown her completely.
Time is running out for Anna to raise funds for training and to purchase a ticket, to join a climbing expedition up Mount Rainier.
The main protagonist Anna, is relatable and well developed heroine. I enjoyed supporting characters and they are definitely worth noting with interesting. Anna’s friendship with Heather a native of the Duwamish people. The author depicts the plight of the Duwamish people, along with the social cast system in Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century.
In Sight of the Mountain is an insightful, inspiring novel of determination from Jamie McGillen. Breathtaking, picturesque details makes this one of the best historical fiction of the Pacific northwest.
About the Author
Jamie McGillen lives in the shadow of Mount Rainier, and no matter how many times she moves away, it draws her home. Everything about large evergreen trees delights her, except how poky they are, and the sap. Her poems and essays have been published in numerous literary journals, and she teaches English Composition at Highline College. When she’s not teaching or cutting strawberries for her starving children, she enjoys writing rhyming poetry, but it’s simply not as popular as it used to be. You can find out more about her at www.jamiemcgillen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, November 18
Review at The Green Mockingbird
Tuesday, November 19
Review at Bookish Rantings
Thursday, November 21
Interview at Let Them Read Books
Friday, November 22
Feature at What Is That Book About
Monday, November 25
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Tuesday, November 26
Feature at The Book Junkie Reads
Wednesday, November 27
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Friday, November 29
Guest Post at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Monday, December 2
Interview at Passages to the Past
Thursday, December 5
Feature at View from the Birdhouse
Friday, December 6
Review at Passages to the Past
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback back copy of In Sight of the Mountain! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on December 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
Only one entry per household.
All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Gwendalyn’s Books 
What a great review, Gwendalyn! Thank you so much for hosting Jamie’s blog tour!
Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours
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