Sweet Ivy's Gold

Paula Paul

Book Cover

GENRE

ACTION DRAMA ROMANCE HISTORICAL FICTION

    Core Theme

    LOVE, RESILIENCE

    TIME PERIOD

    19th Century

    COMPARABLE TITLES

    BREATHING LESSONS, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, MOTHER LODE.

    CHARACTER LIST

    • IVY BARTON/MONTANA
    MCCRORY: 30S. LEAD.
    PRAGMATIC, RESILIENT,
    DETERMINED,
    LONG-SUFFERING.
    • LANGDON RUNNELS: 35.
    LONE WOLF, MASCULINE,
    SEDUCTIVE, ASPIRING,
    CHARMING, COMPLEX,
    MANIPULATIVE.

    Logline

    Sweet Ivy's Gold is the story of Ivy Barton who, in 1891 must assume the identity of another woman in order to survive. She finds herself the owner of a non-producing gold mine and a run-down saloon and is confronted by a gambler known as Langdon Runnels who knows her true identity and with whom she falls in love.

    Target Audiences

    Age: 18-34

    Target Gender: Universal

    Setting

    Colorado gold fields/Denver

    Based on a True Story

    No

    Publishing Details

    Status: Yes: with a Publisher

    Publisher: HarperCollins and self-published

    Year Published: 1993

    Starting Description

    A fire-breathing locomotive takes Ivy Barton, along with her ner-do-well husband to the gold fields of Colorado. Behind her is her shattered Southern innocence, ahead, redemption. Her husband's foolishness forces her to assume the identity of another woman in order to survive.

    Ending Description

    Ivy has survived a devastating fire, a United Mine Workers revolt, and the betrayal of her husband to become a wealthy woman. She leaves her husband but takes his illigetimate child with her to join Langdon in Texas, where he is exploring for oil.

    Group Specific

    Information not completed

    Hard Copy Available

    No

    ISBN

    Information not completed

    Mature Audience Themes

    Language/Profanity

    Plot - Other Elements

    Meaningful Message, Twist, Happy Ending, Philosophical Questions

    Plot - Premise

    Internal Journey/Rebirth

    Main Character Details

    Name: Ivy Barton, Later Montana McCrory

    Age: 30

    Gender: Female

    Role: Protagonist

    Key Traits: Desperate, Engaging, Honorable, Naive, Insecure, Modest, Underdog, Aspiring, Charming, Complex, Empathetic

    Additional Character Details

    Name: Langdon Runnels

    Age: 35

    Gender: Male

    Role: Antagonist

    Key Traits: Lone Wolf, Masculine, Seductive, Unapologetic, Aspiring, Charming, Complex, Manipulative, Sophisticated, Adventurous, Aggressive, Badass

    Additional Character Details

    Name: Diana Pollard

    Age: 40

    Gender: LGBT

    Role: Mentor

    Key Traits: Blunt, Complex, Empathetic, Honorable, Outspoken, Uneducated, Badass, Flexible, Lone Wolf, Perseverance, Selfless, Strong Moral Code, Decisive

    Additional Character Details

    Name: Lida Armstrong

    Age: 24

    Gender: Female

    Role: Tempter

    Key Traits: Flexible, Manipulative, Underdog, Uneducated, Seductive, Beautiful, Engaging, Insecure, Romantic

    Brief

    To get out of a desperate situation, a proper farm wife takes over the identity of a woman quite her
    opposite. With perseverance and determination, she defies the odds, carving out a meaningful life
    running a successful gambling parlor and mining company while grieving the tragic loss of her
    daughters, her husband’s serial affairs and her own unrequited love.

    What We Liked

    - Strong female lead;
    - Ivy’s entrepreneurial prowess during a time when women were not respected in the
    workplace is inspirational;
    - The character development is deep and impactful;
    - There is a sweeping, almost epic feel to the story;
    - The old west setting is charming and interesting;
    - The outrageous story of how Ivy Barton became Montana McCrory is an emotional
    rollercoaster full of quirky characters, a romp through the United States historical period of
    the boom towns during the Gold Rush and a tale of forbidden romance;
    - It takes the audience along to witness the tender unfolding of a woman who emerges
    triumphant after heartbreak, setbacks and impossible odds;
    - Her journey is an inspirational character study, a charming story and a testament to the
    strength of the human spirit.

    Synopsis

    Ivy Barton and her husband Alex are making their way from Tennessee to Colorado in an attempt to
    escape the pain left by the tragic loss of their daughters. Ivy is prim and not accustomed to the more
    flamboyant ways of the wild west. Meeting rugged gambler, Langdon Runnels, and overripe and
    recently widowed gambling hall proprietor, Montana McCrory, on the train makes her feel even more
    out of her element.
    When Montana falls ill and dies unexpectedly and Alex’s land investment turns out to be a scam,
    making him a target for murder, Ivy thinks on her feet and figures out a way for her and Alex to
    survive. She takes over Montana’s identity and rides into town as the new owner of the Golden Palace
    gambling hall. Now using the name Montana, she wins over the confidence and friendship of the
    bartender, Diana, and passes Alex off as her brother. Just as she thinks all is well, Langdon arrives
    looking for Montana. When he sees Ivy’s ruse, he blackmails her into giving him a partnership in the
    business in exchange for keeping her secret.
    As Alex begins to have affairs all over town, Montana and Langdon fall in love. However, Montana
    refuses to leave Alex even after she is made aware of his affairs. Montana uses her business acumen
    to invest in a gold mine. She and Langdon partner up to fight the unions and start a successful mining
    company. When Alex accidentally sets the town on fire and impregnates a dancer, Montana is forced
    to start all over again.
    When Langdon can’t convince her to leave Alex, he leaves to start a new life out of state. Montana
    discovers Alex’s illegitimate daughter, Alexis, during her friend Diana’s deathbed confession. When
    she realizes that Alex is not who she thought he was, she finally gets up the nerve to leave him. She
    takes Alexis and joins up with Langdon in Texas to fulfill her destiny.

    About The Author

    Paula Paul is a prolific award-winning author of 28 novels. She is a former journalist and native of West Texas. Her writing has been compared to Anne Tyler for character development and Larry McMurtry for her sense of place.