My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate Utah by Angie Dicken

This is the story of forbidden love in a time when Greek mine workers were thought of as less than scum. It is all about two lonely widowed souls caught in the web misunderstanding and class distinction. Leanna McKee is a widowed schoolteacher in the mining town of Castle Gate Utah.  Her husband, Jack McKee, wooed her away from her life of privilege in Boston.  They thought they would make a difference for others.  The difference was Jack's gambling addiction and his lack of making Leanna happy. 

Alex Pappas is a Greek immigrant who lived and worked in America for many years.  He saved enough to send for his entire family to emigrate to the land of opportunity.  They are the proud owners of a successful Greek restaurant in town. He has been passed over for promotions because of his Greek heritage.  He was Jack McKee's friend.

Leanna's life after Jack's death was filled with teaching the town's children and trying to survive without Jack. It was when Alex's sister-in-law Penelope's pregnancy kept her on bed rest that he knocked on Leanna's door for help.  He needed to hire her to escort his niece and nephew to school.  Accepting the extra job allowed her to turn her grief into purpose.  It didn't take long for her to become attached to the children and in turn the family.  What neither she nor Alex counted on was the undeniable attraction to each other.

The times dictate many of the customs of society and just like other towns with growing industry and immigrant workers, the long time citizens resented the newcomers.  Mining in 1910 was hard and dangerous and not exactly with the benefits Greek workers were lured to from their homeland and families.

It was inevitable that Leanna and Alex would receive backlash from the mainstream community. It was through their faith, perseverance and tragedy that things began to change for them. 

Many areas of our country were settled by people willing to farm, build railroads and mining for a vast array of ore. Many immigrants came legally to work these jobs.  It wasn't easy for them but they learned English and became American citizens and they raised their families.  But, it took a lot of hard work and effort to make the American dream come true.

I received this book from Barber Publishing Group through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.