Sparks in Spearfish

Seven Brides of South Dakota, Book 5

By: Kari Trumbo

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Lula can't wait for graduation when she can finally be rid of the bully Barton.

At the Spearfish Normal School, Lula Arnsby is ready to begin a whole new chapter. Her life seems over when the one man she couldn't wait to be rid of strides into her class as the new teacher’s assistant. She wants nothing to do with the handsome prankster, but his aim isn’t to torment her anymore.

Barton Oleson got what he deserved after tormenting Lula one too many times. He wants to be noticed by the pixie-haired beauty Lula. Without his normal tricks. He’s spent the last two years making sure she thinks of him every day, but he’s running out of time to catch her eye. Only one term until she will be a teacher and out of his reach.

Is it enough time to make up for two years of hurt? Can Lula forgive all that he’s done?

©2017 Kari Trumbo (P)2020 Kari Trumbo

Great book

Each book gets better with every new one. I can’t wait to see what comes next!!

All the feels!!

What a fantastic story! I truly enjoyed every moment! I laughed, I cringed, I even got upset a couple times and wished I could give someone a good purse whomping! I highly recommend this enjoyable story!

(I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

aggravating yet excellent

This book made me mad at times. I wish I could have punched him in the head. That being said. this book is excellent. The writing is great and the characters well developed with characteristics that people can relate to. You can tell it is in a series. There is a hint of mention of sisters and the like, but it does not spoil.

Enjoyable

Lula wanted to be a teacher, no distraction, when a bully from the past has other ideas. The rule back then were very strict and one was no married woman could be a teacher. All of hers are enjoyable, and one enjoys reading them Also was given audio which had good narration for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

THE THINGS BOYS DO FOR ATTENTION

The fifth story in the Seven Brides of South Dakota will have Lula Arnsby doing what no other family member has, attending Normal School to earn her teaching certificate. The first two years have been hard, not the classes or work, but due to her tormentor, Barton Oleson.

Lula Arnsby has known since she was little that she wanted to be a teacher. But, in 1895, that still required a woman to remain unmarried. So she decides that she will forego marriage and instead concentrate on her career plans. Barton Oleson has been her nemesis, always doing things, pulling her curls, putting things in her seat—she is hoping that this third year won't be like the past two years. She can never forgive him for what he has done to her.

"I'll hate you 'til the day you die, Barton Oleson!"

"At the end of term last year, after two years of trying to get Lula's attention, he'd almost given up. Almost. That girl was a part of him as much as his arm. Although he could survive without either, he'd prefer not to."

The story's plot will have Lula and Izzy returning to classes and receive a shock. It seems that Barton Oleson worked hard all summer and has earned himself a position as a student-teacher. But soon into the term, Professor Cook will be injured, and Mr. Oleson will now teach the class.

The story was an emotional roller coaster ride as we listened to the audiobook. Ms. Kari Trumbo brings her characters to life and allows the reader or listener to become immersed in this tale. The main story will be the relationship between Lula and Barton and how they slowly put their differences aside from the past two years. Barton grows up, he isn't doing the juvenile things he did the first two years, and now he is in a position of authority. But, that brings about a new situation; he isn't supposed to fraternize with students. How will he get Lula to fall in love with him like he is with her? Lula is so determined to become a teacher—and marriage is not in the picture. The story will have a second couple, Izzy and another student. Life will change for these two couples as the story progresses and the Christmas break comes around.

I loved the dialog, characters, interaction, and realism of this tale. It has the good, the bad, and the ugly of life and people—but it also offers hope and a future with patience. The story is a clean, godly-based historical western without curse words or intimate scenes. It does have a happy ending and can read well as a stand-alone. I guess you could say that Barton does grow up and learns that playing tricks on a girl is not the way to gain her interest. He isn't genuinely interested in becoming a teacher—but, his feelings for her are so strong that he is willing to give up the summer, gain experience, and return as a student teacher for the fall. Lula is caught between her head and her heart in what she wants for her future. Her family has sacrificed for her to attend school to become a teacher. Does the future offer a chance for both? A lifelong dream of becoming a teacher and still able to become a wife?

Sweet

So glad I got to listen to this book. I had read the books about the brothers of Belle Fourche and wondered what the backstory was on Barton and Lula. So this was a delightful listen for me to make their acquaintance. It was a sweet love story and provided some good humor when they were younger. This completed the stories of the Belle Fourche Brothers for me. And as always Miss Trumbo has written an enjoyable story.

Loved it

Sparks in Spearfish is a beautiful historical romance that is sweet and clean. The writing of this tender story is well done and paced nicely. The characters are wonderfully vibrant and realistic with flaws and growth throughout the book. Love this addition to the series!

Bullies aren't always that bad 😁

This was a lovable romance about two people who grew up together and the boy didn't know how to express his feelings towards the girl so he tugged on her pigtails. He was trying to get noticed. She thought he hated her and kept trying to get away from him all the while liking him! Come along and join in the silliness of how these two learn to show their feelings for one another. Great book Kari!

A Tough Choice

This storyline was a tough one for me because I was bullied in high school and not because someone had a crush on me but because I was someone who was easy to pick on. Barton does change and become more mature and responsible. Although he still has juvenile tendencies to get over like leaving Lula behind when she fell in the river because he was mad at her; she could have been seriously hurt or gotten ill walking back in the rain. It was interesting to read about school to train teachers back then and how most schools allowed married men, but not women, so women had to choose career or family, but not both.

The narrator has a nice tone with voice changes and inflections in all the right places.

Sparks to a great story

Book 5 in the series. Kari writes heart wringing love stories that are clean and full of situations.
Lula is the heroine. Barton Is the hero .

Lula has only one wish and that’s to become a great teacher. Life throws her for a loop when Barton shows up as her assistant. Barton has a history of tormenting Lula. Thing is Barton has grown up and his one goal is for Lula to notice him. Will Lula give him a chance.

Meghan Kelly was fantastic as always . Her voice for each character is right on her tone , nobody does it better