A Sparrow Alone by Mim Eichmann

 1890's Colorado. Desperate following her mother's sudden death, thirteen-year-old Hannah Owens apprentices as domestic help with a wealthy doctor's family in Colorado Springs. When the doctor declares bankruptcy and abandons his family to finance his mistress Pearl DeVere's brothel, however, Hannah is thrown into a vortex of gold mining bonanzas and busts, rampant prostitution, and the economic, political and cultural upheavals of the era. Two of Cripple Creek's most colorful historic characters, Winfield Scott Stratton, eccentric owner of the richest gold mine in Cripple Creek, and Pearl DeVere, the beautiful madam of The Old Homestead, come to life as this old-fashioned, coming-of-age saga unfolds, the first of two historical fiction novels by debut author Mim Eichmann -- a tribute to the women who set the stage for women's rights.

I love nothing more than curling up on the couch on a rainy day, and being transported to another time in history, which is exactly what happened when I read this book. A Sparrow Alone is a  heartfelt historical novel which draws you in from the very first page. I was immediately transported to another period in time, where the living conditions were extremely difficult, and even more so for women. Eichmann's writing style was inviting, accurate for the time period, and just wonderful! The characters were all brilliant, and felt so real; I found myself so invested in their stories! In particular Hannah, the protagonist who I found very interesting. At times I found myself being appalled by her decisions, before realising that in that time for a girl in her circumstances - what she did was completely normal.  The book is almost completely about prostitution, which is not really my thing to read about, however I found the book very very good. The story is a potion made of pain, suffering, friendship, love and relentless courage, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a read which will break your heart, while still being interesting, with moments of warmth.