The Debutante Queen

Montana Beginnings, Book 1

De: Angela Breidenbach

Narrado por: Forrest Leder, Tristan Leder

It's 1889 (Helena, MT): Calista Blythe enters the first Miss Snowflake Pageant celebrating Montana statehood to expose the plight of street urchins. But hiding an indentured orphan could unravel Calista's reputation and her budding romance with pageant organizer Albert Shanahan, if her secret is revealed. Will love or law prevail?

This book is the first in the Montana Beginnings series. The sequel is Eleven Pipers Piping. Each book can be heard as a single story, but if you love historicals and series set in the same locale, then Helena, MT, is your place to live in a story world among the Montana Beginnings series by Angela Breidenbach.

©2015 Angela Breidenbach (P)2015 Angela Breidenbach

the orphan train

This was a good story about the children that rode on the orphan train and what happened to them. They were either ending up living on the streets or became indentured servants. One woman tried to find a way to help the boys on the streets along with hiding a little girl to protect her from becoming abused by some bad men.

Just who will be Miss Snowflake?

The Debutante Queen, first in the Montana Beginnings, series by Angela Breidenbach, is historical romance at its finest. Set during the time of Montana's entry into statehood, readers meet Calista, a big-hearted young woman and Albert, a young businessman who is anxious to see Helena become a booming town of the West. Each of them has plans for the future but will those plans include each other. The characters are realistic, likable and developed well. With good descriptions and historical information, the story line moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged. The author brings out the societal issue of orphans. With Helena being one of the last stops for the Orphan Trains on the late 1800s, there were a number children fending for themselves on the streets with no one to care. Can Calista make a difference in their lives? Can she influence others to help? The Debutante Queen is a charming story with just enough action and romance to make for a good historical fiction read. The audiobook was narrated well by Forest Leder and Tristan Leder, giving a great perspective to each of the male and female characters.
I was given an audio copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Great read!

I really enjoyed the story. Historical details fascinate me.

Then there is the moral dilemma. I don't want to spoil the plot, but the story line makes you really think. "What would I have done if I found myself in this circumstance?"

The performance was well done. The only small thing I noticed was toward the beginning. A character would say something and then it was described in what tone it should be said. It wasn't off much, but a few lines didn't fit the description as well as they did later in the book.

Great historical fiction story

If you could sum up The Debutante Queen in three words, what would they be?

Delightful. Fun. Memorable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Debutante Queen?

When they named the kitten Jesus. That still makes me smile.

What about Forrest Leder and Tristan Leder ’s performance did you like?

I loved how their voices brought the characters to life and added even more to the personality of of each character.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to more from this author and the voice actors.

Great Performance

Very compelling performance by the readers. It was easy to get caught up in the story because each voice was distinct and expressive.