Gloria was born to a prostitute and carried on her mother’s way of life. She was the belle of Virginia City; many men paid for her favors night after night. But her glamorous life came to an abrupt end the day that she found out she was pregnant. She didn’t know where to turn to in order to help rid herself of her "problem." Desperate, she made her way to the Wyoming Territory and an old friend who ran a brothel her mother once worked in. By the time she arrived she was four months along. When Jewell Gunn sees her she knows that she is too far along to terminate the pregnancy; so Gloria finds she has to live off of Jewell’s generosity until her child is born.

To compensate Jewell she works at the brothel, cooking and cleaning. She made friends with the "working women" who were employed by Jewell. Finally the day comes when her water breaks and she gives birth to a handsome son she calls Danny. Soon after the birth of her son she is awakened one night by a knock at the door. When she answers it she finds local miner John Williams McGregor standing outside her door cradling a lifeless child. John’s wife had died soon after childbirth and he needed a wet nurse to save his daughter. Seeing the need and desperation in his eyes she could not refuse his request.

Gloria settled into a routine where she cared for Danny and John’s daughter Kate. He would come to visit once a day in the evening. On one visit John surprised her by telling her that he and Kate would be moving away to start a new life. His words broke her heart; she didn’t want to lose the close bond she and Kate had formed. But his next words took her aback, when he asked that she come along with them. He specifically stated that all he needed her for was for Kate’s well being.

Gloria knew this was her golden opportunity to find a good home for her son and return to her way of life. She offered a proposition: that she would go with John and help nourish his daughter, but in return he would compensate her by paying her $500.00 and also raise her son as his own. Once Kate had no need of her she would then leave and return to Virginia City.

The journey to Oregon was long, but Gloria managed to tough it out for the wellbeing of the children. Then one day John informs her that God has told him that the land they are standing on is where they need to be settled. The announcement is one of mixed joy for Gloria knows that her journey will soon be ending. Kate and Danny will be growing stronger each day and would not require her presence much longer. Will she be able to walk away from her self-made family back to her wicked way of life?

If ever a book should be turned into a Hallmark movie it is definitely Ten Thousand Charms. I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the heartwarming tale of Gloria and John. These characters are the type that warm your heart. I found myself easily lost in the pages of their tale. This is the type of book you never want to end. Very highly recommended.