Aundy: Pendleton Petticoats, Volume 1

Being a mail-order bride had to be very trying not knowing who or what you are getting yourself into. You hope for the best I do feel most of these women have nothing to lose and hope they have everything to again. I didn't care to much for her new husband even though I was torn when he died. It was so fast and so much pain, a very touching read. I thought he was a little on the cocky side, I felt Aundy's pain of the unknown where to go from here, I was so glad she got the farm. I totally loved this story it touched me in so many ways and brought back wonderful memories. I could really relate to this story in so many ways, I myself was raised on a farm and had a pet lamb, she walked me to the bus and met me each evening. She was almost human, a darling little things. I found this story to be very believable, with wonderful strong characters and loving caring men who knew how to treat a lady even when she might be a little strong headed. The author starts off with grabbing your attention and she keeps it through out the story with many twist and turns to keep the read interesting. The words flow easy as the narrator with his smooth touching voice bring them to life. You feel the farm come to life as you fall in love with each character along with a few you don't think to highly of. You can feel the pain as Don (the narrator) tells the tale the author gives us. You can almost see Garrett grit his teeth as Aundy and a few others that drive him crazy. So much stress and laughter which you can here in the narrators voice. Aundy is a very strong women who will not let anything get in her way. She will take care of herself and those in her employment. She is such a caring loving women that all those around her fall for her. Even those who might not like how she does things usually come around to her way of thinking. Garrett is strong and knows when to bend and give a little but also knows when to stand firm. I doubt there is a women alive that wouldn't fall for this cowboy. Once he gets use to his feelings and knows what he wants he goes after it. Aundy isn't going to know what is about to hit her when he puts his sights on her. The supporting characters are outstanding, so much caring goes into them. Even those that aren't happy with how things are going give in and give things a try. There is no doubt each think very highly of Aundy. This was a very touching and emotional read. So much happens at a very fast pace, there are many twists and painful turns. I really didn't want the story to end. The only thing I would have liked to have seen was Aundy's sister come to live with her. Maybe she will be in one of the other books in this series. There is no doubt this is one talented author that hooks you from the very first page and never lets you go as she gives us a compelling story of life long gone. You can feel each characters pain, happiness and sorrow. You really just want to take a few of them in your arms and say it is going to be okay. There are times you just want to close your eyes and share a few of their tears but there are wonderful times where you will find yourself laughing as the author takes you for a spin in the old west. This is the first book I have read or listen to by this author and it will not be the last. I highly recommend her to anyone who loves to read about the days gone by. She gives you a wonderful read that you don't want to end with wonderful characters you do not want to let go. The audio on this book is outstanding....

I liked it. Aundy is a very likable independent woman that doesn't come off being rude. Most stories I've read about supposedly independent women, often make the women rude and pushy or overly offended about everything. Where Aundy stands up for herself in all the right ways yet still maintains respect with the men around her. It was really well done I loved it. The whole book is basically a detailed account of Aundy building a life for herself in a setting that she isn't familiar with. She learns, grows, and triumphs over struggles that come her way. While eventually finding love and also a place she can truly call home. She learns to really live her life to the fullest as appose to just surviving day to day. It was fun to read her journey. I will say that when there was some action and drama in the end it was kind of weakly done in my opinion and things were tied up a little quickly with little explanation. Overall though it was a good book and I'm thinking about buying the other 2 books after this one.

Entertaining and different ! You will laugh and cry and have a happy ending! I loved this book! It was a fun read! I like this author.

I really enjoyed reading this book about Erik Erickson and Aundy Thoreson his mail order bride and the Nash family, J.B., Nora and their son Garrett. Aundy rode the train from Chicago to Pendleton, Oregon to meet her soon to be husband who was a farmer. When she got off the train, she noticed what a very large and busy town Pendleton seemed to be, she looked around for her soon to be husband, when she spotted him she went over and introduced herself. He was so happy to finally meet her, since they had been writing back and forth for over six months and they finally think they now know enough about each other that they can get married. So Erik loaded one trunk and several strapping boys carried her other two smaller trunks and put them in the wagon. Then they drove over to the church, where The Pastor and his wife were their witnesses as they were married. After they were hitched they went back into town and picked up supplies, then went and had a celebratory dinner, before heading out to the farm an hours ride from the actual town. On the way to the ranch Erik told Aundy about his neighbors the Nash's and how wonderful they were as neighbors, he talked about the other neighbors and also about Mr. Tooley who was a very mean old drunk, and to always stay away from I him. Just as they were rounding a curve in the road, just past the Nash's turn-off their was a loud pop, and the horses got scared and they tried to seize up, and wretched the wagon instead. At the loud sound Erik had Aundy crouch under the wagon seat, well she blacked out and when she came to the wagon was upside down, the horses were standing a little off to the side but still attached. Aundy felt fine except that her left hand was pinned under her body and it hurt but she felt fine other wise, so she crawled out from under the wagon and began looking for Erik, who was pinned under the wagon on the left hand side and he was moaning and she couldn't,t get him out. She needed help, so she ran back to the Nash's two miles back, and banged on the door, Nora answered and said "oh my goodness what happened", my husband Erik is pinned under the wagon, can you please help me, I'm Aundy his mail order bride. Nora reached out and rang the bell outside the house to call in the ranch hands. Garrett came racing along with several other hands, "what's the problem", this is Erik's new bride Aundy and she said the wagon flipped and Erik is pinned underneath it. Garrett raced into the barn and saddled a horse, leaned down and grabbed Aundy put her in front of him and rode out looking for the wagon. One of the hands was sent to town to fetch the doctor and the pastor, the other hands grabbed horses and went to help Garrett. Nora packed several baskets with food and took some blankets and headed over to Erik's farm, to get the bed ready for Erik. In the mean time Garrett and Aundy found the wagon, Garrett un-hitched the horses, and the other hands helped him lift the wagon off of Garrett, and Aundy was able to drag him out from under the wagon. They placed him in the wagon, with his head in Aundy's lap and took off for his farm, when they got their they carried him in and placed him on the oil cloth that Nora had placed on the bed, so the sheets and comforter did not get soiled from all the blood and mud. Nora cleaned up Aundy and gave her hot tea, then Aundy took fresh water and rags and went to try and clean Erik up the best she could. The doctor arrived and examined Erik, and said there was nothing he could do for him the internal injuries were just too much, he gave him something for the pain and said he would only last another two possible three days. Before he left he checked Aundy's arm, and yes she broke it, he set it, and tomorrow would bring out the plaster and cast it, when he came to check on Erik. Before he left the pastor said a prayer, and they left. The Nash's left as well, to let Aundy get some rest as well, she laid down next to Erik and soon fell asleep, and woke to sunlight. She jumped up and Nora was in the kitchen and asked if she slept okay, I guess, Erik was still breathing but more labored. The doctor came and gave him another shot, he plastered her arm and told her it would be like this for six weeks, I'll stop by in the morning. Nora helped Aundy get dressed because their would be lots of visitors to pay their last respects. The foreman Dents, introduced himself and said it was a pleasure to finally meet her, because Erik was so excited that she was coming to be his wife, then he asked if he could see him. All day long people came and went, she was exhausted and soon fell asleep next to Erik, in the morning when she awoke and got dressed, she sat by Erik's side, he looked up and said I'm sorry, she said I love you, and he said I love you also, then he closed his eyes and he stopped breathing. Aundy was married exactly three days, when she had to bury her husband. Read this book because it will make you laugh and cry. It's heart warming.

Aundy, Aundy, Aundy. I truly enjoyed your story. The first chapter moved a bit too quickly for my taste, like watching scenery stream past while on a train or car ride. In my mind there would be more doubts, more questions, more fears in such a life-changing experience as being a Mail-Order Bride. There should be time to make sure that things said in shared letters were actually true. But, no. It was "get off the train, and head to the church." The protagonist's- Aundy's- intended, seems sweet, but very self-involved. Or overly excited. After a long and tiring trip, he showed no consideration for her possible needs for rest, refreshing, food. And it irked me that there was no mention of age in their letters to one another. Who doesn't discuss age before marriage? Medically speaking, jostling a man who is seriously hurt, just to get his clothes off so the bed is not soiled? That part made me cringe. Aundy's experiences in the first chapter felt a little holey, and like a whirlwind, but all the chapters after that were BRILLIANTLY FULL of interesting and endearing characters (The Nash Family!), adventure, quirky situations, hard truth, sweet and fun moments, and an adorable love story. The ending felt a little rushed again, with the bad guy coming across demented and wacky. But overall, I enjoyed Aundy and the characters and their story very much. On a side note, there are certain themes that are indicative of the darker side of living in the West. Please use caution for advanced reading tweens and young teens.

Really enjoyed stepping back in time to the 1900's. The beginning began with so much hope for Aundy, she is leaving a life she hates moving to Oregon to begin life as a wife of a farmer. However the same day she weds she becomes a widow. I cried for Aundy, but thankfully her new husband had ensured she would be taken care of if anything happened to him. She is now left with farm and decides she will run it rather than return to her old life. With the help from the farm hands who decide to stay with her and the Nash family (the neighbours), she learns about farming and tries her best to make a go of it. She experiences problems from people who don't like he idea of woman running the farm but she is determined. You can feel the chemistry between her and Garrett right from the first meeting. I loved how Garrett showed her respect and helped her rather than treating her like she couldn't do what she set her mind to. I had no doubts who was causing the trouble for Aundy and was very happy when he was arrested and that Garret and Aundy were able to move forward in their relationship. I really connected with Aundy and wanted the best for her. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Loved this book. The main character is strong and determined, undaunted by setbacks. She comes across as real and feisty. The whole story was engrossing. It never lagged. Loved the whole lot! Can't wait to read more of her books if this is the calibre of her writing. Very good!

Another great book by this author! I can't wait to read the other Books in the series. In it you'll find: romance, passion, suspense, troubles and life back in the Wild West, brave & beautiful (or awful😅) characters. I recommend!!

This novel was quite a surprise for me, to have such a strong female character which I always enjoy with a plot line that kept me guessing, this was a pleasure to read. Aundy is quite fearless and charges on when an idea comes to her, after loosing her parents and her beau she embarks on being a mail order bride. This does not work out well either, the lovely landscape of Pendleton and her new home cannot heal a deep seated concern that she hurts the ones she loves. Aundy is determined to make her new life work and sets about learning all she can to do so. Thwarted one too many times, she does not back down, in the process she finds herself a cook. There are many smiles to be had and tissue moments so keep a box handy. There is adventure, suspense, in this beautiful romance that makes a Sunday afternoon one to flow on by. The author treats the reader to her recipes a nice little gift......enjoy.