Aundy

Pendleton Petticoats, Volume 1

By: Shanna Hatfield

Narrated by: Don Sobczak

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

Desperate to better her situation, Aundy Thorsen agrees to leave behind her life in Chicago to fulfill a farmer's request for a mail-order bride in Pendleton, Oregon.

When a tragic accident leaves her a widow soon after becoming a wife, Aundy takes on the challenge of learning how to manage a farm, even if it means her stubborn determination to succeed upsets a few of the neighbors.

Born and raised on the family ranch, Garrett Nash loves life in the bustling community of Pendleton in 1899. When his neighbor passes away and leaves behind a plucky widow, Garrett takes on the role of her protector and guardian. His admiration for her tenacious spirit soon turns to something more. He just needs to convince the strong-willed Aundy to give love another try.

©2013 Shanna Hatfield (P)2013 Shanna Hatfield

Farm, Family, Friends . . . 1899 Oregon

Leaving her city life in Chicago behind and moving to Oregon to marry farmer, Erik Erickson, Aundy hoped she wasn't making a mistake . . . the letters they had exchanged for several months before her journey west as a mail order bride had convinced her that he was a sincere, hard working man . . . and that they could form a good partnership, even if the marriage never included true love . . . so this was the beginning of the story of Aundy and how she came to Oregon . . . this book is a clean, but honest look at life in the western frontier . . . including the hardships of farming, the danger of greed and the fellowship and bonding between neighbors . . . as Aundy took on the task of learning how to work the land and became friends with the farm hands, some in the community didn't like a woman taking an active role in managing the property . . . not to be deterred, Aundy goes to town and gets herself a side arm . . . one of my favorite parts of the book is when Aundy meets the ailing Li Hong, a Chinese man, who is badly beaten and takes him in . . . he eventually becomes the cook for the farm hands . . . and the first thing that pops into my mind is Hop Sing, the Chinese cook for the Ponderosa on the old TV series, Bonanza . . . that's Aundy, kind, sweet . . . but as tough as nails . . . and as straight as an arrow . . . she didn't come to Oregon looking for love . . . but the good Lord just might have had another plan in mind . . .

Great narrator

The narrator did a great job except for repeating himself in parts, but I wasn't sure if that was editing or not. He made the story. The story is quite nice, but while the heroine was tough, smart and resilient through most of the story, she got too stupid to live at the end. Still, enjoyable.

great story

I read this book a while ago, but got the audible version for a road trip. I love the story and the narrator was really good.

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat

This book is full of suspense, romance, and intrigue. I didn't want to stop listening!

Recommended

I am not usually fond of American historical stories. This was an exception. I enjoyed the characters, the plot and storyline kept me turning the pages, or in my case keep me listening. The narrator did a terrific job. The surprise at the end was a good one on the part of the author.

great book

narrator talks too fast. Story was great but hard to keep up with fast narrative

Aundy

I have read several of Shanna's books and this was another winner. Perfect amount of mystery/action and romance. Pendleton is an awesome little town. Although I have read others in the series each can stand alone, but I would so recommend reading or listening to this one first.

Wonderful heart touching read

Would you listen to Aundy again? Why?

Yes because I could relate to this story in so many ways. Wonderful characters, it touched my heart and brought back wonderful memories for me.

What did you like best about this story?

Butter I just adored him, there were very strong characters in a time when maybe women were not suppose to be Aundy was.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Aundy found she could open her heart and love again. When Butter came home. Garrett shook his head and said what a women even when he would have liked to have shaken Aundy. When Aundy dresses like a man, that was to funny.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were several scenes that really touched me, from the very first few pages you feel oh my this isn't good and you feel so much pain. There were places through out the book that really gets you from the animals coming home to some that were hurt. The ending when things work out for the best even with some very trying times.

Any additional comments?

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.

1940s Plot and Dialogue

I liked the narrator's voice. Few women can narrate a man's voice well. For me, male narrators do much better with a women's voice. The writing is ok but the plot and dialogue are the 1940's style. It's G rated. The characters are good.

Not bad, could be better. Story is a can't miss!

Would you consider the audio edition of Aundy to be better than the print version?

No, the narration was a little bit of a distraction at times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Aundy?

I don't like to answer this question on any review because of spoilers, but from the beginning, you are hooked. Mind you this is kind of "Hallmark"y in style. You already know who is going to end up with who, but as it moves forward the mystery does unfold and WOW!

Did Don Sobczak do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, the characters each have a very different "voice".

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but you have to read the book to find out the moment for yourself! :P :)

Any additional comments?

I might not have picked this book up had it not been for receiving the second book from the author/publisher/narrator for an honest review. BOY AM I GLAD I DID! :)