Montana Promises

By: Velda Brotherton

Narrated by: Jeff Justus

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Montana Promises is a western historical romance filled with passion, vengeance, loss and love. An epic adventure as vast and wild as the untamed big sky country...

Tressie Majors is left alone in a soddie on the vast great plains after the death of her mother in childbirth. She has no idea where her father might be. Struck by gold fever, he abandoned his family and set out for the gold fields of Montana Territory. She wants only to find him and seek revenge. As she buries her mother and the child, she sees a horse and rider approaching in the distance. Perhaps this is her way out.

Reed Bannon is a wanted man. Shot when he steals a horse from a Union officer, he rides west, his blood leaving a trail across the treeless plains. He flees not only the Battle of Prairie Grove where he served with McCulloch's army, but his connection to his mother's people, the mighty Sioux. He seeks a future free from the prejudice againt his Indian heritage and the violent acts he has been driven to.

Half-dead, Reed survives only because of Tressie's care. He is her only hope in the pursuit of her hated father. The wild plains and mountains threaten attacks by savage Indians and gold-seeking white men who pose a threat for any woman alone. But he fears those who pursue him will pose more of a threat to her than if she remains in the soddie. So he denies her request to go along and sneaks off without her.

She refuses to remain and strikes out to follow him. By the time she catches up, he has no choice but to take her along. Together they embark on a quest that leads them to the depths of danger and the heights of passion. Torn apart by bitter circumstances neither can forget the love that binds them together forever.

©2007 Velda Brotherton (P)2013 Velda Brotherton

a story that was rich in character

My first introduction to a western historical romance, and Velda Brotherton managed to provide a story that was rich in character, scenery and pathos before bringing us that happy ending.

Tressie has just lived through the abandonment of her father and the death of her mother when she discovers a wounded and unconscious man on her property. She pulls on her “must do” panties, and takes responsibility for nursing this unknown man.

Reed is a confederate soldier on the run after stealing a union horse. His plans are to head west, and Tressie convinces him to take her to track her father in the gold fields. Reed is understandably reluctant, but agrees to accompany and protect Tressie: after all she has managed admirably so far.

Unfortunately, Tressie seems to have some sort of reversion in her personality: from strong and determined, fairly independent and matter of fact, she becomes petulant and princess, a wilting flower and far more the stereotypical female of the time. While Reed does still take care, and it’s obvious he cares for her, there are so many obstacles to overcome before their lives can begin to take form.

Jeff Justus is the narrator for the story, and the best option I have for describing his style is to have you imagine the voice you would choose for a western narration, improve it 10% and you approach his style. A solid and clear enunciation with a clear accent, he doesn’t make great efforts to emulate a woman’s voice, merely drops his tone and softens the vowels: while his subtle change of delivery when portraying Reed’s voice is evident but not distracting. A thoroughly pleasant listen, the tension and hesitation when approaching the more dangerous or rough situations is evidenced in his delivery giving weight to the description provided by the words.

I will admit to not being particularly fond of Tressie after the first third of the book, but I did see the characters emotional connection and growing relationship even as I wondered if the addition of the sex scenes was more contemporary than I would expect in a historical romance. For my first historical romance of this sub-genre, it was a book that held my interest and kept me entertained.

I received an AudioBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Heard Word. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

What was that?

This was the slowest book and the worst reader I have listened to in a long time. I couldn't finish it. I tried to go back to it but I just couldn't do it. The book sounds OK but maybe if you read it. But then I don't think even that would make it a romance western. I like westerns with romance but I'm not sure what this one was. Save your credit.