Aundy: Pendleton Petticoats, Volume 1

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.

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....

First read this book around the time it was published and decided to reread the series. I fell in love with the book and the entire series. I love how it’s actually bases on a real town with many interesting facts of the town and time period. Thank you Shanna for introducing me to these wonderful characters and your beautiful words of literary art!

This book just grabs you and holds on! I so enjoyed every page and fell in love with most of the characters! I love this authors ability to spin a story. By the way, the above WOW was for this author! She has become a personal favorite of mine! How anyone does not love to read, is beyond me! I discovered the art of getting away from everything and being transported to my dream land, in a book! I started with books like Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone and Florence Nightingale. Reading is still my getaway! Buy this author. You won't regret it! I dare say, you'll thank me for it!

A good clean story and I appreciate that the author kept it that way.Aundy is a mail order bride traveling from Chicago to Pendleton, Oregon.I saw no editing issues.A happy ever after story.

Enjoyed this book. The details and descriptions of the people and the countryside. The heroine is so likeable and her ability to learn.Are more than enough to keep you turning the pages. Wondering how she would handle the next challenge. Her counterpart is equally charming and doesn't quite know how to express his feelings and to manage her independent ways.

Life in Chicago is not great for Aundy, she seems older than her twenty one years, her father died along with her fiancé in a terrible accident her mother followed shortly after leaving Aundy the eldest of three children her brother Lars and sister Ilsa. Although well educated she takes a job as a seamstress in a factory during the day then helped cook and clean in a boardinghouse for her room and board, her brother ran away and her sister went to live and work with their Aunt Louisa leaving Aundy with a life full of work, work, work and little else. Feeling particularly down one day she spots an advert for a mail order bride and after corresponding with Erik Erikson she sets off to marry him. Luckily Erik seems a kind man who although nearly twice her age wants to make the marriage work and be a good husband, unfortunately just after getting married and while they're on their way home tragedy strikes and Aundy finds herself a widow before she's really a wife. Aundy has more backbone and grit than most women but will she be able to make ago of it or will she return to Chicago and will she ever find the love that she deserves.This was a beautiful book with some great characters, it contains no swearing or sex and it's a lovely historical romance.

Pendleton, Oregon 1899, cowboys, ranchers, Pendleton’s Underground, Chinese labourers, American Indians and a mail order bride not necessarily in that order (apart from the date.)The book is exciting from the beginning with Aundy’s decision to take a chance and change her life, hopefully for the better, by answering an advert for a mail order bride. An accident kills her husband on their way home after their marriage and she decides she will learn how to manage the ranch he has left to her in his will.Aundy is a strong woman, determined to honour her dead husband’s memory, although she had only known him a few hours, by taking over the running of the ranch. With the help of the loyal hands and wonderful neighbours this city girl becomes well liked on the ranch. She invests a lot of time and effort in learning the ways of the country and farming. Apart from her lack of knowledge she is also a woman in a man’s world and fights prejudice for herself and racial ignorance on behalf of others. Her independence and making her own decisions leads to some rather interesting escapades.A very good book, would expect no less from this author, a thoroughly enjoyable read with only minor typos on the Kindle.

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.

Good read. Interesting journey. Hearing about how the female character copes with the events that unfold. Lovely friendships made. And hardship and of course a romance.

What a lovely story i enjoyed reading this book it kept my interest from page one to the last.Looking forward to reading more of her book's