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Promises to Keep #2
Mud and Gold
Amy tries desperately hard to be a good wife and mother. She puts her whole heart into doing the best she can. But will her best ever be good enough for this man?
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
734 people are currently reading
1006 people want to read
About the author
Shayne Parkinson
10 books360 followersI write historical novels set in New Zealand, starting in the 1880s and continuing through to the 1920s. I'm fascinated by social history, particularly that of my own country. I was born in New Zealand, and apart from two years in England have lived here all my life. I'm married to my childhood sweetheart, who grew up in the farming valley that's the inspiration for my imaginary one.
We have a few acres in the countryside, where we have an orchard and a large vegetable garden, and a small flock of sheep to keep the grass down. We make our own wine, cider, jams, jellies and sauces.
We have a few acres in the countryside, where we have an orchard and a large vegetable garden, and a small flock of sheep to keep the grass down. We make our own wine, cider, jams, jellies and sauces.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
March 16, 2021
Second in the “Promises to Keep” series, the story of main character Amy takes up with her marriage to a man (Charlie) who is more than twice her age. The marriage was quickly arranged in hopes of keeping Amy “respectable” after having a baby out of wedlock in 1880s New Zealand.
The time period tells you all you need to know about the social morals of the times. Much is expected and respect demanded in the Victorian age—especially in a growing country filled with settlers.
Amy’s story is fraught with sadness and disrespect. WARNING: gruesome physical abuse and deplorable mental abuse. Charlie is the pit of a peach.
There are bright parts within the community and the book; but, I did not enjoy this story as much as book one in the series. 3stars.
The time period tells you all you need to know about the social morals of the times. Much is expected and respect demanded in the Victorian age—especially in a growing country filled with settlers.
Amy’s story is fraught with sadness and disrespect. WARNING: gruesome physical abuse and deplorable mental abuse. Charlie is the pit of a peach.
There are bright parts within the community and the book; but, I did not enjoy this story as much as book one in the series. 3stars.
May 24, 2011
This is the first free Kindle book (out of dozens) to which I have purchased the sequels. I couldn't stop reading them. The Promises to Keep series is extremely well-written. The historical content is well-researched, the characters are very well-developed and even though the books are long and detailed, I found every detail interesting.
The main downside, as others have mentioned, is that there is no happy ending. The first three books in this series run together. They each end at a natural stopping point, but there is no real closure until the end of the third book.
The second book in the series, Mud and Gold, continues to follow Amy's life in rural New Zealand in the late 1800s. These books are pretty long, so I'm actually amazed that I read so many pages of descriptions of laundry, farming, cooking, chores, fights, riding the buggy into town, etc. The books are that well-written!
Mud and Gold contains descriptions of abuse of every kind. This is not a "feel good" book. It's somewhat frustrating and depressing to see what the characters experience, but very true-to-life.
The main downside, as others have mentioned, is that there is no happy ending. The first three books in this series run together. They each end at a natural stopping point, but there is no real closure until the end of the third book.
The second book in the series, Mud and Gold, continues to follow Amy's life in rural New Zealand in the late 1800s. These books are pretty long, so I'm actually amazed that I read so many pages of descriptions of laundry, farming, cooking, chores, fights, riding the buggy into town, etc. The books are that well-written!
Mud and Gold contains descriptions of abuse of every kind. This is not a "feel good" book. It's somewhat frustrating and depressing to see what the characters experience, but very true-to-life.
May 7, 2011
This was a harder read than "Sentence of Marriage" because of the new and difficult challenges Amy faces as she becomes an adult. I very much hope that the next book will take us far enough along in history that we'll get to see some improvement in women's rights. I have become very thankful for my modern life with its conveniences as I've read this book, not to mention the fact that I am an autonomous person and not my husband's chattel. When I started my laundry this morning instead of grumbling as I usually do about my sorry lot in life I was quite happy to have my washing machine and dryer. No hauling clothes down to the river for me!
But I digress. Another engaging page-turner from Parkinson, and yes I've already bought the next book. I cannot believe that this fantastic writer does not have a publishing deal. Thank goodness for e-books!
But I digress. Another engaging page-turner from Parkinson, and yes I've already bought the next book. I cannot believe that this fantastic writer does not have a publishing deal. Thank goodness for e-books!
September 20, 2011
I enjoyed the first book of this series and was absolutely eager to tear through Mud and Gold. I have to say that I didn't enjoy this book near as much as the first. Reading 1354 pages (on my Nook) of spouse and child abuse doesn't rank high on my list of fun things to do an a Sunday afternoon. We love Amy in the first book because of how she stuck to her guns, decided what she wanted in life, and faced everything with a strength well beyond her years. I didn't get that at all from this book. I wish she would have stood up to Charlie much earlier and made his life more of a living hell than what she did. The relationship between Frank and Lizzie was definitely needed and served as a great palate cleanser between chapters about Amy's home life. I kept holding out hope that someone would have offed Charlie about halfway through, but that never happened. Maybe in the next book...
November 15, 2022
Often an author is unable to keep my attention in subsequent books in a series. Shayne Parkinson does not have that problem. Although this story is harsh and continues to show what women and children indured during this part of history it remains a wonderful telling of strength, loyalty, and determination. The author continues to add depth and color to existing characters and exciting dimensions of social development with the addition of new characters. I have already ordered two more books by this author. Highly recommend this book. Nora Wolfenbarger, author of The Promise and The Defiant.
May 21, 2015
Second book of the series and maybe better than the first book. This is a self-published book, I've read, and really excellent. There are no typos or grammatical errors and a continuation of a fantastic series, set from around 1881-1904 (by the last book, I think).
August 21, 2011
4.5 stars
not as exciting as the first book, all that spanking, child-bearing, cooking and cleaning got a bit on my nerve, I thought sometimes it was a bit repetitive, not to mention Amy's husband, I wanted to punch him hard while reading the book, nevertheless it was a pleasent enough reading.
not as exciting as the first book, all that spanking, child-bearing, cooking and cleaning got a bit on my nerve, I thought sometimes it was a bit repetitive, not to mention Amy's husband, I wanted to punch him hard while reading the book, nevertheless it was a pleasent enough reading.
December 28, 2013
This has got to be one of my all time favourite books. The characters are so well developed, and the story is realistic in such ways that at times it took great effort not to throw my kindle out the window in pure frustration at Amy's naïveté and vulnerability to the advances of jimmy. Being around the same age as Amy when I first read this book, it intrigued me more than it might other young people as I found Amy quite relatable, even though I, and many others, are nothing like her. I'm not easily taken in by a city boy, or any boy for that matter, I have no desire to teach when I'm older. I've also never been in her family situation.. Never been pregnant at 14 or had my dad bring home a new bitch of a wife who loathes my very existence. There is nothing obvious in this story that is relatable to me, yes I found myself completely immersed in her life, and scraping tiny details from between the lines and comparing them to my life.. Mainly from her relationship with Elizabeth.. The unwavering friendship even when things get depressing and awful is something many can relate to. Everyone knows a manipulative man who will do anything to get what he wants..so I guess jimmy is something people have in common with the book. Women who have abusive husbands will find this series of books even more touching and realistic than others might from Amy's relationship with Charlie, and anyone who has children will feel Amy's torment throughout the series.
These books are not touchy freely romance books - these are hard hitting, reach-down-your-throat-and-pull-out-your-soul kind of books that need perseverance and boxes of tissues to get through..
These books are not touchy freely romance books - these are hard hitting, reach-down-your-throat-and-pull-out-your-soul kind of books that need perseverance and boxes of tissues to get through..
October 7, 2013
I didn't enjoy this as much as book 1, although it is definitely a readable book.
I felt that the book jumped around too much without going into enough emotional detail. This was the great strength of book 1, but that gut-wrenching emotion is lost a bit in book 2. I felt that this was because of the brevity of many of the scenes and a certain repetitiveness.
It's almost like one of the middle Anne of Green Gables books, with an endless procession of marriages and births, but with domestic violence thrown in. It was in those scenes that the book shone. Frankly, I was much less interested in all the other births and marriages, although I did enjoy the agricultural details of Frank's Jersey cows (disclaimer: I worked as agricultural scientist and married the son of a dairy farmer).
While Amy's situation is horrible and Frank and Lizzie were a welcome subject of levity, I felt there was not quite enough plot progression to justify this many pages. The book would have been more powerful if cut in size.
By the end, things picked up again, and I hope book 3 will speed up and deliver some hard-hitting conclusions in the same way book 1 did.
I felt that the book jumped around too much without going into enough emotional detail. This was the great strength of book 1, but that gut-wrenching emotion is lost a bit in book 2. I felt that this was because of the brevity of many of the scenes and a certain repetitiveness.
It's almost like one of the middle Anne of Green Gables books, with an endless procession of marriages and births, but with domestic violence thrown in. It was in those scenes that the book shone. Frankly, I was much less interested in all the other births and marriages, although I did enjoy the agricultural details of Frank's Jersey cows (disclaimer: I worked as agricultural scientist and married the son of a dairy farmer).
While Amy's situation is horrible and Frank and Lizzie were a welcome subject of levity, I felt there was not quite enough plot progression to justify this many pages. The book would have been more powerful if cut in size.
By the end, things picked up again, and I hope book 3 will speed up and deliver some hard-hitting conclusions in the same way book 1 did.
October 30, 2024
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand; 1885-1895.
Following closely on from the first book, Sentence of Marriage, disgraced teenager Amy Leith is obliged to marry their farmer neighbour, 40-year-old Charlie.
So begins years of domestic servitude and physical, sexual and emotional violence perpetrated on Amy by her new husband, Charlie. Meanwhile, friends and neighbours in the valley are starting new relationships and children are born right, left and centre. At times I found it quite hard to keep track of all the different couples and how they were related!
The personal relationships and rural activities in the farming community are set against a background of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods, which add to the pressures surrounding the various families....
I enjoyed this read a bit more than the first book although the violence suffered by Amy was really disturbing. I felt her treatment was really unfair and was willing her to fight back somehow. To find out whether she did or not, you will have to read the book! - 8.5/10.
Following closely on from the first book, Sentence of Marriage, disgraced teenager Amy Leith is obliged to marry their farmer neighbour, 40-year-old Charlie.
So begins years of domestic servitude and physical, sexual and emotional violence perpetrated on Amy by her new husband, Charlie. Meanwhile, friends and neighbours in the valley are starting new relationships and children are born right, left and centre. At times I found it quite hard to keep track of all the different couples and how they were related!
The personal relationships and rural activities in the farming community are set against a background of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods, which add to the pressures surrounding the various families....
I enjoyed this read a bit more than the first book although the violence suffered by Amy was really disturbing. I felt her treatment was really unfair and was willing her to fight back somehow. To find out whether she did or not, you will have to read the book! - 8.5/10.
November 26, 2012
I gave this book as well as the first volume 5 stars because I couldn't put them down, I actually red them both in less than 4 days, they kept me hooked and I didn't skip any page although there were a lot of details, but I loved how the author was describing everything, it was like painting the picture in my head.
but I am not sure if I should read the rest of the series, I really want to finish the series, but they are breaking my heart! I am not that type of person who cries in front of a movie or while reading an emotional book, but reading those books made me cry till my sight was blurry and I had to put down my kindle till I finish my crying episode! I really wished that Amy got some kind of a happy ending in the second book. Maybe I should leave it for a while and return to it later.
but I am not sure if I should read the rest of the series, I really want to finish the series, but they are breaking my heart! I am not that type of person who cries in front of a movie or while reading an emotional book, but reading those books made me cry till my sight was blurry and I had to put down my kindle till I finish my crying episode! I really wished that Amy got some kind of a happy ending in the second book. Maybe I should leave it for a while and return to it later.
March 13, 2013
This is the second book in the series of (Promises to Keep), by Shayne Parkinson, which follows Amy’s forced marriage to Charlie, a much older man, because of her so-called disgrace that she brought to the family in the first book - Sentence of Marriage. It was a marriage made in hell, as was only to be expected. I am impressed with how well this author depicts the lives of poor farmers in New Zealand in the late 1800’s. The women coped with pregnancy after pregnancy because they had no means of preventing them, whilst husbands demanded their rights. Women had no rights in those days.
After one beating too many, Amy suddenly finds the strength to stand up to Charlie and life slowly improves for her.
A secret from the first book, which Amy thought buried, rears its ugly head and causes her great distress at the end of this book.
I can’t wait to read the third book in the series.
After one beating too many, Amy suddenly finds the strength to stand up to Charlie and life slowly improves for her.
A secret from the first book, which Amy thought buried, rears its ugly head and causes her great distress at the end of this book.
I can’t wait to read the third book in the series.
September 18, 2011
Another great read. A word of caution: this book (and the next) picks up right where the last book leaves off. I strongly recommend reading these books in order. There is no effort to make these books freestanding. I'm reading them on an iPhone, so I don't know how big a print book would be if they were all in one book, but they should've just been one book.
I finally realized that this series reminds me of Helen Hooven Santmeyer's "...and Ladies of the Club," another great family/location saga.
I'm not going to write a full-blown review of this book. I wrote one of the first book, Sentence of Marriage and will probably do a full review of all the books when I'm done.
I finally realized that this series reminds me of Helen Hooven Santmeyer's "...and Ladies of the Club," another great family/location saga.
I'm not going to write a full-blown review of this book. I wrote one of the first book, Sentence of Marriage and will probably do a full review of all the books when I'm done.
December 7, 2014
OOOO I have now included my dislike to poor Amy's husband (such as he is) Charlie Stewart. I hate a man that uses a woman for a punching bag and treats her as if she is worthless. UGH! Amy seems to be getting smarter after one particularly bad beating though and about time. She has learned how to make Charlie think things she wants are his ideas. Yaaay for her! I love hearing about her cousin and best friend Lizzie and her husband Frank. The characters are all so familiar. Another good book that I could not wait to finish and now I am on to the next one in the series 'Settling the Account' I need to get it done so I can find out what happens and get back to life here! Its interrupting my life.
I do love a good book.
I do love a good book.
January 30, 2013
I am really enjoying this series. I can't put it down. I must admit I am usually into stories with lots of action, deception, romance etc etc. This series draws you to each Character. It is a story of everyday life and has me so engaged. I love how it focuses on others couples lives other than Amy and Charlie. Especially about Lizzie and Frank. At times it felt like there was just baby after baby being born.
I love Amy even though I do get frustrated with her self punishment but she becomes stronger in this book but I can't wait to see her further development. I hope she forgives herself and soars!
I love Amy even though I do get frustrated with her self punishment but she becomes stronger in this book but I can't wait to see her further development. I hope she forgives herself and soars!
Read
February 10, 2014A bit boring in some places
I was bored to tears a few times and just wanted to delete the three in the series from my Kindle. There were some really good scenes in this one. I just hope the next book isn't as boring as this was is.
I was bored to tears a few times and just wanted to delete the three in the series from my Kindle. There were some really good scenes in this one. I just hope the next book isn't as boring as this was is.
July 11, 2017
I love this series! Set in 1890's New Zealand, a small community of homesteaders go through life together. Can't wait to read the next book!
November 2, 2013
This is the second book in the "Promises To Keep" books. This book starts off right where book one finishes. It's as if it was one book instead of two.
In the first book we saw Amy at age 12 happy and content with her life with her brothers and father. Then with the arrival of her step-mother her world is sent on a tilt and is changed for teh worst. Then the arrival of her step-mother's brother Amy's life once again has love and happiness only for her world to come completely crashing down. Amy is left to try and put the pieces back together only to be manipulated in a marriage she doesn't want by her mean and vindictive step-mother to a man who is old enough to be her father and mean as hell.
Book two picks up right where book one left off. I thought Amy has had a bad deal in the first book. This book showed me that Amy's misery was only just beginning. She is married to Charlie and his is a bastard of a man if their ever was one. The things Amy endures from this man is heart breaking.
This book is also just as much Lizzie's and Frank's book as much as it is Amy's and her life with Charlie. Lizzie is Amy's cousin who we were introduced to in the first book. Frank is Lizzie's husband. The growth of Lizzie and Frank (Frank more so) is outstanding!! Frank has come a long way from who he was in the first book. Lizzie is blessed to have him.
My heartaches for Amy in this book. How I wish I could reach into the book and just hold her and sooth her. To talk her into leaving and to let her know she deserved so much better. was worth so much more. Though at a point she laid down her own sort of law in a sense, I praised her courage. And though life was a bit more pleasant it was still not as good as it should have been. And even if Amy's life is a little better (and I mean a little) it is still a life that is hard and heart breaking.
Just when Amy is settled some what and she is content with her lot in life her world comes crashing down on her again.
This book completely entangled me in this story. It made me ache, feel sorrow, anger and at one point I felt triumph for the small battle she won with Charlie.
I loved this. I am ready to start book 3. Can't wait.
In the first book we saw Amy at age 12 happy and content with her life with her brothers and father. Then with the arrival of her step-mother her world is sent on a tilt and is changed for teh worst. Then the arrival of her step-mother's brother Amy's life once again has love and happiness only for her world to come completely crashing down. Amy is left to try and put the pieces back together only to be manipulated in a marriage she doesn't want by her mean and vindictive step-mother to a man who is old enough to be her father and mean as hell.
Book two picks up right where book one left off. I thought Amy has had a bad deal in the first book. This book showed me that Amy's misery was only just beginning. She is married to Charlie and his is a bastard of a man if their ever was one. The things Amy endures from this man is heart breaking.
This book is also just as much Lizzie's and Frank's book as much as it is Amy's and her life with Charlie. Lizzie is Amy's cousin who we were introduced to in the first book. Frank is Lizzie's husband. The growth of Lizzie and Frank (Frank more so) is outstanding!! Frank has come a long way from who he was in the first book. Lizzie is blessed to have him.
My heartaches for Amy in this book. How I wish I could reach into the book and just hold her and sooth her. To talk her into leaving and to let her know she deserved so much better. was worth so much more. Though at a point she laid down her own sort of law in a sense, I praised her courage. And though life was a bit more pleasant it was still not as good as it should have been. And even if Amy's life is a little better (and I mean a little) it is still a life that is hard and heart breaking.
Just when Amy is settled some what and she is content with her lot in life her world comes crashing down on her again.
This book completely entangled me in this story. It made me ache, feel sorrow, anger and at one point I felt triumph for the small battle she won with Charlie.
I loved this. I am ready to start book 3. Can't wait.
May 31, 2014
For my thoughts on the series, check out Becky's review on Sentence of Marriage
Starting where Sentence of Marriage left off, we watch Lizzie and Amy adjust to married lives. While Lizzie gets the fairy tale, Amy is trapped in a living hell with Charlie Stewart. I think of all four books in this series, this one was the most painful to read.
When reading this book, it's important to remember the social customs that came with the time frame.
It was a very dark read and should be in the historical fiction genre, not romance. The author has painted a realistic picture of late 1800's life, conveyed real and raw emotions, then dusted the story with snippets from history. We also get a feel for the lack of conveniences, especially good medical care and how difficult life on the farm can be. Overall, the story made me appreciate the women who fought for equal rights and the husbands and fathers that stood by their side.
Starting where Sentence of Marriage left off, we watch Lizzie and Amy adjust to married lives. While Lizzie gets the fairy tale, Amy is trapped in a living hell with Charlie Stewart. I think of all four books in this series, this one was the most painful to read.
When reading this book, it's important to remember the social customs that came with the time frame.
It was a very dark read and should be in the historical fiction genre, not romance. The author has painted a realistic picture of late 1800's life, conveyed real and raw emotions, then dusted the story with snippets from history. We also get a feel for the lack of conveniences, especially good medical care and how difficult life on the farm can be. Overall, the story made me appreciate the women who fought for equal rights and the husbands and fathers that stood by their side.
November 23, 2014
I love this books series! This is the second book in the Promises to Keep series written by Shayne Parkinson. The setting is turn of the century (late 1800's) rural New Zealand. The story continues pretty much where the first one leaves off. Amy is forced into a loveless and abusive marriage with Charlie, an older neighbor. Susannah plays less of a role in this book, but she remains as obnoxious as ever. Amy's best friend, Lizzy, and her husband, Frank, become larger and more important characters in the story. There is almost a duel story line developing about Frank's farm. Frank's character changes significantly from the beginning of the book to the end - from slacking off to becoming a successful farmer after a couple of events that that scare him. We see Amy's older brothers get married and have children. The family grows, and Amy still is wrestling with giving up her child, Ann, as a young girl. The book ends with an event that shatters Amy, and again starts the reader focusing on what happened to the child.
I'm anxious to read the next book in the series which I have already downloaded onto my Kindle app! Great book ... great read!
I'm anxious to read the next book in the series which I have already downloaded onto my Kindle app! Great book ... great read!
July 29, 2015
I received the first book in the Promises to Keep series as a free book for my Amazon Kindle. I will admit that I had a very difficult time reading this book. Many times, the subject matter was so horrific and abusive(IMO) that I had to put the book down, walk away and come back to it later when I could get my emotions back under control.
This book is not for the faint of heart. While it is definitely a work of fiction, it deals with many of the real life struggles that women had to deal with and some still do all over the world with regards to their own independence and place within culture and society. I cried a lot reading this book. How could life be any more cruel to someone so innocent and naive.
When I finished the last book in the series I felt somewhat vindicated but it took reading the entire series to get there. Yes, this first book is sad and it seems that nothing but bad happens to her. But as in real life sometimes things just take time.
Again, it was a struggle to get through it but (to me) it was worth it by the end of the series.
This book is not for the faint of heart. While it is definitely a work of fiction, it deals with many of the real life struggles that women had to deal with and some still do all over the world with regards to their own independence and place within culture and society. I cried a lot reading this book. How could life be any more cruel to someone so innocent and naive.
When I finished the last book in the series I felt somewhat vindicated but it took reading the entire series to get there. Yes, this first book is sad and it seems that nothing but bad happens to her. But as in real life sometimes things just take time.
Again, it was a struggle to get through it but (to me) it was worth it by the end of the series.
November 23, 2013
Of all the Promises to Keep series, this one is the most painful to read. Not because it's bad, but because such terrible things happen to the main character, Amy. Readers with sensibilities that are easily offended, even in an historical novel, by unapologetic sexism and abuse (spousal and child) would do well to steer clear.
On the other hand, this book does a good job of showing that, even in a sexist era, much of a woman's personal power (or lack thereof) is a product of her attitude and her determination. Amy--much to the reader's relief--takes more and more power for herself throughout this book, slowly digging her way up from a very dark pit. I couldn't help feeling, by the end of this book, that much of what held Amy back--indeed, much of what caused her grief throughout the series--was her own desire to please other people, even at her own expense. Even though the world is a much different place (thank goodness!), I still know good-hearted women like Amy who suffer unhappiness because they want other people to be happy at whatever cost to themselves.
September 28, 2021
WARNING: Domestic violence.
New Zealand setting covered 1885 through 1895.
Historical fiction with 'romance' elements. Bk
#2. Skipped ahead and DNF.
16 YO Amy was pressured into marrying her horrid
husband, Charlie, 30+ years her senior. For the good
of her birth family. Her father knew Charlie had a
rep for drinking and being cheap. Charlie subjected
Amy to physical & mental abuse IE she had to ask
permission to leave his property, blamed Amy when
men looked at/ smiled at her. He expected his 2 sons,
3 and under to remain silent at dinner. Further along,
Amy issued him an ultimatum. Finally!
Charlie slapped/ punched/ shoved/ beat Amy when
she questioned or "annoyed" him. She tried to be a
better wife, when all along, Charlie needed to go away
or divorce her.
Charlie showed slight kindness/ affection to his 2 sons,
but an implied threat hung over their behavior. Charlie's
'back story' did not justify his evil behavior.
Rattlesnake-like Charlie & (Amy's stepma) Susannah
would have made the perfect couple!
New Zealand setting covered 1885 through 1895.
Historical fiction with 'romance' elements. Bk
#2. Skipped ahead and DNF.
16 YO Amy was pressured into marrying her horrid
husband, Charlie, 30+ years her senior. For the good
of her birth family. Her father knew Charlie had a
rep for drinking and being cheap. Charlie subjected
Amy to physical & mental abuse IE she had to ask
permission to leave his property, blamed Amy when
men looked at/ smiled at her. He expected his 2 sons,
3 and under to remain silent at dinner. Further along,
Amy issued him an ultimatum. Finally!
Charlie slapped/ punched/ shoved/ beat Amy when
she questioned or "annoyed" him. She tried to be a
better wife, when all along, Charlie needed to go away
or divorce her.
Charlie showed slight kindness/ affection to his 2 sons,
but an implied threat hung over their behavior. Charlie's
'back story' did not justify his evil behavior.
Rattlesnake-like Charlie & (Amy's stepma) Susannah
would have made the perfect couple!
March 1, 2013
Lovely book, very easy to read, a bit of an abrupt end though. I liked how it was written over many years and how the extended family kept on expanding. It's sad how primitive and backward the views towards women were back in the late 1800's by some at least. The difference in marriages between Amy and her brutal, cruel husband to Lizzie and her sweet adoring husband was a real sharp contrast. I guess though when you read about Charlie's (Amy's husband) background you can't help but understand why he is the way he is (which in no way excuses his behaviour towards his wife), he's a product of his environment, and its being handed down to his son. I hope he gets what's coming to him in the third book and that his son sees the light so to speak.
I particularly liked how Frank (Lizzie's husband) was portrayed as a real simpleton but ended up being smarter than all the farmers put together.
Very much looking forward to book no. 3.
I particularly liked how Frank (Lizzie's husband) was portrayed as a real simpleton but ended up being smarter than all the farmers put together.
Very much looking forward to book no. 3.
May 30, 2012
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is a very compelling, descriptive and well written book. The content though is absolutely heartbreaking. The relationship between Charlie and Amy made me want to throw my Kindle in outrage. Charlie is the ultimate evil husband. I kept trying to find one redeeming quality in him and couldn't. Amy made me so frustrated with the hatred and abuse that she allowed this man to inflict on her. She tries so hard to please this poor excuse for a man and he just heaps on more abuse. However, she is very young when she is literally forced to marry him and because of the time period I don't think she had much of a choice. Once again, although it was difficult to read, I thought it was well done and of course had to get the third book in the series.
June 4, 2014
I thought this, the second of this series, was the best of the lot. Amy's story was fraught with tension, pain and angst throughout, and I was so relieved when she finally turned around and stood up for herself.
As I said for book one, I think the writing is so good that it hooks the reader into these lives. It was fascinating to grow up with the characters and see them mature. I thought this was particularly well delineated as the older characters were very much believable as having changed through the years yet remained essentially the same.
The pace is slow, and the crises build quite painfully, but I found that kept me fully absorbed in the story.
As I said for book one, I think the writing is so good that it hooks the reader into these lives. It was fascinating to grow up with the characters and see them mature. I thought this was particularly well delineated as the older characters were very much believable as having changed through the years yet remained essentially the same.
The pace is slow, and the crises build quite painfully, but I found that kept me fully absorbed in the story.
July 11, 2012
While it is true what other reviewers have said about the struggle of reading dark story lines, it is so easy to get invested in these characters. They each have a different kind of strength, and they really make me realize that I have nothing to complain about! I just couldn't stop reading, I read Mud & Gold in a day of indulgence! I won't be able to hold off long before getting the last in the series. This is the first free e-book I downloaded that had no grammatical or spelling errors and to top it off was very well-written.
April 21, 2014
So, so addictive! YES, depressing, YES, full of descriptions of mundane little actions and reactions, and YES, full of strong women and disgustingly clueless men, but SO well written, it kept me on the hook to the very end. I'll be getting the third one in the series for sure.
One thing does bother me a great deal: as far as these books are concerned, the Maoris in New Zealand may as well not exist, and they were certainly at the forefront of New Zealand life in the 1880s. Maybe that will change in later life, but I do think it is a real flaw.
One thing does bother me a great deal: as far as these books are concerned, the Maoris in New Zealand may as well not exist, and they were certainly at the forefront of New Zealand life in the 1880s. Maybe that will change in later life, but I do think it is a real flaw.
January 17, 2015
This 4 book serial held me spellbound this week. I couldn't stop reading and I'm sorry it ended. I have rarely purchased sequels for my Kindle, but after reading the first free volume, there was no stopping. Excellent character development, suspense without major crime scenarios, true to life living situations, and great historical context made this series a fantastic read. I won't rehash the story, except to say that Amy's life held my interest.
December 26, 2015
...And so the story goes
I don't know what it is about this series, but I have found it impossible to put down. The characters catch a hold of me, and I find myself feeling as if each of the characters are real people in my life. I'm sure if I knew Amy and Lizzie in real life, they would be my friends. You cannot read this series without sharing in their joy, their pain, their victories and their losses. It is a wonderfully written story that has captured me completely.
I don't know what it is about this series, but I have found it impossible to put down. The characters catch a hold of me, and I find myself feeling as if each of the characters are real people in my life. I'm sure if I knew Amy and Lizzie in real life, they would be my friends. You cannot read this series without sharing in their joy, their pain, their victories and their losses. It is a wonderfully written story that has captured me completely.
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