Amity

by Linda Carroll-Bradd

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Amity Grenville is set on reaching Oregon’s Sweet Home Valley, where her aunt and uncle have a farm. They were part of the Great Migration of 1843, and Amity saved every letter Aunt Beitris wrote, complete with advice on the journey preparations. Amity is eager for a fresh start, in the hopes that her husband, Garvey, will find a new vocation in farming and leave behind his drinking and gambling ways.

Newly finished with his apprenticeship, blacksmith Shawe Creighton can ply his trade just about anywhere so he agrees to throw in with his best friend’s family on the trek to Oregon. With no family ties, he heads west, thinking Oregon is as good as any place to establish a shop. Fun loving by nature, he’s also looking forward to what the adventure will bring.

In St Joseph doing last-minute preparations for the journey, Amity receives the bad news that Garvey was caught cheating and killed over a poker game. Now men are seeking to claim the wagon and team as their recompense. She barely removes her belongings in time but is faced with either marrying a stranger to comply with the wagon train’s rules or remain behind. Taking pity on her plight, Shawe offers marriage and is immediately faced with her two demands--no drinking or gambling. Intrigued by the outspoken woman, he figures the trip won’t be boring. Will a decision made in haste bring disaster, or will the journey forge bonds neither Amity nor Shawe can imagine?

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Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Action/Adventure, General Historical, Small Town, Western / Cowboy (frontier-era or modern ranch settings)

Series

Prairie Roses Collection • Book 21

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

1 None

Publication Date

May 1, 2022

Language Versions

English

Fiction Form

Novella

Sensitive Themes

Arranged or forced marriage, Historical discrimination

Historical? Yes... Romance? Not Really

This is the third book I’ve read in the newer Prairie Roses releases, and the first one I would classify as more historical fact/fiction than actual romance.The author spends far too much time on details of the wagon train (e.g., the complete roster of travelers, and the long list of rules) than she does on the actual blossoming romance between the two main characters. I honestly didn’t need to know every traveler’s name, age, and occupation. And, the only rule I found necessary was the one that affected the heroine, which had already been revealed/explained. I felt as if these were all fillers to lengthen the book.The author also uses phrases in both French and Gaelic to portray her characters—both main and secondary. I usually enjoy a touch of foreign language as it adds to the feel of the story and character. However, if I have to look up the phrase because it’s not clarified in English, then that takes me out of the flow of the book. As an example: “Fàilte don teaghlach. My name is Pherson.” The Gaelic phrase means, “Welcome to the family”, yet you don’t get that by any of the responses and the heroine would have no way of knowing what it meant. These occurrences happen often in the book.I came away from the story not really knowing a thing about the main characters’ back stories (e.g., why did Amity marry her evil husband in the first place). There was no real development of the romance either, despite the time and distance they traveled together. Experiencing a few touches, a longing glance, maybe even a chaste kiss, would have made me believe they were going to end up together. There was one scene where Shawe joins Amity in the wagon for the night, but all is kept chaste as it should have been. However, I wanted his reaction to being this close to a woman he’s coming to desire. The ending, while giving them their HEA, was far too abrupt.There were a number of editing issues in the book as well, including lowercase names, missing words, and incorrect words. The author does get points for her knowledge of the problems facing the train, and the detailed description of things like water crossings, but that’s basically it.

Enjoyable and easy read!

I loved Amity of the Prairie Roses Collection! Ms. Carroll-Bradd writes of the pain and difficulty faced by those traveling across the country to a new life. Amity is a problem-solver. Thankfully, Amity had Shawe Creighton as her hero following the death of her stinker of a husband. Not only was he a gambler and thief, he was hiding important funds and items from her. I loved that Shawe was a gentleman who refused to take from Amity and was willing to give her the protection of his name. Amity is a sweet afternoon read that is light-hearted enough to enjoy and just enough difficulty to pull on your heart strings.

Another Great Story in the Prairie Roses Collection

This is a sweet and heartwarming story of the trials and tribulations of traveling the Oregon Trail by wagon train. It is Amity Grenville and Shawe Creighton's story, and the character develop is outstanding. Amity's husband was killed while drinking and gambling before they left St. Joe bound for Oregon. To keep Amity from having to leave the wagon train, as a woman alone was not allowed to travel with the wagon train, Shawe stepped up and offered to marry her in a marriage of convenience to be annulled once they reached Oregon. As they travel together and endure the trials and tribulation of the journey, will their relationship become more than a "convenience" or will they find their HEA? Be sure and read this sweet story to find out; I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Captivating Story

Amity has worked hard and financed most of the items needed for the 5 month trek to Oregon. Her husband, who is less than a good man, is killed just days before the journey. Per the contract no single women are allowed on the wagon train. To make matters worse her deceased husband had gambled away the very wagon and oxen needed for the journey. Will Amity be left behind or will an acquaintance, Shawe, she had just met step in and help her?You won't want to put this book down. Such a good read!

Outstanding!

A truly wonderful western historical! This story line travels the Oregon Trail as two independent people become one to allow the trip to happen. The characters are a delight and very relatable. You will love this one!