Settling the Account

Promises to Keep #3

by Shayne Parkinson

Amy watches in growing fear the worsening confrontation between her husband and her son, until she realises that only one of them can survive it. How long can she keep them apart?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance, 19th Century, Drama

499 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have already reviewed Sentence of Marriage, but I'm going to include the entire series plus A Second Chance in this review because they really go together and could be one book (length permitting). In fact, somewhere in the middle of Mud and Gold, I realized what other saga this series brings to mind. If you read and loved Helen Hooven Santmeyer's ...And Ladies of the Club, I think you'll love this series.

These books kept me up at night. I dreamed of the characters. I can't get enough of this big, sprawling family and their lives. And when I reached the end, I wanted more.

The series starts with Amy and Lizzie and the divergence their lives take based on their choices, but then it becomes so much more. It's about life in the late 1800s and then progresses, along with the characters, to the early 1900s. (I'm so invested in this story, I even looked up ladies' fashions during these time periods so I could get a better idea of how the characters would have dressed and done their hair!) It's about choices and consequences and relationships. It's about being young and growing old. It's about farm life in a remote area of New Zealand during the time period. It's about maturing and understanding and change. It's about the Leith family, which grows in leaps and bounds as the books progress. Shayne Parkinson does an amazing job of writing the characters throughout. You'd think characters would get "lost" as the families grow, but these books are so well-written that I just found myself with more people to love and care about. I want to know how Frank goes about building his thriving farm and how he divides it between his many children; at the same time, I know I'll cry buckets when Frank and Lizzie get old and eventually die. I want to see little Eddie grow up. I want to know what George is up to and where Thomas is going. I even want more of Susannah, even though I can't really stand her (she seems to be mellowing with age).

I laughed. I cried. I loved. I turned pages faster than if I'd been reading a mile-a-minute thriller.

In short, Sentence of Marriage is going to be the most expensive free book I ever downloaded because I'm going to buy every damn book in this series. Shayne Parkinson could write 10 more and I'd read every last one of them.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 closure until the end of the third book.

The third book in the series, Settling the Account, was my favorite. Amy has found contentment, become the most selfless, patient person on earth, and, at the end, finds peace and happiness. The last scene of her and Charlie was my favorite scene in the entire series.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have rated the other two books as five stars because they were that good. If I could rate this one higher I would. This is book 3 in Amy's story. And as ever she deals with broken heart after broken heart. This book is also just as much Lizzie and Frank's book as it is Amy's. The first book is totally just Amy's but book two is a combination of Amy's and Lizzie and Frank's. Though Frank is the narrator of their story.

This book takes you into the lives of our characters as fully grown adults. Book one Amy was no more than a child. Book two gave us Amy and Lizzie and Frank Young adults. This is them as mature adults.

This book saw the children of Amy and Lizzie as children in their yearly 20's. Mostly all grown and leading their own lives.

This book had me snotting myself almost threw the whole thing. The emotions the Author was able to bring to Amy in all that she endured is amazing. It give you a good description of what life might have been like in the late 1800's to early 1900's. The thing is, even though it is kind of like a historical it isn't really. Most Historical make it so damn obvious that it is kind of shoved down your throat. This is not. It is just woven into the story to give you an idea of what their world was like but at the same time gives us a great story about the life of two family. It was kind of like the last two book didn't just give you one story but two. Different but yet the same and intertwined.

These three books will stay with me for a while. Even though Amy was beaten down and endured heartaches that would have destroyed others she still remained true to who she was.

What surprises me the most is that these books held no sex scenes. I don't usually love books that are set back in past century's. But these books were so well written that I couldn't help but fall in love with them and the cast of characters in them.

I will go on to so far the final book in the series. I know I will love it as much as I have the others.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love these books! Just wish they were in print too so my friends without ereaders could enjoy them!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the series, mostly because of the happy ending FINALLY!!! But I loved Lizzie and Maudie's relationship. I loved reading about David and Amy's sweet relationship. I was so intrigued by Amy's care of Charlie and her patience and long suffering. The characters were so rich and real. So well written.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book of the series "Promises to keep" and I must say it was almost impossible to put it down. Every detail is so captivating, it always leaves you wanting more. After all the hardship Amy has endured in her journey, from her early teen years to now a woman of almost 40, it was refreshing to see a glimpse of hope and happiness in her horizon. I thought it was outstanding how the author managed to bring a bit of closure to certain aspects of Amy's life without making it hard to believe or obvious. And I must say I didn't see the twist at the end of this book coming.
It's an understatement to say I'm now glued to the last book of the series "A second chance" and not looking forward to parting with such beautiful characters.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely loved this series.......Right from the beginning the characters were real, and easy to relate to. i was wrapped up in their lives and kept hoping for a better life for Amy. I was elated at the ending.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Settling the Account immediately starts as the next chapter to Mud and Gold, continuing Amy's heartbreaking but hopeful story. Amy is finally coming into her own. Her boys are grown but the tension at home has driven both of them away. Malcolm has gone off to fight the English war in Africa against Charlie's demands that no one have anything to do with anything English and thereby disowning Malcolm. David has finally had enough and after a fight with Charlie, escapes to the city, far out of his fathers reach let alone his fists. Amy and Charlie settle into a quiet routine until Charlie has a stroke and Amy has to pick up the slack on the farm. Her joy is found in talking to the cousin of her sister in law about books and such and it is this girl who finally rescues Amy from the hell she has been living through. The reader will cry and rejoice with the death of Charlie and the story of Amy will be forever stamped upon your heart.

[Birgit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Promises to Keep trilogy. There is another one called Second Chance which follows on from this one which I must read. The trilogy is about rural New Zealand in the late 1800's where two best friends (cousins) Amy and Lizzie marry two vastly different men and the different turn their lives take.

Lizzie marries a good man and over the trilogy have eight children and one grandchild and their story is a kind of rags to riches.

Amy on the other hand falls in love, gets pregnant and is left in the lurch at a young age which in those days is highly unacceptable so she has the baby in secret and gives it up for adoption. A grumpy old neighbour sees she is pregnant and says "he will take her on but not her bastard child" so the family seeing a way out of the "shame" agree. Thus starts her violent unhappy marriage. Over the trilogy she has two boys and is regularly verbally and physically abused by her husband. Throughout the trilogy the sons grow up and hate their father, the eldest going off to war and dying with the youngest one being kicked out by his father because he dared to stand up to him.

Throughout the books you can't help but hate Charlie (husband) for how he treats Amy and the boys but then in the third book he has a stroke and is unable to run the farm so Amy has to takeover and also care for Charlie who doesn't want anyone to know. Mind you I'm just guessing at the stroke as no doctor was called, they just struggled on as I guess they must have done in those times. They get found out after six months and the youngest son is called home to help out which he does for his mother.

The last bit where Charlie was unwell was so well written (as were all three books) here was a man who was a product of his environment being brought up in a loveless home himself so not able to express love himself, criticised and abused everyone, didn't want anyone poking in his business to becoming totally dependent on Amy for everything and finally the softer side of him emerges as he is frightened because he can't function properly and on the last night they actually have a genuine loving encounter. I guess you could say it is about forgiveness and redemption and reconciliation both of husband and wife and father and son.

“A martyr to other people’s ideas of propriety.” That is an excerpt from the book which I think describes Amy and her life.

“And you’re like a deep pool of stillness in the middle of a storm. No matter how the world buffets you, you take it serenely.” This is another excerpt from the book which also describes Amy.

Those two quotes above are from the daughter that Amy was forced to adopt out. Yep, happy ending.

[Marji · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Promises to Keep trilogy. I can only give it three stars for several reasons.
1. It can't and won't stand alone as a single book. It is merely a continuation of the second book, which is a continuation of the first. As if another chapter were being written, and it was broken into 3 volumes just for sheer size. Most other trilogy's I've ever read, each book can and will stand alone, but are enhanced by the reading of the others. Not so in this case. If you hadn't read 1-3 you wouldn't have any closure on any story lines on books one and two, and you wouldn't have any clue about the story line if you started in the middle.
2. I understand that life in the late 1800's was difficult for women and that spousal abuse was tolerated to a much greater level, but this was hard to read. Both because of the graphic nature, and because the principle character seemed to so completely buy into it that she deserved it, and/or she brought on the episodes of greatest violence by not being "good".
3. The third book redeems some of the characters, but it's a little too pat, and a little too easy.
4. I would have liked more character development of some of the more peripheral characters in the story.
All in all, ok, but not as good as it could have been

[Tia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

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..

[Kim Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is just something about this series

Book three did not disappoint. I love how the author has written this period piece without the use of people of color. I hope that the rest of the books in the series leave POC alone as well.
Amy, poor Amy, living with an abusive husband and child. This arranged marriage has been hell on this woman. But she goes through the abuse, drama, with such a positive attitude that you have to feel for her. There were so many times that I wanted Amy to tell her brothers, poison his food, loosen the stirrups on his saddle. Do something to defend herself and then I would think. What could she do? A woman/child in that period was married off to older men, it was the norm. What rights did women have? Heck, they couldn't even vote, own their own land.
Amy's attitude and willingness to survive is also what endeared me to this character. I felt that she played Chess with her life, and she had too. Her moves allowed her to forgive so many transgressions, but it also set it up for her to have say when it mattered most to her. I did figure out before the reveal that her new friend was her long lost child. I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in this series.
I have to say that the book is to long. There where so many times while I was reading it, that I found myself saying. Get to it please or why is this scene taking so long.

[Cindy Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definite five-star read!

This third book of the series is the best so far. I found myself crying and laughing at the appropriate moments in this engrossing saga.

It's now into early 20th century New Zealand farm country. The funniest moments are Lizzie and Frank with their great brood of children. Lizzie, especially. The overbearing wife and mama and banter between all of them is hysterical at times.

The sad moments are given mostly to Amy as she strives to keep peace in her abusive home.

There's a bit of a surprise in this one, although I admit I had worked it out early on in the storyline. But it was well done all the same.

Definite recommendation to readers of historical fiction. I'm on to the last book of this series. Well worth reading this series!

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

yet another beautifully written story, it had me smiling, crying, and wanting more! so glad there is 1 more book in this series ...although I don't want it to end, she most definitely has a way of making you love the characters...I can see every one of them in my mind! so glad I stumbled upon this author!

[Marcia Brineman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

This was the third in the series. They seemed to be about very mundane topics; life in the late 1800's, cooking, cleaning, working endlessly on the farm. But the story was compelling and I enjoyed them all.

[LaDuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started off slower than the first two but by the end I was sold again. Excellent story. I'll miss Amy.

[AF Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Book 3 in a series of 4 is elegant, brutally graceful and it will make you cry. Amy is a woman you want to be, no matter which century you are born in. She has strength, grit, grace and a heart that you imagine can take no more, but does and does and does some more.

This book is right up there with the Agony and Ecstacy by Irving Stone and any book by Thomas B. Costain...I've read everything he's written at least three times - Shayne Parkinson writes with the same kind of unflinching courage and honesty with which Costain wrote.

This series of books is brilliant and so worth the purchase so you can read it again and again. I just purchased book #4. I cannot imagine that it will be any less majestic and enthralling as the first three books have been. Give yourself a gift - read the Promises to Keep series. Wow. Just WOW!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love These books!!!

This by far was my favorite book of the series. So much raw emotion I could have just hugged the book. I shed tears for one specific character I never thought I would. The author of this book is so talented in the way that she creates such a closeness to all of the characters. So that when you lose one your heart will ache. I can’t wait to read the very final book of promises to keep. I’m so thankful I picked up the very first one as a free kindle book. I have bought everyone since and it has been worth it. If you want a connection with such elaborate characters and to really feel the emotion of each chapter. Read these you won’t regret it they are amazing. I have to say probably my favorite book series I have read.

[Tina Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!

I absolutely loved this book and learning about a culture about which I had no knowledge at all. I find I now have an understanding of why women accepted their fate so meekly and it made me feel so humbled by my own, easy existence. I do, however realise, now, that the women of that place, and similar rural places, were bred accepting that life would be tough not just for themselves, but for the husbands providing for them and the offspring they raised. We have much for which to be grateful to them, and their more political peers for raising the status of women, and to Shayne Parkinson for enlightening us. Not just a 'good read' but an education. I would recommend this series to people of any age and gender.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book from beginning to end. Amy’s world is so captivating and as her family grows through marriages and babies new characters are added.

I was proud of myself for picking up on a surprise right from the beginning.

As usually the book has a realistic mixture of happy and sad moments. The growth and development of characters is enjoyable to watch as well as their love for one another. As the children grow and new members are added the narrative expands in a captivating way.

The historical parts of the novel were not as pronounced as they have been in the previous two books but I didn’t miss them.

[Elizabeth Tivnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

I read the first as a “freebie” on Amazon and was hooked. Have devoured the 3 in the series and have just purchased the sequel. This author’s writing is excellent and her characters are so well-developed. The reader will despise some of them with such intensity! These stories of farm life in the late 19th-early 20th centuries are wonderfully descriptive of numerous aspects: relationships, constant hard work, family life, gender roles, legal and ethical matters and emotions that run the gamut. A tough read in a sense, due to the domestic violence that was condoned, tolerated or ignored in those times. This is series that will stay with the reader.

[Lindasp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very satisfying conclusion to the 3 book series of Amy Leith/Stewart's life up to 1905. I continue to love the characters and even began to feel a bit better about the unlikeable characters. I loved how there was a feel-good resolution to some of the disturbing situations which began in the first books. I know there is a 4th book, a sequel to this series but I could happily live with how these books ended up. This has been a very readable series which, although there were long, long chapters, went very fast.

[Anna Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The depth of character development is wonderful and the story was outstanding.

If you have read the series you know that Amy had a horrible marriage but I was moved to tears by the compassion, caring, and human kindness she showed at the end to Charlie. Retribution would have been so easy and so deserved but she was a beautiful example of Christian love.

Shayne outdid herself in this book. I couldn't put it down. I am now on to the fourth and final book in the series with great anticipation.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, Amy, whose life has been a constant and depressing struggle begins to show some glimmers of love and happiness. Wonderful historical series of life in 1800's New Zealand when everything about and around women was so hard. Many characters to know and keep track of but all are interesting if not lovable.
This series is one of the best I have read in a long time, not since the Cazalet Chronicles set in England have I enjoyed a family saga. I highly recommend this series.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember the last time I read a series of books but I absolutely enjoyed every page of these three. The characters are so well developed and the anger and intimacy between Charlie and Amy was beautifully written. The author introduced us to each person, often couples, in the community and I really feel like this story could have taken place almost anywhere in terms of women's issues and rights. Did anyone feel there was room for a fourth? Ann's father? I'd read it it there was, as I think there was a hint of something more to come there.

[susan ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books grabbed ahold of me from the first pages. The characters are so rich and real. I loved the historical reality of the era. When I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking of it, of the characters and whatever was happening to them at the time. Amy, Lizzie, Frank , even old Charlie became as real to me as if I knew them, which I did. I’ve read the first 3 in the series and am now starting the 4th. I don’t want it to end. It’s been a long time since a book(s) has captured my attention like this series. I would recommend them to anyone who will listen to me.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing writing & story. definitely 5 *s

Feel like i was there. Such a broad range of family dynamics and personalities with respect to the time period. Easy to see rules of society at that time.. Shows how much our childhood upbringing, situations, (and subtly DNA) has to do with our personality, it affects our attitudes throughout our life and how those attitudes can affect our resilience (or not) to adapt. This can be read on many different levels. 5 stars for series.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so enjoying the continuing saga of this inter-generational New Zealand farming family at the turn of the 20th century. They all seem so vivid and real to me. In this third installment, Amy, the protagonist, starts finding some happiness in her life, and it's about time. Not sure what is left to happen in the final installment, but I'll buy it to find out; I'm invested in these characters that leap from the pages and into my heart.

[Charlie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the continued heartbreak of the first two books I'd firmly resolved not to read anymore in the series. I'm surely glad that I read this third. All the sadness engendered in the first two are replaced by some happiness, especially for Amy and the awkward disparity are finally resolved. One even feels a mite of understanding for Charlie.
A must read.it

[Debbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is called the final book in the "Goodreads" description which to me means the author decided to write the 4th book after the story had wrapped up. Makes me leery about reading it but I guess I'll give it a go. The families evolve in this one, there are deaths, births, and marriages. Amy continues in her marriage to Charlie but he changes. Still found it an interesting read.