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Goldspun Promises
Traveling through the treacherous Great Plains to search for her father after her mother dies, Tressie Majors enlists the protection of Reed Bannon, a Native American whose violent past makes him a wanted man.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 2, 2013
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 5 Story 3
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.
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.
January 29, 2012
I first came across this book on Amazon, looking at what others had bought. The reviews were good and the plot seemed interesting to me. Only after reading the 2nd in the series, I came across that this book was previously published under the name Goldspun Promises under the pseudonyms Elizabeth Gregg. This is the first book in a 3 book series. This book follows Tressie Majors and Reed Bannon as they search through gold mining country for her father that abandoned her and her pregnant mother. Once I started, I couldn't put it down, and when I wasn't able to read it, I was thinking about it. I enjoy that the characters were flawed, I am often annoyed when the heroine/hero are just too perfect (rich, beautiful, young, everyone loves them etc.). There was a span in the middle of the book that the heroine and hero are apart, but this didn't both me either, I thought it was very well done and added to the story quite well.
May 26, 2013
`Montana Promises is a western historical romance filled with passion, vengeance, loss and love. An epic adventure ....'
A true description of the story.
Tressie Majors has seen more hardship in her 17 years than many people experience in a lifetime. She finds herself alone in a miserable shoddy miles from anywhere, with threadbare clothes and hardly any supplies. Her father has long since headed for the gold rush and her mother has just died in agony giving birth to a stillborn baby. As she pats the earth on the grave, she sees a rider approaching through the dust. At first fearful, she soon realises that the man is badly injured and presents no threat. Tressie has learned to deal with life's blows pragmatically and decided to do what she can for him, not sure if he will live or die.
Reed Bannon is on the run after stealing a horse. He is half white and half Sioux, but has never known his parents. His trapper father abandoned him at birth, hating him as the cause of the death of his beloved Sioux wife. He is malnourished and has lost a lot of blood when he collapses into Tressie's care.
She nurses him back to health and asks him to take her with him to find her father, whom she now hates. She wants her father to know the consequences of abandoning his pregnant wife. Reed is grateful for her help, but believes that she will be safer in her shoddy. He tries to set off without her, but Tressie is resourceful and resolute and follows him.
They journey together through inhospitable land and meet adventures and people along the way, overcoming hardship, tragedy and self-doubt, but always with an underlying love and respect for each other.
Tressie is a strong woman who gets on with life and meets her challenges head-on. Reed is weighed down by self-doubt, but deep inside is a man of courage and integrity.
What sets this book apart is the quality of the narrative. The West was not a pretty, harmless environment and the author brings the dust, stench, disease, death, threadbare poverty and desperation to life on her pages - alongside the beauty of nature and joy, love and integrity of her characters.
This is a rewarding story and delivers far more depth than a simple Western romance.
A true description of the story.
Tressie Majors has seen more hardship in her 17 years than many people experience in a lifetime. She finds herself alone in a miserable shoddy miles from anywhere, with threadbare clothes and hardly any supplies. Her father has long since headed for the gold rush and her mother has just died in agony giving birth to a stillborn baby. As she pats the earth on the grave, she sees a rider approaching through the dust. At first fearful, she soon realises that the man is badly injured and presents no threat. Tressie has learned to deal with life's blows pragmatically and decided to do what she can for him, not sure if he will live or die.
Reed Bannon is on the run after stealing a horse. He is half white and half Sioux, but has never known his parents. His trapper father abandoned him at birth, hating him as the cause of the death of his beloved Sioux wife. He is malnourished and has lost a lot of blood when he collapses into Tressie's care.
She nurses him back to health and asks him to take her with him to find her father, whom she now hates. She wants her father to know the consequences of abandoning his pregnant wife. Reed is grateful for her help, but believes that she will be safer in her shoddy. He tries to set off without her, but Tressie is resourceful and resolute and follows him.
They journey together through inhospitable land and meet adventures and people along the way, overcoming hardship, tragedy and self-doubt, but always with an underlying love and respect for each other.
Tressie is a strong woman who gets on with life and meets her challenges head-on. Reed is weighed down by self-doubt, but deep inside is a man of courage and integrity.
What sets this book apart is the quality of the narrative. The West was not a pretty, harmless environment and the author brings the dust, stench, disease, death, threadbare poverty and desperation to life on her pages - alongside the beauty of nature and joy, love and integrity of her characters.
This is a rewarding story and delivers far more depth than a simple Western romance.
August 30, 2014
Story started out well with the protagonist being thrown into an extremely difficult situation with her mother and sibling's death. However, it seemed as it progressed, she quickly became childish and unreasonable. Reed was a good guy, trying to figure out what to do after making some mistakes in his life.
The descriptors were well done as was the character development. It had a lot of the typical twists usually seen in light reading historical romances. It wasn't bad but not that memorable. Although others may like it, the story just didn't do much for me.
The descriptors were well done as was the character development. It had a lot of the typical twists usually seen in light reading historical romances. It wasn't bad but not that memorable. Although others may like it, the story just didn't do much for me.
November 7, 2014
I'm not generally all that interested in romances, but Velda always creates these interesting characters who come alive. The historical setting also engages me. SHe does a great job making you feel as if you're there in gold rush times with the characters, living through all the extra tough situations that we modern folk would never experience.
This is a great read. The Audible reader is pretty good, too.
Follow your BLISS,
Ronda
This is a great read. The Audible reader is pretty good, too.
Follow your BLISS,
Ronda
March 27, 2014
I'm a Montana native, so I wanted to read this book just based on its title. Velda Brotherton weaves a compelling story that kept me on the journey with Tressie as she battles for survival and acceptance. It's more of a romance than I usually read, but the story kept me engaged and reading with anticipation to the end! Montana Promises delivers on its promise!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews