“I won’t have her forced,” Jack said. “Let her decide for herself.”Amy knew her father meant it. She could say no if she wanted. But this marriage would make everything all right. They could put all the trouble she had caused behind them. Everyone would be happy again.Everyone except her.“Sentence of Marriage” is the first book in the three-volume “Promises to Keep”.In nineteenth century New … Keep”.
In nineteenth century New Zealand, there are few choices for a farm girl like Amy. Her life seems mapped out for her by the time she is twelve. Amy dreams of an exciting life in the world beyond her narrow boundaries. But it is the two people who come to the farm from outside the valley who change her life forever, and Amy learns the high cost of making the wrong choice.
“One of the best historical novels I’ve had the pleasure to read in years.” – WorkingGirl Reviews.
“The story was captivating, the characters real, the dialogue crisp. I admit to having cried and laughed and even having wanted to murder a character and beat another one within an inch of his life — which is simply a testament to how well written these books are.” – AmericanEditor.
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If it weren’t for bad luck….. This book was so weary I had to skip over parts just to get through it! Looking for something good to happen for that poor girl! And no even semi-happy ending. Very disappointing. Her life goes from pretty good to disaster by the time she is 16 years old. Very sad and depressing. Can not recommend.
I enjoyed learning about life in the late 1800’s in the farming communities of Australia. Such a hard life for women.
Written well. I hated the ending!
Such a sad but true sounding tale.
This was a good read.
I enjoyed reading this book; however it was very sad. It shows the plight of women of this era and how they had few rights. The main character is treated shamefully by a spiteful stepmothers and taken advantage of by a more experienced young man. The story is well written but I stated previously very sad.
I could do without the filthy language.
The treatment of the main character made me angry. The book kept my interest and I read all the sequels as well. Very well done.
Description of a time and place in the past feels realistic
I kept reading this book thinking that the ending would be better; it wasn’t….
So depressing! Imagine the story of Cinderella, only the step-mother wins. Books with this type of theme are great to read if the reader is given some sort of HOPE of a happy ending. No such luck with this book. Maybe it was just a bit too realistic for my taste.
Easy to follow, and very entertaining.
Kept my interest but probably more teen reader.
I found it amazing that people could act this way and no one stoopped them.
I enjoyed the story line, and had empathy for the characters. Not the happiest of endings, and of course, it left me wanting to know what will happen in the main character’s future. Guess I’ll have to buy the next book to get the final story. (of course)
Did not like the characters or the ending….it left me feeling sad and unfulfilled
Enjoyed all but the last book
Strong female lead who at age 13 was running the household by herself. Life dramatically changes when a stepmother arrives who cares only for herself. Original in that I have not read anything describing in detail what most likely many young women went through in multiple countries during this time period and perhaps even presently as sex was …
It was well written. But I was annoyed that she and family thought she needed to marry their neighbor even though no one knew she was pregnant. Didn’t like that at all!!
I picked up one and had to read the whole series!