AUGUSTA

Author: Carolyn Brown ISBN: 0803496869 12/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVALON
Time Period: Old West

Augusta “Gussie” Dulan is the only Dulan sister to make it all the way to California on the wagon train for brides. Each of her four sisters has taken off along the trail to marry up with a man they fell in love with and now Gussie is hoping to find a man to love here at the end of the trail. Dressing in her fabulous red satin dancing dress, complete with black lace and feathered headdress, Gussie lines up with the other potential brides to see whom it is that they will marry. Gideon Jefferson, the town preacher, takes one look at Gussie and is horrified at her saloon girl outfit, but things turn even worse when his number is called and he “wins” Gussie’s hand in marriage. Gussie is less that pleased to be stuck with this wretched, assuming man. Neither wants to be married, so they make a pact that she will be on the first wagon train out after the winter. In the meantime, Gussie will come home with him and tend to his four young daughters and run his unruly house. It seems like a good arrangement. But Gussie is much more than Gideon could have imagined. She not only keeps the house immaculate, the table filled with delicious food, the girls clean and happy, she has the women of the town following her example and turning Gideon’s and the rest of the men’s lives upside down. Neither Gussie nor Gideon will admit they actually have feelings for one another. It takes a lot of courage, four little girls, and a whole town to bring them both to their senses.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Augusta, the only sister to actually make it all the way to California, agrees to become one of the mail-order brides in order to make the 100 women promised. Dressed up in her finest red satin dancing dress, Augusta is a bit nervous, but excited when the name drawing starts. To her surprise and dismay, her name is the first one chosen … by the preacher. He refuses to marry her, believing she is a woman of loose morals. And she, upset over his outburst and judgment of her, won’t marry him either. She and the pastor finally relent and agree to marry so the other couples may marry; each is determined to end the marriage at the first opportunity. Suddenly, Augusta is the pastor’s wife and the mother of four little girls. With such a bang-up start to their marriage, what would you expect but more fireworks?

Ms. Brown has certainly concluded the Promised Land series in a magnificent way. AUGUSTA is a touching story of two lonely people looking for acceptance and love in a harsh world. Neither Gussie nor Gideon was an ideal mate, each having many faults and prejudices. But, I enjoyed the romantic dance between Gussie and Gideon, knowing that eventually they would become partners. Gideon’s four daughters are precious and endearing, the stars of many outstanding supporting characters. Augusta’s story is fitting for the brash, outspoken, and strong woman that Gussie is. An outstanding series, I just adored all of the Dulan sisters and look forward to revisiting the Dulan sisters from time to time in the future. Ms. Brown has won over another devoted fan and I for one can’t wait for more from this author.

Kendra Patterson