Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
superb Americana tale, October 25, 2005
This review is from: Amethyst (Dakotah Treasures #4) (Paperback)
In 1886 Eastern Pennsylvania her nasty father calls his daughter Amethyst Colleen O'Shaunasy an "idjit" for paying their bills; he ignores how much he wastes getting drunk. He haughtily informs Colleen that she is to bring home her eight year old nephew Joel, who apparently lives in Medora, Dakotah Territory under the care of preacher Jacob Chandler.
Taking the train west, Amethyst becomes ill in Minnesota; another passenger tends to her as it is the Christian thing to do. In Medora, she remains somewhat ill; the Hegland family takes her in to their home. Their other guest, Army Major Jeremiah McHenry has just retired from the military and returned to his hometown. As the two guests become acquainted they fall in love, but can Jeremiah persuade the easterner to stay as his wife as he knows she believes she must perform her dad's task though honoring her father has always been difficult and besides she feels that even the kind former officer would turn female relatives into servants.
AMETHYST, the fourth Dakotah Treasures novel, is a superb Americana tale that brings to life a long-gone era due to the strong cast. Amethyst (don't call her Colleen as only her father uses that name) is a courageous individual who on her journey west meets caring people, a far cry from her verbally abusive father. Jeremiah knows she would make the perfect wife for him because she is a brave nurturing Christian woman whom he loves and believes loves him too, but he must overcome the relational lessons her father taught her. This is a terrific entry in a fabulous inspirational series in spite of the impossibly of honoring her no redeeming value dad.
Harriet Klausner
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Treasure, July 24, 2006
This review is from: Amethyst (Dakotah Treasures #4) (Paperback)
Amethyst by Lauraine Snelling will most definately take a place on my shelf, displayed along with the best. I don't think it was the best in the series, but it was certainly entertaining and a great read.
I liked how Amethyst's story was a little different than the others. For one, she didn't come from a good background at all. Ruby and Opal grew up in a well-to-do house, even though techinically they were not family. Pearl grew up in a wealthy family. Amethyst didn't have either. She was neither wealthy nor loved. And i found that a refreshing change.
There were other aspects of the book, however, that i found rushed. Little Squirrel's death was over in about five lines. No struggle, no nothing. Just dead. There were other things too, that ended too quickly.
I definately recommend that a reader begin with the first book in the series. All four book rely heavily on each other and it won't make sense if you start on book three.
I love romance and i found Amethyst and Jeremiah's relationship, along with that of Opal and Jacob's relationship beautiful. Opal's struggle with her faith, too, was written beautifully. Also, Snelling's description of scenery and the daily comings and goings were on target and at times i felt as though i were sitting in the room or on the range with the characters.
All in all this was a wonderful book and is highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Pleasing Tale!, January 6, 2006
This review is from: Amethyst (Dakotah Treasures #4) (Paperback)
"Amethyst" which is the fourth and final book in the Dakotah Treasures series was a nice read but I think relied a little heavily on the previous titles. Readers may want to pick these up first before starting this one. I think it will give the reader continuity and a little bit more understanding. Especially when it comes to the secondary storyline.
Amethyst O'Shaunasy travels west in order to find her father's heir. What she finds instead is a secret that she's not sure she should share with her da. On top of this she has been ill and when a very giving family takes her in she meets Major Jeremiah McHenry recently retired from the Army. This man is trying to make a new life for himself and Amethyst can't help but be drawn to his kind nature. He's a gentleman in every way and this speaks to her, as she has not known the love and respect of a man. But, will she be willing to follow her heart and marry Jeremiah, or will she allow her duty to her father to cause her to walk away from the only chance at happiness she thinks she'll ever find?
This was a nice read and with additional secondary storyline between Opal and Jacob finally playing out to it's conclusion. Sadly the secondary storyline seems to have been started in a previous title so this was not a fully satisfying addition for this reader. Ms. Snelling has descriptively brought to life the Dakota Territory and I imagine this was a very engaging series overall if all titles had been read before picking up the conclusion first.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
