Augusta (Promised Land)
The finale to Brown's series about the Dulan sisters--beginning withWillow(2003) andVelvet(2003) and continuing withGypsy[BKL Ap 1 04] andGarnet[BKL S 1 04]-- focuses on Gussie, the oldest, and the only one who made it to their original destination of Washington, California. She's also the first to be picked from among all the gals off the bride train, and that's not so good. Her intended groom, a self-righteous, judgmental preacher, takes exception to her from the moment he sees her in her best dress, a red satin saloon-girl's finery with black lace trim. But Gussie falls in love with Gideon Jefferson's four headstrong young daughters and consequently determines to make the best of her situation. The strong conclusion to Brown's gentle historical Promised Land series showcases her ability to bring a vibrant time to life in all its glory, as the bride-train women build a community, support each other through the trials of marriage to strangers, and stand up for their right to respect and fair treatment from their menfolk.Lynne WelchCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved