Of Peaks and Prairies

Paradise Valley, Book 1

By: Vivi Holt

Narrated by: Cody Roberts

Genevieve Waters-Ewing is married.

She's married to a man she doesn't love, and didn't agree to marry.

The scoundrel dragged her to the altar, and now everything is going to change. In a split second decision, she runs away, and stows aboard a chuck wagon that's leaving on a cattle drive, heading north to Montana. She doesn't know where she'll go, or what she'll do, she only knows one thing - she has to leave Fort Worth, Texas.

Thomas O'Reilly's finally got the chance to prove himself to his Pa. After finding gold in Montana Territory, he travels to Texas to buy a herd of longhorns to take back north with him, where demand for beef is high. Everything is going his way until he discovers a beautiful, young woman asleep in the back of his chuck wagon.

A woman on the trail is bad for business, especially in a group of rough and rowdy cowboys. Will she ruin everything he's worked so hard for? Or will she be the one thing he really needs?

Follow their journey, from Texas to Montana Territory, where challenges lurk around every corner, and love is forged in the heat of battle.

©2016 Vivi Holt (P)2017 Vivi Holt

Genevieve is forced by her step father to marry his best friend.

Genevieve refuses to marry the older man but she is not strong enough to stop it. He even signs her name to the marriage license when she refuses. While waiting outside the saloon for the two men drinking congratulations to each other, she runs away and secretly joins a cattle drive. Thomas, the foreman of the drive discovers her but after her pleading lets her stay as long as she helps the cook. It is obvious they are smitten with each other but she knows nothing can happen even if she is unhappily married. Well written characters one can care for.

An Unexpected Journey

Wow, can I just say I am so glad I found these audible stories by Vivi Holt! What is more exciting is this is the start of a series so I have several more hours of wonderful listening to enjoy!
Genevieve was forced to marry a terrible man due to her stepfather "giving" her to his friend who lived across the street. They even forged her name on the marriage certificate. But when they left her alone to go celebrate, she took off and saw her chance when she came upon a wagon that appeared to be headed out and she stowed away.
Thomas and his crew of cowboys were headed to Montana with a hugh herd of longhorns and he knew this was his chance to make something of his life. It would be a long road from Texas and many dangers ahead. When he found Jenny hidden after they were down the trail, he could not believe it.
Again I say wow. WIth the amazing writing of Vivi Holt and the narration of Cody Roberts, who voiced perfectly all of the characters, this is a journey that had my heart pounding and totally engaged in this journey of hope.

Adventure

I enjoyed the book and the adventure! I bought this book because I'm a huge fan of Cody Roberts, and he did not fail. Love listening to him! Well done!

From Despair to Delight

Knowing the harsh conditions of the pioneer west and the still harsher conditions of humankind, some requisite suspensions of disbelief become necessary to maintain the storyline; but relax into the world as outlined by the author and enjoy an old-fashioned western romance with sufficient twists, turns and adventures to make for interesting storytelling around the campfire. Our narrator (4.5* but I rounded up) has a very pleasant voice although he gives the women a certain breathlessness not always quite in line with the dialogue. Nonetheless I was able to become fully engrossed in the story and enjoyed myself thoroughly as our heroine overcame misuse and abuse and got up the gumption to light out from impossible circumstances and find true love. No, that is not a spoiler--this is an HEA (a Happily Ever After)!

Beautiful story of hope and love

Genevieve has been forced to marry the friend of her stepfather, a bad tempered older man. Refusing to be subjected to a life with him, she runs away when her stepfather and husband leave her outside of the saloon to go imbibe. She follows a cowboy and stows away in a chuck wagon.
Thomas is in Texas to collect a herd of longhorns and head back to Montana. Imagine his surprise when he discovers a beautiful stow away in his chuck wagon. Genevieve isn’t honest with Tom and tells him that she’s heading to California to meet her aunt. However, Gen’s stepfather and husband catch up with the group looking for her...something about the duo doesn’t sit well with Tom and he tells them that her hasn’t seen her. Still Gen doesn’t trust him with the truth. The trip to Montana is filled with adversity...Native Indians, rustlers and army impeding the Boseman pass, but through it all, the small group never gives up. The trip gives Tom and Gen time to get to know each other and feelings grow...will they overcome Gen’s marital status and have an HEA?