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Recommend this book:
A Death in Durango
Doug Twohill
2023 Finalist
220 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Former NYPD Detective Jim Barlow received the news that his only daughter Patty, who had been working at a ranch in Durango, had committed suicide. In all his years with the NYPD, Jim had dealt with lots of homicide cases but never imagined that one day he would be investigating his daughter’s demise. Jim did not believe that Patty had taken her own life as the authorities in Durango claimed. On landing in Durango, Jim realizes that Patty had been seeing an abusive boyfriend from a notorious family in Durango and that Patty may have been murdered. The local authorities seemed to be covering up the truth and insisted they had closed their investigations. In his quest to uncover the facts behind his daughter’s death, Jim finds himself on a path of discovery about the history of the town and its two prominent and rival families. What happened in Durango and did Patty take her life? Get yourself Doug Twohill’s A Death in Durango to know more.
Doug Twohill is a magnificent writer. In A Death in Durango, he kept me on edge with compelling adventure, suspense, tension, and thrills. The storyline hinges on a tale of Native Americans, ranchers, cowboys, gold miners, rustlers, looters, war, vengeance, betrayal, greed, envy, and deception, as well as good and evil. Twohill captures the mood and settings through impressively vivid and picturesque depictions. He made me feel as if I was right there in nineteenth-century Colorado beside the characters. He makes the scenes tremendously dramatic and witty. Twohill develops his characters, boldly and aggressively bringing out their personality traits. All of this made it easy for me to connect with the characters and empathize with them. I could only imagine what would motivate a human being to be as evil as the Strickland family.
Former NYPD Detective Jim Barlow received the news that his only daughter Patty, who had been working at a ranch in Durango, had committed suicide. In all his years with the NYPD, Jim had dealt with lots of homicide cases but never imagined that one day he would be investigating his daughter’s demise. Jim did not believe that Patty had taken her own life as the authorities in Durango claimed. On landing in Durango, Jim realizes that Patty had been seeing an abusive boyfriend from a notorious family in Durango and that Patty may have been murdered. The local authorities seemed to be covering up the truth and insisted they had closed their investigations. In his quest to uncover the facts behind his daughter’s death, Jim finds himself on a path of discovery about the history of the town and its two prominent and rival families. What happened in Durango and did Patty take her life? Get yourself Doug Twohill’s A Death in Durango to know more.
Doug Twohill is a magnificent writer. In A Death in Durango, he kept me on edge with compelling adventure, suspense, tension, and thrills. The storyline hinges on a tale of Native Americans, ranchers, cowboys, gold miners, rustlers, looters, war, vengeance, betrayal, greed, envy, and deception, as well as good and evil. Twohill captures the mood and settings through impressively vivid and picturesque depictions. He made me feel as if I was right there in nineteenth-century Colorado beside the characters. He makes the scenes tremendously dramatic and witty. Twohill develops his characters, boldly and aggressively bringing out their personality traits. All of this made it easy for me to connect with the characters and empathize with them. I could only imagine what would motivate a human being to be as evil as the Strickland family.
Recommend this book:
Four Aces
1880s Deadwood Diaries
April Holthaus
2023 Honorable Mention
130 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Set in the latter half of the 19th century, Four Aces is a historical romance by April Holthaus. Recently widowed Emily Taylor desperately wants to save her farm that her late husband left behind alongside a mountain of debt and unpaid loans. Meanwhile, former US Marshall Jake Reid arrives in the lawless town of Deadwood in search of the notorious outlaw Harmon Elwood, whose gang robbed the Midtown Lincoln Stage the year before. Hired by the Pinkerton Agency, Jake is taken aback by the corrupt and lawless nature of the town while working as a farmhand for Emily. Soon, romance blossoms between the two, leading Jake to fear for Emily's safety when old friends and new enemies converge upon Deadwood for a final confrontation that will leave many bodies in its wake.
With a delicious blend of western and romance, April Holthaus has crafted a captivating love story that pulls you in from the first page and keeps you hooked until the last. Four Aces is full of mystery, allure, and action, set in the wild west where dangerous outlaws, fearless bounty hunters, and corrupt lawmen used to roam the treacherous terrain. Holthaus has created some fascinating characters with well-developed story arcs and backstories that provide depth to their outward personas. Jake and Emily's relationship is at the heart of the story, while the rest of the narrative plays out like a typical western revolving around the two of them. This gives a unique tone to the narrative that lovers of both westerns and romances can enjoy.
Set in the latter half of the 19th century, Four Aces is a historical romance by April Holthaus. Recently widowed Emily Taylor desperately wants to save her farm that her late husband left behind alongside a mountain of debt and unpaid loans. Meanwhile, former US Marshall Jake Reid arrives in the lawless town of Deadwood in search of the notorious outlaw Harmon Elwood, whose gang robbed the Midtown Lincoln Stage the year before. Hired by the Pinkerton Agency, Jake is taken aback by the corrupt and lawless nature of the town while working as a farmhand for Emily. Soon, romance blossoms between the two, leading Jake to fear for Emily's safety when old friends and new enemies converge upon Deadwood for a final confrontation that will leave many bodies in its wake.
With a delicious blend of western and romance, April Holthaus has crafted a captivating love story that pulls you in from the first page and keeps you hooked until the last. Four Aces is full of mystery, allure, and action, set in the wild west where dangerous outlaws, fearless bounty hunters, and corrupt lawmen used to roam the treacherous terrain. Holthaus has created some fascinating characters with well-developed story arcs and backstories that provide depth to their outward personas. Jake and Emily's relationship is at the heart of the story, while the rest of the narrative plays out like a typical western revolving around the two of them. This gives a unique tone to the narrative that lovers of both westerns and romances can enjoy.
Recommend this book:
Sheriff of Starr County
Westward Sagas
David A. Bowles
2023 Bronze Medal
238 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite
Sheriff of Starr County, the fifth in the Westward Sagas series by David A. Bowles and the second to feature protagonist Will Smith, tells the story of a Texas Ranger who arrives in the Nueces Strip just after it was annexed into Texas after the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that established the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas. Recommended by influential leaders from the Mexican-American War, Will is tasked with keeping the peace in newly established Starr County as its first sheriff. To keep the peace and bring justice to the frontier, he must round up outlaws, navigate political intrigues, keep the Indians at bay, and do his best to win over the hearts and minds of Tejano and Anglo residents struggling with being part of Texas. His journey involves working with influential statesmen, early entrepreneurs, the US Army at Fort Ringgold, and falling for different women.
David A. Bowles has developed an intriguing and authentic novel based on the lives of his ancestors. Bowles does more than just tell a story; he has you sweating in the Texas heat while you worry over whether Will will be able to survive a task that is next to impossible. You will be transported into the dangers and intrigue that were part of the birthing pains and early years of the Great Republic, understanding the hope and promise of a prosperous future just beyond the horizon. I was swept up in how Bowles integrated some of the great names of Texas history in a down-to-earth fashion that touched on the hopes and dreams of the unknown heroes who were the backbone of the state’s transformation into one of the epitomai of the American dream. Saddle up and be prepared to ride with an example of a true hero of the American West.
Sheriff of Starr County, the fifth in the Westward Sagas series by David A. Bowles and the second to feature protagonist Will Smith, tells the story of a Texas Ranger who arrives in the Nueces Strip just after it was annexed into Texas after the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that established the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas. Recommended by influential leaders from the Mexican-American War, Will is tasked with keeping the peace in newly established Starr County as its first sheriff. To keep the peace and bring justice to the frontier, he must round up outlaws, navigate political intrigues, keep the Indians at bay, and do his best to win over the hearts and minds of Tejano and Anglo residents struggling with being part of Texas. His journey involves working with influential statesmen, early entrepreneurs, the US Army at Fort Ringgold, and falling for different women.
David A. Bowles has developed an intriguing and authentic novel based on the lives of his ancestors. Bowles does more than just tell a story; he has you sweating in the Texas heat while you worry over whether Will will be able to survive a task that is next to impossible. You will be transported into the dangers and intrigue that were part of the birthing pains and early years of the Great Republic, understanding the hope and promise of a prosperous future just beyond the horizon. I was swept up in how Bowles integrated some of the great names of Texas history in a down-to-earth fashion that touched on the hopes and dreams of the unknown heroes who were the backbone of the state’s transformation into one of the epitomai of the American dream. Saddle up and be prepared to ride with an example of a true hero of the American West.
Recommend this book:
The Dolan Girls
S. R. Mallery
2023 Silver Medal
212 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Fans of westerns are in for a treat with S.R. Mallery's The Dolan Girls. The book follows the Dolan sisters, Cora and Minnie, as they inherit and run a parlor in the small town of South Benton in Nebraska in the 1880s. Sexually assaulted as a sixteen-year-old, Cora Dolan has lost the ability to put her trust in others for the past twenty years. After inheriting Madam Ana's establishment, she and her sister Minnie continue to provide entertainment of all sorts to the inhabitants of South Benton. When Cora's daughter Ellie returns home to be the new town schoolmarm, Cora is determined to keep her reputation intact. But the notorious Soltano gang is roaming the countryside with a new member who has a heinous history. Meanwhile, the arrival of a Pinkerton agent brings the past swirling back into Cora's life.
Full of romance, gun-toting cowboys, and lively saloons, The Dolan Girls is an absolute blockbuster of a novel for any lover of westerns. At its heart, this book is the story of two sisters as they carve out a life for themselves in a time and place where men with guns ruled the world. S.R. Mallery paints a vivid portrait of a late 19th-century American town, with characters that leap off the pages, some of whom you will love while others you will love to hate. Each character feels distinct, and their interactions and actions bring their personalities out upfront. You will find yourself rooting for Cora, Minnie, and Ellie until the end. I loved the book and will gladly recommend it.
Fans of westerns are in for a treat with S.R. Mallery's The Dolan Girls. The book follows the Dolan sisters, Cora and Minnie, as they inherit and run a parlor in the small town of South Benton in Nebraska in the 1880s. Sexually assaulted as a sixteen-year-old, Cora Dolan has lost the ability to put her trust in others for the past twenty years. After inheriting Madam Ana's establishment, she and her sister Minnie continue to provide entertainment of all sorts to the inhabitants of South Benton. When Cora's daughter Ellie returns home to be the new town schoolmarm, Cora is determined to keep her reputation intact. But the notorious Soltano gang is roaming the countryside with a new member who has a heinous history. Meanwhile, the arrival of a Pinkerton agent brings the past swirling back into Cora's life.
Full of romance, gun-toting cowboys, and lively saloons, The Dolan Girls is an absolute blockbuster of a novel for any lover of westerns. At its heart, this book is the story of two sisters as they carve out a life for themselves in a time and place where men with guns ruled the world. S.R. Mallery paints a vivid portrait of a late 19th-century American town, with characters that leap off the pages, some of whom you will love while others you will love to hate. Each character feels distinct, and their interactions and actions bring their personalities out upfront. You will find yourself rooting for Cora, Minnie, and Ellie until the end. I loved the book and will gladly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Blood and Silver
Vali Benson
2022 Finalist
105 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Blood and Silver is a work of fiction in the historical western and drama sub-genres and was penned by author Vali Benson. Written for young adult audiences, the work is accessible to all readers as it does not contain graphic content. The setting is Arizona, 1880, in a town where a young girl finds herself lacking in options when her drug-addled mother is unable to help her. Wise and plucky, twelve-year-old Carissa Beaumont hatches a plan to help her mother and escape the brothel in which she lives, but it involves making some unlikely friendships that may bring yet more danger that she was not anticipating.
Author Vali Benson has created an accessible and updated take on the western genre which can be enjoyed by young adult readers and nostalgic adults alike. At its center, the story takes on the bond of Carissa and Mai-Lin, an emotional arc that resonates strongly and is well developed in the narrative presentation and dialogue of the characters. Both girls are hardy and quick-witted for the era, which makes for an exciting and nail-biting adventure when they have to find ways to get out of trouble. All of this is set against a fiercely accurate historical backdrop, where it’s clear that Benson has put a lot of work into researching the way of life, the cultural and racial mix of people, and the grim realities of life in the old west. Overall, I would definitely recommend Blood and Silver as an enthralling historical read.
Blood and Silver is a work of fiction in the historical western and drama sub-genres and was penned by author Vali Benson. Written for young adult audiences, the work is accessible to all readers as it does not contain graphic content. The setting is Arizona, 1880, in a town where a young girl finds herself lacking in options when her drug-addled mother is unable to help her. Wise and plucky, twelve-year-old Carissa Beaumont hatches a plan to help her mother and escape the brothel in which she lives, but it involves making some unlikely friendships that may bring yet more danger that she was not anticipating.
Author Vali Benson has created an accessible and updated take on the western genre which can be enjoyed by young adult readers and nostalgic adults alike. At its center, the story takes on the bond of Carissa and Mai-Lin, an emotional arc that resonates strongly and is well developed in the narrative presentation and dialogue of the characters. Both girls are hardy and quick-witted for the era, which makes for an exciting and nail-biting adventure when they have to find ways to get out of trouble. All of this is set against a fiercely accurate historical backdrop, where it’s clear that Benson has put a lot of work into researching the way of life, the cultural and racial mix of people, and the grim realities of life in the old west. Overall, I would definitely recommend Blood and Silver as an enthralling historical read.
Recommend this book:
A Brother's Truth
A fast-paced race against time in the Wild West
Jenna Morrison
2022 Honorable Mention
309 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
A Brother's Truth by Jenna Morrison is a young adult thriller set in the “wild west.” Taking place in the late 1890s, the story follows the fate of two brothers and their cousin as they fight the worst fate has to offer. Brothers Matt and Will are as different as they could be. One of them was the perfect child while the other was always on the bad side of everything for some reason. However, things got worse when Will was arrested, revealed some secrets that were best left buried, and now the brothers were in serious trouble. They were not the only ones in danger. Their cousin Lilianna found out some disturbing secrets about her own family. Her already shaken world was shattered when her parents were murdered by a blood-thirsty gang. Seeking revenge, Lilianna was ready to do whatever it took to avenge her parents. Somehow, Matt and Will were roped in as well, and now all three were struggling to survive. What would happen next?
The story was darker than I expected, and I loved it. From the very beginning, I was sucked in and enjoyed the descriptions the most. The descriptions were, in fact, vital in understanding the characters and the plot. While there were morally ambiguous characters in the story, I found Matt to be very simple. He was confused and unable to find his footing, especially when it came to his brother Will. Jessa’s character was fun, and she was perhaps the only person who could slap Matt and get away with it. The pace was fast, the action was intense, and something was happening at any given moment. A perfect story for someone who enjoys young adult fiction with plenty of realistic imagery and believable characters. Intricate, dark, and very entertaining!
A Brother's Truth by Jenna Morrison is a young adult thriller set in the “wild west.” Taking place in the late 1890s, the story follows the fate of two brothers and their cousin as they fight the worst fate has to offer. Brothers Matt and Will are as different as they could be. One of them was the perfect child while the other was always on the bad side of everything for some reason. However, things got worse when Will was arrested, revealed some secrets that were best left buried, and now the brothers were in serious trouble. They were not the only ones in danger. Their cousin Lilianna found out some disturbing secrets about her own family. Her already shaken world was shattered when her parents were murdered by a blood-thirsty gang. Seeking revenge, Lilianna was ready to do whatever it took to avenge her parents. Somehow, Matt and Will were roped in as well, and now all three were struggling to survive. What would happen next?
The story was darker than I expected, and I loved it. From the very beginning, I was sucked in and enjoyed the descriptions the most. The descriptions were, in fact, vital in understanding the characters and the plot. While there were morally ambiguous characters in the story, I found Matt to be very simple. He was confused and unable to find his footing, especially when it came to his brother Will. Jessa’s character was fun, and she was perhaps the only person who could slap Matt and get away with it. The pace was fast, the action was intense, and something was happening at any given moment. A perfect story for someone who enjoys young adult fiction with plenty of realistic imagery and believable characters. Intricate, dark, and very entertaining!
Recommend this book:
Dovetails in Tall Grass
A Novel
Samantha Specks
2022 Bronze Medal
328 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
Dovetails in Tall Grass by Samantha Specks is the story of Emma and Oenkika; two young women trying to understand and change the direction of the problems between the white man and the Dakota Indians. The year is 1862, and the place is Minnesota. The event centers around the execution of 38 Native Americans, some innocent, some guilty of attacking the white man. The Sioux are being pushed off their land and given nothing to help them survive in this new world so they are ready to fight for what they believe is theirs. When Emma and her sister are attacked on their farm, life quickly changes for them. Oenkika watches the Dakota-Sioux attack as her husband is drawn into the battle against the white man. Tashunke is the husband of Oenkika and a hero to Emma and her sister. Both young women are forced to follow their hearts and do what they believe is best for their tribe, family, and country.
Dovetails in Tall Grass contains plenty of facts that Samantha Specks pulls into the fictional story, making it real and exciting. I found myself rooting for both sides and many of the involved players. Dovetails in Tall Grass is a western story of farmers against Native Americans, a story of love between husband and wife, sisters, family, tribes, and friends. Dovetails in Tall Grass would make a great TV movie and, hopefully, there is a second follow-up book. I would love to learn how both Emma and Oenkika have fared. I highly recommend Dovetails in Tall Grass. It is a top-notch winner.
Dovetails in Tall Grass by Samantha Specks is the story of Emma and Oenkika; two young women trying to understand and change the direction of the problems between the white man and the Dakota Indians. The year is 1862, and the place is Minnesota. The event centers around the execution of 38 Native Americans, some innocent, some guilty of attacking the white man. The Sioux are being pushed off their land and given nothing to help them survive in this new world so they are ready to fight for what they believe is theirs. When Emma and her sister are attacked on their farm, life quickly changes for them. Oenkika watches the Dakota-Sioux attack as her husband is drawn into the battle against the white man. Tashunke is the husband of Oenkika and a hero to Emma and her sister. Both young women are forced to follow their hearts and do what they believe is best for their tribe, family, and country.
Dovetails in Tall Grass contains plenty of facts that Samantha Specks pulls into the fictional story, making it real and exciting. I found myself rooting for both sides and many of the involved players. Dovetails in Tall Grass is a western story of farmers against Native Americans, a story of love between husband and wife, sisters, family, tribes, and friends. Dovetails in Tall Grass would make a great TV movie and, hopefully, there is a second follow-up book. I would love to learn how both Emma and Oenkika have fared. I highly recommend Dovetails in Tall Grass. It is a top-notch winner.
Recommend this book:
The Great Loveda Brown
The Idyllwild Mystery Series, Book One
Jolie Tunnell
2022 Silver Medal
264 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Great Loveda Brown is the first installment of The Idyllwild Mystery Series by Jolie Tunnell. Set in the small town of Idyllwild in mountainous southern California, the book follows Loveda Brown, a tenacious young woman fleeing from her estranged husband, Billy Dunn. Loveda is on her way to Los Angeles when circumstances bring her to Idyllwild, wearing one shoe and with Billy on her trail. However, just after her arrival, she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery when the dead body of her ex-husband turns up unexpectedly. While the local sheriff asks her not to leave town, Loveda decides to solve the mystery herself and find the killer. But as the stakes keep getting higher, Loveda delves into a dangerous game where she puts her own life in mortal danger.
Fans of whodunnit murder mysteries will be ecstatic because The Great Loveda Brown contains all the ingredients necessary for a delicious murder mystery. Author Jolie Tunnell's page-turner of a novel feels like a cross between the hit Hollywood movies The Hateful Eight and Knives Out. Moving at a blistering pace, the plot keeps you hooked with its unexpected twists and turns, and you can't help but turn the pages in eager anticipation of what's to come. Loveda is a likable protagonist whose tenacious resolve and grit make you root for her from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed her chemistry with John Wyman. Any reader who enjoys westerns or a well-written murder mystery will find The Great Loveda Brown a thoroughly entertaining reading experience.
The Great Loveda Brown is the first installment of The Idyllwild Mystery Series by Jolie Tunnell. Set in the small town of Idyllwild in mountainous southern California, the book follows Loveda Brown, a tenacious young woman fleeing from her estranged husband, Billy Dunn. Loveda is on her way to Los Angeles when circumstances bring her to Idyllwild, wearing one shoe and with Billy on her trail. However, just after her arrival, she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery when the dead body of her ex-husband turns up unexpectedly. While the local sheriff asks her not to leave town, Loveda decides to solve the mystery herself and find the killer. But as the stakes keep getting higher, Loveda delves into a dangerous game where she puts her own life in mortal danger.
Fans of whodunnit murder mysteries will be ecstatic because The Great Loveda Brown contains all the ingredients necessary for a delicious murder mystery. Author Jolie Tunnell's page-turner of a novel feels like a cross between the hit Hollywood movies The Hateful Eight and Knives Out. Moving at a blistering pace, the plot keeps you hooked with its unexpected twists and turns, and you can't help but turn the pages in eager anticipation of what's to come. Loveda is a likable protagonist whose tenacious resolve and grit make you root for her from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed her chemistry with John Wyman. Any reader who enjoys westerns or a well-written murder mystery will find The Great Loveda Brown a thoroughly entertaining reading experience.
Recommend this book:
Cold as Hell
Black Badge Series Book 1
Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle
2022 Gold Medal
372 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite
James Crowley is a Black Badge working for the White Throne. Many years before, he died doing the one decent thing he ever did, saving a mother and her young daughter from the hands of his then leader, Ace Ryker. Now he is on his way to Lonely Hill, a small town in the Wild West, no longer a Scuttler or outlaw but a Badge to keep the Supernatural outlaws in check. How the tables have turned. Outlaws are running amok, robbing small-town banks, and blazing a frozen trail to Revelation Springs, where the owner of said banks is preparing for the Founders Fair. Ever veering off his path Jack helps some hapless humans along the way escape from werewolves and demons, collecting stray humans as well as supernatural artifacts and infuriating his handler. Once in Revelation Springs, a crime so old and revolting comes to light, and shadows from Jack’s past come back to haunt him. In the end, Jack does what is expected from the White Throne, and it seems that justice is served, or maybe this is where the real journey begins.
Cold as Hell by Rhett C Bruno and Jaime Castle is a whopper of a wild ride through the Wild West. In places where the law has no real footing, things that go bump in the night must be kept in check. Rhett C Bruno and Jaime Castle write a novel that feels so authentic you can hear Jack’s voice grating like sandpaper. The characters are genuine and far from story perfect, making the whole book a believable ride through the gunslinging West. The manner in which the story is presented makes the supernatural aspects blend seamlessly with the mundane. In an untamed world where men are as bad as monsters, it is disconcerting to find that real monsters also exist, so bad that the worst of the outlaws can become the weapon to hunt them down. I simply loved it. As a fan of Supernatural and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, this was just up my alley. Add a good number of gunfights and fistfights that belong in a spaghetti western, and it is near perfection. This most definitely is my next favorite series.
James Crowley is a Black Badge working for the White Throne. Many years before, he died doing the one decent thing he ever did, saving a mother and her young daughter from the hands of his then leader, Ace Ryker. Now he is on his way to Lonely Hill, a small town in the Wild West, no longer a Scuttler or outlaw but a Badge to keep the Supernatural outlaws in check. How the tables have turned. Outlaws are running amok, robbing small-town banks, and blazing a frozen trail to Revelation Springs, where the owner of said banks is preparing for the Founders Fair. Ever veering off his path Jack helps some hapless humans along the way escape from werewolves and demons, collecting stray humans as well as supernatural artifacts and infuriating his handler. Once in Revelation Springs, a crime so old and revolting comes to light, and shadows from Jack’s past come back to haunt him. In the end, Jack does what is expected from the White Throne, and it seems that justice is served, or maybe this is where the real journey begins.
Cold as Hell by Rhett C Bruno and Jaime Castle is a whopper of a wild ride through the Wild West. In places where the law has no real footing, things that go bump in the night must be kept in check. Rhett C Bruno and Jaime Castle write a novel that feels so authentic you can hear Jack’s voice grating like sandpaper. The characters are genuine and far from story perfect, making the whole book a believable ride through the gunslinging West. The manner in which the story is presented makes the supernatural aspects blend seamlessly with the mundane. In an untamed world where men are as bad as monsters, it is disconcerting to find that real monsters also exist, so bad that the worst of the outlaws can become the weapon to hunt them down. I simply loved it. As a fan of Supernatural and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, this was just up my alley. Add a good number of gunfights and fistfights that belong in a spaghetti western, and it is near perfection. This most definitely is my next favorite series.
Recommend this book:
Beyond the Goodnight Trail
Roy V Gaston
2021 Finalist
262 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Beyond the Goodnight Trail by Roy V. Gaston is a boisterous Western novel filled with breathtaking adventure and action. Pete Horse is a former Texas Rangers scout who accepts the invitation of his friend, Charlie Goodnight, to go on a trail ride across Texas to New Mexico Bosque Redondo Navajo reservation. Pete knows these lands and is aware that it is infested with bandits and scum who will kill just anyone as long as they get something — or they just kill for the sheer pleasure of killing — so he expects to encounter a horde of night riding gangs and unfriendly Comancheros. What he never expected was to encounter factional groups fighting over a thousand stolen Army rifles. When he kills two men who attempt to steal his horse, he attracts the explosive wrath of a renegade sect leader and his followers. It is the beginning of a nightmare that could engulf the entire West.
Beyond the Goodnight Trail is written for anyone who loves Westerns. It is littered with action and well-described gunfights. Characters like Pete, Charlie, Bigfoot Wallace, Bass Reeves, Britt Johnson, and many others are well-developed. Roy V. Gaston plunges the reader into a world that is rife with conflict and chaos and gives readers the real definition of survival-of-the-fittest. The worldbuilding is wonderful and the story takes place in a setting that is not just rough but lawless. Beyond the Goodnight Trail is captivating and written in elegant prose. I enjoyed the way the author crafts the dialogues, mimicking the accents of the characters, and beefing up the plot with action. It is filled with adventure and fun; deftly plotted and skillfully written.
Beyond the Goodnight Trail by Roy V. Gaston is a boisterous Western novel filled with breathtaking adventure and action. Pete Horse is a former Texas Rangers scout who accepts the invitation of his friend, Charlie Goodnight, to go on a trail ride across Texas to New Mexico Bosque Redondo Navajo reservation. Pete knows these lands and is aware that it is infested with bandits and scum who will kill just anyone as long as they get something — or they just kill for the sheer pleasure of killing — so he expects to encounter a horde of night riding gangs and unfriendly Comancheros. What he never expected was to encounter factional groups fighting over a thousand stolen Army rifles. When he kills two men who attempt to steal his horse, he attracts the explosive wrath of a renegade sect leader and his followers. It is the beginning of a nightmare that could engulf the entire West.
Beyond the Goodnight Trail is written for anyone who loves Westerns. It is littered with action and well-described gunfights. Characters like Pete, Charlie, Bigfoot Wallace, Bass Reeves, Britt Johnson, and many others are well-developed. Roy V. Gaston plunges the reader into a world that is rife with conflict and chaos and gives readers the real definition of survival-of-the-fittest. The worldbuilding is wonderful and the story takes place in a setting that is not just rough but lawless. Beyond the Goodnight Trail is captivating and written in elegant prose. I enjoyed the way the author crafts the dialogues, mimicking the accents of the characters, and beefing up the plot with action. It is filled with adventure and fun; deftly plotted and skillfully written.
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