Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Abigail MacKay is a rarity, a detective for the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency at the end of the nineteenth century. In Innocent Bystander (The Innocent Mystery Series Book 3), by C.A. Asbrey, Abigail is drawn west from her home in New York in search of her missing sister, Madeleine, who it appears has run off with a man suspected of leaving a trail of dead, rich wives behind him. The problem is nobody appears to know how he is killing his wives and, although suspected of murder, no charges have ever been brought against him. When Nat Quinn, notorious bandit and leader of the Innocent gang, and his erstwhile Uncle Jake rob a train in Wyoming, they discover among the passengers the beautiful and seductive Madeleine, who instantly reminds him of Abigail, with whom he has had previous romantic and unresolved issues. When Abigail realizes Nat and Jake are her best chance to find Madeleine and save her from her killer husband, she heads into outlaw territory and persuades the pair to accompany her to San Francisco where they will try to discover the mysterious method by which the killer disposes of his wives without medical professionals being any the wiser.

Innocent Bystanders is a powerful and exciting adventure that captivated me as a reader from the first page. I had not read the previous two stories in this adventure, but author C.A. Asbrey did a superb job of filling in the gaps of what occurred in books 1 and 2. The characters of Abigail, Nat and Jake could almost have been taken from a “western adventure annual.” They are overdrawn, but purposely, I’m sure, by the author to emphasize their characters. Nat and Jake were far from your average outlaws, with both having a strong moral compass buried beneath their outward bluster and toughness. Similarly, Abigail was your archetypal heroine; strong, independent, free thinking and willful, everything you’d expect from a Pinkerton female detective. The author marvelously managed to imbue her with a softer, feminine and uncertain side to her character that just rounded her out perfectly. The plot is cleverly constructed and keeps the reader fascinated. Although this story could probably be classified as a “western," it is far more than that and will appeal to aficionados of western, romance, murder/mystery and adventure tales. All in all, this is an excellent read and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Love Child: A Midnight Marauder Adventure is a true western novel that was an excellent read. When Slim Hanson discovers he has a teenage son, Richie, from a woman he loved very much many years ago, he is thrilled. Slim, his daughter, Charlotte, and her husband, John Crudder, and his horse, Midnight, welcome Richie into the family with open arms and lots of love. Richie has come because his mother, Marie, has been murdered and she had told him that if anything ever happened to her he should go to Bandera because he has family there. When John hears the story of how Marie was murdered, he takes it upon himself to track down the killer and bring him to justice. John faces many life-threatening and scary situations as he tracks down the bad guys.

There were many twists, turns and alarming events that made it impossible to put down Love Child. I particularly liked that Roy Clinton made the story come alive and it was so very accurate to the time period. This is the first book I have read by Roy Clinton but I look forward to reading all of the John Crudder Midnight Marauder Adventures as soon as possible. If you like the ‘Old West’ genre, this book is a must-read. I believe this would make a great TV series or perhaps even a movie. I highly recommend this book for men and women, young and old. Thank you, Roy Clinton, for a winning book in Love Child.

Reviewed by Paul F. Murray for Readers' Favorite

Amanda Kelly witnesses the murder of her father in Iron City, Dakota Territory, and then the burning down of her father’s store immediately afterward. As if that weren’t bad enough, the person who probably committed the deeds—an evil, vengeful banker and jilted suitor named Baldwin Irving—decides to frame Amanda for the fire, claiming that she wants to collect on the insurance. In cahoots with Sheriff Cobb, the local lawman, Irving has Amanda arrested and put in jail. Amanda escapes with the help of a sympathetic deputy sheriff and runs away to Montana and the Gallagher Ranch. The Gallaghers shelter and protect Amanda from both a former wagon train companion who tried to rape her, and from Irving, as Irving and his gang search for her to get her to sign away her rights to her father’s (gold-veined) land in Iron City, and then to kill her. In particular, the Gallagher ranch foreman, Ben, takes a special interest in protecting Amanda and helping her in her efforts to clear her name and bring the real culprits to justice. The question is: will they succeed? Or will Amanda have to leave the Gallaghers, and Ben, to flee and hide once more?

Journey to Hawk's Peak by MK McClintock is one of the most gripping and thrilling western novels that anyone will ever read. Journey to Hawk's Peak will give readers such a thrilling adventure ride that they will have trouble putting it down. The novel is extremely well written, with smooth, excellent grammar that won’t get in readers’ way, and with a plot development that is logical and highly engaging. This is probably the best novel that I have yet read as a reviewer. It clicks on all cylinders--grammar, punctuation, plot, characterization, everything. This novel is a serious page-turner, and for fans of western fiction, it is a must-read.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Strong Ambitions: Emmett Strong Westerns, Book 3 is a Western novel written by G.P. Hutchinson. El Paso Marshal Emmett Strong was worried about his best friend, brother-in-law and the town’s deputy marshal, Juanito Galvez, and his wife’s welfare in town. Geneve Lambert Galvez had been a bar girl, and certain men in town persisted in harassing her whenever she went into town. Even being accompanied by Li, Strong’s wife, wasn’t sufficient enough of an inducement to keep them away -- and that was saying something. Li was not only an expert shooter, she had other defensive skills that made her a formidable adversary indeed. When their friend, Jack Van Dorn, mentioned that Benficklin, a small and thriving town, was in the market for a marshal, Strong thought that Benficklin might be the answer to Juanito and Geneve’s problems. It would be a fresh start for them. Then things got really complicated in El Paso, and both the Strongs and the Galvezes decided to leave town and head to Benficklin.

G.P. Hutchinson’s Western novel, Strong Ambitions: Emmett Strong Westerns, Book 3, is a fast-paced and exciting story about law and politics in the old West. I had not read the preceding books in this series, but found I had no problem getting involved in this story. Hutchinson’s characters are authentic and well-defined, and I appreciated his outlook on the politics, set ways and prejudices that afflicted even the early years of the Western expansion of this country. The author also weaves a compelling mystery into his story, and he presents the reader with a number of possible culprits to consider, making this an impressive historical mystery as well as a Western. Strong Ambitions: Emmett Strong Westerns, Book 3 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

Blood Moon: A Captive’s Tale by Ruth Hull Chatlien is a powerful tale. Part of the strength of this novel is the fact that it is based on a true story and Ruth Hull Chatlien tries her best to be true to that story. And I must say that her best is very good indeed. I have been a fan of Westerns since I was a small boy. My dad loved them too and some of my first and best memories of being together as father and son are of sitting in front of the TV together, watching Gunsmoke. But to be honest, I consider Blood Moon more of a historical novel than a Western. A good part of it, maybe the best part, is the depiction of Native American family life. The contrast between her own domestic situation and the situation she finds herself in as a captive is something I haven’t come across in many other novels.

The plot is authentic and compelling. This is partially due to being based on real events, but also due to the craftsmanship and sheer writing ability of Ruth Hull Chatlien. I like seeing Native Americans as people and not just the bad guys for the cavalry to kill or chase away. I like seeing them as strong, real characters instead of one dimensional stereotypes. Blood Moon is good. It goes beyond genre fiction into a more elevated style of writing. And yet those who love Westerns for whatever reason can still enjoy it too. Rich in detail, beautifully written, Blood Moon is a book any reader can enjoy and appreciate.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Western Song is a contemporary romance novel written by Leigh Podgorski. None of his closest friends had the slightest idea that Cody Goode was actually saving up to get married and had a bride travelling to meet him from across the world. Cody had been Weston Beaudurant’s best friend ever since their school days together, and Wes couldn’t help but blame himself for Cody’s death. Wes had ended up getting Baby Face as his bull in the Chesholm Brothers Rodeo, and anyone who knew anything hadn’t placed any bets on Wes winning over that ornery bull. Wes, as expected, only lasted a few seconds before landing hard on the packed dirt. Cody, dressed in his rodeo clown garb, was the first one out there to distract the angered bull. He had done this dozens of times before, but Baby Face was a different matter altogether. The angry bull rushed at Cody and tossed him in the air. Wes was horrified at seeing Cody’s lifeless body lying on the ground. When Wes and his friends opened Cody’s strongbox after his funeral, they couldn’t decide which was more surprising: the over $25 thousand dollars it contained or the fact that Cody’s bride was arriving that day by rail.

Leigh Podgorski’s contemporary romance novel, Western Song, is a sweet and moving romantic tale about a Thai mail-order bride and the taciturn bachelor rancher who gives her a home in honor of his dead friend. The author does a fabulous job of making her characters feel real and authentic, especially Wes and Song. Her plot keeps the tension between the two of them humming as Song adapts to her new culture and finds her purpose in life, and Wes deals with the guilt he feels over Cody’s death. I was particularly entranced by Podgorski’s nature descriptions and the way she made the Wild River area of Wyoming come to life so vividly. I loved seeing the seasons change and following Wes and the others as they work in and with their environment. And while Wyoming’s winters seemed harsh indeed, I finished the book having an enhanced appreciation for an outstanding natural environment in that state. Western Song is much more than a romance; it’s a modern day love story about Wyoming and the modern frontier. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

One Hell Of A Ride by Ju Ephraime is a western historical romance novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of mature young adults and adults who enjoy western romance and who do not mind explicit language and sexual situations. Cassie Sorrento’s life is turned upside down by a ruggedly handsome drifter by the name of Joe Cariello, who claims that he used to know her grandfather. Cassie Sorrento is skeptical of the drifter’s claim because of the age difference between her grandfather and Joe. When Joe Cariello saw Cassie standing at his old friend’s house and introduced himself, he had no idea that he would become the most likely suspect for a murder, nor that he would meet the one person who just might be able to cause him to put down roots.

One Hell Of A Ride by Ju Ephraime has a beautifully shadowed cover that hinted at a western mystery with some hot romance mixed in. I loved the realistic feel of the western setting in this book and Ju Ephraime clearly put a lot of effort into giving it an authentic western feel. The characters were all well developed with their own personalities, wants, and dislikes that made them feel like real people that could almost walk off the pages of the book. Joe Cariello became my favorite character because of how much he came to care for Cassie; I loved the way he wanted to work with Cassie to find out the truth. The interaction between the two of them clearly showed the building attraction and the hope Joe began to have of staying with Cassie. I have to say that I would love to see more of Joe and Cassie in the future!

Reviewed by Nina T. Newland for Readers' Favorite

Hour Glass takes us back to an era when a man’s word was his bond. A time when great deals were made and honored with a handshake, when life expectancy was short and every man had a pistol on his hip. Although the dangers of living in this period in history and the conflicts with the Native American suppression and the treatment of women are incorporated, the book touches on numerous factual historical issues in a fantasy setting, not intended to be historically accurate. The story introduces 12-year-old Jimmy Glass, who is faced with some real life challenges and having to choose between one bad decision over a far worse one. He is enabled by the most unseemly characters, catapulting him and his sister to their next steps in life.

Hour Glass by Michelle Rene is a well-written tale, depicting alternate aspects of Calamity Jane’s life and the events surrounding it. In classic Western style, the story takes place in a popular, but tiny mining town in South Dakota. In a story littered with realistic and relatable characters, as well as aspects of America’s history, you’ll have a plethora of characters to love or hate. Hour Glass is sprinkled with metaphors and old time sayings that reminded me of my many elderly relatives. I found it quite comical and refreshing. I particularly liked the thought: "The birds had the audacity to sing." (Which I believe sets the stage for this novel). They do tend to do just that, totally oblivious to our grief. I really enjoyed reading this book with my 14-year-old daughter. It is a very interesting story. I would highly recommend this book for all to read. I could read it again and again.

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

What happens when you are rumored to be the fastest gun in the West? How far will you go to protect your family? The Fastest Gun Around by Tell Cotten is the exciting ninth book in The Landon Saga. Rondo Landon is known far and wide for his fast gun hand. He and his friend, Lee Mattingly, have just come back from successfully rescuing his new wife, Rachel, and Lee's girlfriend, April, after they were abducted by a group of Apaches. Rondo has a promising job lined up in Midway, Texas and life will soon be normal again, or will it? When Rondo finds out that his friend Ross, his replacement as Sheriff has been ambushed and shot, he is ready to hunt down the men that nearly killed him. Only, Rachel makes him promise not to go after them. When Rondo discovers that the men are looking for him, he has more to worry about than just himself, but also his family. Things become dire when Rondo learns that his friends, Lee and Brian, are being implicated in a crime. He is the only one that believes them. Can Rondo get around his promise to Rachel? Will he be able to help keep his innocent friends from being hanged?

The Fastest Gun Around by Tell Cotten is a thrilling western novel set in a small Texan town when most laws were what the townspeople made them. The author did an excellent job at keeping everything to the Old West. Although this is the ninth book in the saga, I had no problem jumping in and falling in love with the characters and story, which drew me right in. I LOVED it! It was so beautifully formatted and edited. This book was both a fun and easy read. I found this book to be the perfect story to read at the end of a hectic day and get lost in; it rivals a Zane Grey novel. I would recommend this book to those readers that like a good western, a great story, and easily relatable characters.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Maynwarings by Digger Cartwright is everything a western novel should be and so much more. The Maynwarings are an influential family living in Carson City, Nevada, shortly after the Civil War during the time of reconstruction. Barron is the head of the family as well as the State Senator, dividing his time between Washington, D.C. and his Greenbrier spread, the largest cattle ranch in the area. Carson City is a typical western town until they suddenly begin having all sorts of trouble. There is a hanging, cattle rustling, unexplained killings, sick cattle and mass confusion. There is also a newcomer in town, Gideon Van Thorn. The Maynwarings are slowly able to connect the dots and blame all of the trouble on Thorn and his unruly group of men.

The Maynwarings is 428 pages long and the action is continuous on all of the pages, in each paragraph and in every sentence. Digger Cartwright has written a western story that not only tells the story of the old wild west cowboys and ranchers of early Nevada days, but there is also politics, family, drama, suspense and mystery to keep you reading well into the middle of the night. I found myself looking at the Maynwaring family as old friends. I hurt for their pains, cheered for their joys, and booed the bad guys. The Maynwarings would be such a great movie; I even have a cast of Hollywood stars picked out for them. This is a must-read book; I know you will not be able to put it down until you reach the unexpected ending.