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 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 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.

Reviewed by Melissa Tanaka for Readers' Favorite

I have a strong love for historical fiction, especially when the story is based on true events, and so I was incredibly excited to read Clevenger Gold by S.E. Swapp, which is based on the 1886 murder of Samuel and Charlotte Clevenger. After selling their property and exchanging their life savings into gold bullion, the Clevenger family moved north with nearly $6,000 in American gold eagles, an estimated $1 million in today’s value. Two men named John Johnson and Frank Willson are hired to drive Clevenger’s team as they move to Washington, and they quickly become the center point of the novel.

As the story progresses, it skips around from different times, locations, and perspectives, offering readers insight into the lives of various characters and providing further motivation for their actions. I was incredibly surprised to find out that the reason for Sam and Charlotte’s murder was not primarily for their money, but rather for something else, and it has inspired me to look into history books to determine what exactly within the story is fact and what is fiction!

Clevenger Gold easily captures your attention from the very beginning, with suspense, high stakes, and of course, murder. Swapp has clearly done extensive research, as the basic facts of the story are all true, including the Clevenger’s legacy of golden treasure. Clevenger Gold strikes a chord in the adventurer in us all, leaving readers to wonder about the possibility of the unclaimed treasure and perhaps inspire some to go out and search for it themselves. I really enjoyed reading this book!

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Warpath by Tell Cotten is book 8 in the gripping series of The Landon Saga, a series I regret discovering very late. I picked up this book because it seemed to be the best book for review at this point, but then it seduced me, making me want to read the previous books in the series. This part of the series deals with a compelling conflict: the protagonist’s wife has been kidnapped during an Indian raid, and he sets out to find her and bring her home. How he does it is the thrill in this breathtaking read.

Warpath makes me think about the Viking series that has captivated millions and, as I read through, I couldn’t help but think that it would be great material for motion pictures. Tell Cotten creates powerful characters and a beautiful setting featuring bloodthirsty warlords, a complex culture, and a unique kind of justice in that unique setting. The subplots and backstory complement the already compelling and fast-paced plot, making it undeniably arresting. Landon, Mattingly, and others are characters from a world readers are faintly familiar with, but they are convincingly portrayed and hard to ignore. The writing is excellent and it flows with confidence.

Apart from the engaging plot, readers are introduced to a powerful conflict, but the players in this intense drama are what will be memorable to most of them. Tell Cotten is a master in the art of storytelling and plot, and his work will highly entertain readers. Laced with exciting action, this one is a page-turner.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Law of Moses by Kwen D. Griffeth introduces us to young Sam Cardiff. When Sam arrives in his small home town in upstate New York, after two years away at Teacher’s College, he has his future life all planned and in front of him. He plans to marry the girl he’s sweet on, settle down, and have children while practicing his profession. Opposed to the Civil War that has broken out between the States, Sam has absolutely no intention of becoming involved. When his younger brother, Luke, joins the Union Army, Sam’s mother begs him to go with Luke and keep an eye on his brother. After a series of personal tragedies, we flash forward to the new iteration of Sam Cardiff, who now calls himself Sam Moses. He has spent over twenty years as a tough, no-nonsense gunslinger and occasional Marshall in many western towns. A bad-tempered loner who seems to have a death wish, can Sam’s heart of stone can be melted by the people of the small town where he is now Marshall?

I loved this story of an upright man of honour, with a past that continually weighed him down. Sam Moses was a complex character and was beautifully presented by Griffeth. The writing in The Law of Moses was simple and uncomplicated, which was more than could be said for the characters within the story. I’m not usually a reader of westerns, but this book has changed my mind somewhat. I found myself drawn to the irascible Sam and his unintentional good heart. Even when he wanted to be mean, he somehow found a way not to be so. This is the first in a series of books based on Sam and his love interest, Laura. The author has done a fantastic job of exciting me, as a reader, to want to find out what happens next in this story. An excellent read and one I enjoyed tremendously.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

A heartwarming, beautifully and simply told story, Jasper Spring by James T Hughes is as beguiling as it is inspiring, a story that captures the simple joys of a simple family. Meet Alice and Tucker, the stewards of Jasper Spring, whose only dream is to have as many children as they can and to keep the land that has been in their family for generations. But with two miscarriages and the hope of conceiving children ebbing, the passion between them ebbs slowly too. But things change when an unkempt boy, Ray, the son of a single mom, follows their collie, Tommie, and enters their life. Alice and Tucker see in young Ray the son they never had and develop a great fondness for him. But can their lives remain the same with numerous threats from outsiders on their land ownership? Can they can keep Jasper Spring safe?

This story took my breath away by its beauty and the way it is told. One experiences a sweetness, some kind of music in James T Hughes’ prose, and the way the writing mirrors the characters and the setting is fantastic. There is a striking balance between character, plot, and setting which adds to the overall entertainment. The scenes are beautifully described and the pace so well-measured that the reader will be engrossed in the story, delighting so much in the wonderful prose and the plot that they won’t notice when they are done. Jasper Spring is an exciting story about love and family and relationships, but it is mostly about a family’s roots and a place, a tantalizing story.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

They Rode Together: The Landon Saga, Book 7 is a historical western written by Tell Cotten. Sheriff Rondo Landon is losing his position in Empty-lake in light of his friendship with Lee Mattingly and failure to apprehend the gunfighter after his and Brian Clark's killing of Ike Nash, a corrupt landowner, and Ron Gallegan, a politician. Losing his position meant that Rondo and his wife, Rachel, would have to leave their house, which went along with the sheriff's position. The town council's actions were provoked by Rock Bullen, a bounty hunter known for taking no prisoners alive. Bullen's been hired by Ike's former right-hand man to capture Lee. Rachel and Rondo are heading out to J.T. Tussle's place. The cattle rancher had offered Rondo a job if he ever needed one, and this seems the perfect time to take him up on that offer.

Tell Cotten's historical western series, The Landon Saga, just keeps getting better. They Rode Together is the seventh book in the series, and it contains a rare look at the normally far-flung brothers mostly in one place. While this title can be read on its own, the author suggests beginning with the first book in the series, Confessions of a Gunfighter, and I would have to agree. This exciting and well-written family saga follows the Landons and gives the reader a marvelous and authentic feel for the history of the west. Each novel builds beautifully from its predecessors. I particularly enjoy the nature and outdoors writing that Cotten works so well into these books, and this book is no exception. They Rode Together is action-packed and exciting, and it's one of those reads that will keep you up at night wanting to find out what's happening next. It's most highly recommended.