Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

J Bradley Van Tighem’s novel Puha, Master of the Wild, Volume 1, unravels in the late 1700s, when wolves, buffaloes, and grizzly bears freely wandered the southern plains of Texas. This was also the time when Comanche Indians roamed the land with their horses, spears, knives, bows and arrows, and puha or spiritual power. In this setting, a 12-year-old white boy, who will later earn the name Many Wolves, is adopted by Painted Wings and Red Arrow of the Lipan Comanche tribe. He is frequently bothered by memories of the murder of his real parents by men with painted faces. When his adopted tribe is attacked by the Nokoni Comanche, led by Laughing Crow, who wants to take him in exchange for peace, Many Wolves has to escape into the wilderness of the Texan desert and survive with the help of his animal friends. Laughing Crow is a cruel, ruthless, and powerful warrior while Many Wolves is a gangling little boy who has the gift of walking with the spirits of the animals. In the near future, the bloody paths of these two main protagonists will meet again.

Puha refers to an Indian word, which means spiritual power. This historical novel deals with the Comanche Indian tribe, America’s indigenous people who used to live freely and in harmony with nature. The author’s writing style is fast paced and descriptive. He is certainly able to capture the Comanche spirit. Feared by the colonizers and other Indian tribes, a Comanche warrior can ride his horse faster and farther than almost anyone, and is as skilled with his spears, bow and arrows, or bare hands. Puha, Masters of the Wild, is a well researched story that provides the reader with a lot of information about how the Comanches actually lived at that time. It is interesting to learn about their customs and traditions and their everyday life. The characters in this novel are so well developed and their adventures are described quite vividly that one can imagine how the great warrior Laughing Crow actually killed his enemies. Although it is hard to imagine the life and times of this Indian tribe in today’s modern world, J. Van Tighem succeeded in bringing them to life again in his reader’s imagination with this novel.

Reviewed by Michael McManus for Readers' Favorite

Captain Michael Cantrell of the Confederate Army leaves Virginia at the end of the Civil War, his entire life in shambles, his father and brother dead as a result of the war and his childhood home in ruins. His travels have taken him to the gold strike in Montana for a time, but are now carrying him back to his beloved South, his saddlebags full of gold and precious stones. Suddenly, he is sidetracked when he runs into an ambush in progress, where he saves the lives of a young woman and her even younger brother. He is critically injured by a rogue gunman. The target of the ambush is Annie Devlin, the owner of a small farm in Wind River Basin in Wyoming, a place surrounded by more raw beauty than Michael has ever seen. Annie nurses him back to health while trying to protect her land from being taken over by the evil Colonel Randolph, a land baron who wants to buy her out, the very man who hired the gunman to attack her. There is an immediate attraction between the rebel soldier and the beautiful young rancher, but those feelings have to be suppressed. There is no guarantee that Captain Cantrell will stick around.

Terms of Surrender is another beautifully crafted tale by Lorrie Farelly. This story, a mixture of passion and nail-biting suspense, will engage you and continue to hold on until you read the last page. Ms. Farrelly is an author who continues to come out with winners. I highly recommend Terms of Surrender to an audience who likes romantic fiction.

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

Settling an old score held Matthew Wilcox in a haunting grip that prevented him from love or finding peace in Deadman’s Lament. Linell Jeppsen unravels the story of a boy who lost his parents and his home at an early age and then found a new home and developed a strong bond with the daughter of the family that took him in. The French couple who had taken him in and loved him as their own were gunned down by a ruthless killer called Top Hat. His childhood sweetheart was stolen away by a Nez Perce chief who had been tracking down Top Hat and had run across the party and killed three men who had been decent to the young boy. Seeing strong medicine in the boy, Redbird let him live and Mattie continued forward, fighting to survive. Finally found by his uncle, Mattie grows to become Sheriff Matthew Wilcox and sets out on the trail to exact vengeance on Top Hat and put his haunting to rest.

Linell Jeppsen has followed along in the shadows of some of the great Western writers of the past and delivered a solid story in Deadman’s Lament. The classic themes of good overcoming evil and survival through enduring fortitude, as well as romance, are well formed in this action-filled story. Plenty of emotion and the sense of doing right draw the reader into a deep empathy with the hero and keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch the struggle unfold for a young man fighting overwhelming odds against a strong and cunning enemy. Full of action and tragedy, yet revealing the dogged fortitude of the western spirit, Deadman’s Lament will send you on a wild ride where guns are blazing and good men will stand straight and tall in the name of justice.

Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

The Whip by Karen Kondazian is a Western inspired by the true story of Charlotte “Charley” Parkhurst, an extraordinary woman who lived most of her life in the west as a man. In The Whip, Charley sets out West seeking revenge after falling in love with a runaway slave, then losing him and their family in a horrible way. Dressed as a man she's determined to track down the killer. Once out West, she becomes a stagecoach driver, “Whips”, and along the way to her revenge she kills a famous outlaw, becomes the first woman to vote, and has her housekeeper, unaware that she's a woman, fall in love with her. An extraordinary tale worthy of a movie, The Whip by Karen Kondazian is steeped in historical drama, action, and wonder.

Charley Parkhurst makes for a compelling main character, and especially since The Whip is inspired by a true story, it makes for a very compelling read. It was also very well researched (I loved all the historical tid-bits about piano legs, cat-hauling, and the stagecoach business itself), and Kondazian's novel unfolds cinematically; you can almost feel the sun's rays and smell the horse sweat. While the West has always provided a deep well of creative content, it is always the lesser known, but no less interesting stories that provide the most satisfaction. The Whip by Karen Kondazian is a truly fascinating novel of one woman's determination and grit in the heart of the Old West.

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

It is the end of the Civil War and Frank and Jesse James and Cole Younger weren't as well known as Bloody Bill Anderson and Quantrill, yet. Then there was Charles Longstreet who was friends with the James’ and Youngers’. This is his story about a battle in the town of Lone Jack and meeting up with Ned Buntline. Buntline writes a dime novel and Charles unwittingly becomes The Lone Jack Kid. But, the story doesn't stop there. After leaving the Army, Longstreet sets out to help his brother in Virginia City who is having a spot of trouble. It is a long trip and along the way, the legend of the Lone Jack Kid grows as Longstreet meets several gunmen out to make a name for them by challenging him. As his travels continue, he helps out a wagon train and saves a mother and daughter from a group of Indians. Finally arriving in Virginia City he finds out the trouble waiting there. So, knowing he needs help, he sends for his old war friends to aid in his little war. And that is just the beginning.

"The Adventures of the Lone Jack Kid" is a well-written story. The author’s imagination sets a true tale of adventure in a raw land, only beginning to recuperate from a long deadly war. I found myself liking the Kid from the beginning as he unknowingly becomes a true western hero. With swagger and guns blazing, the Kid is determined to do what he thinks best, or else . . . Well done.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

One Tin Cup by Bonnie Sinor is a wonderful story of believing in God, learning how to survive in the wilderness, family love, and friendship. One Tin Cup takes place in the mid 1800s when Matthew, Hannah, and their two children Darren and Kathleen leave their home in California and begin a journey by covered wagon to the Oregon Territory. All goes well until one day, as Matthew lies sick in the wagon and Hannah and the children are out picking berries, three young Indians come across the wagon and oxen. They steal the wagon loaded with provisions and bring it back to their reservation. When the Indians find Matthew is in the wagon, they tie him up and keep him as a prisoner for fear that if they let him go he will bring other white men to their camp.

Hannah, Darren, and Kat are devastated when they return with berries and find Matthew and the wagon gone. They quickly learn how hard it is to survive without anything but one tin cup. The cup becomes ever so important to them. It will be used to gather water from the river, pick berries and also for so many other tasks. The children pray to God and believe he is keeping them safe and watching over them, but Hannah is not so sure. And what has happened to matthew?

Bonnie Sinor has written One Tin Cup putting the reader alongside each of the characters. I felt as though I was pulling trees through the field, trying to fish in the stream, and sharing in the joys and troubles they faced every day. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone. It is a perfect read for those who believe in God and those who don’t, and those who like adventure, love, pioneer tales, survival, and Indians all combined in a well-written story.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

“Partners” by Dave McGowan transported me back to the year 1866. Unseen, I journeyed alongside Thomas Brash in his attempt to escape memories. He left behind his hundred acre farm, a teaching position, everything he once thought was important. After burying his wife and two children he just wanted to escape all that was familiar. All Tom wanted was to be alone. Along his tiresome journey he witnessed the cruel acts of two men and the bravery of a boy. Without thinking Tom stepped in to assist the boy, Frank Clement. Frank declared he would travel with Tom to protect him. At first it irritated Tom but he knew Frank was a better shot than he was and he had more “wilderness smarts.” Along their journey the pair met up with a group of Blackfoot hunters and were given the names Voice From Above and Quick Shot. After the buffalo hunt they were invited to join the tribe for a feast. Before the celebration was over there was trouble that led to a fight. Clyde and Sam joined Tom and Frank on their journey. What began as one man wanting to be alone turned to a strong friendship.

“Partners” is quite an adventure. Dave McGowan deftly combines action, adventure, history and a hint of romance to create a fascinating western. The plot moves along at a steady pace. I was particularly fond of Frank. He was a rather adorable boy: stubborn, strong willed, impulsive and compassionate, living on his own after losing his parents. Thomas was interesting: he was intelligent, compassionate and had a few surprises for Frank. Clyde and Sam are secondary characters but they add much to the plot. I was not fond of Alex; his reaction to Frank seemed cold. Dave McGowan appears to be knowledgeable concerning the customs of the Blackfoot Indians. Dave McGowan is a talented author. Fans of westerns need to make note of his name for they will want to follow all of his works.

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Henry James, also known as Hank, was twenty-one when he and his partner Harry Gilmore decided to homestead. Hank was actually looking for Sharon Dalton too, whom he had fallen hard for while they were living in Farwell, BC, where Hank had a successful freight business. When she abruptly left town Hank sold his business and followed her to Fort Calgary. As Hank staked a claim to their homesteads they learned that the Norfolk Cattle Company run by Portis Martin had been running rough shod over the homesteaders. When Portis tried his tactics with Hank he quickly learned that Hank wasn't your average "nester" when he refused to back down, but that didn't stop Martin and his employer from doing their best to get rid of Hank. Will Hank outwit his enemy, and even if he does, can his homestead survive the brutal winter conditions?

Mr. McGowan takes the reader back to the days when a man could claim a piece of land and if he became a successful homesteader he would soon own the land. What made this story unique for me is that I normally read these types of stories about America not Canada where "Homesteader" takes place. I found myself absorbed not only in the story, but the history lesson that I felt I was getting as the story unfolded. The plot never lags; instead it pulled me along making me wonder what might happen on the next page. Mr. McGowan skilfully crafts his words bringing to life the scenes he describes, and in several instances even allows the reader to feel the scenes he is describing, from the freezing cold of winter, to the fear and nervousness the "enemy" felt as they saw the Blackfoot warriors painted and ready for a fight. I also found myself laughing as I visualized a shocked cowboy trying to hang on for dear life when his horse is spooked. It was easy to see that the author really did his research with this story, from the range war to the way Hank and his two Blackfoot workers build the homestead. The details really make the story seem very realistic. I also found myself enjoying the secondary story of Hank and Sharon and couldn't help but wonder how that would turn out. Fans of historical fiction with an authentic feel that provides several twists, a bit of mystery, romance, and suspense, will certainly enjoy this story.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

It's the old West, Texas specifically, in those years right after the Civil War and notorious gunfighter Rondo Landon, or Joe Lenders as he often calls himself, sits in a jail cell in Midway, Texas. His cousin, Texas lawman Lt. Yancy Landon, and Judge Parker listen to Rondo tell of his years as an outlaw and a killer. Rondo was born in eastern Louisiana in 1851 and his father Noley served with the Confederacy. Reconstructionists claim Noley Landon's farm for back taxes and Noley, Uncle Elliot and Rondo head out West to Texas where Noley has been promised a job working on a ranch. They buy a covered wagon and some horses and meet up with a wagon train headed West. Something in Rondo does not like the man called Mr. Jones who is in charge of the last wagon in this wagon train. Noley and Elliot are killed by Comancheros and their covered wagon is looted. All Rondo has left is a small amount of money he recovers from a hiding place in the wagon and a six-shooter his father took from a dead Union soldier. Grieving and enraged, Rondo mounts his horse and takes off, coming upon a man sleeping peacefully on his bedroll. What role will this man, Ben Kinrich, play in Rondo's future and who exactly is Ben Kinrich?

"Confessions of a Gunfighter" by Tell Cotten is a delightfully well-written novel of Texas and the Western territories in those years right after the Civil War. The plot-line moves believably with "come alive" dialogue between characters who are multi-faceted and very believable. Main characters Rondo, Ben Kinrich and Lee Mattingly, as well as all the major and minor players develop as human beings, authentic in their not always perfect ways. "Confession of a Gunfighter" should be on reading lists everywhere as it is a story that must not be missed. There are books written that are so good that no word on any page can be skipped. "Confessions of a Gunfighter" is one of those special works.

Reviewed by Jean Hall for Readers' Favorite

A young man named Bent comes from the farm fields of Minnesota and he survives the bloody battle of Gettysburg. Union Private Bent Nyhavn is the moral center of this epic tale. Kregg P.J. Jorgenson in Clubs Are Trumps: The Road From Plum Run writes 288 pages of action, adventure, bawdy fun, and heartbreaking loss. The motto of the Union Army's Second Corps is "clubs are trumps," which urges victory or at least survival. The men want the advantage on the battlefield as well as at the card table. Civil War armaments, from the fiery hit of a musket ball to the stab of a bayonet, cause pain and destruction. The small, brown bottle of laudanum may numb the physical pain but it won't heal the mental scars. After many more army duties, Nyhavn rides West to scout for railroad surveying.

Nyhavn and all the men of the Second Corps have a story to tell through their life, death, or injury. They fight with a heroic advance after the Third Corps runs back to the creek called Plum Run. Clubs Are Trumps is full of military and tactical description. The sight, sound, and smell of battle is graphic and sickening at times. The young private Nyhavn reacts to this sickening chaos in a brave way. He is kind when he can be and he is brutal when he must be. Plum Run is also named Bloody Run as heavy rain mixed with soldiers' blood. The winding plot, intricate settings, and multiple main characters make this book a bold achievement.