Tag: Old West

Blog Tour and Book Review:

BonnieReadsAndWrites8 Comments

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In the unforgiving heart of the Old West, the peaceful lives of frontier settlers are in turmoil as the vengeful figure known as Shadow Hawk strikes under cover, spreading darkness.

His brutal campaign, marked by Bible verses foretelling divine retribution, leaves fear in his wake as he seeks to settle a long-buried score.

Amid the rising terror, Josh and Amy must face yet another ruthless threat—a relentless pursuer bent on taking Josh’s life. Their trials deepen when a devastating grasshopper swarm ravages their land, leaving their livelihood at stake.

Desperate to protect her family’s future, Amy pins her hopes on a legendary treasure—the fabled Jesuit gold, a prize that could pay for her younger brother’s education back East and provide for her ailing father. Together, Josh and Amy must conquer foes both human and natural to reclaim peace and secure a brighter future

BOOK REVIEW

This is the second book in the Devil’s Mountain Dames series.  It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with Book One for the full effect.. The setting, Devil’s Mountain, appears to be fictitious, and the book doesn’t really pin down its location, except it’s in the “Old West.” The exact year the book takes place is not specifically defined either, as far as I can tell, but it appears to have been fairly soon after the Civil War.

The main characters are easy to connect with, and the mysteries are compelling and certainly held my attention.  The author easily weaves significant events into the story–the Jesuit-connected treasure search, the Shadowhawk mystery, a devastating grasshopper plague, and more. The struggles of life on the frontier are definitely well portrayed, and I did feel transported there. The cast of characters at the Broken Horseshoe Ranch is a group of folks I would enjoy visiting again.  The villain is certainly worthy of the title, and surprises await.  I love seeing new series’ in the Western genre, and I recommend that readers check it out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janey Clarke writes charming, witty, cosy mysteries. From septuagenarian shenanigans in Cornwall to the intrigue of Regency-era whodunits and now to her newest venture into the rugged drama of the Wild West. When not plotting her next twist or researching historical details, she can be found exploring the stunning Jurassic Coast in Dorset with her loyal spaniel by her side. With a passion for tea, old books, and well-timed humour, Janey Clarke creates stories she hopes will whisk readers away to delightful worlds where solving a mystery is always the order of the day. And always solved by a feisty heroine! Visit her at http://www.janeyclarke.com to learn more about her books.

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Book Links

Goodreads | Purchase Link

Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours!

Book Review: Holliday by Matthew Di Paoli

BonnieReadsAndWrites6 Comments

**This is a review I did for the Historical Novel Society. Now that it’s been published on their website, I can post it.

In the 1880s, Doc Holliday has done it all—dentist, outlaw, gambler, and more. But now he’s called a “lunger,” a cruel term for someone with tuberculosis, and he has traveled west to seek out a drier climate. He’s also heard of a fountain of youth that will rid him of his disease, and thus he begins a life-or-death search for a miraculous cure that eventually takes him all over the West, with stops that often end in murder and mayhem.

Along for the ride is one of Doc’s loves, a prostitute, Kate. Wyatt Earp also makes frequent appearances. As the adventure continues, Doc flashes back to his past and nears the end of his life, all the while seeking out a miracle.

This is a very gritty and realistic portrayal of the life of Doc Holliday. The description of the seedy side of the West in the 1880s evokes vivid and lasting images that transport the reader to that time and place. Holliday’s personality comes alive, for example: “Doc revered impropriety in women, so long as they were not his women.” The author does not hold back on the description of Holliday’s life, illness, fame, and sometimes murderous ways, but still manages to show a bit of dignity in the man.

The bloody effects of tuberculosis and Doc’s deterioration are described in realistic detail. The rumored fountain of youth is always just out of his grasp, “a few towns over,” just as all legends are. The reader follows Doc’s journey throughout the West until his last stop, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and his final futile attempt to find that miraculous fountain. This book is recommended to anyone who is interested in Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, or realistic fiction about the Old West.

My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Di Paoli has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times. He has won the Wilbur and Niso Smith Adventure Writing Prize, The Prism Review, 2 Elizabeth’s, and Momoya Review short story contests. Matthew earned his MFA in fiction at Columbia University. He’s been published in Boulevard, Fjords, Post Road, and Cleaver among others. He is the author of Holliday and the upcoming Killstanbul with Sunbury Press.

WEBSITE

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | AMAZON UK