Reprise Review: The Last Three Miles by Kathleen Rice Adams

 Genre: Western/Historical/Romance

Description:

“When an accident leaves Hamilton Hollister convinced he’ll never be more than half a man, he abandons construction of a railway spur his lumber mill needs to survive.

Believing no woman shackled by social convention can be complete, railroad heiress Katherine Brashear refuses to let the nearly-finished track die. The magic of Christmas in a small Texas town may help them bridge the distance…if they follow their hearts down The Last Three Miles.”

Author:

Kathleen Rice Adams: “Descended from a long line of Texas ranchers, preachers, and teachers on one side and Kentucky horse thieves and moonshiners on the other, award-winning author Kathleen Rice Adams had no choice but to become an outlaw. Maybe that's why in her stories, even the good guys wear black hats.

For the past thirty years, she's stayed two steps ahead of a lynch mob as an award-winning journalist. She also has ghost-written or edited several nonfiction books.

A Texan to the bone, when Kathleen's not being a nuisance she bows to the whims of the Hole in the Web Gang -- a herd of tiny but enthusiastic outlaws with four legs.”

For more information please visit Ms. Adams’ website.

Appraisal:

After a railway construction accident that leaves Hamilton Hollister in a wheelchair, possibly for the rest of his life, Ham is ready to give up his legacy. With only ten more miles of track to be laid, Dr. Oliver Madsen refuses to let Hamilton wallow in self-pity. Without the completion of the railway spur Hollister Lumber, as well as the small town of Hollister, Texas, will be doomed. It’s easy to understand why Hamilton deems the railway project too dangerous to complete; the accident has left him scarred physically and emotionally.

Enter K.M. Brashear, railroad heiress from New York, who along with Oliver refuses to let the nearly finished track die. Katherine is not your everyday delicate heiress, she is intelligent and capable enough to handle the job. Hamilton is quick to dismiss her and order her back to New York. However, she is on a mission to prove to her father she is as competent as any of her brothers. With Oliver’s help Katherine takes command of finishing the railway and overseeing the lumber mill. Katherine defies the social norms for women of her station and does her best to win the respect of the employees in her determination to finish the railroad by the deadline. But her methods could cost her everything she comes to care about.

I found the story-line realistic and well-paced. The characters are well drawn with distinct personalities. Their banter and dialogue is also believable and engaging. I had to chuckle when Hamilton had to admit he had been out-stubborned by Katherine’s progressive attitude. The twist near the end was shocking but conceivable and heart wrenching. I found myself captivated by this novelette as Hamilton realizes he has met his match in more ways than one.??

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

This is a steamy read but not inappropriate.

Original review posted September 12, 2016

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 11-12,000 words

Reprise Review: The Second-Best Ranger in Texas by Kathleen Rice Adams

 

Genre: Western/Romance/Historical/Short Story

Description:

“His partner’s grisly death destroyed Texas Ranger Quinn Barclay. Cashiered for drunkenness and refusal to follow orders, he sets out to fulfill his partner’s dying request, armed only with a saloon girl’s name.

Sister María Tomás thought she wanted to become a nun, but five years as a postulant have convinced her childhood dreams aren’t always meant to be. At last ready to relinquish the temporary vows she never should have made, she begs the only man she trusts to collect her from a mission in the middle of nowhere.

When the ex-Ranger’s quest collides with the ex-nun’s plea in a burned-out border town, unexpected love blooms among shared memories of the dead man who was a brother to them both.

Too bad he was also the only man who could have warned them about the carnage to come.”

Author:

Kathleen Rice Adams: “Descended from a long line of Texas ranchers, preachers, and teachers on one side and Kentucky horse thieves and moonshiners on the other, award-winning author Kathleen Rice Adams had no choice but to become an outlaw. Maybe that's why in her stories, even the good guys wear black hats.

For the past thirty years, she's stayed two steps ahead of a lynch mob as an award-winning journalist. She also has ghost-written or edited several nonfiction books.

A Texan to the bone, when Kathleen's not being a nuisance she bows to the whims of the Hole in the Web Gang -- a herd of tiny but enthusiastic outlaws with four legs.”

For more please visit Ms. Adams’ website.

Appraisal:

I enjoy a little cowboy action occasionally. The Second-Best Ranger in Texas filled the bill nicely. The characters are well developed and realistic. Quinn is trying to deal with his best friend’s death through whisky. After losing his position as a Texas Ranger, Quinn is now on a mission to carry out the promise to his dying friend. The message is cryptic; all he has is the first name of a woman and the name of the town to find her.

Upon arriving in San Miguel all Quinn finds is a burned up town with only two buildings remaining: the saloon, thank God, and a mission at the edge of town. The mission houses a few nuns, orphans, and injured survivors. Quinn figures if Dulce had ever been in San Miguel it is likely she disappeared with everyone else when the town burned to the ground.

The story unfolds at a nice pace as Quinn does all he can to assist the nuns by burying their dead and helping them relocate to another mission. Ms. Adams does an excellent job capturing the flavor of the town and the essence of her characters with her excellent prose. The characters practically walk off the page and into your heart. This includes Quinn’s horse, Bulls-eye. I can highly recommend this novelette for a quick pick-me-up read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Second-Best Ranger in Texas was the winner of the 2015 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker best short fiction award.

Original review posted August 31, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words

Reprise Review: Finding Travis by Melissa Bowersock

 

Genre: Western/Historical Fiction/Time Travel

Description:

“Travis Merrill’s life isn’t going according to plan. He’s quit several career paths, his wife has left him, and his only solace is volunteering to portray a cavalry surgeon at historic Fort Verde in Arizona, a place where time seems to stand still. When a weird trick of time actually sends him back to the year 1877, he’s boxed into impersonating the post surgeon for real. Unfortunately, he finds his medical knowledge is no match for the primitive practices of the day, and he’s forced to make life or death decisions, not always successfully. He wonders if he will ever be able to return to his own time, or if he might find a life—and a love—140 years in the past.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic author who writes in a variety of genres: action/adventure, paranormal, biography, fantasy, romance, spiritual and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published, and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. For more information, visit her website.”

Appraisal:

Finding Travis is hard to nail down genre-wise. The setting, in both time and place, fits for a Western. But the story isn't what you'd expect (or at least what I would expect) from that genre. It isn't a romance, although there is a romance story line that is a major part of the tale. Is isn't science fiction, but time travel is the premise that sets up the story. The best way to view the book is probably as historical fiction with a twist or two.

One of the things that I like about historical fiction is considering the way the world has changed in the interim. Comparing how the characters react to the situations they encounter to current day norms. Determining what those norms are and trying to conform to them in order to fit in is one of the things our protagonist Travis does. Or at least tries to do. It's tough enough for Travis to have to fake being a surgeon, but working around the differences due to time travel make it that much more difficult. This was an enjoyable kickoff to this new series. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here. 

Buy now from:    Kindle US     Kindle UK

FYI:

Original review posted July 20, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars 

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Review: Legend by DV Berkom

 

Genre: Historical/Western

Description:

“In the aftermath of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Claire accepts a job transporting a convicted murderer to prison. But Harry, the bounty hunter who captured the outlaw, is none too pleased to be sharing the reward—and trusting a woman to have his back.

Will Claire and Harry settle their differences and work together to deliver their captive to justice? Or will the murderer kill again to escape the noose?”

Author:

“DV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.”

Appraisal:

This third volume appears to be the final installment of this series, taking the tale of Claire Whitcomb from the murder of her family in the first to what I’ll describe as her new normal by the end of this book, with plenty of excitement in between. Most of the story in this book involves assisting Harry, a bounty hunter, in transporting a prisoner to prison. Harry isn’t very pleased to have Claire foisted on him as an assistant and, at least at first, he doesn’t realize that she isn’t a man, nor does the prisoner. This was a fun read, both wondering how things were going to be complicated if Harry or the prisoner realized Claire wasn’t a guy, and anticipating complications were going to come getting the prisoner to prison (otherwise where was the conflict going to be?) and wondering how that was going to shake out. What, if anything, happens on both these fronts is something you’ll have to find out on your own. Maybe I got surprised. Regardless, I enjoyed the read which kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat throughout.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Book 3 of the series. While I think the book could be read as a standalone, knowing all that led to this point would help get even more from the book.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on an advance copy and I’m unable to gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 35-40,000 words

Review: Gunslinger by DV Berkom

 

Genre: Historical/Western

Description:

“After losing her family to renegade outlaws, Claire Whitcomb leaves Leadville, Colorado, headed for Tombstone. Armed with a Peacemaker, a rifle, and a letter of introduction to Wyatt Earp, Claire seeks a new life and new career in the Town Too Tough To Die.”

Author:

“DV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.”

Appraisal:

In the first installment of this series the protagonist, Claire Whitcomb, lost her family, saw that the culprits paid an appropriate price, and as part of that process developed some new skills. The title of this second installment of the series should be a good hint as to what those skills are. In this book Claire meets and befriends a few well-known characters from the old west, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holladay being the biggest names, puts her new skills to use a time or two. I didn’t find the “what’s going to happen” aspect as strong in this volume as the first installment, but enjoyed watching Claire grow into someone to be reckoned with. If you’re a fan of the old west and westerns in general, this is definitely for you.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Book 2 of the series. While I think the book could be read as a standalone, knowing all that led to this point would help get even more from the book.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on an advance copy and I’m unable to gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: Retribution by D.V. Berkom

 

Genre: Thriller/Historical/Western

Description:

“Spring 1880: Claire Whitcomb and her family are building a good life near the boomtown of Leadville, Colorado, when tragedy strikes: a group of renegades attack, killing everyone but Claire and burning their home. Not knowing who to turn to, Claire teams up with Mart Duggan, the town’s tough-as-nails marshal, to track down the outlaws responsible. Duggan and his friend, Thomas, a local Ute, skirt the law to get results, but that’s fine by Claire.

She’s gunning for the men who destroyed her life—and won’t settle for anything less than retribution.”

Author:

“DV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.”

Appraisal:

As DV Berkom’s bio states, she writes books featuring kick-ass females as the lead character. This book is the first of a new series featuring Claire Whitcomb. She definitely fits that pattern, in that she can figuratively apply the foot where it needs to go. But she’s also different than Leine Basso and Kate Jones, the stars of Berkom’s two series prior to this, in a couple ways. The most obvious one is that rather than happening in contemporary times Claire is operating a few years prior to Kate and Leine, in the 1880s to be exact. That difference in time and place is the most obvious difference, but if you’re a fan of Berkom’s other books, you’ll spot other differences as well.

This story is intense, with the reader pulling for Claire to not only avenge the death of her children for reasons of justice, but also to protect herself from shouldering the blame and to position her to be able to move on with life as much a possible. Claire is an extremely likeable character. I don’t read a lot of historical books, especially westerns, but find that I enjoy them when I do. That was the case with this as well. While this story comes to a clean end, it ends with you wanting to continue finding out what happens to Claire next, and there are at least two other books that are scheduled to follow this in the series, possibly more.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

This is the first book in the series.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 20-25,000 words

Review: Barclay: Bachelors & Babies by Charlene Raddon

 

Genre: Sweet Romance/Western/Historical

Description:

“No bachelor could be prepared for what happens to the Givens brothers one stormy night in 1876. Finding a pregnant woman on their road, they take her in. Before they can learn anything about her, she gives birth to triplets and disappears. Luckily, the doctor supplies a much-needed wet-nurse— Cynara, a recent widow who lost her baby. Her sad eyes and gentle acceptance awaken something in Barclay's staid soul. But she's not ready for a new man in her life. She'll stay at the ranch and tend the babies, but that's all.

Meanwhile, where is the babies' real mother? Who and where is the father? And what will become of these helpless infants?”

Author:

“Charlene Raddon fell in love with the wild west as a child, listening to western music with her dad and sitting in his lap while he read Zane Gray’s books. She never intended to become a writer. Charlene was an artist. She majored in fine arts in college.

In 1971, she moved to Utah, excited for the opportunity to paint landscapes. Then her sister introduced her to romance novels. She never picked up a paintbrush again… Instead of painting pictures with a brush, Charlene uses words.”

For more information about Ms. Raddon feel free to visit her website.

Appraisal:

Bachelors & Babies is a multi-author endeavor. Barclay is the oldest of three Givens brothers running the family ranch, and the first of Ms. Raddon’s contributions to the series. Each brother gets his own book, and I think Barclay sets a nice foundation for the other two brother’s stories. However, the last thing this ranch needs are more babies.

The prolog to this story is tragic and heartbreaking. Cynara Stratton is a young widow who has lost everything and most recently her own baby.

The story proper starts one stormy night when the Givens brothers take in a pregnant woman coming up their road to the ranch house. Cold, wet, obviously abused, and in the early stages of labor she is seeking sanctuary for the night. She warily accepts their help, but refuses to even give them her name or where she is from. The brothers are flying blind having only birthed calves. After the baby is born they think they are home free, however the mother doesn’t even want to look at him or hold him. Then the labor pains start again. Doc has been sent for, but is delayed because of the storm and the flooded creek. By the time he arrives a third baby has been born. Since the baby momma won’t give the men even her name they call her Minnie (no relation to the mouse). Doc gives the babies a clean bill of health, despite their small size, and tells Minnie to rest and stay in bed for a few days. However, by the next morning she has run off leaving the babies behind.

Doc brings Cynara to the Givens ranch to be a wet nurse for the premature triplets hoping it will help heal the hole in her soul. She blends in well with the men knowing this is just a temporary situation, but can’t help loving each of the babies. I thought it was endearing how each brother claimed and named a baby. The plot twists and turns as other secondary characters are brought into the story. It’s a rollercoaster ride running the ranch and dealing with more personal attacks. Barclay’s life is turned upside down and inside out as tension builds in the last few chapters for an explosive turn of events.

I found Barclay and Cynara’s journey quite satisfying, and I was glad when Barclay finally found the right words he meant to convey to Cynara. This was a fun adventure into the wild west of Montana.  

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Barclay is book 4 in the Bachelors and Babies Books.

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of proofing issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Cold, Cold Water by Marie S. Crosswell

Genre: Dystopian/Western

Description:

“In a lawless American West transformed by the Second Civil War, part-time bounty huntresses Ramona del Toro and Jo Lilly take a job: find and capture a mysterious woman named Cottonmouth, accused of murdering an innocent man. As they track her through northern Arizona, southern Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, Ramona and Jo encounter colorful people who can only point them in Cottonmouth’s direction. When Jo and Ramona finally catch up to Cottonmouth, she reveals the truth. Will the bounty huntresses join their target or trade her for a bag of cash?”

Author:

A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in upstate New York, Marie Crosswell now makes her home in the American West where she writes fiction of varying lengths and genres. She also writes poetry that, thus far, she’s been keeping mostly to herself.

For more, visit Crosswell’s website.

Appraisal:

This story takes place a few years from now, in 2043. But in those few short years things have happened that have changed the world in ways both obvious and subtle. The most obvious is that the Second Civil War in the US is now over. You didn’t even realize it was going to happen? Sorry for the spoiler. It’s now over and one of the results is that law enforcement is spotty, so people have had to take over enforcing social norms themselves. This has meant the rise of bounty hunters like Ramona and Jo, the main characters of our story, who for a price will track down wrongdoers, possibly bringing them back to the person who hired them so the client can exact whatever punishment they see fit.

I wasn’t sure what I’d think of this genre, described as “Western Dystopian,” which is just like what it sounds like. It’s dystopian, in that it happens in a future world that has changed in ways that aren’t so good. But it’s Western, in that in the largely rural area of the western US where this story takes place, things are lawless, with the fastest gun being the ultimate authority.

I not only enjoyed the basic story, but was drawn into it even more by the creative and different aspects to the characters and the story world. Not just the unique combination of dystopian and western genres, but also the non-traditional sexuality of the main characters. Overall this made for a quick, entertaining, and often thought-provoking read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: A Ton of Gold by James R Callan

Genre: Thriller/Western

Description:

"A 178 year-old folktale causes murder, kidnapping, and arson in 2012 Texas. A contemporary suspense novel, in which Crystal Moore, a young computer scientist, is dragged into danger when thugs set out to kill her only living relative, the 76 year-old grandmother who raised her. Crystal has no idea who would want to harm her grandmother, or why. In the midst of murder, arson, and kidnapping, the man who nearly destroyed Crystal emotionally is coming back. This time, he can ruin her career. She will need all the help she can get from a former bull rider, her street-wise housemate, and her feisty, straight talking grandmother."

Author:

"After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing. He has had four non-fiction books published. He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mystery/suspense. His eleventh book is scheduled to be published in 2016."

James also presents workshops in the U.S. and in Mexico on various aspects of the writing craft.

For more information visit the author's page on Amazon. 

Appraisal:

This book is more remarkable for its characters than its plot - but that is pretty good too. It's a thriller with plenty of humour:

“I'm not sure how hard to hit you. But you can help me. You keep making noises and I'll hit you a bit harder each time. You stop making noises when I hit you hard enough. Ok? Shall we start?”

The prologue sets the scene in Texas where a ton of gold is tipped into a lake and a small boy is taken by Indians. Nearly 200 years later we meet Crystal who works for a data recovery firm. When her beloved grandmother, Eula, says that someone is trying to kill her the story takes off. Is the lost gold deep in a lake on Eula's land? There are those who think so and they won't hesitate to commit arson or murder in their pursuit of the treasure.

Crystal is the main character, clever and aware of her abilities. However, she lacks the strength to assert herself in the face of opposition from those who are older and more experienced than herself, especially her old college tutor, Dr Krupe. He lurks in her memory, making her feel incompetent and it is very interesting to watch her develop throughout the book into a courageous, resourceful woman. The other characters hold good too: Mark, her boss who used to be a bull-rider in rodeos; Brandi, her colourful, supportive flat-mate; and of course, Eula, her capable, undefeated grandmother.

The story is well paced, with tension maintained throughout and it is especially good near the end:

He pictured the target moving as he twirled the rope. Even in the dark, his mind locked on the man as the rope picked up speed. Without consciously thinking about it, he let the hemp glide through his hand. One second, two seconds, and he pulled it back.

About half way through the story the policeman, Tom, with Crystal and Mark, sets out the facts as they know them and pulls in all the strands of information. This is very helpful to the reader who gets a breathing space from tension and a chance for a clear look at the mystery before moving forward again.

The dialogue flows easily and entertains:

"Sounds like you're luckier'n a three-legged chicken. You get a good look-see?"

The sense of place is strong; the dialogue makes it real and you can feel the heat and smell the dust. There is a great sense of peace around the lake on Eula's land, the marshy shallows, the deep blue of water and sky, the slopes green with pine trees. And then a contrast of dark, smoke-filled bars and predatory cowboys:

A young man, a big hole in the seat of his jeans, shirt unbuttoned and hanging open to reveal a mass of dark hair, sat on the corner of their table . . .

On the negative side - the character, Phil, is a bit of a distraction. He adds nothing to the story; his only purpose is to echo Crystal's situation with Dr Krupe which is unnecessary.

Altogether, this book is both exciting and fun with a very satisfactory ending - including just a hint of romance. It is the first of a series, with the second one published already. Readers will be delighted to begin another mystery and it will be so interesting to see how these, now familiar, characters develop . . .

Buy now from:    Amazon US   Amazon UK

FYI:

Some mild violence

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: Joan Slowey

Approximate word count: 90-95,000 words

The Second-Best Ranger in Texas by Kathleen Rice Adams @DisorderlyWords

Genre: Western/Romance/Historical

Description:

“His partner’s grisly death destroyed Texas Ranger Quinn Barclay. Cashiered for drunkenness and refusal to follow orders, he sets out to fulfill his partner’s dying request, armed only with a saloon girl’s name.

Sister María Tomás thought she wanted to become a nun, but five years as a postulant have convinced her childhood dreams aren’t always meant to be. At last ready to relinquish the temporary vows she never should have made, she begs the only man she trusts to collect her from a mission in the middle of nowhere.

When the ex-Ranger’s quest collides with the ex-nun’s plea in a burned-out border town, unexpected love blooms among shared memories of the dead man who was a brother to them both.

Too bad he was also the only man who could have warned them about the carnage to come.”

Author:

Kathleen Rice Adams: “Descended from a long line of Texas ranchers, preachers, and teachers on one side and Kentucky horse thieves and moonshiners on the other, award-winning author Kathleen Rice Adams had no choice but to become an outlaw. Maybe that's why in her stories, even the good guys wear black hats.

For the past thirty years, she's stayed two steps ahead of a lynch mob as an award-winning journalist. She also has ghost-written or edited several nonfiction books.

A Texan to the bone, when Kathleen's not being a nuisance she bows to the whims of the Hole in the Web Gang -- a herd of tiny but enthusiastic outlaws with four legs.”

For more please visit Ms. Adams’ website.

Appraisal:

I enjoy a little cowboy action occasionally. The Second-Best Ranger in Texas filled the bill nicely. The characters are well developed and realistic. Quinn is trying to deal with his best friend’s death through whisky. After losing his position as a Texas Ranger, Quinn is now on a mission to carry out the promise to his dying friend. The message is cryptic; all he has is the first name of a woman and the name of the town to find her.

Upon arriving in San Miguel all Quinn finds is a burned up town with only two buildings remaining: the saloon, thank God, and a mission at the edge of town. The mission houses a few nuns, orphans, and injured survivors. Quinn figures if Dulce had ever been in San Miguel it is likely she disappeared with everyone else when the town burned to the ground.

The story unfolds at a nice pace as Quinn does all he can to assist the nuns by burying their dead and helping them relocate to another mission. Ms. Adams does an excellent job capturing the flavor of the town and the essence of her characters with her excellent prose. The characters practically walk off the page and into your heart. This includes Quinn’s horse, Bulls-eye. I can highly recommend this novelette for a quick pick-me-up read.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

The Second-Best Ranger in Texas was the winner of the 2015 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker best short fiction award.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words

Finding Travis by @MJBowersock #Kindle

Genre: Western/Historical Fiction/Time Travel

Description:

“Travis Merrill’s life isn’t going according to plan. He’s quit several career paths, his wife has left him, and his only solace is volunteering to portray a cavalry surgeon at historic Fort Verde in Arizona, a place where time seems to stand still. When a weird trick of time actually sends him back to the year 1877, he’s boxed into impersonating the post surgeon for real. Unfortunately, he finds his medical knowledge is no match for the primitive practices of the day, and he’s forced to make life or death decisions, not always successfully. He wonders if he will ever be able to return to his own time, or if he might find a life—and a love—140 years in the past.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic author who writes in a variety of genres: action/adventure, paranormal, biography, fantasy, romance, spiritual and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published, and is a regular contributor to the superblog IndiesUnlimited. For more information, visit her website.”

Appraisal:

Finding Travis is hard to nail down genre-wise. The setting, in both time and place, fits for a Western. But the story isn't what you'd expect (or at least what I would expect) from that genre. It isn't a romance, although there is a romance story line that is a major part of the tale. Is isn't science fiction, but time travel is the premise that sets up the story. The best way to view the book is probably as historical fiction with a twist or two.

One of the things that I like about historical fiction is considering the way the world has changed in the interim. Comparing how the characters react to the situations they encounter to current day norms. Determining what those norms are and trying to conform to them in order to fit in is one of the things our protagonist Travis does. Or at least tries to do. It's tough enough for Travis to have to fake being a surgeon, but working around the differences due to time travel make it that much more difficult. This was an enjoyable kickoff to this new series. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.

Buy now from:    Kindle US     Kindle UK     Paperback

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

How the West was Weird / Various

Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Western/Science Fiction/Paranormal/Short Story

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Availability
Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: YES Smashwords: YES Paper: YES
Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Multiple authors: Joshua Reynolds, Joel Jenkins, Ian Taylor, Thomas Deja, Mike McGee, Barry Reese, Ian Mileham, Derrick Ferguson, and Bill Kte’pi each contributed a story.

Description:

“Nine original tales of the weird, Wild West.”

Appraisal:

Although one of the stories is futuristic and set in space instead of the historical Wild West, the environment is still not unlike the old west (it does deal with rustlers). Most of these stories are set in the old west and are at least marginally in the western genre. However, each has something more, whether a paranormal twist (vampires and zombies make appearances) or a supernatural element of some kind. None of them is going to be mistaken for Zane Grey.

Although it has been several decades since I last read something in the Western genre and many would claim the genre is dead (despite John Locke’s Emmett Love Western series proving there is a market among Kindle readers), I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. As you can expect with an anthology, some of the stories resonated more than others, but the strange genre blending was weird in a way I liked. If you like westerns or paranormal, taking a walk on the weird side should feed your normal craving while adding a little of that spice that some call variety.

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues. 

Rating: **** Four stars