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Category Archives: Westerns
Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse by Knott
As the newly appointed marshals (Hitch and Cole) on their first assignment involved escorting Mexican Prisoners by train to their new location.
Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse
By Robert Knott
Read By Titus Welliver
Putnam Adult | Random House Audio
January 2013
After the first “easy” assignment they find themselves in the presence of two beautiful women accompanied by there Father who is a successful politician. Things heat up when twenty armed gunmen take the train by storm. Hitch and Cole are now faced with the unexpected challenge of keeping the Governor and his family safe, as well as the $50,000 in cash the Governor is carrying safe. This turns out to be a true test of the duo’s skills, with a very polished ending.
I was excited when I first received “Ironhorese”, I had herd that the “Hitch/Cole” series by Robert B. Parker was amazing. Ironhorse had a decent story line, and was overall amusing. However I found that the story lacked creativity, and was a typical western involving two good guys that get to save the two beautiful damsels in distress, and of course there was a lot of money involved. I would have to say that I was disappointed after the amazing reviews I had seen on the Hitch/Cole series. But it was well written, and I am sure that the plot and character development would have made more sense had I read the series before starting this book. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
The book was not horrible but it was not exactly a Louis Lamour classic either.
Brian Trstenjak is a father of two, an avid reader, and fan of sci-fi, supernatural, and mystery novels. He attended Bible College, and is currently studying at Liberty University. You can follow Brian on twitter @briant1985.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Touching the Sky by Peterson
Laura Marquardt has a problem. She is drawn to the dashing Captain Brandon Reid. The only problem – he is a Yankee and she is every bit a southern belle fresh from the tragedy of the Civil War.
Touching the Sky
Land of the Lone Star 2
by Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
June 2012
She is deeply concerned that her young sister Carissa is being courted by Malcolm – an ex-
Confederate soldier. He seems too good to be true. Her parents are all for the marriage, but Laura has her suspicions. Laura wants to educate the freed slaves. This, of course, is a no-no. Who ever heard of such a thing. Her father and the town people are deadly against a young women dealing with the Negros.
After the marriage, Laura discovers her sister is being abused by her husband. She takes matters into her own hands and brings Carissa to her parents home. Malcolm is very angry and kidnaps Laura and Carissa.. It is up to Captain Reid and his men to rescue the women and foil Malcolm’s plot to destroy the town.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Ms. Peterson does an excellent job of describing the feelings of the people that existed between the Confederates and Yankees. The war is over, but the hostilities remain. The defeat of the South is a bitter reality.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is an 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top..
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Sixty Acres and a Bride by Jennings
Still grieving their loss, widows, Rosa and Louise Garner journey north from their Mexican abode, back to the home Louise had left behind in Texas ten years ago. Not sure what to expect upon their arrival, they are horrified when they are told they owe four years in back taxes, and they have just three months to pay it. With nothing to their names, they put everything they have into earning the money they will need to save the farm they have come to love.
Sixty Acres and a Bride
By Regina Jennings
Bethany House Publishers
February 2012
Meanwhile, as Rosa soaks up the love of a new found family, and delights in her new home, her beauty begins attracting unwanted attentions and precarious offers of help. Trying to understand the Texan customs and forms of communication, she further complicates things by befriending a man, Weston, who is also shouldering a heartache.
While she knows nothing can come of their friendship, she discovers her feelings are much deeper for him that she had ever intended. She begins cherishing every moment she has with him. But after her mother-in-law Louise, causes her to put herself in a most unbecoming position before him, she feels sure there will be nothing she can do to regain his trust.
Now the women not only face losing their farm, but also some of the people they love most. Will they be able to save everything they worked so hard for? And will either of them find love again? In a race against time and circumstances, two women band together to hold on to all they find dear.
This was good for an author’s first work of fiction. It was not, however a book I loved. The story was interesting enough, but I got a little bored with the emotional tug-o-war between the two main characters. I did like the era and the setting. And I liked that the main character was from Mexico, as I have always been drawn to their culture. Overall, knowing readers differ in what makes a book to their taste, I do think others will enjoy this book.
Heather Ring says that books are her plane ticket into another world, “I’d feel lost with out them. Reading is a part of me. However I am also an avid lover of the outdoors and pouring into my creative outlets. But I think my biggest passion, is spending time with my family and friends.”
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Holliday by Dabbs & Bowden
Remember Tombstone - the awesome western movie from 1993 with Snake-Plisskin-esque Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer (in probably his last good role) as Doc Holliday? It’s one of my favorite movies of all time. This graphic novel is that story but in a modern inner city and a ton more curse words.
Holliday
by Doug Dabbs and Nate Bowden
Oni Press
May 2012
The story focuses on Holliday from the start and stays with his perspective throughout. “Doc” isn’t just a nickname in this story, he is an actual dentist when not a lecherous murderer. He still suffers from an illness, but this time it’s a much more frightening and modern virus, and he is still as feared for his quick draw as we would expect. In fact, almost everything is the same as the familiar movie story.
Wyatt is still a cop along with his brothers. Curly Bill is still the head of the Cowboy gang. The city is still going to Hell. The Earps and Holliday walk the long walk down the street, looking tough just like the movie. The same people die and the same people live. Holliday has a line about being a “daisy” just like the movie. Wyatt stands up from behind a car and walks towards Curly who is firing his shotgun point blank at him but he isn’t hit, extremely like the scene in Tombstone when Russell gives his most famous line, “No.” One of the only differences – and it’s very minor in the story – is that Ringo is a female.
If you know the Tombstone story you know this one, which shouldn’t be flattering for the creators as this book is almost a complete knock-off with nothing original.
I wanted to like this book. The black and white artwork is well done and strikes the appropriate mood. But the story was just too similar to the one we already have in Tombstone that I have to wonder why it was even made.
Creators taking a familiar story and putting a twist to it often create stories as entertaining as the originals, and sometimes more so. But this story never rises above the comparisons to Tombstone - and it doesn’t compare well. It isn’t putting your own twist on a story to move it forward in time less than a hundred years and adding in f bombs. (Tombstone the movie ended in 1929).
In a crowded graphic novel marketplace and only limited budgets for money and time, consumers should pass on this book. Check out Rust , Baby’s in Black or Oni’s own Coldest City.
Scott Asher is the Editor-in-Chief of BookGateway.com. His personal blog is AshertopiA – a land flowing with milk and honey… and a lot of sticky people where he cartoons and writes on Christianity, Zombies, and anything else he wants to.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann
Though her panic is real, Noelle ST. Claire is uncertain what danger she is fleeing. Images and fragmented memories have scared her out of her highly privileged and wealthy home. For some odd reason she leaves hoping for a remote and safe home instead.
A Rush of Wings
by Kristen Heitzmann
Bethany House
Reprint October 2010
Noelle arrives at the Rocky Mountain horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer and his somewhat careless brother, Morgan. This causes a lot of trouble ( advanced readers should be able to pick this up but for every one else I will break it down for you: two brothers, only one pretty girl) Beautiful, vulnerable, yet strangely secretive, Noelle is an enigma the two contrasting brothers seek to unlock. But as they reach the secured wall she lives behind the past becomes a full memory. One that Noelle can no longer hide from.
This book was amazing. I could not put down the enchanting story. There are a few things that could worry some parents but the book pretty clearly explains that those are the wrong choices. Middle schoolers and high schoolers would like this book and probably some adults. This book was obviously Christian and I think everyone who reads this book will like it. This is the important thing though, there are some points in the book that you may deem the book boring and try reading it later but that is one of the ways that the climax of the story is so interesting. The fact that Wow! look at everything that’s happening then a dramatic drop and then everything starts to slowly rise. It will get half way there…then fall again. Then it will slowly rise and…SCORE! It will get there! Trust me when it gets there you want to be reading that is a really exciting book. My only problem with the book is that before I read this I had finally decided what book was my favorite. Now I have to reevaluate everything against this book 
Arieltopia is a founding book blogger for BookGateway.com and has generously provided this review. She is an 11 year old avid reader – usually going through a book a day – who gives readers a unique perspective on Young Adult, Teen Fiction, along with adult fiction: an actual teenager’s perspective.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
This novel begins near my new hometown in Nashville,Tennessee. The battle of Nashville to be exact.
The year 1864. Where, after a horrific battle, our hero is buried alive. That is also where his story
begins.
Within My Heart
Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 3
by Tamera Alexander
Bethany House
September 2010
This is a great book on many levels. You watch in intimate details as the Lord weaves these
hearts together. All of the characters become alive as you watch each one’s story unfold. You feel
their great joy, their heartbreaking grief and triumphs in their faith. You are involved.
There is much more than a love story here. The lonely doctor and the widow with two sons, each with
their own fears to overcome. One’s is a heart gripping fear and the other from experiencing great grief.
I know one part of this story I will never forget, is the gravedigger’s. If I were a betting person, I would
say you won’t either.
This is my first time to read anything by Tamera Alexander, it won’t be my last. I highly recommend
this novel.
Diane Kennedy Henderson, a self described “Silver Saint” is a retiree who loves to have fun, spending days
playing games online, reading and spending time with family and friends.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
The Vigilante’s Bride by Yvonne Harris
A delightful novel. Keeps you glued to the story from the first to the last page.
Emily McCarthy is an 18 year old young woman teaching in the Aldersgate Home For Girls. She has lived at the institution all her life – she is an orphan. Her whole world is collapsing down around her. She has just been informed by the Director she is to leave the Home and marry a total stranger – Bartholomew Axel, a wealthy widower from Repton, Montana. He has advertised for a bride and the Board had accepted his offer for Emily. The government is sending hundreds of Indian girls to white boarding school to be educated and Emily’s room is needed to house six new girls.
Emily has no choice but to accept the Board’s decision and embarks on her journey to Montana. On the way, the stagecoach is robbed and she is taken prisoner. The robber is none other than Luke Sullivan who has a vendetta against Bart Axel. It seems Axel had stolen the family ranch in a crooked card game plus a thousand dollars. Luke only takes a thousand dollars, but takes Emily with him – after all she is to become Axel’s bride.
Emily is taken to the New Hope Orphanage where Luke grew up after his family was murdered by the Crow Indians. What transpires between Emily, Luke, Axel and the Sheriff makes for a very interesting story. You will find yourself rooting for each individual as he/she overcomes the obstacles placed in their paths as they find love, second chances and some who get exactly what is coming to them
Highly recommended. Ms. Harris is an excellent writer of Historical Fiction.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is a founding book blogger for BookGateway.com and has generously provided this review. She describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.” Her former blog was at http://GoldenReviewer.blogspot.com.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Support BookGateway.com by purchasing this book through Amazon: Vigilante’s Bride
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
This is an amazing book – a delightful interesting read. Sixteen women leave St, Louis, Missouri en route to the Nebraska Territory. They are Drake’s Ladies Emigration Society. The ladies have been promised free government land in their own name, the only stipulation – they must homestead the land and live on it for five years. Mr. Harold Drake is really an unscrupulous con artist who has an entirely different agenda that the one presented to the ladies.
Upon arriving in Plum Grove, Nebraska they learn Drake’s true purpose in bring them to Nebraska. They are to be brides for the men in Cayote. Eleven of the woman decide to take Drake’s offer and go to Cayote. Five stayed in Plum Grove. The book is five womenfolk’s story in one – Sally, Caroline. Ellie, Hattie and Ruth. They would obtain the promise land and make a home for themselves. They would unite and develop five parcels as one large homestead. Their story is one of courage – women who risked everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska. These five are among the hundreds of single women who successfully homesteaded in the west and conquered the vast wilderness.
Ms. Whitson is an excellent writer. She holds your interest page after page. You will laugh, cry, feel their pain. but above all you will share their dreams and hopes as they leave their past behind and embark on a better. brighter future.
Highly recommended.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is a founding book blogger for BookGateway.com and has generously provided this review. She describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.” Her former blog was at http://GoldenReviewer.blogspot.com.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Support BookGateway.com by purchasing this book through Amazon: Sixteen Brides
Shut Up And Kiss Me by Christie Craig
This is an exciting, fast-moving story with intriguing characters and a little mystery and murder thrown in for good measure. The story is about love, regrets, secrets, stalking and Native American culture. The culture of an almost forgotten society – the belief of Council Elder Redfoot Darkwater and his spirits. Shala Winters is a photojournalist, living in Houston, Texas who has been hired by Major Johnson of Precious, Texas to put it on the map – bring tourism to the town. There are some that are not too thrilled that she is coming to their town and are very vocal in their protest.
Shala arrives in Precious just at the time the Native Americans are holding their annual powwow. The sign clearly states no cameras allowed. She is reluctant to leave her expensive Nikon camera at the gate and takes it with her, as it always happens when we disobey the rules, something goes wrong. A woman in the crowd takes a picture. Sky Gomez, one of the dancers, believes Shala has taken the picture and snags her camera and refuses to return it. After talking to the Tribal Council, she is told Sky has the camera and will return it in a week if she pays the asking fine – whatever it may be. She becomes angry and is determine to track him down and get her camera back. After running all over town, even going into the Funky Chicken Bar, doing a disco dance with one of the men, she is told where he lives. Arriving at his home, she demands the return of her camera. When Sky refuses, she calls 911 to have him arrested, this is where things become interesting. Sky Gomez is the Police Chief of Precious, Texas.
The book mainly centers around Sky and Shala and their love affair. However, the secondary characters Redfoot, Veronica. Jose, Maria, Matt and Lucas makes the story special. The story will keep you turning pages. You will laugh, cry and be completely confused as to what could possible happen next! Read the book to see how the story unfolds? What happens when Shala returns to Houston? Do they catch the bad guys? Who committed the murder?
Highly recommended. You will thoroughly enjoy Christie Craig’s brand of humor. Look for other books she has written – you will enjoys those as well.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, is a founding book blogger for BookGateway.com and has generously provided this review. She describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.” Her former blog was at http://GoldenReviewer.blogspot.com.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
Support BookGateway.com by purchasing this book through Amazon: Shut Up and Kiss Me
A Kiss for Cade by Lori Copeland
Cade is a bounty hunter, the town of Winterborn, Kanasas’ most notorious citizen. He has a reputation of having the fastest draw, bringing a number of outlaws to justice. He left his own town fifteen years ago, leaving his sweetheart Zoe behind. He is only returning now due to the death of his sister and brother-in-law. His sister’s dying wish is for Cade to return and make the decision as to whom will raise her four young children. Zoe is very close to the children and can’t understand why Addy did not give her the children. Even though it goes against everything she holds dear, Zoe respects Addy’s wish and sends for Cade.
A Kiss for Cade
by Lori Copeland
Harvest House
January 2010
According to Zoe, a bounty hunter is not a person to raise children or to make a decision as to what is best for them. After all, Cade has never been back since leaving and he won’t stay this time. She will fight him for the children as they are all she has – Zoe’s husband was killed in a bank robbery.
How will Cade’s return affect her life and the children? She has loved Cade for so long, how will she cope with his return? Has he changed from the boy she knew or has he become hardened with the life he lives? Does Zoe get the children, or will Aunt Laticia get her way? What happens between Cade and Zoe?
One must read the book to see how things play out. The book is one you can’t put down, keeping you in suspense to the last page. You will learn how the whole town helps Cade reach his decision. I highly recommend the book for all readers. You will be enthralled by Ms. Copeland’s ability to put you right in the middle of the situation. You will laugh, cry and rejoice with Zoe and her friends, even experience an old fashion middle of the street gun fight. Ms. Copeland is an excellent writer of romance fiction.
Mary Asher, the Golden Reviewer, describes herself as “An 80 year old avid reader reviews the newest in Christian fiction and non-fiction with a sprinkle of the secular on top.”.
This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.
