One Last Review?

(I don't think so)

One Last Hanging

 

In One Last Hanging, Jeff Crawford steers Noah’s journey toward a conclusion that you know will be a nigh-on certainty. However, that takes nothing away from the story, because it’s how he arrives there that matters.
As the blurb highlights:

*****

All the enemies of his past had been laid low, all the ends had been gathered and tied. Now was the time he was supposed to be enjoying his life, his work, his advancing years. But on a drunken afternoon, a man of no worth and no redeemable qualities made a grievous error in judgment. One that would completely upend Noah Weyland’s life. Upon hearing the news, Noah knew that there was One Last Hanging that he would have to carry out before his days were through. Elise Weyland was promised the vengeance that was owed to her, and Noah would bring it to her feet. It was the very least that he could do for his wife.

The man, still in a drunken haze, had been arrested immediately after causing the accident that cost Elise her life. A short time later, he was tried and sentenced to hang. Now all that remained for Noah’s long-time friend Rhoden, the local sheriff, was keeping Silas Jacoby alive long enough to be executed. Fearful of the destruction that Noah was sure to bring down upon the town just to get to the man Rhoden had in custody, Rhoden secrets his prisoner out of town until the time for the sentence to be carried out.

With Jilley, his ranch foreman, by his side, Noah scours southwest Texas for Rhoden and the man he is keeping hidden away. Not generational storms, not cages made of steel, not highway men with plans and motives of their own will keep Noah Weyland from doing what he promised his wife. With each rising of the sun, with each determined stride from his horse, the time of reckoning draws ever closer. But at journey’s end there is a choice to be made between what he should do and what he said that he would do. How much will Noah allow the past to influence the future? Will doing as he has been asked force him to break the promise that he made?

 

*****

Yes, Noah’s soul mate is dead. Killed by a fool in a drunken haze who now knows he’ll never live to see old age. And as I mentioned at the beginning, there’s an inevitability about this story that that takes nothing away from the narrative. Because it’s HOW Noah ensures he honors his wife’s name and memory that just so darn entertaining.

Yes, the man responsible has been sentenced to death. And yes, he’s going to hang for his crimes. But Noah’s sense of justice sees only one way to bring those events about in a way that will douse the flames of his ire . . . if only for a short while, at any rate.

And no one, not the judge; not Sherriff Rhoden; not his deputy, Lands; not even the reprobates who try to intervene will stand in Noah’s way.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It’s immersive. It’s personal. It calls to your darker side. Most of all, it’s profoundly satisfying, and will stay with you long after you’ve read the last word.

Amazon Review

 Caleb Johnson: Mountain Man: 
Back To Bear Creek: A Frontier Western Adventure

Lately, I’ve found myself enjoying mountain man adventures, so when I came across this series by respected western author Charles Ray, I just had to check it out. Especially after reading the blurb, which immediately appealed to my sense of adventure. . .
As you can see:

*****

After saving former Confederate officer Ben Winthrop from a lynch mob, black mountain man, Caleb Johnson is talked into guiding him from Colorado to Oregon. He then lets himself be talked into spending two years there helping Ben get his ranch started. But he wants to get back to his little cabin near Bear Creek, Colorado, even though he’ll miss Ben’s wife, Wenona, the Shoshone princess, and her two sons.

Finally, though, Caleb puts his foot down. He saddles his horse, named Horse, and calls his dog, named Dog, and sets off for home, a journey that is anything but routine—or peaceful. It’s just normal chaos, though, until he gets to Wenona’s tribal village in Utah, and finds his Shoshone friend being threatened by a greedy rancher and land poacher who is moving to take over their traditional hunting ground. Now, Caleb’s a peace-loving man, but you just don’t threaten his friends. He’d planned to spend the winter with the Shoshone, and get rested up to resume his journey after the spring thaw.

But things have a way of changing.

 

*****

And I’m pleased to say, this story does exactly as expected: It entertained from start to finish.

Caleb is a likeable, dependable sort of fellow. And exactly the right kind of man you want around. Either as a neighbor, friend, or someone you can turn to in times of trouble. Because of this, there’s an easy flow to the story, a natural progression from chapter to chapter that helps you relate to Caleb, and helps you immerse yourself in his daily life. And what a life it is. (You’ll see). All delivered up with a ‘double homecoming,’ that will set you up for what’s to come.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and look forward to the next chapter of Caleb’s life.

Amazon Review

Betrayal in Apache Country

Betrayal in Apache Country

In Betrayal in Apache Country, Wayne Winkle delivers his best John Tailer Bishop story yet. And it all begins when Bishop and Angelina decide to go and visit her relatives. . .
As the blurb highlights:

*****

John Tailer Bishop and his wife, Angelina, find themselves in the middle of a political conspiracy to prevent Senator Willis Richmond from running for president.

When the senator’s daughter, Marcy, and her fiancé, Wesley Dowd, are kidnapped as part of the conspiracy, Bishop has to get involved.

But the man who does the kidnapping and the Apaches in southwestern Arizona Territory try to kill him.
And they almost succeed.

Angelina has to lead Marcy and two surviving soldiers along with a severely wounded Bishop through Apache country and to Ft. Bowie.

Can she do it? Will Bishop survive?

*****

Yes, a simple trip to visit the in-laws turns into a fight for survival against outlaws, Apaches, and the wilderness itself, as event combine to reveal just how far a narcissist with political ambition is willing to go to achieve his goals.

In this outing, the story skips between the open expanse of the desert and the crowded streets of Washington. Both of them, deadly arenas in a game of cat-and-mouse where Bishop has to juggle betrayal, rookie officers with chips on the shoulders, and old enemies with a score to settle, with simply staying alive.
Blood spills freely – as do the secrets – but who lives and who dies?

Ah, you’ll have to find out for yourselves in an action-packed adventure that will keep you riveted, and turning the pages until the very end. Thoroughly recommended to all those who love Dusty Saddle’s – and C. Wayne Winkle’s – winning recipe. 

Amazon Review

 An Outstanding Review of 

Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail

I'm absolutely delighted to be able to post a review of my debut western - 

Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail - A Pearl Brothers Western Adventure

by none other than respected Western author Scott McCrea

*******

A Terrific Western

Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail is the first of the Pearl Brothers series of westerns, and it’s a honey.

The trouble begins in the idyllic town of Elder Grove, Kansas, where a group of renegade Indians abduct two teenage girls. The renegades are soon tracked by a delegation from the town, led by Noah and Jacob Pearl, two incredibly capable men. One black, the other white, the Pearls were raised together and are as close as brothers.

This book is filled with fast-paced thrills, and author Andrew Weston makes the Pearl brothers come to life. He is equally adroit in his characterization of Astrid, one of the kidnapped girls, and Raging Bear, her nemesis. This is great stuff and comes highly recommended!

*******

Needless to say, I'm absolutely delighted to get a review like that. And, if you'd like to see that review on Scott's Site, then by all means, follow the link below.

Scott McCrea

 Two for the Price of One

Reviews of Uprising in Comanche Country, That is.

Review 1:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific action in a well written story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2023

Verified Purchase

This third installment of the Pearl Brothers series maintains the high quality of the first two books.
The author continues to take you into the midst of the action with his eye for detail.
The savagery of both the Plains Indians and the Blue Shirts certainly is not watered down.
However, the presentation of the Indigenous peoples as intelligent, calculating and politically adept is a refreshing change, as is their trust in another man’s word until he breaks it.
The use of historical figures and locations adds to the overall picture and provides further insight into those troubled times.
Although a series, each book stands on its own with no loose ends to infuriate the reader. Wrongs are righted and the brothers’
dream of overseeing a safe haven for all people continues.
The fourth book is eagerly awaited.

Review 2:

A book that grips the reader in both the rich storytelling and the force of what is to come from this story. You have actions and reactions that will come to an inevitable conclusion. It is completely entertaining to see this period presented through the eyes of the Pearl 'brothers' and Astrid. Painstakingly described in amazing detail, this book is a brilliant read. Another excellent tale in the Pearl Brothers and one that leaves the reader hungry for more.

Fans of western romance will be rewarded with the continuation of the relationship between Noah and Astrid. If there have ever been two who were made for each other, it is these two.

The realistic portrayal of the depravity that happened in the old west isn't for the weak of heart. This level of realism is important to show the true nature of the conflict. It takes something away from books that cover this period who simply whitewash the details. Andrew Weston is not afraid to let the truth be told.

Talk about an addictive series in the best possible way...you come to the end of this and are literally jonesing for the next book in the series. The ground has been laid for what will be just a spectacular book four.

My Rating: 5 stars

If YOU like what you see, why not check out the entire series so far, and just mosey on over to the side bar and click on the links.