Well-written and gutsy multi-generational story taking place in Texas from ...
586400
Well-written and gutsy multi-generational story taking place in Texas from the time of Indian attacks in the late 1800's up to the mid-1900's and the oil boom days. The story seems to emphasize the more seedy side of people's character as they struggle to survive with some dignity in spite of the violence and difficult family and neighbors.
3082725
It's difficult to find a good book that explores the tensions in the nation's heartland fueled by both legal and illegal immigration, but I think Craig McDonald has aced it in "El Gavilan" , a novel that the author has said was inspired by true events,

New Austin is a fictional south central Ohio town that is roiling in the clash of cultures between Latinos and Anglos. Horton County Sheriff Able Hawk (Hawk is "gavilan" in Spanish) is a complex character who is Joe Arpaio  -- the controversial sheriff of Maricopa County Arizona, the greater Phoenix area -- tough on gangs and illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America. He blogs about illegal immigrants and sends bills to the federal government for reimbursement of expenses incurred when illegals are jailed. But the widowed Hawk is fiercely protective of the county's legal immigrants of Hispanic origin.

When Ohio native and former California based Border Patrol officer Tell Lyon arrives in New Austin as the city's newly appointed police chief, the two dance briefly around in a macho display but soon agree to cooperate in law enforcement in the county, if only because the corrupt sheriff in neighboring Vale County  make cooperation mandatory. Tell got his name from a character, Tell Sackett, by Louis L'Amour, a writer his dad loved.

Lyon, a fluent Spanish speaker, quickly gains the trust of most of the county's Hispanic community, and is dubbed "El Leon" -- the lion. His Mexican-American California-born wife and their daughter were murdered by Mexican criminals and Lyon is still mourning their deaths in a house-firebombing when he meets lovely Patricia Maldonado, 15 years younger, ambitious for education and the daughter of the couple, Kathleen and Augustin, who run the county's best Mexican restaurant. Tension increases when Patricia ends her brief but torrid relationship with Shawn O'Hara, editor of the town's weekly newspaper.

The novel toggles back and forth with "Now" and "Then" chapters, providing context for the events. For instance, we learn how Thalia Ruiz, a New Austin resident and a widow with a young daughter after her husband died in a propane gas explosion, fared in the deadly journey from her home in Mexico to "El Norte" the now greatly diminished promised land for Latinos.  When the now grown up Thalia is brutally raped and murdered and her body dumped near a sports field close to the county line, Able "El Gavilan" Hawk is faced with a jurisdictional dilemma when the corrupt and brutal sheriff of adjoining Vale County, Walt Pierce, says the body is in his county. Thalia was one of the Hispanics under Able Hawk's protection and he vows to bring her murderer -- or murderers -- to justice.

Tell Lyon acquires the nickname "Leon" when he gets into a fight with a non-Spanish speaking firefighter during a fatal house fire. He says first responders must learn enough basic Spanish to deal with the town's growing Hispanic community. His influence grows when he translates for New Austin's mayor at a Hispanic fiesta.

"El Gavilan" is a nuanced thriller with very graphic sex scenes and equally graphic violence (I would give it a hard R or a NR if it were a movie, which I'd like to see made from this book). The novel is a reminder that Hispanic immigration -- both legal and illegal -- is a major element in the demographics of the Midwest and other areas far from the nation's southern borders.
635899
The writing and weaving of generations made this book one that I had a hard time putting down. The description of the landscape and people made the story vicid and alive.
I logged for a paper version so I could read into the night
4785864
Savage Thunder by Johanna Lindsey is a story that is set in the late 1870s in the U.S. territories. The main character, Jocelyn, is a white, economically privileged Duchess, who flees Europe after inheriting a great wealth from her dead husband. After many years of sightseeing with her team, she visits the United States and the Wild West. There she is faced with many dangers, mostly from white villains who are hired by her in-laws to kill her. After a failed attempt on her life, she meets a Native American man, Colt Thunder, another main character, whom she hires to serve her needs as a guide and a lover. Colt Thunder, who is a half-breed (white/Indian) raised as a full blooded Indian savage struggles with accompanying Jocelyn as her presence constantly reminds him of painful memory about his race and as a consequence his identity. Colt strongly resists Jocelyn and tries to avoid her; however, the unspoken and heavy sexual attraction become inevitable and drives the characters to reevaluate their feelings towards each other. As much as some audiences will appreciate the eroticism and sexuality between these two characters, the book is not merely just about that. Personally, the story is about Jocelyn discovering herself both emotionally and physically and doing that with a help of a supportive and protective group of close people. As she embarks on a literal journey through the Wild West, she is also embarking on the journey of self discovery, one that is shaped by historical heaviness of the time period of racism and sexism.  I would recommend this book to any reader, not solely romance readers. The books historical stage set provides as Hayden White terms the discourse of the real (McCafferty43) and adds engaging elements of the Wild West period to characters journeys. Through Jocelyns journey, the readers will uncover many uncomfortable and cringe-worthy moments filled with racism, sexism, and multiple other societal flaws. Her self-discovery path is constructed in a way as to use Jocelyns unconventional inner strength and boldness to challenge the stereotypical social structure as well as to reveal the hard truth of American history and reality of predominantly patriarchal society.
844147
A well crafted story. "The Cowboy Sheriff" tackles some heavy emotional ground (death, an orphaned child, crime and law enforcement), without ever feeling bogged down or melodramatic. The characters are authentic; they aren't perfect people, just regular people trying to do the best they can in the face of loss and hardship. I like that the romance between Keri and Simon develops slowly as they work through old issues and new life situations. The supporting cast is colorful and makes me want to read the other books in this series just to learn more about them. The small town setting practically leaps off the page and although I'm not from Texas, rings true enough to remind me of my own small hometown.

A must-read for fans of category and cowboys!
1790566
Well written family saga loaded with old and new talent!
4096760
Meyer chronicles three generations of a Texas family. From the Indian fighting days and the Texas Rangers, to more modern times. He adds a great historical perspective....of the daily life of the Indians, the struggle between older established Mexican families and the newly Texans from the United States, the cattle industry, and Texas as the oil producing giant from it's infancy to more modern times. The three central characters are portrayed excellently, and all are different. The book is not laid out from one generation to the other, but instead each character has a chapter, then on to another, and the last, and then back to the first. However, the lives of each character are played out chronologically.

I hope this author has many more books in store for us.
3415432
Ruby's Prayer is a fascinating story set in 1880's Texas when the days of the wild west and cattle drives are coming to a close. The plot is really wide and good involving a wide range of colorful characters and side stories. The historical aspects of Texas, the prison system at the time, and the railroads in the book are interesting and accurate. I could not put it down.
1346301
In her inaugural entry into publishing, Amber Lynn Perry offers a gripping story with well-developed characters and a story line that you can live as you read, revealing a very impressive story-telling talent that would be a credit to far more seasoned writers. So Fair a Lady, the first title of the Daughters of His Kingdom series, realistically captures the mood of the pre-war environment just ahead of the American Revolution. Ms. Perry doesnt claim to be a historian, nor do I, so Im not reading either to acquire or criticize precise historical details, but more importantly for my purposes, the author shows a good grasp of the unrest and mixed allegiances of that period, as well as the speech, manners and customs of the time.

I won't lay out the story in brief here except to say that the three central characters - Thomas, Eliza, and Samuel - each exhibit character strengths or flaws worth considering for those holding the Christian faith. Thomas and Eliza are eminently virtuous and unfailingly seek to choose and do the right thing in every situation, albeit sometimes choosing ill-advisedly. Both attempt to hold their budding affection in check out of concern that permitting robust love to develop would be inappropriate in the circumstances as perceived.

Samuel, pursuing Eliza in dual senses, progressively reveals himself to be proud, condescending, and controlling, with his obsessive possessiveness running to madness. In his I-know-best, its-all-about-me attitude, he believes love can be demanded and bullied out of the one whose love is sought, resulting in the disastrous opposite.

Ms. Perry provides insight into the politics of the period by showing in various characters the multiple ways of looking at the dynamics of the period, and the question - was it right for the colonists to resist and rebel against the king, in light of biblical guidance that those in authority are so placed by God and therefore are to be honored?

So Fair a Lady is a story in which a spiritual awakening to the truth accompanies the awakening of love under the highest Kings providential care and guidance. The characters are believable, each having individuality and living by each ones own guiding principles.

Coincidence is used liberally to set up the paths in the narrative, but always in a credible manner.

The romantic theme is the dominant story - heavy on touch, smell, nearness, eyes, etc. This is in fact a Christian romance, but for me the best part of the story is the continuously developing suspense which grows throughout the book, building toward an exciting crescendo in the final chapters.

I rarely write reviews except when I can conscientiously give a high rating, and this one deserves a 5-star rating. Im looking forward to being a regular follower of Amber Lynn Perry.
2460450
This was Rogers' first novel and it became a best seller and an all time classic in modern historical romance. Her writing is superb and her storytelling truly excellent. Published in 1974, it was also one of the first to throw open the bedroom door and include subjects like rape and violence against the heroine, all woven into an intricate plot. Set in the late 1800s in the American West and Mexico (during the reign of the Austrian who became Emperor Maximilian), it's a fast-paced, moving story that will keep you up late at night reading. However, and this is the reason for 4 not 5 stars, there are some parts in this story where the hero and heroine go through such horrifying trials, I just had to skip over them. I'm not overly sensitive but we are talking gruesome!

Ginny Brandon was the French convent-raised daughter of an ambitious US Senator from California who didn't mind putting his wife and daughter at risk to smuggle gold into Mexico to support the French military working for Maximilian. On a wagon train from San Antonio to California, Ginny and her stepmother will face more than the hardships and Indians of the Western plains; they will face the schemes of men who want to make sure Maximilian's French troops never see that gold. One of those men is Steve Morgan, a half-Mexican former Union Army officer who is working undercover for the US government. Morgan has few scruples and almost no morals, taking the women he wants when he wants them. Though he speaks French and lived in Paris for a time, he also lived among the Comanches and has become a fast gun, so he can take care of himself. Though Ginny, an innocent red-haired beauty, has many suitors, she is drawn to the handsome Morgan who becomes the scout for her father's wagon train. And Morgan is all too willing to take advantage of the girl's innocence.

With superb storytelling, Rogers gives us a feel for the politics of the time and the life of the Mexicans and those Americans who chose to live in the West while she weaves a complex tale of a difficult, often combative, relationship between two strong-willed people. Much of the novel is told through Ginny's point of view as she and Steve ride over the land, fleeing as escaped fugitives (she as his prisoner and plaything) and then live in Mexico. Ginny is a courageous heroine though at times seemingly weak in moral fiber. Steve is a man deeply affected by his past, his heritage and his many compromising decisions. Though he has some virtues (he is courageous and loyal to his friends) he is very selfish and hedonistic and treats Ginny most badly.

I was 2/3rds of the way through the story before there was an indication Steve felt more than lust for Ginny. Even then he behaved the cad. It's hard to consider him a "hero" under those circumstances. (The real hero seemed to be his grandfather!) And unlike most romances that have a happily ever after at the end, while the end is happy, it is not really the end of the story of Ginny and Steve. Their story continues in DARK FIRES. The whole series is listed below:

Morgan-Challenger Series:

Sweet Savage Love (1974) (Steve and Ginny)
Dark Fires (1975) (Steve and Ginny)
Wicked Loving Lies (1976) (Dominic Challenger and Marisa)
Lost Love, Last Love (1980) (Steve and Ginny)
Bound by Desire (1988) (Steve and Ginny's daughter)
Savage Desire  (2000) (Steve and Ginny)
4973519
An interesting view of Texas history starting in the 19th century.  Characters are archtypes without being cliches.  Writing is glorious and story never dull.  bravo
1382256
This is an enjoyable three generational saga of a pioneer family who comes from Georgia to settle in Florida during the Civil War.

The McIvey family, Tobias and Emma McIvey and their young son Zech leave war torn Georgia for the Kissimme plains and start out as squatters on a small tract of land which their son and grandson later turn into an empire.

This a story of survival and then later a story of the land being overrun by real estate developers, the railroad and "progress".

Some readers have stated that they found the characters to be stereotypical but I enjoyed all the characters and mourned their passings.

If you like to read about the settling of the United States and particurlarly that of Florida, then this is an exceptionally good historical story about the early days of Florida.
3237182
Dark Canyons is the story of a family forced to defend its way of life. Twelve-year-old June is growing up happily with her scholarly mother and practical father on a remote ranch. She has never been to school, but Junes agile mind makes learning second nature. From her mother June has learned to love books and to question what she reads. From her father she has learned the practical skills that allow her family to thrive on their own. When officials concerned for Junes safety threaten to remove the girl from their primitive home, she and her father attempt to escape on horseback into the rugged Blue Mountains of Washington State.
My Thoughts:
Set in the beautiful Blue Mountain of Washington. You meet a family determined to be separate from the rest of the world and to raise and teach their daughter June away from the rest of the world.
Sarah had courage, faith, and an unconditional love for her daughter. She was determined to give her daughter everything that she didn't have.
Jake was a hardworking man that was a jack of all trades. He is determined to protect his family.
June knew no other life than the one she was raised in. She was taught to be self-sufficient on the land.
I would have liked to have known what year this took place in as I couldn't figure out if it was further in the past or more current. I know it probably wouldnt matter or maybe I didn't catch the time frame while reading the story. The book was unpredictable and a page turner. I enjoyed the plot and the characters.
The one thing that made me cringe with the story is that I wouldnt want others to have this as a stereotype of homeschoolers. I cant help to not think in that mindset. Maybe, this is why I cringe as a homeschooler and thinking of the worst scenario that could transpire as a homeschooler. In reality that is what makes this an interesting story as it makes you think of such turmoil happening to this family and what would you do if you were faced with a situation like this.

Well done story that I enjoyed a lot. Thank you Bruce for an interesting story in Dark Canyons.
2541039
Great novel - beautifully written and bursting with history!  It depicted a Houston never known or forgotten by so many.  As a former Texan, I was excited to read this; I enjoyed the good reviews and disagreed with the bad.  I loved the way MAGNOLIA CITY began:  "She couldn't get a good look at his face, and it was driving her crazy."  Of course, I had to keep reading!  I appreciated the feisty character of Hetty, ahead of her time in so many ways, and applauded her growth as she became aware of Settegast and the plight of those like Pick Waller, his mother, and siblings, and the Allen's Mexican maid, Lina, who was like a loving and supportive mother to Hetty.  She became stronger through her relationship with Garret which kicked up quite an adventure and created a fascinating love story.  It's an exciting read, taking the reader from Houston to so many parts of Texas:  Galveston, San Antonio, Duval County, and those sleepy towns transformed by Texas' early oil boom.  Put MAGNOLIA CITY on your must read list; it's receiving lots of well-deserved accolades!
2226463
The story simply makes you understand the violence of Texas and somehow, with that knowledge, still makes you wish to ride with the Colonel and Toshaway against those hell bent on scalping you.

An excellent read that spans the generations. Will highly recommend to all my Texas friends and those non Texans still trying to figure out why we are the way we are.
2092838
Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Barker is a passionate heroine with gumption and grit. Her efforts to save endangered sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico make for a timely and entertaining environmental tale. The coastal town of Port Winston, Texas comes alive for readers thanks to Pye's amazing ability to create unique and memorable settings. This novel is also a coming-of-age story that includes whip-smart dialogue, young love, bullies, family drama, and a cast of unforgettable characters. Elizabeth's Landing is a book that shines; I highly recommend it!
595301
The Outcasts is about a newly commissioned Texas state policeman and his pursuit of an unsavory child killer across Texas and to New Orleans. We find Nate Cannon retrieving from the field his two assigned mentors, George Deerling and Dr. Tom Goddard, because a vicious outlaw named McGill has committed more murder and mayhem near Houston. When Nate finds the rangers with a prisoner, he informs them of the latest news of McGill, and the trio is in pursuit after convincing the prisoner it might be best for him to go ahead and bite down on a cyanide-filled bullet. The time is 1870, not long after "the war of Northern aggression."

Besides the pursuit of McGill, the story of Lucinda, a young woman who suffers from epilepsy or "fits" is presented. She has been working for a madam, but is now on her way to teach school in Middle Bayou, near Houston, at the behest of her partner/lover, a man we only know as Bill. They have plans for some sort of scheme that is slowly revealed as the book progresses.

Ms. Kent weaves all the characters together to form a story of deception and greed that does not end well for all. I really enjoyed her characterizations of Nate and Lucinda. Nate has been surviving on his own since a young age and tried to serve in the war at 16, but he only got as far as Arkansas. He was tasked with driving 300 horses back to Texas with some other teens. Now he is married and wants to start a farm in Oklahoma with his wife and daughter but needs some seed money. Lucinda is a math/geometry whiz, something that has kept her sane since she was institutionalized at a young age due to her seizures that her family did not understand. Besides Nate and Lucinda, the two elder rangers had their own unique stories.

Ms. Kent brought her story together expertly. She knows how to thread together stories and characters. I enjoy her writing style and cannot wait to see what she decides to write about for the next book. Of course, I enjoyed the setting being in Texas. Reading about somewhat similar cities at the time such as Galveston and New Orleans was also a treat. The Outcasts by Kathleen Kent was reading time that was very well spent.