Tag: western

Smoke on the Wind (Land Run Book Two) by Syvila Weatherford Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A cowboy and his Native American bride seek freedom and community in the novel “Smoke on the Wind” by Syvila Weatherford.

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The Synopsis

“Smoke on the Wind” is a captivating tale that weaves the perils and dangers encountered on the Western frontier by Will Lawton, a young Black cowboy, after kidnapping then wedding his young Native American bride, Niabi. He plods a path packed with uncertainty that ultimately winds its way to an unthinkable opportunity – a race for free land.

Follow the characters of Smoke: the beautiful Louisa Ortega, who haunts the memory of the Chief’s son, Nashoba; Captain Horton, head of Fort Townsend, charged with keeping peace between settlers and tribes, and Dakota Sam, a rambunctious Civil War veteran attached to his military blues and backwoodsman ways.

This is the second book in an epic series, following the success of Weatherford’s first novel, “Blessings from the Four Winds.”

In this sequel, new characters are introduced: Liao Ming Chow, a Chinese immigrant, Sargent Thomas of the Buffalo Soldiers, and Mr. Todd Morgan the railroad tycoon. Niabi and Will raise two children and enjoy the protective company of their horses: Rodeo and FireTip. Their journey is marked by resilience, the spirit of community, and the ongoing struggle for safety and belonging.

Learn more about Syvila Weatherford on her website: www.syvilaweatherford.com

The Review

This was an engaging and unique blend of historical fiction, romance, and western drama. The realism and detail the author pours into this narrative were astounding, as the language used and the historical context of these merging stories felt lifted right out of the history books without sacrificing character development or engaging dialogue. Although I had not been introduced to this series or its first book, the author wrote in a way that allowed readers to enter this story fresh, without bogging them down in story elements that would leave them lost. Instead, the narrative was both detailed and fast-paced, keeping the tension finely tuned within the context of this story.

The authenticity and personal history that the author infused from her own family into the backstory and development of these characters was remarkable. The exploration of how the black community lived in post-Civil War America, let alone in a lawless land such as the American West, and their contributions to organizations like the Buffalo Soldiers and others, was fascinating to delve into. The themes of interracial marriages and romances in such a dynamic point in American history were engaging, and the rich world-building the author provided to make this feel cinematic and atmospheric on the page was incredible.

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The Verdict

Entertaining, thought-provoking, and thrilling, author Syvila Weatherford’s “Smoke on the Wind” is a must-read western historical fiction novel and a grand second entry in the Land Run series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the intensity of the relationships and community found in this book, and the personal and societal dangers faced by these characters at this time will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t already, preorder your copy today or pick it up on October 1st, 2025!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Syvila Weatherford embarks upon a third career as a novel writer. Prior to this, she worked for over twenty years as an Electrical Engineer/Computer Scientist followed by twelve more years as a Patent Attorney. She was born and continues to live in California, but has lived on the east coast and has traveled abroad for business and pleasure including London, Egypt and South Africa. She hails from humble beginnings but owes her progress to pearls of wisdom learned from her mother, nurturing family and friends, and a strong spiritual foundation.

For more information about her or the book please visit www.syvilaweatherford.com and register at the contact page for any notices about book signings and similar events, as well as to ask questions about this and future books by her.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smoke-on-the-wind-syvila-weatherford/1147799152?ean=9798218645328

https://amzn.to/4nUUayi

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Lancer: Hero of the West: The Los Angeles Affair by Bob Brill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The infamous hero of the west returns to deliver justice to those in need in author Bob Brill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Los Angeles Affair”.

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The Synopsis

The Los Angeles Affair is the second in the Lancer; Hero of the West series of western novels by Bob Brill. Lancer is a mysterious good-guy gunslinger who hires out to those in need of his services. He solves crimes first by using his wits, the his fists and then and only then, his gun. An excellent marksman, Lancer doesn’t lose when the gun is used. Based in Tombstone in the 1880’s, Lancer came from the East, a former Union officer. He comes from money so while his fees are high they are not important to him. Justice is. A respecter of women and children and a man “of the law” he is not a lawman.

Lancer is a compilation of the western television heroes of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Combined with award winning writer Bob Brill’s own ideas of what a man of justice of the 1880’s should be, Lancer is a man everyone would like to call friend. Women would like to call him more than a friend and they often do.

Lancer, a world traveler, likes the finer things in life but he’s not afraid to get down and dirty. Well bred and well read, he often quotes Shakespeare or the great poets and philosophers.

A man of the people, Lancer is someone you’d love to meet and you are certainly glad he’s on your side. He has a sweet tooth as well, always carrying in his saddle bags a small box of Turkish Delight.

His great horse Lincoln is a mighty steed and named after the Great American President, Lincoln is as trusted as it gets. A song about Lancer; Hero of the West, written by Oscar and Grammy winners (Al Kasha and Ron Dante) and performed by Dante, can be found on YouTube.

The Review

This is a fantastic sequel to a creative and engaging Western series. The author did a marvelous job blending international intrigue and mystery into the classic Western setting. The exploration of Los Angeles as a setting during this era before it became the metropolis that the city is known for today was thought-provoking, as it allowed readers to see what this land was like while being occupied by various representatives of different nations. 

The action and the wealth of character development made this story shine. The dynamics between Lancer and this cast of characters are stellar, with the intrigue of new romances, government mystery, and villainy with a powerful family running about. The hero is an icon, standing up for what’s right even in the face of a world that tells him he’s wrong and proving that even gunslingers and heroes of the West have what it takes to make a difference through masterful imagery in the author’s writing style.

The Verdict

Remarkable, entertaining, and thoughtful, author Bob Brill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Los Angeles Affair “ is a must-read western. The shocking twists and turns in the narrative, from a political wedding gone wrong to a tragic death leading to a hunt for a mystery “Russian,” made this a compelling story that readers will be eager to get back into with a third book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A native of Pittsburgh, PA and a hardcore Pirates and Steelers fan, Bob began in radio career in 1972 and worked all over the western US, several times in the L-A market. He’s currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio.

Bob has won multiple broadcast awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award (among others) for anchoring KNX’s storm coverage in 2011.

A baseball historian, Bob writes the very popular weekly column found at http://www.baseballinthe1960s.com. He also is a podcaster who has teamed with former NFL Quarterback Erik Kramer for a weekly Fantasy Football Podcast called Kramer and Brill, which can be found where ever you get your podcasts or at their website www.kramerandbrill.com. Both are always posted on Facebook as well as Twitter.

Bob made his mark with the UPI Radio Network when a gunman went crazy in a San Diego fast food restaurant and Bob covered the story. It was his first big break. He later became a UPI National Correspondent and Bureau Chief. He has interviewed presidents, covered Super Bowl games and Hollywood as well as major news stories.

He lives in L-A. He has survived earthquakes and a beating during the 1992 L-A riots while covering the story, which was recorded on audio tape.

Bob is considered to have an excellent voice and has not only done many voice overs and radio spots, he’s starred in television commercials. Bob authored “Fan Letters to a Stripper: A Patti Waggin Tale” from Schiffer Publishing and “NO BARRIER: How the Internet Destroyed the World Economy.” His third book “Al Kabul; Home Grown Terrorist” is sure to be a controversial novel as well as a great read. “Lancer; Hero of the West – The Prescott Affair” is the first in a series of western novels set in the 1880’s, centering on the central figure; Lancer. Lancer is a gun for hire, good guy, who works the West out of Tombstone.

http://www.lancerheroofthewest.blogspot.com/

The High Price of Justice: The Alvarez Sisters – Women of the West by David L Nichols Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two sisters set out on a path of vengeance to get justice for the death of their family in author David L. Nichols’s “The High Price of Justice: The Alvarez Sisters – Women of the West”.

The Synopsis

When their family and everyone on their ranch are massacred in an 1880s range war over water rights, and the murderers “have taken their blood money and melted into the West; just disappeared, scot-free,” the surviving Alvarez sisters set out on a journey to bring the killers to justice. Their hunt takes them across the West’s boom towns and mining camps in search of the murders of their family, masquerading as teenage boys, prostitutes, wranglers, horse whisperers, and even a young priest. Early in the sister’s search, they befriend an older woman, who becomes an indispensable asset as the trio tracks down each of the murderers.

The Review

An incredible whirlwind of revenge and justice, two themes often intermingled, allowed the reader to immerse themselves in this narrative fully. The novel’s fast pace and the emotional undertone of the protagonists’ mission were perfect driving forces behind the story, and the imagery found in the author’s writing style brought the wildness and dangers of the Old West setting to life expertly.

The heart of this narrative was in the character development, especially between Anna Belle and Juanita, as they made their way into the wilds to find their father’s killer. The way the author showed the father’s unique relationship with his daughters and how he taught them to survive and be strong in the world rather than be waited on by any man was thoughtfully written into the narrative. The lengths the girls went to to find the people responsible and the intense action of the story will stay with readers long after the book ends.

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The Verdict

Author David L. Nichols’s “The High Price of Justice” is a must-read Western thriller. It blends a classic Tarantino film with Tombstone. The narrative’s twists and turns and the rich cast of characters elevate the two protagonists’ journey and keep the reader engaged until the final chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Lancer, Hero of the West: The Virginia City Affair by Bob Brill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A call to help an old friend leads to a confrontation with a killer and shocking secrets in author Bob Brill’s “Lancer, Hero of the West: The Virginia City Affair”.

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Th Synopsis

“The Virginia City Affair” is the seventh book in the “Lancer; Hero of the West” series and is the most aggressive to date. Our hero heads to the silver fields of Nevada to help an old friend, only to learn he’s up against a killer on a mission.

As justified in his mind as the killer’s mission may be, Lancer still finds himself caught between right, wrong and indifferent. When an old calls upon Lancer to save his family from a killer bent on revenge, Lancer answers the call as always. This time however, he learns he can’t always trust his friends. Lancer also learns someone else from his past is waiting for him; a woman from very long ago.

Plot twists, good detective work, old connections and a little pure luck mixed with revenge in the silver fields of Nevada. Another Lancer adventure to keep you glued to your seat.

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The Review

The author did an incredible job crafting a new narrative for protagonist Lancer that felt personal and action-packed. The reader will immediately be drawn in when the protagonist begins interacting with Wyatt Earp in the aftermath of the O.K. Corral gunfight. Trading Tombstone for Virginia City, the wildness the West had to offer in this era, and the imagery in the author’s writing style allowed these infamous sites to come to life on the page.

The unique character development in this book was incredible. From the strong yet vulnerable protagonist with a penchant for justice to the sudden loss of an old flame and the corrupt system for which he must fight, the reader is engaged with the hero’s journey. The personal nature of the story and the shocking revelations that this plot held allowed the reader to feel a sense of mystery that will stick with readers long after the book ends.

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The Verdict

Memorable, haunting in its delivery, and entertaining, author Bob Brill’s “Lancer, Hero of the West: The Virginia City Affair” is a must-read historical fiction meets Western novel. The twists and turns the author delivers in this narrative and the rich character dynamics will keep readers invested in the story’s driving force, protagonist Lancer. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A native of Pittsburgh, PA and a hardcore Pirates and Steelers fan, Bob began in radio career in 1972 and worked all over the western US, several times in the L-A market. He’s currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio.

Bob has won multiple broadcast awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award (among others) for anchoring KNX’s storm coverage in 2011.

A baseball historian, Bob writes the very popular weekly column found at http://www.baseballinthe1960s.com. He also is a podcaster who has teamed with former NFL Quarterback Erik Kramer for a weekly Fantasy Football Podcast called Kramer and Brill, which can be found where ever you get your podcasts or at their website http://www.kramerandbrill.com. Both are always posted on Facebook as well as Twitter.

Bob made his mark with the UPI Radio Network when a gunman went crazy in a San Diego fast food restaurant and Bob covered the story. It was his first big break. He later became a UPI National Correspondent and Bureau Chief. He has interviewed presidents, covered Super Bowl games and Hollywood as well as major news stories.

He lives in L-A. He has survived earthquakes and a beating during the 1992 L-A riots while covering the story, which was recorded on audio tape.

Bob is considered to have an excellent voice and has not only done many voice overs and radio spots, he’s starred in television commercials. Bob authored “Fan Letters to a Stripper: A Patti Waggin Tale” from Schiffer Publishing and “NO BARRIER: How the Internet Destroyed the World Economy.” His third book “Al Kabul; Home Grown Terrorist” is sure to be a controversial novel as well as a great read. “Lancer; Hero of the West – The Prescott Affair” is the first in a series of western novels set in the 1880’s, centering on the central figure; Lancer. Lancer is a gun for hire, good guy, who works the West out of Tombstone.

https://www.bobbrill.com/index.html

Lancer: Hero of the West: The Santa Fe Affair by Bob Brill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a air and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A lone man must help save a child from a criminal grandfather and a town in the clutches of a racist regime in author BobBrill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Santa Fe Affair”. 

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The Synopsis

In the third episode of the “Lancer; Hero of the West” series, “The Santa Fe Affair” our hero battles social injustice head on. Lancer finds himself doing battle with two men who control a town with a racist iron fist. As he attempts to rescue a small Chinese boy he’s also confronted by a War Lord who is the child’s grandfather come from China to take his grandson home over the objections of his paternal grandmother.

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The Review

This was a compelling and gripping Western. The atmosphere and imagery in the author’s writing style made this a phenomenal read, with the gritty nature of the genre and the action taking readers into the era ideally. The fast pace of the narrative still allowed enough tension to build between the protagonist and the foes he faced in his latest mission.

The author was able to bring some depth and heart into this narrative. The character development was perfect, allowing the reader to feel the nature of the Wild West and the trail that the lone hero must traverse in these books. Yet it was the exploration of different cultures and the examination of racism in our world that really separated this story from other Westerns, allowing us to see the need for change in our own society.

The Verdict

Captivating, entertaining, and mesmerizing, author Bob Brill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Santa Fe Affair” is a must-read Western novel. The twists and turns in the narrative, and the compelling narrative that sees this lone gunman having to rescue this boy and face overwhelming odds against corruption made this a memorable read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A native of Pittsburgh, PA and a hardcore Pirates and Steelers fan, Bob began in radio career in 1972 and worked all over the western US, several times in the L-A market. He’s currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio.

Bob has won multiple broadcast awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award (among others) for anchoring KNX’s storm coverage in 2011.

A baseball historian, Bob writes the very popular weekly column found at http://www.baseballinthe1960s.com. He also is a podcaster who has teamed with former NFL Quarterback Erik Kramer for a weekly Fantasy Football Podcast called Kramer and Brill, which can be found where ever you get your podcasts or at their website http://www.kramerandbrill.com. Both are always posted on Facebook as well as Twitter.

Bob made his mark with the UPI Radio Network when a gunman went crazy in a San Diego fast food restaurant and Bob covered the story. It was his first big break. He later became a UPI National Correspondent and Bureau Chief. He has interviewed presidents, covered Super Bowl games and Hollywood as well as major news stories.

He lives in L-A. He has survived earthquakes and a beating during the 1992 L-A riots while covering the story, which was recorded on audio tape.

Bob is considered to have an excellent voice and has not only done many voice overs and radio spots, he’s starred in television commercials. Bob authored “Fan Letters to a Stripper: A Patti Waggin Tale” from Schiffer Publishing and “NO BARRIER: How the Internet Destroyed the World Economy.” His third book “Al Kabul; Home Grown Terrorist” is sure to be a controversial novel as well as a great read. “Lancer; Hero of the West – The Prescott Affair” is the first in a series of western novels set in the 1880’s, centering on the central figure; Lancer. Lancer is a gun for hire, good guy, who works the West out of Tombstone.

https://www.bobbrill.com/index.html

Comanche Trace (Westward Sagas Book 4) by David Bowles Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A man on a mission of revenge finds himself caught in the middle of a brewing war between the Indian Nation, the Mexican government, and the Republic of Texas in author David Bowles’s “Comanche Trace”, the fourth book in the Westward Sagas series. 

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The Synopsis

Texas Ranger, Will Smith moved with his family to Texas during the early days of the Republic. Family strife is caused by the Comanche Indians who kill Will’s brother James and abduct his nine-year-old nephew Fayette. Will pursues the Indians alone in hopes of rescuing the boy. Will ends up caught up in the rifts between the Republic of Texas, The Mexican government, and the Indian nation. His quest for revenge is waylaid when a Mexican beauty captures his heart. However, Will presses on and makes a frantic and dangerous journey back to Texas to warn President Mirabeau Lamar that the Mexican consider his Santa Fe Trade Expedition and armed invasion of Mexican Territory. It is a warning Lamar does not heed.

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The Review

As a fan of historical fiction, I was drawn into this series and I haven’t looked back since. The vivid detail that goes into the author’s work and the imagery that the author’s writing evokes in the reader’s mind really brings the era to life perfectly, as the setting becomes just as important a character as the rest of this amazing cast of characters. The gritty, Western style that the author brings to life and the tension that mounts as the story progresses really kept me engaged in this narrative.

Yet as with all of the author’s previous works, it was the emotional and gripping character development that really made this story shine. The way the author was able to shift perspectives between each chapter to see how life from all fronts of this looming battle came to unfold, and the understanding that comes with experience and truly getting to know someone, made this a compelling read, especially with the vengeance angle that begins this story and the emotional weight of that loss. 

The Verdict

Memorable, compelling, and entertaining, author David Bowles’s “Comanche Trace” is a must-read Historical Fiction Western! The twists and turns in the growing narrative and the evolution of the characters as a mission of vengeance turns into a mission of peace and more made this a gripping story filled with tension, suspense, and emotional character development. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David A. Bowles is a fifth generation Austinite. Both parents from early Travis County pioneers. His great grandmother Elnora Van Cleve, is recorded as the first birth in Austin, Texas during the days of the Republic. The author and his dog Becka travel in a class A motor-coach they call home, telling and writing the stories of the Westward Sagas. David grew up listening to stories of his ancestors told by his elders. Their stories so fascinated him that he became a professional story-teller, spinning tales through the Westward Sagas as well as the spoken word. He is a member of the National Story Telling Network and the Tejas Storyteller Association. David entertains groups frequently about his adventures on the open road and the books he has written. All four books in the Westward Sagas series have won awards. He is presently writing the sequel to Comanche Trace which won 1st Place at the North Texas Book Festival.

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The Brand of Brotherhood by T.D. Zummack Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Two brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the law, and heading for the ultimate showdown in author T.D. Zummack’s “The Brand of Brotherhood”.

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The Synopsis

Two brothers on opposite sides of the law . . .

Life is hard in 1869 Nebraska for the Warner family and brothers Colt and Brick. After the tragic loss of their mother, their father decides to take his sons west to California–but he dies along the way, leaving Colt and Brick, aged just twelve and ten, to finish the trip and fend for themselves in the Wild West.

With the help of a former gunfighter, Jim Borden, the pair forge their way together–until Brick decides to become an outlaw.

After years on opposite sides of the law, the two find themselves locked in a showdown where they must decide what matters more: following their own paths or their shared bond of brotherhood.

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The Review

This was a gripping and engaging Western. The author did an incredible job crafting a visceral and grizzled narrative, matching the Wild West’s tone and setting. The action and suspense that builds as these two brothers go down very different paths and the lives they lead separately help elevate the tension that builds not only between them but those in their lives as well.

To me, the heart of this story rests in the character development of these two brothers. The emotional toll that the loss of both their parents has on the brothers and the lessons they learned early on that created the divide between them made for compelling narrative decisions that helped elevate the overall arc for these characters. The test of loyalty and family is significantly explored here in this story and shows the depth of the characters and the high stakes that became a part of everyday life in those near-lawless days.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and captivating, author T.D. Zummack’s “The Brand of Brotherhood” is a must-read Western and a compelling drama following two brothers going down very different paths. The twists and turns in the brother’s stories and the roller coaster of emotions that help balance out the action and adventure elements of the story made this a truly marvelous story to behold. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Author of the captivating thriller ‘Amazing Grace’ and the exciting western adventure ‘The Brand of Brotherhood’

Member of the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild

Avid reader of Westerns and Mysteries

True Crime buff

Writer of short stories that can be found at vocal.media/authors/t-d-zummack

Simiakia by Lori Windows Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young man on a path of crime and vices finds himself working the ranch that he was arrested for trying to steal from, and in the process not only finds himself but his connection to his own heritage in author Lori Windows’s “Simiakia”.

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The Synopsis

It was not whimsy that had brought him together with this red horse to run this race. It was the justice of time.

Raised without hope or pride in his heritage to what promises to be a short life of crime, alcohol, and drugs, Nez Perce teenager Al George gets an unexpected second chance. A heist gone wrong ends up with him working on probation at the very Idaho ranch he and his “friends” tried to rob, owned by Celia Bolt, who left her own rich-but-dysfunctional family to move West many years ago, and the taciturn Morgan Kyles, who has his own checkered past.

Over the course of the summer of 1986, Celia and Morgan work out the thorny details of their relationship, while Al regains his pride and his sense of self as he works with the ranch’s signature Appaloosas, finds love—and finally, through a deep bond with one very special horse, reconnects with his Nez Perce heritage and discovers the truth of his strange, recurring dreams of an Indian brave on a very special horse, striving to protect his people from the soldiers pursuing them.

For everyone involved, one summer changes everything.

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The Review

This was an incredible and moving read. The author does a great job of capturing the serenity and moving power of nature and the wildness of the Western genre. The detail the author put into the world of ranching and horse management and what goes into making that kind of property run smoothly was incredible, as was the detail that went into horse care and the relationships we form with these majestic creatures. The imagery in the author’s writing made the settings feel vibrant in both the past and the present and kept the reader engaged in the evolving narrative.

To me, the heart of this story rested in the rich character dynamics and backstories that the author brought to life. In particular, I loved both Al and Celia’s journey and the way the ranch seemed to give them each a new lease on life. The story felt very much like a commentary on finding our true selves through meaningful changes to our lives, and these two characters illustrated this perfectly. Blend this with a powerful look into Native American history and culture, and this book really felt impactful and thoughtful in its approach. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining, author Lori Windows’s “Simiakia” is a must-read Western novel. The heart and emotional core of these characters’ journey and the connections they make while working this ranch, as well as the heart-pounding final chapters, made this a gripping story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lori Windows grew up enamoured of the writings of Grey, Brand, Terhune, London, Burroughs, and Farley. Her father set her on a horse when she was two years old, and she has now ridden horses on six continents. In 1982, she discovered the sport of distance racing. She and her variety of horses and mules have amassed multiple national titles and more than 63,000 sanctioned race miles.

Hunger as Old as This Land by Zachary Rosenberg Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two women in the aftermath of the Civil War must protect a small Western town and help defend the town’s citizens from malicious marauders, only to discover a much darker secret in author Zachary Rosenberg’s “Hunger as Old as This Land.”

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The Synopsis

The settlement of Grey’s Bluffs is a prosperous town. An independent community dwelling in the shadows of the mountains known only as The Hungers.

Esther Foxman and Siobhan O’Clery have grown up in Grey’s Bluffs, thriving out on the western territories in the aftermath of the Civil War. Devoted to one another and their home, the two set out to complete a regular pact at the Hungers to ensure that Grey’s Bluffs continues to prosper.

Cyril Redstone is a man who knows death well. Becoming a mercenary after the Civil War, Cyril leads the marauding Blackhawks from one slaughter to the next. Hired to destroy Grey’s Bluffs, Cyril cares little for morality, nor that he owes its founder his life.

Esther and Siobhan are left to defend the only home they have ever known from the Blackhawks, their confrontation driving them deep into the mountains.

Where the darkest secrets of the Hungers await them.

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The Review

This was an absolutely compelling and gripping Western horror novel. The emphasis the author put on getting the detail surrounding the setting and western-themed atmosphere to sound just right when moving through the narrative was astounding, and the bone-chilling tension that the story built when The Hungers arrived to show their terror to the characters made this a compelling horror read.

Yet to me, the heart of this narrative rested in the author’s ability to find a natural and heartfelt way of finding inclusivity in the narrative through characters that represented people of the LGBTQ+, Jewish, and Native American people. The protagonist embodied all of these backgrounds, and her strength and resiliency when balanced with the heart and compassion in her heart made for a moving story, which helped elevate the horror and the gritty nature of the setting immensely.

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The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and chilling, author Zachary Rosenberg’s “Hungers as Old as This Land” is a must-read Western horror novel that readers won’t be able to put down. The quick pacing and the rich world-building made this story feel alive on the page and kept me as a reader hanging off of the author’s every word. If this book is any indication, I think the author is set for a long career developing the next generation of great horror classics. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Zachary Rosenberg is a horror writer living in Florida. He crafts horrifying tales by night and by day he practices law, which is even more frightening.  His forthcoming debut novella “Hungers as Old As This Land.” will be published by Brigids Gate press and his first novel “The Devils and the Deep Blue Sea” shall be published by Darklit Press. You may find his works released or forthcoming at Air and Nothingness Press, Dead Sea Press and Nosetouch Press.

https://linktr.ee/zachrosewriter