The Peacemaker

by S.J. Richard

With war scars that no one could see and that would not heal, Jack O'Malley drifted into Kanen, Colorado in the summer of 1873. Hired to be the new marshal, he is confronted with the suspicion and anxiety of a once peaceful, small town with a growing mining problem (or perhaps it is a mining town with a small growing problem). Whatever the case, O'Malley swiftly learns that the invisible foes that stalk him in his sleep are nothing compared to the passionately pious force that is the Ladies Church Society and the beautiful but feisty Amanda Morgan, a woman who finds O'Malley's lack of religion as disturbing as he finds her attractive. Their tangles over faith and propriety peak with the arrival of a sultry and scandalous songstress from O'Malley's past, a wave of criminal accusations from the town newspaper and a flood of questions from suspicious citizens about the mysterious stranger O'Malley is giving sanctuary in the town jail. With troubling questions being raised regarding O'Malley's personal history, the one thing even the most patient of townspeople are growing certain of is that the new marshal isn't likely to see the New Year in Kanen.

502 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2011

About the author

S.J. Richard is a graduate of Marist College, where she studied the art of racking up student loans and the entertaining effects of sleep deprivation. She worked for several New England newspapers while exploring the dynamics of not having a savings account and methods of living off the kindness of tolerant and pitying relatives. She won top honors from the New England Press Association in the late 1990s for her reporting and feature writing. She currently lives in Vermont.

Reviews

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent read. The characters and dialogue are very well thought out. One of the few books that I have read lately where I felt invested in the story and wanting more when it ended. I laughed out loud, cried and sometimes found myself shouting at some of the 'unsavory' folk (my family thought I was crazy until they read it). Please don't be misled into thinking it is the stereo typical western or historical fiction, it is not. It is historically accurate for the time it portrays(which shows it was well researched) along with the dynamics of the story line that delves into the human psyche that even in our time, we can relate to. Marshal Jack O'Malley with dealing with the after effects of the civil war, his childhood and the 'good' people of Kanen, Amanda with being an independent spirit tied to her father's title and society, Honey with being everything to everyone, Rev. Hayden with his taking care of others with his own personal demons, and then there is Silas...the never-do-well that you can't help but love, along with an assortment of other characters who come to life right off of the pages. I hope there will be a second book! (We purchased it for our kindles from Amazon along with a paperback from lulu(I noticed that Amazon now also has the paperback), my parents did through Barnes & Noble for their nook). The Peacemaker

[Viv_and_sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I disagree about movies, art and literature, but we agree on this: The Peacemaker is an amazing story.

Then the disagreeing begins. I want another chapter, another installment of this saga. He thinks it ends perfectly and doesn't need one word more (this is my review so I can say he is wrong--this story needs a sequel, perhaps multiple sequels).

I love the characters. They are so lively and loveable--except those that aren't and those few are despicable and detestable (the kind of people you love to hate). I find them all so believable and feel like I know them. I hear their voices and I feel for them. Jack is so darling and yet dark and mysterious. I told my husband I would consider leaving him for Jack O'Malley. My husband said he'd consider leaving me with my mother to take off on a roadtrip with Jack.

I feel for Amanda and her plight being thrust into a world and a role in which she has so little control, but she manages to be strong. I wish I had half the confidence of Honey Faster or the inner courage of Hayden Mercer. These are the sort of people you want as friends.

The story made me laugh and gasp and (in two places) cry. I know why my husband says the end is fine as it is, because it is an ending, but I find that I love these people and this town too much to say goodbye. Here's to hoping the author gives us another peak into her wonderful town.

[Joy H.]

Added 10/18/12. (first published December 3rd 2011)

I posted the following comment at my group on 10/18/12:
=========================================
A friend of our son's girlfriend wrote the following book:
The Peacemaker by S.J. Richard

It's in the "Western" genre.

Looks like it has gotten some excellent GR reviews!

So far I see only the Kindle edition among Goodreads records. I've written to the Goodreads Librarians requesting them to add the hard copy edition. See my post here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Here's the Amazon web page:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Peacemaker-...
==========================================

See my post at: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[Maryjane · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. One word: Fabulous!

I could not put this book down. I called in sick to work so I could finish it!

I love Jack O'Malley. He's so blunt and so wise while still maintaining touch of innocence. He's the great American hero complete in cowboy garb. He's witty and wise and so entertaining. His story is compelling and heartbreaking. I would pick him up if he was hitchhiking. I'd vote for him if he was running for office (which, considering how he is, would never happen unfortunately). I'd vote for him a thousand times for Sexiest Man Alive (sorry Bradley Cooper--move over, there's someone sexier!).

I love the way the characters talk to and about each other. It all feels so real. I swear this town and these people must be real. The story moves along at a consistent pace and kept me entertaining and a little anxious from one page to the next.

I really hope the author writes more. This is a new, fresh voice on the book-scene and I can't wait to hear more from her.

[Jj Mays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome read. A real page turner. Perhaps the next great American novel--only gave 4 stars because it left me wanting more (in a very good way!) and I actually lost a night of sleep pondering this story. Hoping the author reads this: PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL. You really can't just leave it there. Amazing ending and yet... I can't just walk away from this town and these people.

[Dallas Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictive page-turner. So funny. So sad. So thought provoking. Absolutely entertaining. SJ Richard has a steady pace and a wonderful grasp of dialogue and setting. I know this town. I can see and hear these people. It's like a just watch a movie it was so clear in my head. A must read for anyone who loves great story telling and wants to fall in love with a slightly tarnished hero.

[Andy Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the paperback and now refuse to share it with anyone because I want to read it again. This is an entertaining read. It would make a great movie.

[Donald D. Brown, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good!!

Excellent character development! Extremely readable .
Not a page-turner; but very good light reading. I will get another by this author.