Before he became a legend, Preacher was a trapper peacefully plying his trade in the Rocky Mountains. But people needed a hero. . .and Preacher was the only one around.
Now a wagon train of pioneers is struggling westward toward Oregon through the howling winter--and a band of Arikara warriors are hot on their trail. Little do the Arikaras suspect that they're about to come face-to-face--and gun-to-gun--with a ferocious fight they never expected. . .courtesy of a wily mountain man. As Preacher struggles to bring the settlers to safety, he learns the real reason they were attacked--and begins to suspect that the secrets they've been keeping equal to a worse kind of danger. With treachery in the air, more Arikaras on the warpath, and a deadly deep freeze bearing down, trust is a thing of the past--and survival is all that matters.
William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
I had read Johnstone's Preacher spinoff series of his Mountain Man series more than 10 years ago, and a few years ago, found this newer installment in a local Walmart. This book was as good as the others in the series, which means it was a very easy to read Western romp where the bad guys always get whats coming to them, the damsel in distress is saved, and Preacher goes on his lonely way again to other adventures, after kicking some ass. There is little swearing in the books, and no sex, but a lot of violence and a fair bit of gore. There are almost no grey characters either in Johnstone's books - everyone is either firmly hero or villan. All this was typical of the late Johnstone, and one of the reasons I enjoyed reading his Westerns and other action-adventure books from time to time. All of his series books could more or less be read in any order as well, so if you do like Westerns and enjoy this kind of writing, try one.
Preacher happens upon a wagon train where he finds a group of pilgrims trying to make a late, very last journey to Orego. He quickly sets them straight letting them know it is impossible to make the trip so late in the year. He agrees to take them back to Garvy's Fort so they can stay there until they can make arrangements to head to Orgon. Right away Preacher feels there is more to the story the family has given him and almost as quickly the group gets into trouble. First, two so-called mountain men join the party only to cause trouble which causes Preacher to take action. Then a band of usually peaceful Arkara Warriors attacks the wagon train. Without giving anything important away I will say that it gets a lot worse before remotely getting better. There are enough ups and downs for the wagon train to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Preacher finds himself taking care of a family going to Oregon. The problem is that they should have waited for spring to make the trip. Also, Preacher took on the job with no idea of the internal problems within the family. When it is apparent that they cannot go on because of the weather, of course they turn back to the nearest civilization... with some mad indians on their tail. Preacher and his dog take care of all of the bad guys, as usual, and at the end of the story, heads for Texas and a warmer climate. Very entertaining.
A real action tale. Deception and fury in a blistering winter. Secrets that Preacher dug out of green men unfamiliar with the frontier. Tracked by vengeance filled indians, terrible death awaits those unprepared. A strong tale by an excellent author, this book will become one to enjoy again later.
The Arikara are out for blood against a small family from Philadelphia. Preacher does all that he can to temper the conflicts the family faces from the frontier and with one another., but not without great loss. Such a thrill to read and experience the first mountain man in another wild adventure!
I like Preacher and thought he was well written. Plot got a little farfetched from time to time, but the story continually moved forward until the end. Sadly, that seemed more than a little contrived.
Preacher is probably one of the best characters I’ve ever read. He really draws you into a great time that I always wished I coulda been a part of. Well, now you can through these pages. Get to reading! You’ll love it!
Preacher just wants to live his life peacefully without problems from others. But does that ever happen? No the pilgrims always want to go west at the wrong times and Preacher can't say no. This time a family has a secret that gets not only them but Preacher in trouble by the Indians.
Another excellent addition to the First Mountain Man series. This one is the continuing story from his younger years and about taking care of those that can't take care of themselves.
Good characters and action. If you like westerners this book will be a good read. Now time for me to go back and read some of the earlier Mountain Men novels.
Preacher aides, protects three families headed for Oregon, to settle and start a new life. What Preacher doesn't know is that these pioneers are hiding secrets, that could cause the death of everyone in the wagon train. As always lots of western actions that happens to pioneers traveling through Indian territories; also there's the dangers of ambushes from owlhoots. Another great Preacher and Dog helping where they can, afterwards he's heading south to Texas, where he will spend the winter..but you never know what adventures he'll run into heading south.