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Threads West #4
Moccasin Track
The Adventure and Romance of America, her people, her spirit and the West.
Fourth novel of thirty-three books of the Threads West, An American Saga series--compared by reviewers, authors and readers to Lonesome Dove, Centennial, Louis L'Amour (with steam) and called by some the "Gone with the Wind of the West" and applauded by others as "rings true and poignant, as authentic and moving as Dances with Wolves". This multiple #1 bestselling series--winner of fifteen National Awards, (including Best Historical Fiction, Best Romance, and Best Western)--bursts with the adventure, romance and promise of historical America set in the West.
In Moccasin Tracks, Book Four, the brave, passion-filled characters of Uncompahgre struggle in this unknown wilderness, racing against an early, foreboding winter to establish their homestead, some preoccupied with serious pre-birth complications of the next generation of Threads West characters, other's compelled by an inner sense to blaze a separate trail, but all united to fend off ever-present dangers. The different personalities of their surviving offspring begin to manifest, some in disturbing ways. The Sioux family, bewildered by the increasing attack on their culture is swept unknowingly into the tumultuous vortex of momentous changes shaping the United States and the West as the tidal wave of white man's greed and intolerance inundates their ancestral territory. Land, love, gold, tradition and the burden of family responsibility shape these characters of divergent origin as they love and struggle in the beautifully vibrant but unforgiving landscape of the West. The personal conflicts inherent to these characters of uncommon cultures and competing ambitions are exacerbated by a nation in transition, the precipice of Civil War, and both deep bonds and lethal enmities with Native Americans.
Fourth novel of thirty-three books of the Threads West, An American Saga series--compared by reviewers, authors and readers to Lonesome Dove, Centennial, Louis L'Amour (with steam) and called by some the "Gone with the Wind of the West" and applauded by others as "rings true and poignant, as authentic and moving as Dances with Wolves". This multiple #1 bestselling series--winner of fifteen National Awards, (including Best Historical Fiction, Best Romance, and Best Western)--bursts with the adventure, romance and promise of historical America set in the West.
In Moccasin Tracks, Book Four, the brave, passion-filled characters of Uncompahgre struggle in this unknown wilderness, racing against an early, foreboding winter to establish their homestead, some preoccupied with serious pre-birth complications of the next generation of Threads West characters, other's compelled by an inner sense to blaze a separate trail, but all united to fend off ever-present dangers. The different personalities of their surviving offspring begin to manifest, some in disturbing ways. The Sioux family, bewildered by the increasing attack on their culture is swept unknowingly into the tumultuous vortex of momentous changes shaping the United States and the West as the tidal wave of white man's greed and intolerance inundates their ancestral territory. Land, love, gold, tradition and the burden of family responsibility shape these characters of divergent origin as they love and struggle in the beautifully vibrant but unforgiving landscape of the West. The personal conflicts inherent to these characters of uncommon cultures and competing ambitions are exacerbated by a nation in transition, the precipice of Civil War, and both deep bonds and lethal enmities with Native Americans.
- GenresWesterns
390 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2019
43 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Reid Lance Rosenthal
20 books61 followersReid is fourth generation land and cattle, a rancher, and a multiple #1 bestselling author whose works have been honored with fifteen national awards. His cowboy heart and poet’s pen capture the spirit of the western landscape and its influence on generations of its settlers. His long-standing devotion to wild and remote places and to the people—both past and present—who leave their legend and footprint upon America and the American West, is the inspiration and descriptive underpinning of all of his writing.
“If your mind and spirit are seduced by images of windswept ridge tops, flutters of aspen leaves caressed by a canyon breeze and the crimson tendrils of dying sun…if your fingers feel the silken pulse of a lover and your lips taste the deep kisses of building desire…if nostrils flare with the conjured scents of gunpowder and perfume, sage brush and pine, and your ears delight in the murmur of river current…if your heart pounds at the clash of good and evil and with each twist and turn of interwoven lives you feel a primal throb, then I have accomplished my mission.”
~Reid Lance Rosenthal
Passion fuels each thrilling, history, action and romance-packed novel in this widely acclaimed five-generation epic series of the historical and contemporary American west. Threads West has been compared to L’Amour, and Centennial, and some call the series, the “Gone With The Wind of the West.”
“If your mind and spirit are seduced by images of windswept ridge tops, flutters of aspen leaves caressed by a canyon breeze and the crimson tendrils of dying sun…if your fingers feel the silken pulse of a lover and your lips taste the deep kisses of building desire…if nostrils flare with the conjured scents of gunpowder and perfume, sage brush and pine, and your ears delight in the murmur of river current…if your heart pounds at the clash of good and evil and with each twist and turn of interwoven lives you feel a primal throb, then I have accomplished my mission.”
~Reid Lance Rosenthal
Passion fuels each thrilling, history, action and romance-packed novel in this widely acclaimed five-generation epic series of the historical and contemporary American west. Threads West has been compared to L’Amour, and Centennial, and some call the series, the “Gone With The Wind of the West.”
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 9, 2022
Reid Lance Rosenthal’s fourth book in the series and I’m becoming a loyal fan.
Following Rebecca and Reuben’s marriage at the Ute village, the group of homesteaders (Rebecca, Reuben, Johannes, Sarah, Philippe, and Michael) continue with their herd of cattle for the Uncompahgre.
A band of renegades who attacked the wagon train in book 2, come across the group and, bent on revenge, kidnap Michael so as to ambush the men when they come looking for him. The men are heavily outnumbered but unknown to them, Zeb returns and with his Enfield rifle, opens fire from long range, evening the odds.
The band of renegades are essentially wiped out and Michael is rescued, although badly injured. Finally arriving at the Uncompahgre, they hurry to build a cabin and cut enough grass to last the cattle throughout the winter which is quickly arriving. Their task made more difficult when Johannes decides to enlist in the United States Army and leaves.
Lucy and Israel, the escaped slaves, come across Black Feather and Dot with whom they camp. After going their separate ways, Black Feather and Dot, whom he had kidnaped after killing her parents, find his buried treasure and as promised, gives it to Dot.
Black Feather and Dot are attacked and Black Feather is mortally wounded. Dot would have been kidnaped once again had it not been for Johannes who came upon the battle and killed the remaining attackers. Black Feather insists that he be left, as he is too injured to travel. Johannes takes Dot and her treasure with him to the nearby fort where he enlists in the Army and Dot remains to be schooled, using Black Feather’s treasure to pay for it.
Lucy and Israel come upon Black Feather, who is near death and Lucy tends to his injuries as best she can. Black Feather insists that they leave him with his guns, food and water.
Walks With Moon, Eagle Talon’s wife, gives birth to a boy. Eagle Talon knows he must soon leave to find Reuben and Zeb, however word comes that a Brule village is nearly wiped out by the Army. A conference between the Army and tribes that have signed treaties is being held, and Eagle Talon’s quest is postponed until they hear what comes from the conference.
With Lucy and Israel near starvation, they come upon the homesteaders and are offered food and shelter. When their skills are realized, Lucy and Israel are invited to remain with them.
New Years day, the heart of winter, Sarah gives birth to twins and Lucy, a midwife, delivers the babies. However, Rebecca, who is not yet due, is already experiencing complications and Lucy is not sure if she or the baby will survive.
I have oftentimes found authors becoming predictable by the fourth book of a series, but to his credit, Reid Lance Rosenthal keeps it fresh an new. As in life, situations are not predictable nor are the decisions and reactions made by the characters in response. The characters are clearly defined so there is no confusion, as I have found in other novels with a large cast of characters.
If I was to make one criticism, it is that some of the dialogue is on-the-nose but all things considered, is really a moot point.
What is nice about Reid’s books, is that he provides a short biography of all major and secondary characters from previous books (even the horses), and a synopsis of previous books. This allows readers to begin the series with any book, or as with me, long periods of time elapse between reading his novels.
I encourage you to pick up Moccasin Tracks, or begin with any book in the series, and join in the Threads West saga.
Following Rebecca and Reuben’s marriage at the Ute village, the group of homesteaders (Rebecca, Reuben, Johannes, Sarah, Philippe, and Michael) continue with their herd of cattle for the Uncompahgre.
A band of renegades who attacked the wagon train in book 2, come across the group and, bent on revenge, kidnap Michael so as to ambush the men when they come looking for him. The men are heavily outnumbered but unknown to them, Zeb returns and with his Enfield rifle, opens fire from long range, evening the odds.
The band of renegades are essentially wiped out and Michael is rescued, although badly injured. Finally arriving at the Uncompahgre, they hurry to build a cabin and cut enough grass to last the cattle throughout the winter which is quickly arriving. Their task made more difficult when Johannes decides to enlist in the United States Army and leaves.
Lucy and Israel, the escaped slaves, come across Black Feather and Dot with whom they camp. After going their separate ways, Black Feather and Dot, whom he had kidnaped after killing her parents, find his buried treasure and as promised, gives it to Dot.
Black Feather and Dot are attacked and Black Feather is mortally wounded. Dot would have been kidnaped once again had it not been for Johannes who came upon the battle and killed the remaining attackers. Black Feather insists that he be left, as he is too injured to travel. Johannes takes Dot and her treasure with him to the nearby fort where he enlists in the Army and Dot remains to be schooled, using Black Feather’s treasure to pay for it.
Lucy and Israel come upon Black Feather, who is near death and Lucy tends to his injuries as best she can. Black Feather insists that they leave him with his guns, food and water.
Walks With Moon, Eagle Talon’s wife, gives birth to a boy. Eagle Talon knows he must soon leave to find Reuben and Zeb, however word comes that a Brule village is nearly wiped out by the Army. A conference between the Army and tribes that have signed treaties is being held, and Eagle Talon’s quest is postponed until they hear what comes from the conference.
With Lucy and Israel near starvation, they come upon the homesteaders and are offered food and shelter. When their skills are realized, Lucy and Israel are invited to remain with them.
New Years day, the heart of winter, Sarah gives birth to twins and Lucy, a midwife, delivers the babies. However, Rebecca, who is not yet due, is already experiencing complications and Lucy is not sure if she or the baby will survive.
I have oftentimes found authors becoming predictable by the fourth book of a series, but to his credit, Reid Lance Rosenthal keeps it fresh an new. As in life, situations are not predictable nor are the decisions and reactions made by the characters in response. The characters are clearly defined so there is no confusion, as I have found in other novels with a large cast of characters.
If I was to make one criticism, it is that some of the dialogue is on-the-nose but all things considered, is really a moot point.
What is nice about Reid’s books, is that he provides a short biography of all major and secondary characters from previous books (even the horses), and a synopsis of previous books. This allows readers to begin the series with any book, or as with me, long periods of time elapse between reading his novels.
I encourage you to pick up Moccasin Tracks, or begin with any book in the series, and join in the Threads West saga.
August 23, 2019
This is the fourth book in the series, and so far, I have to say, I think it's the best one yet! Mr. Rosenthal fills each of these books chock full of history which I absolutely, and the characters feel like they're more family than anything else. I started off this series full of doubt and trepidation, not too sure I was going to really like this journey, and I admit, I STILL have an issue with how he draws out everything - but the information he puts into each chapter!! Mr. Rosenthal would make Stephen King proud!! But while I find the book to be a slow read (two days is slow for me), I DID enjoy the story, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter of these amazing peoples lives!!
August 28, 2019
Book 4 of the Threads West saga finds our cast of characters building their own destinies as they spread their roots in differing directions and start families. Reid Lance Rosenthal gives us much more of the history that blended western culture into a defining era for America. Our immigrant ancestors faced hardships everyday, forcing decisions that would see them join together to protect what they have while some chose to break out alone to make their marks on history. The descriptions of communities and how they faced life are so vivid, you can see them as roll off the pages. This saga has been compared to so many other western culture sagas but in reality, it is a story unto itself. A very good read.
February 27, 2020
Really, historical fiction, and fourth in a planned series of about 27 books. I should live so long--and, hopefully, the author will. This is fourth in the Threads West arc and there are a lot of threads to keep track of. Not having read the previous titles, I had a lot of sympathy for Black Feather. I came to care for all the characters but am not sure I will read subsequent books. I don't want to get invested in this series, as the author sets us up for the next title with cliffhanger endings.
September 30, 2019
Moccasin Track is one of a series of books that trace the westward movement in our country. It pulls in stories from the Native American, immigrant, and military perspective. I was almost immediately caught up in the stories, but was left hanging at the end of the book. I would recommend this series, but I would read them in order. The stories will make more sense.
August 20, 2019
This was an enjoyable series, I liked the plot of all four books and the characters in them. Overall I thought these were a great western series.
October 11, 2019
Worth the wait!
October 15, 2019
Moccasin Track is the fourth book in the series and does not disappoint. The storyline is wonderful and the characters are well developed.
July 22, 2020
Threads west
I love this series of books, have been waiting to read more of the books. Love all the characters and the area they live in.
I love this series of books, have been waiting to read more of the books. Love all the characters and the area they live in.
March 27, 2023
Seriously one of my favorite series!
Read
November 2, 2023The best yet in this series. I'll try to find the next one.
October 31, 2025
I love stories like this...the romance of history and the story that weaves it all together.
October 14, 2019
Book four may be the best in the Threads West series. You can't go wrong with this series. It has everything from history, breathtaking descriptions and complex characters. Rosenthal has a intense and varied knowledge of this time period and the events that built this nation. It is amazing to see the struggles of the characters as they follow their dreams. Fantastic novel! Will be impatiently awaiting book 5.
September 19, 2019
“Moccasin Track” is the fourth book in the Threads West, An American Saga series by Reid Lance Rosenthal. I anxiously awaited this book having read the first three and loved every one of them. There are few authors who I can say, without a doubt, are born to write. Reid is one of those authors. Book four was more than worth the wait! I have been reading every spare moment from the time it hit my Kindle to finishing it this afternoon. Reading this fourth book was like visiting old friends you haven’t seen in a long time and soaking up every little thing they say or do to catch up with them.
The characters in all four books are well developed and described in such depth and detail. Reuben, Johannes, Sarah, Rebecca, Zeb, Dot, Black Feather, Eagle Talon and Walks with Moon have become as much a part of my life as those old friends. I look forward to renewing our relationship every time Reid releases a book in the series and I can’t wait for book five now!! Each book, starting with the first builds on the last—new conflicts and dangers, resolutions to nail biting story lines, big surprises—and always more issues to be resolved in the upcoming novels!
“Moccasin Track” is even better than the first three books, if that is even possible. Reid’s descriptions of the characters and their emotions, the land and all it encompasses, and even the animals draw you into their world and do not let you go. It’s as if you’ve been magically transported into the past and into another life – one you don’t want to leave anytime soon. The series is a wonderful reminder of the diversity of the country and the strengths of the American spirit.
My only regret is that this book ended way too soon for my liking. I will be anxiously awaiting book five, “Footsteps” to continue this journey Reid is taking us all on; one of family, cultures (each form their own perspective) thrown together by history, heritage and a long lasting legacy.
The characters in all four books are well developed and described in such depth and detail. Reuben, Johannes, Sarah, Rebecca, Zeb, Dot, Black Feather, Eagle Talon and Walks with Moon have become as much a part of my life as those old friends. I look forward to renewing our relationship every time Reid releases a book in the series and I can’t wait for book five now!! Each book, starting with the first builds on the last—new conflicts and dangers, resolutions to nail biting story lines, big surprises—and always more issues to be resolved in the upcoming novels!
“Moccasin Track” is even better than the first three books, if that is even possible. Reid’s descriptions of the characters and their emotions, the land and all it encompasses, and even the animals draw you into their world and do not let you go. It’s as if you’ve been magically transported into the past and into another life – one you don’t want to leave anytime soon. The series is a wonderful reminder of the diversity of the country and the strengths of the American spirit.
My only regret is that this book ended way too soon for my liking. I will be anxiously awaiting book five, “Footsteps” to continue this journey Reid is taking us all on; one of family, cultures (each form their own perspective) thrown together by history, heritage and a long lasting legacy.
November 1, 2019
Great read
When I met Reid at the metra last year and picked up the first book he said “ you won’t be able to stop at one” he was right can’t wait for book 5
When I met Reid at the metra last year and picked up the first book he said “ you won’t be able to stop at one” he was right can’t wait for book 5
November 19, 2024
A Wonderful Series
It's hard to imagine how hard living in those times was for everyone. This is a great story about their endurance and character.
It's hard to imagine how hard living in those times was for everyone. This is a great story about their endurance and character.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews