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Loyal Valley #1
Assassination
Major Clint Donovan followed his convictions and took a command in the Union cavalry but lost almost everything he held dearest. His parents and brother died, and his post-war plans to return to their ranch outside Independence, Texas, died with them. He and his wife started over on a homestead near Loyal Valley, and by December of 1869, they are quietly thriving. But thanks to a telegram from his former commander, Clint’s about to find out that his family’s “ill luck” was almost-perfect murder. The mysterious Number Seven wants the whole of Texas for himself and will stop at nothing to get it. His wartime bid to take power in Independence failed because, of all the Donovans, Clint alone survived one of Number Seven’s attacks. Now Number Seven’s planning to cause enough chaos by killing Governor-elect E. J. Davis to seize the state before it can rejoin the Union. Unaware of this history, Davis asks Clint to work with three military intelligence officers to stop the assassin Number Seven’s men have hired. Clint agrees, and his wife and friends offer to help. But one of the intelligence officers witnessed the murder of Clint’s brother, and he fears that if Clint goes to Austin himself, the assassin targeting Davis will recognize him. Can Clint’s best friend, an engineer blinded by scarlet fever, find the solution in a failed experiment before disaster strikes the Donovans again? Book 1 in the Loyal Valley series.
- GenresMystery
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2013
193 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth G. Wolfe
11 books23 followersElisabeth G. Wolfe is a freelance translator and editor from Llano, Texas, and an adjunct professor at the Baptist College of Florida. Her PhD in medieval literature and theology from Baylor University and her passion for Texas history serve her in good stead as she writes fiction, both fantasy and steampunk, featuring the history of Central Texas. On the academic side, her other interests include J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, the television series Supernatural, and fandom. She participates in local historical reenactments, demonstrating calligraphy, and serves as a volunteer assistant to the Llano County Emergency Services Chaplains.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 12, 2015
Little Ranch on the Range meets Wild Wild West
Reading Loyal Valley: Assassination feels like watching a tv series from my childhood. It's not exactly a western, although it's set in Texas during and after the Civil War. The good guys are good through and through, the bad guys are mysterious and only seen from the good guys' point of view. The writer tells the story in a confident, straightforward, plain talking kind of way that reminds me of early 20th century writers.
The story follows Clint Donovan and his brother Bill as they avoid conscription in the Confederate Army by slipping into Mexico, where Clint falls in love with another émigré, the mysterious Bella. Bill later joins the Union Army, and at the close of the war Clint and Bella try to return to the Donovan ranch in Texas. But the neighbors are no longer neighborly, so they move to Loyal Valley. This covers the first third of the book, which spans five years and is basically set-up. I'll admit this part dragged a bit for me. The rest of the book spans less than a year and is when the real action starts. When I say action, I mean espionage, sabotage, gadgetry,explosions, and revelations, still told in the same down-to-earth style.
Read my full review at my blog Book Horde
Reading Loyal Valley: Assassination feels like watching a tv series from my childhood. It's not exactly a western, although it's set in Texas during and after the Civil War. The good guys are good through and through, the bad guys are mysterious and only seen from the good guys' point of view. The writer tells the story in a confident, straightforward, plain talking kind of way that reminds me of early 20th century writers.
The story follows Clint Donovan and his brother Bill as they avoid conscription in the Confederate Army by slipping into Mexico, where Clint falls in love with another émigré, the mysterious Bella. Bill later joins the Union Army, and at the close of the war Clint and Bella try to return to the Donovan ranch in Texas. But the neighbors are no longer neighborly, so they move to Loyal Valley. This covers the first third of the book, which spans five years and is basically set-up. I'll admit this part dragged a bit for me. The rest of the book spans less than a year and is when the real action starts. When I say action, I mean espionage, sabotage, gadgetry,explosions, and revelations, still told in the same down-to-earth style.
Read my full review at my blog Book Horde
November 25, 2015
Tale of two Texas brothers in 1860s Texas who avoid conscription into the Confederate army by fleeing to Mexico. One meets a pretty girl in a church leading to a sweet love story. Some characters do fight in the war, where they encounter intrigue and murder. Fun book, enjoyed the cloak-and-dagger stuff a lot.
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May 11, 2020July 8, 2016
Interesting reading about a part of Texas history. The ending leaves you wondering what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews