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The Family Jensen #3
The Violent Land
A family of Old West vigilantes helps a group of mysterious strangers in this adventure by the bestselling authors of Helltown Massacre.
William W, Johnstone’s legendary mountain men have fought their battles and conquered a fierce frontier. Now, three generations of the Jensen clan are trying to live in peace on their sprawling Colorado ranch. But for men with fighting in their blood, trouble is never very far from their doorstep…Into The Eye Of A Storm They are strangers in a strange land—a band of German immigrants trespassing across the Jensen family spread. Led by a baron fleeing a dark past in Germany and accompanied by a woman beautiful enough to dazzle young Matt, the pilgrims are being pursued by a pack of brutal outlaws hungry for blood, money—or maybe something else…. The Jensens are willing to help the pioneers get to the promised land in Wyoming. But they don’t know the whole story of their newfound friends, or who the outlaws really are. By the time the wagon train reaches Wyoming the truth is ready to explode—in a clash of hard fighting, hard choices, and hard deaths in a violent land…
William W, Johnstone’s legendary mountain men have fought their battles and conquered a fierce frontier. Now, three generations of the Jensen clan are trying to live in peace on their sprawling Colorado ranch. But for men with fighting in their blood, trouble is never very far from their doorstep…Into The Eye Of A Storm They are strangers in a strange land—a band of German immigrants trespassing across the Jensen family spread. Led by a baron fleeing a dark past in Germany and accompanied by a woman beautiful enough to dazzle young Matt, the pilgrims are being pursued by a pack of brutal outlaws hungry for blood, money—or maybe something else…. The Jensens are willing to help the pioneers get to the promised land in Wyoming. But they don’t know the whole story of their newfound friends, or who the outlaws really are. By the time the wagon train reaches Wyoming the truth is ready to explode—in a clash of hard fighting, hard choices, and hard deaths in a violent land…
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
102 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 followersWilliam 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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 5, 2020
Baron Von Hoffman and his people who became political refugees, having had to flee Germany after a failed attempt to overcome a power base headed in a dangerous direction. He'd bought a ranch in Wyoming and intended to establish a town near it.
The Baron's family, friends, and the people that worked for them, some families going back several generations of service, formed the wagon train that was crossing Sugarloaf, Smoke Jensen's ranch. A couple were the baron's cousin Erica, a beautiful young woman worshiped by a young fellow named Dieter, though subservience drilled into him and his family made him too scared to speak up were two of them.
Smoke and his "brother" Matt, along with "father"/friend Preacher agreed to accompany them to Wyoming. A stone cold killer named Klaus Berne had pursued them from Germany. I loved these true cowboy characters.
The trip across Colorado was dangerous, with several attempts by Bern's gang, and the Baron's attitude. The Baron was use to always getting his way and doing as he wanted, it almost gets them killed when he takes a shot at a large group of Indians before Smoke can stop him. Fortunately he missed and a bit of talking, as well having to step on the Baron's attitude, helps them learn the Indians are looking for the same man, Berne's gang having killed a small village, it's braves, raped and murdered all the females, and finally the children.
Trouble waits them in Wyoming as well. An Easterner is intent on taking the whole valley and doesn't play well with others.
I love this western it was what I would expect from a western. I enjoyed this very much. I will read more from this author and more from the series.
The Baron's family, friends, and the people that worked for them, some families going back several generations of service, formed the wagon train that was crossing Sugarloaf, Smoke Jensen's ranch. A couple were the baron's cousin Erica, a beautiful young woman worshiped by a young fellow named Dieter, though subservience drilled into him and his family made him too scared to speak up were two of them.
Smoke and his "brother" Matt, along with "father"/friend Preacher agreed to accompany them to Wyoming. A stone cold killer named Klaus Berne had pursued them from Germany. I loved these true cowboy characters.
The trip across Colorado was dangerous, with several attempts by Bern's gang, and the Baron's attitude. The Baron was use to always getting his way and doing as he wanted, it almost gets them killed when he takes a shot at a large group of Indians before Smoke can stop him. Fortunately he missed and a bit of talking, as well having to step on the Baron's attitude, helps them learn the Indians are looking for the same man, Berne's gang having killed a small village, it's braves, raped and murdered all the females, and finally the children.
Trouble waits them in Wyoming as well. An Easterner is intent on taking the whole valley and doesn't play well with others.
I love this western it was what I would expect from a western. I enjoyed this very much. I will read more from this author and more from the series.
January 19, 2021
Great read! Keeps the series & characters alive & well..! Johnstone has yet anther winner in the series!
January 18, 2024
A German wagon train on the way to Wyoming encounters trouble just outside of Big Rock and a gang of gunslingers intend to rob the bank.
Monte Carson, sheriff and Smoke Jensen are on site to fend off the attack.
Preacher and Matt Jensen arrive on scene to aid in the foiling of the bank robbery.
The German immigrants are not prepared for the attack and Smoke, Preacher and Matt need to help out.
Feeling sorry for the immigrants the trio lend their experience and help guide the wagon train to Wyoming where the baron has purchased a ranch. Troubles on the way and trouble after they arrive forces the trio to defend the German people.
There is more trouble than anticipated but with the Jensen boys and Preacher to help the odds are tipped in the immigrants favour.
P
Monte Carson, sheriff and Smoke Jensen are on site to fend off the attack.
Preacher and Matt Jensen arrive on scene to aid in the foiling of the bank robbery.
The German immigrants are not prepared for the attack and Smoke, Preacher and Matt need to help out.
Feeling sorry for the immigrants the trio lend their experience and help guide the wagon train to Wyoming where the baron has purchased a ranch. Troubles on the way and trouble after they arrive forces the trio to defend the German people.
There is more trouble than anticipated but with the Jensen boys and Preacher to help the odds are tipped in the immigrants favour.
P
August 30, 2017
4 stars. If you are a band of German settlers marked for trouble on the frontier, you couldn't hope for better help than Smoke and Matt Jensen and the mountain man known as Preacher. Assassins versus loyalty, western equality versus Old World class distinctions, death versus survival, and the realities of the real West versus that of dime novels--just the kind of topics you'd expect from a Johnstone western. A good read.
March 29, 2019
Little room for error or compromise.
Another excellent book in the Smoke Jensen series and, if you enjoy good books about the old West then I highly recommend this book and any book by William W. Johnstone.
Another excellent book in the Smoke Jensen series and, if you enjoy good books about the old West then I highly recommend this book and any book by William W. Johnstone.
January 26, 2022
I'm not saying this one was bad, but it was just straight up boring. The Family Jensen novels are hit or miss with me. I appear to like a few of the Jensen's and when they cameo. Oh well. If you enjoy them, then they are all yours.
December 1, 2019
Another great read of the Jensens....couldn't put the book down...on to #4...
January 7, 2020
Good Western
April 27, 2021
Good read
Good story and a good read. This author is a very good story teller. The action was very believable and the characters well developed.
Good story and a good read. This author is a very good story teller. The action was very believable and the characters well developed.
June 17, 2021
A great introduction to the Jensen folks. The action is non-stop. Concise character descriptions. The Epilogue indicates there is more to come.
September 9, 2021
First time reader of his western.
Great read. Will do more.
Great read. Will do more.
May 9, 2012
Baron Von Hoffman and his people were, I guess you'd call them political refugees, having had to flee Germany after a failed attempt to overcome a power base headed in a dangerous direction. He'd bought a ranch in Wyoming and intended to establish a town near it.
Family, friends, and the people that worked for them, some families going back several generations of service, formed the wagon train that was crossing Sugarloaf, Smoke Jensen's ranch. A couple were the baron's cousin Erica, a beautiful young woman worshiped by a young fellow named Dieter, though subservience drilled into him and his family made him too scared to speak up were two of them.
Smoke and his "brother" Matt, along with "father"/friend Preacher agreed to accompany them to Wyoming. A stone cold killer named Klaus Berne had pursued them from Germany.
The trip across Colorado was dangerous, with several attempts by Bern's gang, and the Baron's attitude. Used to always getting his way and doing as he wanted, it almost gets them killed when he takes a shot at a large group of Indians before Smoke can stop him. Fortunately he missed and a bit of talking, as well having to step on the Baron's attitude, helps them learn the Indians are looking for the same man, Berne's gang having killed a small village, it's braves, raped and murdered all the females, and finally the children.
Trouble waits them in Wyoming as well. An Easterner is intent on takig the whole valley and doesn't play well with others, i.e. people who get in his way.
A fine western by one of the pseudonymous J. A. Johnstones. I think I know which one is the author of this one.
Family, friends, and the people that worked for them, some families going back several generations of service, formed the wagon train that was crossing Sugarloaf, Smoke Jensen's ranch. A couple were the baron's cousin Erica, a beautiful young woman worshiped by a young fellow named Dieter, though subservience drilled into him and his family made him too scared to speak up were two of them.
Smoke and his "brother" Matt, along with "father"/friend Preacher agreed to accompany them to Wyoming. A stone cold killer named Klaus Berne had pursued them from Germany.
The trip across Colorado was dangerous, with several attempts by Bern's gang, and the Baron's attitude. Used to always getting his way and doing as he wanted, it almost gets them killed when he takes a shot at a large group of Indians before Smoke can stop him. Fortunately he missed and a bit of talking, as well having to step on the Baron's attitude, helps them learn the Indians are looking for the same man, Berne's gang having killed a small village, it's braves, raped and murdered all the females, and finally the children.
Trouble waits them in Wyoming as well. An Easterner is intent on takig the whole valley and doesn't play well with others, i.e. people who get in his way.
A fine western by one of the pseudonymous J. A. Johnstones. I think I know which one is the author of this one.
April 28, 2015
The third entry of the Johnstone Clan's 'The Family Jensen' is the best of the three, though a bit of a rehashing of stories in other Johnstone series. Of the other rehashing - and now I'm hungry for hash - this is the best of the European noble person driving a wagon train west.
The conflicts coming from multiple angles is a neat twist to the tale. Makes it more fun trying to figure out who is going to get who or if they might go after each other. There is also a love triangle that is weakly handled. Though romance is definitely a lost part of the vast Johnstone Clan series. Does bother me that the Smoke Jensen children are still missing. Maybe it's explained in a novel not yet read.
The characters are as well handled as usual from the Johnstone Clan. The narrative is very good - and that is hard to write after reading a slew of Robert Wilder books. It's not as good at all compared to Wilder, but superior than much written today.
This book has another horrible cover. The person in the front, who I guess is to represent Smoke Jensen, is posed awkwardly and hardly represents the descriptions of Jensen.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 of 10 points.
The conflicts coming from multiple angles is a neat twist to the tale. Makes it more fun trying to figure out who is going to get who or if they might go after each other. There is also a love triangle that is weakly handled. Though romance is definitely a lost part of the vast Johnstone Clan series. Does bother me that the Smoke Jensen children are still missing. Maybe it's explained in a novel not yet read.
The characters are as well handled as usual from the Johnstone Clan. The narrative is very good - and that is hard to write after reading a slew of Robert Wilder books. It's not as good at all compared to Wilder, but superior than much written today.
This book has another horrible cover. The person in the front, who I guess is to represent Smoke Jensen, is posed awkwardly and hardly represents the descriptions of Jensen.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 of 10 points.
November 17, 2016
ASSASSINS
Immigrants escaping danger heading for America, and doggone they meet Smoke and Matt Jensen, Preacher who help these Germans fight men sent to assassinate the entire group. Seeking asylum from political persecutions in Germany...sound familiar...These assaults killed some of them, but they were helped by the Jensen's and Preacher to help them get to their destination in Wyoming territory. They reach their destination in Wyoming and they are again disappointed, disheartened by the disrepair of the ranch. But with help from Smoke Jensen, Matt Jensen and Preacher they were able to get their ranch cleaned, rebuilt. Lots of action and acceptance of a new way of life in America..you'll enjoy reading this adventure featuring our favorite Jensen's Men and Preacher. WATCH OUT...
Immigrants escaping danger heading for America, and doggone they meet Smoke and Matt Jensen, Preacher who help these Germans fight men sent to assassinate the entire group. Seeking asylum from political persecutions in Germany...sound familiar...These assaults killed some of them, but they were helped by the Jensen's and Preacher to help them get to their destination in Wyoming territory. They reach their destination in Wyoming and they are again disappointed, disheartened by the disrepair of the ranch. But with help from Smoke Jensen, Matt Jensen and Preacher they were able to get their ranch cleaned, rebuilt. Lots of action and acceptance of a new way of life in America..you'll enjoy reading this adventure featuring our favorite Jensen's Men and Preacher. WATCH OUT...
December 17, 2015
At their best when writing about Smoke Jensen, Preacher and Matt Jensen. Other wise it's hit or miss with what his estate and J.A. churn out for new series and not even close to William's writing style.
January 22, 2025
Cattle rustling from a train? That and the killing of two friends and a shooting of a hired hand of Smoke Jensen had him on the trail. A good description of the rugged country and a new way of rustling.
April 2, 2014
Another typical, well-written Johnstone book. The nephew J.A. Johnstone is doing an excellent job carrying on for his uncle.
October 29, 2016
3.75. Great read, great characters but a bit tidy and cliche and they rushed the final confrontation which disappointed me. Still, I see why Johnstone is so popular.
January 22, 2017
Exceptional!
Wonderful story about immigration to the greatest country in the world. Very well written and edited by one of the best author's existent!
Wonderful story about immigration to the greatest country in the world. Very well written and edited by one of the best author's existent!
Read
November 23, 2015gd
April 26, 2017
Another winner from the master of the genre!
March 1, 2018
Earlier smoke
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews