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The Peacemaker’s Tale #2
Shadowed Forest
In their latest masterpiece, renowned authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear delve into the chilling narrative of Native American protagonists facing an unfathomable evil.
Winter is settling over the autumn forests, but War Chief Koracoo and Deputy Gonda must not stop. They are facing a parent’s worst their children, Odion and Tutelo, have fallen into the hands of a legendary Gannajero the Trader. Known as the Crow, she is a figure out of a nightmare, a witch who buys children from victorious warriors who’ve destroyed the children’s villages and then she sells them to the highest bidders.
In Gannajero’s camp, the kidnapped children have grown desperate. They are sure their families are coming to rescue them but it’s taking too long. Can they find a way to save each other even if it means some of them must die so that a few may escape?
Dive into this riveting tale of bravery, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of survival. Order your copy now!
Winter is settling over the autumn forests, but War Chief Koracoo and Deputy Gonda must not stop. They are facing a parent’s worst their children, Odion and Tutelo, have fallen into the hands of a legendary Gannajero the Trader. Known as the Crow, she is a figure out of a nightmare, a witch who buys children from victorious warriors who’ve destroyed the children’s villages and then she sells them to the highest bidders.
In Gannajero’s camp, the kidnapped children have grown desperate. They are sure their families are coming to rescue them but it’s taking too long. Can they find a way to save each other even if it means some of them must die so that a few may escape?
Dive into this riveting tale of bravery, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of survival. Order your copy now!
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
192 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
183 books731 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 8, 2024
Fellow Michael and Kathleen Gear followers, here's a new one in the Peacemaker Series.
"Shadowed Forest," the latest offering in the Peacemaker Series by the renowned author duo Michael and Kathleen Gear, is a testament to their expertise in crafting narratives that are as rich in historical detail as they are in storytelling. The book continues the saga with War Chief Koracoo and Deputy Gonda facing off against the dark forces of Gannajero the Trader, a character who embodies ancient evils and challenges the very essence of their community's survival. "Shadowed Forest" is more than just a historical fantasy; it is a journey into the heart of America's past, a past that is often overlooked but rich with stories waiting to be told. It is a compelling read that will captivate both long-time enthusiasts of the series and those new to the Gears world. It stands as a shining example of how historical fiction can bridge the gap between the past and present, inviting readers to explore a world where myth and history intertwine seamlessly. The Gears, both of whom are archaeologists, infuse their narratives with a palpable authenticity that only comes from a deep understanding of the subject matter. With over 90 novels published and nearly 18 million copies sold worldwide, their work has not only entertained but also educated a global audience on the complexities of Native American history and culture.
• ASIN: B0CW1N4WHN
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 5/7/2024
• File Size: 6430 KB
• Print Length: 176 pages
• Genre: Historical Fantasy Fiction - Native American Literature
"Shadowed Forest," the latest offering in the Peacemaker Series by the renowned author duo Michael and Kathleen Gear, is a testament to their expertise in crafting narratives that are as rich in historical detail as they are in storytelling. The book continues the saga with War Chief Koracoo and Deputy Gonda facing off against the dark forces of Gannajero the Trader, a character who embodies ancient evils and challenges the very essence of their community's survival. "Shadowed Forest" is more than just a historical fantasy; it is a journey into the heart of America's past, a past that is often overlooked but rich with stories waiting to be told. It is a compelling read that will captivate both long-time enthusiasts of the series and those new to the Gears world. It stands as a shining example of how historical fiction can bridge the gap between the past and present, inviting readers to explore a world where myth and history intertwine seamlessly. The Gears, both of whom are archaeologists, infuse their narratives with a palpable authenticity that only comes from a deep understanding of the subject matter. With over 90 novels published and nearly 18 million copies sold worldwide, their work has not only entertained but also educated a global audience on the complexities of Native American history and culture.
• ASIN: B0CW1N4WHN
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 5/7/2024
• File Size: 6430 KB
• Print Length: 176 pages
• Genre: Historical Fantasy Fiction - Native American Literature
May 13, 2024
Disappointed 1
The story stopped before the end of the tale. I don't like to have to buy another book to find out the conclusion of the story /. It was interesting' until the stop in the middle. I have read most of the books written by the Gears, this is the first time that they have disappointed me. / /
The story stopped before the end of the tale. I don't like to have to buy another book to find out the conclusion of the story /. It was interesting' until the stop in the middle. I have read most of the books written by the Gears, this is the first time that they have disappointed me. / /
May 19, 2024
The Gears have done it again. This is a continuation of their previous works. It is fanytastic how they merge historical fact with fiction to tell a story. You are not only learning about the past but also getting to read a very interesting story. I have read many of their book's prior to this one and look forward to many more. Very good reading!
October 19, 2024
Great series
I simply love everything these authors write. Their book are among my most favorite and I read them time and time again. I can get lost in their wonderful story telling for days.
I simply love everything these authors write. Their book are among my most favorite and I read them time and time again. I can get lost in their wonderful story telling for days.
July 23, 2024
Fantastic
They keep you guessing who is doing what. Could not put it down. A fantastic story. You keep holding your breath. Can't wait to get to the end to see what's up.
They keep you guessing who is doing what. Could not put it down. A fantastic story. You keep holding your breath. Can't wait to get to the end to see what's up.
November 20, 2024
A chilling and adventurous story.
A very intriguing story of the savagery of the tribes in the north east as some try to track down and rescue their abducted children.
A very intriguing story of the savagery of the tribes in the north east as some try to track down and rescue their abducted children.
May 1, 2024
Shadowed Forest: A Historical Fantasy Series (The Peacemaker’s Tale Book 2)
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'neal Gear
The second book of eight, in this reprint.
The story continues with the building intrigue and espionage that caused the loss of high value children from the diverse tribes that will unite to be come the Iroquois confederacy. The use of slaves, and child slaves was a common practice, many of the child slaves were to be adopted into the families of the captors. The dark turn in this book is the use of child exploitation by deviant and exiled members of the various tribes. The scariest part is how many predominate warriors wanted to associate with disreputable people to gain wealth, and exploit desires. The story shows that war causes many deviant behaviors, gambling and so forth. The children face some pretty scary situations, as they get closer and closer to their freedom. The Children learn to stand together, work together not only for their own protection but the safety of each other. This underlies the historical story of warfare to peace, and the establishment of unified tribes against warfare and exploitation.
March 3, 2026
Really disappointing that this was just a republishing of the back end of People of the Longhouse made into a separate book with a different title. I had hoped that this would be a continuation and more of the story from the first book, but it is not. I wasted my time and money buying a book that I already read in the previous book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews