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Blizzard
From the bestselling author of Old Dogs and Coldsmith comes the gripping Western adventure, Blizzard!In the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, as 1887 draws to a close, Gage Kraft and his grandson, Sam, find themselves grappling with the challenges and unpredictability of life on the frontier. Their lives, marked by the day-to-day work of operating their K Bar K Ranch, take a tumultuous turn as they delve into the shadowy dealings of cattle rustlers lurking in their midst. Amidst these tensions, the arrival of a mysterious young woman sparks both intrigue and a glimmer of romance on the ranch.As the calendar turns to 1888, a catastrophic winter storm sweeps across the Sandhills with little warning. Gage and Sam, along with a cast of compelling characters, are thrust into a desperate struggle for survival. As they navigate the perils of the blizzard, their stories intertwine in a tapestry of tragedy, courage, and humanity. Their bravery and endurance against the elements, coupled with their fight against lawlessness and the pursuit of love, forms the heart of this spellbinding tale.Filled with suspense, romance, and the raw beauty of the American frontier, Ron Schwab's latest Western novel is a journey through one of the most perilous times in the Nebraska Sandhills and an ode to the unyielding spirit of its people!
469 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2024
666 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Ron Schwab
47 books193 followersRon Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 3, 2025
ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY BLIZZARDS IN RECORDED HISTORY
☆☆☆☆☆
If you haven't read any of Ron Schwab's works before, this piece of historical fiction is a great one to start with. Though it is a stand-alone novel, some of the characters that are mentioned in these pages carry over from some of his other works, and that also goes for some of the main characters. That being said, you can pick up any of his books and start reading them without feeling lost.
Blizzard by Ron Schwab is a very well written insight into the winter storm that hit the Nebraska's Sandhills. The characters are relatable, and you will truly find yourself drawn into the story routing for Gage. Chole, Audra, Sam, Colette, and the rest of the characters. The bad guys are ruthless murders who, throughout the book, you'll find yourself routing for them to be brought to justice, and their evil ways ended.
The Nebraska Blizzard of 1888, where it is estimated that 235 were killed during the storm, making the storm one of the tenth worst deadliest winter storms of all times.
If you enjoy a good book with strong men and women with family values and morals that bond their family, friends, and neighbors and tie them together in a way inwhich those bonds are unbreakable with new friendships and romances that are built through friendship and love that will last a life time, this book is for you.
Quotes:
"BE slow to judge anybody harshly. We never know what ghosts they carry on their shoulders."
"Everything that happens to us adds to our education if we pay attention. Life is school that never lets out, he says. Of course, some folks don't pay attention and don't learn anything."
"Most dogs are people. They just want love."
☆☆☆☆☆
If you haven't read any of Ron Schwab's works before, this piece of historical fiction is a great one to start with. Though it is a stand-alone novel, some of the characters that are mentioned in these pages carry over from some of his other works, and that also goes for some of the main characters. That being said, you can pick up any of his books and start reading them without feeling lost.
Blizzard by Ron Schwab is a very well written insight into the winter storm that hit the Nebraska's Sandhills. The characters are relatable, and you will truly find yourself drawn into the story routing for Gage. Chole, Audra, Sam, Colette, and the rest of the characters. The bad guys are ruthless murders who, throughout the book, you'll find yourself routing for them to be brought to justice, and their evil ways ended.
The Nebraska Blizzard of 1888, where it is estimated that 235 were killed during the storm, making the storm one of the tenth worst deadliest winter storms of all times.
If you enjoy a good book with strong men and women with family values and morals that bond their family, friends, and neighbors and tie them together in a way inwhich those bonds are unbreakable with new friendships and romances that are built through friendship and love that will last a life time, this book is for you.
Quotes:
"BE slow to judge anybody harshly. We never know what ghosts they carry on their shoulders."
"Everything that happens to us adds to our education if we pay attention. Life is school that never lets out, he says. Of course, some folks don't pay attention and don't learn anything."
"Most dogs are people. They just want love."
May 12, 2025
What a lesson in history. Full review in process.
December 23, 2024
Snow Storm and Rustlers
BLIZZARD was an action filled Western that had a lot of characters and each one had a full backstory that made us invested in their lives.
Maddie was a detective who came to help Chloe who lived alone in a dugout. Chloe wondered what happened to her daughter and granddaughter. Maddie brought information and intended to help Chloe figure out who was rustling her cattle. Not long after Maddie’s arrival, Collette, Chloe’s granddaughter was abandoned at the dugout by her no good husband.
There’s so much more than that little outline, more people, more action and a killer blizzard. The characters came to life for me and if you enjoy Westerns this one could be for you. Five stars.
BLIZZARD was an action filled Western that had a lot of characters and each one had a full backstory that made us invested in their lives.
Maddie was a detective who came to help Chloe who lived alone in a dugout. Chloe wondered what happened to her daughter and granddaughter. Maddie brought information and intended to help Chloe figure out who was rustling her cattle. Not long after Maddie’s arrival, Collette, Chloe’s granddaughter was abandoned at the dugout by her no good husband.
There’s so much more than that little outline, more people, more action and a killer blizzard. The characters came to life for me and if you enjoy Westerns this one could be for you. Five stars.
February 5, 2025
2.5✨
Man, people were tough back then. This was fine? I was expecting a like survival/western horror esqe type story revolving around said blizzard but it was more of a western adventure story that happened to have a blizzard in it?
The story was fine and fairly interesting, but the prose and dialogue feels very…mundane? Idk if that’s the right word. Nothing is left up to interpretation. It’s very “this happened and this happened and this happened “. And the dialogue is very thorough- characters over explain everything they are doing and are going to do. There is zero miscommunication, everyone knows what’s happening/ figures out who is bad and who isn’t right away.
The story doesn’t really revolve around the blizzard, it’s more about the ranch characters trying to stop a cattle rustling operation lol.
But I still liked it despite that? It was almost charming in a way. And there are some good bits, like:
“He’s called to do it, Sweetheart. He’s God’s messenger.”
“Then God ought to pay the bill.”
Ha!
I also liked all the historical details in this, though if that’s less important to you, I think you’ll find it all very tedious. Since this author likes to write out every single thing characters do, there’s lots of mundane historical detail that I liked, as a look into what 1887/1888 ranch life was like. Can you imagine having the hand count cattle? That sounds terrible. But I guess that’s what they did back then, which I learned from this book (idk maybe that’s how they still do it today?).
This book isn’t very violent by western standards, mainly gunplay and a very protective dog, and frostbite descriptions, and there is no SA, though there are mentions of it, as a CW.
If you like westerns I think you’ll be fine with this, but I could see it being boring for others. Also don’t ever go out in a blizzard!
***spoilers ahead***
Maddie’s character was really interesting and apparently she had a really traumatic backstory and was a rape victim of men who tried to ransom her, and she was saved by a sex worker - more of that please? Not the rape, but I would’ve liked to have at least a flash back or something instead of her backstory just being causally brought up? It’d sounded way more interesting than a lot of the this plot.
Also very odd to me that the main bad guy just like dropped his wife off at a safe place and didn’t try to rob it/just left her there? I was expecting him to try and rob Chloe or like use Collette to rob Chloe and Collette’s character arc would be standing up to him and saving her grandma, but he just leaves her there and then isn’t a threat really for the rest of the book? I think it’s implied that he figure Chloe was poor and not worth it, but I still found that confusing considering he was a desperate criminal, the most dangerous kind.
Man, people were tough back then. This was fine? I was expecting a like survival/western horror esqe type story revolving around said blizzard but it was more of a western adventure story that happened to have a blizzard in it?
The story was fine and fairly interesting, but the prose and dialogue feels very…mundane? Idk if that’s the right word. Nothing is left up to interpretation. It’s very “this happened and this happened and this happened “. And the dialogue is very thorough- characters over explain everything they are doing and are going to do. There is zero miscommunication, everyone knows what’s happening/ figures out who is bad and who isn’t right away.
The story doesn’t really revolve around the blizzard, it’s more about the ranch characters trying to stop a cattle rustling operation lol.
But I still liked it despite that? It was almost charming in a way. And there are some good bits, like:
“He’s called to do it, Sweetheart. He’s God’s messenger.”
“Then God ought to pay the bill.”
Ha!
I also liked all the historical details in this, though if that’s less important to you, I think you’ll find it all very tedious. Since this author likes to write out every single thing characters do, there’s lots of mundane historical detail that I liked, as a look into what 1887/1888 ranch life was like. Can you imagine having the hand count cattle? That sounds terrible. But I guess that’s what they did back then, which I learned from this book (idk maybe that’s how they still do it today?).
This book isn’t very violent by western standards, mainly gunplay and a very protective dog, and frostbite descriptions, and there is no SA, though there are mentions of it, as a CW.
If you like westerns I think you’ll be fine with this, but I could see it being boring for others. Also don’t ever go out in a blizzard!
***spoilers ahead***
Maddie’s character was really interesting and apparently she had a really traumatic backstory and was a rape victim of men who tried to ransom her, and she was saved by a sex worker - more of that please? Not the rape, but I would’ve liked to have at least a flash back or something instead of her backstory just being causally brought up? It’d sounded way more interesting than a lot of the this plot.
Also very odd to me that the main bad guy just like dropped his wife off at a safe place and didn’t try to rob it/just left her there? I was expecting him to try and rob Chloe or like use Collette to rob Chloe and Collette’s character arc would be standing up to him and saving her grandma, but he just leaves her there and then isn’t a threat really for the rest of the book? I think it’s implied that he figure Chloe was poor and not worth it, but I still found that confusing considering he was a desperate criminal, the most dangerous kind.
May 2, 2024
It was the harshest winter on record, 1887-1888. People died, cattle were stranded, buildings blew over and ranchers went broke. Ranchers thought rustlers were their worst enemy, but it was actually the weather during those early times. This storyline tells of those that live in big ranch homestead houses as well as those that live in a dugout sod home up against a hill of caves. During the historic blizzard, schools were sanctuaries where teachers huddled together with kids to stay warm; trailhands looked for an empty cabin for shelter and entire communities looked to each other to save lives. What a powerful book! Both hubby and I loved the story, and it will remain a topic of conversation for quite some time. Thanks for great writing.
May 10, 2024
Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Western
Ron Schwab has done another great job with his latest book, Blizzard. It's a new and different story, but it has a familiar character and connecting storyline. The characters are diverse, interesting, and fun. The exciting story about ranching in the 1880s west and, as the title implies, the unpredictable weather, is enhanced by the relationships, both good and bad, among the characters. It's about real day-to-day life, but also the challenges and concerns that were central to the era. I especially liked that the story was set in Broken Bow, Nebraska (Custer County). It's a favorite place that I'm very familiar with. I would recall of Schwab's books. If you've never tried a western, this is a good writer to start with.
Ron Schwab has done another great job with his latest book, Blizzard. It's a new and different story, but it has a familiar character and connecting storyline. The characters are diverse, interesting, and fun. The exciting story about ranching in the 1880s west and, as the title implies, the unpredictable weather, is enhanced by the relationships, both good and bad, among the characters. It's about real day-to-day life, but also the challenges and concerns that were central to the era. I especially liked that the story was set in Broken Bow, Nebraska (Custer County). It's a favorite place that I'm very familiar with. I would recall of Schwab's books. If you've never tried a western, this is a good writer to start with.
May 10, 2024
Interesting story. Strong women leads. Almost too strong. Sometimes the male leads looked wimpy in comparison. Great guys but a little too laid back. For example Grandpa has been proposing to the same woman for 30 YEARS and being turned down for 30 years. Personally after 5 or 10 years I would have moved on.
Also the senior couple in their 70's seemed to have a more active sex life then the young couple in their 20's. Pre viagra? I doubt it. But what do I know? All in all an entertaing read.
Also the senior couple in their 70's seemed to have a more active sex life then the young couple in their 20's. Pre viagra? I doubt it. But what do I know? All in all an entertaing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2024
Wonderful Book
I can't say enough about this book it's wonderful! I love everything about this book. The author takes the reader riding out to search for bad guys while describing the land. I'm not a writer and I don't express myself as beautifully as a author. Just read the book you won't be disappointed. I was engaged with the first sentence, and hated when it ended. Mr. Schwab don't stop writing and Thank you for a wonderful adventure.
I can't say enough about this book it's wonderful! I love everything about this book. The author takes the reader riding out to search for bad guys while describing the land. I'm not a writer and I don't express myself as beautifully as a author. Just read the book you won't be disappointed. I was engaged with the first sentence, and hated when it ended. Mr. Schwab don't stop writing and Thank you for a wonderful adventure.
June 18, 2024
Great Story of the Old West across the Middle Plains
Character development was superb not just of the main characters, Gage & Chloe and Sam & Maddie, but the ranch hands and neighbors as well as a dog named Pirate. Two love stories also emerge. Although a blizzard of the century was the central event in the last third of this story, the cattle rustling, robberies, shootouts in the hotel and other mayhem deliver a champion page turner.
Character development was superb not just of the main characters, Gage & Chloe and Sam & Maddie, but the ranch hands and neighbors as well as a dog named Pirate. Two love stories also emerge. Although a blizzard of the century was the central event in the last third of this story, the cattle rustling, robberies, shootouts in the hotel and other mayhem deliver a champion page turner.
April 19, 2024
WOW
What a great read. I was looking forward to a different read from my usually mysteries and romantic novels. THIS WAS IT. I really enjoy the interactions between characters. Learning about the blizzard and so glad he included the historical information at the end. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of his other books. Thank you Mr. Schwab for a great book.
What a great read. I was looking forward to a different read from my usually mysteries and romantic novels. THIS WAS IT. I really enjoy the interactions between characters. Learning about the blizzard and so glad he included the historical information at the end. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of his other books. Thank you Mr. Schwab for a great book.
May 2, 2024
Hard winters
The life of a cattle rancher was hard. But with the cattle thieft and bad winters it was almost impossible. Hardy people in that time. The story was great and mind opening to the hard life and great people who made up the country at that time. Thank you for a good read.
The life of a cattle rancher was hard. But with the cattle thieft and bad winters it was almost impossible. Hardy people in that time. The story was great and mind opening to the hard life and great people who made up the country at that time. Thank you for a good read.
May 20, 2024
Excellent👏👏
As usual Mr. Schwab has delivered an excellent page turner which includes some compelling new characters as well as the return of Maddie from earlier Law Wrangler episodes. As always the story is interesting and well researched, the writing excellent, and the characters well developed. I look forward to his next release!
As usual Mr. Schwab has delivered an excellent page turner which includes some compelling new characters as well as the return of Maddie from earlier Law Wrangler episodes. As always the story is interesting and well researched, the writing excellent, and the characters well developed. I look forward to his next release!
June 17, 2024
Great book and I didn't realize until I was reading his notes at the end that this was about a true event. Wow, what a blizzard and how awful so many people and animals died. The book was so good I couldn't put it down until I had read the last word, which was bout 3 a.m. Love his books and am about to start another one. Thank you for great stories and keep 'em coming.
September 15, 2024
What an Adventure!
Schwab skillfully blends a historical event into a fictional narrative. Thoroughly enjoyed the read - the characterizations and story-telling were exactly what I like in a great Western story! Few gray areas regarding good and bad make for a story that's easy to see the larger moral lessons.
Schwab skillfully blends a historical event into a fictional narrative. Thoroughly enjoyed the read - the characterizations and story-telling were exactly what I like in a great Western story! Few gray areas regarding good and bad make for a story that's easy to see the larger moral lessons.
December 29, 2025
Blizzard
This was a great western story from the very beginning. It’s also considerate of the author to base the story on a true tragic event. Even now, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and these middle country states and cities experience the same kind of weather that brings trauma and tragedy now.
This was a great western story from the very beginning. It’s also considerate of the author to base the story on a true tragic event. Even now, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and these middle country states and cities experience the same kind of weather that brings trauma and tragedy now.
April 19, 2024
Great Read
This is a book that is full of interesting characters and actions. It is loaded with fun events that keep one's interest. Many insights into how living could have been in these years of our history
This is a book that is full of interesting characters and actions. It is loaded with fun events that keep one's interest. Many insights into how living could have been in these years of our history
April 20, 2024
Loved, loved this story
I enjoyed this story sooo much !!!! Its about a couple of cattle ranchers trying to survive life in 1887-1888. Record snow storm comes neighbor helping neighbor. This is a real snow storm that happened in Jan 1888. Thank you Mr. Ron Schwab.
I enjoyed this story sooo much !!!! Its about a couple of cattle ranchers trying to survive life in 1887-1888. Record snow storm comes neighbor helping neighbor. This is a real snow storm that happened in Jan 1888. Thank you Mr. Ron Schwab.
April 29, 2024
A REAL BLIZZARD
I consider this the best Ron Schwab western I’ve read so far. He absolutely captured the reality of how hard folks had it during a hard winter and how they had to rely on family as well as neighbors.
I consider this the best Ron Schwab western I’ve read so far. He absolutely captured the reality of how hard folks had it during a hard winter and how they had to rely on family as well as neighbors.
May 9, 2024
Rich and excellent story
Took characters' lives, combined with ranch life, hardships like rustling and combined with a historical Phenomenon that has many books written about it woven in
Took characters' lives, combined with ranch life, hardships like rustling and combined with a historical Phenomenon that has many books written about it woven in
May 12, 2024
Good story
Good story and author. It's worth reading this book and all of his other books too. This story could have easily become a great series. Fast last chapter.. which could have evolved into the next book without a hanger. It's great. Enjoy. 🥂🌻
Good story and author. It's worth reading this book and all of his other books too. This story could have easily become a great series. Fast last chapter.. which could have evolved into the next book without a hanger. It's great. Enjoy. 🥂🌻
May 24, 2024
Exciting and interesting
I was truly absorbed through out the story to find out what would happen next. The blizzard had to be a horrific storm for the people of Nebraska. Thank you for a very interesting story.
I was truly absorbed through out the story to find out what would happen next. The blizzard had to be a horrific storm for the people of Nebraska. Thank you for a very interesting story.
May 25, 2024
Great Western
Another great western novel by Ron Schwab. I have always enjoyed every one of his novels and have read them all, so I can definitely recommend his books as well worth your time. Eagerly awaiting his next one.
Another great western novel by Ron Schwab. I have always enjoyed every one of his novels and have read them all, so I can definitely recommend his books as well worth your time. Eagerly awaiting his next one.
May 31, 2024
A very exciting and adventurous story.
The author has written a truly remarkable story of the hard life and times of the ranchers as they lived through the severe snow and cold winter. A very intriguing and enjoyable story.
The author has written a truly remarkable story of the hard life and times of the ranchers as they lived through the severe snow and cold winter. A very intriguing and enjoyable story.
June 9, 2024
Very Enjoyable Book
I really loved the character, Chloe. Her stubbornness, courage, and independence could be a good example for all women. Gage, Sam, and Maddie were “good people” and great characters. Really enjoyed this read!
I really loved the character, Chloe. Her stubbornness, courage, and independence could be a good example for all women. Gage, Sam, and Maddie were “good people” and great characters. Really enjoyed this read!
June 24, 2024
True insight on western life
I love history and this book gave a through picture of life while the old west was settled. The hardships were so real. I would read more books like this..
I love history and this book gave a through picture of life while the old west was settled. The hardships were so real. I would read more books like this..
June 29, 2024
wonderful reading
Mr Schwab, I’ve read many of your books but this is the best. I love your descriptions of land scapes and people and horses. That’s what makes your writing seam so real. Thank you.
Mr Schwab, I’ve read many of your books but this is the best. I love your descriptions of land scapes and people and horses. That’s what makes your writing seam so real. Thank you.
July 14, 2024
Blizzard
This was an excellent read!! I loved it and seriously hope the series will continue. Loved how it kept you guessing on what was going to happen next. Totally loved the ending. Like I said, I would really like to see what happens next.
This was an excellent read!! I loved it and seriously hope the series will continue. Loved how it kept you guessing on what was going to happen next. Totally loved the ending. Like I said, I would really like to see what happens next.
February 6, 2025
Excellent story about the often underestimated harshness of a story
As well as cattle rustlers, murderers, school teachers, ranch life, a variety of different shelter types, love young and old, frostbite hazards and more. Highly recommended for all readers. A really great story.
As well as cattle rustlers, murderers, school teachers, ranch life, a variety of different shelter types, love young and old, frostbite hazards and more. Highly recommended for all readers. A really great story.
April 18, 2025
Blizzard
I liked everything about this book. It had a great story and was informational about how the Winters were like in the late 1800's. I will look for more books written by Ron Schwab.
I liked everything about this book. It had a great story and was informational about how the Winters were like in the late 1800's. I will look for more books written by Ron Schwab.
April 13, 2024
Wonderful book
This is a great storyline with characters! Keeps you interested from first to last page! Highly recommended. Download It today!
This is a great storyline with characters! Keeps you interested from first to last page! Highly recommended. Download It today!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews