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Trail of Fate The Arduous Quest Series

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THE TRAIL OF FATE
The sun rises. Is it fate?
The moon rises. Is it fate?
The people we meet and the places where we travel. Is it fate?
All the many roads, twists, and turns, the people who come and go in our lives.
Fate . . . What does it have in store for you?
Step into the rugged world of the 1890s West in the debut novel, The Trail of Fate by B.S. Daniels.
Follow Reg, a man torn between his test of will in his quest for justice and the welfare of all he holds dear.
Will he find the cattle rustlers or lose everything he holds dear?
Will fate give him justice or despair?

Now Awarded An Editorial Book Review Given by Reader's Favorite August 2024.
Winner of The PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards For 'Best Winter 2025 Fiction!'

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2024

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About the author

B.S. Daniels

1 book2 followers
B. S. Daniels is an American writer, novelist, and former professional bull rider from Gunnison, Colorado. He released his first book, "Trail of Fate," in late August 2024, book one of 'The Arduous Quest - Adventurous Western Novel Series.' The novelist aims to reignite the popularity of the old West and classic "Spaghetti Westerns" for a new generation of readers.
"Trail of Fate" can now be purchased from Amazon, and Barnes and Noble and is available on Kindle Unlimited. It will also be featured in various literary magazines and prominent literary websites.

Raised in Colorado, Daniels has been a successful business owner and creative entrepreneur for 40+ years. Now, bitten by the writing bug, he plans to write and publish several novels in his Arduous Quest series after the release of Trail of Fate. 

When Daniels is not writing, he enjoys spending time with his cattle dog in the great outdoors while still working on entrepreneurial endeavors. He has raised four wonderful children and now delights in spending time with his "little posse" of grandkids, teaching them to appreciate the simple things in life.

The novelist currently resides in Wyoming, USA.

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4,523 reviews312 followers
October 17, 2024
“Trail of Fate” by B.S. Daniels is vintage western storytelling. As the first book in the author’s The Arduous Quest Series, this is what modern western readers have been clamoring for; a completely unvarnished return to the Wild West, complete with its grit, testosterone, and perseverance. “Trail of Fate” is Mr. Daniels’ debut novel, and it shows bright promise.

Told from the perspective of a young and talented cowboy named Reg, readers are privy to his thoughts and feelings, his hopes and fears. He and his twin brother Spencer live on their parents’ ranch, a large spread of several thousand acres. But Reg has hit the trail now, trying to locate several head of cattle that were rustled from their place, severely injuring his father in the process. Reg wants their cattle back. He’s also looking for some sweet revenge for his father.

Through a course of circumstances that could only be considered fate by most, Reg finds himself making a promise to a dying man; and it’s an outrageous promise. As the man is breathing his last, he explains where he has hidden his gold and asks Reg to deliver the news of his death along with the gold to his wife and daughters waiting for him in a small town. What faith this man had, that a stranger who rode up on him as he was dying would carry through on this promise rather than just take the gold for himself! But Reg’s moral compass always points true north, and as much of a pain as it is, he’ll do everything in his power to complete the man’s request.

Reg and his horse are two complete characters here. Reg is a stereotypical cowboy of the west, with decent manners, filthy boots, and the ability to draw faster than any man he knows. His horse, Roan, is a worthy counterpart. She approached Reg at what was a very fortuitous moment, deciding she would “adopt” him. A beautiful roan color, she bears the braided-in feathers of a Native American warrior, and the scars to say she’s been in several skirmishes. She’s an amazing animal who does what she wants when she wants and only allows those humans she deems worthy to handle her. Think big horse with the strength of a warrior, the speed of a thoroughbred, and the attitude of a housecat.

Reg takes that unplanned side trip to the tiny town of Twin Forks to speak to the dead man’s widow and daughters. As fate would have it, the eldest daughter, Chelsea, takes a shine to Reg before she hears the news about her father. With a tangle of emotions in play, Reg realizes he needs to stay for a while and help this town after he meets a man named A.W. Tate from the T Lazy 7 Ranch. Tate is a bully who will cheat, lie, and steal his way through life and think nothing of it. I’d love to tell you what Reg says the “A.W.” in Tate’s name stands for, but it’s not fit for print on this site. There aren’t many socially unacceptable words in this story, but Reg and the other townsfolk do manage to reserve a few for Tate and his men.

The characters here are a good mix of strong and courageous (both the men and women), tough and wizened, gentle and nurturing, or just plain rotten. We don’t need black hats to spot the bad guys in this story. In fact, that’s one of the joys of this entire novel. In its desire to feel like the vintage dime novels that popularized the west, this tale tends to stick with simple words, humble terms, and straightforward actions. This is not literary fiction. It doesn’t even really feel like the western writings of the 20th century such as McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove. It has a total 19th-century feel to it as readers can hear the horses’ hooves, smell the sweet grass (and the cow chips), see the vast beauty, and feel the pain of a town facing total rule by a group of men out of control.

I recommend B.S. Daniels’ “Trail of Fate” to readers who enjoy gritty stories with the feel and appeal of the old west. While this story is a bit cliché-heavy in the form of the famous TV westerns of the 60s, it doesn’t venture into the campy world of the ridiculous. It is simply straightforward as a good man takes on a deed he doesn’t want but chooses to do the right thing regardless of risk and is rewarded with the love of his life. Fans of Zane Grey, Louis L’Amour, and the classic TV westerns such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza will want to catch “Trail of Fate,” book one in The Arduous Quest Series.

173 reviews4 followers
October 18, 2024
Enjoyable book

What a good story with engaging characters and a good storyline. Enjoyed it greatly. Holding out for another one to follow!
10 reviews3 followers
September 6, 2024
Trail of Fate

I loved this book. It captivated me and I could not put it down. Read it within twenty-four hours. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good old fashioned western. Kudos to B.S. Daniels!
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Author 4 books112 followers
October 31, 2024
If you're seeking an action-packed classic Wild West adventure for a new generation of Western readers, look no further than "Trail of Fate."

This well-written story pays tribute to the "Old West Spaghetti Western" era. The characters—Reg, Pinkie, and Roan—are vibrant and engaging, often infused with humor. Overall, it's a fantastic reading experience that keeps you turning pages from beginning to end.

This is a great first novel in the series, and I eagerly await the next one in 'The Arduous Quest'series!
I highly recommend 'Trail of Fate!'

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