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The Legend of Jack Donovan
After Jack Donovan's parents are killed in a raid on the Oregon Trail, he's brought up by the wagon train half white, half Sioux.
At the age of thirteen, Jack is a drifter, until he rides into the Double M ranch in Cedar Creek. The legend of Jack Donovan begins here, when he takes down rustlers and a glory-hunting gunslinger.
Now, returning from the civil war, Jack finds that a carpetbagger is trying to take over the Double M. Faced with Jack and the Bailey brothers, the carpetbagger has hired some of the fastest guns in the West to win the Cedar Creek war.
But what he doesn't know is that Jack is the fastest gun of them all.
THE LEGEND OF JACK DONOVAN is the first book in the Bailey Clan Westerns series, set in the harsh mid-19th century American Frontier.
At the age of thirteen, Jack is a drifter, until he rides into the Double M ranch in Cedar Creek. The legend of Jack Donovan begins here, when he takes down rustlers and a glory-hunting gunslinger.
Now, returning from the civil war, Jack finds that a carpetbagger is trying to take over the Double M. Faced with Jack and the Bailey brothers, the carpetbagger has hired some of the fastest guns in the West to win the Cedar Creek war.
But what he doesn't know is that Jack is the fastest gun of them all.
THE LEGEND OF JACK DONOVAN is the first book in the Bailey Clan Westerns series, set in the harsh mid-19th century American Frontier.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 28, 2025
Good story
A lot of action and adventure in this old fashioned western. Always good guys and bad guys, but sometimes bad guys get given a chance. Makes for a good read!
A lot of action and adventure in this old fashioned western. Always good guys and bad guys, but sometimes bad guys get given a chance. Makes for a good read!
January 1, 2025
A Different Kind of Western
This western could have been made into a four or five hundred page book. The author did a good job with the characters and plot of the book for a short book. The retelling of the lightening hands was used just a little too much, plus the good guys never got shot and the bad guys all got, shot, killed or hurt. This is an interesting read and worth it for a quick read.
This western could have been made into a four or five hundred page book. The author did a good job with the characters and plot of the book for a short book. The retelling of the lightening hands was used just a little too much, plus the good guys never got shot and the bad guys all got, shot, killed or hurt. This is an interesting read and worth it for a quick read.
December 6, 2024
Entertaining and unrealistic.
Legend is right. If you're into invincible heroes, Jack Donovan is your man. Rifleman, pistolero, knife fighter, mmf fighter, he's all of these. There are a couple of other bigger than life, but not as big as Jack, good guys here too. Four stars is a bit much, but it did keep me entertained and was written well enough. Stock plot.
Legend is right. If you're into invincible heroes, Jack Donovan is your man. Rifleman, pistolero, knife fighter, mmf fighter, he's all of these. There are a couple of other bigger than life, but not as big as Jack, good guys here too. Four stars is a bit much, but it did keep me entertained and was written well enough. Stock plot.
May 2, 2025
cliched but good
I am afraid this was so cliched it cost a star! Storytelling worth 4.5, but accurate shooting from a galloping horse? Well done- at least he wasn’t blind.
I’ll try another - and tiny hope!
I am afraid this was so cliched it cost a star! Storytelling worth 4.5, but accurate shooting from a galloping horse? Well done- at least he wasn’t blind.
I’ll try another - and tiny hope!
February 15, 2026
Fun
A quick fun western. The is an action packed novel with great characters. The author does a great job with creating believable characters and the world they live in. I love reading about this time in history and this is a good addition to my book collection.
A quick fun western. The is an action packed novel with great characters. The author does a great job with creating believable characters and the world they live in. I love reading about this time in history and this is a good addition to my book collection.
April 28, 2025
I was pleased with my 1st experience with this author.
A solid Western read. The characters make this story/book. The author gets high marks for that. The plot was solid. It seemed to be only positive for the main character. It might have helped if there was some negativity. The scene settings were lacking in establishing a western setting. The civil war was mentioned; but I would have liked to have read scenes that established everyday life.
A solid Western read. The characters make this story/book. The author gets high marks for that. The plot was solid. It seemed to be only positive for the main character. It might have helped if there was some negativity. The scene settings were lacking in establishing a western setting. The civil war was mentioned; but I would have liked to have read scenes that established everyday life.
April 13, 2026
I enjoyed reading this short action packed western. The amount of men he out shot was a little unbelievable but can be excused. The author explains his characters ability by claiming it was taught to him along with chinese martial arts.
April 27, 2026
Great Read.
This book was very interesting for me. It was a little different than some of other books I have read. The story was well written and I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Happy Reading!
This book was very interesting for me. It was a little different than some of other books I have read. The story was well written and I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Happy Reading!
November 27, 2024
DNF Didn't really care for it.
December 5, 2024
not a bad action western.
January 1, 2025
Awesome
I loved reading about Jack Donovan, both families, and friends. Can't wait to start Book 2. Can't wait to see what the Bailey Clan is up to.
I loved reading about Jack Donovan, both families, and friends. Can't wait to start Book 2. Can't wait to see what the Bailey Clan is up to.
January 25, 2025
Classic western action
You know it's implausible, but it's well enough written to keep you turning the pages to see what comes nu
You know it's implausible, but it's well enough written to keep you turning the pages to see what comes nu
January 25, 2025
Good guys…bad guys and a legend
Jack had many names. His reputation was more of a tale. Many “western” battles. And a final victory. A good read.
Jack had many names. His reputation was more of a tale. Many “western” battles. And a final victory. A good read.
March 7, 2025
A very quick read, book is almost like a synopsis for a larger novel. A western about a protagonist that is basically superman with a stetson. Unrealistic action, dialogue and plot. Pure escapism.
July 25, 2025
Great
Liked the whole story. How some don't have to toot their own horns. Real good take on good defeats evil again
Liked the whole story. How some don't have to toot their own horns. Real good take on good defeats evil again
August 13, 2025
Entertaining. Easy reading.
September 5, 2025
Good story
It was a good story but a long read. Seems like the story was slow in the telling. I am.glad to have read it.
It was a good story but a long read. Seems like the story was slow in the telling. I am.glad to have read it.
November 29, 2025
Can’t put it down
December 12, 2025
This was a great book fast paced and lot's of action with likable characters, It reminds me a lot like a Louis L'Amour book.
December 18, 2025
A rootin tootin old fashioned western. Very high body count. Great dialogue and a hero you gotta love.
April 17, 2026
I’m impressed.
It was action packed from beginning to end—the way I like it. I recommend the book to anyone that likes westerns with plenty of shootouts.
It was action packed from beginning to end—the way I like it. I recommend the book to anyone that likes westerns with plenty of shootouts.
May 10, 2026
Great Western
I wasn't expecting it to be so good, but it was. I am sure if you enjoy gritty Western that aren't namby pamby, you'll love this one too.
I wasn't expecting it to be so good, but it was. I am sure if you enjoy gritty Western that aren't namby pamby, you'll love this one too.
May 11, 2026
Classic Western.
A well written classic Western novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be moving on to the next in the series. Glad to have discovered a new (for me) Western author.
A well written classic Western novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be moving on to the next in the series. Glad to have discovered a new (for me) Western author.
May 13, 2026
Very Good
A terrific story. Good characters and plenty of action. More stories coming. May be able to read as a stand alone.
A terrific story. Good characters and plenty of action. More stories coming. May be able to read as a stand alone.
June 6, 2026
The fact that is Jack
Great book one in this series. So earful action with characters that will jump off
the page. Great back story. Super ending.
Great book one in this series. So earful action with characters that will jump off
the page. Great back story. Super ending.
December 2, 2024
You want action, this book has it!!!
I liked that the good guys had morals and were honest and loyal. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a western with lots of action. I was proud that the author did not use any cuss words. To me, the use of cuss were words shows a limited vocabulary.
I liked that the good guys had morals and were honest and loyal. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a western with lots of action. I was proud that the author did not use any cuss words. To me, the use of cuss were words shows a limited vocabulary.
August 3, 2026
Meh.
Pretty much a waste of time. Very predictable. No more from this author.
Pretty much a waste of time. Very predictable. No more from this author.
January 10, 2026
Excellent
This is a book you just can't put down! It is all written with great characters and the perfect setting.
This is a book you just can't put down! It is all written with great characters and the perfect setting.
November 23, 2024
My first western story I've read.
Some of the stories gave me pictures in my mind of movies like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, 3:10 to Yuma, Appaloosa and A Fistful of Dollars.
If you played games like Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Revolver; this book captures the description of the Gunslinger shootouts and Saloons and drifter trail journeys.
I was a bit disappointed of the ending.. I did expect a Gunslinger draw showdown challenge between the protagonist & the antagonist, however the ending took a different approach which to my surprise was okay-ish I guess.
Overall, it was a nice story and does capture the essence of a Gunslinger & drifter that rides into a small town, only for trouble to find him.
Some of the stories gave me pictures in my mind of movies like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, 3:10 to Yuma, Appaloosa and A Fistful of Dollars.
If you played games like Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Revolver; this book captures the description of the Gunslinger shootouts and Saloons and drifter trail journeys.
I was a bit disappointed of the ending.. I did expect a Gunslinger draw showdown challenge between the protagonist & the antagonist, however the ending took a different approach which to my surprise was okay-ish I guess.
Overall, it was a nice story and does capture the essence of a Gunslinger & drifter that rides into a small town, only for trouble to find him.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews