Back to Jack

by Bill Applewhite

Carefree Iraq war veteran Jack Banyan finds himself in the fight of his life during his stay at a mysterious dude ranch. What started out a peaceful weekend filled with fresh air and fresh cowgirls becomes a nightmarish experience that is surreal yet defining.



Authentic Wild West actors, a nasty outlaw named Bart, marauding Indians, and a beautiful woman all contrive to make Jack believe he is actually in 1870 Colorado. Convinced he is inside an elaborate leadership course, Jack is completely unprepared for the impending conflict. In his first disastrous engagement, he loses his prized hiking boots and his dignity as his opponents are playing by a completely foreign set of rules. His unusual infatuation and spiritual connection with feisty young widow Hope adds to Jack's uncertainty, and forces him to re-examine the man he really is. Unsure of the reason for his ordeal, and searching for the way out, Jack throws in with the innocents in their battle with Bart and his thugs. A man of action, and now bare feet, Jack is all too ready to play the game using the tools of the age, his modern wits, and some worn out, holey boots. Whether fighting on the technological battlefield of Iraq or the dusty streets of the Old West, Jack finds ingenuity and bold action are the keys to success.



When the bullets turn out to be real, the cost of his decisions increases perilously. Time and fate ultimately drive Jack to a heroic battle with an unknown outcome. Jack must choose between an escape back to the safety and shallow encounters of his world, and a dangerous gamble that he can survive long enough to win the girl, prevent Bart from altering history, and start a new life in an old time.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2014

Reviews

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy am I glad my neighbour is pretty much deaf as the proverbial post or she would be sending the men in white coats round to my house for a collection if she had overheard me cackling to myself in the very early hours (actually, that should probably be late hours, it was about four in the morning.) No, truly, I'm not certifiable, it's just that there was some very funny one-liners that hit my warped funny bone in just the right way. Usually the main character chatting away in his head. Or yelling at a recalcitrant Charley the horse after he was thrown off. Or 'In between Ows, Shits, and Ouches, Jack tried to make sense of what was going on.' (Jack seems to make a habit of getting his shoes stolen.)

Something most peculiar happened while I was reading this book ... I hate romance stories and Western themed ones are almost as low on my favourite genre list, but I really loved this book. No, don't send the white-coated ones to apprehend me, I'll try and explain. I actually downloaded this story for the time travel component and probably didn't note what else it was tagged with.

I think this story, in spite of including two of my least favourite genres, was so enjoyable because it really didn't take itself too seriously; the characters were strong and likeable and it was very easy to empathise with the main character's initial confusion and denial. (That didn't stop me from laughing/cackling at some of the predicaments in which he found himself.
Also little asides to Maxwell Smart ('missed me by that much' as he dodged a rampaging bull) and Fantasy Island - I think my age is showing!
Hmm, this sneaky author caught me out with a brilliant yarn, great characters, easy to hate (and laugh at) bad guys and a lot of action. It was entertaining watching Jack (not watch quack - flipping autocorrect!) improvise his way out of scenarios. There's also a very unexpected twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
Definitely recommend and I hope he's written more of this series for me to read or I shall be very disappointed!
Bummer! I'm officially sad, no following book yet, but I'm hopeful...