The Lawless

The Kerrigans: A Texas Dynasty #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

The Greatest Western Writers Of The 21st Century

They survived the perilous thousand-mile journey to the far edges of the Texas frontier. Now the family that tamed the Wild West must fight to defend their home from a ruthless band hell-bent on stealing g it away.

A Kerrigan Never Back Down

Kate Kerrigan has seen the blood-soaked face of war. But nothing has prepared her for the assault on her land that begins with an eviction order hammered onto the door of her family's cabin. Beautiful, cold-blooded Savannah Saint James has her sights set on the Kerrigan property--and twelve of the deadliest hired guns in Texas are ready to back her play. Kate has her sons by her side, a ragtag group of ranchers who don't like outsiders messing with their cattle, and a fighting spirit passed down from her Irish ancestors. One thing's for sure: the Kerrigans aren't giving up what's theirs without a scrap. When the battle is joined, only one side will prevail--and the end will be written in gun smoke.

Genres: Westerns

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 28, 2015

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at a later date.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Range war - two very strong willed women. While the strong Irish one will do anything a man would do to save her ranch, her livestock, and protect her family (she backs down from NO one and no situation), the other woman is vindictive, has a small gang with her ruthless brother on her side, and uses a life of privilege, her especially good looks to take whatever she wants. In this case it means the land and cattle of Katie Kerrigan.

Colorful characters. Fast moving pace to the end. My favorite part of this book is when the two opposed women meet face to face for the first time. The dialogue between them was ridiculously sarcastic and the undercutting jabs thrown by each of them was said in the most hilarious way, while at the same time each trying to sound courteous. Omg - that was a brilliant verbal banter!

Unique historical fiction on the western frontier. Found on Hoopla, free read, audio version.

[Cindy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally engrossing - even the ending. Read by an entire cast and it is an excellent performance all around.

[Jewell Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This 2nd book in the series was as good as the one before, can't wait to start the next one. Always surprises exciting, never predictable.

[Lowell Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I listen to this book and the reader was great. I realize that he made the book better than the way it was written. JA Johnstone is not the same as William Johnstone. The detail is so different. I did enjoy this book more than initial book of the series but then again they both could’ve been a standalone because they were different. Why start a series and then switch everything up. It was like starting a family from Ireland and next thing you know they’re from Mexico. I’m exaggerating but that’s the way I felt. The detail of it is so different from William Johnstone. You have a rancher from Texas that’s been through everything but turns his back to someone that’s injured that’s trying to kill him and his ranch and the guy shoots him in the back. There’s so many situations like this that makes me feel that how he is nothing like his uncle, the original author. Like I mentioned, I felt it was going good but I realize it’s because I love the character of Kate and the reader of the book kept me intrigued. I started realizing I was rolling my eyes a little too much.

[Woffie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was this a western or a comedy? Seems like one person wrote the beginning and a second person finished it without reading what was already there. Bad guys are already known to be evil, willing to murder for no reason and yet a highly experienced western texas rancher turns his back on a guy with a gun right after telling him he was going to leave him there to die? Yeah, I don’t think so.

And really, a steam powder iron carriage? And all the bad guys just happen to kill each other off?

Loved the first half of the book. Hated the second.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. The body count was way too high. I would just start hating one antagonist, and then he would get killed. It seemed like killing just for the sake of killing, but then maybe that's what some readers of westerns want. Not me, thanks. I'd prefer a better story. Also, some of the dialogue was very silly and unrealistic, especially between the women.

[larry brashear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book!

This book was a bit different from the norm of this writer. It was interesting but strange in a good way.

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best thing about discovering a new author is reading several of his books in a row.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

And thought one had to read Grey or L'Amour for a good western. Really enjoyed this one, will be picking up others of Mr. Johnstone.

[Elke Haas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild West tamed by women.....

[John C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Plenty of twists and turns in this book. Many interesting characters! Look forward to the next book, I’m sure it will be just as good.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and its fiery Irish heroine as she and her family build a Texas dynasty. I look forward to reading more of the series and highly recommend it.

[Dimitri]

Westerns zijn al sinds kindsbeen een genre waar ik naar grijp voor een portie "hersenloos lezen".
Bijgevolg kan een boek met zeer veel wegraken. Zolang het maar een zekere sfeer oproept.

Dit boek begint veelbelovend de sfeersetting zit mijn inziens zeer goed: maar ongeveer halverwege is de vete tussen de twee hoofdpersonages onrealistisch geworden en en zijn een aantal personages zo ongeloofwaardig ( als westernfiguur) dat de sfeer serieus verpest geraakt.

desalniettemin hoop ik dat het volgende boek in de nieuwe reeks de zelfde lijn volgt als het eerste helft van het boek waardoor ik deze reeks toch nog een kans wil geven.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kerrigans. Books 1-2 by Johnstone_ William W - Johnstone_ J. A
Have read many of the authors other works and have enjoyed the westerns.
A Texas Destiny a clan of pioneers as they are making their way to the west.
Kate Kerrigan, a mother of 5 and they leave TN after the death of her spouse. They head to western TX via Kansas where they meet an important person in their life.
They leave a troubled past behind where one is wanted for questioning...Hagger gives them everything they could ever want-a house, ranch and land for a cattle farm.
Renegades and tornadoes and you wonder how they are to survive.
.
The Lawless
Kate takes in many who help her and the ranch. Others from the east want her land and cattle and have hired guns.
She has a few that will help her but it's not enough. Others tell her to winter in a warmer climate and then return...
Lots of struggles and deaths as they fight for their land and family.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Kerrigan is a true Texas woman, independent, capable of doing nearly anything and willing to defend what is hers; family and property. This is the second book in this series and I loved it. Looking forward to the next one.

[Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a particularly good read. The author is trying to be L'Amour and doesn't bring it off. He seems to think all men of that time only thought of rape and the conversation the first time Savannah and Kate meet is totally ridiculous!

[Jeff]

vg

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kerrigans fight for land, and really not for the faint of heart.