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Trail #2
Nodaway Trail
Comfortable in his new life in Deer Run, young Ruben Beeler is called away by Marshal Marion Daniels to help in an investigation of murder and mutilation north of St. Joe. That begins a search for killers and leads the men northward into unfamiliar territory, pitting them against a family of outlaws who have ruled Nodaway County since before the Civil War.
Push comes ta shove right smart, an’ things git hot an’ heavy quick, as even Rube, an’ Marion, an’ Homer, out numbered an’ outgunned, take to the dodge. It comes to be some desperate for all of ’em afore they git off THE NODAWAY TRAIL.
Push comes ta shove right smart, an’ things git hot an’ heavy quick, as even Rube, an’ Marion, an’ Homer, out numbered an’ outgunned, take to the dodge. It comes to be some desperate for all of ’em afore they git off THE NODAWAY TRAIL.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2012
89 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
David R. Lewis
30 books27 followersI am yet another embattled crusader in the writing wars. I live in the wilds of the Missouri outback with two cattledogs, a belligerent cat named Grizz, and my bride of 42 years, the coveted Laura. In my rather extended life I have been a musician, a metropolitan cop, a ranch hand and cowboy, and (shudder) a writer of radio and television commercial copy. Now before you run for the Pepto, let me say that there are some benefits to be had from such mundane labor. After a writer has ground through twenty to thirty thousand pieces of commercial copy, one of two things will happen. He will spend the last years of his life in Sunnydale Acres grinding his teeth and staring blankly at the sun, or he will have learned to write for Theatre of the Mind. In my case, some would claim the jury is still out but, since no nice young men in white coats have arrived at my dusty door sporting smiles and a jacket with extraordinarily long arms, I am free to keep the Theatre open . . . this time on my terms.
Even though I don’t care for bandwagons, I was browbeaten into writing two of my novels because I disliked the genres and trendiness from which they sprang. Oddly enough, they are two of my favorites. They are significantly different than others of their breed because I am a grown-up, and I write for grown-ups.
My novels are character-driven because life is character driven. As we move through the years, snippets of plots rocket by, but very few ever pan out. Characters, however, stay with us through thick and thin, rich with remembered dialogue and situation, four dimensional on the big screen in our Theatre of the Mind.
As a writer for grown-ups, my function is entertainment. Because I am a grown-up I indulge myself and write what entertains me: rich characters, tight dialogue, and uncomplicated storylines. Check out my website at www.ironbear-ebooks.com. Or, if you’d just want to jaw here for a while, great! Grizz won’t like it, but he’s just a cat.
Even though I don’t care for bandwagons, I was browbeaten into writing two of my novels because I disliked the genres and trendiness from which they sprang. Oddly enough, they are two of my favorites. They are significantly different than others of their breed because I am a grown-up, and I write for grown-ups.
My novels are character-driven because life is character driven. As we move through the years, snippets of plots rocket by, but very few ever pan out. Characters, however, stay with us through thick and thin, rich with remembered dialogue and situation, four dimensional on the big screen in our Theatre of the Mind.
As a writer for grown-ups, my function is entertainment. Because I am a grown-up I indulge myself and write what entertains me: rich characters, tight dialogue, and uncomplicated storylines. Check out my website at www.ironbear-ebooks.com. Or, if you’d just want to jaw here for a while, great! Grizz won’t like it, but he’s just a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 25, 2023
I usually don't get sucked into a series as much as this one has grabbed me, especially one that is so far out of my genre. I could not help but love these simple no nonsense characters. I thoroughly enjoy their dry, hilarious humor and the emphasis that is put on the food and livestock of that day. The author is the narrator, which I don't think is ever a good idea, but this series would not be the same without his very good and distinct voices for each character. All around great stories that I highly recommend.
June 11, 2018
It's pretty unusual for me to go on a binge of a single author's books, but I'm drinking deep from the well with David R. Lewis. I still need to do a review of his The Endless Journey to an Unknown Destination. But this is about Nodaway Trail, the second book in his Trail series about young Ruben Beeler.
I'm loving this series. Each book is kind of like a prolonged Gunsmoke episode, but with character growth. (I love Gunsmoke, but c'mon, nobody really grew or changed over the course of the series.) In this installment, Ruben and Harmony are expecting a baby, but Marion Daniels needs Rube to help him clear out some more bad men, so the newly minted sheriff of Deer Run sets out to do that. Several other characters from the previous book make a return, most notably Arkansas Bill Cole.
What I'm loving about Lewis's stories are the excellent mix of action, introspection, history and information (the dude knows his guns!), and especially the easy humor shared among the characters. Granted, Harmony is maybe a little too perfect a woman, but that's forgivable. It'll be interesting to see if she comes to change her mind about her husband always running off to fight bad men as the Beeler family grows.
Lewis narrates his own books, and he's damn good at it. I seriously envy his vocal talents. I read the e-book of Journey, but all his Westerns I've devoured have been in audio because I love his narration. There's never a doubt about which character is speaking. He employs varied dialects and intonations to make each voice distinct and memorable. One of the characters actually sounds a great deal like Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon (I'll let you figure out which one I'm thinking of).
If you like Westerns, or suspense with a lot of action and a generous helping of humor, I think you'll enjoy these books. I started the third book in the series as soon as Nodaway Trail ended.
I'm loving this series. Each book is kind of like a prolonged Gunsmoke episode, but with character growth. (I love Gunsmoke, but c'mon, nobody really grew or changed over the course of the series.) In this installment, Ruben and Harmony are expecting a baby, but Marion Daniels needs Rube to help him clear out some more bad men, so the newly minted sheriff of Deer Run sets out to do that. Several other characters from the previous book make a return, most notably Arkansas Bill Cole.
What I'm loving about Lewis's stories are the excellent mix of action, introspection, history and information (the dude knows his guns!), and especially the easy humor shared among the characters. Granted, Harmony is maybe a little too perfect a woman, but that's forgivable. It'll be interesting to see if she comes to change her mind about her husband always running off to fight bad men as the Beeler family grows.
Lewis narrates his own books, and he's damn good at it. I seriously envy his vocal talents. I read the e-book of Journey, but all his Westerns I've devoured have been in audio because I love his narration. There's never a doubt about which character is speaking. He employs varied dialects and intonations to make each voice distinct and memorable. One of the characters actually sounds a great deal like Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon (I'll let you figure out which one I'm thinking of).
If you like Westerns, or suspense with a lot of action and a generous helping of humor, I think you'll enjoy these books. I started the third book in the series as soon as Nodaway Trail ended.
September 16, 2020
Another fun outing (the second) of this series of westerns with Ruben Beeler and his side-kicks/mentors. Ruben is settled in his small town as the sheriff, but his U.S. Marshall buddy talks him into going out after another bad gang. The characters are realistic and funny, the action is reasonable, and the language is mild. The author narrates the audiobook and does a great job, although his drawl is habit-forming. Several LOL moments for me and lots of chuckles.
April 30, 2016
Norway Trail
I am totally hooked on these books. When I started the first one I thought it was gonna be about a simpleton or a real country hick. Boy was is wrong, I am really enjoying these books. These Marshall's are really smart. The books also have a little humor in them to give you a chuckle. Well worth reading.
I am totally hooked on these books. When I started the first one I thought it was gonna be about a simpleton or a real country hick. Boy was is wrong, I am really enjoying these books. These Marshall's are really smart. The books also have a little humor in them to give you a chuckle. Well worth reading.
December 28, 2017
THE THREE AMIGOS
Ruben Beeler Homer Poteet and Marian Daniels, are all United States Marshals. Miss Harmony, wife of Ruben Beeler just gave birth to a male child, their first and his name is William Cole Beeler; named after Arkansas Bill Cole, a United States Marshal who died in a shoot out, but he really was dying from liver cancer and wanted to go out wearing his boots not laying in a sick bed.
The vernacular used throughout all the books of this series are funny for instance, "yella haired girl
et=eat, winda=when we", as you read these books you truly will "will go south", as Ruben says when he's tickled by something is said by the other two U.S.Marshals..They are funny and truly enjoy one another's friendships. They love their horses especially Willie, Marshal Beeler ride and we can't forget Arliss, the mule who doesn't need to be hobbled nor does he need a trail rope. He may not be fast because of his shorter legs, but he gets there just the same...can't help but love him and give him peppermint candies...
Ruben Beeler Homer Poteet and Marian Daniels, are all United States Marshals. Miss Harmony, wife of Ruben Beeler just gave birth to a male child, their first and his name is William Cole Beeler; named after Arkansas Bill Cole, a United States Marshal who died in a shoot out, but he really was dying from liver cancer and wanted to go out wearing his boots not laying in a sick bed.
The vernacular used throughout all the books of this series are funny for instance, "yella haired girl
et=eat, winda=when we", as you read these books you truly will "will go south", as Ruben says when he's tickled by something is said by the other two U.S.Marshals..They are funny and truly enjoy one another's friendships. They love their horses especially Willie, Marshal Beeler ride and we can't forget Arliss, the mule who doesn't need to be hobbled nor does he need a trail rope. He may not be fast because of his shorter legs, but he gets there just the same...can't help but love him and give him peppermint candies...
February 24, 2019
It was great read love reading these books as they take me to another place can’t wait to read the next one keep up the good work I wold recommend this book to my dad an love the language it really gets you in the mood
Keep up the good work an keep us suspense these stories truly put you in another world love reading your books
Keep up the good work an keep us suspense these stories truly put you in another world love reading your books
March 26, 2021
Great choice
I like to read westerns but in Deer Run it took me so much longer to read for I’m a speed reader so I slowed me to understand the plot . It’s a great series and so country and western. . I just put myself back into those mountains and country I was raised in. I’m enjoying this series!
I like to read westerns but in Deer Run it took me so much longer to read for I’m a speed reader so I slowed me to understand the plot . It’s a great series and so country and western. . I just put myself back into those mountains and country I was raised in. I’m enjoying this series!
December 28, 2017
Another good read in the trail series.
I read these books in one setting. Seems like the Author is telling a story you can't stop listening too. Looking forward to the next book, and the rest of the story.
I read these books in one setting. Seems like the Author is telling a story you can't stop listening too. Looking forward to the next book, and the rest of the story.
October 10, 2020
Reckon so’s it’s kindly likely I’m agonna be hittin’ the Trail with Lewis again pretty dadgum soon…!
My Full Review
My Full Review
December 27, 2020
A western
Briliant stuff, very enjoyable read, love the characters and the world the writer creates. The dialogue and pacing reminds me a lot of the brilliant "hitch & cole" novels, which is no bad thing. A pleasent and engaging read.
Briliant stuff, very enjoyable read, love the characters and the world the writer creates. The dialogue and pacing reminds me a lot of the brilliant "hitch & cole" novels, which is no bad thing. A pleasent and engaging read.
December 8, 2023
Excellent read
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the language and the characters just came to life. I've tread just about every western writer there is and Mr Lewis is definitely one of the best. I put him up there with R.O. lane. Keep up the great work, my friend.
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the language and the characters just came to life. I've tread just about every western writer there is and Mr Lewis is definitely one of the best. I put him up there with R.O. lane. Keep up the great work, my friend.
January 17, 2018
I reckon I enjoy these here books. Mighty good
readin, y'all. Git yerself one, take a load off,
and read er.
readin, y'all. Git yerself one, take a load off,
and read er.
August 14, 2018
Nodaway Trail
Another great book in the series by Mr Lewis. It's full of drama with tough lawmen taking care of business.
Another great book in the series by Mr Lewis. It's full of drama with tough lawmen taking care of business.
Read
July 7, 2020Great
February 21, 2017
A very good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it to everyone.
March 22, 2025
A third trip for this series. I don’t think it’s possible to rate this any higher than five stars. I guess it’s fifteen stars . One for each time. This is a reread or rather a second listen to one of the absolute best of audiobooks. Read by the author who certainly enhances the story with and incredible range of voices for the characters. I think this would be better as an audiobook as I find reading written dialect to often come off as silly or condescending etc. I felt like this story was really brought to life by the authors knowledge of his characters.
January 8, 2016
Great Story
When the U. S. Marshall gets on your trail, there's nothing you can do to get them off. Wonderful continuation of the series.
When the U. S. Marshall gets on your trail, there's nothing you can do to get them off. Wonderful continuation of the series.
April 28, 2018
This is the second book in the series.
Just loved the writing, the performance, the history. I felt like I was on the trail and how life was.
Ruben is a wonderful young man. The other characters are rich and colorful! buying the next one now!
Just loved the writing, the performance, the history. I felt like I was on the trail and how life was.
Ruben is a wonderful young man. The other characters are rich and colorful! buying the next one now!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews