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Desert Resurrection: A Smoke Tree Series Novel
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2026
About the author
Gary J. George
28 books99 followersGary George spent his teenage years in Needles, California, and his Smoke Tree novels are set in the Mojave Desert of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Gary was blessed with a long and happy marriage to his beloved, Ginny Boyd, author of the book "Birdy Bird." When Ginny died in January 2018, Gary could not write for a while. However, during a seventy-mile backpacking trip across the desert from the Colorado River to the middle of the Mojave National Preserve in May of that year, he began to come to terms with her death. When he returned home, he discovered that immersing himself in his writing allowed him a few hours of relief from sadness, and he began work on "The Carnival, The Cross, and the Burning Desert."
In 2024, Gary was diagnosed with four severely blocked arteries in his heart and underwent open-heart surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He wrote a book about his experience and recovery, "Out of the Cabbage (CABG) Patch," while concurrently working on the twelfth novel in the Smoke Tree series, "Mojave Desert Jezebeth," which was published in July of 2025. The thirteenth book in the Smoke Tree Series, "Desert Resurrection," was published on April 2, 2026.
In 2024, Gary was diagnosed with four severely blocked arteries in his heart and underwent open-heart surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He wrote a book about his experience and recovery, "Out of the Cabbage (CABG) Patch," while concurrently working on the twelfth novel in the Smoke Tree series, "Mojave Desert Jezebeth," which was published in July of 2025. The thirteenth book in the Smoke Tree Series, "Desert Resurrection," was published on April 2, 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 14, 2026
Outstanding
I have read everyone of your books. Used to live in Bulkhead City and Fort Mohave. Still in AZ but your books bring me back. Eagerly awaiting your next.
I have read everyone of your books. Used to live in Bulkhead City and Fort Mohave. Still in AZ but your books bring me back. Eagerly awaiting your next.
May 11, 2026
Another beautiful Smoke Tree saga from Gary George
Gary George has become one of my all time favorite authors over the years. Besides the depth of character and integrity of all his characters and their interrelationship with each other across the years he portrays, his details of the Mojave desert, places and plants in the region of Needles (Smoke Tree) are stunning. As a field biologist who has worked a variety of environmental projects throughout this region, from Twentynine Palms to Barstow, Vidal Junction, to Needles and Las Vegas, I can visually see and feel the experience of the particular places and landscapes he describes, even today as it was back in the decades in which his stories take place. My one big disappointments is that he does not give descriptions and observations of the incredible variety of wild creatures to be encountered throughout this region as well. Besides jackrabbits and coyotes, there are many species of small rodents, snakes, desert tortoise, chuckwallas, horned toads and many other unique lizards. There are desert bighorns and jumping mice. There are cactus wrens, and many unique species of small birds from hummingbirds to quail and chukars, as well as various owls and hawks, all encountered in particular areas of this region. One might observe great flocks of pelicans passing overhead between the Salton Sea and the Pacific coast, even ducks and other waterbirds resting in the desert pools after a powerful thunderstorm. Joe would have noted them intently during his deep desert hikes, observing their vibrant sounds and colors and movements amid the incredible vegetation and land formations. They offer powerful lessons and stories to any who pause to look, listen, contemplate.
Gary George has become one of my all time favorite authors over the years. Besides the depth of character and integrity of all his characters and their interrelationship with each other across the years he portrays, his details of the Mojave desert, places and plants in the region of Needles (Smoke Tree) are stunning. As a field biologist who has worked a variety of environmental projects throughout this region, from Twentynine Palms to Barstow, Vidal Junction, to Needles and Las Vegas, I can visually see and feel the experience of the particular places and landscapes he describes, even today as it was back in the decades in which his stories take place. My one big disappointments is that he does not give descriptions and observations of the incredible variety of wild creatures to be encountered throughout this region as well. Besides jackrabbits and coyotes, there are many species of small rodents, snakes, desert tortoise, chuckwallas, horned toads and many other unique lizards. There are desert bighorns and jumping mice. There are cactus wrens, and many unique species of small birds from hummingbirds to quail and chukars, as well as various owls and hawks, all encountered in particular areas of this region. One might observe great flocks of pelicans passing overhead between the Salton Sea and the Pacific coast, even ducks and other waterbirds resting in the desert pools after a powerful thunderstorm. Joe would have noted them intently during his deep desert hikes, observing their vibrant sounds and colors and movements amid the incredible vegetation and land formations. They offer powerful lessons and stories to any who pause to look, listen, contemplate.
April 29, 2026
I have been a fan of Gary George’s writing for years, and I believe Desert Resurrection is his best yet. His description of the geology, geography and fauna of the Needles CA area is outstanding. I am particularly enthralled with the character of Joe Medrano, a person I would love to know in real life. How George ties a wide variety of characters, good and bad, together is fascinating and makes for a great story
I was particularly impressed with his lengthy discussion of religions and religious characters through the ages. The research to write this portion of the story must have been a daunting task indeed. Youb will have to read the book to see how he brings this about through a dying character.
I heartily recommend Glass’ books to all readers.
I was particularly impressed with his lengthy discussion of religions and religious characters through the ages. The research to write this portion of the story must have been a daunting task indeed. Youb will have to read the book to see how he brings this about through a dying character.
I heartily recommend Glass’ books to all readers.
April 10, 2026
I have read the entire series and consider the perfect balance of the harsh, beautiful day to day reality of desert life with the surreal, spiritual moments of transcendence that occasionally occur in each story to be extremely well conceived and written.
as another reviewer mentioned, the characters have developed over time and have become well-known and true to themselves.
I feel glad anticipation as soon as notice of a new book
is received, and I read it in one sitting- catching up with and learning more about the town and people of Smoke Tree -
as another reviewer mentioned, the characters have developed over time and have become well-known and true to themselves.
I feel glad anticipation as soon as notice of a new book
is received, and I read it in one sitting- catching up with and learning more about the town and people of Smoke Tree -
April 13, 2026
Wonderful book series.
I have read all the books in the series and loved them all. The author has developed his characters nicely.. The stories are connected from book to book usually with one being featured. I liked how the author connected them from book to book. The characters were sympathetic and I liked that the characters stories were cozy feeling. I learned a lot about the dessert that was interesting. I like learning about an area that is new to me. I think anyone who likes police procedurals with a good story and minimal bloodshed would enjoy these books.
I have read all the books in the series and loved them all. The author has developed his characters nicely.. The stories are connected from book to book usually with one being featured. I liked how the author connected them from book to book. The characters were sympathetic and I liked that the characters stories were cozy feeling. I learned a lot about the dessert that was interesting. I like learning about an area that is new to me. I think anyone who likes police procedurals with a good story and minimal bloodshed would enjoy these books.
April 7, 2026
Best one yet
I love the whole series, but I think this is th
e best yet. The characters are now so familiar, and all clearly drawn. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys really good, which may be too simplistic for some readers, but this series is partly a lesson in living.
I love the whole series, but I think this is th
e best yet. The characters are now so familiar, and all clearly drawn. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys really good, which may be too simplistic for some readers, but this series is partly a lesson in living.
April 8, 2026
A book loaded with humanity
There is a lot less mystery and violence than in earlier books in this serie,s, but the combination of the details of the geography and in carrying forward the characters so well developed in previous novels in this series makes me always happy when there's a new book and now eagerly awaiting the next one. Thank you Gary George.
There is a lot less mystery and violence than in earlier books in this serie,s, but the combination of the details of the geography and in carrying forward the characters so well developed in previous novels in this series makes me always happy when there's a new book and now eagerly awaiting the next one. Thank you Gary George.
April 10, 2026
My favorite author
Gary j George is my favorite author. After reading Hundreds of books over the years,the smoke tree series really hit home with me. My hometown is Redlands California and these stories take place in my old tromping grounds. Some of the best years of my life. Please keep writing Gary.I'm looking forward to the next book.
Gary j George is my favorite author. After reading Hundreds of books over the years,the smoke tree series really hit home with me. My hometown is Redlands California and these stories take place in my old tromping grounds. Some of the best years of my life. Please keep writing Gary.I'm looking forward to the next book.
April 19, 2026
Most Heartwarming series!
These Smoke Tree novels are my favorite series—Eagerly awaited and thoroughly enjoyed! I was a teenager during the early to mid 70’s so there is some nostalgia for me. That said, the characters and stories come alive in a way that few other authors achieve. There is a timeless depth to each character that has a lingering effect.
These Smoke Tree novels are my favorite series—Eagerly awaited and thoroughly enjoyed! I was a teenager during the early to mid 70’s so there is some nostalgia for me. That said, the characters and stories come alive in a way that few other authors achieve. There is a timeless depth to each character that has a lingering effect.
April 23, 2026
Thank you Gary George
You allowed me to continue to share the story of extraordinary but believable people you created. Your love of the land you grew up in is evident in your vivid descriptions of it. In my advanced age (89) I vow to drive my Corvette to Needles to
augment my mental images with reality. Hopefully they will be rewarded with another chapter in your saga.
You allowed me to continue to share the story of extraordinary but believable people you created. Your love of the land you grew up in is evident in your vivid descriptions of it. In my advanced age (89) I vow to drive my Corvette to Needles to
augment my mental images with reality. Hopefully they will be rewarded with another chapter in your saga.
April 11, 2026
Mr George writes a great story. I eagerly await each one. The characters are very well developed and by the time you read the second book in the series you feel that know each of them. In this book after the bad guys are addressed the family he has created draw closer .
April 13, 2026
always like coming home
over the course of this series, I have come to be invested in these people. They are warm and real and make me long for a time and a place that doesn't exist. There is no greater feeling than re reading the series one a new book comes out. Thank you.
over the course of this series, I have come to be invested in these people. They are warm and real and make me long for a time and a place that doesn't exist. There is no greater feeling than re reading the series one a new book comes out. Thank you.
April 30, 2026
Love this series
I have come to love the Smoke Tree series. It is a good easy read. In Smoke Tree life is good and the main characters who live there are willing to share their goodness. in a day and time when we can be anything we want , we can always be kind to one another.
I have come to love the Smoke Tree series. It is a good easy read. In Smoke Tree life is good and the main characters who live there are willing to share their goodness. in a day and time when we can be anything we want , we can always be kind to one another.
May 16, 2026
like going home
If the Smoke Tree series were a lifetime long it would never be finished…the desert, families and friends create a magical place we all sometimes wish we could be. Long walks and remembering fill the void and good friends cement it.
If the Smoke Tree series were a lifetime long it would never be finished…the desert, families and friends create a magical place we all sometimes wish we could be. Long walks and remembering fill the void and good friends cement it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews