West Of The War

by L.J. Martin

Young Bradon McTavish watches the bluecoats brutally hang his father and destroy everything he's known, and he escapes their wrath into the gunsmoke and blood of war. Captured and paroled, only if he'll head west of the war, he rides the river into the wilds of the new territory of Montana where savages and grizzlies await. He discovers new friends and old enemies...and a woman formerly forbidden to him. Action adventure at it's best from the author of Nemesis, Mr. Pettigrew, the Montana Series, and many more acclaimed westerns and historicals.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Action

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2016

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Great characters, lots of action and beautifully painted descriptions of the scenes. Hard to put this book down, you just have to start one more chapter. I spent a few late nights reading when I should have been sleeping - like tonight. I just had to finish to know what happened.

[Gloria Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book worth reading

A book that is good from start to finish..kept me interested, wanting more.
The only thing I disliked was it ended..I must read book .

[Mike Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding read.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't so sure about this one at first. I listened to it as an audio book and at first it just seemed kind of unprofessional. I wasn't sure if it was the narrator or the writing. However, I quickly settled into the story and ended up really liking it. In fact, my only real complaint is that it ended so suddenly. I feel like there is a lot more to learn about these characters and their adventures.

So, Brayden McTavish is the 19-year-old son of a Missouri farmer when the Civil War gets going. He's a loyal southern boy, but has stayed home at his father's urging to help with the big farm. But one day some Yankees come to the house and things go sour and Brad's father ends up swinging from a tree. Brad joins up with the "butternut boys" of the Confederacy and quickly moves up in rank thanks to a nervous horse. I won't summarize everything, but eventually Brad and a friend named Ian have to go west to stay out of the war. They have numerous adventures along the way, both in fighting, learning new skills, and loving.

I could still quibble a little about some stilted dialogue and Brayden's fast transformation in terms of racial tolerance, but really, it didn't bother me much in the course of the fast-action story. This is a Western, a good one, and readers of the genre will be happy with what they're getting.

[Jerry Struthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl

A fine tale about Braden's journey from the Civil War south to the gold fields out west or almost to that point. Pearl and her brother, Ray, play a pivotal part in that journey.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly great book

I forgot how much I enjoy reading of the old west but since I found the Montana series I'm addicted. I'm lucky that they are all available now so I to wait for the next saga.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still impressed

What I don't like is finding no sequel to one of L.J. Martin's books. At the end of one I'm left wanting more and beginning to miss my new friends.

[Ron Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rcsva13

I really enjoyed this book and I will be looking for more books by this author. Looking forward to the next book.

[Jimmy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

Excellent story! Another example of rising above difficulty. Boiler blows up and you're shipwrecked? Survive and make money and trade goods.

[Louis Giancola · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of a vacuous book with cartoon like characters. Its only redeeming feature was a peak into life on a paddle wheeler on the Missouri River.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fluffy adventure saga

[Jerry Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Really enjoyed the excitement and the plot of this book. It has good dialogue, interesting characters, and the descriptions are well-written.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, well written, entertaining and engaging story. The journey across the country (1864) around/during the time of the civil war was not an easy task. The story pulls you into the journey and you feel like you are right there with them in the middle of the action.

This story is a period piece. It stays true to language used in that time period so if you are offended by words that were used for the time period you may want to skip this book. It is part of history and that fact cannot be changed. If the author had used the terminology we use today it would not have worked in this story. I personally prefer my stories to be historically correct.

The story follows Brandon McTavish through his life altering journey of being a slave owner, to fighting in the confederate army, to being paroled, reuniting with his former slaves and the circumstances that alter his journey to travel west which was a condition of parole. Brandon's character changes and evolves throughout the story. It was interesting seeing his character slowly going through the changes to become the man he is at the end.

Did not like that the story abruptly ends. Would have been nice to have an epilogue.

This is the first time I have listened to Bob Rundell narrate a book. He has a very deep gravelly voice that was perfect for this story. Clearly spoken. Nice even pace with the delivery. Good character voices. The pace of the narration fit the story and the characters. He was able to make the characters and the story come to life.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

[Charles T Elston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very refreshing author

Never read L J Martin before but I'm glad I did this time. I was looking for a light read and stumbled on West Of The War. I really got caught up in the characters and story very quickly. LJ details just the right amount to describe the characters and location without becoming a bore. I got lost in the story that begins in the Civil War, involves an unlikely inter-racial relationship, and strikes out for the "gold fields" of the West, including Indians and a most startling ending. I'm already selecting my next book by LJ Martin to see if he a consistent, captive author.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

West of the War
: L.J. Martin

A historical western fiction that begins during the Civil War and continues into the westward movement. This is the first listen of this author. A lot of great description of scenery and characters. Adventure and action keep the listener entranced. This wasn't my favorite of this time period but not bad.


The narration was slow and drawling but speed up on Kindle made it tolerable.The characters were well portrayed by Bob Rundell.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

[Darlene A. Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wanted to take a steamboat ride down the Missouri to Dakota territory and beyond? For the price of this book, you can do just that. Oh, and the adventures you will have along with Brad McTavish. Throw in a little Civil War history and a few Indians to spice things up.

[william woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got so into it I stayed up several hours past my bedtime to continue reading but it was worth it

Got so into it I stayed up several hours past my bedtime to continue reading but it was worth it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western adventure

Martin certainly has an entertaining style. His descriptions of a southern boy and his life experiences from Missouri to the Dakota Territory keep the reader reading. Think I'll read more of his escape adventures.

[Emily Stanton Wolfpack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read that captures the gritty wildness of the West...a must-read for fans of historical fiction and the Western genre.

[David L. Bleivik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

It moves at a good pace. Likeable characters. Good story. True to s the period. Interesting period of history to read

[Keith D Hauber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

This short story takes place in and around the area where I am living. I was very surprised and pleased to be able to relate with the travels of the main characters.