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Desperate Straits
Sarah Ryan's hope for a new life in the Arizona Territory is shattered in an instant by gunfire. Suddenly, she has to rebuild an uncertain future with her orphaned nephew, Will, and take on the challenges of a cattle ranch. Just when order returns, veteran lawman, L.T. McAllister rides in. He's a dangerous man determined to do what's right regardless of the personal cost. L.T. believes himself ready for anything until he meets Sarah. Her ideas about the man he's become soon pit his lifetime of duty against desire. L.T.'s and Sarah's loyalty to Will catapults them into a life for which neither one is prepared. And when L.T. and Sarah defy Sheriff Grant Simpson, they trigger a cataclysm of retaliation that escalates into kidnapping and murder. L.T. and Sarah are forced into a battle for justice... and their lives.
- GenresWesterns
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Janet Squires
8 books63 followersI write fiction and nonfiction for children and adults.
My debut Western historical novel, Desperate Straits is a 2015 Peacemaker Award finalist.
I donate a portion of the proceeds from MONTY The Courageous Survival of a Rescue Dog to animal rescue organizations.
My picture book, The Gingerbread Cowboy, is the Arizona Governors 2007 First Grade Book and a special edition of 100,000 copies was printed for distribution to every first grade student in Arizona.
My interest in the historic West stems from the stories I heard growing up. My family pioneered their way through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona as ranchers, miners and lawmen. My favorite activity is any one that involves horses . . .
Or dogs . . . I can't remember a time when I didn't share my life with at least one. My interest in animal rescue and welfare issues made writing Monty's story an opportunity I couldn't resist. I've fostered numerous dogs in addition to the rescues that are part of my family. I've worked to raise awareness about puppy mills, bailed dogs out of shelters, bottle-fed orphaned puppies, and cared for the sick and injured. I support a variety of rescue organizations.
I teach writing workshops and lecture on children's books, literacy, storytelling, and the creative writing process for children and adults. I'm a member of SCBWI, Women Writing the West, Western Writers of America, and Western Fictioneers.
My debut Western historical novel, Desperate Straits is a 2015 Peacemaker Award finalist.
I donate a portion of the proceeds from MONTY The Courageous Survival of a Rescue Dog to animal rescue organizations.
My picture book, The Gingerbread Cowboy, is the Arizona Governors 2007 First Grade Book and a special edition of 100,000 copies was printed for distribution to every first grade student in Arizona.
My interest in the historic West stems from the stories I heard growing up. My family pioneered their way through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona as ranchers, miners and lawmen. My favorite activity is any one that involves horses . . .
Or dogs . . . I can't remember a time when I didn't share my life with at least one. My interest in animal rescue and welfare issues made writing Monty's story an opportunity I couldn't resist. I've fostered numerous dogs in addition to the rescues that are part of my family. I've worked to raise awareness about puppy mills, bailed dogs out of shelters, bottle-fed orphaned puppies, and cared for the sick and injured. I support a variety of rescue organizations.
I teach writing workshops and lecture on children's books, literacy, storytelling, and the creative writing process for children and adults. I'm a member of SCBWI, Women Writing the West, Western Writers of America, and Western Fictioneers.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2015
This book was calling to me, chock full of a lot of my favorite things—a strong heroine from Ireland, with a love for horses (and the no-nonsense experience to boot), headed on a journey to the American West to see her sister after their father's death, and throw in a love interest who shares my last name, for good measure. I had to read this book. And thankfully, the author did not disappoint.
After her father dies in Ireland, Sarah arrives in Arizona only to face another family tragedy—her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered, leaving behind their young son Will and an old man, Jeremy, who are trying to keep the cattle ranch running. It takes a while for everyone to warm up to each other while working through their grief, difficult ranch life, and a general mistrust of others after the killings.
Enter Texas Ranger L.T. McAllister, who is dedicated to bringing the killers to justice, and who, yes, will become Sarah's love interest.
Author Squires weaves a wonderful tale, one to get lost in. Her portrayal of Sarah as a strong woman of the West is spot-on. Life back then was harsh. But Sarah was ready to adapt and trade her side-saddle Irish training to ride like a man over the most difficult mountainous terrain, while retaining her softer side to become a second mother to her orphaned nephew, Will.
In the dramatically written cattle drive scene, Squires paints an exciting canvas of a torrential lightning storm, stampeding bovines, thrown riders, broken bones, kidnapping, and romantic passion. What more could we ask for in a story?
We've all been in some desperate straits of our own from time to time, but, just as the heroine of this story persevered through her life and death struggles, we too can find peace after riding out the worst of storms.
Kudos to Squires—a great storyteller. Looking forward to a sequel.
by Denise McAllister
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
After her father dies in Ireland, Sarah arrives in Arizona only to face another family tragedy—her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered, leaving behind their young son Will and an old man, Jeremy, who are trying to keep the cattle ranch running. It takes a while for everyone to warm up to each other while working through their grief, difficult ranch life, and a general mistrust of others after the killings.
Enter Texas Ranger L.T. McAllister, who is dedicated to bringing the killers to justice, and who, yes, will become Sarah's love interest.
Author Squires weaves a wonderful tale, one to get lost in. Her portrayal of Sarah as a strong woman of the West is spot-on. Life back then was harsh. But Sarah was ready to adapt and trade her side-saddle Irish training to ride like a man over the most difficult mountainous terrain, while retaining her softer side to become a second mother to her orphaned nephew, Will.
In the dramatically written cattle drive scene, Squires paints an exciting canvas of a torrential lightning storm, stampeding bovines, thrown riders, broken bones, kidnapping, and romantic passion. What more could we ask for in a story?
We've all been in some desperate straits of our own from time to time, but, just as the heroine of this story persevered through her life and death struggles, we too can find peace after riding out the worst of storms.
Kudos to Squires—a great storyteller. Looking forward to a sequel.
by Denise McAllister
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
July 15, 2016
This action-packed Western with heart, grit and depth is a thrilling story that kept me absorbed from beginning to end.
Sarah Ryan has made her way from Ireland to Hermit’s Ridge ranch in Arizona only to find that her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered. With the idea of becoming her 12 year old nephew’s caretaker she moves onto the ranch and eventually becomes his partner. When she first sees the lone gunman, Texas Ranger L. T. McAllister, arriving in Succor, Arizona to turn his brother’s murderer in for trial, she does not realize that he is related to Will, her nephew. With Jeremy, the crusty older wrangler, assisting at the ranch and eventually L. T. coming to help out they all spend weeks waiting for the trial and getting to know one another better. Gunslingers, fights, evil, corruption, torture, friendships, a dance, a festival, gold hunters and more occur in this rousing story that eventually ends on a happy note.
The way this was written I felt as if I could have been there. My emotions and senses were engaged as I became immersed in the lives of the characters of this book. I recommend this novel to anyone who has enjoyed Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, Max Brand and other classic Western authors and also recommend it to those who enjoy historical Western romances written by female authors that allude to the sensual without being explicit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sarah Ryan has made her way from Ireland to Hermit’s Ridge ranch in Arizona only to find that her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered. With the idea of becoming her 12 year old nephew’s caretaker she moves onto the ranch and eventually becomes his partner. When she first sees the lone gunman, Texas Ranger L. T. McAllister, arriving in Succor, Arizona to turn his brother’s murderer in for trial, she does not realize that he is related to Will, her nephew. With Jeremy, the crusty older wrangler, assisting at the ranch and eventually L. T. coming to help out they all spend weeks waiting for the trial and getting to know one another better. Gunslingers, fights, evil, corruption, torture, friendships, a dance, a festival, gold hunters and more occur in this rousing story that eventually ends on a happy note.
The way this was written I felt as if I could have been there. My emotions and senses were engaged as I became immersed in the lives of the characters of this book. I recommend this novel to anyone who has enjoyed Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, Max Brand and other classic Western authors and also recommend it to those who enjoy historical Western romances written by female authors that allude to the sensual without being explicit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2016
Growing up on Louis L'Amour's western tales, I was a bit leery at the idea of this story by Janet D. Squires. To be honest, a bit of chauvinism was probably at play, with the concept of a woman writing a western novel that wasn't an outright romance was difficult to conceive. I must say, I was more than pleasantly surprised by the crafting of this realistic portrayal of a gritty ordeal, especially coming from a woman's POV. Sarah Ryan is a protagonist equal of L'Amour's Mary Breydon or Echo Sackett, but with the benefit of being written with a woman's own insights.
A number of times I thought I knew where the story was going next, only to have Ms. Squires turn a corner leaving my mind to try to catch up. She left enough threads dangling and plots not quite resolved to keep the mind wondering after the story ended, but not with the feeling of incompletion. Instead, it leaves the reader with anticipation and hope for the characters to continue on. I don't wish to say more and spoil the story for anyone else. All I will say is, I hope Ms. Squires will continue writing in this vein. L'Amour's passing left a great hole in the Western genre, and I certainly hope Ms. Squires will fill that hole.
A number of times I thought I knew where the story was going next, only to have Ms. Squires turn a corner leaving my mind to try to catch up. She left enough threads dangling and plots not quite resolved to keep the mind wondering after the story ended, but not with the feeling of incompletion. Instead, it leaves the reader with anticipation and hope for the characters to continue on. I don't wish to say more and spoil the story for anyone else. All I will say is, I hope Ms. Squires will continue writing in this vein. L'Amour's passing left a great hole in the Western genre, and I certainly hope Ms. Squires will fill that hole.
November 1, 2015
This was a really good book. It follows a young woman who after the death of her father leaves her homeland and heads to America to be with her other family. Once arriving she is faced with many hard decisions about her future.
This book was written really well. I love the romance and I love Sarah. She has such a fierce and fiery attitude that you just can't help but love. I was sucked in on page one. It was also a book full of action. Books like that are my favorite....Stormi
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This book was written really well. I love the romance and I love Sarah. She has such a fierce and fiery attitude that you just can't help but love. I was sucked in on page one. It was also a book full of action. Books like that are my favorite....Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
February 18, 2016
XXXX I received a free copy of this novel from Janet D. Squires through NetGalley. Thank you so much for sharing your work with me!
Desperate Straits is an excellent historical romance. The characters are fully rounded, the setting is true to time and place, and the pace is steady but brisk. This is an author I will watch for. She knows her southwest.
Review posted also on NetGalley
Desperate Straits is an excellent historical romance. The characters are fully rounded, the setting is true to time and place, and the pace is steady but brisk. This is an author I will watch for. She knows her southwest.
Review posted also on NetGalley
April 15, 2016
I have to say that was pleasantly surprised by this book.
We have always known that the wild west men were tough and strong but what this story showed was that the women in the wild west were just as strong mentally and physically.
A superb tale with well rounded characters.
We have always known that the wild west men were tough and strong but what this story showed was that the women in the wild west were just as strong mentally and physically.
A superb tale with well rounded characters.
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July 21, 2016I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
A cross between romance, a western and a murder mystery, Desperate Straits is the story of a young woman traveling from Ireland in the 1800s to live with her sister and her family in the American west. Upon arriving at the town she is met by the horrible news that her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered and their young son is now hers to care for. What occurs next is an adventure worthy of any great western, including a search for the murderers, hidden treasure, cattle drives and a damsel in distress rescued by a handsome cowboy. This book was a great read as the characters were well developed and the author created an original story that wants you to keep reading.
A cross between romance, a western and a murder mystery, Desperate Straits is the story of a young woman traveling from Ireland in the 1800s to live with her sister and her family in the American west. Upon arriving at the town she is met by the horrible news that her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered and their young son is now hers to care for. What occurs next is an adventure worthy of any great western, including a search for the murderers, hidden treasure, cattle drives and a damsel in distress rescued by a handsome cowboy. This book was a great read as the characters were well developed and the author created an original story that wants you to keep reading.
January 30, 2016
I found Desperate Straits by Janet Squires to be a wonderful meeting of Lonesome Dove and a Nora Roberts historical romance. The spunky optimistic Sarah is the very type of pioneer woman that made the West great. I loved her spirited Irish nature in the face of taunting situations.
The characters stood strong during tough times, with determined wills, and a get it done attitude that never gave up. In fact, the story had it all enchanting heroine, guilt ridden hero, colorful supporting cast and a villain who fights to the bitter end. I loved it
5++ Stars
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
The characters stood strong during tough times, with determined wills, and a get it done attitude that never gave up. In fact, the story had it all enchanting heroine, guilt ridden hero, colorful supporting cast and a villain who fights to the bitter end. I loved it
5++ Stars
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
August 14, 2016
This was an excellent story! It was engaging from beginning to end. The cover shows a woman carrying a shotgun , as cool as that is , it really had nothing to do with the story other then Sarah is a strong willed woman and isn't afraid to be afraid, and still do what she needs to do. The story gives a pretty accurate description of what life was like back in the old west, Bad guys, gold fever, murder and mayhem ,yes this is a romance, but its not the main focus of the story. I am wondering if there is going to be a second book, I would enjoy a continuation of the characters and how they progress. I was given a copy of this book from Net Galley for an honest review.
August 5, 2016
A refreshing story with a heroine headed west-but not as a mail order bride. Sarah leaves Ireland to join her sister's family. Tragedy ensues and Sarah's life and expectations change.
Our hero was a little rough at first, but he finally realized what was important in life.
There were some really great secondary characters in this book. I think I enjoyed reading their interactions as much as the main characters.
Fantastic read and I look forward to more from this author.
(I received a copy of this book for a review.)
Our hero was a little rough at first, but he finally realized what was important in life.
There were some really great secondary characters in this book. I think I enjoyed reading their interactions as much as the main characters.
Fantastic read and I look forward to more from this author.
(I received a copy of this book for a review.)
August 31, 2016
***** I received this ARC for free from Netgalley in return for an honest review *****
I very, very much enjoyed this novel! The historical accuracy was perfect, the story was engrossing, and the author made the story come alive like very few are capable of doing. I usually read stories about things that go bump in the night, so this was a refreshing change of pace! Yes, it followed an unremarkable romance storyline, but the authors ability to bring this story to life more than made up for that. Very well done, will definitely be checking out more from this author!
I very, very much enjoyed this novel! The historical accuracy was perfect, the story was engrossing, and the author made the story come alive like very few are capable of doing. I usually read stories about things that go bump in the night, so this was a refreshing change of pace! Yes, it followed an unremarkable romance storyline, but the authors ability to bring this story to life more than made up for that. Very well done, will definitely be checking out more from this author!
March 14, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was somewhere between the romance and western genres, but not fully in either. If you like a romance without the sex, this is a good book for you. Or if you like a western with romance, this is good.
The writing and character development was good. And the story was pretty good, too, but was a bit choppy for me.
I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway.
The writing and character development was good. And the story was pretty good, too, but was a bit choppy for me.
I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway.
September 16, 2016
Entertaining from the very start until the very end! Strong leading characters on top of a well written story! Highly recommend!
October 22, 2016
A great historical read just loved this book and cant wait to read more books from Janet Squires.Recommended to all loved it
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews