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Wagons West #17
Tennessee!
WAGONS WEST
Gingham-clad girls, twangy-speeched hillbillies, and lush green hollows among rugged mountains made Tennessee the natural birthplace of pioneers. But so rich was the countryside, so sweet the land, that carpetbaggers came to steal the farms of down-home folk, and scoundrels brought violence to the streets of sleepy Memphis town- until bajo pickers' songs gave way to the crack of rifles and the terror of women's screams.
TENNESSEE! Ambition drives the brave to great deeds, the unscrupulous to great evil. And a Washington politician had both ambition and money enough to hatch a dark plot to threaten America's cherished democracy. The heat of the conspiracy law amid Tennessee's secluded hills, where outlaws and misfits formed a powerful private army. Now secret orders from the Whit House named the legendary frontiersman, Toby Holt-son of the great wagonmaster Whip Holt- to take a desperate stand against the deadly renegades. But another danger awaited this fighting man: an extraordinary woman, too hold-blooded and beautiful to even happily married Toby Holt to resist... As the steamy Southern nights promised forbidden love and terrifying showdown, a young nation's steady gunhand of one courageous man in TENNESSEE!
Gingham-clad girls, twangy-speeched hillbillies, and lush green hollows among rugged mountains made Tennessee the natural birthplace of pioneers. But so rich was the countryside, so sweet the land, that carpetbaggers came to steal the farms of down-home folk, and scoundrels brought violence to the streets of sleepy Memphis town- until bajo pickers' songs gave way to the crack of rifles and the terror of women's screams.
TENNESSEE! Ambition drives the brave to great deeds, the unscrupulous to great evil. And a Washington politician had both ambition and money enough to hatch a dark plot to threaten America's cherished democracy. The heat of the conspiracy law amid Tennessee's secluded hills, where outlaws and misfits formed a powerful private army. Now secret orders from the Whit House named the legendary frontiersman, Toby Holt-son of the great wagonmaster Whip Holt- to take a desperate stand against the deadly renegades. But another danger awaited this fighting man: an extraordinary woman, too hold-blooded and beautiful to even happily married Toby Holt to resist... As the steamy Southern nights promised forbidden love and terrifying showdown, a young nation's steady gunhand of one courageous man in TENNESSEE!
305 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1986
5 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Dana Fuller Ross
108 books143 followersDana Fuller Ross is a pseudonym used by Noel B. Gerson and James M. Reasoner.
Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.
James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series
Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.
James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 26, 2023
So Clarissa acts completely out of character in this one, and is punished by god almighty though a lighting strike (hello bad seed) before she can cheat on her husband. Her husband, Toby btw, who cheats on her, again, in this book, and once he hears about her death doesn't really seem sad and doesn't even go back to comfort his son. Incidentally, in less than 50 pages, he is getting engaged, so nice. JFC.
And then the other hero, Henry Blake, cheats on his fiancée, but don't worry it isn't really his fault. He is like 19 or 20 and inexperienced so he couldn't stop himself once he got aroused. (His fiancée's stepdad says this and isn't even disappointed that it happened. I kid you not.).
But that's not the worse of it. Stalking Horse's sister has a white name and is one of the few Cherokee left in Tennesse; of course nothing is said about why that is. Even as a kid, I had enough sense to wipe this one off my brain after I read it.
The uncharitable part of me wants to add, there is a reason that the majority of high star ratings and reviews come from men. Just saying.
And then the other hero, Henry Blake, cheats on his fiancée, but don't worry it isn't really his fault. He is like 19 or 20 and inexperienced so he couldn't stop himself once he got aroused. (His fiancée's stepdad says this and isn't even disappointed that it happened. I kid you not.).
But that's not the worse of it. Stalking Horse's sister has a white name and is one of the few Cherokee left in Tennesse; of course nothing is said about why that is. Even as a kid, I had enough sense to wipe this one off my brain after I read it.
The uncharitable part of me wants to add, there is a reason that the majority of high star ratings and reviews come from men. Just saying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2007
May sound somewhat repetitive here but I got hooked on the first book and it was like an addiction.
The author shows how the westward movement affected families and individuals while placing them within history itself.
The author shows how the westward movement affected families and individuals while placing them within history itself.
February 24, 2014
excellent series
February 22, 2021
Tennessee! sees Toby Holt, once again enlisted by the federal government to put down a menace. This time it is a former military officer intent on building an army to overthrow the US Government. Behind this is a cabinet level officer in Washington DC who is funding all this to take over the presidency. Just another day at the office for those involved.
This story is full of adventure, sharp shooting, tragedy, romance and good fun. Characters that those who have followed this series, have come to know and love return and they are joined by new characters both good and bad.
This was one of the better books in the series thus far. At 305 pages it was a quick read also.
Now, on to Illinois
This story is full of adventure, sharp shooting, tragedy, romance and good fun. Characters that those who have followed this series, have come to know and love return and they are joined by new characters both good and bad.
This was one of the better books in the series thus far. At 305 pages it was a quick read also.
Now, on to Illinois
May 12, 2025
well, Toby, you finally did it! you cheated on Clarissa so many times that you killed her! and then you’re like barely sad because you’re ready to marry someone else like five seconds later.
mind you, this will be his THIRD marriage. he needs to be stopped.
another person that’s overdue for death is Leland Blake. like holy shit, if i have to read about him traveling to the war department again im going to tear the next book in half. he must be 1,000 years old?
im only giving this book a slightly higher rating because we had some mystery happening, which is more than the rest of the books can say.
on the book cover are Toby + Martha dressed in their boat uniforms
mind you, this will be his THIRD marriage. he needs to be stopped.
another person that’s overdue for death is Leland Blake. like holy shit, if i have to read about him traveling to the war department again im going to tear the next book in half. he must be 1,000 years old?
im only giving this book a slightly higher rating because we had some mystery happening, which is more than the rest of the books can say.
on the book cover are Toby + Martha dressed in their boat uniforms
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2022
Very good book. It was nice to have the story centered in the state the book was set in. Although torn about how the character Clarissa was handled, it seems more pleasing that she is out of the picture. I always pictured Clarissa as much older than Toby. She did not seem to be a good fit for the man of adventure that he is. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Stalking Horse play an active role in the story again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
Giving this a 4 star rating is overly generous, to be sure. But, this addition to the series made actual progress in altering the normal story arc. We now have new plot threads (however improbable) to discover. It’s laid the groundwork for…well, new ground, which we desperately needed.
March 24, 2020
A fair dime-store type novel. Plan to read a few classics before I resume the series.
September 1, 2024
Another great adventure for Toby Holt. Temptations and dangers keep you on the edge of your seat.
September 30, 2015
This was #16 in the Wagons West series I believe. Toby Holt has been built up to be strong, unyielding in his principles, yet he's now been involved with a notorious criminal & is breaking his marriage vows for at least a 2nd time..this time with the criminal's daughter! I know the authors of this series are trying to show he',s only human, but they make it sound like it's all the fault of these beautiful-beyond-belief temptresses who lure Toby Holt into their beds. His wonderful wife Clarissa waits patiently at home each time he goes off while he has affairs on the name of justice. It's getting a little repetitive. then the unthinkable happens..Clarissa is finally tempted as well. I won't give away all the secret surprises in this book, but it does keep you guessing in spots. I only wish more of the characters from previous books would appear in this story. I did like the setting in Tennessee & the plot. How Toby & Stalking Horse catch the crazy general of a mafe up army is a very good story!
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December 4, 2007Ross, Dana Fuller PB
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November 19, 2008W Ros
October 7, 2013
Great Series... loved this in audio.
June 3, 2016
Second Time I am Reading this Series.....
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews