The O'Malleys of Texas

[The O'Malleys of Texas #1

by Dusty Richards

Western Heritage- and Western Writers of America Spur Award-winning author Dusty Richards unleashes the epic beginning to the O’Malley family saga, a new western classic set in the lawless sprawl of an unforgettable Texas . . .

As Civil War bloodies the nation’s ground, Texas Rangers Harp and Long John O’Malley patrol a vast, unguarded range, picking off the brutal Comanche while protecting the families of soldiers off fighting at the front.

Bullet by bullet the O’Malleys distinguish themselves as two of the bravest gunfighters to ever wear the Ranger’s star. At war’s end, the Rangers are disbanded, but Harp and Long John are not through fighting yet. They sign on with a cattle drive that will take them across the most treacherous and deadly stretch of the American the long trail from Texas to Sedalia. Beset by ruthless enemies inside and outside the camp, Harp and Long John aim dead straight for the future—where a great ranching fortune awaits back in a Texas they will change forever.

Genres: Westerns

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 26, 2017

About the author

Author of over 85 novels, Dusty Richards is the only author to win two Spur awards in one year (2007), one for his novel The Horse Creek Incident and another for his short story “Comanche Moon.” He is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the International Professional Rodeo Association, and serves on the local PRCA rodeo board. Dusty is also an inductee in the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame. He currently resides in northwest Arkansas. He was the winner of the 2010 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Fiction for his novel Texas Blood Feud and honored by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2009.

Reviews

[HornFan2]

Let me just say that a certain other book, I'm currently reading killed this one for me. I've lost interest in 'The O'Malley's of Texas, struggled with this one after page 74 and sure at some point I'll give this one another try.

Let me add, Cowboy/Trail drives themed books are one of my favorite niches in the Western genre.

While I read several of Dusty Richards earlier books, based on those, just seemed like he changed into writing cleaner books and unfortunately I'm a reader who doesn't mind a little dirt and grit on my hands. Unfortunately in this genre, you got a legend, that writes in a tamed down style, not afraid to get some dirt and grit on his writing hands and no one does it better than Chucky.

[Felicia Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from a good reads giveaway:

I loved this book. The only thing that kept me from giving it a 5 star rating is some little quirks. Katy has a pretty tragic back story and instead of telling the story once then saying something like "Katy recounted her story.." the author retells the entire story in a few different places. The same is true with the Missouri cattle drive story. This could be just a reader preference or something that will be fixed in the final edition to this book. There is a serious cliffhanger ending that ensures that I will be buying the second book in the series.

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read other books by this author so I was eager to read the first novel in this new series. I was not disappointed. It was very well written, action packed, and told stories on many levels not just one cattle herding episode. The action took place just after the end of the Civil Wa, though it began a few days before the war ended. Revisiting history and seeing events from various viewpoints was most enlightening for a novel. Definitely worth reading. The author’s writing makes you feel as though you are riding along with them and enjoying many of their meals and feeling the tension of the many dangerous situations.

[David Burnworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter covered eighteen years and could have been a book on its own. Chapter to the end of this book covers the beginning of Harp and Long becoming major players in the cattle and land business plus they show everyone that works for them that they are family not just someone who collects a paycheck. I won't give anything important away but to say this one has everything a good western should have gunplay, falling in love, and so much adventure that it will be hard to put down.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

What a great story about the people who survived the hard times after the civil war. This family and friends have done an outstanding job of making money and taking care of people.Would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a great western book. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Gerry O'Malley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Great historical fiction set against the end of the civil war, especially how the West played into Reconstruction. Richards tells the tale of a very heterogenous family - not at all what you might think - and their struggles and triumphs trying to build a future in the really, really wild west.

[Renee Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on the Goodreads Giveaway.

I love a good western and this was a good one. Great story line and wonderful characters. It was a very good story line and kept me interested throughout the whole thing.

[Elizabeth West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western

The O'Malleys of Texas by Dusty Richards. A great western with a lot of the western drama that we love. Two brothers growing up in Texas with the experience of fighting outlaws and Indians. A must read! Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel and I will read more by this author. I recommend this book to everyone.

[James Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

great start to a new series. if you like westerns dusty richards is some one you should try.

[Dave Parnin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story line.

[Realtime · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Felt it got too bogged down with the cattle drive that went on and on. It did pick back up in the ending chapters so I will be purchasing the next book in this new series.

[BLOOPY! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story with repetitive mentions of cans of peaches. A different style of writing for sure.

[John Meitner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turns out it's and ongoing story, leads to another book. Wasn't that good to begin with.

[Jo Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually like westerns but this one was great. Very entertaining, full of suspense, Great character building. I highly recommend it!

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love my western stories and this was a good one. I’m glad I found this author. Does have some silly moments but what western doesn’t.

[Lawana Sisam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys with great drive and a good head for business!