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Home Before Sundown #1
Home Before Sundown
George Pettigrew and his papa must leave the California rancho they'd lived on since his birth. They end up in New York City, where Papa marries and George gets a new beloved mama. George also meets Frank and Bart who become fast friends, and in Bart's case, even more.
The start of the Civil War leaves George the man of the family, but although he’s found a job, it’s difficult to pay the ever-increasing rent. Then Papa dies at Appomattox and Mama falls ill.
After Mama dies, her father takes George’s siblings. When George learns his younger sister is being abused, he rescues the three children. But will dressing his sisters as boys and himself as a woman be enough of a disguise to keep them safe until they can reach the valley he’s dreamed of? Will Bart leave behind his own family and go with the man he loves?
The start of the Civil War leaves George the man of the family, but although he’s found a job, it’s difficult to pay the ever-increasing rent. Then Papa dies at Appomattox and Mama falls ill.
After Mama dies, her father takes George’s siblings. When George learns his younger sister is being abused, he rescues the three children. But will dressing his sisters as boys and himself as a woman be enough of a disguise to keep them safe until they can reach the valley he’s dreamed of? Will Bart leave behind his own family and go with the man he loves?
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2017
6 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 18, 2017
Tom Pettigrew served under General Zachary Taylor—Tom’s expertise and understanding of horses aided the army—but being injured saw him mustering out just before the Mexican-American War in 1846. Once out of the army, Tom was given a job on the ranch belonging to the family of his deceased friend, Guillermo, where Tom fell in love with and married Analeigh, Guillermo’s sister. Analeigh gave Tom a son, George, and a few years later a daughter, Mora. When a tragedy befalls Analeigh and Mora, Don Jorge, Tom’s father-in-law, demands that Tom leave the ranch without George, so there’s nothing left for Tom to do but leave California with his son, and head east to begin a safe new life.
In the Black Hills of Dakota, Tom finds a valley where he stakes a claim, but he has to be watchful, as Don Jorge has sent men after George to bring him back to the ranch. And soon, Tom and George find themselves on the run again, to Mississippi, Canada and, finally, New York City where they feel they can make a new start. But tragedy and trouble doesn’t end there for Tom and George.
Tom was a loving father and good man. He was a great mentor to George, and their journey taught George many lessons, the most important being what it means to be a loving and caring person. George is forced to become a man at a young age and has to face men who have vile intentions. When life starts to fall apart for George, he takes action and saves the most important people in his life. With the help of Bart Hall and Frank Thompson, they go on a dangerous mission.
Tinnean delivers a fantastic novel that reflects a classic melodrama set in the 1800s. Home Before Sundown has the damsel in distress, a conniving widow, and evil villains. Then there’s the heroes—George and his father, George’s friends, Bart and Frank—and interesting allies—Detective Sam Pickett, Tom’s army friend Steve Marriott, and Sharps Browne. George and Bart become more than friends, and it’s interesting what they must do to take on responsibility and a secret relationship. This book is lengthy but an easy read, with some brief history of the wars during that time period, and takes a surprising turn with a murder mystery, an attempted murder, and deceit and corruption. I enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to the sequel.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
In the Black Hills of Dakota, Tom finds a valley where he stakes a claim, but he has to be watchful, as Don Jorge has sent men after George to bring him back to the ranch. And soon, Tom and George find themselves on the run again, to Mississippi, Canada and, finally, New York City where they feel they can make a new start. But tragedy and trouble doesn’t end there for Tom and George.
Tom was a loving father and good man. He was a great mentor to George, and their journey taught George many lessons, the most important being what it means to be a loving and caring person. George is forced to become a man at a young age and has to face men who have vile intentions. When life starts to fall apart for George, he takes action and saves the most important people in his life. With the help of Bart Hall and Frank Thompson, they go on a dangerous mission.
Tinnean delivers a fantastic novel that reflects a classic melodrama set in the 1800s. Home Before Sundown has the damsel in distress, a conniving widow, and evil villains. Then there’s the heroes—George and his father, George’s friends, Bart and Frank—and interesting allies—Detective Sam Pickett, Tom’s army friend Steve Marriott, and Sharps Browne. George and Bart become more than friends, and it’s interesting what they must do to take on responsibility and a secret relationship. This book is lengthy but an easy read, with some brief history of the wars during that time period, and takes a surprising turn with a murder mystery, an attempted murder, and deceit and corruption. I enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to the sequel.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
May 10, 2017
This book had a lot of potential. If you haven't read a Tinnean novel before, be sure and read the excerpt first, the writing style is not for everyone. I do like the change of pace and the style though so that wasn't a problem for me. There is a LOT of head-hopping in this book. The timeline for this book starts with the father, Tom (not m/m) and then through lots of unlikely plot development, moves on to focus on the son, George (m/m) as he continues to care for his family in the absence of his parents. When the book starts, George is 4 and it ends when he is 19.
I ran into issues with the plot holes, plot devices, character motivation and the timelines throughout this epic tale. I know things were different in the mid 1800's but I still don't think 4 or 5 year old children could do so much without much more adult supervision then George was given. The kids (George as well as his eventual sisters and brother) usually acted 10 years older than they actually were and it was disconcerting. Additionally, there were unresolved crimes/questions and a lot of suspended disbelief to get from point A to point B in this book. And
I am not sure if this book was setting up for a sequel or not but if so, there are definitely some questions I would hope the author would address.
I ran into issues with the plot holes, plot devices, character motivation and the timelines throughout this epic tale. I know things were different in the mid 1800's but I still don't think 4 or 5 year old children could do so much without much more adult supervision then George was given. The kids (George as well as his eventual sisters and brother) usually acted 10 years older than they actually were and it was disconcerting. Additionally, there were unresolved crimes/questions and a lot of suspended disbelief to get from point A to point B in this book. And
I am not sure if this book was setting up for a sequel or not but if so, there are definitely some questions I would hope the author would address.
October 12, 2024
Dont read the summary. The book was really good, unfortunately every twist and turn was mentioned in the blurb. Not a single hurdle in this young man's life came as a surprise. It was all literally spelled out in the summary. It was still enjoyable, but I wish I hadn't already known what was coming.
All you need to know is that it's a friends to lovers, mm, Civil War era, coming of age, cowboy story. Totally worth reading.
All you need to know is that it's a friends to lovers, mm, Civil War era, coming of age, cowboy story. Totally worth reading.
March 3, 2020
This story is half just plain historical fiction and half historical romance. Don't read it if you don't like a long lead-up to the romantic partners getting together. The characters are a little weak and the villains are one dimensional. For all that, it was still an enjoyable read. Whatever you do, don't read the description because it spoils the entire first half of the book.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Home Before Sundown Tinnean
1) One of the best reads in this year's lot. Good characterization and an interesting historical era.
1) One of the best reads in this year's lot. Good characterization and an interesting historical era.
May 8, 2025
This was oh, so good. If you like historical westerns, read it. I hope you enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews