The O'Malleys of Texas

[The O'Malleys of Texas #1

by Dusty Richards

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 . . .

Genres: Westerns

479 pages, Library Binding

Published November 1, 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. Like both main characters, Long and Harp, the setting in Texas, post civil war and the cattle empire.

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.

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty typical western, where the cowboys are morally straight, hard-working, honorable men and the women are strong, nurturing and ready to fight alongside their men.

The story takes place just at the end of the Civil War. When the O’Malley boys, Long John and Harp, set off from the family ranch to help a local man take cattle to Missouri. Northerners are hungry for meat after the long war years and there is money to be made. Barely out of their teens when they sign on as crew, Harp and Long quickly rise to positions of leadership in the outfit, and Harp, in particular, absorbs every lesson he can from former Confederate Captain Emory Greg.

In many ways it reminded me of Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove , though it isn’t nearly so well written. Richards’ style is more simple and straightforward. There’s a problem, the O’Malleys will solve it. They’re attacked – by Indians, by outlaws, by lawmen or soldiers – and they fight back, and win (of course). But it isn’t ALL danger and drama. Along the way, a couple of women come into their circle. Harp finds a bride. Their cook, Ira, cares for a traumatized young girl.

This first delivery of cattle, however, is only the beginning for the O’Malleys. Their success gives them some capital and they begin to build their empire.

The story line is pretty basic and the characters are mostly out of central casting. What I really loved about the book, though, was the landscape. It’s the landscape of my youth. I grew up in Bexar county, where the O’Malley homestead is located. And I’ve traveled many of the areas through which their cattle drives take them.

This is the first in a series of westerns featuring the O’Malleys, and it ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger. That’s a pet peeve of mine. I wish authors would trust their readers to want to read another book by them rather than try to “force” them to continue by using this device.

[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!