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Grit
Winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel of 2018“Grit” McKay survived the bloodiest battles of the Civil War without incurring as much as a single scratch on his body. When money became hard to come by after the war, he began taking jobs to recover white children that had been abducted by raiding bands of Comanche.Jessie Hamilton’s twin sister, Jennie, was taken by the Comanche when the girls were ten years old. Even though she has been separated from her sister for fourteen years—was Jennie even still alive?—Jessie still feels a powerful connection with her sister, and she is determined to find out what happened to her . . . with the help of Grit McKay.Overflowing with breathtaking adventure, Ron Schwab’s latest Western novel has as many twists and turns as the trails Grit McKay must carefully navigate in his search for Jennie Hamilton.
- GenresWesternsHistorical
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2018
1130 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Ron Schwab
47 books193 followersRon Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 24, 2025
HE'LL TEACH YOU WHY YOU DON'T MESS WITH A HIM OR WHO HE'S TAKEN ON TO PROTECT.
☆☆☆☆☆
This is a very well and action-packed Western Adventure that will keep you glued the pages to see how Grit McKay will save the day. More importantly, how he will save those who he agreed to track down and return to their families after being abducted by the Comanches and either simulated into their tribe or sold of to The Comancheros and trafficked into Mexico for a life that just this side of Hell if not Hell itself.
Grit McKay is a hero who defines the word. He goes into the Comanche controlled areas to find people who have had everything taken away from them and forced to become part of the people that have killed their families and taken them from their lives and everything they knew.
The characters are well developed and you will find yourself routing for Grit, Jessie Hamilton, Rover, and the rest of the folks on the Diamond M Ranch and those who Grit and Jessie set out to free. This is a very enjoyable book that has everything we come to love in a Western Historical Fiction novel. If you haven't had the chance to read any of the books and series written by Ron Schwab, I highly recommend this book. Once you've read this one, you'll be hooked and will find yourself reading all of Ron's books as well as I am.
Quotes:
"He believed there could be no liberty - personal or political - without knowledge. Fools were destined to subservience."
"Patience is bitter, but it's fruits are sweet." by Rousseau.
"The past is a bucket of ashes, not worth a good spit if it gets in your eyes and blinds you to the possibilities in front of you."
☆☆☆☆☆
This is a very well and action-packed Western Adventure that will keep you glued the pages to see how Grit McKay will save the day. More importantly, how he will save those who he agreed to track down and return to their families after being abducted by the Comanches and either simulated into their tribe or sold of to The Comancheros and trafficked into Mexico for a life that just this side of Hell if not Hell itself.
Grit McKay is a hero who defines the word. He goes into the Comanche controlled areas to find people who have had everything taken away from them and forced to become part of the people that have killed their families and taken them from their lives and everything they knew.
The characters are well developed and you will find yourself routing for Grit, Jessie Hamilton, Rover, and the rest of the folks on the Diamond M Ranch and those who Grit and Jessie set out to free. This is a very enjoyable book that has everything we come to love in a Western Historical Fiction novel. If you haven't had the chance to read any of the books and series written by Ron Schwab, I highly recommend this book. Once you've read this one, you'll be hooked and will find yourself reading all of Ron's books as well as I am.
Quotes:
"He believed there could be no liberty - personal or political - without knowledge. Fools were destined to subservience."
"Patience is bitter, but it's fruits are sweet." by Rousseau.
"The past is a bucket of ashes, not worth a good spit if it gets in your eyes and blinds you to the possibilities in front of you."
June 17, 2024
I've read many books by Ron Schwab, and this gripping blend of danger, romance and family ties is one of my favorites. I'm hoping for a sequel, to find out what happens next in the lives of these memorable characters.
"Grit" McKay (our hero) returns to his father's Texas ranch after the Civil War, where he establishes a school for local children and also takes jobs to recover children who've been taken by Comanche raiders. When Jessie Hamilton (our heroine) hires Grit to find her identical twin sister Jennie, who was taken by the Comanche fourteen years earlier, they set off on a dangerous mission with little hope of finding Jennie alive. Along the way, Grit and Jessie's professional relationship turns into something more personal, as physical attraction simmers and flares between them.
Grit and Jessie must face dangerous Comancheros and a Comanche war party before they eventually find Jessie's sister. Now twenty-four and known as Medicine Fox, Jennie works as a healer with a band of Comanches called Bug Eaters. Married to a war chief called Many Scalps, Jennie has a young daughter and chooses to remain with the band. She agrees to help Grit, Jessie, and two white children escape from captivity, but first Grit must win a deadly knife fight with Striking Snake, a rival for Many Scalps' position of leadership in the band.
Even when Grit defeats Striking Snake, the battle is far from over. Striking Snake's angry warriors are determined to follow and kill Grit, Jessie, and everyone in their small party before they can reach safety. And what about Many Scalps and Medicine Fox? Will Striking Snake's followers attack them also? Will Jessie ever see her sister again in this life?
It's a harrowing, page-turning tale filled with danger, romance, and above all, the unbreakable strength of family ties. "Grit" easily earns five bright stars from me.
"Grit" McKay (our hero) returns to his father's Texas ranch after the Civil War, where he establishes a school for local children and also takes jobs to recover children who've been taken by Comanche raiders. When Jessie Hamilton (our heroine) hires Grit to find her identical twin sister Jennie, who was taken by the Comanche fourteen years earlier, they set off on a dangerous mission with little hope of finding Jennie alive. Along the way, Grit and Jessie's professional relationship turns into something more personal, as physical attraction simmers and flares between them.
Grit and Jessie must face dangerous Comancheros and a Comanche war party before they eventually find Jessie's sister. Now twenty-four and known as Medicine Fox, Jennie works as a healer with a band of Comanches called Bug Eaters. Married to a war chief called Many Scalps, Jennie has a young daughter and chooses to remain with the band. She agrees to help Grit, Jessie, and two white children escape from captivity, but first Grit must win a deadly knife fight with Striking Snake, a rival for Many Scalps' position of leadership in the band.
Even when Grit defeats Striking Snake, the battle is far from over. Striking Snake's angry warriors are determined to follow and kill Grit, Jessie, and everyone in their small party before they can reach safety. And what about Many Scalps and Medicine Fox? Will Striking Snake's followers attack them also? Will Jessie ever see her sister again in this life?
It's a harrowing, page-turning tale filled with danger, romance, and above all, the unbreakable strength of family ties. "Grit" easily earns five bright stars from me.
October 8, 2018
SEARCHING FOR MEDICINE WOMAN
A twin looking for her other half somewhere in southwest Texas. The man that Jessie sought was known as a "searcher," people approached him regarding family members captured by Native Americans. His name is Grit, he doesn't take all missing persons, because there's the time limit and sometimes these captured family members don't want to leave. Lots of times these captured persons, especially women aren't accepted freely amongst the whites, they are ostracized because they were associated with the male members of the tribe..but this adventure is more of different situations, but these Native Americans were accepted in Grit's family..it was a multicultural family which by all accounts did well. Considering the attitude that was prevalent during that time this is a great informative adventure. Hope to hear more about the "Angus Duff McKay III" and his continued contributions to western culture.
😉Remember Never Stop Reading😊
A twin looking for her other half somewhere in southwest Texas. The man that Jessie sought was known as a "searcher," people approached him regarding family members captured by Native Americans. His name is Grit, he doesn't take all missing persons, because there's the time limit and sometimes these captured family members don't want to leave. Lots of times these captured persons, especially women aren't accepted freely amongst the whites, they are ostracized because they were associated with the male members of the tribe..but this adventure is more of different situations, but these Native Americans were accepted in Grit's family..it was a multicultural family which by all accounts did well. Considering the attitude that was prevalent during that time this is a great informative adventure. Hope to hear more about the "Angus Duff McKay III" and his continued contributions to western culture.
😉Remember Never Stop Reading😊
June 2, 2021
Suspense romance and adventure
Hair raising adventure awaits grit and Jesse and Ike as they travel to find her sister that has been missing for 14 years. They come across some Comanches and their scout gets hurt when his leg is broken and they have to set it and Ike has to take him back to the ranch. Jesse and grit continue on in the hunch for Jenny which is Jesse's twin sister. They run across Rover who is the Kiowa and knowledgeable boy of 15 that has seen medicine Fox and says she looks just like Jesse. She's with the bug eater tribe of Comanches so they set off in that direction where their camped. First they have to rescue the boy that was stolen from and the comancheros have him now. They have to plot how to rescue him.
Hair raising adventure awaits grit and Jesse and Ike as they travel to find her sister that has been missing for 14 years. They come across some Comanches and their scout gets hurt when his leg is broken and they have to set it and Ike has to take him back to the ranch. Jesse and grit continue on in the hunch for Jenny which is Jesse's twin sister. They run across Rover who is the Kiowa and knowledgeable boy of 15 that has seen medicine Fox and says she looks just like Jesse. She's with the bug eater tribe of Comanches so they set off in that direction where their camped. First they have to rescue the boy that was stolen from and the comancheros have him now. They have to plot how to rescue him.
October 10, 2018
A Western of West Texas/Comanches/Soldiers/A Rancher/ Twin Girls
RS has penned a western about A man who is half white and half black who fought in the Civil War and became Major. After the war he joined his family in West Texas where they built a ranch and school. The man was asked to find the twin sister of a woman who saw her sister alive living with the Comanches. The man rescued the sister and daughter and return them to the ranch. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
RS has penned a western about A man who is half white and half black who fought in the Civil War and became Major. After the war he joined his family in West Texas where they built a ranch and school. The man was asked to find the twin sister of a woman who saw her sister alive living with the Comanches. The man rescued the sister and daughter and return them to the ranch. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
November 1, 2021
In my humble opinion, this is the best writing and story from Ron Schwab I have read to date.
A true to life story of the West when great change was coming and the vanquished Red Man of all tribes across the plains were being forced onto a reservation. The story of blossoming love was strong and true for the time. All the separate pieces as well as the very believable characters came together to fit tightly together in a perfect puzzle of life as it evolved for those who lived it. And indeed they did! Grit Jennie and their growing family will be remembered for a long time.
A true to life story of the West when great change was coming and the vanquished Red Man of all tribes across the plains were being forced onto a reservation. The story of blossoming love was strong and true for the time. All the separate pieces as well as the very believable characters came together to fit tightly together in a perfect puzzle of life as it evolved for those who lived it. And indeed they did! Grit Jennie and their growing family will be remembered for a long time.
October 1, 2018
Grit
Grit McKay and Jessie traveled many roads together in order to find her lost sister, her twin sister. They met others along the way who also needed help on these trails to find Jess's sister. The Indians were wild and helping those along the way was great, staying alive was going to be the hardest thing to do. I find I really like this author, I'll be watching for more from him. BRAVO 👏👏😇
Grit McKay and Jessie traveled many roads together in order to find her lost sister, her twin sister. They met others along the way who also needed help on these trails to find Jess's sister. The Indians were wild and helping those along the way was great, staying alive was going to be the hardest thing to do. I find I really like this author, I'll be watching for more from him. BRAVO 👏👏😇
October 1, 2018
Excellent book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great characters and character development. Interesting story line
Be
This was a most entertaining read. The author gives us an interesting as well. His characters are very good and he develops them well. He gives us a very clear picture of the location and the history of the time. To me his style is very Lamour like with strong characters who have a strong moral compass. Well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great characters and character development. Interesting story line
Be
This was a most entertaining read. The author gives us an interesting as well. His characters are very good and he develops them well. He gives us a very clear picture of the location and the history of the time. To me his style is very Lamour like with strong characters who have a strong moral compass. Well done.
October 9, 2021
Hood Story
Mr Schwab has a talent for telling a tale. It's as if he is there and passing the story on to you.
The story is well written, and unlike many self published books is clear and crisp. No confusing to, two or too, no misspelled words like "cocanut". Easy for a reader to enjoy the tale without coming to a screeching halt when you run across a big bump to slow or stop your reading pace.
I highly recommend this tale and I'm on to read another.
Mr Schwab has a talent for telling a tale. It's as if he is there and passing the story on to you.
The story is well written, and unlike many self published books is clear and crisp. No confusing to, two or too, no misspelled words like "cocanut". Easy for a reader to enjoy the tale without coming to a screeching halt when you run across a big bump to slow or stop your reading pace.
I highly recommend this tale and I'm on to read another.
January 22, 2022
I believe this to be Ron Schwab's best book yet
This book in my opinion is Ron Schwab's best book yet and I am confident the best ever is yet to come. I have read several books by this author and I am impressed by his skill. The story is really compounded complicity. The story being about a set of identical twins who can feel the others hurt and woes, highs and lows. This is truly a good story, masterfully written. I think you will enjoy this.
This book in my opinion is Ron Schwab's best book yet and I am confident the best ever is yet to come. I have read several books by this author and I am impressed by his skill. The story is really compounded complicity. The story being about a set of identical twins who can feel the others hurt and woes, highs and lows. This is truly a good story, masterfully written. I think you will enjoy this.
October 20, 2018
Mountain men, danger, humor, romance, suspense, lots of action, secrets, and indians. WOW!
I chose a 5 star rating because the book is just that good! The characters are greatly portrayed and quite believable. The storyline and character portrayal are believable and everything that makes a great read is there including a bit of spicy romance.
I chose a 5 star rating because the book is just that good! The characters are greatly portrayed and quite believable. The storyline and character portrayal are believable and everything that makes a great read is there including a bit of spicy romance.
December 19, 2022
Loved this story and all of its dynamic characters. The honor given to Blacks and tribal personalities is refreshing to see in the frontier/western genre. Great story flow and the details were just right so as to keep the plots moving forward. I'll be reading more of Ron Schwab's work, for sure. PKB
October 1, 2024
As Good as it Gets!
I had to rate this one with all the stars! I don’t know how it could have been any better unless it had been longer! I was not ready for it to end. I will miss the many interesting and endearing characters. Full of action, excitement and even a bit of romance! I loved it!
I had to rate this one with all the stars! I don’t know how it could have been any better unless it had been longer! I was not ready for it to end. I will miss the many interesting and endearing characters. Full of action, excitement and even a bit of romance! I loved it!
October 31, 2025
Grit
I’m glad I read this book but reading the sequel The Wolf’s Mouth puts all the MCs into perspective. This was an enjoyable story and kept true to the plight of “the People”. It’s unfortunate that so many stories are written about the People with a good versus evil slant that they are not accorded their rightful place in the world and linear timeline.
I’m glad I read this book but reading the sequel The Wolf’s Mouth puts all the MCs into perspective. This was an enjoyable story and kept true to the plight of “the People”. It’s unfortunate that so many stories are written about the People with a good versus evil slant that they are not accorded their rightful place in the world and linear timeline.
December 24, 2025
“Grit” is an Excellent Read
Thoroughly enjoyed Ron Schwab’s book “Grit”! It’s an excellent Western that has all the necessary ingredients that makes for an exciting, believable , fun experience!
Tha author has written many successful yarns and this is one of his best. Any avid reader will find the non stop action and story line to be first rate and enjoyable!
Thoroughly enjoyed Ron Schwab’s book “Grit”! It’s an excellent Western that has all the necessary ingredients that makes for an exciting, believable , fun experience!
Tha author has written many successful yarns and this is one of his best. Any avid reader will find the non stop action and story line to be first rate and enjoyable!
September 25, 2018
Great read
This story was absolutely awesome. The characters and story line is a definite winner. Ron Schwab you have outdone yourself with this book. Looking forward to more books in the future. Would highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a great western.
This story was absolutely awesome. The characters and story line is a definite winner. Ron Schwab you have outdone yourself with this book. Looking forward to more books in the future. Would highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a great western.
October 3, 2018
Enthralling
It is very much one of the hard-to-put-down kind of story.
The character growth and depth , the believability, the logic of the sequence of events, all work very well to create a fine but of reading.
It is very much one of the hard-to-put-down kind of story.
The character growth and depth , the believability, the logic of the sequence of events, all work very well to create a fine but of reading.
October 6, 2018
Grit
This story was a good read. The author has put together a lot of action and adventure that starts with the first page and doesn't stop till the end. Well put together and blended with all the good and bad, very enjoyable.
This story was a good read. The author has put together a lot of action and adventure that starts with the first page and doesn't stop till the end. Well put together and blended with all the good and bad, very enjoyable.
October 11, 2018
Superb reading.
I am retired and am able to devote a lot of time to reading. Ron's book was a delightful use of this time. I'm looking for more of his books now. So I gotta go now. Thanks, Ron.
I am retired and am able to devote a lot of time to reading. Ron's book was a delightful use of this time. I'm looking for more of his books now. So I gotta go now. Thanks, Ron.
October 14, 2018
Grit
This book deals with a man that dedicates his life to helping others, both through education and through searching for lost loved ones. On the way he experiences lots of action and adventures, finds his life's pardner, and a ready made family to boot.
This book deals with a man that dedicates his life to helping others, both through education and through searching for lost loved ones. On the way he experiences lots of action and adventures, finds his life's pardner, and a ready made family to boot.
November 20, 2018
A frontier educator finds a wife and family.
With some assistance from McGuffey's reader all is made well for a teacher and his friends and family at home and in the Indian nation.
With some assistance from McGuffey's reader all is made well for a teacher and his friends and family at home and in the Indian nation.
November 24, 2018
5 Stars
Grit McKay is a school teacher who also rescues children who have been kidnapped by Indians. When Jessie Hamilton hires him to find her sister who had been missing over ten years they head for quite an adventure.
Grit McKay is a school teacher who also rescues children who have been kidnapped by Indians. When Jessie Hamilton hires him to find her sister who had been missing over ten years they head for quite an adventure.
December 19, 2018
Grit perfect title....
Having read quite a number of the author’s books I was looking forward to this stand alone novel . I was not disappointed. Great plot and storytelling and have to state it was the most entertaining novel of his to date .
Having read quite a number of the author’s books I was looking forward to this stand alone novel . I was not disappointed. Great plot and storytelling and have to state it was the most entertaining novel of his to date .
July 15, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable read.
I enjoyed this book. Character development was good. Action scenes believable. I'll definitely read more from this author. Highly recommended for the John Wayne generation.
I enjoyed this book. Character development was good. Action scenes believable. I'll definitely read more from this author. Highly recommended for the John Wayne generation.
February 25, 2021
Great characters
This is the first Ron Schwab book I have read and I am hooked a great story line and fantastic characters I can't wait to read my next one. Thanks Duane Boehm for recommending Ron's work
This is the first Ron Schwab book I have read and I am hooked a great story line and fantastic characters I can't wait to read my next one. Thanks Duane Boehm for recommending Ron's work
December 19, 2021
Great Storyline - would enjoy a series about this family!
Totally enjoyable read. Please consider developing stories for each family offshoot keeping within the historical framework you have used. Uplifting stories for troubled times!👍
Totally enjoyable read. Please consider developing stories for each family offshoot keeping within the historical framework you have used. Uplifting stories for troubled times!👍
December 25, 2021
thanks so beautiful you have to have fun together today
Thanks again to my family and friends with the wonderful girls family love this girl so beautiful I miss them so happy for all that beautiful memories beautiful and wonderful beautiful young
Thanks again to my family and friends with the wonderful girls family love this girl so beautiful I miss them so happy for all that beautiful memories beautiful and wonderful beautiful young
February 8, 2022
A terrific read
Grit Jessie Jennie, Duff, Rover, Red fox, whites Hispanics, black, Indian, you name it and Mr Schwab gives them all equal representation. You want to read a diversified book,..read one of Mr Schwab's books. What a great read and story!
Grit Jessie Jennie, Duff, Rover, Red fox, whites Hispanics, black, Indian, you name it and Mr Schwab gives them all equal representation. You want to read a diversified book,..read one of Mr Schwab's books. What a great read and story!
April 4, 2022
Grit
A great read. Kept me reading, not wanting to stop! Nice to read a story about that time in our history and how the Indians lived and were treated.
Glad that there wasn’t a wild sex scene. So tired of this concept of what they think people want to read!
A great read. Kept me reading, not wanting to stop! Nice to read a story about that time in our history and how the Indians lived and were treated.
Glad that there wasn’t a wild sex scene. So tired of this concept of what they think people want to read!
June 5, 2022
First book of Rons i have read. Will read more
Have enjoy ed story line and characters development
Good read
We can't seem to get used to a new author but Ron is a pleasant surprise
Have enjoy ed story line and characters development
Good read
We can't seem to get used to a new author but Ron is a pleasant surprise
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews