Kilcannon comes to the Mogollon Rim country of Arizona to help his friend, Lester Sutton, find buried gold in the Bradshaw Mountains. The two men are former Texas Rangers. Along with Sutton's daughter, the former Rangers ride into the Bradshaws with outlaws on their trail, who know that Sutton has a map to buried gold. Sutton's brother years before had buried the gold before being killed by Yavapai Indians, who considered the Bradshaws sacred territory.
Kilcannon marries Sutton's daughter, who is then kidnapped by the outlaws, who kill her father. Kilcannon rescues his wife and the two of them find ways to get the gold back to Prescott, the capital of Arizona Territory. Outlaws kidnap Kilcannon's wife again, but she's armed and dangerous. She kills Buster Oldham, leader of the gang of outlaws, with her pocket pistol, and Kilcannon rescues her and kills the last of the outlaws. It's another classic western with a bit of romance by R. O. Lane.
R.O. Lane is the author of several western novels, including the US Marshal series. R. O. has BA in English and an MA in communications research. He worked as a writer and editor for three daily newspapers and has written dozens of speeches for senior officers of three Fortune 500 corporations.
THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE OF THEIR LIVES & THAT WAS BEFORE HEADING TO FIND THE GOLD
8/21/26 Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yavapai Gold by R.O. Lane is another notch in his belt when it comes to another great western thriller that he has written. He just keeps stacking them up one after the other and this book is no exception. It's not only a well written story that will draw you into the storyline from the first page and hold your interest to the last, it's a story that once you've finished reading you'll want it to keep going because you're so involved in the main characters Bryce and Christine and you'll want to read more about their adventures.
I stumbled upon R.O. Lane's books while reading another author's book that referenced how well he enjoyed reading his books. Based on his recommendation, I tried one of Lane's books and that was all it took. I was hooked from that point and since then, I have been working my way through everything he has published. Now I haven't read all of his books. I still have a few left but that being said, I have read the majority of them and all of them were great. If you get a chance, I highly recommend reading one and this book is a great start. Once you finish this book, I have no doubt you'll find yourself hooked on his books as much as I have found myself. I do suggest that if you start with one of his series you read them in order they were written. They'll be that much more appealing doing so.
You'll find everyone of his books have main characters that are well developed, the good guys are ones with high morals and family values, the action is throughout and believable, the villains are ones that you'll cheer when they are placed toes up and covered with a dirt blanket, and each of his books have just a touch of romance adding just another item to appeal to more readers. All of his books are ones that could be read and enjoyed by readers of all ages.
While this was an entertaining book to read while camping up on the Mogollon Rim, it lacked a lot of nuance and depth that would be necessary for me to recommend the book to someone else.
While it had a great deal of adventure and moved fast enough to keep me flipping pages, there are only so many times the formula of "find bad guy, shoot bad guy" can be repeated while still staying interesting. Plus, I know that in the "wild west," folks weren't exactly law-abiding, but did every single guy in the book really have to mention how he wanted to "kidnap Christine and have his way with her"? The line got a bit old after reading it the fifth time.
Like I said, having spent plenty of time in the area, and being up there as i read it anyway, it was a good way to spend an afternoon, but I wouldn't recommend it to others.
An exciting story of gunfights family love, great romancing, and heartwarming entertainment from cover to cover! If you enjoy a fast moving of never ending gunplay, episodes of realistic romance, and the camaraderie between the good guys, the fall in line and enjoy one of the best stories I have had the opportunity to read. If you think the excitement will diminish, the you will be proven wrong again and again. Never a chance to catch your breath.
I have read several novels by Mr. Land, especially the Marshal Fain series, but others also, and none compares to this outstanding masterpiece of old American western folklore. This story is one adventure after the other, with unbelievably outstanding gunfights that definitely are more than impressive! Definitely impressed with the author's selection of characters and unbelievably outstanding storylines. I was mesmerized by the authenticity of each and every exciting adventure, as they are so descriptive. The author's research is so adept and befitting of the era involved. There are so many heartwarming episodes throughout this outstanding story, and the camaraderie between the good guys is so befitting, that I could not put story down until it was completed! If you enjoy great western adventures, the this one is a must for you. There are some very family-friendly and heartwarming episodes to appease the weak at heart, also! Definitely recommend this compassionate masterpiece to everyone, especially lovers of exceptionally descriptive escapades of real western folklore. Be prepared to find your favorite chair, close the door and begin following one of the fastest moving westerns ever written! Do no miss the opportunity to jump on board this exciting western folklore train of emotions, as you will definitely experience the ride of your lifetime.😁
R O Lane wrote another very interesting action filled story complete with a hero, a beautiful woman, villains and detailed landscape. Kilcannan had been a Texas Ranger who set out to find Lester, a former Texas Ranger. Kilcannan not only find Lester but his daughter Christine. Their romance was short lived before they were married and set off with Lester to find a gold mine described by his older brother. They set out on treacherous journey where they encountered villains and won every gun battle. After the discovered the lost mine they were attacked by a thieves some of whom survived and continued their journey to capture the gold. Lester was killed and Christine was kidnapped by an evil man who killed every miner that he encountered and was determined to capture the gold. With the help of a local Mexican man and his wife they were able to escape the villain and reach safety before killing the criminal. It was a quick moving story with plots and subplots. Romance in these western stories move very quickly.
Mr. Lane, thank you for writing a story in a part of the country I remember well. Arizona, the southern part mostly, is where I attended school on the border in Douglas.
With a cousin the Chief Deputy/Undersheriff of Cochise County and my retired LAPD a volunteer unpaid deputy, I was told many stories about hidden gold, the Chiricahua Apaches, Skelton canyon and more.
I could smell the Prescott air while reading your story.
For other readers, I can testify to the background and physical details of Arizona in this story. The Texas hill country is nice, but the only reason I'd prefer living there rather than the Prescott area is there is a LOT less snow in Texas
Stupid hero. Kept wounding bad people and sending them on their way. Then turning to his traveling companions and saying "they'll be back again to try and kill us". And they were. Every time.
I'm not sure what the h was wearing but every time she met a bad guy the first words out of his mouth were. I'm going to rape you. Not to worry. They were all talk and no action. Thank God .
I'm not a fan of insta love but this one broke the record. Within 5 minutes of meeting they were swapping spit. C'mon somebody play a little hard to get .
Sorry I'm an R.O. Lane fan but this one did not make the cut.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In this gripping Western tale, retired Texas Rangers Bryce Kilconnon and Lester Sutton embark on a perilous journey with Lester's daughter Christine to uncover a hidden treasure of gold, buried by Lester's mysterious brother in the unforgiving landscape of the Old West. Luckily, Cletus had mailed a map of the buried gold to his mother. I felt like I was traveling through the beautiful prairies and rocky mountains, feeling the cool morning air and watching the extraordinary wildlife moving towards the cool, clear mountain streams for water. As usual, Lane's descriptive narrative is beautifully written.
Every book I have read from Mr. Lane is really enjoyable! I have one problem with his books. Spoiler Alert! I will only write this once. In every one of his books, the Hero ends up Wealthy or starts out Wealthy and gets even more Wealthy! Another contemporary author I read has done the same thing, but he has passed away. The books appear to be very well researched. They are enjoyable and have enough action to stay interesting. I’ll keep reading but I don’t think every cowboy was wealthy!
I normally love his books, yet this one seemed unrealistic. When being pursued by those who want to kill you and take your wife to rape, it is unrealistic that any husband would only want to wing them when he could kill them. also, who would tell them to ride off knowing they will come back after you?? The goading Christine did with her kidnappers was a bit far fetched as well. Keep it real is my advice for future books.
This is a really really really good book . No change that, it's a really really really excellent book ! It has everything in it that makes a great stor
I chose a five-star rating because it's just that good of book to read. It has a great balance to every part of the story that makes it a great read. I laughed, and I wept. I honestly believe R.O. Lane has written another great story and it will really be a shame , if you love westerns, and you do not read this story !
Lane makes his heroes and heroines very likeable, and leaves the reader feeling good about their sense of responsibility and humanity.
His books are all different - he doesn't use a formula, except maybe for the delightful little romance he always sneaks in. He has a vast background in ranching, horses, guns and every aspect of nineteenth century life in the American west, which makes for very enjoyable reading.
Just a fun little adventure turns deadly when the wrong people know too much. Love, battles, multiple bad guys all come together in a very well told tale. Only issue I have with this book is the author, like too many others, does not know the difference between farther and further.
An ROL. Western Novel/An Ex Texas Ranger/Another Texas Ranger's Daughter/Marriage
ROL. has. penned a western novel about an ex Texas Ranger who travels to see his old partner. He meets the daughter. Then they begins the hunt for the families gold mine. There is trouble along the way, but what western never had trouble. This is an excellent read for the genre....DEHS
Another great read by R.O.Lane about the development of the Old West, the quest for gold, and the people who tried to earn it, or steal it! It takes place in a part of Arizona I am very familiar and the descriptive names of places takes me back,in memory to the Mogollan areas I have traveled through!
An R.O. Lane story of finding gold and trying to keep it. Bruce helps his former Texas Ranger locate gold mine of no late brother. He marries Sutton's daughter after meeting her and all three have an adventurous trip !locating gold and fighting robbers. A good western with some romance to the story. Enjoyed the book.
I chose a 5 star rating because there was no 6. I selected this book because of the author. R.O. Lane is a superb story teller. His stories are always exciting and nail biting. Always provides me another opportunity to live vicariously the exciting life of a cowboy. Can't wait for the next great adventure. So, "Giddy Up."
Great book. Your diversity in your western characters is absolutely outstanding.
I have read every western book available to me for last 50 years. From Louis Lamour, Zane Grey, Jack Ballas, C.J.Petit , William Johnstone, and you are diffinitly in their class. Congratulations, and keep writing.
This book takes your interest and keeps it all the way till the end.
I have read this book before and completely enjoyed reading it a second time around.
R O Lane is one of the authors that follow regular. I read some of his books more than once. I enjoyed reading them all over again. The stories are fantastic. Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have.
I actually grew up in Prescott, Arizona, so this novella touches my memory more than most readers.
This is indeed a “classic western” in theme and narrative. It tells its tale with the air of grit, determination, and untoward violence that was typical of the historic time. That is, at least in fiction.
Great story and excellent characters. When evil thinks that they are going to win then good comes along and upsets it all. Would highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a great western story.
Just like all the rest of this authors books very easy to read and keeps your interest to the end. I read them so fast I have to wait about a month until another comes out. Karen
I lived in Northern AZ for a while and know the area well. It is a place of great vistas and everything there has a hook or a point. I always enjoy all the characters in these books. Keep writing and I look forward to each and every book.
This was a very good book, I guess one reason I enjoyed it so much is because I’m from Phoenix Az. So every town and mountain they talked about I know of. It was a great story and if you like westerners you will enjoy this book!!!
This book has all the pieces love,romance, Horses, bad guys and good ones of both genders. It is well written with just enough humor to make even more fun to read.
I enjoyed the first person narratives and was very involved with the story line. While not an edge of your seat thriller, it was exciting and left this reader feeling good and wanting more from this character.
A good old fashion western with a touch of modern “ spices “ . I enjoy this read very much . It had all the ingredients of a best seller action , romance , adventure, and drama . Good author !
It took a lot of determination to find and move the gold. It is a fun read and makes you think. It makes no sense to spend your life getting rich if you die without enjoying any of it.
I enjoyed this story from the get to the go, it started out very interesting and ended the same. This is one of the best authors I have had the pleasure of reading, thank you.
Happy trails to you to. Again I have thourghly enjoyed this book. I am ready to read more of your stories. I am reading about a book a day. I hope I don't finish all of them to quickly.