Beneath a Dakota Cross

Fortunes of the Black Hills #1

by Stephen Bly

IN SEARCH OF A NEW LIFE OUT WEST, BRAZOS FORTUNE FINDS HIS FAMILY ENDANGERED BY THE VERY QUEST HE HOPED WOULD SAVE THEM. With these simple words, Brazos Fortune sets out on his journey in the first of Stephen Blys new Fortunes of the Black Hills series. When locals threaten the lives and property of his family. Brazos abandons his Texas homestead for a new ranch in the West he has seen in a dream. Its a war against corrupt lawmen, wild outlaws, and bitter winter weather as Brazos wrestles with his newfound hunger for gold and the burning desire to be reunited with his family. He must test himself against the untamed frontier, confront the greedy miners who try his Christian convictions, and find the new home God showed him Beneath a Dakota Cross.

Genres: Westerns, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Family, Fiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

Stephen Bly (August 17, 1944 - June 9, 2011) authored 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists. He spoke at colleges, churches, camps and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He was the pastor of Winchester Community Church, and served as mayor of Winchester, Idaho (2000-2007). He spoke on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He was an Active Member of the Western Writers of America. Steve graduated summa cum laude in Philosophy from Fresno State University and received a M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Blys have three sons: Russell (married to Lois) and father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross) and mother of Alayah, Michael (married to Michelle), and Aaron (married to Rina Joye) and father of Keaton and Deckard. A third generation westerner, Steve spent his early years working on ranches and farms.

Reviews

[Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Stephen Bly but I am REALLY glad I finally found him. I love westerns, especially one's that have Christian values, lots of adventure, humor and since of place and time. Jerry Sciarrio's narration was superb, his definition or interpretation of each character made the book for me. I give it 5 stars because it's one I'd read/listen to again.

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never really mind romance in historic fiction. It certainly has its place. But I am always refreshed by Stephen Bly's ability to write a novel that is about 95% devoid of romance. This 1st book in the Fortunes of the Black Hills saga is a masterful journey of Brazos Fortune, patriarch to the Fortune clan. He sets out from Texas with one goal in mind, to find that ranch under a cross that he's dreamed about, dreams he believe are given him from the Lord. Adventures and tragedies assault him along the way, but Brazos has his closest friends, Yapper Jim, Quiet Jim, Big Frank, and all the rest to keep him company on his journey, not to mention the tenacious Dacey June Fortune who follows him out to Dakota territory even though she's only twelve-years-old.

The story is delightful, the characters are delightful, and for the first time ever I actually listened to it on audio book and loved every moment of it. Stephen Bly wrote the words for these characters, but Jerry Sciarrio brings them to life.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a television series premiere, Beneath a Dakota Cross leaves a lot of loose ends unresolved. That's not a bad thing, though; it's the first book in a hexalogy, and it was entertaining nonetheless. Those who enjoy old-school Westerns such as Gunsmoke or Bonanza will probably enjoy this.

[Adrian Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of my typical genre again. This was a post civil war western. Set in Texas then the Black Hills of North Dakota. Gold rush is on. Sioux Indians on the warpath. Bad guys good guys heroes and drunks. “Brazos Fortune” now that’s a cowboy name! There are 6 books in the series. I’m hooked!

[Tom Jarmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, seems like I know this family.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start, but ended in typical Bly fashion. Good read!

[Darius Murretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual 3.5 stars...rather flat . Happy to be moving on...to book 2

[Hollie Warnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Stephan Bly book. Nice details from a genre I rarely read. Adventures and morals around every corner.

[Derrick]

slow, didn't finish.

[GJ S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Christian novel

This was a good clean story with no sexual content or cussing.
I would recommend the author and the book.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good intro to the Fortune family. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Western, warm, adventure, fun yet scary are all words I'd use for this book.

Brazos is a very nice man who had everything he owned taken from him by corrupt law officials and locals. He doesn't try to get even, he just leaves with his daughter after having a vision-like dream to go out west and establish a ranch for himself with his daughter.

Lots and lots of things happen to thwart him, or give him strength to keep going.
Good stuff!
Read it!

[Keith B · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Christian western. Not bad but totally predictable. Main character talks to himself through out. Not as unspoken thoughts but a spoken running monologue of whatever is running through his mind. I'lll read more of the series if I have nothing else to read.

[Ratforce]

For a great combination of action-packed western and inspirational fiction, you may want to give Stephen Bly a chance. He’s written dozens of books, but you might want to start with the Fortunes of the Black Hills series. This is the first book in the series.

[deeann linford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good western novel

The story keeps your interest and the characters are believable. The editing is well done. It is one of the few western that give an authentic feeling of that time in history.

[Joey Peacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first foray into westerns. It intrigued me because the series eventually has a prodigal son story, so I started at the beginning. Classic old west shootouts, prospecting and good old-fashioned manlyvalues like integrity, resilience, hard-work, and self-discipline.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good series about family, faith and adventure. Very memorable characters and the kind of story you can read aloud to your family.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good, but I didn't like the way the main character seemed to pray to his wife.

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author, but now he's dead. Boo

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me "there!" Couldn't read it fast enough. I love Mr. Bly's style of writing the characters' conversations, and the way he develops the characters.

[Lugene Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read and can't wait for the next one.

[Scott Seiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book as an audio book. This is a classic style western with a Christian cowboy. Story was little bit predictable.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story. I read other reviews and agree it's refreshing to read a historical christian fiction that isn't revolved around romance.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great western story of how life was way back when...I think we as readers love to hear about how things used to be and this is the reason we see a lot of historical books on the market today. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. It's sad though, that I never heard of Stephen Bly until after he passed away. He is a great author. And now, in heaven, perhaps he is writing in a place of calm and beauty that we will never know until we to go home to be with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus.

[Caleb Priem]

this book and the series are awesome

[Vincent Andersen]

Couldn't finish....only made it through a couple chapters. Nothing awful about it, just not for me.