Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Branson Hawk #3

The Beginning

Rate this book
The second sequel to the number one bestselling Western adventure from Randall Dale! This is the third book in the “Branson Hawk: United States Marshal Western Series.”

Far from the battlefields of Gettysburg or Shiloh or Bull Run, deadly raids in the name of the Confederacy raged on the plains of Eastern Kansas. In a time when boys grew up fast and were called upon to do things beyond their years, this is the story of one such young man. His name, Branson Hawk. Although the cost to young Branson was beyond anything he could have imagined, one goal became a constant in his life as he tried to pick up the pieces, make the marauders pay. It was a promise to his Ma, a promise he was bound to keep no matter the consequences.

Grab your copy today!

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2019

463 people are currently reading
14 people want to read

About the author

Randall Dale

57 books15 followers
Randall Dale grew up in a ranching family. No stranger to long days in the saddle, Randall draws heavily on his experiences to bring a new breed of western novels. He is a graduate of The University of Arizona and while there was a member of the rodeo and livestock judging teams. He is a past Arizona Champion of the United States Team Roping Championships and continues to compete when time permits. Randall is a devoted family man and a successful businessman with a flair for writing, and an interest in all things western. He currently lives in rural Southeastern Arizona with his wife. They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
438 (62%)
4 stars
190 (27%)
3 stars
59 (8%)
2 stars
8 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
3,198 reviews26 followers
March 17, 2020
An RD. Kansas /Missouri Civil War Western Action Adventure (BHUSM/TB) (TBSB - 3)

RD. has penned a Kansas/Missoure Civil War western action adventure titled, "The Beginning", which begins with a you gboy named Branson Hawk and his friendship with an ex Black slave. The man teaches the boy to be a man after Quantril's Raiders attack his fathers farm and murder everyone but him. The Black man teaches him everything he knows and the young sets out seeking revenge without knowing what the cost would be. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
Profile Image for Tim Sarver.
32 reviews
March 29, 2020
Great read

The storyline reflects the difficulties of the earlier settlers of the west. The years preceding the war between the state's was very difficult. This story portrayed these facts and some of the horrific things that evil men brought to the settlers.
9 reviews
November 14, 2020
A real western story attention holder

A refreshing and well written western that makes you interested in what comes next in a way that stirs emotions and true passion for good reading.
Profile Image for Anthony R Woods.
695 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2021
The beginning

It was nice to see know the story about Branson upbringing. About the tragedy from his youth and about how he was raise and trained. How he became a tracker of bad men.
44 reviews
February 24, 2021
Branson Hawk's Beginning

After reading the first two Branson Hawk books, it was truly a pleasure to read the exciting story of his beginning. Branson Hawk has become one of my favorite United States Marshals!

Anthony Lyons of Dodge City
Profile Image for Pat Ison Saylor.
84 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2020
Enjoyable Intense Western

A real page turner. The kind of book that makes you wish you could read the last page, just so you'll know what is going to happen.
Profile Image for EmileBeridon.
50 reviews
March 1, 2020
Revenge, later than now

A story,pre and post civil war of a family and their difficult life’s.
A tragedy that turns into a quest for redemption of the wrongs
they endured.
Profile Image for Jody Lovell.
7 reviews
Read
April 3, 2020
well written and keeps you reading to see whats next. Very good
155 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2021
Payback time

This book was fun to read as the reader becomes involved with a youngster and feels his need for revenge
Profile Image for Dana.
361 reviews6 followers
January 27, 2020
This was good. Hope there will be more in the series.
181 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2019
Branson Hawk was a young boy at the beginning of this story. His family lived in extreme poverty during the Civil war. They were terrorized by outlaws destroying life in every small community. Branson saw his family killed and promised that the would kill the outlaw gangs. The characters of Branson, Curly and friends were well developed. Branson was nurtured by Curly, an escaped slave, and grows into manhood as he struggles against tyranny as he matures. Believing he was ready to hunt down the outlaw gang that had killed his family, Branson and Curly set out to find the three men who were murderers. In route, Curly is captured by slave catchers and killed. Branson kills outlaws as he continues his search. Finally, he has killed two of the three outlaws and grows into manhood feeling guilty that he had not been successful in killing the third outlaw. Branson is nearly killed by the third outlaw at the conclusion of this story. We are given an understanding about how Branson developed into a US Deputy Marshall.
This story takes place in a time in history were outlaw gangs terrorized the citizens of Missouri and Kansas. i grew up in southern Missouri and did not know for many years how Missouri played a major role in enslaving black men and women. It makes me sad that I grew up in such innocence.
Randall Dale is an exceptional story teller. I was riveted by this story and encourage everyone to read it. One cannot read this story and be untouched.
1,399 reviews13 followers
October 6, 2019
Another outstanding western masterpiece that certainly leaves no stone unturned, as Hawk sets his goals high and he fulfills his desires in fashionable expertise of outstanding entertaining revelations. If you love excitement, then you will definitely appreciate this outstanding western adventure of our realistic old West!

Definitely a five star masterpiece of heartwarming experiences as young Brandon Hawk leads us throughout his many heartbreaking adventures from early childhood to his becoming a U. S. Deputy Marshal. Each new episode touches your innermost heartstrings from beginning to end. Every new episode reveals how adventurous young Hawk is in meeting all of his many trials and tribulations with an on successfully winning the challenges!
Outstanding storylines that successfully portrays compassion and understanding of Hawks desire in seeking vengeance for the death of his parents and his close friends! Character selections were outstandingly selected for each outstanding assigned roles.
Definitely recommend this compassionately motivated story, especially to all of you western addicted readers, and even you non-western readers will definitely enjoy this outstanding western masterpiece of heartwarming experiences from beginning to end. Really! You will be the loser, If You fail to follow Hawk, and friends, through their many outstanding endeavors!😀
5 reviews
November 18, 2019
This is the third Branson Hawk book I've read. I've enjoyed all three books but this one "The Beginning" is my favorite by far. Mr Dale develops the characters and relationships thoroughly. There were periods in the book that I would have been moved to tears if I wasn't a man. One portion of the book caused me to stomp around the house angry for a while. The mother/son relationship and the friendship between Branson and Curley are very well done. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Linda.
503 reviews7 followers
December 14, 2019
Excellent read

Very well written story about a young man who promised himself to kill the ones that killed his family. Would highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a great western.
178 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2019
Great western story the all should enjoy.

The story leads the reader through misery and a young boy growing up way to fast in the aftermath of the civil war. The loss of family and close friend and then to lose another family. His pursuit of the killers through the years with it's ups and downs gives the reader plenty of entertainment.

43 reviews
October 7, 2019
Excellent read this is the first book I have read with the character Branson Hawk. I will definitely be reading others. Randall Dale does an awesome job in keeping with the western history. Highly recommend reading this story.
2 reviews
December 9, 2019
Freaky Good!

I LOVED this book. The relationship between Branson and his family was really relatable. I can't rave about it without spoilers but it's really good
Profile Image for Casey.
1,537 reviews6 followers
September 24, 2019
Excellent tale

Branson Hawk is an amazing character but I think, at least for me, Curly will stay with me as my hero.
Profile Image for jennifer simmons.
65 reviews
October 12, 2019
Great book

There better be a 4th book to this series. Too much left. Please write the next book for Hawk. Let him catch the bad man and maybe Molly comes back.
Profile Image for Peggy Pancherz.
1,173 reviews6 followers
October 18, 2019
Good book

Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
213 reviews
October 26, 2019
Rather surprising

Started out as expected then turned to an unexpected narrative. Was educational as to a lot of history at end of civil war.
146 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2019
It was a good story, and you found out how it all began. I personally, thought it was not as good as the first two books in the series.
34 reviews
November 13, 2019
Loved the series

Great writing and wonderful series of a time gone by. Gives a good look at what forged the west. Looking forward to Branson catching his man.
843 reviews4 followers
November 24, 2019
5 Stars

When Branson Hawk is ambushed and shot he goes back to his childhood, reliving the death of his family and his hunt for the men who did it.
3 reviews
December 8, 2019
Is great

Liked the way it was written I will read all of them
Good story kept my attention the all the way
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.