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Avenging Angels #2
Avenging Angels: Sinners' Gold
SADDLE UP FOR BOOK TWO OF THE HEART-POUNDING, BULLET-BURNING, BIBLE-THUMPING WESTERN SERIES! After avenging the brutal slaughter of their family at the hands of Hell-spawned cutthroats, twins Reno and Sara Bass continue their quest to purge the West of the Devil's minions who prey on the vulnerable and unsuspecting. When they reluctantly accompany the hapless Brenda Walon to Hatchet, Nebraska, it quickly becomes clear Brenda is in deadly danger. The seemingly quiet town of Hatchet has many dark secrets—including the legend of hidden gold and the greedy desires of those willing to kill for it! Sara and Reno realize not all of the Devil's horde ride roughshod and bloody in the open. Now it's up to the Avenging Angels to protect the innocent by flushing out Hatchet's human demons and sending them back to Hell!
348 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
264 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 1, 2024
Note, May 31, 2024: I've just made some factual corrections to this review, based on my just-completed read of the series opener (I'd described some aspects of the background incorrectly).
“A. W. Hart,” the nominal author of the Avenging Angels series, is actually a house pen name used by Wolfpack Publishing for the multiple authors of this and one or two of their other series. Where books are marketed or shelved by the author's name, this device allows a series to be kept together. It also makes it possible for the same main character(s) to be featured in a number of adventures, without being limited to the imagination or time constraints of a single author. If one dogmatically maintains that worthwhile creative art, by definition, can be created only by individual genius operating in total independence of any collaboration, then this won't be viewed as worthwhile creative art. (Neither will the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, the art of Currier and Ives, or the novels of Nordhoff and Hall, to cite only a few examples.) This is more of a collaborative effort, building on a common foundation. While it requires, and gives scope for, individual creativity, it also sets the challenge to that creativity of operating in fidelity to the foundation, rather than creating contradictions to it. In the two Avenging Angels books I've read, I felt the challenge was met; in both books, the main characters are consistent.
Barb and I encountered this series before only in its seventh installment, Avenging Angels: The Wine of Violence, because the actual author of that one is my Goodreads friend Charles Allen Gramlich. We'd intended to read that one as a stand-alone (both of these books, and presumably the others, can be read that way, since the reader is filled in quickly and simply on the basic set-up and premise of the series in each one and each adventure is self-contained and episodic). By a happy serendipity, however, things worked out for me to purchase this second installment, and we took a chance on it. (It didn't disappoint!)
As series fans, or readers of my previous review, already know, our main characters and titular “Avenging Angels” here are twins George Washington “Reno” and Sara Bass, still in their later teens, the God-fearing son and daughter of a Kansas homesteader. They were 16 in 1865, just after the Civil War, when while they were absent, their parents and siblings were massacred by a band of renegade ex-Confederates. The first book (which I haven't read) describes that incident, how they promised their dying father that they would take on the mission of avenging the slaughter and ridding the world of other lowlifes who prey on the innocent, and how they served justice on the murderers. This book mentions that before doing that, they spent some time under the tutelage of their father's friend Ty Mandell, learning and honing their formidable gun skills; it's now summer again, so I'd say we're into 1866, and they're about 17. (It's also mentioned that George got his nickname “Reno” from his dad, after an officer the older Bass had served with in the Mexican War and admired; the author doesn't state this explicitly, but that would be Jesse L. Reno, who later became a Union general in the Civil War, and was killed in battle in 1862.) In the early part of this book, we're shown how circumstances shaped their decision to become bounty hunters, as a way of supporting themselves while fulfilling their ongoing vow. That decision will soon have them heading to the town of Hatchet, Nebraska to collect their first bounties, along with rather mysterious, 30-something Brenda Walon, who's on her way to the same place, where an old friend has died and Brenda is named in her will. But Hatchet doesn't prove to be a welcoming place; mystery and danger await, and this volume will deliver Western action aplenty.
For this book, the real author is Wayne D. Dundee (he's credited on the back page), a seasoned author of Westerns, mysteries and other genre fiction. His prose is more clunky and plodding than Gramlich's, with a tendency to frequently explain the obvious. However, the novel is well-plotted (the resolution in the last part, IMO, was quite brilliant –it came as a surprise, but ultimately struck me as perfect) and the characterizations are skillful. Dundee handles action scenes believably and capably, with a high body count but no unnecessary “pornography of violence.” There are no particularly deep themes here, but there are some good messages. Bad language of the h- and d-word sort and religious profanity is more common here than in the installment I read earlier, but still a bit restrained; there's no explicit sex, though there are references to illicit sex, including the brothel that formerly operated in the town.
Wolfpack Publishing is a secular press, but with two morally earnest Christians as main characters, the publisher and authors do attempt to make the series at least somewhat Christian-friendly. Hence, one character reflects, “But the laws of God were the ones [he] felt his closest kinship with. Believing them, living them, and spreading to others word of the salvation that could come from doing the same.” Speaking over a grave, Reno comments, “God welcomes all kind-hearted souls into Heaven, and even if their lives on earth had shortcomings, soothes them with the promise of a better hereafter and the comfort of His presence.” The problem is that this is a non-Christian writer's honestly ignorant attempt to reproduce what he thinks that Christians believe, not what a Christian would actually think or say. Christianity IS a faith with a strong ethical dimension, and a profound belief in the grace of God; but the central Christian conviction is that eternal salvation comes to humans, not through keeping God's laws or through His general merciful disposition if they're kind-hearted, but rather through the death of Christ on the cross to bear the penalty of their sins. That's not a concept any Christian would omit from consideration. But in fairness, Christian readers should probably view this novel, theologically, as a glass that's half full, in that it does engage the reader with thoughts about spiritual issues, taken seriously.
“A. W. Hart,” the nominal author of the Avenging Angels series, is actually a house pen name used by Wolfpack Publishing for the multiple authors of this and one or two of their other series. Where books are marketed or shelved by the author's name, this device allows a series to be kept together. It also makes it possible for the same main character(s) to be featured in a number of adventures, without being limited to the imagination or time constraints of a single author. If one dogmatically maintains that worthwhile creative art, by definition, can be created only by individual genius operating in total independence of any collaboration, then this won't be viewed as worthwhile creative art. (Neither will the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, the art of Currier and Ives, or the novels of Nordhoff and Hall, to cite only a few examples.) This is more of a collaborative effort, building on a common foundation. While it requires, and gives scope for, individual creativity, it also sets the challenge to that creativity of operating in fidelity to the foundation, rather than creating contradictions to it. In the two Avenging Angels books I've read, I felt the challenge was met; in both books, the main characters are consistent.
Barb and I encountered this series before only in its seventh installment, Avenging Angels: The Wine of Violence, because the actual author of that one is my Goodreads friend Charles Allen Gramlich. We'd intended to read that one as a stand-alone (both of these books, and presumably the others, can be read that way, since the reader is filled in quickly and simply on the basic set-up and premise of the series in each one and each adventure is self-contained and episodic). By a happy serendipity, however, things worked out for me to purchase this second installment, and we took a chance on it. (It didn't disappoint!)
As series fans, or readers of my previous review, already know, our main characters and titular “Avenging Angels” here are twins George Washington “Reno” and Sara Bass, still in their later teens, the God-fearing son and daughter of a Kansas homesteader. They were 16 in 1865, just after the Civil War, when while they were absent, their parents and siblings were massacred by a band of renegade ex-Confederates. The first book (which I haven't read) describes that incident, how they promised their dying father that they would take on the mission of avenging the slaughter and ridding the world of other lowlifes who prey on the innocent, and how they served justice on the murderers. This book mentions that before doing that, they spent some time under the tutelage of their father's friend Ty Mandell, learning and honing their formidable gun skills; it's now summer again, so I'd say we're into 1866, and they're about 17. (It's also mentioned that George got his nickname “Reno” from his dad, after an officer the older Bass had served with in the Mexican War and admired; the author doesn't state this explicitly, but that would be Jesse L. Reno, who later became a Union general in the Civil War, and was killed in battle in 1862.) In the early part of this book, we're shown how circumstances shaped their decision to become bounty hunters, as a way of supporting themselves while fulfilling their ongoing vow. That decision will soon have them heading to the town of Hatchet, Nebraska to collect their first bounties, along with rather mysterious, 30-something Brenda Walon, who's on her way to the same place, where an old friend has died and Brenda is named in her will. But Hatchet doesn't prove to be a welcoming place; mystery and danger await, and this volume will deliver Western action aplenty.
For this book, the real author is Wayne D. Dundee (he's credited on the back page), a seasoned author of Westerns, mysteries and other genre fiction. His prose is more clunky and plodding than Gramlich's, with a tendency to frequently explain the obvious. However, the novel is well-plotted (the resolution in the last part, IMO, was quite brilliant –it came as a surprise, but ultimately struck me as perfect) and the characterizations are skillful. Dundee handles action scenes believably and capably, with a high body count but no unnecessary “pornography of violence.” There are no particularly deep themes here, but there are some good messages. Bad language of the h- and d-word sort and religious profanity is more common here than in the installment I read earlier, but still a bit restrained; there's no explicit sex, though there are references to illicit sex, including the brothel that formerly operated in the town.
Wolfpack Publishing is a secular press, but with two morally earnest Christians as main characters, the publisher and authors do attempt to make the series at least somewhat Christian-friendly. Hence, one character reflects, “But the laws of God were the ones [he] felt his closest kinship with. Believing them, living them, and spreading to others word of the salvation that could come from doing the same.” Speaking over a grave, Reno comments, “God welcomes all kind-hearted souls into Heaven, and even if their lives on earth had shortcomings, soothes them with the promise of a better hereafter and the comfort of His presence.” The problem is that this is a non-Christian writer's honestly ignorant attempt to reproduce what he thinks that Christians believe, not what a Christian would actually think or say. Christianity IS a faith with a strong ethical dimension, and a profound belief in the grace of God; but the central Christian conviction is that eternal salvation comes to humans, not through keeping God's laws or through His general merciful disposition if they're kind-hearted, but rather through the death of Christ on the cross to bear the penalty of their sins. That's not a concept any Christian would omit from consideration. But in fairness, Christian readers should probably view this novel, theologically, as a glass that's half full, in that it does engage the reader with thoughts about spiritual issues, taken seriously.
October 22, 2019
AW Hart - Avenging Angels Bk 2 - Sinners’ Gold - Reviewed 10/21/19
Protecting the innocents and taking out the scum….
Reno and Sara Bass are continuing to fulfill their father’s dying request to eliminate the scum that works under the Devils rule. When they happen on Brenda Walon, they hesitantly agree to escort her to the small town of Hatchet. It becomes clear after their arrival that the town is anything but a quiet and safe place for her. The town is harboring several undesirables that are out to find the rumored gold at any cost that Brenda and her two previous associates were to inherit. Things go south in a hurry and Reno and Sara are in the middle of the action. Their goal to take out the Devils squad and protect other innocents forces them to take evasive action.
What did I like? The continuing story of the avenging angels is an amazing tale of two youngsters that abide by their promise to their father. It is heartwarming on one hand and cold and hard on the other. I have enjoyed the first two books of this series and can’t wait to get to the next one.
What will you like? Exciting action, fascinating characters and the most interesting storyline for a western around. The kids have their work cut out for them and they both have the heart to do it along with their dog Apache. Well written and edited with the storyline growing and developing as the pages turn. All in all, this makes for a memorable and exhilarating read.
Protecting the innocents and taking out the scum….
Reno and Sara Bass are continuing to fulfill their father’s dying request to eliminate the scum that works under the Devils rule. When they happen on Brenda Walon, they hesitantly agree to escort her to the small town of Hatchet. It becomes clear after their arrival that the town is anything but a quiet and safe place for her. The town is harboring several undesirables that are out to find the rumored gold at any cost that Brenda and her two previous associates were to inherit. Things go south in a hurry and Reno and Sara are in the middle of the action. Their goal to take out the Devils squad and protect other innocents forces them to take evasive action.
What did I like? The continuing story of the avenging angels is an amazing tale of two youngsters that abide by their promise to their father. It is heartwarming on one hand and cold and hard on the other. I have enjoyed the first two books of this series and can’t wait to get to the next one.
What will you like? Exciting action, fascinating characters and the most interesting storyline for a western around. The kids have their work cut out for them and they both have the heart to do it along with their dog Apache. Well written and edited with the storyline growing and developing as the pages turn. All in all, this makes for a memorable and exhilarating read.
October 11, 2021
Exciting Western
I really enjoyed this Western. Non stop action, a real page turner.
The Avenging Angels bring instant justice to evil characters who prey on innocents. Great Biblical quotes, to show that these Angels are doing the Lord’s work.I am excited and ready to read the next installment.
I really enjoyed this Western. Non stop action, a real page turner.
The Avenging Angels bring instant justice to evil characters who prey on innocents. Great Biblical quotes, to show that these Angels are doing the Lord’s work.I am excited and ready to read the next installment.
August 3, 2020
Good story
Marvelous action, good characters. Shows how people can mess up Christianity like they can mess up everything else. But God loves us anyway, giving all a choice of redemption.
Marvelous action, good characters. Shows how people can mess up Christianity like they can mess up everything else. But God loves us anyway, giving all a choice of redemption.
Read
July 8, 2021Well done a good read
May 23, 2023
Good read
Amazing how teenage twins find action, trouble, and make new friends along their gambling route. Bounty hunting keeps them in supplies. Good read.
Amazing how teenage twins find action, trouble, and make new friends along their gambling route. Bounty hunting keeps them in supplies. Good read.
October 5, 2023
Great book when started in order from 1
Could have had a bit moreI gun play but it was good all around...not as good as the 1st book though
Could have had a bit moreI gun play but it was good all around...not as good as the 1st book though
November 18, 2023
Another good read.
I enjoyed the second in the series as much as the first. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed the second in the series as much as the first. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 14, 2025
A shoot'em western; fast read.
November 19, 2019
Sinner’s Gold is the second book in the Avenging Angels series published by Wolfpack Publishing. The story follows on from ‘Vengeance Trail’ (the first book in the series) and finds our heroes, Reno & Sara Bass, drifting without purpose after avenging their murdered family - their family was killed by marauding renegade Confederate soldiers. A chance encounter with four nefarious outlaws convinces our young heroes to go into the bounty business.
On this occasion, the man behind the A.W. Hart pen-name is Wayne D. Dundee. And let me say no-one writes shootouts like Dundee. There’s four of them in this novel (along with all the other action), and you feel like you’re there, right in the thick of it. You can hear the pistols roar, and smell the gun smoke in the air. No complaints from me, I enjoyed the heck out of this wild western adventure.
On this occasion, the man behind the A.W. Hart pen-name is Wayne D. Dundee. And let me say no-one writes shootouts like Dundee. There’s four of them in this novel (along with all the other action), and you feel like you’re there, right in the thick of it. You can hear the pistols roar, and smell the gun smoke in the air. No complaints from me, I enjoyed the heck out of this wild western adventure.
October 29, 2019
Sinner’s Gold
Great read, really enjoyed reading this book 📖. I love how the author used twins. There is not much that is closer than twins who almost always know what the other twin will do. So they will be a deadly enemy. I look forward to more books on these twins. Thank you A. W. Hart for an awesome read.
Great read, really enjoyed reading this book 📖. I love how the author used twins. There is not much that is closer than twins who almost always know what the other twin will do. So they will be a deadly enemy. I look forward to more books on these twins. Thank you A. W. Hart for an awesome read.
October 22, 2019
A Full-Bodied, Four-Color Western Worth Reading!
A.W. Hart continues raising his own creative benchmark of believable, exciting westerns focusing around two main characters readers will fall in love with! Each scene comes alive in 3-D descriptions of realistic scenes.
A.W. Hart continues raising his own creative benchmark of believable, exciting westerns focusing around two main characters readers will fall in love with! Each scene comes alive in 3-D descriptions of realistic scenes.
October 22, 2019
Avenging Angels Reno and Sara in an effort to befriend and help former soiled doves bring justice to a town run by lawless citizens.
October 29, 2019
Another great book in this series. Plenty of action and great writing!!!!!
I received an advance copy for an honest review.
I received an advance copy for an honest review.
November 28, 2019
My heart is pounding!
Excitement from the very first page! This one has the bad ones creeping out from places you wouldn't expect to find them!
Excitement from the very first page! This one has the bad ones creeping out from places you wouldn't expect to find them!
December 10, 2019
Sinners Gold
This was a good read that has the series of stories in line with action and adventure that won't stop. Good story line and not much idle prattle time.
This was a good read that has the series of stories in line with action and adventure that won't stop. Good story line and not much idle prattle time.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews