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Rosary Without Beads
Rosary Without Beads is a back-hills narrative for the 1800�s Lincoln County War. The novel reboots Billy the Kid�s academic legend and gives voice to the silent story haunting the hills of New Mexico. Ambrosia Salazar, a sheepherder�s daughter, battles against a traditional Catholic betrothal to Ramon in lustful trade for Billy. The story promises passion, Wild West violence and emotional courage as Ambrosia discovers defiant talents of her own.
475 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2018
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76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 24, 2018
It is difficult to know where to begin reviewing this book. It is, without a doubt, the most amazing, captivating, and vivid historical novel I’ve read in a long, long time.
The subject matter itself is gripping: William Bonney, Billy the Kid. For a man who lived such a short life, Billy the Kid cast a long shadow over the history of the American West. No matter what you think of him—anti-hero or sociopath, there is no denying the lure of his brief, violent existence on our collective imagination.
Holguin-Balogh has skillfully woven what we know to be historically true with what might have been and she has created something magical. The story grows in such an organic, compelling fashion the pages almost turn themselves.
The story is told by Ambrosia Salazar, a young Mexican woman who somehow manages to hold her family together in spite of crushing poverty, war, and the arrival of William Bonney into her life. Daughter, sister, lover, mother, healer, care-taker, and more, Ambrosia is the glue that keeps her small world together.
The writing is gritty and brutal but the author manages to show glimpses of the beauty in Ambrosia’s harsh Nineteenth Century existence. There are lyrical and beautiful phrases on almost every page and Holguin-Balogh is a master at painting a vivid picture with her words. Clever, honest lines like, “His half-smile made me feel undressed without a tree to hide behind” abound and there is plenty of humor in the story, even though life in the New Mexico Territory is a hardscrabble existence.
Reading Rosary without Beads is the closest I have come to time travel. What an incredible debut.
The subject matter itself is gripping: William Bonney, Billy the Kid. For a man who lived such a short life, Billy the Kid cast a long shadow over the history of the American West. No matter what you think of him—anti-hero or sociopath, there is no denying the lure of his brief, violent existence on our collective imagination.
Holguin-Balogh has skillfully woven what we know to be historically true with what might have been and she has created something magical. The story grows in such an organic, compelling fashion the pages almost turn themselves.
The story is told by Ambrosia Salazar, a young Mexican woman who somehow manages to hold her family together in spite of crushing poverty, war, and the arrival of William Bonney into her life. Daughter, sister, lover, mother, healer, care-taker, and more, Ambrosia is the glue that keeps her small world together.
The writing is gritty and brutal but the author manages to show glimpses of the beauty in Ambrosia’s harsh Nineteenth Century existence. There are lyrical and beautiful phrases on almost every page and Holguin-Balogh is a master at painting a vivid picture with her words. Clever, honest lines like, “His half-smile made me feel undressed without a tree to hide behind” abound and there is plenty of humor in the story, even though life in the New Mexico Territory is a hardscrabble existence.
Reading Rosary without Beads is the closest I have come to time travel. What an incredible debut.
December 3, 2020
Travel back in time to New Mexico Territory’s Lincoln County war which ran from 1878 to 1881. Rosary Without Beads captures the romance of the legend of Billy the Kid. Told in the unique voice of Ambrosia Salazar, a sheepherder's daughter, filled with language tethered to the earth with occasional breaks into either lust or heaven or moments that are both. The language is lyrical and unique. There is an understated passion that is far sexier than most blatant romances and unique turns of phrase that fully embody Ambrosia’s internal struggle between her lust for Billy the Kid and a more traditional marriage to Ramon, based more in financial terms than in true love (Ramon lusts after Ambrosia’s sister, Sinfarosa, who has traded farm life for the brothel).
Holguín-Balogh shows Billy’s charm as well as his disregard for Ambrosia’s passion and weaves a compelling blend of truth and fiction. The reader not only gets a view of the abject poverty that governs Ambrosia’s life, but also of its deep spiritual roots and underlying passion. One truly understands why such a vulnerable, passionate young woman would be swayed by the charms of bad boy William Bonney and why, willing to accept his life on the run from the law, she dreams of running off to Mexico with him.
Rosary Without Beads is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Holguín-Balogh shows Billy’s charm as well as his disregard for Ambrosia’s passion and weaves a compelling blend of truth and fiction. The reader not only gets a view of the abject poverty that governs Ambrosia’s life, but also of its deep spiritual roots and underlying passion. One truly understands why such a vulnerable, passionate young woman would be swayed by the charms of bad boy William Bonney and why, willing to accept his life on the run from the law, she dreams of running off to Mexico with him.
Rosary Without Beads is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
September 10, 2018
I read parts of an early draft of this novel and knew it would quickly find a publisher when completed. Now lucky enough to read an advance review copy of Rosary Without Beads from Five Star/Cengage, I can say I was right!
A solid historical with wonderful characters, Rosary Without Beads tells the story of a young woman who carries heavy burdens, both physical and emotional. After her mother dies, Ambrosia Salazar carries on a housewife and caregiver's duties for her father, brother, and younger sister. The youngest girl in the family, known as Garita, suffered a near drowning when very young and never full recovered. An older sister, Sinfarosa, left home and lives a less-than-pure life. These extra worries weigh on Ambrosia, challenging her resolve and strength on a daily basis. A beautiful, vulnerable, and weary girl and a handsome bad boy. Is it any wonder the abrupt appearance of the charismatic young man named William Bonney would catch Ambrosia off-guard and captivate her heart?
I love this novel for its unique language style, the descriptions, interesting characters, and poignant story of love found and love lost. Highly recommended.
A solid historical with wonderful characters, Rosary Without Beads tells the story of a young woman who carries heavy burdens, both physical and emotional. After her mother dies, Ambrosia Salazar carries on a housewife and caregiver's duties for her father, brother, and younger sister. The youngest girl in the family, known as Garita, suffered a near drowning when very young and never full recovered. An older sister, Sinfarosa, left home and lives a less-than-pure life. These extra worries weigh on Ambrosia, challenging her resolve and strength on a daily basis. A beautiful, vulnerable, and weary girl and a handsome bad boy. Is it any wonder the abrupt appearance of the charismatic young man named William Bonney would catch Ambrosia off-guard and captivate her heart?
I love this novel for its unique language style, the descriptions, interesting characters, and poignant story of love found and love lost. Highly recommended.
Want to read
October 20, 2020Local author
September 6, 2022
Loved this novel!!!
I had the privilege of meeting the author, Diana Holguin-Balogh, years ago at a historical recreation experience of 1800s life at Bent's Fort in Colorado, when she was finalizing Rosary without Beads. So, I was very eager to read it when I saw that it was up on Goodreads. She had truly immersed herself in the experience of life in the 1800s, so I wanted to see how Diana incorporated this into her novel. Well, it was done exquisitely!
What I loved best about the book was how the author made the characters come alive. Each one is given so much detail and life that I found myself tearing up at the end. I didn't want to let go of Ambrosia and her younger sister, Garita. I felt that I knew them and wanted to continue learning about them and their goings-on.
As a youth, I grew up with tales of the Old West, so Billy the Kid was an interesting real-life character. The novel uses both facts and imagination to create a believable story that could have happened between Ambrosia and Billy the Kid.
The lyrical author, Isabelle Allende, is one of my favorite writers. Diana Holguin-Balogh is now among my top ten as she writes a lot like Isabelle Allende. Rich detail, immersing the reader in the life of others who lived very long ago. She left me wanting to read more of her books.
I had the privilege of meeting the author, Diana Holguin-Balogh, years ago at a historical recreation experience of 1800s life at Bent's Fort in Colorado, when she was finalizing Rosary without Beads. So, I was very eager to read it when I saw that it was up on Goodreads. She had truly immersed herself in the experience of life in the 1800s, so I wanted to see how Diana incorporated this into her novel. Well, it was done exquisitely!
What I loved best about the book was how the author made the characters come alive. Each one is given so much detail and life that I found myself tearing up at the end. I didn't want to let go of Ambrosia and her younger sister, Garita. I felt that I knew them and wanted to continue learning about them and their goings-on.
As a youth, I grew up with tales of the Old West, so Billy the Kid was an interesting real-life character. The novel uses both facts and imagination to create a believable story that could have happened between Ambrosia and Billy the Kid.
The lyrical author, Isabelle Allende, is one of my favorite writers. Diana Holguin-Balogh is now among my top ten as she writes a lot like Isabelle Allende. Rich detail, immersing the reader in the life of others who lived very long ago. She left me wanting to read more of her books.
May 13, 2019
This novel took me to 1800’s New Mexico, when the gun spoke justice, irrespective of wrong or right. Story-telling eyes were not from a gun slinger, sheriff, politician, or academic historian, not anyone with power. Ambrosia Salazar, a poor, local sheep rancher’s daughter took me on this journey. Her mother has just died, the beauty sister runs amok at the brothel, and younger sister with underdeveloped mind and overdeveloped body needs vigilance. No one else will see to it but her. She had made that promise to her mother before she died. The silent promise to her father, who is still alive, is marriage to Ramon Salamanca, a good Catholic neighbor. So much pressure weighs heavily on her until a valve release comes in the form of Billy the Kid—alluring, fast talking provocateur. If you like passion, violence, hard scrabble, realistic Wild West relayed in beautiful, lyrical, layered language, you’ll love this one.
June 14, 2019
I love books in which the landscape is a character. This historical novel was based on real events in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory. Real people, including Billy The Kid, populate its pages, and the main protagonist is the invented sister of an ally of Billy The Kid. Historical and economic issues overlaid with law, order, and justice are given a new treatment. It stretches over a few years, and I could smell the dust and hear the sheep.
July 12, 2024
Para-historical tale of Billy the kid and Pat Garrett and the Lincoln county war. Ambrosia is a very endearing and down to earth character. She falls for the engaging Billy and endures the repercussions of that entanglement. The story took me into the trials of living during that era. Recommended for anyone that enjoys the true stories of the southwest. Very well researched and executed book. The ending was unexpected and a great way to go.
January 4, 2019
sorry. Hispanics didn't talk like that even in the 1800's. ridiculous.
January 1, 2020
Billy the Kid, daring , ruthless, loved by the women. An innocent girl falls in love with him against her father's wishes. She knows he's dangerous and will cause her pain but she is drawn to him anyway. Will her heart be broken
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March 8, 2019Read as a selector for the Colorado Book Awards.
May 20, 2019
This book is distinct in its own right. Colorado Book Award finalist—the judges at Colorado Humanities selected it top general fiction for 2019, and I agree. Surprises around every turn, unique voice, cultural enrichment, historic education, and a whole lot of heated passion. Ambrosia Salazar meets Billy the Kid, and she will never be the same. I give it a 10 out of 5. That’s not a typo. I give it a 10.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews