Rising Fire

The Jensen Brand #3

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Johnstone Country. Home at Last.

When the Jensen family sends a new generation out into the world, they always keep the homefires burning—and rifles loaded—just in case they bring trouble back with them . . .
 
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART
 
Smoke Jensen’s daughter Denny can outride, outrope, and outshoot any man who gets in her way. But being a pretty woman, Denny sometimes attracts the attention of unsavory suitors. Like the lecherous Count Malatesta. Denny met the seductive Sicilian on her trip to Europe—and almost fell head over heels for the swindler. What’s he doing in America? Seems the heartbreaking hustler has huge gambling debts to pay off—and a deadly scheme to scam money out of the Jensens. But Denny’s got a plan, too—to shake off this silver-tongued stalker no matter what it takes, from a ghost town shootout to a blood-soaked showdown at the Sugarloaf Ranch. Alert: Where there’s Smoke, there’s gunfire . . .
 
Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2020

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Laur]

The Wild West meets the Sicilian Mafia (aka The Black Hand). Lol…..now there’s a storyline you don’t see everyday.

A Worthwhile enjoyable read, but the gullibility of certain characters is cringe worthy a couple of times. The even pace and action keep this book humming right along, but as this is a review for the audiobook version, the narrator is rather monotone. (I’ve said that before regarding Danny Campbell, and wish there were different inflection and tone at least for the strong female lead, Denny), nonetheless kudo’s to the author(s) for a unique storyline.

Love the character Denny (Denise) and hope J.A. Johnstone continues to develop her character to be an even stronger, smarter, better lead…(young sexy witty carbon-copy of her papa Smoke).

[Jamesie (inactive)]

Another 4.5 read, glitchreads needs to add half stars to there rating system.

[Jacqui]

In Book 3 of the Jensen Brand series, Rising Fire (Pinnacle Books 2020), Smoke Jensen's son and daughter are in Europe where the doctor's who keep his son's illnesses in check can take better care of him. While taking a tour of the civilized centers of the various countries, Smoke's daughter, Denny, falls in love with a Count who unfortunately turns out to be after her money. She finds out just in time, dumps him, and returns to the family ranch in Colorado. Fast forward ten years and to Denny's surprise, the Count steps off the train in her town. Hoodlums try to gun him down and Denny saves his life before realizing this is the cad she once loved and now wants nothing to do with. He pretends his presence there is simply coincidence but Denny is suspicious, especially when he again acts as though he wants to court her which makes the US Marshall who quietly loves Denny pretty annoyed. It gets a lot more complicated from there. Lies are told. Innocents are accused of crimes. People are killed. And out of it all, a new love is born.

Another great story for the Jensen ecosystem. I love this series.

[Abibliofob]

As always, Johnstone writes a good story about the Jensens. I really love this series as it gets a little more modern but still is a western. I have to thank Pinnacle, Kensington Books and Netgalley for letting me escape the reality for a couple of hours. Great fun for western lovers.

[Jacqui]

In Book 3 of the Jensen Brand series, Rising Fire (Pinnacle Books 2020), Smoke Jensen's son and daughter are in Europe where the doctor's who keep his son's illnesses in check can take better care of him. While taking a tour of the civilized centers of the various countries, Smoke's daughter, Denny, falls in love with a Count who unfortunately turns out to be after her money. She finds out just in time, dumps him, and returns to the family ranch in Colorado. Fast forward ten years and to Denny's surprise, the Count steps off the train in her town. Hoodlums try to gun him down and Denny saves his life before realizing this is the cad she once loved and now wants nothing to do with. He pretends his presence there is simply coincidence but Denny is suspicious, especially when he again acts as though he wants to court her which makes the US Marshall who quietly loves Denny pretty annoyed. It gets a lot more complicated from there. Lies are told. Innocents are accused of crimes. People are killed. And out of it all, a new love is born.

Another great story for the Jensen ecosystem. I love this series.

[Denice Langley]

I have been reading Johnstone books for many years. The Johnstone name in the author's block automatically earns the title a spot on my TBR stack. Johnstone books are about families. each series has an anchor character whose life and descendants keep the stories galloping forward. Well defined characters and backstories mean the reader is instantly invested in the current adventure.
This book has at it's heart two of Smoke Jensen's children. Visiting Europe with her brother, Denise Jensen finds herself the center of attention where ever they travel. Narrowly escaping a less than honorable suitor, Denny leaves Europe and returns to her home. Many years later, she is surprised when the man shows up in her hometown. But not as surprised as he is when he comes up against the Jensen family.
While this book is a little different from my usual Johnstone books, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Denny get the best of the characters who underestimated her because she is a woman....but didn't factor in she is a Jensen woman.

[Nolan]

Denise (Denny) Jensen is the main character in this book. Get to know her a little more.

One thing I wondered about was Arturo. A man servant to Conrad Browning. (The Drifter) Since Arturo traveled all over with Conrad won’t he know more about horses then what happened in this story?

Denise Jensen gets kidnapped. Hands are tied behind her back, feet are tied together. The bad guy puts her belly down on a horse. Her tied hands mysteriously are now in front of her and are tied from them to her feet under the horses’ belly. Later once off the horse they are mysteriously back behind her back.

Other then these two screw ups, I enjoyed the story.

[Marlene]

The Jensen Sugarloaf family ranch is the heart of the county and Denise is the daughter who gets into trouble more than anyone can understand. Being the daughter of a famous gunslinger, she feels she has to live up to his reputation with her own gun and smarts. When she was very young and living in Europe with her brother, she met a handsome, smooth-talking man who was not only lecherous but a thief. That man, Count Malatesta, has come to town. It’s a fast moving story and I loved every moment of living inside the book until The End. I appreciate the book being on KU.

[Pat]

An OK western, but not nearly as good as Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey. A much longer book than most Westerns. The ending seemed a bit unbelievable, too many coincidences, superhuman marksmanship, etc. L'Amour and Grey's heroes are much more believable. Would I read it again? No. Would I read another book by this author? Maybe, maybe not.

[Ron]

Another Denise Jensen story.

A mysterious yet creepy guy for her past comes back with a vengeance.

Robbers thieves and other asserted miscreants insert themselves into the lives of our intrepid heroes.

DEPUTY US MARSHAL BRYCE MONTE CARSON AND OTHERS TAKE FRONT STAGE WHILE SMOKE JENSEN IS A BIT PLAYER.

A DECENT TURN OF THE CENTURY SHOOT 'EM UP.

[Jerry T.]

One of worst books of the many I have read by Johnstones. Just didn't make it real with a female killing 18 killers, robbers, thieves all at same time.

Just becAuse she was Smoke daughter didn't make her a gunfight. Been better if Smoke had shown up to come to her aid.

[Nita Miller]

Rising Fire

Another great adventure of Denny Jensen and Brice Rogers. Denny was shocked to see the Count Giovanni again after two years. She now knows that he is a liar, A swindler, and womanizer. But the Count has several people looking for him to kill him for his crimes.

[Rick Mitchell]

another excellent Johnstone collaboration. This was made more interesting with the "Count" who Denise/Dennie encounters in Venice and then Colorado. An excellent character who enhanced the usual excellent western flavor

[Danny Natale]

Someone gave me this. Rather than hurting their feelings, I gave it a chance. I found it to be an odd combination of comically chaste romance and excessively graphic violence. Very disturbing. I feel that it says a lot about what we consider “obscene” in America.

[Larry]

good read, happy Denny took care of her problem.....

[larry brashear]

Great Book

This is another fine Western tale by the man i consider the Maestro of stories of the old west. It will not be long until I can say i have read all his books.

[Amy]

Rising Fire, book three from The Jensen Brand series, was a great read. It is getting four stars from me.

[Martha Peebles]

What can I say that has not already been said, great books that keep you reading.

[Ray Ratliff]

Great book I love his books.

[Dirk Stone]

It's a good read

Enjoyed reading this book. Lots of action. I think other readers will enjoy this book as much as I have. I would recommend it to everyone

[Lawrence j. Droney]

Down Hill

I don't get western novels to read soap operas and romance books. I miss the old Smoke stories and will possibly change my reading selection in the future...

[Shirley Leavitt]

Loved the series but there needs to be more because we don't know what is going to happen to Denny.

[Lois Beres]

Good read

As usual a Johnstone book doesn't disappoint. This had a little twist and I liked it. You should too. Try it

[Richard Guerrero]

I just couldn’t do it anymore. I stopped about a third of the way into the book. I love my silly western but this was a slow boring one.

[LeeAnn]

3.5 stars