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Blood and Dust
James Sinclair is on the run, hunted like an animal.
An innocent encounter with a young woman leads to horrific allegations by a powerful man. Before he can take a breath, a friend smuggles him out of 1880s Toronto via the remnants of the Underground Railroad and out into the wilderness.
James has never been on the back of a horse before. But now, he's riding hard for the Canadian west, fighting raiders, meeting hobos, befriending Métis traders and beautiful women.
He must find a new home. He wants to find love. But the long reach of a wealthy industrialist could not just scuttle all his plans; it could also end his life.
Blood and Dust is a thrilling ride that roams across half a nation in its wild early days. Its breathtaking pace and high passion will keep you captivated until the last page. Pick up J.C. Paulson's exciting new novel today.
An innocent encounter with a young woman leads to horrific allegations by a powerful man. Before he can take a breath, a friend smuggles him out of 1880s Toronto via the remnants of the Underground Railroad and out into the wilderness.
James has never been on the back of a horse before. But now, he's riding hard for the Canadian west, fighting raiders, meeting hobos, befriending Métis traders and beautiful women.
He must find a new home. He wants to find love. But the long reach of a wealthy industrialist could not just scuttle all his plans; it could also end his life.
Blood and Dust is a thrilling ride that roams across half a nation in its wild early days. Its breathtaking pace and high passion will keep you captivated until the last page. Pick up J.C. Paulson's exciting new novel today.
- GenresAmazonHistorical Fiction
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2020
145 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Paulson
10 books196 followersJ.C. Paulson thinks a mystery can, and perhaps should, also be a love story.
Switching from fact (journalism) into fiction (novels, mostly) later in life, it seemed a natural thing to combine the two. Evil versus good. Hate versus love. Think Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, and a host of cozy mystery couples — not that her novels are very cozy.
Changing the world would be nice, too. Fiction allows us to swallow the bitter pills of social injustice and still (hopefully) be entranced, entertained and entangled in their solutions.
A rabid reader of mystery novels, J.C. Paulson has long admired the works of Dorothy Sayers, P.D. James, Louise Penny and Ann Cleeves.
She lives in a rambling bungalow on a quiet street in Saskatoon, Canada with her husband, Ken, a goldsmith. She therefore wears a tiny golden replica of her first murder weapon around her neck.
Switching from fact (journalism) into fiction (novels, mostly) later in life, it seemed a natural thing to combine the two. Evil versus good. Hate versus love. Think Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, and a host of cozy mystery couples — not that her novels are very cozy.
Changing the world would be nice, too. Fiction allows us to swallow the bitter pills of social injustice and still (hopefully) be entranced, entertained and entangled in their solutions.
A rabid reader of mystery novels, J.C. Paulson has long admired the works of Dorothy Sayers, P.D. James, Louise Penny and Ann Cleeves.
She lives in a rambling bungalow on a quiet street in Saskatoon, Canada with her husband, Ken, a goldsmith. She therefore wears a tiny golden replica of her first murder weapon around her neck.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 9, 2022
Western fiction isn’t my thing, although I was an avid watcher of cowboy shows as a kid. But as a reader and an author, I make sure I stretch myself occasionally and pick up a book which ‘isn’t my thing’. And (this is not always the case) I was very glad I did with Blood and Dust.
When young James Sinclair is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is forced to flee his home town of Toronto and go as far west as he can – but will it be far enough? Along his adventurous journey across the wide, flat lands, he falls in with some great, well-rounded characters–for better and for worse–including his new best buddy, Buck. Loved Buck!
Paulson’s story is fast moving and also well written. I read this book over a couple of days which is rare for me these days, and shows how much I was engrossed in James’s story. A deserving hero, with his priorities and manners in the right places, but no mama’s boy: James rolls up his sleeves and gets on with things when there’s no other recourse and despite his own self-doubts.
Behind this engaging plot is a setting and history of which I knew nothing, but which came to life for me as I read it. The Métis traders with their racket-making carts, the nascent ‘towns’ where mutual dependence is critical for survival, the raiders, the speculators as the railway pushed west, and most of all the men and women who stuck it out to build communities for the future, fascinated me. They also played their parts credibly in the tale.
I can easily see a sequel here, the beginning of a series, or possibly a family saga following James’s and his potential family’s journey over decades. There are other characters too whose stories scream out as a source of further rich entertainment. How about Hannah, Ms Paulson? Surely she deserves her own book?
Highly recommended – especially if you don’t do westerns.
When young James Sinclair is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is forced to flee his home town of Toronto and go as far west as he can – but will it be far enough? Along his adventurous journey across the wide, flat lands, he falls in with some great, well-rounded characters–for better and for worse–including his new best buddy, Buck. Loved Buck!
Paulson’s story is fast moving and also well written. I read this book over a couple of days which is rare for me these days, and shows how much I was engrossed in James’s story. A deserving hero, with his priorities and manners in the right places, but no mama’s boy: James rolls up his sleeves and gets on with things when there’s no other recourse and despite his own self-doubts.
Behind this engaging plot is a setting and history of which I knew nothing, but which came to life for me as I read it. The Métis traders with their racket-making carts, the nascent ‘towns’ where mutual dependence is critical for survival, the raiders, the speculators as the railway pushed west, and most of all the men and women who stuck it out to build communities for the future, fascinated me. They also played their parts credibly in the tale.
I can easily see a sequel here, the beginning of a series, or possibly a family saga following James’s and his potential family’s journey over decades. There are other characters too whose stories scream out as a source of further rich entertainment. How about Hannah, Ms Paulson? Surely she deserves her own book?
Highly recommended – especially if you don’t do westerns.
February 18, 2022
Blood & Dust by J.C. Paulson is a sensual Western that has the perfect balance of grit, action, and romance to keep you hooked. In the Acknowledgements, the author informs the reader that “The first chapter emanated, bloody and visceral, from a fevered dream suffered by my husband, Ken Paulson. Two days later, I had written a fictional and slightly gorier form of his nightmare and found I couldn’t stop.” If this isn’t enough to pull you in, then perhaps the setting of a much younger, western Canada with its references to moonshine, violence, and hard-fought peace will seal the deal.
It's the year 1882. Blood & Dust opens with exactly that: blood – and lots of it. This isn’t a story for the faint hearted, but its realism makes the romantic elements that much sweeter. When I read, “‘She spoke first. ‘If he dies,’ she said, ‘you die’”, I was hooked!
Paulson writes three-dimensional, flawed characters who yearn for better lives. This is what bridges the time gap between the late nineteenth century, and our own modern era. James is a man with a past who goes to great lengths to improve his circumstances. I was enthralled by his journey.
The book is steamy at times, but there is a tenderness at the heart of these people’s interactions. They love with as much intensity as they try to survive, eking out a living in an unforgiving landscape and time period.
I love Paulson’s phrasing, which is both poetic and urgent, pulling you in with its beauty and pushing you onto the next scene at the same time. We shouldn’t linger in the bedroom when the streets outside are so dangerous.
The conclusion surprised and delighted me. I cannot rave enough about the quality of the prose, the depth of historical research, and the connection to my own country’s development. If you like history, romance, and action, then make Blood & Dust your next read!
It's the year 1882. Blood & Dust opens with exactly that: blood – and lots of it. This isn’t a story for the faint hearted, but its realism makes the romantic elements that much sweeter. When I read, “‘She spoke first. ‘If he dies,’ she said, ‘you die’”, I was hooked!
Paulson writes three-dimensional, flawed characters who yearn for better lives. This is what bridges the time gap between the late nineteenth century, and our own modern era. James is a man with a past who goes to great lengths to improve his circumstances. I was enthralled by his journey.
The book is steamy at times, but there is a tenderness at the heart of these people’s interactions. They love with as much intensity as they try to survive, eking out a living in an unforgiving landscape and time period.
I love Paulson’s phrasing, which is both poetic and urgent, pulling you in with its beauty and pushing you onto the next scene at the same time. We shouldn’t linger in the bedroom when the streets outside are so dangerous.
The conclusion surprised and delighted me. I cannot rave enough about the quality of the prose, the depth of historical research, and the connection to my own country’s development. If you like history, romance, and action, then make Blood & Dust your next read!
February 22, 2022
Battle Royal
J. C. Paulson has written Blood and Dust with the usual flair we are used to. In the style of the greats, Zane Grey, Louis L`Amour and J. T. Edson, you get the flavor of the old west with the history of Toronto.
In following James Sinclair through his ordeal, you get the feel of this young man who fights for his very freedom. You learn of the ways of the west and the people he meets.
J. C. Paulson has done a marvelous job. I found myself totally engrossed and jealous of the day starting because it pulled me away from this book.
J. C. Paulson has written Blood and Dust with the usual flair we are used to. In the style of the greats, Zane Grey, Louis L`Amour and J. T. Edson, you get the flavor of the old west with the history of Toronto.
In following James Sinclair through his ordeal, you get the feel of this young man who fights for his very freedom. You learn of the ways of the west and the people he meets.
J. C. Paulson has done a marvelous job. I found myself totally engrossed and jealous of the day starting because it pulled me away from this book.
March 20, 2022
In this Canadian Western, author J. C. Paulson, sets up a cunning plot with an interesting protagonist, James Sinclair. Paulson touches on the conventions of the western genre, which encompass a crime, society in the 1880’s Toronto and Saskatchewan, and plenty of action in which the protagonist is both condemned and eventually exalted by society.
As a reader and writer of the genre here is what I especially enjoyed and that Paulson, a solid writer with a journalist background, hit upon with nuance and panache. To mention a few things: the fitting title, the setting with all of the details and particulars used in descriptions and exposition, along with the main character, James Sinclair, an innocent man on the run.
The premise of the story works incredibly well because of the emotional trials and tribulations James endures and all the new survival skills he must learn—to ride a horse and to shoot. Next comes the cast of interesting characters James meets along his journey: Auntie Hannah, Jones, Clancy, Jim, Sarah, and especially the inclusion of the Métis. I found this section portraying these people of Canada edifying and exhilarating, and wished the author had expanded on them and their history. Perhaps she will in another novel.
A mention of Buck is a must. James’ stalwart horse is a necessary component of the genre—and not only do I love horses, I love reading and writing about them!
A great many people helped James during his plight, and he in turn assisted others. He fought and saved lives with determination and by applying acquired doctoring skills. What absolutely made this an exciting, adventuresome, and sensational read was that it contained many essential elements and protocols of typical westerns: good guys versus bad guys, a chase and a pursuit, and a final showdown, all within a natural setting illustrated by a skillful writer. I heartily recommend this novel, not just to readers who love Westerns, but to readers of romance, and of well-executed novels.
As a reader and writer of the genre here is what I especially enjoyed and that Paulson, a solid writer with a journalist background, hit upon with nuance and panache. To mention a few things: the fitting title, the setting with all of the details and particulars used in descriptions and exposition, along with the main character, James Sinclair, an innocent man on the run.
The premise of the story works incredibly well because of the emotional trials and tribulations James endures and all the new survival skills he must learn—to ride a horse and to shoot. Next comes the cast of interesting characters James meets along his journey: Auntie Hannah, Jones, Clancy, Jim, Sarah, and especially the inclusion of the Métis. I found this section portraying these people of Canada edifying and exhilarating, and wished the author had expanded on them and their history. Perhaps she will in another novel.
A mention of Buck is a must. James’ stalwart horse is a necessary component of the genre—and not only do I love horses, I love reading and writing about them!
A great many people helped James during his plight, and he in turn assisted others. He fought and saved lives with determination and by applying acquired doctoring skills. What absolutely made this an exciting, adventuresome, and sensational read was that it contained many essential elements and protocols of typical westerns: good guys versus bad guys, a chase and a pursuit, and a final showdown, all within a natural setting illustrated by a skillful writer. I heartily recommend this novel, not just to readers who love Westerns, but to readers of romance, and of well-executed novels.
July 30, 2022
I loved this book from the first pages—I was instantly drawn in by the fast paced and suspenseful 1st person narrative of a young man who leaves his home in Toronto after standing up to an abusive father, discovering friends and budding talents, only to be run out of town by a lie and an unscrupulous man.
James flees to the wild west of Saskatchewan and encounters adventures and difficulties he could have scarcely imagined as a a young man in the city. He is saved by the kindness of strangers on many occasions, but is also revealed as a man of strength, character and skill in his own right along the way.
Paulsen has delivered a gem for lovers not only of classic westerns, but well-researched historical fiction.
James flees to the wild west of Saskatchewan and encounters adventures and difficulties he could have scarcely imagined as a a young man in the city. He is saved by the kindness of strangers on many occasions, but is also revealed as a man of strength, character and skill in his own right along the way.
Paulsen has delivered a gem for lovers not only of classic westerns, but well-researched historical fiction.
March 15, 2022
How many would live?
I so enjoy any story or mystery that involves the Underground Railroad. "Blood and Dust" did not disappoint. I imagined myself in that underground tunnel and could not lower my heart beats as I thought of the walls closing in around our MC. From the jump start, you may as well fear for every character's life as Ms Paulson did not spare the bullets on this one. I personally feared for Buck throughout. (No spoilers from me. I heartily dislike the reviewers who give a book report instead of a review of likes and dislikes). And in this novel there is also that black hearted character we all love to hate. See what you think. Masterfully written. Grab your copy.
I so enjoy any story or mystery that involves the Underground Railroad. "Blood and Dust" did not disappoint. I imagined myself in that underground tunnel and could not lower my heart beats as I thought of the walls closing in around our MC. From the jump start, you may as well fear for every character's life as Ms Paulson did not spare the bullets on this one. I personally feared for Buck throughout. (No spoilers from me. I heartily dislike the reviewers who give a book report instead of a review of likes and dislikes). And in this novel there is also that black hearted character we all love to hate. See what you think. Masterfully written. Grab your copy.
July 6, 2022
This story is told from the point of view of young James Sinclair. Set in the 1880s, it shows tantalizing glimpses of Canada's history, but so skillfully woven into the storyline, you never even realize you're learning something new. James finds himself in trouble after being falsely accused of a crime, and he escapes to the West. Along the way, his innate kindness and moral code makes many friends, something that pays off for him in an unexpected way. I "read" this book on Audible, and couldn't wait to get back into my car to finish it.
March 1, 2023
A five star read! Wonderfully crafted western. Believable characters and stories with twist and turns you will not see coming. If you enjoy westerns with mystery, romance and a wide array of characters this book is for you! Don't miss it!
March 21, 2022
What a terrific book! It's the 1880s, a young man running from bad guys, is forced to travel into the wilds of western Canada. There he learns a new trade as a blacksmith/farrier, trying to make a go of his new life, all while the bad guys are right behind him.
I love this kind of adventure story. This also has what is maybe the most brilliant opening chapter ever.
c.t.h.
I love this kind of adventure story. This also has what is maybe the most brilliant opening chapter ever.
c.t.h.
February 23, 2022
Blood and Dust by Joanne Paulson is a masterwork! Historical fiction of the wild west during the post-civil war era, it captures the complexity of a period fraught with uncertainty and hardship. Relationships are formed out of mutual need and self-preservation. Through it all, Paulson delivers a narrative with such heart and intimacy that the reader feels as though they are making new friends along the way. I found myself rooting for James Sinclair every step along the way and reveled in his victories while witnessing his journey from adolescence to adulthood. James gradually discovers who he is as each trial tests his mettle and forges his resolve to fight for justice. There is an intimacy to the story as we see Sinclair gradually discover who the man he has become and what he stands for.
This is no ordinary western with damsels in need of protection or rescuing. There is a cast of powerful women whose strength propels the narrative and enriches the story. Although the main character is male, Blood and Dust gives a fresh look at a historical period telling the tale of women fighting alongside the men to create a life in the rough and tumble west. From the underground railroad to the Métis Nation, diversity abounds in this journey of self-discovery. The battle between good and evil is on full display when greed and the perfidy of powerful men seek to steamroll anyone in their path. The dramatic tension builds with embers slowly warming and builds to a fiery climax culminating in a relentless explosion of events that will leave the reader begging for mercy. I fell in love alongside James Sinclair, with his friends, his new home, and his soulmate. Travel with him on his journey to the wild west, and you'll never want to leave.
2 likes
This is no ordinary western with damsels in need of protection or rescuing. There is a cast of powerful women whose strength propels the narrative and enriches the story. Although the main character is male, Blood and Dust gives a fresh look at a historical period telling the tale of women fighting alongside the men to create a life in the rough and tumble west. From the underground railroad to the Métis Nation, diversity abounds in this journey of self-discovery. The battle between good and evil is on full display when greed and the perfidy of powerful men seek to steamroll anyone in their path. The dramatic tension builds with embers slowly warming and builds to a fiery climax culminating in a relentless explosion of events that will leave the reader begging for mercy. I fell in love alongside James Sinclair, with his friends, his new home, and his soulmate. Travel with him on his journey to the wild west, and you'll never want to leave.
2 likes
February 16, 2022
In the 1880s, the Canadian prairies were still in the early stages of organized European settlement. Canada itself had been a country for fewer than 20 years, and Sir John A. Macdonald’s (Canada’s first prime minister) promise of a railroad running from coast to coast was still in the construction phase. The Dominion Lands Act of 1872 permitted settlers to acquire one-quarter of a square mile of land and offered more to successful homesteaders. Advertising both in Eastern Canada and in Europe suggested the Prairies were blessed with easily farmed, rich land, attracting settlers from many places, including the ‘crowded’ cities of Eastern Canada. While not the ‘wild west’ of legend in the United States, life in the western territories was not without conflict. Land was often central to the disputes, whether it was disagreement over settlement rights between homesteaders and speculators, or the larger issue of indigenous land rights.
It is against this historical background that J.C. Paulson’s historical adventure /romance unfolds. Following the protagonist, James Sinclair, as he flees Toronto after an accusation of a crime he didn’t commit, the story touches upon many of the political and social issues of the times: Canada’s role in the Underground Railroad; the power and corruption of some wealthy industrialists; the dangers of life without access to medical care. These are lightly explored, for the most part, adjuncts to the plot and the development of James’s character, not a serious investigation.
Blood and Dust isn’t quite a serious historical book. That’s not to say it’s a comedy, but a lightly-drawn hero’s journey, in which James, on his way to find a place to call home, is called upon to learn skills and take tasks upon himself that are completely outside his experience. He has a lot of adventures along the way in his journey to maturity and love, and some of these adventures needed significant suspension of disbelief – but taken in the spirit of the story, I was willing to accept them. (Maybe a few facts should have been checked though - you can't gallop a horse for several hours, for instance.)
The book doesn’t shy away from darker realities: people die violently; the major conflict centres on sexual assault – still, overall Blood and Dust is an optimistic coming-of-age story where the physical journey and the historical places, events and people that James meets feed and shape his internal development. It is an entertaining book, beautifully paced, full of tense situations and with a satisfying ending. It is in many ways a classic Western story – if it were a movie, John Ford would have directed it – but with a distinctly Canadian feel.
Recommended
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
It is against this historical background that J.C. Paulson’s historical adventure /romance unfolds. Following the protagonist, James Sinclair, as he flees Toronto after an accusation of a crime he didn’t commit, the story touches upon many of the political and social issues of the times: Canada’s role in the Underground Railroad; the power and corruption of some wealthy industrialists; the dangers of life without access to medical care. These are lightly explored, for the most part, adjuncts to the plot and the development of James’s character, not a serious investigation.
Blood and Dust isn’t quite a serious historical book. That’s not to say it’s a comedy, but a lightly-drawn hero’s journey, in which James, on his way to find a place to call home, is called upon to learn skills and take tasks upon himself that are completely outside his experience. He has a lot of adventures along the way in his journey to maturity and love, and some of these adventures needed significant suspension of disbelief – but taken in the spirit of the story, I was willing to accept them. (Maybe a few facts should have been checked though - you can't gallop a horse for several hours, for instance.)
The book doesn’t shy away from darker realities: people die violently; the major conflict centres on sexual assault – still, overall Blood and Dust is an optimistic coming-of-age story where the physical journey and the historical places, events and people that James meets feed and shape his internal development. It is an entertaining book, beautifully paced, full of tense situations and with a satisfying ending. It is in many ways a classic Western story – if it were a movie, John Ford would have directed it – but with a distinctly Canadian feel.
Recommended
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
May 10, 2022
Joanne Paulson is an accomplished writer of contemporary murder mysteries. Her Adam and Grace series is exceptional, and I highly recommend them.
So I wasn't sure what to expect when she stepped back into 19th century Canada and took her main character James Sinclair literally on a wild ride from Toronto to Moose Jaw in sparely settled western territories.
As a lover of history and mainly the 19th century, I was hesitant to pick up this book since I have never been a fan of westerns, but this book broke down my resistance.
It is a novel to be proud of. The storyline is solid and compelling, and you find yourself swept away by James' journey and engaged with all the characters he meets along the way.
James is fleeing a despicable and powerful man who blames him for the death of his daughter to hide a nasty secret.
Our hero, luckily, is rarely alone on his journey and because he believes in honesty when dealing with people, he is quick to make friends. Thereby taking their advice and learning new skills from those he encounters along the way.
Ultimately James decides that it's time to stop running and face those that are chasing him.
He and his horse Buck seek to find refuge in the settlement of Moose Jaw and finally take a stand against injustice for himself and others.
This book had me hooked from the first page.
So I wasn't sure what to expect when she stepped back into 19th century Canada and took her main character James Sinclair literally on a wild ride from Toronto to Moose Jaw in sparely settled western territories.
As a lover of history and mainly the 19th century, I was hesitant to pick up this book since I have never been a fan of westerns, but this book broke down my resistance.
It is a novel to be proud of. The storyline is solid and compelling, and you find yourself swept away by James' journey and engaged with all the characters he meets along the way.
James is fleeing a despicable and powerful man who blames him for the death of his daughter to hide a nasty secret.
Our hero, luckily, is rarely alone on his journey and because he believes in honesty when dealing with people, he is quick to make friends. Thereby taking their advice and learning new skills from those he encounters along the way.
Ultimately James decides that it's time to stop running and face those that are chasing him.
He and his horse Buck seek to find refuge in the settlement of Moose Jaw and finally take a stand against injustice for himself and others.
This book had me hooked from the first page.
March 13, 2022
I have been a fan of J.C. Paulson’s “Adam and Grace” mysteries, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from “Blood and Dust.” I was not disappointed. This is a wonderful novel. The historical aspect of the story is interesting, but it is the young hero, James Sinclair, and his flight across Canada to freedom that grips the reader from the very first page. Sinclair is a hunted man, accused of a terrible crime against the daughter of a rich and powerful man. His only choice is to escape, which he does with the help of his landlady. But the adventure has only begun. Paulson takes her hero, and us, on an adventure through the prairies with the pursuers seemly only miles behind him. Sinclair is helped by complete strangers and, along the way, learns about life, love, and himself. This is J.C. Paulson at her very best and I highly recommend this book. This is definitely a “must-read.”
June 18, 2022
This book has a very appropriate title. I have never read a western before. This was an excellent baptism. Paulson writes a great story with characters you care about. She drags you into her world and says look, see, listen. Blood and Dust deals with difficult issues with the sensitivity of touch we have come to expect from this writer. Whatever she's writing - I'm reading. Her six stars are well earned.
January 4, 2023
Hunted across Canada
Wow what a story. I was drawn in it from the beginning. It was hard to put it down. A young man running from a crime he didn't commit. A landlady with knowledge most people wouldn't have. Helped him escape Toronto. Set up help along the way. The people he won over with his kindness. Now he wasn't running anymore.
Wow what a story. I was drawn in it from the beginning. It was hard to put it down. A young man running from a crime he didn't commit. A landlady with knowledge most people wouldn't have. Helped him escape Toronto. Set up help along the way. The people he won over with his kindness. Now he wasn't running anymore.
December 9, 2022
Fast-paced High Plains Adventure! To quote our hero James Sinclair, “The Underground Railroad led me to the end of the rail line.”
This book has a quick, turn-the-page tempo, a wide cast of memorable characters and flips the “Go west to seek your fortune” theme of Western novels on its head! A naive young man escapes a domineering father only to begin a grand adventure that sees him mature in many unexpected ways. Wrongly accused of a crime, James takes flight via the remnants of the Underground Railroad, rides the rails with hobos, fights beside First Nations traders and inadvertently becomes one of the first to homestead in newly formed Saskatchewan Province. This cowboy novel is filled with thrilling gunfights, a trusty horse, plot twists, grasping land barons and nefarious henchmen, brotherhood, tender moments and even love on the plains.
JC Paulson has done a masterful job of breathing life into an old form while weaving gentle humor into a rip-roaring catapult of an adventure. I laughed when James said, “The following day proved magnificent in its complete lack of dire events.” I was impressed with the subtle way this author deftly painted the setting, for example, “The sun hangs in the sky until late during a prairie June.” James himself has a unique voice and his honest disposition builds his reputation across the prairies.
This read was a fun romp I really enjoyed. Once it gets moving, the action never stops! And this is no kid’s cowboy story--it is adult, especially as the young man faces “kill or be killed threats” or stumbles to learn about women. Highly recommended—if you are looking for an adventure novel with unexpected action, you won’t want to miss this great novel!
This book has a quick, turn-the-page tempo, a wide cast of memorable characters and flips the “Go west to seek your fortune” theme of Western novels on its head! A naive young man escapes a domineering father only to begin a grand adventure that sees him mature in many unexpected ways. Wrongly accused of a crime, James takes flight via the remnants of the Underground Railroad, rides the rails with hobos, fights beside First Nations traders and inadvertently becomes one of the first to homestead in newly formed Saskatchewan Province. This cowboy novel is filled with thrilling gunfights, a trusty horse, plot twists, grasping land barons and nefarious henchmen, brotherhood, tender moments and even love on the plains.
JC Paulson has done a masterful job of breathing life into an old form while weaving gentle humor into a rip-roaring catapult of an adventure. I laughed when James said, “The following day proved magnificent in its complete lack of dire events.” I was impressed with the subtle way this author deftly painted the setting, for example, “The sun hangs in the sky until late during a prairie June.” James himself has a unique voice and his honest disposition builds his reputation across the prairies.
This read was a fun romp I really enjoyed. Once it gets moving, the action never stops! And this is no kid’s cowboy story--it is adult, especially as the young man faces “kill or be killed threats” or stumbles to learn about women. Highly recommended—if you are looking for an adventure novel with unexpected action, you won’t want to miss this great novel!
July 19, 2023
Exciting
Characters are realistic and engaging. Plenty of action and excitement. Great plot. You will not want to put the book down.
Characters are realistic and engaging. Plenty of action and excitement. Great plot. You will not want to put the book down.
October 18, 2022
An Unlikely Hero • A Must Read • Five Stars
I cut my teeth on Louis L’Amour. If you know anything about Western’s, you will know his work is a hard act to follow. Fortunately, I discovered JC Paulson at a time when I was ready to experience a different kind of western. I am so grateful I did! A spectacular story of tragedy, tribulations, and finally, triumph!
Having experienced the remoteness of Northern British Columbia as a young teen, I never really thought about Canada’s version of the Old West, even though Vernon, my sisters boyfriend at the time rode his horse Trigger, several miles, just to come and visit…
The setting of this story quickly had me walking with its characters, first experiencing a young Toronto and then an unlikely escape from the city via the underground railway…
Wrongly accused of a heinous crime and with no hope for justice, the young greenhorn, James Sinclair narrowly escapes to the wild Northwest of Canada’s equivalent of the United States, Western wilderness.
James suddenly becomes an unlikely hero as he helps his newfound friends defeat would be raiders, horse pirates, outlaws of the time, by intervening in the nick of time and saving the life of the leader of a band of indigenous traders. The Métis were a proud and brave clan committed to meeting the trade needs of this newly settled land.
The bonus for me was the artful storytelling of a fledgling romance and some well developed heated encounters that had me wishing I was the young character I was reading about.
I’m not typically a big fan of romance, but the raw nature of the developing relationship drew me in and I found myself cheering for a love that naturally unfolded as James became the unlikely hero to the sister of another man whose life he had saved…
I could go on and on, but I won’t. #Brilliant
I cut my teeth on Louis L’Amour. If you know anything about Western’s, you will know his work is a hard act to follow. Fortunately, I discovered JC Paulson at a time when I was ready to experience a different kind of western. I am so grateful I did! A spectacular story of tragedy, tribulations, and finally, triumph!
Having experienced the remoteness of Northern British Columbia as a young teen, I never really thought about Canada’s version of the Old West, even though Vernon, my sisters boyfriend at the time rode his horse Trigger, several miles, just to come and visit…
The setting of this story quickly had me walking with its characters, first experiencing a young Toronto and then an unlikely escape from the city via the underground railway…
Wrongly accused of a heinous crime and with no hope for justice, the young greenhorn, James Sinclair narrowly escapes to the wild Northwest of Canada’s equivalent of the United States, Western wilderness.
James suddenly becomes an unlikely hero as he helps his newfound friends defeat would be raiders, horse pirates, outlaws of the time, by intervening in the nick of time and saving the life of the leader of a band of indigenous traders. The Métis were a proud and brave clan committed to meeting the trade needs of this newly settled land.
The bonus for me was the artful storytelling of a fledgling romance and some well developed heated encounters that had me wishing I was the young character I was reading about.
I’m not typically a big fan of romance, but the raw nature of the developing relationship drew me in and I found myself cheering for a love that naturally unfolded as James became the unlikely hero to the sister of another man whose life he had saved…
I could go on and on, but I won’t. #Brilliant
February 22, 2022
A good man tries to outrun the railway and his pursuers in this post-Civil War era Western, set across the sprawling expanse of Canada. BLOOD AND DUST follows the journey of James Sinclair, son of Scottish immigrants, determined to set his own path--one of righteousness and hard work. His righteousness makes him a target and soon, he's forced to flee the life he's trying to build. He's plunged headfirst into the westward expansion, risking life and limb and his reputation on the way, and helped, too, by fortuitous encounters with others scraping by at the edges of civilization. Grueling but never gratuitous, sensuous but never lascivious, BLOOD AND DUST satisfies from beginning to end. BLOOD AND DUST never slows down, and I didn't put it down, racing through this like Sinclair across the prairie.
July 5, 2023
If you want a story that puts the main character “up on a horse and shoots bullets at him” (after you fall in love with him) then this is the western story for you. Every chapter, sometimes with more than one eventful scene, keeps you on edge for the success of James Sinclair, a young, sensitive man who’s suddenly thrust into being a hardcore cowboy to survive.
JC Paulson paints a story of the Canadian western frontier with a small dip into how Canada was a part of the US underground slavery history, which I was pleasantly surprised to read about. I love cowboy stories and this one did not disappoint.
JC Paulson paints a story of the Canadian western frontier with a small dip into how Canada was a part of the US underground slavery history, which I was pleasantly surprised to read about. I love cowboy stories and this one did not disappoint.
March 14, 2022
Gripping novel that transports you to the old west
In the hardscrabble world of the 1880s, a naive and innocent man, James Sinclair, is accused of a heinous crime involving an underaged woman. Thus begins his epic adventure, which begins with the Underground Railroad, across Canada from the city of Toronto, Ontario to the tiny town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Along the way, he learns new skills: horseback riding, shooting, and smithing, to name a few. And through his actions finds loyal, new friends who will fight with him when the time comes.
Lovely, well-written story that will have you routing for the good guys to come out on top. Highly recommend.
In the hardscrabble world of the 1880s, a naive and innocent man, James Sinclair, is accused of a heinous crime involving an underaged woman. Thus begins his epic adventure, which begins with the Underground Railroad, across Canada from the city of Toronto, Ontario to the tiny town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Along the way, he learns new skills: horseback riding, shooting, and smithing, to name a few. And through his actions finds loyal, new friends who will fight with him when the time comes.
Lovely, well-written story that will have you routing for the good guys to come out on top. Highly recommend.
July 15, 2022
My first foray into a Canadian western! I rather enjoyed it. This has a very "Call of the Wild" meets "1883" feel to it, as far as the story ambience goes. Took me a moment to orient to Canada as opposed to the more familiar American west, I will admit. Mr. Sinclair has a very naïve, yet authentic feel to him that worked well for the tribulations he suffered and provided a refreshing change from the typical rough-and-tumble cowboys that tend to take the lead in this sort of story. I'm awful at writing reviews, so I'll sum this up by saying if you like westerns, this is a worthy read!
February 1, 2023
What a great story!
I love a good Western story and this one was awesome! A bit gory at times, but remarkable at the same time. I loved Buck, my favorite color plus he was so much like my red dun mare who would never leave me behind! I hope there's more western's in this author's future!
I love a good Western story and this one was awesome! A bit gory at times, but remarkable at the same time. I loved Buck, my favorite color plus he was so much like my red dun mare who would never leave me behind! I hope there's more western's in this author's future!
January 23, 2023
This is a beautifully written and touching tale that finds our protagonist, James Sinclair, at that point in his life where he needs to strike out on his own.
Just as he's beginning to find his groove in life away from his family, he has to suddenly leave his world behind as he's forced out of town when tragic gossip and accusation become knowledge to James and those around him.
And that conflict puts this incredible story of love, loss, and revenge into motion.
Will James be able to rebuild again?
Or will he have to keep running from the accusations as they seem to follow him no matter where he goes or how far he runs?
And of course, there is the amazing and colorful supporting cast—friend and foe—alike, James runs across during his adventures.
A definite read!
And might I say, I need this as a film, television, or video game!
And of course, I will read back this lovely book as well.
Just as he's beginning to find his groove in life away from his family, he has to suddenly leave his world behind as he's forced out of town when tragic gossip and accusation become knowledge to James and those around him.
And that conflict puts this incredible story of love, loss, and revenge into motion.
Will James be able to rebuild again?
Or will he have to keep running from the accusations as they seem to follow him no matter where he goes or how far he runs?
And of course, there is the amazing and colorful supporting cast—friend and foe—alike, James runs across during his adventures.
A definite read!
And might I say, I need this as a film, television, or video game!
And of course, I will read back this lovely book as well.
July 20, 2022
What a ride! From the growing city of Toronto, through the Canadian plains, and directly west, we follow James Sinclair, falsely accused of a heinous crime and fleeing injustice. The Canada of the nineteenth century is vividly described by J.C. Paulson, who deftly keeps us on our toes awaiting James' next adventure. Along the way, he finds friends and evades enemies, until the ultimate battle. This book was such a fun and compelling read, and Paulson does a wonderful job of placing us in the action, dotted with history and romance. Excellent research, character development, and writing. I highly recommend this literary slice of the past!
September 8, 2025
Not particularly riveting, but an entertaining western style story.
January 15, 2022
I had the privilege of reading this book before it’s release. Not being a genre in my normal wheelhouse, I didn’t know what to expect. What I found was a story that has stayed with me, one that comes to mind often. Hauntingly good characters that make you cheer for their success and regret their mistakes. This is an old west story with a twist only author J.C. Paulson can give. It’s one of her best and I highly recommend it.
August 7, 2023
Such a good book. Turning the pages fast from beginning to end.
October 10, 2023
Entertaining, good story and lots of action. Canadian author as well.
February 28, 2022
Trails and Trials of the Old West
J.C. Paulson, Canadian author of the acclaimed Adam and Grace mystery/romance series, has given us a story drawn from her country’s past. “Blood and Dust” is set in the 1880s and I loved it from the first page.
The tale opens in Toronto, Ontario—a city booming with growth and opportunity. We met young James Sinclair. He lives at home with a kind and nurturing mother and a father who is never easy, especially when the drink has taken him.
Out of obligation, Sinclair is apprenticed to his father as a machinist. This changes abruptly one night when his father beats him within an inch of his life. Sinclair decides he must make his own way in the world. He leaves his parent’s home for a boarding house run by a kind woman who caters to young, single, working men. He becomes apprenticed to a mentoring goldsmith and finds he has a natural talent for the work. For a time his life is harmonious and fulfilling.
Fate steps in when he is falsely accused of raping and impregnating a young woman—the daughter of the most powerful, ruthless man in the territory and beyond. He stands no chance for justice and must flee Toronto at a moment’s notice. Fortunately his landlady is prepared to assist and he escapes, avoiding capture or murder.
Thus begins an adventure of a life time. Sinclair hops a train, hobo-style, and rides the rails out of town. He’s heading far west to untamed territories—presumably beyond the reach of the man who wants his hide. Along the way, he meets with a contact of his landlady who provisions him with a wonderful horse named Buck, and a gun. Sinclair is a tenderfoot so his new friend schools him in riding, shooting, and survival in the wide-open plains he’ll be traveling alone. Fortune seems to be smiling on this capable, honorable young man with a caring heart.
There are many trails and trials ahead for Sinclair. He meets friends and foes along his dusty path and encounters violence which tests his mettle. After many weeks of riding he makes it to Moose Jaw, a city in the provisional territory of Saskatchewan. He finds employment, stalwart friends, a lady love, and plans to make his home there.
At this point in author Paulson’s story, the action intensifies. Turns out the man from Toronto has been relentlessly pursuing Sinclair. A group of his hired gunslingers have tracked him to Moose Jaw. His life and that of his friends are threatened and he must decide to flee or stay and fight. What happens next kept me turning pages late into the night.
“Blood and Dust” is a heartwarming, engrossing story of a time gone by. It brings to the page right and wrong, love, loyalty, and self-sacrifice—principles that seem less obvious in current times. From reading her other works, I knew Paulson was a skilled storyteller. She seamlessly weaves certain aspects of Canada’s history into her main character’s story. As in all her books, along with the action, there is romance—drawn in her deft style.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and westerns, and to anyone who loves a great tale, well told.
J.C. Paulson, Canadian author of the acclaimed Adam and Grace mystery/romance series, has given us a story drawn from her country’s past. “Blood and Dust” is set in the 1880s and I loved it from the first page.
The tale opens in Toronto, Ontario—a city booming with growth and opportunity. We met young James Sinclair. He lives at home with a kind and nurturing mother and a father who is never easy, especially when the drink has taken him.
Out of obligation, Sinclair is apprenticed to his father as a machinist. This changes abruptly one night when his father beats him within an inch of his life. Sinclair decides he must make his own way in the world. He leaves his parent’s home for a boarding house run by a kind woman who caters to young, single, working men. He becomes apprenticed to a mentoring goldsmith and finds he has a natural talent for the work. For a time his life is harmonious and fulfilling.
Fate steps in when he is falsely accused of raping and impregnating a young woman—the daughter of the most powerful, ruthless man in the territory and beyond. He stands no chance for justice and must flee Toronto at a moment’s notice. Fortunately his landlady is prepared to assist and he escapes, avoiding capture or murder.
Thus begins an adventure of a life time. Sinclair hops a train, hobo-style, and rides the rails out of town. He’s heading far west to untamed territories—presumably beyond the reach of the man who wants his hide. Along the way, he meets with a contact of his landlady who provisions him with a wonderful horse named Buck, and a gun. Sinclair is a tenderfoot so his new friend schools him in riding, shooting, and survival in the wide-open plains he’ll be traveling alone. Fortune seems to be smiling on this capable, honorable young man with a caring heart.
There are many trails and trials ahead for Sinclair. He meets friends and foes along his dusty path and encounters violence which tests his mettle. After many weeks of riding he makes it to Moose Jaw, a city in the provisional territory of Saskatchewan. He finds employment, stalwart friends, a lady love, and plans to make his home there.
At this point in author Paulson’s story, the action intensifies. Turns out the man from Toronto has been relentlessly pursuing Sinclair. A group of his hired gunslingers have tracked him to Moose Jaw. His life and that of his friends are threatened and he must decide to flee or stay and fight. What happens next kept me turning pages late into the night.
“Blood and Dust” is a heartwarming, engrossing story of a time gone by. It brings to the page right and wrong, love, loyalty, and self-sacrifice—principles that seem less obvious in current times. From reading her other works, I knew Paulson was a skilled storyteller. She seamlessly weaves certain aspects of Canada’s history into her main character’s story. As in all her books, along with the action, there is romance—drawn in her deft style.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and westerns, and to anyone who loves a great tale, well told.
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