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Clayton Sharp: Messenger of Warning
"It is 1867. A band of young outlaws is terrorizing settlements throughout the Midwest. One day, they engage a posse, which wounds their leader, Clayton Sharp. Unable to provide care, the gang leave him with Mormon pioneers, threatening them with harm if he dies in their care. As he recovers, Clayton falls in love with Annie Kimball, who encourages him to pursue a new life. Hoping his companions will do likewise, he meets with them, only to experience arguing, murder, and the gang's breakup. Determined to save them from the gallows, Clayton rides after them nevertheless, promising Annie he would return. Searching tirelessly, Sharp encounters robbers, Indians, and the newly formed Seventh Cavalry, before eventually making a decision that will change his life forever"--
213 pages, Library Binding
Published October 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 30, 2021
*Full Disclosure – This reviewer received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Clayton Sharp: Messenger of Warning is a great book for lovers of Western historical fiction and superior storytelling. The debut work by California writer Eugene J. DiCesaris is a story filled with complex personalities and features a uniquely fresh plot. With the combination of break-neck action and the inclusion of actual people, this period novel proves to be a highly entertaining read.
The year is 1867 and Clayton Sharp is an outlaw who has had a change of heart. He is shot by a posse in pursuit of his gang. His cohorts believe his injuries will slow their escape when they encounter a wagon train and ask a couple to take Clay in until he heals. The wagon train good Samaritans are a middle-aged man and his eighteen-year-old niece Annie. They are Mormons headed to Salt Lake City. Annie falls in love with Clay, and she convinces him to give up his illegal way of life.
After he is healed, Clay must leave to find his friends and inform them of the new life he wishes to lead. He finds them alright, smackdab in the middle of an Indian attack. The infamous George Armstrong Custer and his newly formed 7th Cavalry ride in and save the day. After the dust settles, the old friends settle things between them. They decide it might be smarter, and more advantageous to their health, to reform their criminal ways. Clayton then leaves to make his way back to Annie.
Mr. DiCesaris does a fine job of drawing his characters as people we can easily picture – the nasty vagrants (you can even smell them!), the saloonkeepers with dirty glasses and the poor time-worn, but still cheerful cook and barkeep. In the middle of these colorful players, the talented author cleverly inserts the 7th Cav. and George Custer who chases off the savages. Custer is a true highlight and is portrayed much as how he reportedly was in life – arrogant, fractious, and superior. The story itself is riveting but leaves the reader craving more of this vibrant world. Hopefully we have not seen the last of Clayton Sharp as the possibility for a sequel is left wide open.
It is difficult to believe that Clayton Sharp: Messenger of Warning is a debut book. From his dramatic use of imagery to the way he crafts an engaging narrative, DiCesaris exhibits the ability of a seasoned novelist as opposed to a first-time author.
Clayton Sharp: Messenger of Warning is a great book for lovers of Western historical fiction and superior storytelling. The debut work by California writer Eugene J. DiCesaris is a story filled with complex personalities and features a uniquely fresh plot. With the combination of break-neck action and the inclusion of actual people, this period novel proves to be a highly entertaining read.
The year is 1867 and Clayton Sharp is an outlaw who has had a change of heart. He is shot by a posse in pursuit of his gang. His cohorts believe his injuries will slow their escape when they encounter a wagon train and ask a couple to take Clay in until he heals. The wagon train good Samaritans are a middle-aged man and his eighteen-year-old niece Annie. They are Mormons headed to Salt Lake City. Annie falls in love with Clay, and she convinces him to give up his illegal way of life.
After he is healed, Clay must leave to find his friends and inform them of the new life he wishes to lead. He finds them alright, smackdab in the middle of an Indian attack. The infamous George Armstrong Custer and his newly formed 7th Cavalry ride in and save the day. After the dust settles, the old friends settle things between them. They decide it might be smarter, and more advantageous to their health, to reform their criminal ways. Clayton then leaves to make his way back to Annie.
Mr. DiCesaris does a fine job of drawing his characters as people we can easily picture – the nasty vagrants (you can even smell them!), the saloonkeepers with dirty glasses and the poor time-worn, but still cheerful cook and barkeep. In the middle of these colorful players, the talented author cleverly inserts the 7th Cav. and George Custer who chases off the savages. Custer is a true highlight and is portrayed much as how he reportedly was in life – arrogant, fractious, and superior. The story itself is riveting but leaves the reader craving more of this vibrant world. Hopefully we have not seen the last of Clayton Sharp as the possibility for a sequel is left wide open.
It is difficult to believe that Clayton Sharp: Messenger of Warning is a debut book. From his dramatic use of imagery to the way he crafts an engaging narrative, DiCesaris exhibits the ability of a seasoned novelist as opposed to a first-time author.
December 24, 2021
For a highly entertaining read try: “Clayton Sharp, Messenger of Warning” by Eugene DiCesaris. He spins many different threads that he later weaves into the body of the story, much like my favorite author, Nora Robert. The genre is Western but interwoven with real historical figures, historical groups, and of course, the cowboys, some bad, some good, some trying for redemption.
Mr. DiCesaris, a longtime resident of Moreno Valley, California, interweaves pioneers, Morman travelers, Indians, and soldiers, with a keen historical perspective on each of the above groups. The reader gets caught up in their plights and successes, their scares and rescues as they journey through the Midwest of the United States, one hundred plus years ago.
I especially appreciated that the Book Title comes from the Indians who are battling to keep their lands against the encroaching pioneers and choose Clay Sharp to be their Messenger of Warning.
The novel takes the reader back to a time of upheaval and strife, death and struggle, bravery and sheer persistence on the part of all of the characters in the story. More than a “Western” it is a portrayal of life in our bye-gone days.
Mr. Decesaris weaves the threads he spins in the first chapter into an entertaining story that draws the reader in and makes you want to continue reading. This is the first of a trilogy, I am told, and I am waiting eagerly for the second novel in the series.
Mr. DiCesaris, a longtime resident of Moreno Valley, California, interweaves pioneers, Morman travelers, Indians, and soldiers, with a keen historical perspective on each of the above groups. The reader gets caught up in their plights and successes, their scares and rescues as they journey through the Midwest of the United States, one hundred plus years ago.
I especially appreciated that the Book Title comes from the Indians who are battling to keep their lands against the encroaching pioneers and choose Clay Sharp to be their Messenger of Warning.
The novel takes the reader back to a time of upheaval and strife, death and struggle, bravery and sheer persistence on the part of all of the characters in the story. More than a “Western” it is a portrayal of life in our bye-gone days.
Mr. Decesaris weaves the threads he spins in the first chapter into an entertaining story that draws the reader in and makes you want to continue reading. This is the first of a trilogy, I am told, and I am waiting eagerly for the second novel in the series.
October 5, 2021
Clayton Sharp: Messenger of Warning is Eugene Dicesaris debut novel. I was fortunate to be given a copy of this book. I love historical fiction, but Westerns are not a genre I usually read. This book has hooked me. The drama starts immediately in the first chapter when Clayton faces trouble in a small town and General George Custer, Seventh Calvary comes to his rescue. Clayton and his gang were outlaws with a checkered past. Clayton was injured and separated from them. As he recovers under the care of Annie, he has a change of heart and a purpose to make things right. Each chapter unfolds more information on his quest to find his gang.
Clayton's experiences and journey brings to life the brutal reality of Western life. It wasn't just the harsh weather and rough terrain, but also dealing with the lawlessness of the West. Conflicts with Native Americans, disagreements among settlers on the wagon train, prejudice against Mormons and questionable characters kept the action going.
I really enjoyed this book, the writing and I plan to suggest it to my book club. I look forward to Mr. Dicesaris sequel on Clayton Sharp.
Clayton's experiences and journey brings to life the brutal reality of Western life. It wasn't just the harsh weather and rough terrain, but also dealing with the lawlessness of the West. Conflicts with Native Americans, disagreements among settlers on the wagon train, prejudice against Mormons and questionable characters kept the action going.
I really enjoyed this book, the writing and I plan to suggest it to my book club. I look forward to Mr. Dicesaris sequel on Clayton Sharp.
February 8, 2022
I loved this book! It's a page turner! The characters are great and I can't wait for the 2nd installment!
May 25, 2022
Easy reading.....waiting for next book to see how Clayton's story ends....all those adjectives made me feel like I was there..
November 20, 2021
Writes like a new writer.
Mormons (nothing about their depredations in the Old West just the depredations done to them), Indian wars, Custer (who is portrayed with a sympathetic brush unlike the revisionist portrayals that are common), outlaws, gunslingers, wagon trains, the road to Salt Lake, Utah.
I often felt characters were lecturing: the LDS about the bad things done to them and about the LDS view of life and God and how we should live; the Indians about the loss of their land to invading Easterners and Europeans; the settlers and army and cowboys about Indian depredations or why the Indians had a right to be angry. Etc, etc. Characters opened their mouths and sounded like textbooks not characters.
I would call it a light to medium read from a writer who’s growing into it. I wish him the best.
3 and 1/2 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️/
Mormons (nothing about their depredations in the Old West just the depredations done to them), Indian wars, Custer (who is portrayed with a sympathetic brush unlike the revisionist portrayals that are common), outlaws, gunslingers, wagon trains, the road to Salt Lake, Utah.
I often felt characters were lecturing: the LDS about the bad things done to them and about the LDS view of life and God and how we should live; the Indians about the loss of their land to invading Easterners and Europeans; the settlers and army and cowboys about Indian depredations or why the Indians had a right to be angry. Etc, etc. Characters opened their mouths and sounded like textbooks not characters.
I would call it a light to medium read from a writer who’s growing into it. I wish him the best.
3 and 1/2 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️/
May 6, 2023
I normally do not read Westerns but this book ended up on my recommendations page and decided to take a chance. I was surprised to learn that this was Eugene DiCesaris’ 1st ever book because I could not tell at all. The way he was able to frame and describe characters in this story, you would have thought that he was a seasoned writer. The book is centered around Clayton which you quickly get introduced to and I instantly took a liking to him. I will not give away any of the plot but this book kept me on the edge of my seat as you get a glimpse into the 1800s Midwest. I read it during any free time I had and could not put it down. If you have not yet read this book, then order it today so that you do not miss out on this gem!
May 7, 2023
A fresh new view of a western story from a new perspective.
April 27, 2024
Not too bad for a book I found on a library shelf while looking for a short Western. I was pleasantly surprised to find a subplot about Mormon pioneers. That kept me reading, not necessarily for the story but because I have several Mormon pioneers in my ancestry.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews