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Taylor Callahan #1
Taylor Callahan, Circuit Rider
Introducing one of the most unusual heroes of the lawless West—a mysterious man in black who rides from town to town, delivering hope, healing, and hard-fought justice . . . his way.
In his younger days, Taylor Callahan didn’t know right from wrong—and didn’t much care either. As a Confederate bushwhacker, renegade outlaw, and all-around hellraiser, he gave the devil himself a run for his money. Most folks figured Taylor would end up swinging from a noose or shot dead in poker game. But somewhere along the road to perdition, he decided to change his wicked ways. To atone for his sins. And to fight the good fight—against the evil that men do. . . .
So he became a traveling preacher.
But Taylor Callahan is no ordinary preacher. He rides the western circuit looking to help lost souls. But his mission of peace takes a violent turn when he enters the godforsaken town of Falstaff, Texas. Better known to locals as “False Hope,” this one-time paradise has become a purgatory for homesteaders—thanks to a greedy rancher, corrupt mayor, and notorious confidence man. Even so, Callahan vows to keep his Colt .45 in his saddle bag. But when these lowlife devils pull out sticks of dynamite, a man has to do what a man has to do—before the whole town is blown to kingdom come. . . .
In his younger days, Taylor Callahan didn’t know right from wrong—and didn’t much care either. As a Confederate bushwhacker, renegade outlaw, and all-around hellraiser, he gave the devil himself a run for his money. Most folks figured Taylor would end up swinging from a noose or shot dead in poker game. But somewhere along the road to perdition, he decided to change his wicked ways. To atone for his sins. And to fight the good fight—against the evil that men do. . . .
So he became a traveling preacher.
But Taylor Callahan is no ordinary preacher. He rides the western circuit looking to help lost souls. But his mission of peace takes a violent turn when he enters the godforsaken town of Falstaff, Texas. Better known to locals as “False Hope,” this one-time paradise has become a purgatory for homesteaders—thanks to a greedy rancher, corrupt mayor, and notorious confidence man. Even so, Callahan vows to keep his Colt .45 in his saddle bag. But when these lowlife devils pull out sticks of dynamite, a man has to do what a man has to do—before the whole town is blown to kingdom come. . . .
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2022
90 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 followersWilliam 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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 24, 2022
I must say I was not sure I would like a western based on a traveling preacher but wow, what a great character he turned out to be. What a great background . Taylor Callahan, Circuit Rider by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is the latest new series in their gigantic catalogue of westerns. I found the book full of humor and some great new twists on all things western. Just as you thought they can't invent a new kind of story to tell they do just that. I also must say that not all the series are great and some of the long running ones are varying in quality but when you write 50 plus series it must show somewhere. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and #Pinnacle that gave me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it. #NetGalley #Kensington #TaylorCallahanCircuitRider
May 2, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Former guerilla fighter in the Civil War becomes a Preacher, and struggles to remain non-violent. Then he comes to a town overtaken by outlaws...
It felt like a 70's TV movie western starring Willie Nelson.
Former guerilla fighter in the Civil War becomes a Preacher, and struggles to remain non-violent. Then he comes to a town overtaken by outlaws...
It felt like a 70's TV movie western starring Willie Nelson.
June 6, 2022
For years now I have thought the Johnstone Clan should have a series featuring a circuit rider. Here's a start of such a series. A great start, too.
This first entry is finely written with a far more complex plot than most of all the Johnstone books. That's referring to the hundreds of books in the series. This one is handled very well with a number of nifty writing devices to help the reader through the length of the book and the large number of characters. One of those tricks is having the main character have a fine memory for names. The repetition throughout the book greatly aids those of us trying to keep track of who is who.
The plotting is a trick itself. Establishing a new character of an intended ongoing series, a slew of other characters of the story, a story with flashbacks and the travel of locations. Stringing this altogether is often a weakness for the Johnstone Clan. This time it works.
The greatest strength, as usual, are the strong characters. Especially the main character. The "balance" established throughout is well represented in the writing of the main character that is written as a representative of faith, yet as much leaves a question if he truly is. Great writing this took to pull off.
The story has the typical great character elements as a professor out to bring rain, a worn, yet efficient, mule and a noted barefoot female. This is a bit more distinction than the otherwise always well defined characters and adds much to the novel.
I really like how the story is resolved and wraps. The status of the Circuit Rider is such that wonder of the adventures to come is present.
Very well done!
As I have noted in the past involving the Net Galley books I've reviewed, I review honestly and have tended to find rotten books being produced. SO much so, I had held off posting a couple due to the endless panning I found myself having to do and haven't wanted to give the impression I was a constant critic. This is one of the best Net Galley books I've read since 'Battle for the Big Top' by Les Standiford last year.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
This first entry is finely written with a far more complex plot than most of all the Johnstone books. That's referring to the hundreds of books in the series. This one is handled very well with a number of nifty writing devices to help the reader through the length of the book and the large number of characters. One of those tricks is having the main character have a fine memory for names. The repetition throughout the book greatly aids those of us trying to keep track of who is who.
The plotting is a trick itself. Establishing a new character of an intended ongoing series, a slew of other characters of the story, a story with flashbacks and the travel of locations. Stringing this altogether is often a weakness for the Johnstone Clan. This time it works.
The greatest strength, as usual, are the strong characters. Especially the main character. The "balance" established throughout is well represented in the writing of the main character that is written as a representative of faith, yet as much leaves a question if he truly is. Great writing this took to pull off.
The story has the typical great character elements as a professor out to bring rain, a worn, yet efficient, mule and a noted barefoot female. This is a bit more distinction than the otherwise always well defined characters and adds much to the novel.
I really like how the story is resolved and wraps. The status of the Circuit Rider is such that wonder of the adventures to come is present.
Very well done!
As I have noted in the past involving the Net Galley books I've reviewed, I review honestly and have tended to find rotten books being produced. SO much so, I had held off posting a couple due to the endless panning I found myself having to do and haven't wanted to give the impression I was a constant critic. This is one of the best Net Galley books I've read since 'Battle for the Big Top' by Les Standiford last year.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
April 7, 2023
There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.
May 26, 2022
Taylor Callahan, the Circuit Rider, always keeps ya turning the pages to know what he will do next. I really appreciated the character development and personality that the main character had. I found a lot of parts touching and thought-provoking. My favorite parts were Taylor's interactions with the other characters in the book. I will say that there were times when I was very confused about the plotline and if there was a plot at all. I also got frustrated about the numerous misspellings and incorrect grammar, not in the characters' speech, because it slowed down my reading while I was trying to fix the errors and make sense of what was being said.
May 12, 2022
This was a Goodreads give-away book. I am finding I like westerns. My husband & I watch a lot of old westerns. The books I've read follow right along the same lines. It is so easy to get lost in the story. Taylor Callahan is a Circuit Rider Preacher. He talks to the Major General in Heaven which is so cool. His explanations usually involve stories about his many "papas". He's pretty smart, too. Continually, thinking and staying on top of what is going on. You really should read this book and see how Taylor Callahan figures out what is happening in Falstaff. It is well worth your while.
March 4, 2022
When you read a western, you want a real western, and the author knows how to spin a great one. Some may complain of clichés, but a good western needs the clichés. The hero is a loner. He has a past. He has his demons. He has his code. Taylor Callahan the preacher makes an excellent western hero. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
November 29, 2022
This was a GoodReads giveaway book. This one was a bit outside my normal reading, but I enjoyed it. Taylor Callahan has moved from Rebel fighter with Carbine's Irregulars to being a Circuit Rider Preacher. His two lives keep getting entangled though. Somehow he is in the right place at the right time and manages to help save the town of False Hope (Falstaff), Texas. The plot is good. It kept me interested til the end. If you like Westerns, you'll like this one.
June 29, 2022
Not a great read for me.
Book needs a rewrite. Forget chapters 1-5. Book starts chapter 6. Starts Ok but doesn’t develop a plot or the characters well. The core of a story is there, but the story need to coalesce into solid story.
Book needs a rewrite. Forget chapters 1-5. Book starts chapter 6. Starts Ok but doesn’t develop a plot or the characters well. The core of a story is there, but the story need to coalesce into solid story.
December 20, 2022
different
The circuit rider has many similar features as JAJohnstone other books
This book has many lite heartfelt moments between the characters. It was no love interest and ended without a lot of violence
The circuit rider has many similar features as JAJohnstone other books
This book has many lite heartfelt moments between the characters. It was no love interest and ended without a lot of violence
April 12, 2023
Warm, Strong Characters
I loved the ‘down home’ flavor of this book. The plot was well constructed and the characters well developed. After a while I felt as if I were in Falstaff and not simply reading fiction.
I loved the ‘down home’ flavor of this book. The plot was well constructed and the characters well developed. After a while I felt as if I were in Falstaff and not simply reading fiction.
June 11, 2022
it was ok. not as good as most of his books
July 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. Had me hooked from the beginning.
July 29, 2022
Started strong but meandered to a lackluster conclusion
October 28, 2022
Starts out interesting enough and then slows down and got rather slow. Not a fast-paced story.
dnf
March 28, 2023DNF @ 9% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I just found this kind of boring, I don’t think westerns are my thing.
I just found this kind of boring, I don’t think westerns are my thing.
May 3, 2022
I won this book in the Goodreads giveaway, but nonetheless, as the first ever Western book I've read, I really enjoyed it! Callahan was a well-written character and although I'm not particularly religious, his quest in spreading the Word and how people react to him being a preacher was engaging. I wish certain characters like Tommy would've been explored more, considering their traumas, but it doesn't take away from the overall story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews