Westbound

The Battling Harrigans of the Frontier #1

by Dusty Richards

From the Spur Award-winning author, the first in a captivating new multigenerational saga chronicling the adventures of the pioneering Harrigan family as they brave crossing the American West, fighting to survive in the dangerous wilderness--and against even deadlier people--to forge a better life for themselves.

Mackworth "Mack" Harrigan's family legacy burned to the ground in the spring of 1849. The Ohio mill that brought them prosperity was now cinder and ash, and his ruthless father perished in the flames along with their fortune. If the Harrigans have a future, it lies out west in open country where they can build whatever lives they choose. Mack knows his wife Ell, and their children Kane, Meghan, and Fitch are more than capable of overcoming the challenges of their journey.

For the untamed frontier is full of seriously deadly battles. From a rough river voyage to wagon train travel across desert lands plagued by dust storms, the Harrigans encounter desperados and merciless killers who view them as little more than prey. And as Mack and his family adapt to their merciless surroundings, they realize they must enforce their own laws and dispense their own justice. . .

Genres: Westerns

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2023

About the author

Author of over 85 novels, Dusty Richards is the only author to win two Spur awards in one year (2007), one for his novel The Horse Creek Incident and another for his short story “Comanche Moon.” He is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the International Professional Rodeo Association, and serves on the local PRCA rodeo board. Dusty is also an inductee in the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame. He currently resides in northwest Arkansas. He was the winner of the 2010 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Fiction for his novel Texas Blood Feud and honored by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2009.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I am not usually a fan of Western novels, but this book must have reached me at the right time so that I found myself highly enjoying it. This story of an Ohio family heading West in a small wagon train was charming, while still simplistic, with no huge plot surprises. I was charmed.

My thanks to the author, Dusty Richards, and the publisher, Kensington Publishing Corp., for my electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac Harrington never wanted to take over the mill that his daddy insisted was his birthright and it’s the last thing they would fight over the night the mill burn down with his dad Gideon inside. Matt lived for his uncle‘s letters from the west talking about his adventures he would read them to his children night after night now with the Mill burn down he sells the land to the sleazy Mr. Sneed who he believes in his heart of hearts was the one who started the fire that took his birthright and killed his dad. With his options now open him his wife El daughter Megan and sons cane and fits are all going to head west. It was adventures Mac was looking for and it’s adventures he’s going to get but will he and his family survive these are dentures and make it to California? I love a good western and more than that I love a good wagon train story and OMG… OMG I have never read a Dusty Richards book before but I will definitely be reading them in the future. With historical accuracy the author get you emotionally invested in the characters and their hopes and dreams I love going west and think it is a definite five star read. CJ Petit and the John Stones were always my go to people for westerns but I will definitely be adding Dusty Richards to that list. Kudos to the author for such a great book. I absolutely loved it. I receive this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a dedicated fan of good westerns. Dusty Richards' books compare to a Johnstone book, and there are few better than the Johnstones. This is the first book in a new series featuring the Battling Harrigans. WESTBOUND follows the Harrigan family's journey from Ohio, starting a new life in the West. As a family, they will face any challenges along the way with the courage they will come to be known for.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Westbound
After disaster strikes, one family’s fresh start is the fresh start of a series following the Harrigans and their journey west. I found the characters believable for the most part, pacing was decent, wasn’t one of my favorites but not a bad read. I do appreciate being allowed an ARC of this book to review.

[Linda Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Westbound

The Harrigans from Ohio decide to go out west and try their luck at finding gold. After a fire at the sawmill destroys everything including the death of Mack's father the family has nothing else to lose or do they? After many hardships will they finally make it out west? Good story makes me anxious to read the next book.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good run of good luck

The Harrigan family knows how to handle hardships. A family of kind and decent people keep finding themselves in odd predicaments. Together, they must use their ressources and wits to overcome whatever they face.

#GiodreadsGiveaway

[MARY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book. I won this book from Goodreads. I liked reading it very much.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like westerns in the old days with the Cowboys and Indians that you would definitely love this book. A great adventure. I liked everything about this book. Great job to the author

[PottWab Regional Library]

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