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Wagons West #13
Idaho!
Only the most daring crossed the River of No Return to enter this wild, lawless region. Mountains laden w/ riches lured prospectors burning w/ gold fever. Easy money brought ruthless young men w/ guns for hire. & hidden amid the vast forests of white pine Indian warriors who gathered to drive the white man from the red man's ancestral home.
IDAHO! Two battalions of brave calvary troops escort the new governor of Idaho Territory, Toby Holt, across nearly impassible mountains, as a desperate United States government seeks to bring law & order to this untamed territory. Criminals have already staked their claims in the saloons & bordellos of Boise. Marauding Indian bands are spreading murder & mayhem among terror-stricken settlers. To Toby Holt, son of legendary wagon master Whip Holt, & his friend Rob Martin falls the perilous task of turning a wilderness into a safe homeland for the generations to come. But shadowy figures from the past plot a deadly revenge for Toby & his beautiful wife Clarissa...a passionate English lady arouses dangerous desires in unscrupulous men...& the rising sun lights up majestic snow-capped peaks as a new day for freedom dawns on the matchless grandeur of IDAHO!
IDAHO! Two battalions of brave calvary troops escort the new governor of Idaho Territory, Toby Holt, across nearly impassible mountains, as a desperate United States government seeks to bring law & order to this untamed territory. Criminals have already staked their claims in the saloons & bordellos of Boise. Marauding Indian bands are spreading murder & mayhem among terror-stricken settlers. To Toby Holt, son of legendary wagon master Whip Holt, & his friend Rob Martin falls the perilous task of turning a wilderness into a safe homeland for the generations to come. But shadowy figures from the past plot a deadly revenge for Toby & his beautiful wife Clarissa...a passionate English lady arouses dangerous desires in unscrupulous men...& the rising sun lights up majestic snow-capped peaks as a new day for freedom dawns on the matchless grandeur of IDAHO!
338 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
6 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
Dana Fuller Ross
108 books143 followersDana Fuller Ross is a pseudonym used by Noel B. Gerson and James M. Reasoner.
Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.
James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series
Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.
James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 23, 2023
Says quite a bit that I keep knocking down my star ratings.
Actually, what I find interesting is what I remember and what I don't. All the stuff with Toby, I don't really remember because I hated him. Hate him more now. (Dude says he will be fair to the Native Americans but than confines them all to the reservation. Look, I know its how white people in power thought back now, even now, but at least in the book have some one say something). I love Kale (though it is telling how the fact that she is mixed race was mentioned twice two books ago and then simply because her skin was honey colored and in the advert bits in the beginning. Now that she is marrying a white guy it gets dropped totally).
There is a different author than the earlier books (say with the first generation). There are less women interacting with each other and more women in competition for men. Don't get me wrong, rivals occurred in the early books as well, but there was also page time with female friendships. You don't see that anymore. In fact there is a conversation in this book between Kale and a man that I am pretty sure if the author of the earlier books in the series had been writing would have been between Kale another woman. The only really female friendship I've seen in this section of the series so far is between Kale and Beth, and that didn't last long because Beth was killed off to make way for Kale and Rob.
Actually, what I find interesting is what I remember and what I don't. All the stuff with Toby, I don't really remember because I hated him. Hate him more now. (Dude says he will be fair to the Native Americans but than confines them all to the reservation. Look, I know its how white people in power thought back now, even now, but at least in the book have some one say something). I love Kale (though it is telling how the fact that she is mixed race was mentioned twice two books ago and then simply because her skin was honey colored and in the advert bits in the beginning. Now that she is marrying a white guy it gets dropped totally).
There is a different author than the earlier books (say with the first generation). There are less women interacting with each other and more women in competition for men. Don't get me wrong, rivals occurred in the early books as well, but there was also page time with female friendships. You don't see that anymore. In fact there is a conversation in this book between Kale and a man that I am pretty sure if the author of the earlier books in the series had been writing would have been between Kale another woman. The only really female friendship I've seen in this section of the series so far is between Kale and Beth, and that didn't last long because Beth was killed off to make way for Kale and Rob.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
what is it about Rob Martin that has women falling all over him? he’s a 6’, boot licking, ginger, single dad and they’re all obsessed?
i’m also growing very weary of reading toby “save the day” and him being so humble about it. at this point, i’m ready for him to get killed. you want to be like your daddy? why didn’t you get under that rockslide? 🤨
book cover characters? i think Edward + Pamela… maybe that’s supposed to be Jim and you can’t see his missing eye? (you can also see Millicent shooting the mountain lion on the spine)
i’m also growing very weary of reading toby “save the day” and him being so humble about it. at this point, i’m ready for him to get killed. you want to be like your daddy? why didn’t you get under that rockslide? 🤨
book cover characters? i think Edward + Pamela… maybe that’s supposed to be Jim and you can’t see his missing eye? (you can also see Millicent shooting the mountain lion on the spine)
August 18, 2015
great book as all the others in this series have been! Toby & Clarissa, Cindy & Hank, Rob & Kale, Edward Blackstone, Pamela Drake, & JIM & Millicent Randall..lots of twists & turns in the Idaho country where Toby is territorial governor, even Stalking Horse makes an appearance while helping Toby try to make peace with the Kiowa & Shoshone tribes. Never a dull moment! Romance, suspense, & the unpredictable mess of the still wild West make Idaho a very interesting book!!
October 18, 2020
Another take of the wild west as it was being settled by the folks from the east coast and the Native American were being pushed into reservations. I like the stories of the early settlers and their tribulations along the long route to the different states. Hardy people and the author has done a remarkable job of telling the stories. Takes me out of the confusion and mess of our present day battle with a deadly virus. Dana Fuller Ross writes a good read..
February 17, 2014
13th in series- I love this whole series and am reading it all. In 1869 the railway made it possible for a person to travel from New york to San Francisco in 1 week compared to 3 or 4 months with the first wagon train to Oregon from the East. The Nez Perce Indians under Running Bull and the Shoshone Indians were on reservations but still raided Idaho.
August 2, 2022
Well, I can see how this whole series of books appealed to me when I was 11? or so. They’re basically written at a 4th or 5th grade reading level—there’s no subtext it’s all, “He did X and she immediately realized the next 47 things about the situation,” type shtick. They’re also pretty brisk in terms of plot (no fewer than three assassination attempts on Toby, and at least four fights to the death/near death all of which are handled with a, “Your defense of honor/that child/that woman was magnificent!” with no thought to the emotional fall-out. This book also has a very clear view of men and women (men are manly, always manly, and women are comely temptresses who cannot be resisted! Unless they’re plain. In which case, they can run a restaurant so they stop pining. But if they are attractive and alluring? No man can keep it in his pants! Despite vows, promises, or being in love with his wife! All is forgotten in the sights of a beautiful woman!)
Which brings me to the treatment of the Native Americans in the book.* Oooh, boy. There are two key plot lines here. One is a Shoshone boy who is found lost and starving and is adopted by Toby and Clarissa and then fostered by Toby’s “blood brother” and foreman, a Cherokee man named Stalking Horse. There’s an awful lot of “you will learn the ways of the Indians and the ways of the white man for being civilized is important and you will serve as a bridge between the peoples!” type nonsense along with a lot of dreck about how the boy should be grateful they found him and are teaching him how to be white. It’s gross.
Second plot line involves a “brave” named Running Bear who is bringing together members of the Shoshone and Nez Percé tribes to kill and expel the settlers in Idaho. There’s an awful lot of condescension towards Running Bear and his motives and Toby eventually goes with the “I don’t want to hurt you, but the US Army will annihilate you, so surrender now, honor the treaties, and retreat to the reservation where you belong! Be like the Cherokee!” (Going out on a limb and saying Toby would say he would never, never! have chosen to treat the Cherokee as they were under the Trail of Tears, but sorry, yo, Manifest Fucking Destiny!) Running Bear eventually surrenders after Toby nearly kills him in hand to hand combat (apparently Running Bear is unfamiliar with boxing which gives Toby an advantage) and becomes a good little Indian who tells his people to honor the treaties, etc, etc. So gross.
We also have rather severe curtailment of the Native Americans’ civil rights (Toby proclaims a law that any man between 16 and 60 leaving the reservation without written permission from the governor of Idaho (that would be Toby), that they’ll be arrested and imprisoned. Also, casual usage of a crude slur for Native America women.
So, there you have it folks! Manly men, hot chicks, submissive Indians, and everyone in their proper place.
*there’s also a throwaway subplot involving a Chinese assassin/enforcer that’s also racist. I’m thankful there were no Black characters in the book.
Which brings me to the treatment of the Native Americans in the book.* Oooh, boy. There are two key plot lines here. One is a Shoshone boy who is found lost and starving and is adopted by Toby and Clarissa and then fostered by Toby’s “blood brother” and foreman, a Cherokee man named Stalking Horse. There’s an awful lot of “you will learn the ways of the Indians and the ways of the white man for being civilized is important and you will serve as a bridge between the peoples!” type nonsense along with a lot of dreck about how the boy should be grateful they found him and are teaching him how to be white. It’s gross.
Second plot line involves a “brave” named Running Bear who is bringing together members of the Shoshone and Nez Percé tribes to kill and expel the settlers in Idaho. There’s an awful lot of condescension towards Running Bear and his motives and Toby eventually goes with the “I don’t want to hurt you, but the US Army will annihilate you, so surrender now, honor the treaties, and retreat to the reservation where you belong! Be like the Cherokee!” (Going out on a limb and saying Toby would say he would never, never! have chosen to treat the Cherokee as they were under the Trail of Tears, but sorry, yo, Manifest Fucking Destiny!) Running Bear eventually surrenders after Toby nearly kills him in hand to hand combat (apparently Running Bear is unfamiliar with boxing which gives Toby an advantage) and becomes a good little Indian who tells his people to honor the treaties, etc, etc. So gross.
We also have rather severe curtailment of the Native Americans’ civil rights (Toby proclaims a law that any man between 16 and 60 leaving the reservation without written permission from the governor of Idaho (that would be Toby), that they’ll be arrested and imprisoned. Also, casual usage of a crude slur for Native America women.
So, there you have it folks! Manly men, hot chicks, submissive Indians, and everyone in their proper place.
*there’s also a throwaway subplot involving a Chinese assassin/enforcer that’s also racist. I’m thankful there were no Black characters in the book.
January 1, 2018
This one totally missed the mark. Many of the main characters who were headliners in past books were pushed to the back while new characters were front and center. Also, for the very first time, it felt like I was reading a very badly written harlequin romance novel. Sure there was some brief historical aspects in it, but the establishment of these new characters (which will carry forth in the next book) was the main aspect. It also felt like another author stepped in - someone not familiar with what the series actually is about. Ugh, just ugh
December 11, 2020
It’s a solid addition to the Wagon’s West series....not the best in the line-up, but certainly not the worst.
And it finally feels like it wraps up a bunch of ongoing plot lines (Indian skirmishes, building railroads, romantic troubles, enemies with grudges and vendettas) that were fun and fresh three books ago, but have since grown tired. I have high hopes the next book in the series is headed for reboot: introducing whole new plot lines and characters.
And it finally feels like it wraps up a bunch of ongoing plot lines (Indian skirmishes, building railroads, romantic troubles, enemies with grudges and vendettas) that were fun and fresh three books ago, but have since grown tired. I have high hopes the next book in the series is headed for reboot: introducing whole new plot lines and characters.
January 31, 2025
It was good, but not great. I enjoyed it. It takes place in Idaho’s rugged wilderness and follows a cast of pioneers as they navigate the perils of untamed land, hostile forces, and their own ambitions.
While Idaho! may not break new ground in the genre, it delivers exactly what readers of frontier sagas expect—romance, adventure, and a tribute to the indomitable spirit of early settlers. It’s an OK addition to the Wagons West series.
While Idaho! may not break new ground in the genre, it delivers exactly what readers of frontier sagas expect—romance, adventure, and a tribute to the indomitable spirit of early settlers. It’s an OK addition to the Wagons West series.
January 27, 2019
Loved it. Westerns are great.
August 5, 2024
Great! Toby puts himself in danger to save the residents of Idaho, lots of action and fast paced.
December 21, 2007
May sound somewhat repetitive here but I got hooked on the first book and it was like an addiction.
The author shows how the westward movement affected families and individuals while placing them within history itself.
The author shows how the westward movement affected families and individuals while placing them within history itself.
Read
December 4, 2007Ross, Dana Fuller PB
Read
November 19, 2008W Ros
April 19, 2012
Lots of bigger than life heroes, and kind of a romance novel, but with enough history to keep my interest.
Read
July 20, 2014Continuous story of families moving westward. Good reads.
June 3, 2016
Good Series--I am reading it the second time.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews