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Four Aces: 1880 Deadwood Diaries
A historic American Western story about second chances in life and love.
U.S. Marshal Jameson “Jake” Reid had been searching for the notorious outlaw, Harmon Elwood for nearly a year after he robbed the Midtown Lincoln Stage. From horse raids to train rides, every clue to finding Elwood led Jake to the small mining town of Deadwood. Upon his arrival, he is immediately met with resistance and suspicion and no further at catching the elusive Elwood.
To newly widowed, Emily Taylor there is nothing more important to her than keeping goldminers from trespassing on her land and being allowed to teach the local native children. But when a new Marshal comes to town stirring up trouble, her way of life is threatened as well as her heart. Unable to elude the persistent Marshal’s questions, Emily struggles to choose between living the life she had fought for or losing everything she had.
As Jakes and Emily become close, Jake finds himself surrounded by conspiracy, blackmail, and a town full of secrets. Can he solve the mystery looming over this town and finally bring Harmon Elwood to justice or will his heart and senses get tangled in a web of lies?
Award-Winning Author A.K. Holthaus is stretching her wings in the publishing world with her first ever American Western Romance featuring her newest hero, Marshal Jameson “Jake” Reid in her new series, The 1880 Deadwood Diaries.
U.S. Marshal Jameson “Jake” Reid had been searching for the notorious outlaw, Harmon Elwood for nearly a year after he robbed the Midtown Lincoln Stage. From horse raids to train rides, every clue to finding Elwood led Jake to the small mining town of Deadwood. Upon his arrival, he is immediately met with resistance and suspicion and no further at catching the elusive Elwood.
To newly widowed, Emily Taylor there is nothing more important to her than keeping goldminers from trespassing on her land and being allowed to teach the local native children. But when a new Marshal comes to town stirring up trouble, her way of life is threatened as well as her heart. Unable to elude the persistent Marshal’s questions, Emily struggles to choose between living the life she had fought for or losing everything she had.
As Jakes and Emily become close, Jake finds himself surrounded by conspiracy, blackmail, and a town full of secrets. Can he solve the mystery looming over this town and finally bring Harmon Elwood to justice or will his heart and senses get tangled in a web of lies?
Award-Winning Author A.K. Holthaus is stretching her wings in the publishing world with her first ever American Western Romance featuring her newest hero, Marshal Jameson “Jake” Reid in her new series, The 1880 Deadwood Diaries.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2023
9 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
April Holthaus
46 books233 followersApril lives in central Minnesota. April developed her passion of historical romances from her love of history and geneaology. She has complied over 350+ grandparents of her direct bloodline dating back to 1100s.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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February 13, 2023A letter to Readers,
I am very excited to write my first American Historical Western Romance. I was nervous at first changing eras from Medieval to Western, but as I began digging into researching this book, I fell in love with Western romances and have met several other authors that write in this genre as well. I truly hope you enjoy meeting my newest hero, U.S. Marshal Jameson "Jake" Reid.
Thank you for giving my books a chance. Big hugs.
April Holthaus
I am very excited to write my first American Historical Western Romance. I was nervous at first changing eras from Medieval to Western, but as I began digging into researching this book, I fell in love with Western romances and have met several other authors that write in this genre as well. I truly hope you enjoy meeting my newest hero, U.S. Marshal Jameson "Jake" Reid.
Thank you for giving my books a chance. Big hugs.
April Holthaus
June 4, 2023
“Four Aces” by A.K. Holthaus is a fun ride into the past and a joy to read! I am familiar with several of Holthaus’ works but all have centered around a Viking motif. “Four Aces” is the author’s first foray into the western genre, and I had high expectations. I was not disappointed. The plot concerns U.S. Marshal Jake Reid and his pursuit of loathsome outlaw Harmon Elwood. When Elwood’s trail leads Jake to Deadwood, he must readjust his strategy or end up dead.
At less than 140 pages, I do wish the book was longer. But that is only because the characters are simply addictive. The story itself takes place in 1880 Dakota Territory and Holthaus transports the reader to a beautiful, detail rich world that truly evokes the time period. I can’t wait for my next Jake Reid fix!
At less than 140 pages, I do wish the book was longer. But that is only because the characters are simply addictive. The story itself takes place in 1880 Dakota Territory and Holthaus transports the reader to a beautiful, detail rich world that truly evokes the time period. I can’t wait for my next Jake Reid fix!
February 21, 2023
Needs Editing!
Great storyline but needs major editing to get to five stars for me. Story really grabbed me and was right there in the book along with the characters.
Great storyline but needs major editing to get to five stars for me. Story really grabbed me and was right there in the book along with the characters.
February 21, 2023
Loved it!
Loved this story! The old west was wild, and this story will take you for a ride! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Loved this story! The old west was wild, and this story will take you for a ride! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
February 19, 2023
4.5 STARS
I've read this author in other genres' she writes and this is her first for a western. It was full of surprises and I enjoyed the many twists she threw into this story.
Strong H/h both keeping secrets. As the story unravels you discover that they are just not little secrets but big ones that kept the story at a great pace.
Many villains, suspenseful, violence through in, twists and some romance. Lovemaking outside of marriage - heat level 3 out of 5 and only described once. Lord's name used in vain once. A secondary character (women and father) I wanted to know more what happened to them and the banker. That was a loose end I wanted more info.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, nice set up for the next story in the epilogue, HEA and a tad of spice. A few missing words or extra added, but you could figure it out. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some tidbits to decide to purchase. (ljb)
I've read this author in other genres' she writes and this is her first for a western. It was full of surprises and I enjoyed the many twists she threw into this story.
Strong H/h both keeping secrets. As the story unravels you discover that they are just not little secrets but big ones that kept the story at a great pace.
Many villains, suspenseful, violence through in, twists and some romance. Lovemaking outside of marriage - heat level 3 out of 5 and only described once. Lord's name used in vain once. A secondary character (women and father) I wanted to know more what happened to them and the banker. That was a loose end I wanted more info.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, nice set up for the next story in the epilogue, HEA and a tad of spice. A few missing words or extra added, but you could figure it out. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some tidbits to decide to purchase. (ljb)
May 11, 2023
Rating: 4.5/5.0
When reading “Four Aces” the imagery, dialogue, and background are enough to make anyone feel as if they are truly in 1800s Deadwood.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
When reading “Four Aces” the imagery, dialogue, and background are enough to make anyone feel as if they are truly in 1800s Deadwood.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 7, 2023
I don't like to give any book a bad review. I understand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into writing, but I need to be honest.
First, this needs a good editor. There were so many simple errors that would've been caught had a proper editing job been done on it. Axel, which is an ice skating move, rather than axle, which is what is used on a vehicle. Persecute rather than prosecute. There were others, but these two stuck with me.
Second, the author should have done some homework. Being from South Dakota and a lover of history for my lovely home state, and even having ancestors who helped settle Deadwood and the Black Hills, I questioned some of the things I read. Seth Bullock did not live in Belle Fourche while he was in law enforcement in Deadwood. It's too far, almost 40 miles. Belle Fourche was never called Belle Forte. Indians from Pine Ridge probably weren't let off the reservation to go to Deadwood. Distance is a factor as well as a tenuous relationship with the white man. And a female horse cannot be a gelding. Geldings are castrated male horses.
Aside from the historical inaccuracies and other issues I mentioned, there was no real chemistry between Jake and Emily. All of the characters in the story flat-lined and lacked depth, including them. I also didn't appreciate that Jake threatened a man with shooting him in the back. That made him sound like a coward and he lost the few points he'd had at that point.
I wanted to like this story. I really did. It had all the elements that I like in a Western romance. Adventure, a handsome hero (kudos for the cover. The guy does look like Jake Reid), Deadwood, a likable heroine, some wily bad guys...I just couldn't get past the problems with it.
Sorry
First, this needs a good editor. There were so many simple errors that would've been caught had a proper editing job been done on it. Axel, which is an ice skating move, rather than axle, which is what is used on a vehicle. Persecute rather than prosecute. There were others, but these two stuck with me.
Second, the author should have done some homework. Being from South Dakota and a lover of history for my lovely home state, and even having ancestors who helped settle Deadwood and the Black Hills, I questioned some of the things I read. Seth Bullock did not live in Belle Fourche while he was in law enforcement in Deadwood. It's too far, almost 40 miles. Belle Fourche was never called Belle Forte. Indians from Pine Ridge probably weren't let off the reservation to go to Deadwood. Distance is a factor as well as a tenuous relationship with the white man. And a female horse cannot be a gelding. Geldings are castrated male horses.
Aside from the historical inaccuracies and other issues I mentioned, there was no real chemistry between Jake and Emily. All of the characters in the story flat-lined and lacked depth, including them. I also didn't appreciate that Jake threatened a man with shooting him in the back. That made him sound like a coward and he lost the few points he'd had at that point.
I wanted to like this story. I really did. It had all the elements that I like in a Western romance. Adventure, a handsome hero (kudos for the cover. The guy does look like Jake Reid), Deadwood, a likable heroine, some wily bad guys...I just couldn't get past the problems with it.
Sorry
July 13, 2023
Hope and tumbleweeds in the wild west!
“The PAST is like a slow death. It’s something no one can change or hide from.”
Sometimes embracing your past and moving beyond is the roughest thing someone can do.
When Jake and Emily’s paths cross they have no clue how intertwined their lives actually are. Both have a past with many secrets. Jake tries to keep a low profile so that he can catch the elusive Harmon Elwood, but is unable stay to himself once he uncovers the truths that are happening in Deadwood. There is an intensity between Jake and Emily that you know is going to explode but the author does a fabulous job of keeping it tamped down so as not to take away from the plot and story.
In full disclosure, I am not a fan of historical romance, but I am a fan of the Wild West. This story does not disappoint! I look forward to continuing the series.
“The PAST is like a slow death. It’s something no one can change or hide from.”
Sometimes embracing your past and moving beyond is the roughest thing someone can do.
When Jake and Emily’s paths cross they have no clue how intertwined their lives actually are. Both have a past with many secrets. Jake tries to keep a low profile so that he can catch the elusive Harmon Elwood, but is unable stay to himself once he uncovers the truths that are happening in Deadwood. There is an intensity between Jake and Emily that you know is going to explode but the author does a fabulous job of keeping it tamped down so as not to take away from the plot and story.
In full disclosure, I am not a fan of historical romance, but I am a fan of the Wild West. This story does not disappoint! I look forward to continuing the series.
May 15, 2023
4.5 Stars. Grab this book if you’re looking for a lazy weekend read. It’s nice to read a book that isn’t bogged down with a long-drawn-out story. The historical western sends you into the wild west of gunslingers. The author weaved a good plot with a few twists that keep you turning the pages until the end. An enjoyable cast of good and bad guys, which ups the excitement of a few bullets flying in the air. The chemistry between Emily and Jake is strong and their romance propels at a good pace. This is my first read by this author and because the ending hints at another book in the Deadwood Diaries, I look forward to reading more. Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine.
February 21, 2023
HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR WESTERN ROMANCE
Since this was the authors first western, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this story exceeded my expectations. It was well written and the characters really help bring you into the story. The ending had a nice set up for another story. I hope she writes the next book.
Since this was the authors first western, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this story exceeded my expectations. It was well written and the characters really help bring you into the story. The ending had a nice set up for another story. I hope she writes the next book.
May 3, 2023
exciting new author and series
I normally don’t start a series until I can do a reading marathon, but I’m really glad that I just stumbled on this book and I stopped reading one book and I started to read this one. It’s a great story. I love the characters. It’s not too mushy. But it holds your attention. Great read
I normally don’t start a series until I can do a reading marathon, but I’m really glad that I just stumbled on this book and I stopped reading one book and I started to read this one. It’s a great story. I love the characters. It’s not too mushy. But it holds your attention. Great read
March 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews