Paint the Hills Red

by Ron Schwab

Greed. Land. Lawlessness. These ingredients do not portend a peaceful life in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge country for Dan McClure. Dan’s not afraid to fire a gun, but after a lifetime of fighting, he would rather wield a paintbrush. When he’s thrust into the middle of a range war, however, he has but two options . . . and Dan’s not one to run away from a fight.

Set in 1880s Nebraska, Paint the Hills Red is a story of men—and women—who won’t back down . . . even when it looks as though they should.

Genres: Westerns

Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Ron Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.

Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.

Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Reviews

[Fred Barnes]

PAINTED INTO A POSITION THAT BRINGS BACK HIS KILLER INSTINCTS FOR JUSTICE IN

☆☆☆☆☆

PAINTED INTO A POSITION THAT BRINGS BACK HIS KILLER INSTINCTS FOR JUSTICE IN THE LINE OF A LOCAL RANGE WAR.

Paint the Hills Red by Ron Schwab is romance story of a man who loves to paint, he loves the landscape of the new ranch he purchased in the Nebraska's Pine Ridge, and he falls in love with a strong and tough young woman who though the but heads every time they're together, their love grows from their struggles and hardships they endure. Their losses and the challenges they face when a local neighbor decides that the ranch lands inwhich but against their ranch is going to be theirs and if they can't purchase it, they'll burn and kill their neighbors and take the land.

As with all of the books that I have read written by Ron Schwab, this book is a great western novel based on historical facts that is full of mystery, suspense, and is action-packed from the first page to the last and will hold your interest throughout.

I really enjoyed this book even though at first I had doubts due to the main character being an artist in a Western book. I know it seems shallow not to picture a man who paints, who doesn't have an interest in farming, or ranching in a ranching community, but that was on me. This book has the action to satisfy an action junky.


Quotes:

"Sometimes when you paint, you see more of the real people and real things. You see things you don't realize we're there before, and the challenge is to make others see them, too."

"Maybe it's best to let people do what they want as long as they don't hurt anyone else in the process."

[Lawrence Feazell]

Great story!

As usual, a very good book. Mr Schwab continues to amaze me with the way he can write and tell a story.

[Robert W. Evans]

wonderful reading

Good story and well written. There was one mistake in the text. I’ve forgotten which chapter it I really immaterial but when Megan pulled her right rein against the mares right neck the horse would have turned left not to the right. I’m sure it was a misprint, about like my spelling! Keep them coming. Ron.

[Robert Haska]

Classic Schwab

Good storyline that never drags or goes off on an unproductive tangent and as always the ending is really satisfying.

[John G Baylis]

Excellent mystery

Enjoyed this book as it had several twists and turns which kept you guessing. Romance along with action and mystery make for a very intriguing story.

[Space Cowgirl]

Western Who Dunnit💀🔫 🔥

ADULT Historical Western Adventure 🐺💪🔫🔪🐎
This is the story of a man trying to escape into the Pine hills of Nebraska On a small ranch, only to find himself in the middle of a range war.
The story is fast paced And well written with lots of interaction between characters.

I got this e-book from Amazon with Kindle unlimited.

[Lisa C.]

This story had lots of action, interesting characters and good descriptions. It was definitely different than the typical shoot-em-up style western. I was happy to find another good western author and from Nebraska, to boot.

[Ashley RiggzSnadez]

I won this book for my grandfather because I knew immediately how much he would love it. He raves about it every time I see him. He's all about Westerns. He is also from Nebraska. I feel like it was a book he could relate to as well.

[Blayne Jenks]

Good read

A good read with a little twist to it. The first Ron Schwab book I have ever read. Looking forward to the next one. Blayne.

[ctrothschild]

Nice story

I liked the characters, all were strong people. However, the story seemed to come to an abrupt ending! Hope more hard western stories to follow!

[Lloyd]

This story is an interesting and entertaining western with a few unique twists on a familiar western theme. The familiar theme is that small ranchers feel threatened by a large rancher who dominates the territory and the local authorities. However, the characters are not the cookie cut types you find in many westerns. There is more depth to these characters which makes them seem more realistic with more rounded lives than the stereotype characters in many western novels. Because the characters are more realistic, a more complex solution to the overall problem is needed as opposed to shootouts which leave all the bad guys dead. That’s the why twists to the normal western novel solution come into play.

[Rick Farlee]

APPLE BOOKS:

This is an unusual kind of western, because the main character, Dan, has a passion for painting and the storyline also embraced a theme for romance… I kept imagining a show of BONANZA where the big rugged guy, Dan Blocker (Hoss), is an artist and the local women somehow find him to be attractive? There are some good action scenes, but most of the storyline evolves around Dan’s interaction with his neighbors and a corrupt sheriff.
Easy reading (or listening as an audiobook), but I didn’t really find it to be a page-burner…

[Barry Jenkins]

Profanity not necessary

I did not read this book. I've learned to search books before reading for profanity. I will not read books in which the author uses the Lord God's name in vain, in profanity.
There is absolutely no need for this profanity. There are dozens of western authors who write great stories without the use of this profanity.
Schwab......ask the Lord's forgiveness and then write your stories without this filthy profane use of His name.
Unfortunately I have to give you one star, system won't allow me to do zero.

[Alexander Baum]

Good Western Unusual Story

I knew this would be a different type of Western. The main character being a man of the arts, a prolific artist. As an Officer in the Army he fought against the Indians during the uprisings. He buys a ranch and gets into a range war. No doubt there would be romantic entanglements. Great balance of action and character development. When you came to the end you were disappointed you wanted the story to continue. I highly recommend this novel.

[Paul Ford]

Action, romance and an original story line.

The time period is my favorite because the weapons were faster, more accurate and had advanced range/distance. Especially when the hero is one of the few to have the advantage of distance. Ron Schwab set a great story with an original theme that I truly enjoyed. I felt there was unnecessary profanity, especially using the Lord's name that neither added to the story or defining the moral character of the cast.

[LUAYNE]

Great read

A strong ex-military man, a stubborn ranch woman, and their valley neighbors fight the man that wants the whole valley. The H is also a painter. Ranch burnings and murders prompt the neighbors to form a cattle man's association. The villain is a surprise. Highly recommended.

[D. La]

Red they were

I don't remember if I wrote a review the first time I read this book, so I'll write one this time. A very fast paced story about ranchers and the greed some of them have when it comes to how much land they own. It took a lot of twists and turns before you'll find out. A surprise at the end too.Thanks for all the entertainment.

[Penny Bell]

Phenomenal

I have read every one of this authors books….definitely outstanding writer.
It would really be hard to pick a favorite out of all the exceptional books written by Ron Schwab, but Paint the Hills Red would definitely come to mind. Well written….well done Mr. Schwab!
Looking forward to your next one.

[John Lawless]

Very Good Book

I found this book to be one of those stories that you start reading and can't put down, when's you finish it you are let down because you know that I or not continue! You are glad you have read it but your disappointed that you did.

[Alvis]

Pine Ridge Country

I liked the story, and the part of the country, it represents. I will recommend this book, to family and
friends. I gave it 5-star rating, because, it was suspenseful.

[Sheila Dean]

Excellent story for readers of western.

I enjoyed the story. I like the author. Well thought out as the reader journeys through the story. A book color all ages.

[Bill Megenity]

I'm back

I found another one and it was ever bit as good as the first one. I shall continue in my quest. thanks for another awesome story. I shall push my luck. thanks again.

[Joseph A. Elliott]

Great

To me one northwest and what a surprise ending to. But you have to
Read it to find out what reallyhappened

[Robert J. Pease]

Good story and plot

Another interesting story that keeps your pages turning. The writing is good the and story line keeps you interested and intrigued..

[John]

paint the hills red

Different from most true western books i read but very good. Well thought out story line. I recommend this one.

[Charlotte Scott]

truly a western romance

From the beginning to the end, Dan was a special kind of man. He made the story come to life.

[August Bick Jr]

Thoroughly enjoyable!

Mr Schwab kept me involved throughout the whole book. I am looking forward to reading another. Thank you Mr Schwab

[Larry Killebrew]

1st Ron Schwab novel for me

ExceLlent story! Real characters with human flaws. Just like me in some regards. Definitely not going to be my last Schwab read!

[Mike Pearson]

It's great

You have a good time in reading this. It was an interesting story with the good guys wining it is a great read

[David]

Riviting

Fast action, well defined characters, could not put the book down, read in one setting. A well detailed historical portrayal of the period.