Shadow of the Mast is a historical adventure set during the horn, hide, and tallow trade in Alta California. Young Sam McCreed is shanghied aboard a brig, a ship he didn’t want to join, on his way to a place he thought he’d never see…driven on by a vicious captain and sadistic first mate. By the time they reach California, Sam is no longer a boy, but a man hardened by ice, sea, and the lash. California, a land that seemed peaceful, becomes a caldron boiling over with hate and resentment. Sam McCreed, now an expert with blade, musket, and reata, is a man on the prowl for vengeance…and he’ll send any man who stands in his way straight to hell.
5 STARS for this Book 4 of this Series which is really more about manifest destiny than just a family traveling with a wagon train as was thought in Book 1 2, then we read about a young man who went to the Navy at 15 yet seemed to spend more time on land in-between the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans. Next, we find Buck our guy who is Shanghaied in Boston while dropping his older step cousin off to a Captain that his Step-Uncle has made a deal with & thought he was a fair man; he along with his evil 1st mate were not liked not only were liars the two were not volunteered to sail with, unless one was disperate. Buck escaped in California & turned into a good strong man of the land who was respected by those he dealt with because he was a fair man in a deal no matter the man, Indian, White, Catholic, or Californian he didn't care. All in all each of the 4 were 5 STARS each -& probably could be the start of wonderful series! book 1 & 2 are of the same young man! I recommend each of the 4 Books separately or like me I just read them one after the other because I love Western Historical reading & also action packed drama filled with keel hauled sailor as punishment, sailors whipped Shoot-em up gun battles, Indian Attacks, wild horses & floods. Big happenings you will not want to put these books down!
Was a very good read that deserves 5 stars, nice historical information from both coasts. Don't know a lot about sailing back in those days but it was presented in this book in a very captivating, interesting way. My only problem was that this and the first three that were presented as what I thought was a series after having the same character in the first two were not. Books 3 and 4 were basically stand alone stories that were very interesting reads.
Most of the book was written well, but the cursing was unnecessary. Also some of the sex scenes was unnecessary. There is other ways to get the jest across. I have read other books by this author and do not remember such. The story held my interest so I skipped over the offensive areas and finished the book. Sad in areas but I expect in all books.
This is a good yarn! It makes me wonder a little... We are told that we are all the same. But the actions in Bear Valley dispute that. With one man ram roddng the effort look what was done that the local tribe of Indians didn't do.
The book has a lot of twists and turns and kept me enthralled. I pray that you have a follow up to this book where he clears his name and returns to his daughter and true love.
That’s the worst ending I’ve ever read how could you have not picked up this story in another book Especially the word and it saying I’ll be back submit it