King Sutherland is dead---at least that's what both friend and foe assume. The war ended almost a year ago, yet King was seriously wounded after the surrender, delaying his return home. Recently recovered, he is on his way back to Texas and the Blanco Sol ranch. Things have changed during his five-year absence. Outlaws stripped the homestead of its herd of Durango White horses and former flame Mercedes Alvaraz is married to Clint Sutherland, King's brother. Complicating an already strained union, Mercedes' father is ready to take over the ranch by force, insisting that he has a rightful claim to Blanco Sol, and Clint is accused of robbing stages and wagon trains and murdering the passengers, even women and little children. Sue Ellen, a proud rebel beauty, steals King's heart, but she hates him because he chose to fight for the Union. King is determined to not only win her affection, but clear his brother's name and collect a herd of wild Spanish cattle to drive north to the railhead in order to prevent the ranch from being stolen out from under him.
Mr Holt is my 2nd best Western writer I've been amazed at the realistic quality of characters in his stories you don't want to put it down or you'll miss something- just put the film on pause and comeback later. Very glad l read this book
King Sutherland was dead, except he wasn't, he's been gravelly injured in the line of duty. All he wanted was to get back home to the ranch. The war was finally over, but the fight to reclaim his life has just begun the very second that he sets door in the Blanco Sol. BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO 👏 GREAT READ!!!!
It was stupid of him to stay for a private drink with the boardinghouse owner, but I was so glad he turned down her advances. He acted like he didn’t have a lot of money, but then offered to by luke clothes, a stay at the inn, and a haircut. &passage back home. &did he even get his money back at the inn for not staying that last night there? He also bought a wagon of supplies and offered it to the brothers if they didn’t end up working for his dad. Sounds like someone with money to spare. U remembered her pale arms around ur neck. U met at a cabin&spent hours together. ‘he was impressed again by the sight of their handsome, open faces.’ ‘they may have been planning a party with me as the guest of honor.’ He asked her to be his wife. Omg. They’ve barely talked! Some things in here are a lil hard to understand, like this: “can you tell me how to find it?” “I should smile.” ‘his face was open& attractive.’ ‘he was a fine-looking man.’ Ok, this is getting weird. &everyone in the town can’t be good-looking. It isn’t right for clint& Rosita to run away. He’s married. It was rude of luke&king not to answer henry when he said he thought they were leaving tomorrow. “dude” seemed a bit modern. They have to kill newborns who can’t keep up. How cruel!! Sometimes King would steal ur heart, like when he stitched the guy up, even though he had never done it, and then got sick after. Im glad he turned down that stupid saloon girl, but he could have been more cold about it, and told her the truth, that you’re engaged. Don’t say “maybe later, thanks.” He had some not good moments tho, like the one I just mentioned, and the advice he gave Roy on how to get girls. That was not likeable. Some words in here I didn’t know, like remuda. The ending was a lil confusing. Was sue ellen saying she wanted to get pregnant by King?& I’m really shocked that luke would have sex before marriage, because he seemed like such a good guy. Overall, the book was okay. I felt like I was really seeing things from back in that time. The speech was mostly spot on. It felt like the author had a good handle on the time period. Im surprised that a book written by a woman would be solely in a man’s perspective. I would have liked to have heard from sue ellen, too. Maybe do alternating chapters. I could have connected with her more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
An AHH. Western Adventure/The Texas Men are Returning Home After Five Years Away
Ahh. has. penned a western adventure that begins as the Civil War ends. The men who fought for the North and South, Texans who fought for both sides, are coming home. One such man returns to his home to find everything changed and out of control. This man assembles a group of men to lead a herd of cattle up the Chislum Trail. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
A truly entertaining read. The interpersonal relationships between characters is strong, realistic and totally believable. A.H. Holt's characters are strong and well defined and her sense of 'flow' is remarkable. Don't miss this one!