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Westward Sagas #5
Sheriff of Starr County
When Texas becomes a newly-minted state, good men and women work hard toward progress and peace. Texas Ranger Will Smith travels to the borderlands of the Nueces Strip to become the first Sheriff of Starr County. He’ll do what he must to bring justice to the frontier, including wrangling outlaws, navigating political intrigues, fighting Indians, and keeping the tenuous peace between the Tejano and Anglo residents. He encounters influential statesmen and entrepreneurs of early Texas, assists the US Army, and falls for two very different women. This is exciting and authentic fiction based on the author’s own ancestors. It’s a compelling story in readible format for anyone who appreciates Texas history.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 17, 2023
Excellent Western saga - historical fiction at its finest
Texas author David Bowles celebrates his heritage as a fifth generation Austinite (he still lives in Austin!) in sharing his tales of the Old West both speaking to audiences and in writing books. His highly awarded series, Westward Sagas, now contains five volumes with the new release of SHERIFF OF STARR COUNTY.
An encouraging note: although this is volume five of a series, the author assures the new reader that reading the first four volumes (while heartily recommended!) is not necessary as this story is a standalone. The flavor and historical accuracy of Bowles’ writing is obvious as he opens this story: ‘Will Smith rode into Davis Landing alone. The journey up the Rio Grande River from Fort Brown had taken most of the day. While Will led hi shore and burro to the water trough, a skinny teenaged boy cautiously approached. The boy saw a silver star and a pair of revolvers hanging from Will’s waist. “Señor, are you the Los Diablo Tejano I wait for?” ‘If you mean Teas Ranger, I’m one of them. “Why do you ask?” Will yanked the cinch on the horse’s saddle, agitated by the boy’s remark. It was something he had endured many time during the war with Mexico.’ Atmosphere established and the story progresses ‘When Texas becomes a newly minted state, good men and women work hard toward progress and peace. Texas Ranger Will Smith travels to the borderlands of the Nueces Strip to become the first Sheriff of Starr County. He’ll do what he must to bring justice to the frontier, including wrangling outlaws, navigating political intrigues, fighting Indians, and keeping the tenuous peace between the Tejano and Anglo residents. He encounters influential statesmen and entrepreneurs of early Texas, assists the US Army, and falls for two very different women.’
This fine Western is staged with authenticity, action, and a sense of history that adds to the drama of the story. Well written and memorable, reading this book will likely create the urge to explore the rest of this Westward Sagas, Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Texas author David Bowles celebrates his heritage as a fifth generation Austinite (he still lives in Austin!) in sharing his tales of the Old West both speaking to audiences and in writing books. His highly awarded series, Westward Sagas, now contains five volumes with the new release of SHERIFF OF STARR COUNTY.
An encouraging note: although this is volume five of a series, the author assures the new reader that reading the first four volumes (while heartily recommended!) is not necessary as this story is a standalone. The flavor and historical accuracy of Bowles’ writing is obvious as he opens this story: ‘Will Smith rode into Davis Landing alone. The journey up the Rio Grande River from Fort Brown had taken most of the day. While Will led hi shore and burro to the water trough, a skinny teenaged boy cautiously approached. The boy saw a silver star and a pair of revolvers hanging from Will’s waist. “Señor, are you the Los Diablo Tejano I wait for?” ‘If you mean Teas Ranger, I’m one of them. “Why do you ask?” Will yanked the cinch on the horse’s saddle, agitated by the boy’s remark. It was something he had endured many time during the war with Mexico.’ Atmosphere established and the story progresses ‘When Texas becomes a newly minted state, good men and women work hard toward progress and peace. Texas Ranger Will Smith travels to the borderlands of the Nueces Strip to become the first Sheriff of Starr County. He’ll do what he must to bring justice to the frontier, including wrangling outlaws, navigating political intrigues, fighting Indians, and keeping the tenuous peace between the Tejano and Anglo residents. He encounters influential statesmen and entrepreneurs of early Texas, assists the US Army, and falls for two very different women.’
This fine Western is staged with authenticity, action, and a sense of history that adds to the drama of the story. Well written and memorable, reading this book will likely create the urge to explore the rest of this Westward Sagas, Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
September 2, 2023
Book Review
My Ratings - 4.8/5
"Sheriff of Starr County" by David A. Bowles is a captivating historical novel that transports readers to the early days of Texas statehood with remarkable authenticity. Set against the backdrop of the Nueces Strip, the narrative revolves around the remarkable journey of Will Smith, a Texas Ranger who undertakes the challenging role of the first Sheriff of Starr County.
Bowles masterfully captures the essence of the era, painting a vivid picture of the untamed frontier, where progress and peace are hard-won endeavors. Through Smith's experiences, the reader is taken on a roller-coaster ride of adventure, facing outlaws, navigating the intricacies of political intrigue, and negotiating the delicate balance between Tejano and Anglo residents.
The author's personal connection to the story, rooted in his own ancestral history, infuses the novel with a deep sense of authenticity. This connection shines through in the intricate details of the setting, the richly developed characters, and the nuanced exploration of relationships. As Smith encounters influential figures and plays a pivotal role in assisting the US Army, the narrative gains both depth and complexity.
Beyond the action-packed elements, "Sheriff of Starr County" delves into the personal struggles and emotions of its characters. Smith's relationships with two distinctly different women add layers of emotion and depth to the story, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and personal growth.
David A. Bowles skillfully balances historical accuracy with a compelling narrative, making this novel a compelling read for anyone interested in Texas history. Whether you're a history buff or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, "Sheriff of Starr County" promises an immersive experience that transports you to a bygone era while keeping you engaged until the very last page.
My Ratings - 4.8/5
"Sheriff of Starr County" by David A. Bowles is a captivating historical novel that transports readers to the early days of Texas statehood with remarkable authenticity. Set against the backdrop of the Nueces Strip, the narrative revolves around the remarkable journey of Will Smith, a Texas Ranger who undertakes the challenging role of the first Sheriff of Starr County.
Bowles masterfully captures the essence of the era, painting a vivid picture of the untamed frontier, where progress and peace are hard-won endeavors. Through Smith's experiences, the reader is taken on a roller-coaster ride of adventure, facing outlaws, navigating the intricacies of political intrigue, and negotiating the delicate balance between Tejano and Anglo residents.
The author's personal connection to the story, rooted in his own ancestral history, infuses the novel with a deep sense of authenticity. This connection shines through in the intricate details of the setting, the richly developed characters, and the nuanced exploration of relationships. As Smith encounters influential figures and plays a pivotal role in assisting the US Army, the narrative gains both depth and complexity.
Beyond the action-packed elements, "Sheriff of Starr County" delves into the personal struggles and emotions of its characters. Smith's relationships with two distinctly different women add layers of emotion and depth to the story, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and personal growth.
David A. Bowles skillfully balances historical accuracy with a compelling narrative, making this novel a compelling read for anyone interested in Texas history. Whether you're a history buff or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, "Sheriff of Starr County" promises an immersive experience that transports you to a bygone era while keeping you engaged until the very last page.
January 5, 2024
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This is fifth and final book in the Westward Saga. I have said before it is a blend of historical facts and wondrous storytelling. The description of the locations are just as important as the characters. Will Smith is moving to become the sheriff of Starr County. It really shows what kind of man he is and what he is willing to do to tame the west. There is still room for romance and justice.
February 15, 2023
The characters were interesting enough to keep me reading. I recognized names from History and from what I remember of my Texas history, the depictions were from actual events and pretty accurate. There were other names I didn’t know, but suspect that if I were to research them, I’d find them there in the history books.
My problem is that I couldn’t find a story arc. We just follow Sheriff Smith as he drifts on the edge of historical events. There is no singular climax that we build up too. There are several action events, but we zip through these without them really making an impact on the story.
This is the 5th book in the series and starts after Texas is a state. While it does stand alone, I can’t help but feel I don’t fully understand some events and character relations without the history in those other books.
My problem is that I couldn’t find a story arc. We just follow Sheriff Smith as he drifts on the edge of historical events. There is no singular climax that we build up too. There are several action events, but we zip through these without them really making an impact on the story.
This is the 5th book in the series and starts after Texas is a state. While it does stand alone, I can’t help but feel I don’t fully understand some events and character relations without the history in those other books.
February 22, 2023
I rarely read books with West American theme but by reading this novel Sheriff of Starr County by David A Bowles, I realized that I am missing out quite a lot. I love how this book explored the history of Texas and how the state was formed in the beginning. In this book, it featured the main character Will Smith who was so passionate and dedicated to do everything for the good of the state. I especially love his character and how he dealt with the politics around him. This has to be one of the most intriguing stories that made me want to look forward of what's going to happen next. I have to admit though that I felt kind of lost on some dialogues between the characters but it didn't take away the enjoyment I had. All in all, a well-written book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews