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Navarro #1
Navarro
Hardened ex-gunslinger Tommy Navarro turned away Karla Vannorsdell when she needed him the most. But now, Navarro must track down Karla in the desert before Apaches get her, which won't be easy. And all that's certain is that things are going to get very rough-and very bloody.
- GenresWesterns
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2005
8 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Peter Brandvold
193 books130 followersPeter Brandvold has written well over one hundred action westerns under his own name and his pseudonym, Frank Leslie. Born and raised in North Dakota, he has lived all over the West. He currently lives in western Minnesota with his dog. Follow him at Amazon and here peterbrandvold.blogspot.comand here: facebook.com/peter.brandvold.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 8, 2022
“Taos Tommy” Navarro is a former gunslinger, known for his fast draw. But that’s in his past, or so he thought. These days he works as the Segundo, or second-in-command of the Bar-V ranch. But when the ranch owner’s granddaughter, Karla, takes off on her own to chase after her beau, Navarro finds himself as the leader of a gang of ranch hands intent on tracking her down.
Most of the novel is told from Navarro’s point of view as he leads the men in pursuit of the willful girl. But we also get several fun chapters from Karla’s point of view as she encounters conmen, Apache’s, and finally a group of slavers who manage to capture her and take her into Mexico along with a group of other girls to serve as “entertainment” for a bunch of miners. Just when Navarro almost catches up to her, something always seems to happen to stall the chase, including getting shot at and injured by foes of all stripes.
I’ve read and enjoyed novels by Ralph Compton before, but this is my first one written under the “Ralph Compton brand” by another author. Frankly, I chose this one for the main reason that it was written by Peter Brandvold, who is at the top of my list for exciting western writers working today. I was not disappointed. This novel, like all Brandvold’s work is as unpredictable as it is filled with exciting western adventure. Gunfights, fisticuffs, pretty women, loyal partners, slimy bad guys, and a brilliant touch of humor here and there are all hallmarks of his craft, and I found every one of them here in this book as well.
The character of Navarro could certainly be the basis for another iconic character in Brandvold’s portfolio, along with Yakima Henry, Lou Prophet, Gideon Hawk, Colter Farrow, and Sheriff Ben Stillman. Don't be surprised if one of them makes a cameo appearance here, something I've noticed with other Brandvold novels. Happily, Navarro’s adventures do continue in another book, also written for the Ralph Compton Brand: Bullet Creek. I’ll definitely be in search of that one too.
Most of the novel is told from Navarro’s point of view as he leads the men in pursuit of the willful girl. But we also get several fun chapters from Karla’s point of view as she encounters conmen, Apache’s, and finally a group of slavers who manage to capture her and take her into Mexico along with a group of other girls to serve as “entertainment” for a bunch of miners. Just when Navarro almost catches up to her, something always seems to happen to stall the chase, including getting shot at and injured by foes of all stripes.
I’ve read and enjoyed novels by Ralph Compton before, but this is my first one written under the “Ralph Compton brand” by another author. Frankly, I chose this one for the main reason that it was written by Peter Brandvold, who is at the top of my list for exciting western writers working today. I was not disappointed. This novel, like all Brandvold’s work is as unpredictable as it is filled with exciting western adventure. Gunfights, fisticuffs, pretty women, loyal partners, slimy bad guys, and a brilliant touch of humor here and there are all hallmarks of his craft, and I found every one of them here in this book as well.
The character of Navarro could certainly be the basis for another iconic character in Brandvold’s portfolio, along with Yakima Henry, Lou Prophet, Gideon Hawk, Colter Farrow, and Sheriff Ben Stillman. Don't be surprised if one of them makes a cameo appearance here, something I've noticed with other Brandvold novels. Happily, Navarro’s adventures do continue in another book, also written for the Ralph Compton Brand: Bullet Creek. I’ll definitely be in search of that one too.
February 7, 2019
TITLE: Navarro
AUTHOR: Peter Brandvold/Ralph Compton
GENRE: Western
PAGES: 288
If I was asked to list my all time top five western authors, the list would look like this:
Louis L’Amour
Matt Braun
Ralph Compton
Peter Brandvold
Ralph Cotton
So, when I saw that Peter Brandvold wrote a western for the Ralph Compton line of books, I naturally had to get it, and in the end I was not disappointed.
Navarro has all of the hallmarks I look for in a western: a hero that appears big as life, but has faults all his own, gun-fighting, horses and love (and loss). As the story unfolds, you are drawn into Navarro’s quest to find the missing rancher’s grand-daughter who left to find the love of her life (that grandpa ran off). She will take on the desert, buzzards, snakes, and even Apache Indians to find her love. The question is will Navarro get to her in time before any of these kill her.
The thing about this book is that it needs to come with a warning label. Once you get into it, you will not want to leave until the last page. Yes, one of the hardest things is putting this book down when everyday life will intrude.
I give this one 5 out of 5 bookmarks.
AUTHOR: Peter Brandvold/Ralph Compton
GENRE: Western
PAGES: 288
If I was asked to list my all time top five western authors, the list would look like this:
Louis L’Amour
Matt Braun
Ralph Compton
Peter Brandvold
Ralph Cotton
So, when I saw that Peter Brandvold wrote a western for the Ralph Compton line of books, I naturally had to get it, and in the end I was not disappointed.
Navarro has all of the hallmarks I look for in a western: a hero that appears big as life, but has faults all his own, gun-fighting, horses and love (and loss). As the story unfolds, you are drawn into Navarro’s quest to find the missing rancher’s grand-daughter who left to find the love of her life (that grandpa ran off). She will take on the desert, buzzards, snakes, and even Apache Indians to find her love. The question is will Navarro get to her in time before any of these kill her.
The thing about this book is that it needs to come with a warning label. Once you get into it, you will not want to leave until the last page. Yes, one of the hardest things is putting this book down when everyday life will intrude.
I give this one 5 out of 5 bookmarks.
January 15, 2025
Tommy Navarro has long put his gunfighting reputation behind him and he has become Segundo of the Bar-V ranch. When the rancher's granddaughter runs off to find the man she loves because her grandfather had made him leave because Mexicans and Americans are not supposed to be together. Once the grandfather realizes she is gone he asks Tommy to get some men and find her and he goes with them. The search does not go as planned, so the group heads back and then Tommy and his close friends, who also work on the ranch go out to find her.
Karla the granddaughter is captured by Apaches and freed from them by Tommy and his friends only to be captured by a large group of scalp hunters, who also sell women to be slaves. The scalp hunter kills the guys with Tommy and they leave him for dead. That was their first mistake their last mistake will be death.
Karla the granddaughter is captured by Apaches and freed from them by Tommy and his friends only to be captured by a large group of scalp hunters, who also sell women to be slaves. The scalp hunter kills the guys with Tommy and they leave him for dead. That was their first mistake their last mistake will be death.
March 2, 2017
Rich images
Worthy of the time in spite of the grizzly realities of the era. I'm going to read all of his works now.
Worthy of the time in spite of the grizzly realities of the era. I'm going to read all of his works now.
September 7, 2024
NAVARRO DESPERATELY PURSUES A MISSING ARIZONA WOMAN INTO DANGER, August 19, 2017
Five DETERMINED Stars. Writing in tribute to the late great Ralph Compton, celebrated author Peter Brandvold conjures up rough and ready ex-gunfighter "Taos Tommy" Navarro who at 50 years old, silver haired, and a respectable 'segundo' at the Bar-V Ranch still attracts hardcase youngsters looking to score in a gunfight or settle scores. The novel is set in the area of Tucson Arizona, western New Mexico, and points south in the late 1800s.
Navarro's boss doesn't want his granddaughter Karla to marry a vaquero, and while Navarro agrees and is long on advice for her, he is short on solace. The girl takes off in pursuit of Juan, touching off a bloody pursuit that involves love, revenge, greed, death, many bad guys that keep popping up, and Navarro's persistence on many levels. Along the way we meet Karla Vannorsdell, fiancé Juan, Grandpa Vannorsdell, Dallas Tixier, Chief Nan-dash, Charlie Musselwhite, Edgar Bontemps, Mordecai Hawkins, Mrs. Talon, Sister Mary Frances, a daring night escape attempt by a nude female bareback rider, Navarro's many tense gunfight challenges, and enough characters and desperate circumstances to satisfy any western fan, written brilliantly by author Brandvold in the vernacular of those days. Much blood and gore. Highly Recommended. Five INTENSE Stars! (Kindle, 288 pages.)
Five DETERMINED Stars. Writing in tribute to the late great Ralph Compton, celebrated author Peter Brandvold conjures up rough and ready ex-gunfighter "Taos Tommy" Navarro who at 50 years old, silver haired, and a respectable 'segundo' at the Bar-V Ranch still attracts hardcase youngsters looking to score in a gunfight or settle scores. The novel is set in the area of Tucson Arizona, western New Mexico, and points south in the late 1800s.
Navarro's boss doesn't want his granddaughter Karla to marry a vaquero, and while Navarro agrees and is long on advice for her, he is short on solace. The girl takes off in pursuit of Juan, touching off a bloody pursuit that involves love, revenge, greed, death, many bad guys that keep popping up, and Navarro's persistence on many levels. Along the way we meet Karla Vannorsdell, fiancé Juan, Grandpa Vannorsdell, Dallas Tixier, Chief Nan-dash, Charlie Musselwhite, Edgar Bontemps, Mordecai Hawkins, Mrs. Talon, Sister Mary Frances, a daring night escape attempt by a nude female bareback rider, Navarro's many tense gunfight challenges, and enough characters and desperate circumstances to satisfy any western fan, written brilliantly by author Brandvold in the vernacular of those days. Much blood and gore. Highly Recommended. Five INTENSE Stars! (Kindle, 288 pages.)
January 25, 2015
Very good.
Would this book to anybody that likes western reading.
Reads like Louie glamour. You won't be dissapointed.
Will read it again.
Would this book to anybody that likes western reading.
Reads like Louie glamour. You won't be dissapointed.
Will read it again.
June 26, 2015
Good Border Novel
There have always been men who had respect for women and themselves. Men like Tom Navarro who looked out for others.
There have always been men who had respect for women and themselves. Men like Tom Navarro who looked out for others.
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May 1, 2018I've lost this book to the cloud. I can't open it any more and I'm not finished.
December 13, 2016
One of Brandvold's best, which is saying a lot. I loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews