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Threads West #1
Threads West: An American Saga
Book One - the #1 bestselling Threads West-- winner of twenty five national awards in the categories of Historical Fiction, Romance and Western. This is the namesake novel of the sweeping Threads West, An American Saga multi-era series compared by reviewers and authors to Lonesome Dove, Centennial, and Louis L'Amour. Called by some " The Gone With The Wind of the West" and applauded by others as "rings true and poignant, as authentic and moving as Dances with Wolves ." The tale bursts with the adventure, romance and promise of historical America and the West.
You will recognize the characters who live in these pages.
They are the ancestors of your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your family.
They are you. They are us.
This is not only their story. It is our story.
The epic saga of Threads West, An American Saga begins in 1854 with the first of five, richly textured, complex generations of unforgettable, multicultural characters. The separate lives of these driven men and independent women from Europe and America are drawn to a common destiny that beckons seductively from the wild and remote flanks of the American West. Swept into the dangerous currents of the far-distant frontier by the mysterious rivers of fate, the power of the land and the American spirit, their journeys are turbulent quests intertwined with romance and adversity, passions and pathos, despair and triumph.
One thousand miles to the west of St. Louis lies the lawless untamed spine of the continent, the Rocky Mountains. Their energy draws this vanguard of generations to love and struggle in the beautifully vibrant but unforgiving landscape of the West. The personal conflicts inherent to these brave, passion-filled characters are exacerbated by a nation in transition, the budding enmity between North and South, broken treaties with Native Americans and the accelerating melting pot of diverse cultures that marks this magical moment in American history.
The touchstones of the past are the guideposts to the future. This is the first novel of this epic saga--the tale of America, set in the West--the stirring story of many threads of uncommon cultures, differing origins and competing ambitions that entwine into the American spirit. Lives and generations are woven on the loom of history, propelled by fate and freedom to form the tapestry that becomes the whole cloth of the nation. It is uniquely American, this meld of the mosaic.
In Book Two, Maps of Fate , the heroic but conflicted men and women of Threads West continue their dangerous journeys, pushing relentlessly westward, their paths intersecting with the trails of others, setting in motion generational liaisons that cannot be foreseen.
Momentous change will continue, igniting further greed and compassion, courage and treachery, rugged independence, torrid passions and fierce loyalties.
The decades of the Maps of Fate era novels of Threads West, An American Saga book series become the crucible of the souls of generations, the building of the heart of the nation, the destiny of a people, and the relentless energy and beauty of the western landscape. This is the ongoing story of us.
Set in authentic locations on three continents and in the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the life threads of the characters -- whose personalities are forged on the anvil of the land and shaped by the spirit of America -- live, love, struggle, die, fail and succeed. They have neither country nor culture in common -- but the textured, complex and conflicted lives of these independent men and women become part of the fabric of the undulating landscape of the West, and are woven into the rich and adventurous tapestry of an emerging nation and the ever evolving American spirit.
The adventure and romance of America, her people and her spirit and the West. This is not only their story. It is our story. It is Threads West, An American Saga .
You will recognize the characters who live in these pages.
They are the ancestors of your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your family.
They are you. They are us.
This is not only their story. It is our story.
The epic saga of Threads West, An American Saga begins in 1854 with the first of five, richly textured, complex generations of unforgettable, multicultural characters. The separate lives of these driven men and independent women from Europe and America are drawn to a common destiny that beckons seductively from the wild and remote flanks of the American West. Swept into the dangerous currents of the far-distant frontier by the mysterious rivers of fate, the power of the land and the American spirit, their journeys are turbulent quests intertwined with romance and adversity, passions and pathos, despair and triumph.
One thousand miles to the west of St. Louis lies the lawless untamed spine of the continent, the Rocky Mountains. Their energy draws this vanguard of generations to love and struggle in the beautifully vibrant but unforgiving landscape of the West. The personal conflicts inherent to these brave, passion-filled characters are exacerbated by a nation in transition, the budding enmity between North and South, broken treaties with Native Americans and the accelerating melting pot of diverse cultures that marks this magical moment in American history.
The touchstones of the past are the guideposts to the future. This is the first novel of this epic saga--the tale of America, set in the West--the stirring story of many threads of uncommon cultures, differing origins and competing ambitions that entwine into the American spirit. Lives and generations are woven on the loom of history, propelled by fate and freedom to form the tapestry that becomes the whole cloth of the nation. It is uniquely American, this meld of the mosaic.
In Book Two, Maps of Fate , the heroic but conflicted men and women of Threads West continue their dangerous journeys, pushing relentlessly westward, their paths intersecting with the trails of others, setting in motion generational liaisons that cannot be foreseen.
Momentous change will continue, igniting further greed and compassion, courage and treachery, rugged independence, torrid passions and fierce loyalties.
The decades of the Maps of Fate era novels of Threads West, An American Saga book series become the crucible of the souls of generations, the building of the heart of the nation, the destiny of a people, and the relentless energy and beauty of the western landscape. This is the ongoing story of us.
Set in authentic locations on three continents and in the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the life threads of the characters -- whose personalities are forged on the anvil of the land and shaped by the spirit of America -- live, love, struggle, die, fail and succeed. They have neither country nor culture in common -- but the textured, complex and conflicted lives of these independent men and women become part of the fabric of the undulating landscape of the West, and are woven into the rich and adventurous tapestry of an emerging nation and the ever evolving American spirit.
The adventure and romance of America, her people and her spirit and the West. This is not only their story. It is our story. It is Threads West, An American Saga .
360 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2010
97 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Reid Lance Rosenthal
20 books61 followersReid is fourth generation land and cattle, a rancher, and a multiple #1 bestselling author whose works have been honored with fifteen national awards. His cowboy heart and poet’s pen capture the spirit of the western landscape and its influence on generations of its settlers. His long-standing devotion to wild and remote places and to the people—both past and present—who leave their legend and footprint upon America and the American West, is the inspiration and descriptive underpinning of all of his writing.
“If your mind and spirit are seduced by images of windswept ridge tops, flutters of aspen leaves caressed by a canyon breeze and the crimson tendrils of dying sun…if your fingers feel the silken pulse of a lover and your lips taste the deep kisses of building desire…if nostrils flare with the conjured scents of gunpowder and perfume, sage brush and pine, and your ears delight in the murmur of river current…if your heart pounds at the clash of good and evil and with each twist and turn of interwoven lives you feel a primal throb, then I have accomplished my mission.”
~Reid Lance Rosenthal
Passion fuels each thrilling, history, action and romance-packed novel in this widely acclaimed five-generation epic series of the historical and contemporary American west. Threads West has been compared to L’Amour, and Centennial, and some call the series, the “Gone With The Wind of the West.”
“If your mind and spirit are seduced by images of windswept ridge tops, flutters of aspen leaves caressed by a canyon breeze and the crimson tendrils of dying sun…if your fingers feel the silken pulse of a lover and your lips taste the deep kisses of building desire…if nostrils flare with the conjured scents of gunpowder and perfume, sage brush and pine, and your ears delight in the murmur of river current…if your heart pounds at the clash of good and evil and with each twist and turn of interwoven lives you feel a primal throb, then I have accomplished my mission.”
~Reid Lance Rosenthal
Passion fuels each thrilling, history, action and romance-packed novel in this widely acclaimed five-generation epic series of the historical and contemporary American west. Threads West has been compared to L’Amour, and Centennial, and some call the series, the “Gone With The Wind of the West.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 20, 2014
This is the first in a planned series of six book and billed as "An American Saga" and comes with a whopping 229 page count. 218 of those pages are story with the final ten being previews of book #2, Maps of Fate, coming out sometime later this year.
The first half of this book sets up the main characters, who for different reasons strike out for a new life in America. No matter what country or social background these folks have they all manage to end up on the same ship. Even more coincidental, no matter what their plans are for in America when they arrive they all seem to end up in St. Louis and sign on for the same wagon train. Oh, and they all get there just in time for about the last wagon train out of Dodge, get their wagons and supplies purchased in two days and no matter what their backgrounds seem to be expert at driving those wagons and handling the oxen just like a pro...
I'm a believer. Yes, there's a lot more to it than that, but unfortunately a story idea with a lot of potential was ruined by poor execution. The alternating chapters of character set up went on way too long (100+ pages), and frankly by the time it was over I had forgotten much of what went on before - set this book down for a day or two at your own peril, as you may have to back-track for a refresher course. I'd have preferred seeing the book start when the action began, and then liberally sprinkle the story with the character's back history.
Secondly, this book is too short and IMHO would have worked better as a trilogy of three big fat books instead of six slimmer editions, giving the reader more *meat* on the bones to convince them to continue. What this reader got was a plateful of unlikable characters and squicky male-fantasy sex that all ties into a mysterious map and a lost treasure of gold in Colorado's San Juan Mountains. The book comes to a dead stop right when the wagon train is pulling out and the adventure prepares to begin.
Still not sure? I'll just leave you a couple of quotes from the book, a book that according to the jacket reviewers and authors are comparing to "Lonesome Dove and Centennial".
"Her voice resembled a happy wind chime in a light breeze."
Note, our wind chime lady was speaking German. Not the most romantic language no matter how beautiful the woman is speaking it ;)
"There's was definitely something between my friend Reuben..."
????
"Jacob growled out a knowing laugh as he ripped the fabric of her blouse down to her waist. He cupped his entire hand around the flesh of her breast. Sarah felt is if this really was not her...She was an observer who simply watched from some strange man and woman. She felt faint...His fingertips inched below her waistband. She opened her mouth again to cry for help, but he reached over to the pitcher stand, grabbed one of the cloth napkins and shoved it roughly between her teeth...She gagged as one of Jacob's thick fingers found her center. She felt a stab of pain as his fiber penetrated her...Her entire body trembled and her thighs shook..."
Ick ick ick. Although don't forget we're getting some romance as well as rape so after one of our main pairs has rapturous sex in the baggage car and after they've dressed you'll be treated to stuff like this,
"Deep inside her belly, she could feel her body absorbing his seething explosion and her abdomen pulsed with currents of energy. She knew her face glowed and impassioned tears filmed her eyes. 'I...I have never felt like this.'"
Not quite my idea of romance. I'll pass on the rest of the series.
FTC? A win off of Librarything's Early Reviewers program.
The first half of this book sets up the main characters, who for different reasons strike out for a new life in America. No matter what country or social background these folks have they all manage to end up on the same ship. Even more coincidental, no matter what their plans are for in America when they arrive they all seem to end up in St. Louis and sign on for the same wagon train. Oh, and they all get there just in time for about the last wagon train out of Dodge, get their wagons and supplies purchased in two days and no matter what their backgrounds seem to be expert at driving those wagons and handling the oxen just like a pro...
I'm a believer. Yes, there's a lot more to it than that, but unfortunately a story idea with a lot of potential was ruined by poor execution. The alternating chapters of character set up went on way too long (100+ pages), and frankly by the time it was over I had forgotten much of what went on before - set this book down for a day or two at your own peril, as you may have to back-track for a refresher course. I'd have preferred seeing the book start when the action began, and then liberally sprinkle the story with the character's back history.
Secondly, this book is too short and IMHO would have worked better as a trilogy of three big fat books instead of six slimmer editions, giving the reader more *meat* on the bones to convince them to continue. What this reader got was a plateful of unlikable characters and squicky male-fantasy sex that all ties into a mysterious map and a lost treasure of gold in Colorado's San Juan Mountains. The book comes to a dead stop right when the wagon train is pulling out and the adventure prepares to begin.
Still not sure? I'll just leave you a couple of quotes from the book, a book that according to the jacket reviewers and authors are comparing to "Lonesome Dove and Centennial".
"Her voice resembled a happy wind chime in a light breeze."
Note, our wind chime lady was speaking German. Not the most romantic language no matter how beautiful the woman is speaking it ;)
"There's was definitely something between my friend Reuben..."
????
"Jacob growled out a knowing laugh as he ripped the fabric of her blouse down to her waist. He cupped his entire hand around the flesh of her breast. Sarah felt is if this really was not her...She was an observer who simply watched from some strange man and woman. She felt faint...His fingertips inched below her waistband. She opened her mouth again to cry for help, but he reached over to the pitcher stand, grabbed one of the cloth napkins and shoved it roughly between her teeth...She gagged as one of Jacob's thick fingers found her center. She felt a stab of pain as his fiber penetrated her...Her entire body trembled and her thighs shook..."
Ick ick ick. Although don't forget we're getting some romance as well as rape so after one of our main pairs has rapturous sex in the baggage car and after they've dressed you'll be treated to stuff like this,
"Deep inside her belly, she could feel her body absorbing his seething explosion and her abdomen pulsed with currents of energy. She knew her face glowed and impassioned tears filmed her eyes. 'I...I have never felt like this.'"
Not quite my idea of romance. I'll pass on the rest of the series.
FTC? A win off of Librarything's Early Reviewers program.
January 9, 2011
I love a good, epic saga. I enjoy those series' that span generations. What I don't like are an abundance of sex scenes, especially those that include rape. That the book opens with a scene which is the aftermath of an adulterous, intimate encounter, should have been a fair warning to me. However, I skimmed through it as the story intrigued me and I decided to read on. This book obviously sets up the rest of the series and introduces those characters whose stories will intersect, intertwine and unfold together. They come from all countries and all walks of life.
This series has the potential to be a fascinating look at western immigration and it will appeal to many, especially those who like Larry McMurtry and John Jakes. The writing is lyrical and beautifully descriptive. It's just not a book I can finish. I'm no prude and I have no problem skipping over a sex scene or two in a book, but there are too many here for me, especially when all are premarital, adulterous or involve multiple rape encounters.
I was disappointed, but those love epic westerns and who don't mind sex scenes will enjoy it.
This series has the potential to be a fascinating look at western immigration and it will appeal to many, especially those who like Larry McMurtry and John Jakes. The writing is lyrical and beautifully descriptive. It's just not a book I can finish. I'm no prude and I have no problem skipping over a sex scene or two in a book, but there are too many here for me, especially when all are premarital, adulterous or involve multiple rape encounters.
I was disappointed, but those love epic westerns and who don't mind sex scenes will enjoy it.
August 5, 2012
Stopped reading this 30 pages in. Holy shit what bad writing.
July 8, 2019
I love a good western romance, my favorite authors being Rosanne Bittner, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, T.S. Joyce and a few more. I can't really think of any male romance author that I really read. Not to say there aren't any out there, I just don't know of any, so I figured what the hell, and let's give the Threads West series by Reid Lance Rosenthal a chance. I heard so many wonderful reviews about this series I had high expectations. Now, I am NOT saying I dislike this book, I do like it, just not to the extent that all the raving reviews go on about. In my opinion this story is a little slow where I like a faster pace. The story says the years take place somewhere between 1852 and 1877 or something like that, but in actually the book takes place in two years - the ENTIRE SERIES takes place in the allotted time frame which disappointed me, as I was looking forward to reading several stories that take place over several years. The good thing is the second book continues right where this one ends, so I don't have to worry about trying to figure out what happens next. The storyline is great, the characters are believable, and the history is well researched. If I could give a 4.5 stars, I would.
April 10, 2012
Totally awesome book that will have you riveted from the first page! A must read!!
In an era of fast food, fast cars and even faster lifestyles, it’s nice to be able to settle down with a good book that takes us back to a simpler time and place. Once in a great while, an author emerges onto the literary scene whose work will be heralded as an instant classic. So it is with Reid Rosenthal and his Threads West series. I was entirely captivated and mesmerized with the painting of his characters’ persona and his brush strokes describing the American West in the 1800’s.
As an avid reader of books written about this time in history, I was drawn into the lives of his characters from the very first page. A truly wonderful book will take you out of your own reality and transport you to a world where anything is possible and where, if given a choice, you would remain to live and love amongst the characters. Threads West is such a book!
I will recommend this book to everyone I know and cannot wait until the second book in the series is released. For anyone who loves epics set in the 1800’s and tales of the American West, kick back, settle in and enjoy because you have reached your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
In an era of fast food, fast cars and even faster lifestyles, it’s nice to be able to settle down with a good book that takes us back to a simpler time and place. Once in a great while, an author emerges onto the literary scene whose work will be heralded as an instant classic. So it is with Reid Rosenthal and his Threads West series. I was entirely captivated and mesmerized with the painting of his characters’ persona and his brush strokes describing the American West in the 1800’s.
As an avid reader of books written about this time in history, I was drawn into the lives of his characters from the very first page. A truly wonderful book will take you out of your own reality and transport you to a world where anything is possible and where, if given a choice, you would remain to live and love amongst the characters. Threads West is such a book!
I will recommend this book to everyone I know and cannot wait until the second book in the series is released. For anyone who loves epics set in the 1800’s and tales of the American West, kick back, settle in and enjoy because you have reached your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
January 4, 2011
I have a new saga to follow. This is book one of six, I can't wait for the second one to be released. It is a work of fiction that chronicles the lives of several immigrants in the 1850's. Introducing each with their reasons for leaving their homeland's. The characters come together on the boat to the US, and follows as they each travel from New York to St. Louis. Book one leaves off as they join a wagon train farther west.
January 26, 2011
omg!!! this started out slow, very very slow, and then all of a sudden, just as the wagon train pulls out, to be continued... errrrr... i can not wat til book two... i must know what happens... i liked how all the characters' stories merge into one...
May 19, 2022
The start of this series is phenomenal. Highly recommend
October 24, 2012
Threads West: An American Saga by Reid Lance Rosenthal has been compared to books like Lonesome Dove. However I don't see the comparison. The first book in what has been billed as a six-novel epic series reads like a bad romance novel. This wordy work is filled with flowery descriptions and endless analogies. The first page contains classics such as "white foam of frothy swells", "a solitary thin candle flickered," "thighs quivered and her body trembled". I felt like I was reading a descriptive paragraph exercise for a creative writing class. The dialog is equally odd. [return][return]On the upside, the novel is a quick read. The short chapters focus on the many individual characters heading to America for various reasons. The first half of the book is set in Europe or on the ship across the Atlantic. Through a series of coincidences these people end up on the same ship and the same wagon train as well. The book ends rather abruptly without getting past the starting gate West. If half the book's adjectives were removed, the rest of the saga would have fit into a single book and saved some time.[return][return]The audience for this title is unclear. I'm a fan of historical and western fiction, but I'd put this more in the romance category. On the other hand, the sexual encounters focus on male domination rather than the love story elements of pop romance titles. I'll pass on the rest of the series.[return][return]I've read lots of wonderful books as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program, but this one missed the mark.
March 24, 2011
I started this book with high hopes as I absolutely love Larry McMurtry's stories which some have compared this series to. Unfortunately I had a couple of issues with it. First and foremost, there is a graphic rape scene that took me by surprise and pretty much colored my reading experience. While I'm not opposed to sex scenes, I don't go for those that are graphic and gratuitous, especially involving rape. While this act may have been an important point in the story, I could have done without the detailed account.
The majority of the book was spent telling us about the characters and their backstories. The action didn't really start until they were either on their way to or already in St. Louis. Unfortunately that is also where this book ends. It might have been a better idea to not cut this saga into so many volumes. Six books are planned where I think three larger tomes might have been preferable. Especially if the reader is going to be left with a cliffhanger five times.
All of that being said, I DID enjoy meeting the characters and think there is a lot of promise in this journey. The author has created some interesting and memorable players that I will be curious to see what happens to. As this book progressed, their lines or threads, if you will, began to intersect. With all of this starting to finally come together, the ending was a bit abrupt, leaving me frustrated. But I do still want to check out the next installment: Maps of Fate when it becomes available.
The majority of the book was spent telling us about the characters and their backstories. The action didn't really start until they were either on their way to or already in St. Louis. Unfortunately that is also where this book ends. It might have been a better idea to not cut this saga into so many volumes. Six books are planned where I think three larger tomes might have been preferable. Especially if the reader is going to be left with a cliffhanger five times.
All of that being said, I DID enjoy meeting the characters and think there is a lot of promise in this journey. The author has created some interesting and memorable players that I will be curious to see what happens to. As this book progressed, their lines or threads, if you will, began to intersect. With all of this starting to finally come together, the ending was a bit abrupt, leaving me frustrated. But I do still want to check out the next installment: Maps of Fate when it becomes available.
March 8, 2011
I hate giving negative reviews because I know how hard the author worked on getting their thoughts onto paper. However, not every book is going to be to everyone’s liking.
This book definitely didn’t do anything for me except lull me into a dull sleep. I had been trying to read this now for two weeks. I will pick it up and read a little then put it down because I just couldn’t stomach it. I hate not finishing books, so I trudged through despairingly.
First off, the whole first half of the book really didn’t need to be there at all. Yes, I understand getting to know your characters. But that is usually best left while telling the actual story. Don’t spend most of the book just telling what they did before hand. Spend it telling the actual story instead.
Secondly, I love romance novels. I don’t mind when they have sex scenes in them. However, these scenes didn’t even get me steamed up. They just left me feeling flat.
So unfortunately I have to label this book as a pass by. Because the only thing you should do in the store is just pass it right by.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
This book definitely didn’t do anything for me except lull me into a dull sleep. I had been trying to read this now for two weeks. I will pick it up and read a little then put it down because I just couldn’t stomach it. I hate not finishing books, so I trudged through despairingly.
First off, the whole first half of the book really didn’t need to be there at all. Yes, I understand getting to know your characters. But that is usually best left while telling the actual story. Don’t spend most of the book just telling what they did before hand. Spend it telling the actual story instead.
Secondly, I love romance novels. I don’t mind when they have sex scenes in them. However, these scenes didn’t even get me steamed up. They just left me feeling flat.
So unfortunately I have to label this book as a pass by. Because the only thing you should do in the store is just pass it right by.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
June 19, 2019
3 stars
This is a series of novels about the Old West and the white settling thereof. Please be aware that these books have many, many characters and that they are cliffhangers.
It is a pretty competent telling that begins in 1854. I must admit straight off that I personally would not have had the strength or courage to do what the characters in this book did.
I decided early on that I would review all three books in one review for there is much sameness in the books and I had a very hard time trying to come up with three differing reviews.
In the books we have wagon train travelers complete with travails and romance, mountain men trying to scratch out a living from pelts and living an isolated life, Native Americans fighting for their way of life, grownig tension between the Union and the South that errupts into war, differences of opinion based on cultural views, gamblers and ne'er-do-wells of all stripes.
These books were adequately written and plotted. (No barnburner...) Larry McMurtry Mr. Rosenthal is not. I am not sure why the two authors were so linked in the introductory blurbs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group/Rockin' SR Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of these books for me to read, enjoy and review.
This is a series of novels about the Old West and the white settling thereof. Please be aware that these books have many, many characters and that they are cliffhangers.
It is a pretty competent telling that begins in 1854. I must admit straight off that I personally would not have had the strength or courage to do what the characters in this book did.
I decided early on that I would review all three books in one review for there is much sameness in the books and I had a very hard time trying to come up with three differing reviews.
In the books we have wagon train travelers complete with travails and romance, mountain men trying to scratch out a living from pelts and living an isolated life, Native Americans fighting for their way of life, grownig tension between the Union and the South that errupts into war, differences of opinion based on cultural views, gamblers and ne'er-do-wells of all stripes.
These books were adequately written and plotted. (No barnburner...) Larry McMurtry Mr. Rosenthal is not. I am not sure why the two authors were so linked in the introductory blurbs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group/Rockin' SR Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of these books for me to read, enjoy and review.
September 15, 2019
A phenomenal start to what promises to be a gripping series! Rosenthal paints a vivid picturesque landscape from the very first page, drawing the reader quickly into the 1850's world of young America. He keeps the narrative moving smoothly while building multiple character lines that entreat each reader to either love or hate respectively. If the continuing saga set across many promised novels proves to be as engaging as it's first, Reid Lance Rosenthal could easily be considered aside the Greatest Authors of our era.
June 24, 2015
I met the author at Barnes and Noble and he sold me on getting this book. It's not what I normally ready but I absolutely loved it!! I read it in a couple of days and can't wait to start the next one! These people draw you in and I'm anxious to see where their stories go!!
August 18, 2013
Are you kidding me? This book is decent, but in NO WAY should ever be compared to Lonesome Dove.
Read
August 11, 2014Long introduction to the rest of the series - which I will not read.
June 28, 2023
This book took a long time to read but I finally finished it. I put a bookmark in it and read other books that I found interesting and finished those in one or two days while this one I kept coming back to because I thought... I started it, I need to finish it.
I met the author at a rodeo in Denver. He said his series won several fiction prizes including "best fiction," "best western," "best romance," etc so I thought I really ought to read it, especially because he marketed it as "The Gone With the Wind of the West" and Gone With the Wind is my favorite book so I HAD to read it! Well, it wasn't anything like Gone With the Wind, really. I tried to like it but the characters were not people I liked or wanted to route for. The only people who were worth cheering for were Reuben, Zeb, and Sarah. Unfortunately, Zeb only showed up in the first chapter and we never saw him ever again until the last chapter. I really wanted to know more about Zeb. There were two characters I didn't like and one I particularly HATED. I had to read about them more than Zeb who is the character I really wanted to know about. The problem until about halfway through the book is that there were SO MANY CHARACTERS you had to follow that I kept on getting them mixed up. I couldn't remember who was who. I had to keep going back to re-read who everyone was. I started giving them nicknames: the Murderer, the Snot Nose Rich Girl, the Adulterer, etc.
When I got to the end I was hoping for a nice ending with all ends tied up but you have to read the next one because nothing ends well for anyone and you're left frustrated that you have to keep on reading in order to find out what happens next. And frankly, it was just too many characters to keep track of and I hear the next book adds tons more characters and I just can't juggle that many.
I MAY pick up the second book as I saw it at a used bookshop for only $3. (UPDATE: I WENT AND GOT IT. I MIGHT LIKE PAIN.) Might be worth it if (SPOILER ALERT) I feel like finding out if Sarah ever got away from her rapist which was the most angering part of the book. I couldn't understand why a lady like herself got herself into such a situation or why she didn't try to get out of it. And the romance of the other characters felt very forced and not believable.
As someone else said in a review, the book ended right when it started to get interesting... right where it probably should have started in the first place. There was way too much backstory and I think the author should have just stuck to ONE character, perhaps Sarah, no more than two characters and let the rest of the characters come into the story as they crossed paths.
I met the author at a rodeo in Denver. He said his series won several fiction prizes including "best fiction," "best western," "best romance," etc so I thought I really ought to read it, especially because he marketed it as "The Gone With the Wind of the West" and Gone With the Wind is my favorite book so I HAD to read it! Well, it wasn't anything like Gone With the Wind, really. I tried to like it but the characters were not people I liked or wanted to route for. The only people who were worth cheering for were Reuben, Zeb, and Sarah. Unfortunately, Zeb only showed up in the first chapter and we never saw him ever again until the last chapter. I really wanted to know more about Zeb. There were two characters I didn't like and one I particularly HATED. I had to read about them more than Zeb who is the character I really wanted to know about. The problem until about halfway through the book is that there were SO MANY CHARACTERS you had to follow that I kept on getting them mixed up. I couldn't remember who was who. I had to keep going back to re-read who everyone was. I started giving them nicknames: the Murderer, the Snot Nose Rich Girl, the Adulterer, etc.
When I got to the end I was hoping for a nice ending with all ends tied up but you have to read the next one because nothing ends well for anyone and you're left frustrated that you have to keep on reading in order to find out what happens next. And frankly, it was just too many characters to keep track of and I hear the next book adds tons more characters and I just can't juggle that many.
I MAY pick up the second book as I saw it at a used bookshop for only $3. (UPDATE: I WENT AND GOT IT. I MIGHT LIKE PAIN.) Might be worth it if (SPOILER ALERT) I feel like finding out if Sarah ever got away from her rapist which was the most angering part of the book. I couldn't understand why a lady like herself got herself into such a situation or why she didn't try to get out of it. And the romance of the other characters felt very forced and not believable.
As someone else said in a review, the book ended right when it started to get interesting... right where it probably should have started in the first place. There was way too much backstory and I think the author should have just stuck to ONE character, perhaps Sarah, no more than two characters and let the rest of the characters come into the story as they crossed paths.
June 16, 2023
This book made me wish the memory-erasers in Men in Black were real so i could forget the painful, brain-rotting experience of reading this book.
Plot and prose had potential, but an overall trainwreck. The female characters are atrociously written. You can write historically accurate, non girl-bossified female characters and give them an actual personality besides being pretty and seductive. The comparisons to Louis L'Amour are an insult to Louis L'Amour. Romance is hilariously awful, and the sexual violence is gratuitous. I'm no Western expert, but I'm sure there are better-written novels that deal with sexual violence and exploitation of women in this period of history. If I could give it zero stars, I would. If you're looking for a well-written Western with captivating male and female characters, just stick with L'Amour.
Plot and prose had potential, but an overall trainwreck. The female characters are atrociously written. You can write historically accurate, non girl-bossified female characters and give them an actual personality besides being pretty and seductive. The comparisons to Louis L'Amour are an insult to Louis L'Amour. Romance is hilariously awful, and the sexual violence is gratuitous. I'm no Western expert, but I'm sure there are better-written novels that deal with sexual violence and exploitation of women in this period of history. If I could give it zero stars, I would. If you're looking for a well-written Western with captivating male and female characters, just stick with L'Amour.
July 10, 2024
I picked this book up in a gas station in Cheyanne Wyoming on a whim and for the novelty of buying a book by a local author in a gas station. It’s been sitting on my shelf for years, and now I’m kicking myself for not buying the rest of the series! I love big historical fiction sagas like this that follow many characters. This book is reminiscent of the North and South series by John Jakes (an all time favorite), though so far the story doesn’t have the same depth or breadth. The writing itself is fine, but I’m interested in the story enough to not mind that the prose isn’t beautiful. There are a lot of grammatical and formatting errors, which I also don’t mind but others might. I found a copy of the second book on Amazon and will be starting it today! It’s a shame this book didn’t make it bigger in publishing- it’s a great story.
June 29, 2019
Most of this book introduces the reader to a selection of characters who are about to embark on a journey across America to the undeveloped West. Their motives vary, although money is at the root of most.
There are some fairly bland characters, and some - particularly Sarah - are more interesting. The way their lives interlink is, at times, rather predictable, but overall it promises to be a good series and leaves the reader keen to follow the next instalment. The romance element seems particularly contrived but I am looking forward to see how they all fare on their journey west and once they arrive on the frontier.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group and Rockin' SR Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are some fairly bland characters, and some - particularly Sarah - are more interesting. The way their lives interlink is, at times, rather predictable, but overall it promises to be a good series and leaves the reader keen to follow the next instalment. The romance element seems particularly contrived but I am looking forward to see how they all fare on their journey west and once they arrive on the frontier.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group and Rockin' SR Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Threads West is the first book in this series that follows the main characters from their origins to the ship that carries them to America, and then the train that carries them to St. Louis. From there they will join the wagon train headed west. All have different pasts and reason for seeking new lives...opportunity, land, and fortune.
I like seeing how the characters develop in this book and look forward to reading their stories in Maps of Fate, the next book in the series.
Threads West is the first book in this series that follows the main characters from their origins to the ship that carries them to America, and then the train that carries them to St. Louis. From there they will join the wagon train headed west. All have different pasts and reason for seeking new lives...opportunity, land, and fortune.
I like seeing how the characters develop in this book and look forward to reading their stories in Maps of Fate, the next book in the series.
August 23, 2019
As you read this book, the lives and travels of the characters will bring you straight to the West in the mid 1800's. Reid Lance Rosenthal has built a family tree rich in heritage and tradition that must learn that tradition just might not work in the new territories. Several reviews compare this series to Lonesome Dove and there are some similarities. Threads West centers on the family dynamics more than Lonesome Dove. This cast of characters dream of building new lives and finding riches along the way. The story is an excellent start to a saga of the beginning of the new west.
August 22, 2022
I like the way that the individual stories are weaving together, showing the range of reasons that people immigrated to the U.S. and sought their fortunes in the west. I'm intrigued to see where the story goes and I'm enjoying the historical perspective. My only real complaint is that the writing is overly simple, more like a YA novel, which doesn't do the story justice. Since this is the author's first book I'm hoping that the writing gets better over time so I'll definitely keep reading the series.
May 22, 2020
I can’t put this saga down,
Reid is an inspiring writer. He describes everything perfectly. I lived the saga with him. I want more.. Characters are real and so entwined. You almost have to review to remember everything. He makes the west come alive. Hard work, death always on the edge. Those who survived loved life. Good given country and a good life. What more is there...
Reid is an inspiring writer. He describes everything perfectly. I lived the saga with him. I want more.. Characters are real and so entwined. You almost have to review to remember everything. He makes the west come alive. Hard work, death always on the edge. Those who survived loved life. Good given country and a good life. What more is there...
October 28, 2023
I received this book series as a Christmas gift last year.
This series reminds me of an epic western saga like Lonesome Dove. Full of rich complex characters. I love how as the novel goes you start to see how the story gets woven together (hence the name- Threads West) as the characters come from various backgrounds to join forces on the trek across the states.
It's love and loss in the search for everyone's destinies.
This series reminds me of an epic western saga like Lonesome Dove. Full of rich complex characters. I love how as the novel goes you start to see how the story gets woven together (hence the name- Threads West) as the characters come from various backgrounds to join forces on the trek across the states.
It's love and loss in the search for everyone's destinies.
September 18, 2019
I love reading about the struggles and triumphs of the brave settlers of our amazing country. I’m a descendant of some of those first Colorado settlers! Mr. Rosenthal describes everything in such a way that I can picture each scene in my mind.
This first book is a bit of a cliffhanger so I hurried on to book 2 Maps of Fate.
This first book is a bit of a cliffhanger so I hurried on to book 2 Maps of Fate.
December 13, 2019
This is a great book! I love how it follows the stories of different people through their lives and journeys to America. I believe the author did a good job showing why people came to America, what they faced when they got here and why they stayed here. This book is truly an epic novel of hardships, struggle, determination and courage. I would definitely recommend it.
January 27, 2023
I was really looking forward to reading this book series after meeting the author at the Western Stock Show in Denver. Growing up on a ranch in the San Juans, I'm delighted to see how the series unfolds through the travels of our companions. It's elegantly written and the story is enticing and completely consumes you. I read this in one day
March 24, 2023
Met the author at Denver’s Stock Show, and liked the idea of a series of books about the American West. This first book focuses on developing the backstories of the characters who are leaving on a wagon train from St. Louis in the 1850s. The stilted dialogue had me cringing … if interested in the series, perhaps start with the second book.
March 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and the history is correct. The descriptions of the area are so detailed I can figure out exactly where he is talking about. The only thing I didn't like was the "50 shades of grey" sexual references that were scattered throughout the story, he could have done without them.
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