May 16 2013
Dear Ms. Goodman: I love your books. I particularly love the slow way that they unfold, like a scroll unfurling as you toss it down a long set of red carpeted steps and then slowly wind it back up as you read each word and each sentence. Your books are for savoring. Alas. True to(…)
Apr 30 2013
On the frontier of a new life… Tired and hungry after two days of traveling, Susanna Hopkins is just about at the end of her tether when her train finally arrives in Cheyenne. She’s bound for a new life in a Western garrison town. Then she discovers she doesn’t even have enough money to pay(…)
Jan 21 2013
Dear Ms. Lane: The spirit of the Western is infused by the warmth of community in this pro sisterhood story of a romance between a spinster librarian and a wealthy Texas businessman whose spirit has been broken. I couldn’t decide if this book was subversive or trying to reinforce traditional mores of female and male(…)
Jan 10 2013
Dear Ms. Johnston: Two things converged at once to induce me to buy and read this book. First, there was an emailed recommendation from someone I knew who said that this was the best Johnston book in a long time. I confess I can’t remember reading a Johnston book but I’m all for ‘Best in(…)
Nov 27 2012
Dear Ms. Howard and Ms. Jones: I’ve read one collaboration by you before and it was a … less than successfully executed paranormal romance. I had low expectations going into this book but I was secretly hopeful. Linda Howard’s books remain some of my favorite in the genre. I keep waiting for the magic to(…)
Sep 7 2012
Dear Ms. Dahl, I am still surprised at how little I liked your latest Western-lite book, Close Enough to Touch. I’ve enjoyed many of your books–especially the sexy Bad Boys Do (reviewed here, along with the other Donovan books, by Robin) and the very funny Lead Me On (given a B+ here by Jane)– and you’re hilarious on Twitter. This book,(…)
Sep 7 2012
Stagecoach (1939) Genre: Western Grade: A I’d heard about this movie for years. But somehow I’d managed to miss seeing it until very recently. When I watched it, I finally understood what makes it great. This is the film that got John Ford back directing Westerns. It introduced Monument Valley’s gorgeous vistas to moviegoers. It(…)
Sep 5 2012
Dear Ms. Goodman: Your books always present a challenge for me to review because oftentimes the plot is a mystery and thus delving into the story can ruin the surprise for many readers. The Last Renegade is one of those types of stories. Set in Wyoming Territory, 1888, Lorraine Berry answered a newspaper ad to(…)
Jul 29 2012
Dear Ms. Levine: I was encouraged to read this by others in the blogosphere although Angela James was the first to bring it to my attention. The reason to read this book is for the raw and gritty emotion. For some, however, the rough writing, the choppy and often unbelievable segues will be too frustrating.(…)
Jul 26 2012
“In 1918, Susannah Braddock is devastated by the news that her beloved husband, Riley, has been killed in battle in France. Heartbroken, she turns to Tanner Grenfell for support. Though technically the Braddocks’ hired hand, Tanner has been helping Susannah run the family horse farm since Riley shipped out, and he has become a true(…)
Feb 10 2012
Blazing Saddles (1974) Genre: Comedy/Spoof Grade: A- “He rode a blazing saddle, he wore a shining star. His job to offer battle to bad men near and far. He conquered fear and he conquered hate. He turned dark night into day. He made his blazing saddle a torch to light the way.” It’s been a(…)
Feb 1 2012
Dear Ms. Kondazian: One of the reasons I was excited to read The Whip is that I lived for quite a while in Santa Cruz County, where some of the novel is set. I was also intrigued by the idea of a fact-based story about Charley Parkhurst, a woman who not only lived for most(…)
Feb 1 2012
Dear Ms. McCarty, In general, with the exception of Deadwood, I have never been a fan of the western. I’ve read good things about your Hell’s Eight series, however, so I thought I’d see if perhaps your book Shadow’s Stand might be the western that changed my mind. After finishing it, I am open to(…)
Jan 19 2012
Dear Ms. Warner, I am a big fan of Western romances and your books have been praised by many of my trusted reviewers. So when I was offered the opportunity to review your latest, the middle book in the Runaway Brides trilogy, I was happy to accept. Although I haven’t read the first book, I(…)
Nov 24 2011
Dear Ms. Arend: This is the first book in Six Pack Ranch series which, given that there are six boys in the Coleman family, means that each book will likely feature one of the Coleman brothers. The oldest brother is Blake and this story has a friends to lovers theme. While I liked the concept(…)
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