Real Book Reflections

“The Devil’s Boneyard” by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnston. Loved it! Great classic western, well developed characters. Fast paced and witty writing, with just a touch of humor, easily envisioning to dusty Wild West in my minds eye as I read this great story.

Retired Texas Ranger, Ben Savage is a force to be reckoned with....especially if you steal his horse, ”Cousin”. There’s good guys, outlaws, bank robbers, horse thieves, a underhanded-greedy sheriff, and oh,  a special woman who is Ben's business partner back in Buzzard’s Bluff at a saloon called the Lost Coyote. Yes, Ben does indeed have his hands full, especially when a couple of the wrong types of fellas come to town to try to even a score with the town’s Sheriff, Mack. But they should of followed the rules and took off their guns, before trying to get something eat. Now all heck is gonna break loose!

Who in the heck... what in the heck, is this deliciously beautiful, wicked woman, who can transport herself into a sort of chameleon, and then vanish into thin air after she murders a man? Witnesses at the crime scenes can't seem to agree from one description to the next. The one thing that all witnesses and crime scenes apparently have in common, is that no one knows who this woman is, where she came from, and why she has murdered a man. In fact, the death count is rising, with no apparent reason or similarities between the victims. What is the MOTIVE for her killing all these men? A police detective seeks the rationale between seemingly-unrelated murders, connected only by the appearance of a beautiful woman each time. Manner of death is always different. This is a fairly fast paced mystery that had me anxious to keep turning the next page as I savored what was on the last one. And then, BAM!! Part way through the story, I thought I figured it out, but I love a great TWIST, and there you have it -  BOOM!! I NEVER SAW that twist coming! I adore a book that can deliver like that! Absolute pure candy to read- what a treat. It focused on the chameleon stages of the woman, and then, her victim's various lifestyle and personality. (All different, with no seeming common threads.) Then there is the post-mortem talk after the deed is done, and the detective dialog after the crime re-examining the evidence and trying to make sense of it all.

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Colorful and interesting,Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz, is a masterfully spun tale, the delicate story fabric being interwoven with historical-fiction-romance, pieces of real history, and Christian ideals.

The characters are believable, the atmosphere picturesque, the plot well-paced.

Tobacco brides were a commodity of trade that were imported from England to James Towne, VA, USA, via ship passage in the 1630's. A tobacco farmer could bid on a perspective bride in auction, and buy her for 150 lbs of prime good leaf tobacco, (an extravagance denied many), only after the women disembarked, were churched, then lodged in married households being looked after, until their choices of husbands were made. There was a courting period, and if the young woman was agreeable, she would give her dowry she had to marry the gentleman, becoming mistress of his manor.

However, as the time period depicts, it wasn't an easy life. Much life in Virginia was still an ongoing fight for survival, and there was all sorts of Indian unrest..

Ms. Frantz' notes at the end of the book are most fascinating. Alexander Renick's character was inspired by John Rolfe,  just as Mattachanna was inspired by Pocahontas. Helpful sources of research came from Pocahontas's own people.

Traveling from Boston to Oregon in 1848 by wagon train, can be a formidable task for anyone. For Corrine Temple, a seventeen year old young lady whose father has arranged a marriage for her in order to have safe passage on the trail so that they can reunite, well......it’s about to bring a whole level of hardship, trouble, heartbreak, and embarrassment she never imagined.

However, Corrine is soon making a name for herself among those she travels with in the wagon train, and with the Indians they meet up with, due to her knowledge and abilities of how to help people with flowers and plants she collects and makes into medicine to heals wounds or sickness. Her new husband is not so impressed; he isolates her from others, including her best friend with threats if she disobeys him, he calls her a child and expresses how foolish she is. Not only does Corrine face that ill mannered treatment that she must endure, but with it, all the emotional challenges of the Oregon Trail including accidents, illness, and death. How can she find her way and what waits for her at the end of this journey?

This is a powerful story of a young woman with high values, a future dream, and sheer determination that will evolve into greater strength in order to conquer the hardship of a loveless marriage, and the brutality of the Oregon Trail, with the deepest of love, and compassion for others along the way.

I listened to the AUDIO version of this story, and the narrator was absolutely brilliant. It was a well paced reading, enjoyable to listen to with character voices that were unique and distinguishable from one another.

I am pleased to recommend this historical fiction with a SOLID 5 STARS 🌟 Real Book Reflections Rating: PG

I expected a story of survival according to the book's front cover blurb; what I read/listened to, was all of that, and so much more!  OMG! Suspense, twists... Holy snowballs!  I'm trying to be careful not to give anything away, but the story line is really brilliant. However, that being said, the dialogue wasn't always brilliant. A few lines were unbelievable in light of the supposed maturity and expertise of both characters. With that overlooked, a very memorable and poignant story is left with me.

Margo Fletcher, ER Doctor, is eight months pregnant. Former Special Forces Army Ranger, Nick Eliot, 42, is retired, and has served his Country well. Both traveling on the same train, but while passing through an isolated portion of the Rockies in blizzard conditions, the train unexpectedly brakes due to a deadly massive avalanche plummeting down the mountain. The conductor gives the order for the passengers to stay seated! But Nick, insists that survival depends on moving to the back of the train. He tells everyone, move to the back of the train. Margo is the only one to listen to him. Nick uncouples the last car just in time to avoid the avalanche. The rest of the train is hurled down the mountainside and is soon lost forever. Margo and Nick are the sole survivors.

When the weather turns violent again, the pair must flee the shelter of the passenger car and run for their lives into the wilderness. Fending off the deadly cold as well as predatory wild animals foraging for food.  But there is more than nature's elements that threaten to destroy one or both of them.

Narrator, Allyson Ryan, does a good job with turning on emotional characteristics of the story. Only wish, her voice could have been deeper and more unique for the male character(s).

Cover Your Tracks is a chilling story of love and hate, the devastating power of nature, and the will to survive. 4.5 Stars.

Real Book Reflections Rating: PG-13

So many wonderful things in this book - how it's made, what terms mean, geology of the products, grains, quality, taste properties, most expensive, best recommendations, Brand Ratings... there's too much to list. It was really interesting to read and it was easy to find information because it was very well organized. Highly recommend if you are wanting to know more about whiskey for yourself, and/or if choosing a certain type of whiskey to give to someone as a gift. It's an invaluable guide to keep in handy in the home bar.

Audio Edition - Freeman is a wiz at capturing and holding a reader's interest from beginning to end. A great twist is nearly always delivered. Had me guessing and changing my mind throughout the book. The narrator was excellent, and really kept the story moving at a great pace. This was a short audible  mystery at 1 hr 41 min. Earns 3.5 STARS, rounded up to 4, for the great narrative.