I am a faithful reader of Joseph A. West's Western Fiction; but I'd never classify his writing as historical. Actually, I think Signet abuses the term; all of their Western books should be classified as Western Fiction.
As a Western, this had a pretty good plot, with some good characters, and enough action in some ways.
But I was annoyed by the personal convictions of the author seeping into the writing. Stating gun violence was rare in the old West, using cajones instead of balls, neikid instead of naked (although he used naked several other times), the marshall swearing off of liquor, and giving up his profession was comical. Write the book in Spanish or use all English.
Also, introducing a "machine gun" to save the town of Rawhide Flat was a stretch for the period. And the mystical visions would be more believable in a different genre than a Western Novel.
In fact, I feel this book is to a good Western story what "new" country music is to a "classic" country song.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the introduction of the youthful Sarah into the story, even though it seemed to be done just to justify the marshall's decision to change careers! Aside from the things that annoyed me, it was a good read. I just hope Ralph Compton isn't aware of what Signet's been doing to sell books in his name. But I'm already looking forward to the next one! whoever writes it.
As a Western, this had a pretty good plot, with some good characters, and enough action in some ways.
But I was annoyed by the personal convictions of the author seeping into the writing. Stating gun violence was rare in the old West, using cajones instead of balls, neikid instead of naked (although he used naked several other times), the marshall swearing off of liquor, and giving up his profession was comical. Write the book in Spanish or use all English.
Also, introducing a "machine gun" to save the town of Rawhide Flat was a stretch for the period. And the mystical visions would be more believable in a different genre than a Western Novel.
In fact, I feel this book is to a good Western story what "new" country music is to a "classic" country song.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the introduction of the youthful Sarah into the story, even though it seemed to be done just to justify the marshall's decision to change careers! Aside from the things that annoyed me, it was a good read. I just hope Ralph Compton isn't aware of what Signet's been doing to sell books in his name. But I'm already looking forward to the next one! whoever writes it.
