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They Did What Had To Be Done
The Return: The Grass Isn’t Always Greener follows a rancher in Colorado who, after his wife is struck with a mysterious illness, moves his family to Denver only to be caught up in a web of deception and hidden enemies. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The Return is the third in the South Park series, all set in Colorado in the 1870s. It follows ranchers Ike and Lorraine McAlister as they struggle to survive in a fast-changing world. What they faced every day is not so different than what we face today, as days blur by in a seeming swirl.
How has character development for the main character changed for you through the series?
Ike McAlister is a strong protagonist who is also a flawed man. Much of what changes him is a result of his marriage to Lorraine, a steadfast, strong partner in a harsh world. He doesn’t have to carry the whole load, and relies on Lorraine throughout the series.
What intrigues you about this time period enough to write such a thrilling period piece?
I’ve always been intrigued by the grit of the Old West settlers. There was no whining, no complaining, no one was a victim, they just went about living and did what had to be done.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Right now, there’s no fourth instalment planned, but I am working on another western mystery set in the time period between the end of the Civil War and 1900. Six short stories in one novel, all revolving around a mysterious pistol with a deadly past.
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Lorraine’s condition fails to improve, and Ike narrowly escapes a deadly attempt on his life. Soon, the couple finds themselves tangled in a web of deception, where hidden enemies plot their destruction. As suspicion deepens and threats draw closer, Ike and Lorraine must unravel the truth before it’s too late.
Will they survive long enough to expose the conspiracy, or will the shadows of Denver claim them both?
Perfect for fans of historical western thrillers, [Your Book Title] delivers suspense, grit, and heart in a world where survival is never guaranteed.
The Return
Mike Torreano’s The Return is a western that finishes his South Park series. The book follows Ike McAlister, a rancher in Colorado whose life gets very, very hard. A terrible blizzard hits his ranch, and his wife, Lorraine, becomes mysteriously ill. Then he gets a job offer from a man named Stilwell, a railroad boss who is also a secret enemy. Ike’s family moves to Denver, but this move is a trap. The whole story becomes a dark mystery. Stilwell is trying to destroy them, seeking revenge for a long-past death, and Ike and Lorraine must fight for their very lives.
I really got into this book. The writing itself is direct. It doesn’t use fancy words. It just tells the story. I liked that. It felt honest, just like the characters. The pace just keeps moving. You get a real feel for the high-country cold. It feels brutal. The book really dives into ideas of loyalty. It talks about revenge. It asks what you would do for your family. I felt a lot for Lorraine. Her sickness was a total mystery, and it made me feel helpless right along with Ike. The whole plot is a big tangled web of old wounds. It was a heck of a thing to unravel.
The central theme is definitely revenge. This story gets dark. Stilwell is a really nasty piece of work. He has no good side. He just wants to destroy people. I felt real anger at his plotting. I was on the edge of my seat. I worried about Ike. I worried about the kids. The book’s real heart is the McAlister family and their friends. They stick together. They have grit. The ending was my favorite part. It was a huge surprise. This felt like true frontier justice. It was a very powerful and smart way to end the mystery.
I absolutely recommend The Return. It’s a fantastic read. It has all the classic Western parts. You get cowboys. You get vast landscapes. You get sudden danger. But it is also a really good mystery. The plot is full of twists. I think this book is perfect for anyone who just loves a solid, traditional Western. It would also be great for someone who wants a fast-paced mystery, one with a lot of heart.
Pages: 338 | ASIN : B0FQX3BH8W
Longing for You
Arianne Whiteley is a wealthy New Yorker, she has all that life can offer, but the dangerous men of this world are what she wants most. We see this unfold as she visits the state of Montana to visit a friend after they were kidnapped by their evil brother. While there, Arianne meets Lucas Grayson, a member of the notorious Pit Vipers. Lucas starts a tumultuous affair in hopes of using Arianne to his advantage, to the dismay of her bodyguard, Mark. But as their desire grows, so does trouble. Even with all the challenges they face, they won’t let anyone or anything come between them.
Longing for You by author Alessa Kelly has everything a good romance novel should have, suspense, lust, and angst. She hits all the elements without going into too much detail. The steamy scenes between Lucas and Arianne have enough description to get a feel for the moment without being over the top. Readers will find this is more than just a romance novel, there is a strong storyline that the romance is built into, rather than a romance novel with a flat backstory.
Kelly’s writing is entertaining, and there is never a dull moment with the characters she has created. The character development is well done and each of the protagonists is multi-layered and dynamic. There is action and suspense throughout the novel. I wanted to race to the end of the book to see what happens to our characters, but I also didn’t want it to end. I enjoyed Arianne’s character as she is a strong female that knows what she wants.
This fast-paced novel has an action-filled plot that will keep readers engaged from the beginning. The action and the story blend well together, giving the novel a cohesive feel while keeping readers on their toes as characters race from one dramatic moment to the next.
Longing for You is a well-written and exciting contemporary novel. Readers that are attracted to the genre of western literature with action and romance mixed in will find this book a great book to sit back and relax with.
Pages: 315 | ASIN : B09VD6PYR6
A Winding Path to Flat Water
A Winding Path to Flat Water by Rob Soles tells the story of his great-grandpa, Henry Soles, who was taken from his parents when he was just a baby. Nishkiinzhig was Henry’s nanny and kidnapped him when she left with her tribe. Henry and Nishkiinzhig are forced to move around several times and to different places to get away from white settlers and other tribes. They stay at a home for widows and orphans where Henry, now known as Niniij, learns to hunt and help out around the home. Nishkiinzhig learns she has cancer, so she sends Henry out into the world to become a man and live his life. Soon after she passes away, Henry sets out to find the family he was taken from. He must also now reintegrate and reestablish himself in a white society.
Rob Soles has written an unpredictable, historical tale of Henry’s journey of finding a place for himself in society. The novel moves at a smooth pace and follows the different experiences that Henry goes through. Readers will love Henry as he is not angry at what happens to him, instead he still loves Nishkiinzhig and considers her his mom. His character is intelligent and capable and builds friendships with people along the way. Soles’ descriptions allow the reader to imagine what the characters in the story look like along with the surrounding areas. I enjoyed the many interesting characters in this novel; however, I would have liked to have heard more of what they were thinking and the motives behind their actions to connect more with them. The ending of this engaging novel leaves readers with much to think about, allowing them to take the story with them after they read the last page.
A Winding Path to Flat Water is a riveting story about American history, and western expansion told from a biographical fiction viewpoint. It gives readers an interesting look at Native American culture and what it could be like to live across two very different worlds.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B09N8LH21H
LITERARY TITAN 