RIO RUIDOSO
Three Rivers Trilogy, 1
by
PRESTON LEWIS
Genre: Historical Western
Publisher: Five Star Publishing
Date of Publication: February 19, 2020
Number of Pages: 299
2017 Elmer Kelton Award from the West Texas Historical Association:
Best Creative Work on West Texas
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Rio Ruidoso offers a gripping blend of history and story as two-time Spur Award-winner Preston Lewis explores the violent years before the famed Lincoln County War in New Mexico Territory. Seamlessly weaving fact with fiction, the author details the county’s corruption, racism, and violence through the eyes of protagonist Wes Bracken, newly arrived in the region to start a horse ranch with his alcoholic brother.
Bracken’s dreams for the Mirror B Ranch are threatened by his brother’s drunkenness, the corruption of economic kingpin Lawrence G. Murphy, and the murderous rampages of the racist Horrell Brothers. To bring tranquility to Lincoln County, Bracken must defeat those threats and stand his ground against the ever-changing alliances that complicate life and prosperity in multi-racial Lincoln County.
It was easy to fall into a comfy chair and let the author transport me back to the Wild West. The whiskey flowed while danger lurked just off in the distance. I instantly liked Wes and his take charge attitude. What he thought would be a nice place to live with his brother turns out to be a bit on the shady side with trash everywhere and a ceiling that shows off the brilliant stars at night. It seems like his brother may have made some bad decisions which will put Wes in a difficult position. Luther is the typical cowboy with a big chip on his shoulders that hides within a bottle of whiskey. The author does a great job of setting the story up vivid descriptions and a feel for what it was like in the days of cowboys, outlaws and adventure. Saddle up everyone and get ready for a wild ride sure to please readers of western novels.
The story doesn’t lack for adventure with horse thieves and a group of men out to take revenge on Wes. He sure didn’t make many friends when he stepped in the middle of men who tried to take advantage of a woman. Prejudice was very prevalent during this time period and the author explores how much it penetrated people’s lives. The author writes a gritty western that follows two brothers as they set out to lay claim to land, raise horses and embrace the Wild West.
The author guides us through the trials of a horse ranch with details of a birth that made me sit up and grasp the arms of my chair. The knowledge the author demonstrates about horses makes this reader want to know more. There certainly is a lot that goes into caring for horses and every birth is different. The brothers may not always get along but they work well together to keep their ranch running. There were small little hints that Luther may be ready to take ranching serious but time will tell. There is always danger just around the corner for these two cowboys. I enjoyed my journey to the west where hope, adventure and family filled the pages.
I received an arc copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author. The review is my own opinion.
Preston Lewis is the Spur Award-winning author of thirty novels. In addition to his two Western Writers of America Spurs, he received the 2018 Will Rogers Gold Medallion for Western Humor for Bluster’s Last Stand, the fourth volume in his comic western series The Memoirs of H. H. Lomax. Two other books in that series were Spur finalists. His comic western The Fleecing of Fort Griffin received the Elmer Kelton Award from the West Texas Historical Association for best creative work on the region.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
1ST PRIZE: Signed Copies of Rio Ruidoso & Bluster's Last Stand
2ND PRIZE: Signed Copy of Rio Ruidoso
2ND PRIZE: Signed Copy of Rio Ruidoso
FEBRUARY 18-28, 2020
(US ONLY)
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
1ST PRIZE: Signed Copies of Rio Ruidoso & Bluster's Last Stand
2ND PRIZE: Signed Copy of Rio Ruidoso
2ND PRIZE: Signed Copy of Rio Ruidoso
FEBRUARY 18-28, 2020
(US ONLY)
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Excellent review! It really does feel like you're transported back to the Old West. Loved this book. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read Rio Ruidoso. I am glad you enjoyed it and the complexity of the times. Best from the author. Preston
ReplyDeleteI don't normally read Westerns but you make it sound so interesting that I will be reading this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing! Great review :D
ReplyDelete