Montana Books

Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack was a man of hair-trigger courage and a lightning-quick draw. He carried a list of outlaws and tracked his prey relentlessly, alone. His goal was swift justice usually ending in death.
No one under the badlands sun would put the ranger's skills to the test like Montana Red Hollis, a man more brutal than any beast, and more cunning than any desperado Burrack has ever hunted. No one was safe from the wrath of Montana Red. Now, on the frontier where the fastest guns ruled and only the lucky survived, a bloodthirsty killer was about to meet his match.

This is the first book in Ralph Cotton's long running series about the man simply known as the Ranger. Cotton portrays his hero as single minded, a man who won't let anything, or anyone, get in his way of taking his prey down. In fact Burrack often comes across as cold-hearted as those he hunts.

Cotton creates a number of memorable characters, not least Burrack and Montana Red, but the one I liked best was the man running from his past, the gambler Gentleman Joe, who finds himself hiding behind a lawman's badge.

Cotton's descriptions of the landscape, heat and action sequences are first rate, as is his abilitly to build up suspense. The book moves from one set of characters to another effortlessly and the violent confrontations come thick and fast.

Definitely a worthwhile read for fans of the western and a book that has me eager to read more stories about The Ranger.

Having read Cotton's Jeston Nash Outlaw series, While Angels Dance, Killers Of Man, and others, I couldn't imagine this new series topping them. On the surface Montana Red is one gutsy shoot-em up western in the tradition of Max Brand and, Louis Lamour. But the best part of the story is the underlying perception of human behavior. What violence does to the lawman and the other people involved is the stuff all great stories are made of. Cotton takes the reader and makes them face what they would do in these kind of situations. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it, and I still find myself goin back to it. Can't wait to see the movie.

Ralph Cotton is the next Louis Lamour. Montana Red takes the reader through a roller coaster ride of shootouts and tough western times when bad men were genuinely BAD! The story so captured me that I was afraid to put the book down for fear of something would happen and I'd miss it. It's definitely a page-turner from beginning to end. Can't wait for the next one.

Ralph, you have done it again. This story is about an Arizona Ranger Sam Burack, that is very quick on the draw, and an excellent shot with his trusty .58 cali rifle, and a list in his pocket of outlaws and one of them is a ruthless killer, Montana Red. But while pursuing Montana Red, the Ranger gets into quit a few different scaps, that only his wits and years of experience can get him out of. I give You a 5 star, Ralph, "Very Nice Work putting this series together",and would recommend any one that likes old west stories to read this well put together book. I have read the second book in this series also(BADLANDS), and cant wait until (HARD JUSTICE) comes out in the spring. Once you start reading you cant put them down.

There are some real gems in this little book that can be read on several levels. I've known a few managers that never learned that you "don't need to wear your chaps and spurs just to bring the milk cows in".

A good crop of one-liners.At the price of Greeting cards these days;why not give him/her a copy of this little gem.It'll produce a lot of laughs.Personally,I'm dying to pass my copy along.

From love to bring'in the cows in this book covers it. Full of the sassiest sayings and the best rules to live by, it will never let a gal down. "Don't try and drown your sorrows- they know how to swim!"

Although short, this hilarious book of quotes will make any country girl laugh until she has tears in her eyes. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a good giggle!

This is my first Peter Brandvold western. From the previous reviews, you know what the book is about, so I won't rehash all the details.

To be sure, this is a tough, gritty western, that's got it all - vivid scenery, action, suspense, a bit of romance, and realistic language and dialogue. The story is extremely well told, and grabbed my interest from the beginning, and never let go.

The author drew me deep into the story and I felt like I was right there in the snow, and in the cabin, and everywhere else that the story took me. The author used very few wasted words to tell this tale, and I didn't skip or skim over any of the story; I believe I read every single word - it was that good. I won't go so far as to say this is my favorite western of all time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and definitely give it five stars.

I didn't quite get the part about Doc Evans and Katherine Kemmett, though. Unless I overlooked something, their part struck me as sort of tacked on, and had nothing to do with the story. I don't say that as criticism, because even their part was very good and interesting.

By the way, I wouldn't recommend this book for younger audiences, though, as it has lots of profanity, graphic violence, and a small amount of sexual situations and references. However, all of that stuff seemed appropriate for the story, and not gratuitous. I have to admit that I have a more difficult time dealing with the graphic violence, but hey, these are very bad outlaws in this story - that's what they do.

After bringing in a band of horse thieves, Sheriff Ben Stillman wants nothing more than to spend some quality time with his wife. Only thing is Fay isn't home, she went visiting friends and a heavy winter storm has them sitting it out in the Hawley's home.

But worse than the storm is the gang of vicious outlaws who need somewhere to sit out the storm too, and come across the Hawley cabin, once inside they take its occupants hostage and aim to kill them all before they leave.

Will Stillman learn of the deadly situation his wife, and friends, have found themselves in, and if he does will he be able to get to them in time and free them from their brutal captors?

This is the fourth book in Peter Brandvold's Sheriff Stillman series. Here he presents the reader with a number of well drawn characters and the story moves from one group of people to another and back again throughout until nearly all come together for the violent conclusion.

In fact Stillman doesn't really have a big part until nearer the end. This time it's Fay who has the leading role, and like most of the women in this book, she comes across as a strong character.

The outlaws are pure evil, squabbling over who will have the women first - or the girl child, as one of them is a rapist with a preference for the very young - and then who gets to kill them and the male captives.

As time begins to run out you have to wonder how Stillman will save them - if he indeed does.

I thought Brandvold's descriptions of the conditions the weather brings were very good and had me shivering along with his characters.

Overall a good read and worth a look, recommended.

I think this is the fourth book in the Ben Stillman series. I have read all four and liked them all, some more than others. I think the real hero in this one is really Fay Stillman, Ben's wife. She and several of her friends are being held hostage by a gang of outlaws who plan to kill then all and leave as soon as the snow storm is over. It is the story of their experience with the outlaws and the very quick ending when it all goes down. The back of the book is a little misleading as Ben's wife is not a captive by the time he finds out about what is going on. There is the little play making beween Doc Evans and Katherine Kemmett that might turn into something in the next book. All in all a good western, a quick read and I thing you will enjoy it. Be much better to read them in order. You will get to know the people and hope things turn out alright for all of them.

I don't read Westerns.

I happened to see this for sale in a rack, read the back cover, and bought it. Once I started it I couldn't put it down.

When I gave it to my wife, she also was stuck in a chair until she finished it. She doesn't read Westerns either.

The real hero in this is the Sherrif's wife: she's tough as nails. But everyone gets into the act. I enjoyed its simplicity of device, the characters, and plot.

After reading this I ordered Brandvold's Blood Mountain via Amazon. That was a page-turner too, but this one's my favorite of the two.

I guess I read Westerns...

I have driven to Montana before, but this book gives me more good ideas for my next trip.

As a resident of Montana I have used this guide to plan a number of weekend and more extended getaways. The little tips and suggestions by the author are marvelous extras for greater enjoyment of your trip. We sometimes take for granted this incredibly beautiful state we live in but having this guide in the house...on the end table...in the living room is a great reminder to every once in awhile forget those weekend chores and just get out there! For the out-of-state visitor this is a wonderful travel planner as well. Easy to follow directions will lead you to incredible spots that are left off the travel agent's "touristy" well-trodden "vacation destinations" that everyone goes to.

We are both Montana natives, but the book SCENIC DRIVING MONTANA has given us driving ideas that we didn't consider before. We travel around the state frequently and enjoy the varied and beautiful drives described in this book.

This guide was the most helpful one we took on our recent trip to Montana (south central and southeastern parts of the state). The suggested drives took us along roads we might not have found on our own (including some dirt roads that we managed just fine in our Subaru rental) and the landscape we passed through was stunningly beautiful. Although the focus of the book is definitely driving, it also had good suggestions for day hikes along the way and for places to stay. (We especially loved the Grand Hotel in Big Timber!) It made me want to try other guides in this series. Highly recommended.

I started to read this book in 2006 and found, as a Yankee, the flow was difficult to follow. I read Sullivan's Island one week ago while on vacation and fell in love with Ms. Frank's flow, ease and voice. Finishing Sullivan's Island was difficult b/c I of the time I enjoyed being in Charleston and Sullivan's Island with Susan, Maggie and their family/history. However, I immediately picked up Shem Creek and instantly fell into the, now familiar, rhythm and flow of Ms. Frank's voice. She has a wonderful and easy way of lulling one into her family to the point you do not want to leave. I am now halfway through Shem Creek and find it very hard to put down. Thankfully I am still on vacation and will not have to abandon Shem Creek for another day or two. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the inclusion of characters from Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms who have visited Shem Creek.

Dorethea Benton Frank writes about an area of the country I love, in a style I love...Who could ask for more?

As always, Dorothea Frank has proven her ability to transport readers to a wonderful place.Her Lowcountry Tales take us to places that are inhabited by folks we feel we want to know better-or those whom we feel we've known all our lives! Linda Breeland is just my kind of woman. She's filled with the ability to figure out what will work for her when difficulties are present, then getting down to the work of making life work out well for herself and those who matter to her. --- And who wouldn't just love to know and be related to Mimi?! --- Then, there's Brad-Wonderful Brad! It's exciting to meet the characters and to be a fly on the wall. --- Dorothea, I feel like I know you and a real treat would be to get to know you when you're on tour. You're a great writer and my friends and I can't wait till your next book goes into print!

While Shem Creek is located on the east coast, it could be anywhere by the writing style and characters. Any small town could have a Linda and a Brad. They are heartwarming characters that bite into American History and leave you wanting more. While their lives are filled with the same daily crisis as all others, they survive. A story woven with tried and true details is told tongue in cheek, edging on humor, and bordering on benign, this story is told with an honest love of people and life.

I found the details of their lives to be interestingly naive, and yet on a deeper level, there was simply more. Everyone had a past, and baggage was carried well by each character in the story. Much like real life - each person was complete with a past, a present, and a future. You sat on the edge of your seat reading to the next detail, hoping it followed along.

Surprises in the book were many, people didn't stay true to form, but created their own meandering path through life, as we each do in real life. I enjoyed the tender moments, the laughter, and the sadness that I found in the book - all very much related to life in a small town.

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (5/06)
"Starlight Comes Home" is the sixth and final book in the Starlight Series. The ending to this saga is bittersweet. Cute new foals are born, but there is also death to come to terms with.

Miranda turns thirteen in this book and as she becomes a teenager, her mom hopes that she will become interested in more than just horses and not be such a tomboy. But Miranda likes things just the way they are. As she says to her dad when he suggests she expand her horizons, ""I like my horizons just fine."

As Miranda has matured over the course of this series, the issues she and her friends and family face grow as well. This book brings up current issues of dating, drug use, and lying to protect friends.

Miranda likes the comfort of visiting her horse as often as possible and hanging out with her friends Chris and Laurie and their horses. But her horizons get an unexpected expanding when two new students join their school. Dennis is a new boy from the city, and Rose Marie is Laurie's seventeen-year old cousin who has gotten into trouble and comes to stay with the Langley's in Montana for a while.

When Dennis asks Miranda to a party, she agrees to go with him because she wants to be polite, but she really has no interest in boys. Plus Laurie really wants her to go. At the party, drugs and alcohol are present and Miranda tries marijuana. She feels terrible about the incident and wants to talk to her parents about it, but can't without betraying Laurie and her cousin.

Miranda ends up estranged from her friends and ostracized by all of her classmates because they think she has ratted on them and caused a drug raid on the school. And, unbeknownst to Miranda, Chris is jealous of her friendship with Dennis.
As things get more complicated in her home and school life, the horses are her refuge. But when Mr. Taylor says he is taking some horses to a race, and Starlight is gone the next morning, Miranda thinks Mr. Taylor has taken the horse to be sold to pay off some gambling debts. When he returns without Starlight, it becomes clear that he has been stolen from the ranch. Now, Miranda has no friends and no horse to turn to.

As with all of the books in this series, serious issues are dealt with in a realistic manner. Miranda faces some of her toughest challenges in this book. But as readers of the series know, Starlight and Miranda are sure to save the day. And by the end, Starlight and Miranda are reunited, the Stevens family has grown by two members, plus the horses that come to live on their ranch, newly named Heavenly Acres.

The entire Starlight Series was a joy to read. Janet Muirhead Hill knows her horses and accurately portrays the trials and tribulations of a middle school girl as she grows up. Pat Lehmkuhl's illustrations also grow with the series and we see subtle physical changes in Miranda. The attention to detail that the author and illustrator provide in this book gives it and the series validity. Young readers will feel that they are taking on an important project when getting invested in this series and the characters. It is a great way to cultivate readers for life.

After reading this series, I am reminded of the love and devotion involved in caring for a horse and the trust that must be built between a horse and his rider. At Miranda's age these are important life lessons that can be carried on into adulthood. Lessons that readers of all ages can learn from.

Miranda grows up as the Starlight series draws to a close with its sixth and final book. It's another exciting story that aims to please and teach. The maturity of the characters, as well as the theme of understanding others, is on target for its intended audience. Hill, a skilled and talented writer, maintains the values of trust and loyalty that made earlier books in this series so memora-ble. We appreciate the simplicity of her language without talking down to younger readers. As many YA novels layer on the gore and depravity, it's a pleasure to find a straightforward and meaningful series that we could recommend to any age.

Janet Muirhead Hill, author of "Starlight Comes Home," is a wonderful writer of children's books. She shows it through her characters. She not only brings Miranda, Chris, Laurie, and especially, Starlight, to life, she also fills each chapter with action and suspense. Janet Muirhead Hill deserves a thumbs up, plus a high five, for the hard work that has been put into this heart-felt book. Not only is "Starlight Comes Home" an awesome page turner, but it is also a very enjoyable read. Excitement jumped from every page. "Starlight Comes Home" is recommended for all teenagers. --Wanda Maynard, Sime~Gen.com reviewer

Miranda Stevens turns thirteen, but her life does not slow down at all. If anything, it speeds up and gets more complicated. Miranda did not realize that two guys are attracted to her. Her thoughts are mainly on her horse, Starlight, and those closest to her. Miranda's mom is due to deliver another baby, Margot dreams of being adopted by the Stevens and feels unwanted, and there are two new kids at school.

Laurie's cousin, Rose Marie, comes to live with Laurie's family for awhile. Rose Marie is seventeen. She is always in trouble, wears dark make up, smokes, and hangs out with a bad crowd. Envious and jealous of Miranda, Rose Marie begins turning all the kids against Miranda, including her closest. No one seems to like Miranda anymore ... and then Starlight disappears!

***** This is an excellent ending to the series. Throughout the books, Miranda has grown up and matured, making complicated decisions as she went. She shows that no matter how bad things become, one must do the right thing and hope for the best. Eventually, events will come together.

In my opinion, this series will attract more than just the girls who love horses. Miranda is a great role model. She is so realistic that kids cannot help but relate to Miranda and her problems. At the same time, readers can follow Miranda during all her adventures. Outstanding! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This book has a little bit of everything -- young gals and middle-aged women; bi-racial couples; straights and lesbians. It is a well-written story about women in horse country. It centers around Rachel Duncan, a straight woman rancher who has her sights set on winning a grueling horse race with her mare, Kestrel. Rachel has never know romance, but keeps her life busy and fulfilling with her horses.

In walks the town's new vetrinarian, a beautiful lesbian who isn't looking for love. In fact, she moved to the remote area to ensure she wouldn't run into "ms. right." A skeptical Rachel soon begins to trust this woman. That trust quickly turns into love.

Helping the story along is Rachel's young hired hand, Kate, who accidentally exposes her own lesbian relationship to her employer.

This book is well written, but I didn't find myself anxious to read the next page. I merely enjoyed the journey with the author and her characters. I recommend you read it then pass it along to friends to enjoy. It won't be a permanent addition to my personal collection.

Strong characters and exciting story

The writing was excellent. It seemed so low key and natural and yet full of emotion. The characters were so strong and utterly endearing. It's not your typical romance and is quite heart dramatic.

The world of horse racing and the American West are not your typical story settings which made this an even more delightful story.

The writing was so excellent I found the author's other book and wish she would publish more.

from the publisher's web site - Grown-up lesbians have a novel about girls and horses they can call their own in this literate, ovable western set in the bis sky, "no whiners" country of Montana. Rander Racel Duncan and the new vet from back East, Dr. Margaret Carson, are as tough as the horses they ride.

Franci McMahon has done a terrific job drawing believable characters and creating an intriguing story of suspense. The horses are simply beautiful--the author writes about them with such care that I, who never knew horses, gained an immense respect and admiration for them. There's a positive flow of energy that moves powerfully through the book--made me feel good about being lesbian, about loving one, about simply being alive. Wish there were more books like that. And movies. Wouldn't this make a great movie?

Franci McMahon does a great job of connecting the world of distance riding with the world of lesbians. And she does it in a way that a reader of any age and background could relate to one of the characters. The book is exciting and moving which makes the reading effortless. I love Franci McMahon.

Having been born in extreme SE Montana, the life described was similar even if the "Others" was not. A lot of their day to day experiences brought back my Grandparents life....I have shared this book with others who come away with the same feelilng - great book.

After hearing stories about my Mother spending her childhood summer in Plentywood MT. this is a pleasant companion piece to read.

Plentywood, Montana, situated 20 miles from Canada and 20 miles from North Dakota, needs someone to bring again to life the triumph and travail, success and hardship, dewdrops and hailstones, beliefs and blasphemies, windmills and windstorms, breezes and blizzards, homesteads and haunts, childplay and chores, weddings and wakes, romance and routine, cowpaths and coyotes, whispers and wails, that reside and resurface in the memory of the hardy people who have scratched its stubborn soils with hoe and plow. Now, finally, comes a talented writer who tells all of this so well. She is my cousin, and since her life and stories overlap mine, I admit I am prejudiced in her favor. As a fellow native of Plentywood I also admit to being incurably loyal to my birthplace. However, just take my word for it. If you have never seen Sheridan County, Montana you will still feel these stories tugging at your heartstrings. If you are so lucky as to have been born there I know you will not be able to resist reading this book. -- Paul Abenroth, Walla Walla, WA

This book was a pleasure to read and re-read. The prose is beautiful-melodious and clear. The picture of a time (childhood and adolescence) and a place (Montana) contains layers of memory and imagery. Each chapter presents a discrete aspect of life on a farm in Montana, while the entire work holds the tension of familial secrets, revealed at the end. I delight in this book because of its style and content and recommend it most highly. I'll be using it in a writing class as a model of composition.

i got it for someone as a gift. It came in good condition and on
time...so I am happy!

Colorful, captivating, a novel of freedom, self-reliance and humor. Twelve Quiet Men is a great read based on the little known Vigilante activities of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. The author has obviously done his research, compiling facts that have been delibertly hidden and forgotton. He uncovers the true mood of the Montana territory by showing the character of the men who took the trail to clean up the rustlers and killers of that time period. Leaving the reader searching for more information concerning the events of those historic times.

In the 1870's and 1880's, from central Montana into western Dakota Territory, organized outlaw gangs terrorized the region, rustling, robbing and killing. The law was powerless to stop them and the U.S. Army refused to help. Finally, a small secret group of determined cattlemen, led by Granville Stuart, abandoned their ranching responsibilities to hunt down and exterminate these lawless predators.

Wow, what a story! This is a forgotten chapter of the American West. Many are aware of the Vigilante activities in the Virginia City area during the 1860's when twenty two members of the outlaw Plummer gang were killed. Twenty years later, nearly one hundred outlaws were hung or shot in less than two years, but little has been written about it. Why?

Twelve men formed the active Vigilante group and they knew how to keep a secret. While they had the silent, active support of many ranchers in the region, they revealed their plans to no one. I, like others living in Montana and Dakota, have heard rumors of these events for years but never knew the complete story.

The author has done a commendable job in his research, reviewing period newspapers, delving into obscure records and capturing bits and peices of the events from various sources. If you like western historical novels or action/adventure tales, this is the book for you. It contains so much detail about life in those times, it speaks with authority and rings true.

I highly recommend this book. It's a great read!

I've read so many "western" novels and such that I could almost feel the imaginary spurs on my heels when I walked down the carpeted hall on the way to my PC at the office, but I've finally found the real deal. This book removed those pesky spurs and replaced them with a real understanding of what life, and survival, was truly like in the effort to settle the west. Beyond that, and perhaps more importantly, it's an excellent story. I am not too much of a stickler for accurate details, but I must have an entertaining read. Here I found a great read, so I did a little bit of research. The author actually pulled it off; he combined a great story with historical accuracy! Ladies and gentlemen, that's a rarity.
As I've said I'm a western novel nut, and in this one I've found attention to detail that surpasses all others.
This guy obviously did his homework, and then was able to turn history into a page-turner that I simply couldn't put down. Get it, enjoy it, and let's hope that he gives us more!

Aaron

Whether you're a day hiker or a backpacker, you'll love this compact guide to wildflowers. It fits easily in your fanny pack and you'll never notice the weight in your backpack. The pictures are fabulous and provide an excellent means of identification. I used to find myself out hiking and wondering about the names of the beautiful flowers I spotted. I would even debate picking just one to take home and identify. Well no more, with this little guide, I can identify them all and leave them in place for the next hiker to enjoy.

Superb! I just love my little lightweight wildflower guide and every one I show it to is blown away by its compact size. It has just about every flower in it that I see when I'm hiking in the area. Other guides are just too heavy so I never bring them along. So many nice photos here, sometimes several views of the same plant to really help you identify. I like the family organization format because the ones that look alike are right next to each other for quick comparison. The color guides never worked for me because some flowers are multicolored and I never knew where to look. Oh yeah! This book has caption right under the flower photo where they belong, so I don't have to flip pages. What a jewel!

Finally, a flower guide that actually makes you want to use it! Super light and full of photos, cover to cover. Waterproof, that will be good for the drizzle days. I've always wondered why I had to carry around photos of Washington and Oregon wildflowers when I was hiking in Montana, now I don't have to! This is the one to have for this area. No wasted space or weight. First rate.

It's a large amount of good color photos in a small size. I'm surprised at the depth of information in a pocket guide. It's going to have a permanent place in my daypack so I can brush up on my knowledge along the trail. I wish all trail guides were this light and portable. Awesome and a real treasure. A must have for any hiking enthusiast.