Montana Books

Erik Molvar has written numerous hiking guides for Falcon; this one is probably his magnum opus. Comprehensive and thoroughly researched, it's replete with natural history notes as well as hike descriptions and directions to trailheads.

The sheer size of the Bob Marshall Complex presents a particular challenge to a would-be author of a hiking guide, namely, how to encompass its breadth without making every hike a hundred miles in length. Molvar's solution is to segregate particular sections of trail into hikes whose starting and ending points lie conveniently at or near the junctions of other trails, which he in turn describes in other hikes. You can thus piece them together to create trips of your own design. He also includes side trips (such as to summits in the interior) and numerous day hikes along the margins and boundaries of the Bob.

Appendices include segmented mileages of trunk trails that provide access to more remote portions of the wilderness (I appreciate the meticulous mileage notes throughout the book), and descriptions of several classic extended trips such as Spotted Bear to Benchmark and Benchmark to Holland Lake. Also covered are hikes in adjoining roadless areas (such as the Rocky Mountain Front and Jewel Basin) that lie outside the wilderness proper.

Molvar has seemingly tromped every mile of the places he describes. Buy this book and follow in his footsteps.

If you really want to know about trails in The Bob Marshall Wilderness area this is covers the most important trails. The hike descriptions and profiles are quite helpful in planning a trek. I have used this book a few times although it is a bit heavy to carry on the trail. Use it to plan and take a copy of the hikes needed to cover your trek.

If you are planning a trip to the Bob Marshall you will do yourself a great favor by purchasing this book, then wrapping it in a zip-lock bag for your journey. The book provides a comprehensive overview of every trail in the Wilderness area. It gives a succinct synopsis of each trail by describing level of difficulty, frequency of maintenance, and elevation change. The book further describes the ecosystem that you are hiking thru and assists you in understanding the bio-diversity of each area. Perhaps most valuable, the book also provides a precsient review of the hazards of each seperate area--and methods of countering these hazards. These hazards include micro-organisms in the water and of course the ever-present grizzly and black Bears. Don't leave home without it!

Phoebe Siegel is a wise-cracking, gutsy P. I. with a past. She's also one of the most well-crafted and fascinating heroines I've come across in a long time.

In The Killing of Monday Brown, Siegel is hired by a local native American family to locate Matthew Wolf, a family member who is on the run and accused of killing Monday Brown. Monday is a white man living among the Crow community, and has been robbing the graves of Indians, stealing valuable and sacred artifacts for sale in Europe. But Monday is nowhere to be found, and Matthew Wolf is hard to find.

Phoebe's search for the truth leads takes her on a journey deep into the Crow culture and straight into the path of danger. Prowell's vivid exploration of Crow culture makes an already wonderful novel even more fascinating. And it doesn't hurt one bit that, along the way, Phoebe's relationship with sexy police officer Kyle Old Wolf also heats up considerably.

Prowell's ability to write fast-paced, entertaining dialogue is comparable in style and quality to such talented writers as Sandra Scoppettone and Dana Stabenow. The Montana setting is rich in history, culture, and beauty - a truly superb backdrop for the series. And while Montana seems to be a current favorite of writers, Prowell truly brings this area to life in The Killing of Monday Brown, a reflection of her artistic talent as well as her heritage as a fourth-generation Montanan. It's abundantly clear that Prowell has given much thought, heart, and soul to her series' heroine as well as the plot that sustains The Killing of Monday Brown. Phoebe is a deliciously feisty breath of fresh air, and this complicated plot moves quickly and smoothly from its beginning to its highly suspenseful conclusion.

Whether or not you've read the first entry in the Phoebe Siegel series (By Evil Means) you'll find The Killing of Monday Brown a well-written, unique, and very entertaining novel. And if you're a fan of writers such as Dana Stabenow, Sandra Scoppettone, Abigail Padgett, or Janet Evanovich, do yourself a favor and give Phoebe Siegel a try. I'll bet you one beautiful Montana sunset that you won't be disappointed.

Of the three books in the series, this was my favorite. But when
is this author coming out with a new one??????

Murder, mystery, suspense, lovable characters with lazer-fast wit and charm. Take the visual detail of Anne Perry, add the fun from Janet Evanovich, and the artfulness of Agatha Christie and you've got THE KILLING OF MONDAY BROWN. WARNING, keep your book out of range from those who might swipe your copy. It's great. And every now and again a chuckle leaks out from the wonderful snappy exchanges between certain characters.

PHOEBIE SIEGAL, PI, is out to find out who murdered MONDAY BROWN, a want-to-be Native American. She takes her investigation in and around the tense lives on and off the reservation with first-person perception, attitude, and humor.

Love this story. Just got BY EVIL MEANS and WHEN WALLFLOWERS DIE. Anyone know when Sandra West Prowell's LAP OF GOD will be released? Please e-mail me if you do. It says in back of book that it will be the first thriller.

awesome! it had me holding my breath! if you want a nancy drew/runaway girl type of book here it is!

I won a class spelling bee in the 5th grade (30 years ago) and was presented with this book as a prize. I was not much of a reader then, and I reluctantly picked up the book a few months later when I must have been quite bored and desperate for something to do. I was immediately hooked! I read it countless times over the next few years and eagerly looked for other books by Barbara Corcoran. She is a wonderful writer and children everywhere will enjoy this book. I'm ordering it today to read to my own daughter.

The Long Journey is a great book. Barbara Corcoran has created wonderful characters and a suspenseful plotline that all readers will love. The writing is so real that you can feel every single thing that is going on in Laurie's mind throughout the story. Perfect for a cold winter's day in fornt of the fire. :-)

Laurie is 13 years old and lives with her grandfather (her parents died when she was young) in the abandoned mining town of Hawkins Dry Diggins, Montana. Once, the town had been thriving, but when it was discovered that there was no gold in any of the mines, it was quickly abandoned by all except Lauri and her father. Now, you will get to follow Lauri and her horse on an adventure throughout rural Montana that is filled with suspense and excitement. I absolutely loved this book and all of the characters in it. Be sure to read The Long Journey if you can find it. You won't be disappointed!! :-)

Heather Johnson has returned to Whitehorn in order to deal with her father's estate. Years ago she had escaped the bitter prison of her childhood. Ten years and three children later, Heather has found a measure of success as a public relations executive in San Francisco. It's a job that has given her a sense of self-worth and has helped to fend off the memories of her alcoholic father and the strict housekeeper he left her upbringing to. When she arrives at her father's ranch, she is advised to remodel it before selling so she reluctantly hires contractor, Mitch Fielding, to assist her. Mitch doesn't succeed in making a good impression on Heather or her children when his twin daughters wreak havoc during his interview. He can't help but admire Heather for how well-behaved her children are and arranges for her to take care of his girls during the day while he works in hopes that she might influence them in a good way. At first Heather manages to distance herself from Mitch and his motherless girls. But as she wins their hearts, she finds herself unable to extricate herself from their hope that together, they'd make a fantastic team.

"The Magnificent Seven" is by far the best of the Montana Mavericks series thus far. Cheryl St. John is to be commended for the wonderful way in which she has created two different families and integrated them into a dynamic one. It is refreshing to encounter a hero whose heart is as good as Mitch Fielding's. Though his twins are truly terrible brats who succeed in manipulating him, he finds himself helpless to deny them. But when he meets Heather, he finds himself falling in love with her beauty, her poise, and the wonderful way she disciplines her children without any fear of inadequacy. While Mitch does believe that his twins need a mother, he does not see Heather as merely fitting that role. Instead, he finds himself falling in love with her and admiring her success with the twins, a lesson she imparts to him. In an unusual but not unexpected reversal of roles, Heather balks at the idea of staying in Whitehorn and marrying Mitch. All of her childhood fears and misery are at this ranch. But her own children love living in Montana and as Mitch begins to remodel the house, she finds herself unable to dwell on the past that haunts her. Instead she begins to speculate what could be with Mitch and his girls. St. John has written a heartwarming and fluid installment of this series that will not disappoint at all.

favorite scene with heather-
talking about her ex and his wife in bed.

favorite scene with mitch-
telling his girls he loves them and they love him. brought tears to my eyes.

favorite scene with heather and mitch together-
in the closet.

Heather Johnson is coming home to Montana, and she'd not happy about it. Her father has died and she just wants to clear up his estate and head back to San Francisco. In order to sell her dad's place, she has to have some work done, and in order to get the work done, she's going to have to bargain with Mitch Fielding. He'll do the work for a more than reasonable rate IF she'll watch his twins. Heather has three children of her own, how much work could two more be? The deal's agreed upon. But what neither Mitch or Heather bargained for was the feelings the each had for each other, feelings that can't lead to anything since Heather's moving back to San Francisco, unless Mitch can find a reason for her to stay . . . maybe love?

Cheryl St. John pens a delightful addition to Silhouette's Montana Maverick series, creating a memorable love story that is as big as the Montana skies!

... Ms. Rustand has written a generous, exciting romance with believable characters you can't help caring about. A reader looking for an emotional, satisfying novel with which to while away an autumn evening won't do better than A MONTANA FAMILY, regardless of which state is on the cover.

I loved the characters, the plot, and the lovely setting. Don't miss this memorable romance.

It took sixteen years for Dr Jolie Maxell to move back to Paradise Corners, Montana. Her family's appeal to move closer and the death of a patient caused her to reevaluate her priorities and stimulated the change of location. As she watched her patient Wendell Hill die with no money but a plethora of mourners, Jolie had realized there would be few to mourn her if she passed. Such a realization caused her to seek her family, despite the many years of troubling relationships. What she found was animosity on the part of her hometown, suspicion and rumors abounding. Her brother's in huge trouble and her father's trying to ignore a serious heart condition. She also found the dream she thought would never be hers.

Building contractor Matt Dawson came to Paradise Corners seeking relief from a questionable Chicago neighborhood for his children. Four years ago his wife passed away from cancer. She'd been his love, his inspiration and his dream come true, and her passing left both him and the children bereft. Having had one beautiful relationship, Matt doesn't expect another to come his way, although the children could really use a mother. But when his daughter becomes ill, Matt finds himself relying on Jolie for more than just medical care.

A multi layered plot lends A MONTANTA FAMILY by Roxanne Rustand complexity and charm. The secondary characters, including a sheep guarding llama and puppy afraid of dust bunnies, bring a bit of humor to a tale filled with deep, intense emotion. The secondary human characters neatly tie the novel to the other parts of the miniseries without bogging down the pace of the plot, allowing the novel to read well as a stand alone, or part of more complex work. Further, the hero and heroine are well-balanced, believable characters living with ordinary challenges and extraordinary circumstances. The hero's daughter's diabetes also lends realism, both propelling the plot and creating an interesting secondary plot line. Very highly recommended.

Montana Territory, 1884

Wow! This great story is filled with strong dramatic emotions that will invoke your sympathies and you'll applaud the determined human spirit! Montana man is fast paced and never dull. It will definitely keep your interest from the first page to the last!

This is truly a tale of love found during the worse of circumstances and how love conquers all.

Miranda Mitchel was ducking and dodging the bounty hunters and then she met up with Doctor Trey Gatlin and his little niece, Josie.

Josie is deathly afraid of trains as she lost her family in a wreck. Miranda made an instant connection with Josie and helped her contain her fear. And a little lie by Trey for Miranda saved her from a bounty hunter. How many were looking for her?

And then to run into a blizzard? More complications coming up.
Dr. John Mitchel wants Miranda to marry Lewis Nelson. Hah!
Miranda and Bear McAllister take off for Pine Bluff Pass but run into trouble with the name of Lewis. All that snow sure made it sound cold.

Great story you will really enjoy -- pick it up if you don't already have it. Highly Recommended --M

Miranda meets Trey when she notices that he is having trouble getting his niece Josie to board the train is to board also. Josie's parents killed in a train accident left Josie with Trey, the young bachelor doctor from Montana. Miranda is boarding to escape her father and a man (Lewis) who her father wants her to marry. She is an heiress and knows Lewis wants her for the money. After a blizzard, the train stops in Montana, Trey's home. While attracted to each other, Miranda does not trust men and is more concerned with finding a way to get moving on the train, to get further away from the two men she is fleeing. This is a story of a doctor who learns she is an heiress and doesn't feel she would ever consider life with a small town doctor and she is a woman who feels men would only want her for her money. I enjoyed it thoroughly and think others will too.

After seeing "A River Runs Through It" and "The Horse Whisperer", I became even more intrigued with Big Sky Country. Montana Mirage (and Mr. Flynn's first book, Montana Pursuit) taught me about Montana, its people, the environment and the issues facing the last untamed part of the Wild West. This mystery includes a little romance, a lot of suspense and great character development. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

This is this a gripping story set in the aggressive beauty that is southwest Montana. A great read if you like a 'can't-put-em-down' mystery or if you want to know the difference between a coulee, swale, draw or drainage. Actually. . .that's STILL a mystery to me.

Montana Mirage has something for everyone-romance, mystery, action, suspense, and humor but still has an environmental message. Montana seems big, bold and beautiful and one of the few places left that this conflict between men and mountain lions could still occur. The dialogue rings true and the reader gets a real sense of how ranchers relate to one another and to the land. This book is eye opening as to what is really going on in the west--both entertaining and enlightening.

Montana Spring is one of the best new books I have read in a long time. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I laid aside a couple of other books I had by quite famous authors in favor of this one. I hope this author comes out with another book soon. It was a great read. Thanks.

Though I might not have chosen this myself, (not having much interest in the West per say...though I live here!) I read it on the recommendation of a friend and really enjoyed it! I was intrigued by the letters or diary entires at the beginning of each chapter which moved the action along and also gave a glimpse into everyday frontier life such as the details of wagon train travel.

The years covered in the book (1856-1879) were extremely pivitol in the settlement of the West in general, Montana in particular and also in the history of the country itself by way of the Civil War and these very interesting characters are set right in the midst of it all. The story spans all these events and many more: cattle coming to what would eventually become Montana, the displacement of Native tribes as the settlers move in and gold is discovered. And there are interesting historical tid bits as well such as a camel on the streets of Virginia City, flour riots (!) when bad weather overtakes the final shipment of the season, and a total eclipse of the sun, no less. The vigilantes are here, hateful neighbors, murderous gunslingers and plots for revenge along with the day to day challanges of life on the frontier.

While the focus is the Brewer family who come west from Virginia, the main story line centers on Clay, their oldest son. He and his best friend, Manuel Lopez become US Marshal and deputy at a very young age. Their job puts them in contact with the Blackfeet Indians, the band of Chief Heavy Runner, where Clay eventually finds a wife.

I really enjoyed Montana Spring and would recommend this book to anyone who wants an entertaining read, painlessly laced with history and focused on the trials and tribulations of a white family, an Hispanic family, a Blackfeet band...all interesting and sympathetic characters. Hope the author has another book in the works!

I started reading MONTANA SPRING in the morning ... just a few pages, I thought, just a quick peek to see what it was like. Afterall, I had a lot to do that day! Well, I didn't stop reading until 8 that evening when I finally turned the last page. It has been a long time since I've read a book like this -- I literally couldn't put it down. And I cannot praise it too highly! MONTANA SPRING is one of the most enthralling books I have read in a long time. It is reading smooth as good chocolate, and it has eveything ... history, adventure, romance. MONTANA SPRING is told with an immediacy that makes you feel as if you were there ... or wished you were. The author includes diary entries and letters with narriative, and keeps you turning the page to see what is going to happen next.

MONTANA SPRING is a book that will appeal to men as well as women, and it is a book children will enjoy! Infact, MONTANA SPRING would be a good book for American History students to read; it has such a strong feeling for the time and the place. Read this book and I know you will join me in recommending it to all your friends. What a delight!

This book is for everyone! The author includes everything from well-told stories about Big Hole River pioneers to pointers on how to fish this beautiful blue ribbon trout stream. The book is a great read and the pictures are outstanding. Anybody that loves Montana, or has ever visited the Big Hole area, needs this book!

Pat Munday has authored the newest and most comprehensive account of the Big Hole River in Montana, its people and its culture. This is a large coffee table book with more than 60 outstanding photographs, 22 historical black and white pictures, sketches and maps. His account of the homesteaders, conservationists and how this river needs our attention, care and nurturing, is most timely as we gear up to celebrate the anniversary of Lewis and Clark's new frontier.

This is a treasure.

This book is for everyone! The author includes everything from well-told stories about Big Hole River pioneers to pointers on how to fish this beautiful blue ribbon trout stream. The book is a great read and the pictures are outstanding. Anybody that loves Montana, or has ever visited the Big Hole area, needs this book!

Walter Cooper was a real legendary character around Bozeman, Montana. At one time or another he was the owner of gold mines and coal fields, a railroad woodtie company, and a fur business. He also was the holder of several patents on the Montana Sharps rifle.

_A Most Desperate Situation_ is an epic adventure based upon 1500 pages of notes written by Cooper between 1900 and 1910. The book tells the story of young Walter Cooper (who is sometimes called McGilvra, Cooper's mother's maiden name, in the notes) beginning in 1858, when Cooper was 15, until 1864. Cooper's adventures are more action-packed than a James Bond novel. He traps beaver with Jim Bridger, pans gold in Colorado, visits Kit Carson in New Mexico, and finds himself in more than one desperate situation with Indians and Mexicans. No doubt many of the adventures in the book are based upon Walter Cooper's own life.

One shortcoming of the book is that it is uneven. By uneven I mean that portions of the book move rapidly from one adventure to the next whereas, e.g., the trial by the Apaches contains long pages of oratory by some of the characters who sometimes repeat each other. Another shortcoming of the book is that the adventures are not concluded. However _A Most Desperate Situation_ is a grand story. Too bad it took so long for it to find its way into print.

This book is a fast-moving adventure story and will appeal to those who may have read the Dover book "Captured by the Indians," one of my favorites.

Walter Cooper's years in the West are recounted by him in a very modest manner, yet his adventures are thrilling in every way. I could not stop reading until the narrative ended suddenly. The young scout seems to be up to every encounter, whether it is with a mountain lion or an Indian. Highly recommended.