This is another book by K.M. Weiland, set in the wild, wild west.
All his life Shane Lassiter had revered the man who stood in place of the father he had never known. Nathaniel Wilcock had taken Shane into his own home, loved him as a son, and placed within his grasp one of the largest ranches in the Wyoming Territory.
But Shane had heard the family saga. He knew the whispers about the fugitive gunman who stood against Wilcock during the land wars that had rocked the valley almost thirty years ago. In Nathaniel Wilcock’s eyes, the gunman was nothing better than a vigilante and an outlaw, and as such he had died. To the people of Hangtree, he was a hero—a martyr who had stood against corrupt power and injustice.
When Wilcock’s greed moves him against the only woman Shane has ever loved—a woman who holds the secret that could resurrect everything for which the outlaw fought—Shane finds himself forced into a place not so very different from that of the western outlaws thirty years ago. He must make a decision, the shadow of which will forever be cast over the lives of all those he loves. It is a decision between truth and power—between honor and life—between right and wrong.
Before I get into the review, I first have to say that there are two storylines, one twenty or so years before the other.
Characters:
Andrew, the MC of the first storyline was a man with a violent past. Yet he settles down in Hangree and does his very best to do the right thing. He was definitely my favorite character.
Anna Cassidy, owner of the targeted ranch (during the second storyline) is stubborn, yet sweet.
Judge Wilcock is a man who will stop at nothing to grow his ranch, yet he loves his daughter and Shane.
Shane was an interesting character. He wanted to do the right thing, yet he didn’t want to be disloyal to Judge Wilcock.
4 stars
Plot:
Like I wrote before, the plot is divided into different storylines. One twenty or so years before the other. K.M. Weiland did a good job of including the essential parts of story structure in both storylines (both had midpoints, climaxes, etc.).
In my personal opinion, I enjoyed the older storyline more, basically because of the climactic scene.
Much of the conflict in this story is between Judge Wilcock and the other ranchers in the area, with Anna Cassidy’s ranch, the Sundally, in particular.
The dual plotlines were vital for this story, but I’m not sure if I really liked it, though it was neat to see how the different characters fitted together.
3.5 stars
Romance:
There were love stories in this book, something I’m absolutely fine with. There is some kissing but nothing really objectionable.
4 stars
Action:
This book wasn’t a constant gunfight, but when the characters came to blows, it was great.
K.M. Weiland uses what may be trope in Westerns, the good guy runinnng out of bullets in his six-shooter. But it’s different because the character thinks that he’s used his last shot, but he shoots once more before the revolver’s empty.
4.5 stars
Setting:
This book is set in nineteenth century Wyoming, in a small town called Hangtree. I’ve not read a whole lot of Westerns, but the setting seemed to be pretty standard.
I thought the attention to detail in relation to horses and how they would be mounted, or their unsaddled was interesting. It added a sense of realism to the story, though I don’t know hardly a thing about horses.
The irony about the name of the town “Hangtree” was pretty cool, though you’ll have to read it for yourself to see what I’m talking about. 😉
4 stars
Theme:
Standing for justice and making the decision to the right thing, even when you know that the whole system is rigged against you.
This is a serious book, with a bittersweet ending.
4.5 stars
Should You Read this Book?
Yes, I would rank it below Storming, but it’s still a very solid book. If you’re a fan of Westerns, then you should definitely read this book.
You can buy the book on Amazon or at K.M. Weiland’s website.
I received a free digital copy of this book in return for an honest review.
#1 is the Very Serious Writing Show
me, you have some writerly mood swings. One day you feel that your writing is A+, and another that its only destination should be the garbage can.
children’s story. It’s a story about a boy, Jonas, who becomes the “Receiver of Memories”, a task which brings joy but also pain.
David B. Hunter 