Sharpshooter in Petticoats

Mary Connealy

After a disastrous marriage, widow Mandy McClellen Gray is doing just fine in her remote mountain home.  She's got her three children to keep her company and gold in the bank to keep her solvent.  The last thing she needs right now is a cantankerous cowboy encroaching on her life.

Rancher Tom Linscott is as tough and cranky as his unruly stallion.  When he finds outlaws have trapped Mandy on her mountain, he's determined to rescue her, whether she wants to be saved or not.  Only problems is, Mandy's trouble follows her.  When he brings her to his home--against her will--outlaws trail then right to his door.

When  the feuding family expands their vengeful plans to include Tom, his need to protect his woman puts him right in the line of fire.

My Take:

Growing up I did a lot of stuff to be like my dad.  As a kid, I thought blue cheese dressing was quite possibly the nastiest thing on planet earth, but I ate it all the time because that's what my dad ate.  I read Lord of the Rings in elementary school because they were my dad's favorite books, though I had to take it one line at a time and consult a dictionary constantly.  I ate sushi with a smile concealing a gag reflex. I watched James Bond movies completely confused by the Cold War intrigue (I was 2 when the Berlin Wall came down, so I didn't grow up in the height of it). Whodathunk that eating and doing these things as a kid would make them my favorite things as an adult.  I can't get enough blue cheese and sushi (though not at the same time-gross!), I am an avid Lord of the Rings fan, and I go to the midnight release of every James Bond movie and actually understand the plots (mm'mm Daniel Craig, be still my beating heart).  

Well, in all of the things I did to be like my dad, one thing stands out as the thing I most love: reading amazing Westerns a la Louis L'Amour.  I don't read as many as I used to, because I've read everything by my beloved Louis, and other westerns just can't stand up in comparison.  So in my oh so verbose and "I digress" sort of way, I'm trying to point out that westerns were a very important part of my childhood and I'm picky about them and I really enjoyed Sharpshooter in Petticoats.  The author really seemed to know what she was talking about.  As I've mentioned before on my blog, I grew up in rural Nevada, where they pronounce "creek" as "crick" etc. so I have a healthy appreciation for all things outdoorsy including hunting fishing and firearms.  I cringe a bit in most books when firearms are brought up, because most of the time, I can see write through the author attempting to sound knowledgeable and it really bugs me.  This is especially key to westerns, because whether you are pro or anti gun, there is no denying that they were an integral part of the old west, and an authentic knowledge is essential.  Sharpshooter in Petticoats is, I believe, the third book in the the Sophie's Daughters series, but it was the first one I read.  I absolutely enjoyed it and never felt lost or that I'd missed out because I hadn't read the previous books.  I did get very interested in the other character's stories and I can't wait to read the other books.  If you enjoy a good western, I'm sure you'll enjoy this book.  The characters are rough, gruff and often down right mean, the action is good, the scenery is beautiful and the romance was practical yet sweet. Now, I'm nothing if but honest on this blog, so I do have to say that Sharpshooter in Petticoats was no Louis L'Amour, but it was a great book nonetheless and I rate it a 2, Borders with a Coupon.

Tell me what you think!  Do you enjoy westerns?  Have you ever read Louis L'Amour?  Have you read any of the books in this series?  Which is your favorite?  Hit the comments!

If Sharpshooter in Petticoats was a movie it would likely be rated PG for some mild violence and mildly suggestive material (references to "wifely thoughts" or "being a wife in every way")

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing the Sharpshooter in Petticoats, or any of the books from the Sophie's Daughters Series, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon links, thank you!

Paperback:
   
























Kindle:
 

Accidental Cowgirl: Six Cows, No Horse and No Clue

Mary Lynn Archibald

 In 1990, we heard the wilderness call to us, and, God help us, we answered. Of course, we had no business trying to run a full-time ranch with no experience. People tried to tell us that The Simple Life wasn't so simple, but we weren't listening. If you're over 50, or in a job rut, or looking for adventure (or all of the above), and you yearn for a tranquil country hideaway, please read this cautionary tale first.

My Take:

Have you ever had something really awful happen to you, or you made a terrible decision, and your only consolation at the time is that you know you'll be able to laugh about it in the future?  Well, Mary Lynn Archibald must have felt something similar, because after her wild foray into ranching she has penned this absolutely hilarious memoir.  She speaks honestly and openly about the craziness that was this particular period in her life.  The writing is great, it flows well and is extremely engaging throughout.  I blew through this book so fast because I couldn't get enough of the ease of the storytelling and the humor.  If you are looking to leave the big city and get out into the country, I'd recommend this read.  Although it is a "cautionary tale", the humor of this memoir just may endear you to the great outdoors and might even inspire you to get out there, take a giant leap and make mistakes.   This books shows you so even if you end up falling flat on your face, at least you'll be able to laugh about it later!  I rate this book a 2, Borders with a Coupon, I'm not the biggest fan of memoirs, but this one really won me over.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!  .

Cowgirl Dreams

Heidi M. Thomas

Defying family and social pressure, Nettie Brady bucks 1920s convention with her dream of becoming a rodeo star.  That means competing with men, and cowgirls who ride the rodeo circuit are considered "loose women".  

Addicted to the thrill of pitting her strength and wits against a half-ton steer in a rodeo, Nettie exchanges skirts for pants, rides with her brothers on their Montana ranch, and competes in neighborhood rodeos.

Broken bones, killer influenza, flash floods, and family hardship team up to keep Nettie from her dreams.  Then she meets a young neighbor cowboy who rides broncs and raises rodeo stock.  Will this be Nettie's ticket to freedom and happiness?  Will her rodeo dreams come true?

(This book is based on the life of the author's grandmother, a real Montana cowgirl)

My Take:

Put simply, Cowgirl Dreams is a solidly written, entertaining western.  Nettie is a person that I think so many little girls can relate to.  She is strong but stubborn, brave yet a bit reckless, and enjoyable to experience from the beginning to the end.  It was fun to read about a tomboyish young girl growing up and coming to terms with her family, her dreams, and true love.  The writing of the book felt smooth, and the dialogue was great.  The author successfully incorporated the 1920s country vernacular while still maintaining it's relevance for the contemporary reader.  This book would be especially great for adolescent girls to read and find inspiration, especially the girls out there who feel like they don't fit in to the mold people are trying to squish them.  Now, this book was perfect, while Cowgirl Dreams was really a joy to read, I was not left thinking about it for very long after I finished, and for that reason, I am rating it a 3, Find a Used Book Store.  It is worth spending money on, but not necessarily the asking price, it's not a life changer, but a good read. 

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated PG, there is talk of "loose women" but it isn't really expounded upon, and there is some quite chaste mentioning of nerves for a wedding night

A few words with the author, Heidi M. Thomas:

The Book Buff: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Heidi M. Thomas: I really have always thought of myself as a writer. “I write, therefore I am a writer,” to paraphrase a famous line.

TBB: Do you have a muse?

HMT: Getting out in nature often provides me with a mind-cleansing experience that leads me back to writing when I’ve hit a dry spot. Sunshine helps too.

TBB: What inspired you to write your first book?

HMT: The first book I wrote will actually be the fourth in my planned series. That one was based on my mother who immigrated from Germany to rural eastern Montana after WWII.

TBB: How much of the book is realistic?

HMT: Nettie riding steers and competing in rodeos at a young age, meeting Jake and their romance, the geographic area, their homestead and the hardships of living are all based on truth. I named several “real” Montana cowgirls like Marie Gibson, who was a friend of my grandmother’s. I don’t know that my great-grandmother opposed my grandmother’s rodeo riding, but I needed more conflict and that seemed natural.

TBB: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

HMT: I would love to be able to thank each one personally for reading my book, I just hope that my book is enjoyable and evokes some kind of memory or emotion they can identify with.

To learn more about Heidi M. Thomas and her upcoming projects, visit http://www.heidimthomas.com/

 **FTC Disclosure:  I received Cowgirl Dreams from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received.  All opinions are my own.**

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link.  Thank you!