Crossed Trails (Whiskey Creek Press) by Eunice Boeve is a fast-paced, skillfully crafted and exciting western.
After trailing a herd of longhorns from Texas to Montana, Joshua Ryder is determined to settle near the Pacific Ocean, a place where no one would know his father was a violent outlaw and his mother a prostitute.
In the spring of 1877, Josh begins his journey west when he encounters a Nez Perce woman and her newborn baby. The woman is unresponsive and unable to care for her new-born on her own. He feels obligated to do what he can and takes them to Virginia City, Montana. Knowing the town will not welcome an Indian woman, he finds a home for them with an old washerwoman, Jesse, who has met with an accident and is unable to work. In order to pay the woman for board, Josh takes on whatever work he can find. Their lives are further complicated when a little Chinese girl joins the make-shift family.
As their lives become entwined, Josh’s intentions to move on become more distant. With all these complications, he can’t in good conscience leave. Adding to their hardships, the old woman becomes ill and Josh must hire someone to take care of her, the Nez Perce woman and her child, plus the little Chinese girl.
As much as he tries to avoid admitting it, Josh is smitten with Jolene, the young woman he hires to help. But a relationship is impossible. He won’t subject her to someone with his past. In any event, if she knew about his parents, she wouldn’t want anything to do with him.
Along comes Eli, the old woman’s worthless grandson, and their world turns from troubled to dangerous. Josh is framed for a murder. He could run from the law, probably successfully. Or he could stay and face his accusers. But can he hide from his past? In either case, he’s bound to lose those he’s come to love.
Crossed Trails is a sequel to Ride a Shadowed Trail, though each book stands alone. Boeve provides the reader with enough of the first story’s details to enhance the threads of the second. Boeve is a gifted storyteller and knowledgeable about the times and mannerisms of the era.
To learn more about the author, visit www.euniceboeve.net
What a wonderful review, Mary, of Eunie’s newest release. I must say that after reading this, though, I’ve become interested in knowing about these characters and reading the story to find out 🙂
Alice
Thank you, Alice. Both of these books are very good. Eunice has a way of making her characters seem like a part of your life.
Mary,
Thanks so much for posting this great review here on your blog and on Amazon.com. (My computer was on the blink or I’d have thanked you sooner.)
So glad you enjoyed the story. One gets so close to their characters that another’s praise feels somehow like you’re praising our children. 🙂
You are welcome, Eunice. I’ve also posted the notice on Women Writing the West list-serv and Western Writers of America’s, too. According to my counter, plenty of people have seen it.
Thank you, Mary, for your great review of Eunie’s CROSSED TRAILS. I look forward to reading it soon, and more of her work.
I hope you enjoy Crossed Trails. Have you read the first book which begins when Josh’s mother is murdered one night in his eighth year, leaving him an orphan?
Congrats, Eunie! This sounds like another wonderful book from you! Thanks for sharing this review, Mary.
Heidi, Thanks for your comments. I meant to reply sooner, but life interferred. I enjoyed your Cowgirl Dreams and Follow the Dream, great stories about Nettie, your Montana grandmother.
I loved both books, Mary, and recommend them highly. I’m glad you’ve taken the time to review Crossed Trails. Will there be a third, Eunice?
Thanks Andrea. I do have a little start going on in my head that might result in another book. Josh’s life seems settled, but who knows what evils lurk… And too, I see Joy, the little girl Josh and Jolene adopted as a beautiful young woman with long, shiny black hair and dark eyes that seem to capture the goodness of her soul.