Mary E. Trimble

True Grit by Charles Portis brought me many hours of reading pleasure. The book was first published in 1968. Two movies of the same title have also been produced. The first one, staring John Wayne and Kim Darby was released in 1969, and the second in 2010 staring Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfield. I saw both movies, preferring the John Wayne version. The movie, particularly the John Wayne production, follows the book quite closely, so as I was reading I could picture each scene, not only by the author’s vivid descriptions, but also from my memory of seeing the scenes on the big screen. It is one of my all-time favorite stories.

The story takes place in western Arkansas and in Indian Territory, 1873. Mattie Ross, 14, who lives with her mother and siblings near Dardanelle, Arkansas, seeks justice for her father’s murder. The man who killed him, Tom Chaney, worked for her father, but killed him when they were in Fort Smith on a business trip. Mattie travels to Fort Smith in search of someone with grit, someone who could help her bring the murderer to justice. She finds Deputy Marshall Rooster Cogburn, a hard-drinking, irreverent, one-eyed man who reluctantly takes on the job. Another man, a Texas Ranger also seeks the outlaw on another matter. Much to Mattie’s dismay, the Marshall allows the Ranger to join them on their quest.

The story is told in first person by Mattie, but is recounted decades later. Mattie is an intelligent, determined girl, wise beyond her years and fearless in her quest to avenge her father’s death. The banter between the three of them is extremely entertaining; in fact, all encounters with the girl are enjoyable. She has a quick, unflinching mind, spunk, and grit. It’s winter and not a comfortable time to travel, but she takes it in stride, uncomplaining. She’s wise, fair, and outspoken. A pure joy.

I highly recommend True Grit to anyone who loves a good western. I appreciated the authenticity, the description of clothing, of guns and equipment used, of the attitudes of the people, and revisiting the lawlessness of the period. I enjoyed the banter between Mattie and those she encountered. The book held my attention, made me chuckle, and even though I knew the ending from the movies, the colorful narrative kept me riveted to Mattie’s determination to seek justice.

Book Review: Family Trees

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Mary

Family Trees: A Novel of the Northwest by Linda Crew is a multi-layered story of a large family-owned timberland company near Corvallis, Oregon. The story mostly takes place in 2009, but occasionally toggles back to different time periods.

The two main characters, Will Trask and Bridget Garland have known one another for years. Will’s deceased wife was a Garland, owners of the timber company. Will, the son of a logger, is a well-respected forestry consultant and real estate agent. He straddles two worlds: those who own the forests and those who cut them down. Will has two sons, one just starting college and the other, sixteen, still at home.

Bridget Garland, sick of her husband John’s infidelities, is ending their almost twenty-year marriage. She never has felt like one of the Garland family. Bridget is a popular physical therapist, not an occupation the Garland’s embrace. Bridget and John have one daughter who is just starting college.

The community looks to the Garlands for many leadership roles, college grants and other philanthropic endeavors. Will has always played a reluctant part in this aspect of the family business. Now that Bridget is divorcing John, she won’t be a participant either. Will and Bridget are drawn together with many common interests. Bridget has always admired Will, his strength and integrity. Will finds that he enjoys being with Bridget—she’s fun and lively. They share many common interests—but he can’t seem to let go of his wife’s memory and the guilt associated with her death.

When a surprising incident occurs, it becomes a true test of character. Will those involved be able to cope and move on?

I thoroughly enjoyed Family Trees. I appreciated learning about large family-owned businesses, their community responsibilities, and their struggles to get along with one another. I also enjoyed Will and Bridget’s individual family dynamics, particularly as the young college-age children perceived their parents in a different light, often not favorably. I also enjoyed venturing into Oregon’s forested wilderness, and learning what it takes to keep this valuable resource sustainable.

Book Review: Slanted Light

Posted on December 27, 2021 by Mary

“What’s wrong is seldom one thing; it’s one more thing.”

Slanted Light, a novel by Teddy Jones, is a compelling contemporary novel of a Texas family in crisis.

Claire Havlicek’s world is falling apart. Professionally, she seems successful. She’s a nurse practitioner and owns two clinics. The clinics are a few miles apart and she sees patients at both. But there’s never enough time and she often needs to bring work home just to keep up with the endless record keeping.

Claire’s husband, C.J. is a cattle rancher and is constantly fighting to keep the ranch profitable in a years-long drought. Their ranch, located near the small town of Jackson’s Pond in the Texas Panhandle, has been in Claire’s family for generations.

Amy, their thirteen year-old daughter, is flirting with bulimia, influenced by two trouble-making friends. Jay Frank, Amy’s sensitive younger brother, senses his family is in trouble. He’s frightened, but doesn’t know how to help.

When Claire suspects that her husband is being sought after by another woman, a fellow member of the local stockman’s association, she’s terrified that her marriage is threatened. C.J. has often said Claire doesn’t have time for them, that she seems to care more for her patients than her family.

Troubles are piling up and Claire collapses under the strain. What comes next is a tribute to extended family, to the ability to recognize human weakness, and to find the necessary resilience to make change.

I enjoyed Slanted Light and found the characters to be realistic and in tune with modern-day situations. I appreciated learning about the role of nurse practitioners and associated health care clinics, and about the unique challenges in modern-day cattle ranching in Texas.

Book Review—Before the Alamo: A Tejana’s Story

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Mary

Before the Alamo: A Tejana’s Story, a well-researched historical fiction by Florence Byham Weinberg, takes place in Béxar de San Antonio, Texas in the years 1814 – 1836.

Emilia Altamirano, half Native American, half Spanish, was a “love child,” the illegitimate daughter of a married Royalist officer and his servant, an Otomi Indian. Emilia and her loving mother were very close and although treated as slaves, treasured their time together. As she grew, Emilia sought someone who could teach her to read and write. Her teacher took great interest in her and paved the way for her to act as page for the town’s City Council. Later, during a devastating cholera epidemic, she learned nursing skills from her mother.

From early childhood, Emilia loved a boy from her village, Dámaso Jiménez. After much confusion and delay, both from a trauma suffered by Emilia, and from Dámaso being conscripted into the Mexican Army at gun-point, they finally marry.

After Mexico won its independence from Spanish rule, Anglos began pouring into Texas. Many were unruly, didn’t care to learn the country’s language, customs, or religion. The gringos appropriated land they were not entitled to, and strove for independence from Mexico. The Battle of the Alamo ensued with Emilia serving as a nurse and Dámaso fighting alongside Anglo defenders to free Texas from Mexican rule.

Before the Alamo is a rich, engaging novel. Although based on history, the story also features fictitious characters and viewpoints typical of average people. The book gave me fresh perspective of the Battle of the Alamo from a Tejana (a Texan female of Hispanic descent) point of view. Weinberg’s descriptions of period clothing, food and most importantly attitudes of the time, make this a valuable resource of Texas history.

Book Review: Rescuing Hope

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Mary

Rescuing Hope by Heidi M. Thomas, a compelling contemporary western novel, combines modern ranching struggles with a story of survival in harsh Montana winters. The novel is the second in the Samantha Moser “Rescue Series.”

Sam Moser leases the ranch her great-grandparents once owned. But she’s worried about the owner who has already made one attempt to sell the ranch, and she’s afraid she won’t be able to “prove” herself to him. Her dream is to operate an equestrian center using her four rescued horses.

While working at a neighboring dude ranch the previous summer, Sam met a troubled teen, a girl into Goth, but who, with Sam’s help, was developing into a loving young woman with a passion for horses. But when she returns to New York for school, the teen takes a turn for the worse. The girl begs to return to Montana, but is Sam capable of caring for this troubled girl?

Brad, a videographer, previously showed his friendship and even romantic interest while making a successful documentary about Sam, the ranch, and her ambition. He offers to pick up another horse slated to be needlessly euthanized. On his way to Sam’s ranch with truck and horse trailer, he is in an accident in a blinding snowstorm in which both he and the horse suffer traumatic injuries. A budding romance turns into a question of survival, then of questioning whether their relationship can withstand his lingering injuries.

When an opportunity opens up to help veterans with PTSD through horseback riding, Sam yearns to help, but doubts her ability to take on the responsibility of complex, troubled lives.

Rescuing Hope is an inspirational, but realistic read. Author Heidi M. Thomas was raised on a working Montana cattle ranch and knows the hardships and rewards of cattle ranching, and the special love between horse and human. Her stories are engaging, heartwarming and full of hope.

Book Review: The Most Land, The Best Cattle

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Mary

The Most Land, The Best Cattle: The Waggoners of Texas by Judy Alter, is a colorful non-fiction history of Texas’ most influential ranching family. The book covers the period 1854 to when the ranch eventually sold in 2016.

In the 19th century, widower Daniel Waggoner and his young son, W.T. founded a cattle ranch in the Red River Valley of North Texas which through generations became the largest ranch in the nation. The ranch, expanding to 520,000-plus acres or 800 square miles, all under one fence, eventually consisted of various divisions—cattle, oil, horses, plus other holdings pertinent to ranching.

While founding a ranch in an area where Comanche raids still terrified families is fascinating, the stories of the following generations are equally captivating. The Waggoner men built the empire, though many of them eventually moved to the city while still involved in the daily workings of the ranch. Most of the wives and daughters lived in a luxurious whirl of social events. However, one woman, Electra Waggoner Biggs became a well-known sculptor. Among her many accomplishments is a life-size statue of cowboy-humorist Will Rogers (a friend of the family) riding his horse. Another notable work of Electra’s is a sculpture bust of President Harry Truman.

The book is divided into three parts: The Waggoner Men, The Waggoner Women, The Waggoner Legacy. I found all aspects of this amazing extended family riveting. Interspersed with the story are sidebars that delve into particular people, places, or situations that relate to the story.

The core of a ranch— its land and livestock— is dependent on the people involved. The Most Land, The Best Cattle describes in fascinating detail how a cattle dynasty is built, from its early, humble beginnings to becoming a world-famous empire.

Book Review: Till My Last Breath

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Mary

Till My Last Breath, a historical romance novel by Deborah Swenson, has a clever time-travel plot that captured my attention.

In 2019, Emily Sweeney, a trauma physician at a major Seattle medical center, steps into a shooting situation, trying to help her patients, but instead gets shot, abruptly ending a promising career, and her life. Unbelievably, in her afterlife she is thrust into 1880s Arizona Territory and finds herself in a dirty little cabin without any of the luxuries of running water, electricity or even food. How can this be?

Caleb Young decides to go west, leaving his successful 1880s Boston law practice and a personal life of deceit. He makes his way from town to town as a gambler. While in Yuma, he makes an enemy when he catches the man cheating. Later, while riding horseback in the Arizona hills, Calib is shot and left for dead.

When Emily encounters Caleb dying from his wounds, she puts her medical skills to work. The problem, of course, is that she has none of the modern technology she’s been trained to use. But she’s a doctor, dedicated to saving lives. The two are drawn together, at first in her life-saving effort, then as an attraction that can’t be denied.

But how will this work? Emily is a modern woman who yearns to be back home, doing what she’s trained to do. Caleb holds deep bitterness from earlier Boston days, but he’s drawn to Emily’s beauty and spunk. Their attraction and passion is pulled between two centuries.

Till My Last Breath is an interesting novel on many levels. First, the phenomenon of an affair between two people born in two different centuries. The medical aspects of the story were handled well. The author, calling on her own previous profession in health care, does a good job of describing modern medical techniques in comparison with past medications, instruments, and treatment. Swenson handles with aplomb a modern woman’s attitude as she is thrust into 19th century’s limited perspectives. as well as describing the clothing, furnishings and attitudes of the two periods. Another interesting technique the author employs is that each chapter is in the first-person voice of a different character, allowing us to know the various characters and understand their motives. The author vividly describes Arizona’s desert landscape and Yuma’s early days, bringing the story to life.

Till My Last Breath is Book One of the “Desert Hills Trilogy.” I’m looking forward to Book Two.

Book Review: Imperfect Promise

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Mary

Imperfect Promise, a novel by Susanna Lane fits the model of a perfect classical western. The story takes place beginning 1876, Kansas.

Lark Garrin is on the run. She fears for her life from an abusive man who claims he “owns” her.

Cort Enders is in jail, facing three years in prison. But his employer, a ranch owner, makes an arrangement to conditionally “free” him to continue his work as ranch foreman. The arrangement involves a marriage of convenience, a purely business arrangement. The conditions are distasteful to Cort, but he has previously served time in prison; he can’t go back.

When Lark and Cort happen to meet in Ogallala, Nebraska, both their lives change. But Lark’s association with Cort complicates her life. She fears bringing danger to those she cares for. For Cort, nothing matters except Lark’s safety and happiness. They’re saddled with “foolish promises, imperfect promises, but good intentions.” And they face real danger in Lark’s pursuer, a known deranged killer.

Imperfect Promise is an exciting, rousing adult western that breathes life into the ways and landscapes of the west.

Book Review: Murder at Buckskin Joe

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Mary

Murder at Buckskin Joe, a novel by J.V.L. Bell, is a lively mystery that covers a two-month period in 1865 Colorado.

Millie Drouillard is shocked to meet her husband Dom’s Uncle George. He’s crude, rude, dirty and smells bad. He’s a terrible influence on their two children, Rachelle, 6, and their adopted Arapaho son, Hopa, 12. Uncle George insists his nephew come to Buckskin Joe, a mining town, necessitating several weeks of travel. George has been accused of murdering his partner and co-owner of a fledgling gold mine. He insists his nephew help clear his name before others claim the mine.

To let Dom go alone with his uncle is unthinkable. Millie doesn’t trust George and feels the family must stay together. They make the journey and find a barely adequate cabin for what Millie hopes will be a short stay.

What follows is a parade of likely suspects, all with motive to kill George’s partner, a man as unpopular as George. Millie tries to run a household and be a supportive wife and mother, but her interest is piqued in trying to solve the mystery. Besides, the sooner they discover the murderer, the sooner they can return to their own home and peaceful life.

The author has obviously done her research in the history of Colorado gold mining boom days. She explains in some detail the various kinds of mines, mining methods and equipment used. Her characters are colorful, but believable. I could almost feel the grime of the dirty little town, built to accommodate the needs of miners and not much more.

Murder at Buckskin Joe is a fun, rollicking cozy mystery that takes readers back to a colorful but gritty time in Colorado’s mining history.

Book Review: When the Skies Cry

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Mary

“The magic of life is in the surprises no one ever sees coming.”

When the Skies Cry by Steve N. Lee, Book 2 of the “Books for Dog Lovers” series, is a poignant novel showing the power of a dog’s love and loyalty.

Harley, a handsome black and white support dog, served his master well. The two were inseparable. When his master dies, Harley is confused and miserable. As he wanders around town, he doesn’t know what to do, where to go. Fighting cold and hunger, he can’t survive much longer.

Rachel, a single mom, is having a tough time. Wes, her eleven year-old autistic son and the center of her life, is withdrawing into his own world. Wes can’t tolerate being touched and he’s getting more difficult to handle each day. Rachel, divorced, is trying to eke out a living as an illustrator, something she can do at home so she can be with her son.

On an outing to the park, Rachel and Wes encounter Harley as he’s being tormented by a group of teenage boys. She steps in and rescues the poor dog. But now what? She can’t leave him in the cold or at the mercy of these mean boys. She takes him home. To her surprise and Wes’s joy, they find the dog is amazingly smart. Someone is missing a valuable dog and Rachel feels she must make an effort to contact his owner. But then, what about Wes? He’s already fallen in love with this smart, affectionate dog.

When the Skies Cry is an excellent read, but more than that, it shows the value of a dog’s love. A trained support dog is a priceless companion and one to be cherished. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves dogs–from teens to senior citizens.