Kent Conwell
Valley of Gold (1997)
Author: Kent Conwell
Genre: Westerns
Plot Summary:
A loner named Andy Stonecipher finds himself stranded in the middle of the Sonoran Desert with two women and three children after the train they are taking to Tucson breaks down. Unable to leave them by themselves, Andy who has been raised by Indians, leads them into a safe valley in the Baboquivaris Mountains. However, he finds out that the group is being followed by a band of Comancheros bent on selling the women and children. Andy must take the wild men on himself if they are going to stay alive. Although at first he tries to do this by himself, he realizes that he needs help, and incorporates the children, especially the boys, and the women in a plan to defeat the men. After many sticky situations, and narrow escapes, Andy’s Indian brother and friends show up, and the group is able to escape. After spending the time with the women and children Andy realizes that he might want a family, and a promising relationship arises between him and one of the women.
Geographical Setting: Arizona, Sonoran Desert
Time Period: although never clearly defined, definitely post civil-war, late 1800’s
Series: no series, but part of a group of Westerns called the Avalon Westerns, all published by the same publisher, Avalon.
Appeal Characteristics:
One of the things I really liked about this book is that even though the main character has some stereotypical ideas about what men and women can do, the women are able to redeem themselves and challenge his thinking. The book is fast-paced with lots of action sequences and suspenseful situations. The story draws the reader in with likeable characters, and the writing keeps the pages turning and invests the reader in what will happen next. A quick and easy read.
Similar Authors: Johnny D. Boggs, A.H. Holt, Tom Austin
Red Flags: none
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