Location: United States
Member Since:
March 09, 2015
1 reader has added this author as a 'Favorite Author'.
Brenda Smith
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Smashwords book reviews by Brenda Smith
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Restoring Hope
on June 21, 2015
Interesting novel free from smashwords. Begins with a young female Indian being rescued from 3 braves by a white man. The braves were from another tribe. They had beat and raped her after killing her mother. The girl followed the man to the home that he and his sister shared with their aunt. Unfortunately the sister takes a disliking to the girl. The two end up married while only being able to speak a few words to each other. The jealous Sister Julia arranges for her kidnapping by the rapist but instead believes that her brother is killed. The Indian girl is rescued by her brother. Immediately after her rescue the rapist tried again to kidnap her but she escapes by train. Living with others she doesn't know if her pregnancy is from the rape or her husband. Plans work out and she's returned to her tribe. Sister Julia and aunt leave with her brother searching for both of them. Finally all are reunited and a big battle won. Lots of distance covered with several surprise twists. A enjoyable book.
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Rebel Justice
on June 23, 2015
Rebel Justice by Robert Gosnell is a short Western with several shooting scenes. It begins with a 15 year wait to kill a man who murdered his Grandfather during the war needlessly. Wayland runs into all kinds of bad luck following his tip. Naturally the man owns most of the town. He is also very security conscious with guards and fencing around his home. Part of the police force is loyal only to him. Wayland is shot before he even enters town. This turns out to be a case of mistaken identity. The man that shot him thought that he was searching for him. He had stolen the black stallion after his farm was taken away illegally. Wayland is nursed back to health by a saloon girl that he falls in love with. She has also been wronged when the colonel breaks their engagement after she is raped. Wayland falls for her immediately. With the help of the man that shot him Wayland is able to find a way to the colonel. He has already been beat, jailed and branded while committing several murders. He finds out that the man he had been chasing was dead and he had found the grandson. This had the surprise ending and even a few twists. I was disappointed with the errors and the flat feeling in the plot. After reading that the author writes for TV then it made sense with this being better as a hour long show. A free book from smashwords.
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Petra
on June 29, 2015
Petra by Arch Fallen is a great thought provoking Western. Using a unusual way of speech by the family adds to the value. It is about a large successful family and the town that they value and serve. One of the brothers come West to prepare for the family arrival. The town that they settled was very lawless and only shacks. He ends up becoming a great Marshal, the town and their wealth grows. During his early years he killed a bank robber in front of the criminal's son. His name was Petra. The young teenager became a orphan but refused the help offered by the young Marshal. Petra became a great hired killer. His last job was to murder the Marshal that killed his father. His attempt to kill him in front of his kidnapped daughter failed. The Marshal wants to avoid killing him despite the odds of being killed. The Marshal and his wife are struggling with his history of having to kill. His sheriff brother and law enforcement friends understand that his role was necessary. The Marshal always felt that the town disliked him. Many attempts to reason with Petra is unsuccessful. He dies a rich man. His money received by murdering others goes to a very needy orphanage. The Marshal also finds forgiveness and acceptance by the town. A fantastic free novel from smashwords.
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Finding Her Way
on July 01, 2015
Finding her way by Leah Banicki is a rewrite of the book Seeing the elephant. Apparently seeing the elephant was a term used by wagon trains reaching their destination. Much like the other tales of crossing but a great job on defining characters. Readers see a young teenager agree to marry a man that she has only met once desperate to be on the train to her father that is already there. Andrew turns out to be very disliked by all but did a excellent job in preparing for the trip. They begin the day they are married with servants, cook and his set of expectations for their upper class. Andrew had planned to a name in marriage only and shared his plan to seek a annulment with all. Verbally abusive to most including his wife Corrine. He dies leaving 4 months of the journey to go. Corrine is a talented herbal healer and helps many of her new friends. She is also the only single woman with 30 bachelors.She does have her eye on one. It's a tale about the severe cross country trip with the friendships that happens. Even the problems after arriving are included. Interesting novel.
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Silver Heart (Historical Western Romance)
on July 04, 2015
Maggie leaves home to become the bride of a widower. He is also a friend of her parents although she has never met him. Her family financial downfall helped make the decision. She enjoyed the sight of the groom and his home. Soon after their arrival his younger brother is shot. They thought she was a nurse instead of a midwife. She successfully delivers one child but the second is lost. The town turns against her. Foreclosure papers served. She is caught in a embarrassingly situation with soon to be brother-in-law. Suddenly new hope and plans are made. Help from in-laws allow for a different future. Different than the usual mail order brides series. Still with the unknown and uncertainties. Short but interesting.
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Switch-Play
on July 05, 2015
A good short Western.
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A Lesson for Us All
on July 05, 2015
Good short story.
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Sentence of Marriage (Promises to Keep: Book 1)
on July 24, 2015
This was a hard book to read because of the pain this young girl had to suffer. I have bought the second hoping that this fictional character has improved circumstances. I must give the author credit for not cushioning any blows to the heart. I believe the book to be possibly accurate about lifestyles and unwed motherhood during this time. Can't figure out why the stupid stepmother is so anxious to be rid of her help unless to protect her brother. Well wrote and kept me awake to finish. Recommended highly.
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Change of Heart
on July 29, 2015
A good novel.
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The Long Ride
on Nov. 04, 2015
A great western. Exciting days of outlaws and marshals.
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The Deer Run Trail
on Nov. 05, 2015
Excellent novel. Enjoyed the humor and the plot.
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Second Helping
on Nov. 12, 2015
Great western plot with a unique way with the spoken words.
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The San Gabriel Years
on Nov. 13, 2015
Decent western with a unique plot. Beginning great although the end is not up to speed.
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Ride Tall, Hang High
on Nov. 14, 2015
Great exciting western with a misfit group that broke out of jail. Enjoyed the novel free from smashwords. Thanks.
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High Plains Justice
on Nov. 14, 2015
One of the best westerns similar to the old greats. Enjoyed the novel that was free from smashwords.
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Ambush at Kansas City - Michelle Tanner Going West - Part One
on Nov. 14, 2015
Interesting beginning to a novel.
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Tara's Forgotten Son
on Nov. 18, 2015
Wonderful novel and follow-up of gone with the wind.
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Heart of a Family (Book one of the Brides of the West Series)
on April 25, 2016
Interesting and inspirational novel. Well wrote and enjoyable. Best of all free.
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Nick Stolter
on April 25, 2016
Interesting novel about the most unique trip probability ever made. Free and one of the best Westerns recently wrote.
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Sedgwick County Ambush
on April 26, 2016
Good short story
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The One
on April 26, 2016
Good novel with a great plot. Full of surprises. Great free book.