West for the Black Hills

(Dakota Sunrise Book 1)

by Peter Leavell

Description

Philip Anderson keeps his past close to the vest. Not many people in Mitchell, a small town in the Dakota Territory, would understand him living with the Sioux Indians who rescued him as a boy. Haunted by the murder of his parents as they traveled West in their covered wagon, he knows it wasn’t Indians who killed them, and his many unanswered questions about that night still torment him. 
His only desire is to live quietly on his homestead and raise Arabian horses. Until he meets Anna, a beautiful young woman with secrets of her own. Is it his eery and unusual wolf eyes that draw Anna to him? Falling in love was not part of his plan. Can Philip open his heart and tell her how he feels before it’s too late? 
With Anna a pawn in the corrupt schemes brewing in Mitchell, Philip is forced to become a reluctant gunslinger even as his inner battle gets in the way. Will Philip’s uncannily trained horses and unsurpassed sharpshooting skills help him free Anna and find out what really happened to his family out there in the wilderness?

Biography

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. For entertainment, he reads historical books, where he finds ideas for new novels. Whenever he has a chance, he takes his wife and two homeschooled children on crazy but fun research trips. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

My Perspective ~

I hadn't read a good Western for many years, and having the opportunity to read this one just piqued my interest in reading more! Written in the first person, the protagonist's story is portrayed with depth of feeling and a rich history of the late 19th century Dakota Territory. I followed Philip throughout his journey, and grew to love him. A man of character and faith, Philip lived his life based on great moral principles and a strong conscience.

The author's research is impeccable, reflecting the realities of the west, with beautiful detailing of the landscape. Characters were well represented through the author's descriptions, and the atmosphere of life in the late 1800s is told with honesty and integrity. Characters are numerous, and very well defined, good, bad and ugly. This novel is representative of life in its earthiest and basic forms, giving the reader a broad focus of the times and settings. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to more from this talented author!

Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift, with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.