The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah-464 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.

Texas, 1934. Millions are out of work and a drought has broken the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as the crops are failing, the water is drying up, and dust threatens to bury them all. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance.

In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.

Thoughts: This is such a good book. It has really opened my eyes to the experiences of those who went through the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression simultaneously. Elsa and her family's experience was harrowing. I had only heard about Kristin Hannah and I have been highly anticipating reading many of her books. This one is heavy, but really good. 

Down Range by Taylor Moore

Down Range by Taylor Moore--342 pages 

#1 in the Garrett Kohl series.  Garrett is working as an undercover DEA agent in Afghanistan when his commander orders him home to Texas along with a special package he is to look after.  Normally a peaceful respite for him, he discovers that his home town has been taken over by a band of criminals.  Garrett tries to resolve things peacefully, but the criminals have other ideas.  They might just be surprised who they are up against.  Did I mention that he is also a hardened Green Beret!  I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the second one "Firestorm: A Novel".

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights by Matthew McConnaughey-Audio CD-6 discs, 6 hr., 45 min. (308 pages in print)

 

I listened to this on a recent road trip and it was an enlightening, interesting listen/read. It was really good to listen to it in the author's voice. It's good to hear how he intended it to be read. McConaughey shares stories from his past as they relate to the overall theme of what he terms green lights. He shares about his upbringing and how his parents were twice divorced and thrice married to each other. He shares stories of the "tough love" that his parents and siblings showed towards him and each other. He then delves into how he got into acting and some of the early roles he played. He opens up about many different experiences and journeys he has had up until now. He travelled to Australia after high school for one year and lived with a very unique family as an exchange student. He rode a rented motorcycle across Europe with friends from his first film before getting his start in Hollywood. He also discusses how he met his wife. He shares different philosophies for living that he calls prescriptions. One such philosophy that resonated with me is to "define your success." I did enjoy reading (listening to) this book and it's fun to get insights into celebrities' lives. They're human just like us. 

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

 News of the World by Paulette Jiles - 209 pages

 It is 1870 and Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence.

In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna’s parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Recently rescued by the U.S. army, the ten-year-old has once again been torn away from the only home she knows.

Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act “civilized.” Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forging a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.

Arriving in San Antonio, the reunion is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember—strangers who regard her as an unwanted burden. A respectable man, Captain Kidd is faced with a terrible choice: abandon the girl to her fate or become—in the eyes of the law—a kidnapper himself. Exquisitely rendered 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

                               

                                           The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah-451 pages

Not sure what else can be said..we have all read the reviews.  Kristin Hannah is one of my top three authors.  She never disapoints.  It is written so well that the characters are brought to life in your mind.  All along you are pulling for Elsa. Even though she may be frail physically she is such a strong woman.  Her children ALWAYS take top priority.  She never complains.  There are so many lessons we can all learn from her.  I highly recommend reading this.

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

News of the World by Paulette Jiles
209 pages / 6 hrs, 1 min

"It is 1870 and Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings to paying audiences hungry for news of the world...

"In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna's parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Recently rescued by the U.S. army, the ten-year-old has once again been torn away from the only home she knows.

"Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act 'civilized.' Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forging a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land."  --from the publisher

This story crept in and grabbed my heart. It's a slow-paced tale from slower-paced times and the writing is exceptional. The reader of the audio version is excellent, too.  I gave it four out of five stars.

Pursuit of Justice by DiAnn Mills

Pursuit of Justice by DiAnn Mills
(Call of Duty #3)
384 pages / 10 hrs, 57 mins

"Special Agent Bella Jordan is assigned to investigate a series of murders in West Texas that are linked to the Spider Rock Treasure. Since she spent the first fifteen years of her life in this area, FBI authorities believe she can get the job done. What they don't know is that one of their prime suspects...is deeply connected to Bella's past.

"The other prime suspect is Carr Sullivan, the man who owns the ranch where the murders occurred. Carr was once one of the wealthiest businessmen in Dallas and has a shady past a mile long. But it appears he's turned his life around. Can Bella trust him, or is he just trying to cover his tracks?"  --from the publisher

The story is pretty good, but there are some problems with character development and some major holes in the plot, imho.  I gave it three out of five stars.

Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush

Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush - 238 pages




The former first daughters share intimate stories and reflections from the Texas countryside to the storied halls of the White House and beyond.


Born into a political dynasty, Jenna and Barbara Bush grew up in the public eye. As small children, they watched their grandfather become president; just twelve years later they stood by their father's side when he took the same oath. They spent their college years watched over by Secret Service agents and became fodder for the tabloids, with teenage mistakes making national headlines. 

But the tabloids didn't tell the whole story. In SISTERS FIRST, Jenna and Barbara take readers on a revealing, thoughtful, and deeply personal tour behind the scenes of their lives, as they share stories about their family, their unexpected adventures, their loves and losses, and the sisterly bond that means everything to them.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

By Timothy Egan

340 pages

I know the dust bowl was a tragic event in American history. However, I didn’t realize the scope of “no lands land” included portions of Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.  The book follows several families and communities before, during, and after the dust bowl.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Jenny Lawson

Let's Pretend this Never Happened - Jenny Lawson - 384 pages

Even if your father isn't making you puppets out of half-squirrels in the middle of the night and dropping uncounted ducklings on your children in the living room at more reasonable hours, the stories Lawson shares are so relatable you'll almost agree that it's totally normal to wear koala footie pajamas to meet koalas in Australia.

Funny, tragic, and utterly magical, this romp through the everyday adventures of The Bloggess will make you feel awesome about all the beautiful little quirks that make up your crazy life.

Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris, 320 pages

Now that she has wrapped up her Sookie Stackhouse - Southern Mystery series, Harris has moved on to a new locale with just as many interesting characters.

As a newbie moves into Midnight, a town of about 12 residents, he finds that his neighbors are all quite interesting. There's the witch, the vampire and a peculiar cat named Mr. Snuggles.  This book introduces the readers to each new character, but was still able to keep me interested.

Lots of mysteries and a few murders thrown in to keep things lively. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Betting the Rainbow by Jodi Thomas

Betting the Rainbow by Jodi Thomas-294 pages

This is the the much anticipated seventh book in the Harmony series.  In this one we meet several new characters..and are reunited with old ones.  Reagan Truman has settled in to make a go of her uncles apple farm.  Her life would be perfect if only her boyfriend Noah McAllister would put his rodeo days behind him.  But when a bombshell is dropped on her doorstep she begins to wonder how many other lies he has told her and convinces herself to never allow him back into her heart.  She is sponsoring a poker tournament to benefit the local library..so when Dusti Delaney finds out that there is a big purse involved she enlists her childhood friend Kieron O'Brian to teach her the game.  By the time the tournament is over she has learned much more than poker from Kieron O'Brian!  Then we meet up again with loner Ronny Logan..who is settling into a secluded cabin..refusing to get attached to anyone when Austin Hawk crosses her path one too many times.  Jodi Thomas does not disappoint her loyal readers again.

Echo Burning by Lee Child

Echo Burning  by Lee Child   pages 519

Jack Reacher is at again!  Jack is a former military police detective, now he is a loner and a drifter.  He hitches a ride with a beautiful young woman in Texas.  She is the mother of beautiful little girl... and she has quite a story to tell. She married into the wrong family, they're a bitter and miserly clan. Now her husband is getting released from prison.  She needs help and she asks Reacher to help her and her young daughter.  This story has twists, turns, good guys and lots of bad guys.  Reacher is such an awesome, tough, honest character and in my minds eye, very handsome!!

Robert B. Parkers Ironhorse by Robert Knott

Robert B. Parker's Ironhorse  Robert Knott  pgs. 374

"For years, Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch have ridden roughshod over rabble-rousers and gun hands in troubled towns like Appaloosa, Resolution, and Brimstone.  Now, newly appointed as Territorial Marshalls, they find themselves traveling by train through the Indian Territories.  Their first marshaling duty starts out as a simple mission to escort Mexican prisoners to the border, but when the Governor of Texas, his wife and daughters climb aboard with their bodyguards and $500,000 in tow, their journey suddenly becomes a lot more complicated." From Amazon.com

 This is another great Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch story! Robert Knott has got the dialogue of these two cowboys down pat. Great story, awesome shoot-'em-up scenes, mean bad guys, kidnapping beautiful women for ransom, all the things that you need in a wonderful  western story.