West of Pecos Zane Grey

Published: Golden West
Date: 1st published 1931, this edition 2012
Format: LP Paperback
Pages: 365
Genre: Western
Source:Local library


West of Pecos by Zane Grey was read for a reading challenge that called for a book before I was born. As West of Pecos was first published in 1931 this one well and truly fit that criteria!

I'd read some of Zane Grey's books when I was in my teens but haven't really read any since then. I though perhaps I had read this one, but I certainly didn't recognise it so probably not.

In this story Colonel Lambeth sets himself across Texas to begin life anew after the war and because his wife has died. And he is pretty much penniless. He takes with him his daughter Terrill. He'd wanted a boy so he pretty much brought Terrill up as a girl. She learned all the skills you'd pretty much need in the wild west.

Colonel Lambeth eventually dies which leaves Terrill with Sambo and Mauree, freed slaves who have opted to stay with the Lambeths. They then meet up with a cowboy called Pecos Smith who has made some money in rustling - although to give him his due he didn't realise that at the time. When he joins with Terrill he thinks she is a boy.

They start a ranch and begin to build up a herd. Along the way there are encounters with rustlers, other kinds of perils and some Indians. Eventually in a shoot out Terrill is revealed as a girl and eventually they fall in love and are married.

I sort of enjoyed the book, although I didn't enjoy the way the dialogue was written in the way Zane Grey thought they spoke at that time. Maybe they did. Also there were many sayings/attitudes that would no longer be accepted today.

Anyway it was pleasant to revisit an author, who set me on the path of enjoying a good Texan romance.

Dear Carolina. Kristy Woodson Harvey

Dear Carolina
Kristy Woodson Harvey
Published: Berkley
Date: May 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 308
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Local library

I first noticed this book when I read a review by Kristin at Always With a Book, I made a note of it to read sometime in the future. When I was browsing our local library shelves there sitting facing me was a pristine copy of the book, so I felt the time had come to read it. The library rose a few more degrees in my esteem, for already having it on its shelves here in New Zealand!

Jodi Thomas says on the cover - "Characters with rich, complicated lives.... Beautifully shows how a family comes to be". As Jodi Thomas is a favourite author of mine, I needed no further incentive to read.

Each chapter is alternately spoken by two women. It is addressed to baby Carolina, and while that sounds a little odd it works perfectly.  Frances Mason - Khaki to those closest to her, is a very successful interior designer, mother of Alex and wife of Graham. They live mostly on a farm in Nth Carolina, but they also have an apartment in New York.  Khaki has it all and is very happy, but the one thing she would love is another child to add to their family.

Jodi is a cousin of Geoffrey and while he has had a well adjusted life, Jodi has not been so lucky with an alcoholic mother and a father who died. Jodi also reaches for the bottle when things become stressful. So when she is pregnant at nineteen, she fears that her baby is going to end up having the same kind of life as she has had, and she doesn't want that. With an aching heart Jodi comes to a decision that she hopes will give Carolina the love and sense of family she wants for her.

Khaki has a huge loving heart, and as the story progresses she makes decisions that are right for her and her family, so by the end she is very grounded. Jodi - so young, has a wonderful sense of planting and growing and is an expert in canning and jam making. She knows if she can keep busy she may have a chance of overcoming the need to drink. She too has a big heart and I enjoyed her evolution during the span of the novel. 

I really enjoyed this book, I think anyone who enjoys women's fiction, and the exploration of parenthood, love, trust and strength and growth will find it right down their alley. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, it's so accomplished, totally agree with Jodi Thomas!