FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
5/3/22 |
Review |
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5/3/22 |
Bonus Promo |
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5/4/22 |
Excerpt |
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5/4/22 |
Bonus Promo |
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5/5/22 |
Top 8 List |
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5/6/22 |
Review |
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5/7/22 |
Excerpt |
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5/8/22 |
Author Interview |
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5/9/22 |
Review |
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5/10/22 |
Series Spotlight |
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5/10/22 |
Bonus Promo |
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5/11/22 |
Review |
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5/12/22 |
Review |
In this seventh book in the H.H. Lomax series, Henry has been caught cheating in a card game aboard the Southern Pacific Railroad. When the men he cheated dangle him from a railroad car over the high bridge, Lomax is sure he is about to meet his maker. With five hundred dollars hidden in his boots, he struggles to keep his feet in them while his head bumps the rails. Then, when the train stops at the tiny town of Langtry, his troubles multiply.
Judge Roy Bean has established quite a reputation for administering his own brand of justice, and Lomax finds himself on the receiving end of that justice, which includes being marched through town naked and a shotgun wedding to a woman who speaks no English. That is after the good judge relieves him of all his money for various fines.
That is where this story begins.
During his mandated stay in Langtry, Lomax becomes partners with Bean’s caged bear, Bruno, better known as Judge Roy Bear. He’s locked in the cage with the bear to entertain train passengers entering the Jersey Lilly, the famed judge’s bar. And that’s not all. In his desire to entertain train passengers when Bruno is too tired, the judge forces Lomax to play the notorious and fictitious outlaw Claude Bawls, better-known as Gringo Bandito. Then Bean commissions Lomax to find someone in El Paso who will write his life story after he discovers Lomax has met Oscar Wilde, the poet.
I won’t even attempt to go into everything that happens to H.H. Lomax in this story. He reminds me of a cat that keeps landing on its feet no matter how far it is dropped. With other historical characters, John Wesley Hardin, John Selman, and Bat Masterson, there are lots of colorful encounters. Then the story evolves around a prizefight for a world championship boxing match that every lawmaker in the country refuses to allow.
I love some of the author’s phrases and descriptions. For instance, this one: “It was the summer of 1895, and Texas had pretended it was a civilized state, passing the laws restricting the carry of guns and other weapons and acting as if it was finally a respectable place to live. It wasn’t before, and it wasn’t then…”
And this: “They argued in language that would’ve made the devil blush, though I suspect he was too scared to ever set foot in El Paso.”
And when Lomax lands a job with the help of his Texas Ranger brother, Andy Lomax, he has this to say about scooping manure from the El Paso streets: “That’s why I never cared to farm. Too Much Manure.”
This book is entertaining from start to finish. H.H. Lomax is a character I won’t soon forget. And even though it is a book in a series, it is completely standalone. There were laugh-out-loud moments as well as harrowing situations. The author did a fantastic job of painting a vivid picture of the wild west and what could be conceived as believable situations for many of its infamous characters. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction with laugh-out-loud humor.
I love your review and insights Jan. I found this book so much fun. I look forward to more of his writing.
I wholeheartedly agree, Rox! A fun book! Thanks for visiting!
Those quotes had me laughing, Jan – so funny! Best wishes to Preston on his new release!
That’s just a small example of the humor throughout this book. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by, Teri!
Congratulations on the new book and thank you to Jan for featuring Preston Lewis.
My pleasure, Erika. Thanks for stopping by!
Sure thing, Jan! Thank your for being so supportive 💖
Your reviews are so enthusiastic and ALWAYS make me want to go out and get a book and read it RIGHT NOW! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. LOVE Lomax books!
Thanks, Kristine. I’m glad you enjoyed my review. It is such a fun book to read!
This sounds like a very entertaining read, Jan 🙂
For sure, Denise! Thank you for stopping by!
Wonderful review, Jan. The story sounds like a fun read. Congratulations to Preston! 😊
Thank you, Gwen. It was a nice break away from anything serious. 🙂
This sounds rollicking, a nice break from traditional Westerns.
That’s a great way to describe it, Jacqui! Thanks for dropping by!
It sounds like a lot of fun, Jan. I’m familiar with Preston Lewis from his book Fort Griffin. I bought the Kindle copy when it came out, then loved it so much, I had to buy the paperback too. A hysterical and clever read.
He’s such a talented author. I’m going to have to look into Outlaw West of the Pecos. Preston’s work is certainly unique and enjoyable. Great share, Jan!
I have to agree with you, Mae. Preston Lewis is a talented author. It’s not easy to write humor, but he has it down in spades. This was such a fun book. It was a nice distraction from the heaviness of the world. Thanks for adding your comment!
Great review, Jan! Wishing Preston Lewis all the best! 🙂
Thank you, Mary!
Fantastic review, Jan. I’m sure Preston is delighted with it, and I wish him all the best. Thanks for sharing.
It was such a fun read. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Staci!
This sounds like a great read, Jan. I always enjoy a little humor. Thanks for sharing!
It was so much fun, Jill, and a great distraction from the heaviness of the world. Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats to Preston Lewis on his latest release. Wishing him all the best. Thanks for sharing, Jan 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony!