Book Review: A Story of the West by Susan Spence

We may earn money from the companies or products mentioned in this post.

A Story of the West

He thinks life will be hard but simple. However, things get complicated quickly.
First, Matt falls in love when he meets Lavina Lavold, a young woman who has journeyed west with her family from Illinois. She shares his zest for life, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s very attractive. But it’s not clear if the family is just passing through or if they will settle there.
Then there are rustlers who steal cattle on the vast prairie. Though it’s dangerous, Matt joins a band of ranchers intent on capturing and punishing the criminals.
Bully Buehler, a neighboring rancher only concerned with profit, causes the most trouble. He thinks the Daly ranch would be an attractive addition to his land holdings, and he’s ready to try to take it. (Taken from Goodreads.com)

About the Author: Susan Spence has always been intrigued with life in the West during the 1880s. She researched historical accounts and first-person narratives as she prepared to write A Story of the West. A lifelong resident of the West, she currently lives in Montana where she blogs about her life on the Rocking Seven Mile Ranch. She is also writing a second novel, a sequel to her first. (Taken from Goodreads.com).  You can follow along with Susan’s life on a modern day cattle ranch by visiting her blog Rocking Seven Mile Ranch

My thoughts: When Susan contacted me about her book A Story of the West, I got pretty excited. One of my favorite authors is Zane Grey – big time Western author. He actually lived during the time he wrote about and the time period Susan has written about. I’m fascinated by the old west, where everyone worked hard, yet life seemed simpler than it is today.  As I read A Story of the West, I felt Susan really captured those moments again for me. Living vicariously through her book I was able to imagine life on a cattle ranch. The remoteness that comes with living on a ranch away from a town, and the hard work every member of the family must put in to succeed and live.
I felt at some points in the book things were missing, but I was able to interpret what may have caused certain events for myself. Overall, a great book.  Simple to read, and enjoyable.

Right now on Goodreads Susan is giving away 3 copies!!  Enter here for a chance to win one.