Tough Luck: a story of youthful tenacity and hopeful hearts in the American West

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is the story of a young woman on the search for her father in 1863. Their father left four years to find his fortune in the Colorado Territory and is thought to be dead. After her mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, are placed in an orphanage and put to work. She waits for her chance to leave. She is determined to find her father. Haidie doesn’t believe it and she isn’t going to wait for him any longer. She and Boots leave the orphanage and embark on the perilous journey deep into the American West. Disguised as a boy, she learns to handle mules, oxen, and greedy men. Haidie also finds new friends. She hopes that each day gets her closer to finding her father. Will she find him? Will she accept whatever she discovers? 

Tough Luck is a cross between True Grit (1969/2010) and The Journey of Natty Gann (1985). Filled with colorful characters and vivid details of Haidie’s journey and experiences, Tough Luck is a story of youthful tenacity and hopeful hearts in the American West. I enjoyed Haidie’s character as a no-nonsense young woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and get her hands dirty in order to get what she wants. The characters she meets along the way are either other hopeful hearts searching for a future or scoundrels who would prey on them. Ms. Dallas’s description of the American West and the people who lived there were so vivid that I thought I was right there next to Haidie as she traveled. I thoroughly enjoyed Tough Luck. If you enjoy Western adventures with a strong heroine, I highly recommend Tough Luck. 

Tough Luck is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on April 29, 2025. 

Throne of Grace: an epic look into a relatively unknown historical figure

Throne of Grace: A Mountain Man, an Epic Adventure and the Bloody Conquest of the American West by Tom Clavin and Bob Drury shines light on a historical figure largely forgotten in the push West. The legendary adventurer Jedediah Smith and the Mountain Men explored the American frontier after the Lewis and Clark expedition of the Louisiana Purchase and the birth of Manifest Destiny. Stories of friendly deals and bloody battles with the indigenous tribes, the strange beasts and animals they encountered and the gorgeous landscapes before their eyes. From the Rocky Mountains to the western coast, Smith’s explorations became legendary although he fell into obscurity for seventy years after his death. Throne of Grace is a gripping narrative about an relatively underreported era in US history and brings to life one of the great American explorers. 

Whenever I am given the opportunity to read a new historical book by Tom Clavin and Bob Drury, I jump at it. They give the full view of history and its events in its reality and with honesty. Throne of Grace sets out to provide an epic narrative of America’s greatest and yet relatively unknown pathfinder in Jedediah Smith. As their standard, Clavin and Drury provide a painstaking researched story with amazing details and insights into the historical figures and events.  While it is Smith’s story that drives the main narrative, the story of settling west is told through the eyes of the ordinary and memorable men and women who witnessed it, both settlers and indigenous. If you love historical non-fiction, you cannot go wrong with Clavin and Drury’s books. I highly, highly recommend Throne of Grace. 

Throne of Grace: A Mountain Man, an Epic Adventure and the Bloody Conquest of the American West is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Gun Barons: the men, the weapons and the history

Gun Barons: The Weapons that transformed America and the Men who invented them by John Bainbridge Jr is a historical account of the evolution of firearms in the 19th century. The men whose names have become synonymous with American guns. Names like Colt, Smith & Wesson, Winchester and Remington are legendary and are a part of the American story of ingenuity. However, their beginnings and their journey into legend isn’t as well known. These men were at the right time with the inventions. From the westward expansions in the 1840s to the Civil War and into the Gilded Age and through their own trials and tribulations, bankruptcy and competition, these men became legends in the American ideal of individualism They helped bring America as one of the world’s industrial powers. Gun Barons tells the stories behind the men and the guns that made them famous. 

Gun Barons presents an interesting history and sets out to capture the boldness and ingenuity of not just these famous gun makers but the people who bought their guns as well. I found it fascinating to read the stories behind the men and their famous names. I also loved hearing about the lesser known men who helped the legends. Names like the White Brothers, Rollin, Josiah Dennis “JD” and Mason who all worked for Samuel Colt, Christopher Spencer, and John May Davies. At one point, the author presents the competition between the Henry and Spencer rifles. However, I would have appreciated pictures that showed the differences visually. As a gun novice, I do not know the differences and nuances between guns. Overall, it was an interesting read about the history of guns in America. If you are interested in the history or the evolution of guns in the 19th century, I recommend Gun Barons. 

Gun Barons: The Weapons that transformed America and the Men who invented them

is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

Great new additions to the "If you were me and lived in..." series!

Another round of wonderful books by Carole P. Roman. This books are a wealth of information for young children. If you were me and lived in… series has opened the world to children about countries they may never visit and now she has included history lessons about eras long ago.

First, the Middle Ages. The book introduces the period known as the Middle Ages and the daily lives of those who lived during this time. There is information about the communities in which people lived, the jobs which were performed and the everyday homes. The food, drink and clothing which were a part of daily life were discussed. At the end of the book, there is a list of important people from the Middle Ages as well as a glossary of terms which were introduced in the book.

Second, Ancient China. The book focused on the era of the Han Dynasty (206 BC until 220 AD), the longest dynasty and known as the Golden Age of Ancient China. The importance of the Silk Road was discussed as an important trade route to China. In addition to discussion about the food, the homes and the family dynamics, the importance of the colors in which clothes were made are discussed. Red indicates joy and happiness while white was a color of mourning. And yellow was reserved for the emperor only. Religions, important holidays and lucky (and unlucky) numbers in Ancient Chinese cultural were discussed as well.

Third, the American West. The book focuses on an important part of the American Expansion and the Oregon Trail and the pioneers who settled the West with the Great Migration of 1843. Life on the trail was hard as the dangers of disease and Indian attacks were a constant worry. Once at their destinations, the pioneers would build their homes. Readers will be introduced to the homestead community including the schoolhouse and how education was conducted as the families built their homes and towns. The book includes a list of important people of the American West including Wyatt Earp.

Fourth, a book which covers the country of Brazil. With the Summer Olympics completed, this book is a great opportunity to introduce children to the host country. Brazil is the largest country in South America and is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world. They are the largest producers of coffee and the Amazon Rainforest and the Amazon River are contained with the country.

Ms. Roman has brilliantly made a series of book which presents information in a fun and entertaining manner. The information is simply presented but grabs the attention of the readers. These books are great additions to any school or family libraries as children begin to explore history and the world. I highly recommend these titles and other titles in the If you were me and lived in… series! 

All title in this series are available on Amazon 

in paperback for $19.99

or free with KindleUnlimited