There’s a long-awaited new voice in the Western genre that belongs to Jere D. James, an author destined to help revive the traditional Western and help keep the spirit of the West alive!
Early reviews of Jere D. James’ first novel, Saving Tom Black, A Jake Silver Adventure (Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc., 2009) are outstanding, and after reading this excellent novel, it’s absolutely obvious why.
Set primarily in Arizona in 1888, saving tom black features a cast of Western characters that are truly memorable, from the lovable Betsy DuBonnet, a runaway from an orphaned train searching for her mother, to Thomas Jefferson, a black porter who befriends the girl and helps her dress up as a boy. . names Tom Black, a young, tough, newly appointed US Deputy Marshal, Jake Silver. His lives intertwine in unforgettable and remarkable ways. Add to this trio, a small cast of extremely well-drawn supporting characters, and the making of an excellent book is in order. And, as Shirley Johnson, senior reviewer for the Midwest Book Review, commented, even the animals take on captivating personalities.
James does a brilliant job of pacing this story, and there’s never a dull moment or wasted word. He brings laughter, tenderness, tears and bloodshed to the page with ease and remarkable skill. For those who like action, this book has plenty.
James weaves the story to follow Betsy DuBonnet as she heads west, armed only with incredible courage, in search of her mother. One of the extremely funny opening scenes occurs when Betsy, dressed as Tom Black, tries to buy a horse at a train stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the help of Thomas Jefferson. One doesn’t even need to know horses to fully enjoy the hysterical events that follow, and readers will never forget Betsy’s first night on the road after meeting Deputy US Marshal Jake Silver.
One of the beauties of this story is that it is largely classical in style. Swearing is almost non-existent apart from a couple of “damns” and “hells”. The sex and sexual innuendos are kept strictly to traditional Western standards, and in this case, LESS really is MORE. This is a book that can be recommended to all ages (from 14 years old) without qualification. Although the author does not include Jake Silver in every chapter, he is never found in more than one chapter at a time, and both Betsy and Jake appear in those chapters in which they are absent.
The setting is superbly drawn and accurate, and historical figures are regularly featured or alluded to, and the author deftly weaves these characters and historical incidents into the narrative. This book is literally unforgettable.
The book has been reviewed by the Midwest Book Review, Western Fiction Review, Marshall Trimble (Arizona’s Official State Historian), and Steve Hayes, Western screenwriter and author. Everyone gives the book two solid and enthusiastic thumbs up. Other reviews are expected shortly, including Roundup Magazine and American Cowboy.
saving tom black It is available through the publisher at www.moonlightmesaassociates.com, amazon, and book distributors.
