DODGE CITY: WYATT EARP, BAT MASTERSON AND THE WICKEDEST TOWN IN THE AMERICAN WEST

DODGE CITY                                                   TOM CALVIN

Dodge City, Kansas, is a place of legend. The town that started as a small military site exploded with the coming of the railroad, cattle drives, eager miners, settlers, and various entrepreneurs passing through to populate the expanding West. Before long, Dodge City’s streets were lined with saloons and brothels and its populace was thick with gunmen, horse thieves, and desperadoes of every sort. By the 1870s, Dodge City was known as the most violent and turbulent town in the West.

Enter Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. Young and largely self-trained men, the lawmen led the effort that established frontier justice and the rule of law in the American West, and did it in the wickedest place in the United States. When they moved on, Wyatt to Tombstone and Bat to Colorado, a tamed Dodge was left in the hands of Jim Masterson. But before long Wyatt and Bat, each having had a lawman brother killed, returned to that threatened western Kansas town to team up to restore order again in what became known as the Dodge City War before riding off into the sunset.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tom Clavin's Dodge City tells the true story of their friendship, romances, gunfights, and adventures, along with the remarkable cast of characters they encountered along the way (including Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James, Doc Holliday, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Wesley Hardin, Billy the Kid, and Theodore Roosevelt) that has gone largely untold—lost in the haze of Hollywood films and western fiction, until now.
 

PAT'S REVIEW;

This is a book about the old west and how Dodge City become not only a cow town, but also into a city. The people are just part of the story. Yes Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and many other famous cowboys and non-cowboys either’d lived or passed through the town. The actors and other odd characters are what add to this western tail. The stories of Wyatt, and his brothers really give a different look to his life and that of his brothers. From operating a freight out of San Bernardino, California, to Prescott Arizona, to the family living in Colton for a while. All of which I did not know. Some of the gun fights in Dodge City really happened by Bat who by this author killed more men than Wyatt, but also his brother Ed was killed as well. Through it all you get a look at a different side of the west. Of men not wanting to stay put in one town and how Wyatt ending up Tombstone to help and be with his brother Virgil and two other brothers. This all before the O.K. Corral afterwards and a few travels he ends up back in Dodge City along with Bat and some other gunslingers. Men that people of the town new were there to take back the town from a group who were getting rid of the old or who they believed should be gone. I don’t have to tell you how it turned out with not a shot fired. Later Wyatt would go back to California, and Bat would end up in New York first as a deputy U.S. Marshall then later and the most surprising part of the whole book a sports writer, and according to some of the ones who were at the top of their game Damon Runyon he was a real good one. Runyon also wrote Guys and Dolls and dedicated a character in the story after Masterson whom he became friends with. Overall this is a very good book with a lot of information. The author did his research and clarifies as much as possible from past mistakes from previous books who have tried to write about this time and people. I got this book from netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

RIOT

RIOT                                                                  TILLIE COLE

Stolen by the Arziani Georgian crime mob as a child, 152 was raised and conditioned to be a Mona—the most subservient of the Arziani Blood Pit slaves.

Gorgeous and kind, she has been and under the imprisoning influence of the Type B drug and under the command of the Blood Pit Master’s sister, Mistress Arziani, for most of her life, until the Master calls her back home to Georgia.

He wants her under his total control, and Master always gets what he wants.

But when 152 is gifted to the Blood Pit’s fearsome champion death match fighter as a prize, 152 suddenly finds out that the men who appear most brutal, may just own the kindest hearts. And love may be found, even when living in hell.

Freedom, family, love, 152 will have to fight for what she wants and ultimately make an impossible choice.
 

PAT'S REVIEW;

This is I believe the last book in the series and though at times this book was slow in certain spots, overall it was a good story. This one focuses on mostly still on the fighting and the fact that 152 is still under control and not free like her brother from the previous book. Now you are introduced to fighter 901 who is the top fighter and one who walks into the circle and really less than a minute later walks out with his opponent dead. Now the master of gulag has decided to give him a Mona. 152 is the Mona that is given to him and he does not want her. What he wants is to be left alone, but she is now locked up with him at night and gone during the day. These are the scenes that make this book. The story between 152 and 901 are touching once you get to that point. First he does not what to be touched, when he finally allows it he begins to want her, but he thinks she is only with him because of the drugs that are being given to her and her being forced every night into his cell. Really though after the first night she is not really being forced just acting. The story of the two of them becoming together is what makes this and all of the previous books. The blood pits is where this begins and ends and really for these books it is a good way. When you are taken back to New York they are still working on a way find where 152 is and when they do they the former fighters, and one assassin must return to the pits and finish the plan. This story has fighting, grit, passion, sex, compassion, and even some hope. The best part for me after the story was over was the epilogue which put everything together. A very good book and series. I got this book from netgalley.com. I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com 

THE LITTLE WAGONS

THE LITTLE WAGONS                                   CROZIER GREEN

The Little Wagons is a fictional novel that captures the turmoil of late nineteenth-century Sicily, when the reverse alchemy of greed and violence forever changed the emerging Cosa Nostra from benevolent gold into corrupted base-metal. The horrors of slavery and oppression forged revolutions and rebels in equal measure, and within this cornucopia of nepotism and brutality, hostility and passion are pitted against endemic hegemony. With protagonists as fiery as Mount Etna itself, and equally unpredictable, The Little Wagons shows how poverty and despair become the omnipotent catalysts of vengeful change

PAT'S REVIEW;

This an excellent story of the mafia in Sicily in the nineteenth century. Taking you from the sulfur mines, to prisons, and the life in the village and the men who control the jobs. There are celebrations, payoffs, back stabbing, knife fights, and prison breaks. There is also a love story but she does not want to marry the man her father picked for her so he sent him to prison. The daughter Gabriela is the cause for much turmoil, but the story really follows the life of young pick-man Tommaso. Through his life you follow his hardships, and defeats. Until a day that he is chosen to kill one of the hogs for the celebration in the village. Then after witnessing a knife fight he must not only defend his life but also Gabriela’s. Both of these happening on the same day you begin to see a change and that is also when his life turns, and the power of the Gabriela’s father has him sent to prison on a lie, not knowing this until after he is at the prison. A very good story and all of the questions you have at the beginning are answered at the end with a few surprises. The characters are well developed and overall this is a very good story with a lot of detail. I got this book from netgalley.com. I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE WILD

HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE WILD                SAM MARTIN & CHRISTIAN CASUCCI




Be prepared physically and mentally for anything that may happen while you're enjoying the great outdoors. This earth-friendly guide covers helpful equipment and tools, finding food and water sources, building shelter, fire safety, first aid, and getting around with and without maps. It offers practical, field-tested advice in clear, easy-to-follow instructions, charts, and guides. Whether you're on a camping trip or planning to relocate to a simpler existence, How to Survive in the Wild offers valuable tips and techniques for keeping all your bases covered in Mother Nature's house!

PAT'S REVIEW;

This is an excellent book for either the weekend person or someone who has gone out to the wilderness and needs just a refresher on things. People always think they know what they will do if something should happen to them, or nothing will happen, but that is not always the case. Most people don’t take a compass with them and this book gives you the way to find N-S-E-W-, something you would know if you were in the military or raised by a military person or an outdoors man. You are also given instructions on how to build shelter if you need to. There are many, guides to follow in this book and are easy to follow. Good for the people going camping for the first time. Overall a good and clear concise read. I got this book from netgalley.com. I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com



LET'S WELCOME AUTHOR OF: THE ONE – Kristin Vayden Interview

LET’S WELCOME 
THE AUTHOR OF:
THE ONE

KRISTIN VAYDEN

Rad-Reader:  Why this story?  Where did the idea come from?

Kristin:   It started out as a bit of a satirical piece, that just kinda teased about some of the current stereotypes in romance. But once I started, I had this really clear idea of who "Kirby" was, and how he fit into the picture. Meredith, the main character, reminds me a lot of myself, while Kirby has several traits that are strong in my husband's personality, so once I started, the book really flowed quickly and easily.

Rad-Reader:  The bantering, joking, and fighting filled with a friendship.  Where did that come from?  How did you find that happy medium?

Kristin:  It's always hard to find that happy medium, in any book. But with Kirby and Meredith, it was their history that gave the balance the book needed.  The fact that Kirby and 'Merry' had this antagonistic history really added a depth to the book that gave me a lot of room to mess with their relationship. It was so much fun to write their banter, the flirting, the way they had this hate/love relationship. To this day, it's one of my favorite books I've written.

Rad-Reader:  Meredith had her crush yet she was letting herself get swept up by Rowland when her heart was with another.  Why?

Kristin:  How often do we take what's offered rather than what we have to reach or ask for? It's simpler, and you don' have to risk rejection. The same was for Meredith. Kirby was out of her reach, and she was struggling with even admitting she had feelings for him, other than irritation and anger.  It was too fresh, too new for her to even consider Kirby as a romantic interest, not when Rowland was available and interested. IT was the safe choice, and Meredith liked safe...at first.

Rad-Reader:  Did Roxie really know about Rowland and did he make them pay for all the meals that he took Meredith to?

Kristin:  Roxi didn't know the full picture of Rowland's character till it was too late, and yes, in the end, Rox.com paid for all the business expenses of the venture. But Roxi was annoyed enough to write bad reviews on his company's products, secretly of course. 

Rad-Reader:  Why did Meredith put a good spin on those bad dates doesn’t that just feed into the fairytale of the perfect man and date so when the women don’t get it they are disappointed?

Kristin:  You're totally right, but she also wanted to project hope. You see, we know that those types of guys are out there, and usually you meet several before you meet your prince charming. It was the same with Meredith. However, she chose to give a more positive spin for the sake of the blog's popularity, and because we all want to believe, to hope that there really is someone out there. If she simply put "They all suck." How would that help? Rather, she highlighted the more positive traits because we're all human, and went on in hope!

Rad-Reader:  Did Kirby know about Rowland being engaged or anything about Rowland?

Kristin:  Nope. Kirby had no idea. Knowing Kirby, if he had known, he would have bloodied up his knuckles on Rowland's very pampered face. All Kirby knew was what Meredith and Roxi told him.
Rad-Reader:  A bit of the character came out in that answer author lady.  wink~wink!

Rad-Reader:  Did Kirby finally relent when she saw no signs of him in the first apartment?  Meaning she really saw him, right?

Kristin:  I think I understand the question, but let me rephrase it just in case. When Kirby took Meredith to his 'show' apartment, she saw through the pretense, and that in turn, reminded him of how well she knew him, of how well she understood him. And yes. That's totally correct, but it wasn't necessarily the tipping point. You see, with Kirby as soon as he saw Meredith, he was in it to win it. She was the one that got away, and he wasn't about to let that happen--he just went about it in an awkward and odd way. But it worked.
Rad-Reader:  On their outing, they went to his ex-in-laws restaurant to eat.  Did he do that for a seal of approval as well as his bar with William?

Kristin:  No. Kirby took her there because it was part of HIS history. And we all want to be known, understood. Kirby wanted Meredith to see that part of his life, to experience it. He took her there so that she could see him clearer.  

Rad-Reader:  Will Roxi find someone of her own?

Kristin:   Of Course!

Rad-Reader:  Why did Kirby dislike America so much?  How long was he in America?

Kristin:   Kirby was in America for about five years, not long. But he didn't dislike America as much as he disliked living there with his dad. Context more than concrete logic. It represented a time when he was completely out of his element, an outcast of sorts and insecure. 

Rad-Reader:  Is Kirby’s dad in America or Scotland now with Roxi’s mom?

Kristin:  America. Kirby's dad loves the US.

Rad-Reader:  Kirby was the stepbrother and the millionaire.  Right? J

Kristin:  Kinda. Rowland was technically the millionaire, but Kirby was as well.

Rad-Reader:  Did Roxi plan this adventure with Kirby for Meredith all along?

Kristin:  Nope. Roxi doesn't think that far ahead or plan that well. She's more of the fly by the seat of your pants type of girl. She had the thought that maybe it might start something--but she wasn't sure.

Rad-Reader:  If your book was made into a movie who would you have play…

Meredith:  Jane Levy
https://66.media.tumblr.com/bd408e3dccc1ecad04c44d41991b7b34/tumblr_ntm31otRXa1uegtcio1_500.jpg

Kirby:  Chris Pine
 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XWYPNMhscb8zKp-f6-Q94m0dosEg_X0KyY2aAZPf_BOCKc_EYDxTRzU2DOyohBIsebR3BYvuu1AgqsxDwar1ayTZxZNDq86wOGgUh7P6T09T3dRKAtEWoP3hBOnD8dOsDFXyTLM8W0kg/s1600/chris+barba.jpg

Roxi:  Imogen Poots
 http://us.hola.com/imagenes/noticias-de-actualidad/2014/08/08/imogen_poots_1imagen.jpg

Rowland:  Alex Pettyfer
 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b5/98/94/b5989417cf0cba8f47b559e2ec417568.jpg

Kristin:

Meredith:  Jane Levy
https://66.media.tumblr.com/bd408e3dccc1ecad04c44d41991b7b34/tumblr_ntm31otRXa1uegtcio1_500.jpg

Kirby:  Chris Pine
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XWYPNMhscb8zKp-f6-Q94m0dosEg_X0KyY2aAZPf_BOCKc_EYDxTRzU2DOyohBIsebR3BYvuu1AgqsxDwar1ayTZxZNDq86wOGgUh7P6T09T3dRKAtEWoP3hBOnD8dOsDFXyTLM8W0kg/s1600/chris+barba.jpg

Roxi:  Imogen Poots
http://us.hola.com/imagenes/noticias-de-actualidad/2014/08/08/imogen_poots_1imagen.jpg

Rowland:  Alex Pettyfer
 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b5/98/94/b5989417cf0cba8f47b559e2ec417568.jpg


Rad-Reader:  What song out today best tells the story of your couple or of your book?
"Hold You In My Arms" - Ray Lamontagne


Kristin: Here is my play list but also Char is putting a few from my playlist also:  

Dear Future Husband - Meghan Trainor

Close - Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo

Sugar - Maroon 5

It Was Always You - Maroon 5

H.O.L.Y. Florida Georgia Line

Rad-Reader:  How did you get the Scottish brogue down did you have help?

Kristin:  I actually have been to Scotland, so that helped a bit, but mostly I just listened to youTube videos!
Rad-Reader:  YouTube is such a wonderous world.  My daughter is huge tuber and now I find she has me becoming one too. :)

Rad-Reader:  Have you been to Scotland?

Kristin:  Yes! I love it there so much! A lot of the scenes in the book from Scotland were places I've been!

Rad-Reader:  What are the 3 most important things for you to carry out of the house with you when you leave each day?
Kristin:  My purse, sunglasses, and coffee.  LOTS of coffee.
Rad-Reader: Just with the last answer I knew I liked you for a reason. Coffee, Coffee, Coffee.  Although, my doctor just said add more water, water, water.  Dang!
Rad-Reader:  What is your favorite type of music?

Kristin:  I LOVE One Republic, Toby Mac, Hillsongs, Justin Timberlake

Rad-Reader:  If you had the money what would be your style of dress? Vintage, Modern, Theatrical, Glam, Classic, Trendy, Other?

Kristin:  Hmmm. Probably Classic. I love red lipstick!

Rad-Reader:  Do you use a storyboard when you write or are you a person who just sits and writes?

Kristin:  I soo don't have time for that! I have FIVE Kids! I'm lucky to write at all!!! So I'm one of those that just sits down, types as fast as I can, and tells the kids to 'go ask your dad'! ;)
Rad-Reader: I'm a pantser too.  I write by the seat of my pants.  I just sit and let it flow.

Rad-Reader:  What is your next project and when is it coming out?
Kristin:  I have several projects I'm working on, but I have a sports anthology with two other authors that are releasing in a few weeks! It's sexy, romantic and hilarious! It's called "Block and Tackle" With Myself, Elise Faber, and Stephanie Fournet.
Rad-Reader:  Where can our readers buy your books?

Kristin:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, Kobo, etc.
Rad-Reader:  Where can our readers find you on the Web?

Kristin:  The best place to find me is on Facebook or Instagram! www.facebook.com/kristinvaydenauthor and my IG is @kristinkatjoyce


We had a glitch in our giddy up but it didn’t stop Ms. Kristin here.  Technology is wonderful until it’s not and for us, it wasn’t.  I thought she had the interview questions since Jan. 23.  But when I sent her an email last Friday and she didn’t respond I got worried.  So, I sent a friendly reminder over Facebook messaging the way we normally communicate.  When sending messages.  Thank goodness, I thought to do that.  Because the glitch was on.  But, Kristin saved the day figuring it out and she was so good she not only figured it out, she answered all the questions, and got me all the things need for the two promo days.  So, thank you!  You are the bomb.  This book was so much fun.  I loved the bantering between your two characters.  Reminds me of my hubby and me.  All in good fun.  We are always doing it and hope to be doing it for a lot more years.  Laughter always goes along with it and that is what gave this story so much fun.  Because Merry & Kirby did have fun that is for sure. If you haven’t gotten it or put it on your list please do you won’t regret it.
Kristin this is where I tell you, like you sis, you are now a 1 Rad-Reader Reviews Misfit.  Stop by anytime to say Hi and make sure when your new book is coming out to send your stuff so we can post it at an author’s Place.
Love to you & the family,
Char & Pat

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