Book Blurb:
When the Ponca Indians encroach upon the Oklahoma settlement of the Cherokees, in 1881, a faction of the Cherokees leave for Mexico for a better life in the pine-oak forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. Passing through Arizona, the tribe stumbles into the middle of a conflict between hostile Apaches and the settlers. The White Chief finds unoccupied land for his tribe to refuge along the confluence of the San Pedro and Babocomari Rivers, ten miles north of Tombstone. Wyatt Earp’s gunfight with the Clanton gang outside the O.K. Corral, Geronimo’s escape from the U.S. government-controlled San Carlos Apache Reservation, and the red-sashed Cowboys rustling activities happens during the time they are there. Misfortunes befall them beginning with the senseless murder of Dakota, a warrior promised in marriage to eighteen-year-old Sequoia. Desiring a new purpose in life, Sequoia plans to trade almond milk with the settlers to develop a rapport with the Indians. But the three women dairy farmers providing the precious commodity of milk in the territory, aren’t having it. Sequoia escapes from an altercation with these Cowgirls on one of their horses. Even though the white mare Maybelline is returned safely to its owner, Pidge Swafford, sadly enough, Sequoia faces discrimination against her that will inevitably turn her into a notorious frontier outlaw.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/KYJRrB
Author Bio:
Ann Greyson, a multi-award-winning author in the science fiction and horror genres, strives to make each book better than the last. She infuses comedy into her intense, binge-worthy stories filled with characters you won’t forget, drawing inspirations from her acting and dance background. She’s well known for transporting her readers into her stories filled with vivid detail, complex characters, and unique genre twists. And every novel she has written has no graphic sex nor profanity.
She acts in many cinematic book trailers advertising her books: Birdwatcher, Gotham Kitty, The Lonely Vampire and Never-DEAD, all of which have exploded into multimedia franchises. Among the short TV programs she acts in include the SpaceWoman and Super CRAZY Fan series for which she is the creator. Additionally, she sings and acts in the music videos: Shine, O Christmas Tree, House of the Rising Sun, Motherless Child, and Buffalo Gals.
Ann Greyson has an Associate of Arts degree in English from Howard Community College. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA and the Alpha Alpha Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
Editorial Review:
The horses approached the Cherokee encampment neck and neck, breathing hard. Their tribe was squatting there, a good ten miles north of Tombstone. Originally, the tribe had set out for Mexico from Oklahoma. When they came into Arizona, they stumbled into a conflict that was in full bloom between the Apaches and just about everyone else, such as the U.S. Army, the settlers, and the Mexicans. The small Cherokee band found themselves in the middle of this hostility. Their White Chief decided to stay put awhile and quickly sought unoccupied land for refuge purposes.
In them dusty corners of the wild, wild West, Ann Greyson spins a yarn that'll keep your spurs clinking and your heart pounding in "Cowgirls & Indians." She paints a picture of Tombstone, a town bustling with crooks, gamblers, and law-keepers, seen through the eyes of a Cherokee widow, three feisty cowgirls on the hunt for vengeance, and a whole lot of folks just trying to tow the line of the law.
This here story ain't one to lose track of. It's a dance of plotlines, all sewn together like a patchwork quilt. Short chapters keep the pace spry, giving you a chance to catch your breath between rounds, just like taking a swig of sarsaparilla between a card game.
Greyson ain't in no hurry to serve up that conflict on a silver platter neither; she stirs the pot slow and steady, building tension bit by bit, making this read feel as snug as an old pair of boots.
Now, let me tell ya 'bout them voices in this tale. When it's cowboys and settlers having their say, you'll hear the rough, deep drawl of the West. But when the story leans toward the Indians and Sequoia, it's a softer, smoother tone that'll waltz right through your ears. Both voices, though, they talk to you like a friend, keeping you company on this journey.
ON NOVEMBER 28, 1881, ON A COLD MONDAY afternoon, the Cowgirls had just about given up searching the stores in Tombstone for the Indian girl. Just a few days ago, the Cowgirls had celebrated Thanksgiving, but they were not interested in breaking bread with this Indian. This was their third outing in two weeks, and Shirley McInerny finally decided to throw in the towel.
Greyson's done her homework, sprinkling this tale with nuggets of history. She ain't just dug up facts 'bout Tombstone and its time; she's shown both sides of the coin through different folks' eyes. You'll find yourself nodding at the settlers' gripes and then feeling for the Indians in the very next breath.
Now, the folks in this story, they're a lively bunch, each with their own tune. From the spirited Willard McKenna to the bit players like the barkeep, they're as diverse as a poker hand. And Greyson, she don't just stick to one or two Indian tribes, no sir, she brings in a whole posse, making the tale richer than a gold strike.
But just like a mustang that needs a tad more taming, there are a couple of hitches in the gitty-up, which might cause a reader to fumble in the saddle at first. But don't despair, it is well worth the ride.
This tale ain't just a romp through the Wild West. It's a showdown of settlers, soldiers, and Indians, a tumbleweed of conflict that forces Sequoia down the outlaw trail. For those who fancy a historical Western with a tough-as-nails heroine, this yarn stands tall and true.
The setting's as ripe as a peach in summer, set in the 1880s Arizona where distrust hangs in the air like a storm cloud. Greyson's words ain't just telling what's what; they're painting a picture so real, you'll swear you're squinting at the sun yourself. And Sequoia, bless her heart, she's a gal we all root for, trying to make a go of it in a world ready to bite.
Greyson's writing is like a river, flowing strong and deep, shining a light on a rough time in history. From the tiff between the Ponca Indians and Cherokees to their journey through Mexico, Greyson lassos historical events like Wyatt Earp's showdown or Geronimo's escape, tying 'em tight into the tribe's story.
After all, she was simply a woman. A woman who had witnessed first-hand what happened to settlers in the hands of hostile Apaches. They knew she would report the savagery she’d seen them commit. The fact was, they were even more upset that she had outrode them. A woman, no less.
Sequoia's ambition to trade with the settlers kicks up a ruckus with them feisty cowgirls, setting her on a path marked by discrimination and hardship, turning her into a frontier outlaw in a land where odds are stacked high against her.
In the end, "Cowgirls & Indians" is a hoot of a read, a dusty trail of history and heart woven together with skill and gumption. Greyson's knack for detail and character makes this book more inviting than a warm campfire on a chilly night. It's a tale for folks who like to mosey through history and reckon with the adventures of a spirited frontier gal.
*****
“Cowgirls & Indians” by Ann Greyson receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
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