Really enjoyed this book. Great plot and engaging, believe characters. I was drawn right into the story. Would definitely recommend.

I have read a lot of westerns, usually I pick William Johnstone books because I know I'll always get a good story and excellent writing. This is the first book I have read written by Lancaster Hill but I'm sure it won't be the last. Like a good Johnstone book, this author has great character development and a great back story. Stories that include the earliest Texas lawmen usually have sparse background, not this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey from Florida to Texas and all of the excitement our hero stirred up along the way. I'll be looking for Mr Hill's next book.

Hank Gannon was a Confederate soldier from the plantations of Florida. After the Civil War he decided to work to make the entire country a peaceful nation and, putting his skills to good use, joined the Texas Special Police. He had a plan to work hard and well and make a good home for himself and Constance, the girl who waited for him to come home after each job. And this was going well. Gannon was one of the best officers in the Texas Special Police until he is returning to Austin with a prisoner and the prisoner dies in his custody.

Gannon is forced to quit the police and run away before he is hung out to dry by administrators looking to set an example. But where he's headed is Comanche territory. Gannon meets up with Roving Wolf, a Comanche warrior who has just killed a man. That man was a former soldier who fought with Gannon during the war. Even though he has no legal standing as a lawman, Gannon feels compelled to uphold the law and take Roving Wolf in for murder. But as Gannon and Roving Wolf fight their own battle, the Comanches and the Texas Special Police and the Texas State Guard prepare for a battle.

This is a good, strong western. In many ways the cast of characters is pretty small. It's mostly Gannon and Roving Wolf and everyone else is incidental. With that in mind, we get a good look at Gannon and his tough determination and code of ethics. Roving Wolf seems to be a bit of a stereotype for the 'Indian warrior" that we are familiar with from western literature and the movies.

The story is pretty straight-forward with good (Gannon) versus evil (Roving Wolf and the Comanches) and for fans of western fiction, that's pretty much what we want... men being Men and taking care of the Bad Guys in strong fashion.

There aren't a lot of new westerns out there in the book market so this is a welcome addition to the genre bookshelves.

Looking for a good book? War Valley by Lancaster Hill is a new western with plenty of action and a macho main character that should appeal to fans of the genre.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I liked War Valley by Lancaster Hill. I would be interested in reading more of the series in the future. Four stars.

Entertaining western centered in Austin after the Civil War. Characters were well developed. Story flowed easily. I enjoyed the book.

I received this from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

On the one side is a bloodthirsty war party of Indians, heading for the white man’s capital. On the other side is a makeshift army of Texas Special Police and the Texas State Guard, ready to meet the threat head-on. In the middle are Hank Gannon and Roving Wolf, waging their own blood feud. Two men trapped in a war. Fighting to survive their mutual hate, killing to get out alive.

Good writing, exciting battle between the two sides. Detail is given to help the reader understand why each side is fighting the other. Good read, great western. I hope to read more about Constance and Hank.

4☆