Once again I am impressed by a historical fiction book written by Sandra Dallas. This story follows Ellen through her time of teaching, following in love and the couple’s hard struggle to stay on their ranch in Wyoming. The characters are all so likable and real and all through the story I was hoping for their success. I felt the sad times just like they did. I believe the author did a lot of research on this subject and made the story very realistic. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Where the Coyotes Howl” is not a happy uplifting book. As I described it to my partner, “this book is the gritty version of The Little House books.” Which isn’t to say that’s a bad thing. Life in the early 1910s in rancher country was not easy. This book gives lots of examples of just how not easy it was. There were good times, there were bad times, there were tough times, and there were times that broke you. In some ways, the area the author described reminded me of “outback Alaska” in the 1960s where things were tough and taming the land was near impossible - some people broke and some were made stronger. The author, Sandra Dallas, I think did a fantastic job describing the hardships and faults of those in that area. In a place where miles (if not hours) separate folks, the women ranchers needed those friendships to survive. I know other reviewers have commented about the relationship between Charlie and Ellen (the main characters), but the fact that Charlie didn’t say words of affection didn’t bother me - he was a man of actions speak louder than words. A very sobering and gritty version of trying to survive and tame the wild land. My cowboy hat is off to Ms. Dallas for making it really real. Do be in a good headspace before reading this book. I found myself reading a fluffy comfort book along side this one - just to mentally feel better.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read.
Where Coyotes Howl is one of the most authentic western novels I have ever read. The author was able to weave the beauty of western tenacity with the inescapable grief that go hand in hand with this genre. The ending was emotionally charged and artfully crafted.

This ARC digital copy was received from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

Well damn.

I expected some of what happened but not all. This is a simple story: no complex plot and no character development (the characters are who they are). The story is evocative of a particular time and place and is best summarized by this quote from the book: 'Ellen and Charlie were ordinary, just like everybody else. There was nothing different about them, except for the way they loved each other.'

The author was inspired by an autobiography of a cowboy she once read.

This is the first time I've read anything by this author, and this quiet story won't appeal to everyone, but I can see why her books are fulfilling for a loyal following.

What a vivid novel. There was so much I loved about Where the Coyotes Howl. The Wyoming setting was beautiful and bleak. The characters were rich and believable. I certainly know that life in Wyoming at that time was harsh, but this novel took it to a higher level. I didn’t mind so much when minor characters had heartbreak after heartbreak, but when the two main characters had such dreadful things happen to them, the novel became a chore to read rather than the pleasure it started out as. I know from studying history that life on the frontier was brutal. I just prefer the novels I read to have some happiness in them. If this was a choose your own adventure I would have had a completely different ending. I read in the afterward that the author got her idea from a real cowboy’s life, I just wish in her fictionalized account she would have made his life a little happier.
I did enjoy the writing style, the setting and the characters.

A beautiful and sad telling of the early days in the desolate plains of Wyoming. Life was hard, resources were few but the friendship of neighbors broke the loneliness of the women living on the plains many miles from each other.
This is the story of Ellen and Charlie and the life they grew to love. They had many struggles, some of them horrific, and their love carried them through it all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Where the Coyotes Howl, Sandra Dallas takes the reader to the early settlement of the High Plains.of Wyoming. As Ellen discovers when she arrives from back East, it is a harsh landscape. But grit and determination and the love of a good man make it possible to live there and thrive. Ellen and Charlie weather many challenges, but win through together. This is a great book about the settling of the Western Plains. Recommended.

4..5 Stars
Years ago I read my first Sandra Dallas novel titled the Diary of Maddy Spencer and I loved it. Since that time I have read many more. Where Coyotes Howl is a story of a young women, Ellen, who moves out west to take a job as a school teacher. The early twentieth century west was a brutal place to live. She was totally unprepared for the hardships of a Wyoming Winter but she was a strong, kind and persist young woman. When Ellen fell in love with a cowboy she settled down to be a rancher’s wife.
I totally enjoyed Ellen’s story and all the love and hardships that goes along with living in those times. I was immersed in the story from the very beginning and that is always the case with Sandra Dallas novels. The story does depict some very disturbing and difficult events, but that is what life was like for settlers who tried to make a life by moving out west.

In 1916 Ellen Webster took a teaching position in Wyoming. It's hard life on the Plaines, so much to face including bad weather, illness and loneliness. Not so easy when it takes more than an hour to reach a neighbor, making it difficult to form friendships with other women. Ellen fell instantly in love with a cowboy, Charlie Bacon. They set up housekeeping on a ranch out on the prairie. As you read this story, you see how life is not easy...difficult doesn't even begin to describe. their lives Reading story like this, one cannot "romanticize" the stories of the "Old West." The pioneers were steadfast people and quite honestly, I am thankful for their determination. Another good book by Sandra Dallas.

Ellen was a schoolteacher in Iowa and applied for a teaching position in Wyoming as a chance to expand her horizons. Moving to Wyoming was an eye-opening experience, as the small town of Wallace was in a fairly barren area. Ellen quickly fell in love with a cowboy named Charlie Bacon. This story talks about the hardships of life in the early 1900's in the western plains. It touches on some emotional events related to life at that time and place.

My first time reading anything by this author. This book drew me right in. I honestly loved this book. Very well written. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and give my review. It may take some time to get this book out of my head. Wow!

While I enjoyed reading the book, Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Davis, I did not like the sadness and hardships the characters endured. If you are looking for a story without a happy ending, that resembles the harsh times of that time, look no further, read Where Coyotes Howl.

Story of pioneer life in Wyoming. Friendships keep these pioneer women sane during the hardships of ranch life. Heartbreak and love abounds.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and publisher, St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Publishing: April 18, 2023
Series: A Novel
Pages: 320

This is a first time read by Sandra Dallas, new author to this reader. “Where Coyotes Howl” was an okay read for me. There were parts that I loved and parts that I didn’t.

There is a backstory in the prologue that takes you to the beginning when Ellen Webster arrives to Wyoming as the schoolteacher. Immediately, she takes a fancy to Charlie Bacon and there is love at first sight. She marries and she and her new husband moves to start a ranch on the prairie. Although the story seemed good, it was lacking I believe the attraction you would see between two people that love one another. That I could not pick up on between the main characters except what others were telling Ellen about Charlie.

When running a ranch on the prairie, there are a lot of ups and downs and trials that this couple had to go through…some tragic. At times, I had a hard time following due to the story jumping all over the pages…and not connecting the dots on one thing. Could the story been developed well in some places, I think so but it was lacking. This was a quick read and that well-written parts but the lack of emotion/romance made it boring for me.

2.5.
Book was a sad story about people trying to make it in Wyoming in the 19th century. Young woman - Ellen - applies for and receives a job offer for a teaching position in largely unsettled Wyoming. She meets and falls in love with Charlie, a cowboy, who has lost everyone close to him in Wyoming in earlier years. They marry, and the book is bout the continuing tragedy of their life together, largely due to the weather and hardship common in Wyoming in the 19th century. The book was sweet, but the story was very basic and full of unthinkable loss and struggle. I found the story interesting. Book needs some more editing. I recommend the book if you want to read an incredibly story and never want to visit Wyoming.

Ellen Webster graduated in Chicago and saw an advertisement for a teaching position in Wallace, Wyoming. She secured the position and went to Wallace with high hopes.

The train stopped in the middle of a prairie town barely two blocks long. The school house was one room with kindergarten through 9th grade being taught. The area was desolate with no trees. Most teachers stayed for one or two months maximum, but Ellen is determined to stay the entire year per her contract.

The town comes to meet the new school teacher and a handsome cowboy catches her eye. It is love at first sight and she is soon married to Charlie Bacon.

A one-bedroom shack is their new home on the windswept landscape and sagebrush and creosote are their constant companions. The wind blows relentlessly but the two lovers are determined to stick it out together. Coyotes howl every night and although desolate there is never a dull moment. Ellen is happy with Charlie but misses her Illinois home with the green and trees.

The couple is well-liked and the neighbors work to make the new school teacher happy in the community. Like most pioneer communities’ danger and demise are often an integral part of everyday life. This book paints a portrait of pioneer life at its’ most basic. Only the strong of mind and spirit can survive. 5 stars – CE Williams

This was an amazing read! I definitely could feel the emotions of the characters and feel how difficult life in Wyoming was. This was a beautiful story set in the early times of the expansion west. I definitely would read more of Sandra Dallas novels.

A great book indeed. This one did n9t disappoint if your a fan of historical fiction you definitely need to get this book.

Thanks to NETGALLEY and publisher.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

Another fabulous read by Sandra Dallas. I never realized the difficult times that faced the ranchers in Wyoming. Charlie and Ellen have a wonderful romance. They work so hard to have the ranch the dreamed of. I enjoyed meeting all of the neighbors and friends they made. Each had their own story and blessings and sorrows. This book played in my mind as I read. I could see the homes they made, the faces of the neighbors and children. This story will leave you with a true understanding of the first ranchers in Wyoming. I loved it!

When I see a new book by Sandra Dallas I always pick it up. This one did not disappoint. I am fascinated by the pioneers and admire their grit and strength. This was a beautiful book I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher.