Maps of Fate

This is the second in a trilogy set in the 1850s, following the adventures of a small and diverse group who have now arrived in America and begun their travels across the country to their new lives in the uncharted West.

The story stands alone, but is better when read after part 1, as you will have met the characters and know their back stories. They are a mixed bunch, with both good and bad, greedy and kind, as well as the Native American perspective and Negroes covered too.

The characters are interesting and well rounded. The author does rather linger on their romantic liaisons in this book, but there is plenty of action to counteract this!

I find myself keen to read the third in the series now, to find out what happens when they reach their destinations with their various maps in hand.

Thank you to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group and Rockin' SR Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

This is a series of novels about the Old West and the white settling thereof. Please be aware that these books have many, many characters and that they are cliffhangers.

It is a pretty competent telling that begins in 1854. I must admit straight off that I personally would not have had the strength or courage to do what the characters in this book did.

I decided early on that I would review all three books in one review for there is much sameness in the books and I had a very hard time trying to come up with three differing reviews.

In the books we have wagon train travelers complete with travails and romance, mountain men trying to scratch out a living from pelts and living an isolated life, Native Americans fighting for their way of life, grownig tension between the Union and the South that errupts into war, differences of opinion based on cultural views, gamblers and ne'er-do-wells of all stripes.

These books were adequately written and plotted. (No barnburner...) Larry McMurtry Mr. Rosenthal is not. I am not sure why the two authors were so linked in the introductory blurbs.

I want to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group/Rockin' SR Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of these books for me to read, enjoy and review.

This is a decent series with decent writing. The books are even to slow paced. There are several characters.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The historical detail is rich, the characters realistic and the writing flows smoothly. Well done Mr. Rosenthal.
Many thanks to Greenleaf Book Group and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the second book in the series and follows the main characters from St. Louis to Cherry Creek in their wagon train, almost to the Uncompahgre where their land is located. A few new characters are introduced who are also headed west. On the way they travel unforgiving land and meet Indians both friendly and hostile. And there is also an enemy within the groupset on revenge.
Great western/romance/adventure book full of action and descriptions of beautiful scenery! I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

This was an enjoyable series, I liked the plot of all four books and the characters in them. Overall I thought these were a great western series.

Threads West continues in Maps of Fate. The characters we met in the first book are now in the United States, ready to make their fortunes. The back story detail I loved in the first book continues in this one. You can see the scenery, you recognize some landmarks, this builds the story to be so much more. I did wonder if I'd have the same reaction if I listened to audiobook and I really don't think I would. It is so easy to picture our cast as they weave through the many roadblocks they meet on the way to find their destiny as it's marked on the map. Keep reading...this story has a long way to go.

A very enjoyable read and of course a new to me author.
This is one reason that I love Netgalley is because they introduce some wonderful authors.
I love how the 1st pioneers came West. It's easy to imagine yourself on a wagon train heading West and living as pioneers did. I don't think I'd make a very good pioneer lol. Too much stuff I won't eat.
Such a great read and meeting new characters a wonderful plot. This author has neatly wrapped it up.
However I'm glad that I only chose the one book. I gave this book 4 stars because at first it was slow going but then it picked up.
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own

This is from Net Galley,the second book in this series! This has them traveling across the wildness,the west with all their adventures! You can just read this alone I would think,but then you miss the background of these very well true to life characters you will know and enjoy! The history that was in this part was very well written and researched and you will think you are on this long trip tho where ever they are going,experiencing the way of life way back when! It takes guts to do what these people did,lots losing their lives for a better way of life. I will really the rest of this series and so will you cause you don't want to miss this adventure of so many emotions and say of life back then! As my father used to tell us kids when we complained about something he would say,Well that's the way it was moving out West!! Which I finally figured out,we have it so much better than these people did,we really have nothing to complain about! If it wasn't for all these people exploring for us,who knows where we would be!!

Maps of Fate is book 2 in the Threads West series by Reid Lance Rosenthal. Book 2 continues the story of several individuals on their journey west. Rosenthal weaves a vividly rich detailed account that is throughly researched. Wonderfully written history of those who helped settle the United States, Overall, loved the second book minus the repeats of passages from book 1. For anyone who has read the 1st book in the series this is really annoying; as some of the passages are verbatium from book 1. Series often try to repeat and fill in events from the 1st book as a reminder or so the book can be read as a stand=alone. However, usually it is a quick summary not a complete repeat of full chapters. Other than that, book 2 was enjoyable.

Maps of Fate is the second book in the Threads West series. I really enjoyed the first book and the second book didn't disappoint me. The story continues with the characters moving forward in the wagon train. The stories begin to weave together as their paths are starting to converge. Each character's story is continued and the bonds that are formed create tension, passion, friendship and strife. The writing style is fluent and flows smoothly. My one warning would be the descriptive sexual content may not be suitable for all readers. I look forward to continuing the series with book 3, Uncompahgre!

Forgot to submit a review! I love this series and can't wait for the last book Footsteps. Footsteps has not been published yet. What a great storyteller! Reid Lance Rosenthal has been able to draw me in and keep my attention through the whole book series. I hope he writes another series.

I will recommend this book to family and friends.

I received this complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher and netgalley for a honest review.