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Silver Creek by A.H.Holt, Hard Cover, jacket, archival paper, library binding, 5" x 8"
Avalon Books, A division of Thomas Bouregy and Co., Inc., 160 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. E-mail:aholt@garnet.acns.fsu.edu: Publication Date 2003. 198 pages, ISBN 0-8034-9600-1. Price $19.95
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A. H. Holt's novel, "Silver Creek," an Avalon western, begins with John Garrett embarking on a long journey home. Four hundred miles on horseback, to be precise. On page two, I began to regret my decision to review a western. What had I been thinking? I'm not a huge fans of westerns!
By page six, however, the plot accelerated remarkably, reminding me that even a long and arduous journey could be full of wondrous moments and interesting surprises.
John Garrett makes his decision to go home out of duty. Even though there's no love loss between Mason Garrett and his son, family loyalties prevail. John must clear his father's name regardless of what happened between them six years earlier.
On the way, John runs into trouble in a small town. He gets away, but not before he's badly wounded. Andrea Blaine discovers him unconscious in the woods. Andrea is a rare young woman who was mistaken for a boy by the wounded and delirious John Garrett. (I'm not giving away the plot by telling you that much.) With Andrea's help, John begins to mend.
 ...I salute A. H. Holt for her superior knowledge of the western period, and her ability to craft those days into worthwhile escapism entertainment. For isn't that what all us fiction lovers are looking for when we purchase a new book with its virgin pages?
"Silver Creek" is a delightfully good time, spent in an inaccessible place where only A. H. Holt can make a long journey seem short.
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There are a myriad of characters who are adeptly fleshed out. The plot veers and snakes as each new character is introduced. Throughout the chapters, the reader wonders what has happened to John's father. What is going on in Silver Creek? Why are the neighbor's ranch hands being killed? Was Mason Garrett really behind this treachery?
I now see why people are drawn to the western genre. Although inhabitants of the old west lived without the conveniences of today and hardships were numerous, it truly was a simpler time. Right was right. Wrong was wrong. Men were gentlemen. Women were loyal. And integrity was never boring. A. H. Holt captures the wholesomeness of a youthful America on the old frontier. Times were tough, but decency and honor were tougher.
The pages flipped quickly. For me, the long journey ended too soon.
I salute A. H. Holt for her superior knowledge of the western period, and her ability to craft those days into worthwhile escapism entertainment. For isn't that what all us fiction lovers are looking for when we purchase a new book with its virgin pages?
"Silver Creek" is a delightfully good time, spent in an inaccessible place where only A. H. Holt can make a long journey seem short.
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-Jill May Jill May resides in Novi, Michigan, where she's currently pursuing her own writing career. She achieved outstanding marks for her short stories in Creative Writing at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI, and was subsequently invited to join a group of talented and successful writers. She also won praise for one of her short stories from Detroit native, Jim Daniels. She can be contacted at jillmay@teleweb.net. More information about her can be had by clicking here. |
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Interview with Anne Holt, the author of this book.
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