My reading tastes are eclectic, and a good book will keep me up late at night, reading when I should be asleep. That was definitely the case with Hangtown Creek. Putnam drew me into the world of gold panning, saloons, traveling by horseback, and much more with his excellent storytelling, filled with memorable characters, vivid description, and historical detail. I'll be reading more books by this talented author.
Genre: Historical Fiction / Western
Length: 288 Pages
Amazon Link: Hangtown Creek
Author Website: John Rose Putnam
First Paragraph:
Fall 1846
The earth, rutted deep from hundreds of wheels, churned raw by thousands of hooves, bore witness to the recent passing of a large immigrant party - all save one battered wagon that sat alone and untended, a loose pot clanking in the cold north wind. Here the trail followed the Truckee River, strangled by a long, dry summer into a trickle of shallow pools, and looking as pitiable as the forlorn wagon.
[Read the rest of Chapter One on John Putnam's website: HERE]
Teaser from 13% on my Kindle:
All week she had watched them as they mined along the creek. The older one, gray showing in his hair and beard, reminded her of her father, but it was the other one, the tall one with the broad shoulders, who had brought her hope, the same slim hope she carried week after week.
Synopsis:
The majestic landscapes of Brett Harte's California unite with Larry McMurtry's epic old west realism in an explosion of love, lust, murder and betrayal that comes to a powerful climax along a beautiful stream, home to the largest strike in the mines, where a burning barn ignites the passion of a gold rush boomtown and, in one dark night of revenge, earns that stream the name it bears to this day—HANGTOWN CREEK.
Link at Books and A Beat
First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.
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I also like stories with great characters. I'd give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteSounds very intriguing and if it kept you up at night, well that's really something:)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are enjoying this one but, don't think it's for me.
ReplyDeleteThe great characters and setting make this sound very appealing. I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but would give this a chance. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI like the setting and time period, so I might give this a chance.
ReplyDeleteThe era is one I've always been drawn to...back in the day, we called this kind of story a "Western." The author has vividly described the settings, making me feel as though I'm there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
Growing up, the Gold Rush was a huge part of my California history lessons, but I haven't really gotten into reading much fiction set in and around it. This sounds quite intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy epics set in historical times--I'll have to take a further look at this one.
ReplyDeleteI like historical fiction. Especially stories set in the West. I would definitely read this one. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a good sign that this book kept you awake to keep reading. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteThere's something about this time period and the teaser that has my imagination running wild with where this one is going. I saw another blog is reading this book, too. I say, keep reading. I think there's going to be plenty of grit here.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy books set in the "Old West," especially when the author includes good description of the landscape. I'm a fan of Larry McMurtry and Tony Hillerman... and now, John Putnam too.
ReplyDelete"A Tale of the California Gold Rush" is not something I would normally pick up, but I love a good family saga so I may give this a try.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually read books set during that time period, but it does sound good. Girl Who Reads
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty ominous name for the river.
ReplyDeleteGreat teaser. Mine is here: http://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=13600
It sounds like there is a lot t pull you into this book! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the mood for another epic saga and this sounds great. Such a wonderful cover for the book too. I too often stay up way past my bedtime while reading, but even though I'm dragging at work the next day, it's always worth it:)
ReplyDeleteMy TT from Sister Dear
Not my usual genre but both the cover and intro intrigued me.
ReplyDeleteSounds good, I should read more westerns!
ReplyDeleteIt was an extraordinary time and the goldrush was an extraordinary event. The teasers definitely gave a real sense of the upheaval and chaos it caused. Thank you for sharing and have a great reading week:)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great book! I love historical fiction, and the gold rush is a great time period and setting. Thanks for visiting my teaser this week!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I'm not normally a historical fiction fan, but this sounds good!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it would make a great movie too.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fascinating. Do you watch the Gold shows on TV? I love them and marvel at the lengths they go to and the risks they take searching for their pot at the end of the rainbow. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental My TT
This is such an interesting era and setting for a novel. I don't think that I have read anything about the gold rush. I am sure this one is fast paced and full of western dialect! <3
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