Those who follow my blog know I’m pretty addicted to Westerns. Thanks to blogging friend, Herb Thiel, who blogs over at The Haps With Herb (I’ve mentioned him before so he’ll be familiar to you), I can tell you I’m not the only one. His friend, A.J. McGregor (great last name) who blogs over at The Lonely Meatball also writes children’s poetry and wrote this about cowboys (reposted with his permission):
I Want To Be a Cowboy
I want to be a cowboy.
I think it would be fun.
I’d get to ride a big horse.
I’d get to tote a gun.
I’d get to wear a big hat.
I’d buy one that is black,
and there’d be a leather vest
covering my back.
I’d spend my days relaxing,
just riding on my horse.
I’d look just like a hero
and act like one, of course.
But this will never happen.
There is no way, no how.
The trouble is I’m terrified
of each and every cow.
He also posted this from Gene Autry (the poster boy for cowboys) that tells why I love the character:
Gene Autry’s Cowboy 10 Commandments
-
- The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.
- He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
- He must always tell the truth.
- He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.
- He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
- He must help people in distress.
- He must be a good worker.
- He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.
- He must respect women, parents, and his nation’s laws.
- The Cowboy is a patriot.
Now you understand my love of the cowboy character, right? Here are a few I have read recently:
- Dark Sunrise–US Marshall Aaron Mackey is exactly who you want in your corner when there’s trouble
- The Ghost Rifle–a special rifle forges a man’s future
- American Odyssey--the sequel to Ghost Rifle
The Dark Sunrise
by Terrence McCauley
In Terrence McCauley’s The Dark Sunrise (Pinnacle 2020), U.S. Marshall Aaron Mackey’s life seems to be finally working out. He’s cleaned up his hometown, Dover Station. He’s getting married to the woman of his dreams. His father (who he hasn’t always been close to but finally is) is elected Mayor of Dover Station. That–of course–is when everything goes wrong, and horrifically. But the worst is when an old nemesis he thought he’d put away manages to escape incarceration and comes back to take vengeance on Mackey. Luckily, Mackey has a moral center that never wavers, a core that is as strong as a continent’s craton, and friends who stand by him.
This is another entry in the Aaron Mackey Western series, each book better than the last. While they can be read in order, they easily stand alone. Highly recommended for those who love this genre.
The Ghost Rifle
by Max McCoy
4/5
Max McCoy’s Ghost Rifle (Pinnacle 2021), Book 1 of A Ghost Rifle Western, seems at first a simple story. Jack Picaro comes to America to make his fortune but accidentally kills his best friend. He flees because he thinks no one will believe him, changes his name, and moves westward working on a ferry boat. It is attacked by Indians. They kill the ferry boat’s crew and steal Picaro’s gun. It’s not just any gun. He forged it, spent hours making it better than any other gun of its time. A ghost gun. He must retrieve it.
This journey to reclaim his gun is a sort of adult coming of age story, about figuring out one’s responsibilities, what’s important in life. For example, early on the journey, he kills a Buffalo cow because he’s hungry, eats one meal from it and leaves the rest to rot. The author touches–though lightly–on the waste of the animal’s life. Later, he defaces a holy Indian place by scratching his name into its stone walls. Again, as with the buffalo, he doesn’t understand the fullness of his actions.
These pieces are what bothered me about the book. I sensed the author had Picaro perform these actions so he could grow from learning how he should have acted but that isn’t clearly delineated. I would have enjoyed the story more and felt the animal’s life well-spent if this western man had learned from it. But this is only the first book of the series. The author tantalizes readers at the end as Jack is tracked down by two children he sired without even knowing it. I can’t help but think I will feel differently about the series once I’ve read the next.
Overall, this is an interesting story not like many other Westerns I’ve read.
American Odyssey
by Max McCoy
3/5
Max McCoy’s American Odyssey (Pinnacle 2022), Book 2 of 3 in the Ghost Rifle Western series, picks up ten years after Jack Picaro loses his almost-magical Ghost Rifle. At this point, he is living with his devoted and beloved Indian wife in the mountains and off the land. What little money they require, he makes by fixing rifles for people, but it has been a long time since the last job and they are running out of staples. He agrees to help the Army find some lost troopers which he manages to do quickly. And that is where the problems begin for both Jack and me as a reader.
This book, more than the prior one deals with enough mysticism to make me wonder how it fits into the story I thought I knew. I know–a Ghost Rifle with magical properties does make you think supernatural plotlines, but this book pushes that to extremes not present in Book 1. There’s a trip to the underworld, with the help of magic potions, to make a deal with the spirits for the lives of the soldiers Jack has been sent to rescue. Trying to make sense of these diversions, it took me a while to get into the story. This was also true of Book 1, but in this case, the plot never quite snared me. Much confused me and I had trouble following the plot. It felt more like a new story than the continuation of a familiar one. McCoy is a Silver Spur award winner so I suspect his plan is to make everything clear by the end of Book 3.
Which I’m not sure I’ll read.
If you’ve read this, I’d love to hear your take on it. Did I miss important details?
@pinnaclebooks
I did not expect this post be to what it is, but it is honestly such a fun interpretation of what a western is! I love the list of Cowboy Commandments; your list of reading recommendations puts forth the best mix of all ten rules. 🙂
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I read westerns that are upbeat, positive, justice-prevails sort of stories. If I weren’t reading so many Westerns I had no free time, I’d probably read cozies.
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Same! I love a good cozy and, I dare say, most of them are pretty satisfying.
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Now I feel like reading a western…and being a cowboy…but I won’t hurt any Indians… 👍👍
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I have gained so much respect for Indians through Westerns. Yes, I understand their way of life is violent and at times cruel, but other parts are admirable.
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I’m not into Westerns but reading Gene Autry’s ten commandments, I realised that his cowboy is really a knight in shining armour, the kind of hero we used to believe in. 🙂
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I like that. Yes, he is, but from my vast reading of Westerns, often more of a goal than a reality!
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I haven’t actually read any Westerns, sorry. But! I do remember a couple of memorable ones that would fit Autry’s commandments perfectly. Now all I have to do is remember the title…gah.
Got it! High Noon with Gary Cooper. I knew it had something to do with Noon, and I could picture Cooper’s face, but it took the internet to put it all together. 😀
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Hehee–I do that all the time–throw a couple of words together and do a search. I can’t believe how often it works!
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I know! lol Of course it’s probably because we are just soooo good at choosing the right words. 😉
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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Thank you for sharing!
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I enjoy westerns, though I’m not an avid reader of them. “The Ghost Rifle” looks interesting, I think I’ll check this series out. Sorry to hear the third book didn’t fit with the others. Fun poem by McGregor! Thanks for sharing your reviews and the introduction to a new author (for me). 🙂
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The Ghost Rifle is intriguing. It got lost in the second book, retained only with references to how it was lost!
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Thank you for sharing!!.. I do enjoy westerns and many in the real old west (man and woman) had to step forward and act with courage to survive, etc.. but I believe that one doesn’t have to be a cowboy to be a hero.. “Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” ( Brodi Ashton)… 🙂
Until we meet again…
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
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Ordinary people doing the extraordinary. We forget that is our roots too often. Thanks, Larry, for visiting.
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Thanks so much for the shout-out. I love Westerns and definitely have some new fodder..
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I write so many western reviews so your information allowed me to add something new and more interesting.
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Well, * tips hat * happy to oblige, ma’am.
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I loved cowboy movies when I was a little girl–Roy Rogers, Rex Allen. I was very jealous of Dale Evans! Gene was okay but not as handsome as Roy and Rex LOL. Love the list of cowboy characteristics. I’m swiping that! I never really read cowboy stories until I read the Westerns by Sandra Cox. Her tales generated more interest in the genre for me. So well done. Thanks to you for sharing the reviews and to the commenters who suggested more westerns! YeeHaw!
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She does a great job–Sandra. Thanks, Janet!
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Cowboy character—perfect description. One gets the sense that most cowboys monitored themselves through their values.
The Lonely Meatball—that sounds like somebody I’d like to hang out with. I’ve got to check that blog out.
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In the Old West, it was acceptable to kill someone who accused you of lying. Honor was everything.
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We could use more of Autrey’s kind of cowboy.
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Isn’t that the truth!
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As a child I read a lot of westerns. I should try them again (now that I’m all grown up).
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They are definitely feel-good books. I don’t like the dark ones.
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Thanks for the list, Jacqui. Happy weekend. 🙂
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Do we all now want to be cowboys?
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For sure. 🙂
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Cute poem, lol. Thanks to Sandra Cox westerns were my new favorite genre of 2021- I’m hooked now!
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Sandra is well into my favorite Western writer. There are a few that are amazing, but Sandra outdoes herself every time.
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I love the children’s poem and Gene Autry’s Cowboy 10 Commandments. Excellent quotes, Jacqui! My dad loved cowboy movies and I remember going to see all the cowboy movies with him. Hubby watched the old cowboy movies every now and then. Gene Autry’s codes give me more insights into how they act. Great reviews, Jacqui!
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I like old cowboy movies, even the spaghetti westerns. I just like soaking in the atmosphere. The codes are really good as guidelines for Western characters. Every one of them is what I want in the Westerns I read.
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I like the codes for every human being. They’re more civilized than any modern codes even in the police reinforcement.
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Well, Jacqui, now I know categorically that a politician cannot be a cowboy and vice versa. I have only ever read a few Westerns but I do find historical novels based on real events in this genre interesting.
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Oh yeah that’s true. If you watch Yellowstone, John Dutton is a good example of that sort of conundrum.
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I love the poem and Autry’s commandments, Jacqui. My dad loved westerns, and we grew up on John Wayne movies at the drive-in. You’ve introduced me to a number of great reads. Thanks for the recommendations!
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I’d probably start with McCauley. As I said in the review, I was disappointed with the second book in McCoy’s series, not sure I’ll continue.
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🙂
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I’m about to read the novel Dances with Wolves was based on (better late than never), and its sequel, The Holy Road.
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I loved the movie. Don’t know what book it’s based on. I’ll check out the sequel.
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I didn’t read that one, Sean. I really liked the movie. It’s the only movie I’ve seen with Costner that I enjoyed. Lol. I prefer to read the books first and will often rush through thousands of pages (George Martin) before flicking on the television. Have fun with The Holy Road. I’ll bet it’s awesome.
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The film was based on a novel of the same name, and the author later wrote a sequel that’s never been adapted for cinema. I recently bought a trade-paperback edition that includes both books in a single volume. Excited to check it out, as the movie is an old favorite!
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I remember how sad the movie was. I just watched ‘Geronimo’ on Netflix. Another heartbreaker. I was disappointed Netflix didn’t delve into the beauty of the Indian beliefs–that the land was to be cherished, that no one could own it, that sort.
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Ooh, I love this. Are you familiar with cozy mysteries and why people read them? I am a cozy fan. I like that the good guys win in the end, and it’s comforting to know that good is rewarded, evil punished. Do Westerns give you that sense of “all is right in the world”?
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They do, in the sense that we can eke out a world where ‘all is right’. It helps me not give up.
The Westerns I love have a lot in common with cozies–those characteristics you mentioned–but they do include killing on screen. I wonder if there are cozy Westerns? Probably!
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Well, there are definitely killings in my cozies. But never threatening as they are just silly enough. Have you ever seen Midsomer Murders on TV? Typical cozies.
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I loved that whole series–over one hundred episodes, I think. Brits do a lot well with TV shows.
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They sure do. Have you watched Vera? That’s my favorite, though not really cozies.
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Hmm… Maybe? I’m going to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.
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I hope you like it. I think the acting is the best.
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I love Gene Autry’s cowboy code. We could certainly do well to live by that code today. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these books, Jacqui! If you like a little romance thrown into westerns, may I suggest you check out my sister, Linda Broday’s, books.
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I will. I just checked Amazon–she is prolific! BRB
Just grabbed one! I’m excited to find a new Western author.
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And, I just sent a request to NetGalley for her upcoming book, A Man of Legend. If you have any pull, see if she can approve me! Can’t wait.
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Oh, you are going to love that story!!! Hope you get approved.
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I’ve always loved stories of the old west, both in movies and TV, and books. Your reviews have me wanting to pick one up again (It’s been a while). I always thought of cowboys as the equivalent of knights, only on the western frontier 🙂
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They really capture the authenticism of Western life. Maybe outer space is equivalent in the freedom, the opportunity it offers, but I’m not sure.
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Another good thought!
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Words to live by. Thanks for sharing, Jacqui.
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You know what I mean!
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I live in Lubbock, Texas the center of cotton, corn, cattle and real cowboys. The Cowboy Ten Commandments still hold true. I want to recommend a local cowboy Taylor Moore. He came to our writer group last weekend and gave a talk about his life as a writer and his new book, “Down Range”. He has an agent for his book which is in the process of being made into a movie. He has two more books in process. Check out his website. I am listening to the audiobook and its authentic Texan. https://taylormoorebooks.com/
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Hi, Grace! Thank you for giving Taylor a shout-out! I also gave my sister a shout-out. 🙂
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Thanks Jan for reminding me of our local famous female cowboy New York Times best selling writer Linda Broday. https://lindabroday.com/bio/
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I LOVED THAT BOOK! Reviewed it here–https://worddreams.wordpress.com/2021/12/08/more-great-thrillers/. Amazing book for a first time author.
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I just sent Taylor your review. You might follow him on Facebook.
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I will! How do I find him? Wait, BRB… Found him! And Jan’s sister, Linda. Sent requests…
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My dad and both grandfathers loved to watch westerns. I resisted them for a long time, but now I’ve come around. I still don’t read them, but I think I’m going to start. (I told you, Yellowstone has converted me. 🤠 )
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Something about the solid, immutability of what the Yellowstone ranch is–love that.
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Pingback: What is a Western? And Why? — – uwerolandgross
My dad was a cowboy and a huge fan of Gene Autry. He followed those rules all his life and passed them on to us. He didn’t carry a gun, but that isn’t what makes a cowboy. My daughter read the Cowboy’s Prayer at his funeral. I love that you enjoy reading westerns.
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That is so wonderful, that his daughter read the Cowboy’s Prayer. I bet there were a lot of tears.
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Yes, many tears. I was so proud of her.
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Hi Jacqui – I loved watching Westerns … while the list of character requirements should be posted everywhere for humanity in general. I was only introduced to the Louis L’Amour books a few years ago – and am hooked … they teach a lot about so many things – particularly other aspects in other countries … great educational reads. I’d rather read other things now – but am still entranced by Westerns – cheers Hilary
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They show men and women as we wish they were–hard-working, loyal, kind, non-judgmental, and not caring for inconsequential things. Pretty nice world.
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This is my favorite quote from Louis L’Amour, author of over 100 books, emphasizing you don’t have to use course language to sell books.
“I’ve written all these stories without any pornography, without any obscenity. I grew up among sailors and miners and lumberjacks and the roughest kind men in the world, but I never found it necessary to use all that in the stories. I can make them real without that. I think much of that kind of writing is a coverup for lack of real skill.”
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What a truism. The Westerns I like best have none of that, too. I know it existed, but it needn’t be front and center. Thanks for the reminder, Grant.
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Thank you for the explanation of the appeal of westerns. I may have read one or two when I was a kid. (Louis L’Amour, I think?) And I love the cowboy poem!
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I post so many Western reviews, I was looking for a different intro. I’m glad this worked!
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Yes, it worked very well. I learned something!
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Love them too. Devoured them in my teens. Hope to go back to them at some point soon. My fav cowboy character is ‘Sudden’ created by Oliver Strange. He answers to all the 10 characteristics listed in the post.
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OK, I’m off to DDG (Internet search) that guy. Thanks for the tip!
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They went out of print many decades back. Had a full collection but then I grew up and left my parental home. My folks at one point of moving to a smaller house gave them away. In 2010 found a few old copies at a store called Barter Books in the UK that called itself the largest second hand bookstore in the world. Bought the few I found. Hopefully they are now available at least in digital formats.
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Quite expensive and incomplete on Amazon and not even available at my library. Oh well…
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Like always, I will share your reviews with my father. He’s a huge fan of westerns. Thanks for sharing, Jacqui!
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He probably knows Gene Autrey’s 10 Commandments!
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I agree about westerns, I found my way back to them through Sandra’s stories. Great reviews, too bad the one series disappointed, but the other sounds good 🙂
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Sandra definitely has the feel for this genre. If only she’d write more…
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