Apache Rain

by James T. Graham

The Texas Llano Estacado beckons. But only the strong survive. This is the epic tale of the lives of a man and a woman woven together by happenstance and by historical movements that continue to shape the great southwest today. From the settlement of Texas by folks like Sam Houston to the battlegrounds of the Mexican-American War, you'll feel the bonds that hold Texans to their roots. Based on an historical setting that brings vividness to the old "Manifest Destiny" doctrine, Mr. Graham has borrowed from his own family history to weave a tale that will tug at the heartstrings and swell the pride of every American who still believes in the power of the individual. The story of Jim Callan and Rain - "against all odds" - is the story of every Texan, every American who aspires to build a personal "empire" of freedom and personal direction founded on principles of sacrifice, virtue, hard work and risk. Jim Callan was a man looking for a way to put some salve on his wounded heart. To do that he decided to join the Texas Rangers and, perhaps, by fighting renegades he could fight the beast within. He didn't understand that a broken heart would not heal until someone came along who could do it for him. His wound from a Comanche lance turned out to be the best medicine for a weary Ranger.

524 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2013

Reviews

[Mike Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story with enough historical detail to make you feel you have seen the real life of our pioneers. Day to day details of the lives of central Texas settlers combined with an absorbing story line. Of the same ilk as Lonesome Dove, this book will be a classic. It does have some diversions where the action is slow, but overall it kept my attention for the full 500 pages. Anyone who likes westerns or historical fiction will enjoy this book.