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The Legend of Stuart Brannon #2
False Claims at the Little Stephen Mine
Stuart Brannon and his partner strike it rich with their claim of a gold mine, but competition for the lode causes Stuart to question his newfound wealth
255 pages, Hardcover
First published March 23, 2012
About the author
Stephen Bly
127 books72 followersStephen Bly (August 17, 1944 - June 9, 2011) authored 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists. He spoke at colleges, churches, camps and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He was the pastor of Winchester Community Church, and served as mayor of Winchester, Idaho (2000-2007). He spoke on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He was an Active Member of the Western Writers of America. Steve graduated summa cum laude in Philosophy from Fresno State University and received a M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Blys have three sons: Russell (married to Lois) and father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross) and mother of Alayah, Michael (married to Michelle), and Aaron (married to Rina Joye) and father of Keaton and Deckard. A third generation westerner, Steve spent his early years working on ranches and farms.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 29, 2018
The 2nd in the saga of Stuart Brannon and very entertaining. I love a good Western, especially like listening to Jerry Sciarrio’s narrative. He is quite fantastic, like watching a movie blindfolded.
January 25, 2024
3.5 stars
A fun continuing story about Stuart Brannon. This book starts off with action and there’s a lot more of it before the book ends. I did like seeing how Brannon tried to figure out the balance of working in a gold mine just to earn money for a new ranch in Arizona, and working for gold because he could get rich. It also shows what greed can do to a person. It also shows how stories grow and grow to create legends out of something rather ordinary.
Lots of shooting, bad guys, some Indians that brought in some much needed humor (Red Shirt made me chuckle), and even a strong female who could hold her own, but was still feminine. Quite a few people get shot, knifed, or otherwise injured in this book, but nothing is very descriptive other then blood being mentioned. It wasn’t gory at all. There is one scene where a guy takes a bath in his room which I could have done without, but it wasn’t a long scene.
Brannon does pray some, and there are mentions of reading the Bible and of God.
I now want to read the next book as I rather like Stuart Brannon.
A fun continuing story about Stuart Brannon. This book starts off with action and there’s a lot more of it before the book ends. I did like seeing how Brannon tried to figure out the balance of working in a gold mine just to earn money for a new ranch in Arizona, and working for gold because he could get rich. It also shows what greed can do to a person. It also shows how stories grow and grow to create legends out of something rather ordinary.
Lots of shooting, bad guys, some Indians that brought in some much needed humor (Red Shirt made me chuckle), and even a strong female who could hold her own, but was still feminine. Quite a few people get shot, knifed, or otherwise injured in this book, but nothing is very descriptive other then blood being mentioned. It wasn’t gory at all. There is one scene where a guy takes a bath in his room which I could have done without, but it wasn’t a long scene.
Brannon does pray some, and there are mentions of reading the Bible and of God.
I now want to read the next book as I rather like Stuart Brannon.
June 29, 2017
This second Stuart Brannon book finds our hero prospecting for gold with the help of two friends he met the last book, Everett and Fletcher. However, many powerful and dangerous men are determined to take the mine from them.
Overall, this is another solid Western from Stephen Bly, though not quite as good as Hard Winter at Broken Arrow Crossing. The book has a good mix of action, humor, and drama and has a great deal of authenticity.
The core conflict of the book is good as Brannon deals with the pitfalls of trying to hold on to sudden wealth. It examines what greed can do to even an upstanding man like Stuart Brannon and the book’s key confict is whether Brannon will focus his life on acquiring gold or be true to his highest ideals. It’s a great conflict with a solid resolution, and features as memorable a cast of Western characters as could be found anywhere.
If I had any complaint it’s that Fletcher’s habit of beginning every sentence with, “I say, Brannon,” became a bit wearing by the end. Still, other than that tick, I enjoyed every part of this great Western novel.
Overall, this is another solid Western from Stephen Bly, though not quite as good as Hard Winter at Broken Arrow Crossing. The book has a good mix of action, humor, and drama and has a great deal of authenticity.
The core conflict of the book is good as Brannon deals with the pitfalls of trying to hold on to sudden wealth. It examines what greed can do to even an upstanding man like Stuart Brannon and the book’s key confict is whether Brannon will focus his life on acquiring gold or be true to his highest ideals. It’s a great conflict with a solid resolution, and features as memorable a cast of Western characters as could be found anywhere.
If I had any complaint it’s that Fletcher’s habit of beginning every sentence with, “I say, Brannon,” became a bit wearing by the end. Still, other than that tick, I enjoyed every part of this great Western novel.
February 3, 2020
GOLD FEVER!
Stuart Brannon discovers a huge lode of gold in the Little Stephen Mine , and soon his entire focus is on guarding the mine from claim jumpers, and chasing down the varmints that killed his friend Everett Davis. Classic Stephen Bly writing, which means excellent!
Stuart Brannon discovers a huge lode of gold in the Little Stephen Mine , and soon his entire focus is on guarding the mine from claim jumpers, and chasing down the varmints that killed his friend Everett Davis. Classic Stephen Bly writing, which means excellent!
December 18, 2014
Stuart Brannon tries his hand at prospecting in the second book of the series that bears his name. After the events of the first book, Brannon and his British friend Edwin Fletcher are still in the Colorado mountains, working hard to dig out a little gold from their mine. While Brannon's simple goal is to make enough money to finance a return to his Arizona ranch, little do they suspect their quiet location will soon be the center of multiple disputes and battles.
Challenging Brannon and Fletcher's claim to the land is Abner Cheney, who says the government gave him the right to the whole mountain because of the railroad he intends to put in. Cheney's former clerk Waldo Vance has also taken it into his head to usurp Cheney and take over the mine for himself. The warring factions come against each other as well as Stuart and friends, bringing in both lawmen and gunfighters to help persuade Brannon and Fletcher to desert their post.
Meanwhile Brannon strikes up an unexpected alliance with three Ute Indians, and faces another challenge when Velvet Wendell inherits one-fourth of their mine after Everett Davis's death. Brannon doesn't think that prospecting is any kind of life for a woman, but Velvet insists that she can pull her weight and that she deserves the chance to find some security after a life full of heartache.
The question Brannon must ask himself over the course of these struggles is what is right in any given situation. Is their claim on the mine legitimate? How do you avoid revenge while seeking justice? Is his own stubbornness and greed getting in the way of the truth? It's a time of growth for the man who so newly found his faith.
The fast-paced adventure will keep you turning pages until you reach the unexpected conclusion. Be watching out for more reviews from the Stuart Brannon Series in the near future!
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com
Challenging Brannon and Fletcher's claim to the land is Abner Cheney, who says the government gave him the right to the whole mountain because of the railroad he intends to put in. Cheney's former clerk Waldo Vance has also taken it into his head to usurp Cheney and take over the mine for himself. The warring factions come against each other as well as Stuart and friends, bringing in both lawmen and gunfighters to help persuade Brannon and Fletcher to desert their post.
Meanwhile Brannon strikes up an unexpected alliance with three Ute Indians, and faces another challenge when Velvet Wendell inherits one-fourth of their mine after Everett Davis's death. Brannon doesn't think that prospecting is any kind of life for a woman, but Velvet insists that she can pull her weight and that she deserves the chance to find some security after a life full of heartache.
The question Brannon must ask himself over the course of these struggles is what is right in any given situation. Is their claim on the mine legitimate? How do you avoid revenge while seeking justice? Is his own stubbornness and greed getting in the way of the truth? It's a time of growth for the man who so newly found his faith.
The fast-paced adventure will keep you turning pages until you reach the unexpected conclusion. Be watching out for more reviews from the Stuart Brannon Series in the near future!
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com
December 18, 2014
Follow Stuart and company as they try to make a living on a Colorado mining claim.
**May 2012 edit: I just received the new edition of this book and it looks fabulous! Looking forward to having Stuart Brannon a part of my life for even more years to come. :-)
**Dec. 2014 edit: See the 2012 edition for my full review of this title.
**May 2012 edit: I just received the new edition of this book and it looks fabulous! Looking forward to having Stuart Brannon a part of my life for even more years to come. :-)
**Dec. 2014 edit: See the 2012 edition for my full review of this title.
November 15, 2011
It turned out alittle better than I thought it would.
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August 13, 2015An action packed adventure set in the old west. I enjoued this book from page one to the end. And hated to see it end. This has been a nice change of pasce from the mysteries I usually read.
June 7, 2016
The second in the Brannon series. This one has Brannon at the Little Stephen Mine when trouble shows up from all directions. Fast paced with a couple twists. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 6, 2009
Quick read. Fun adventure. I like the way seasoned cowboys think.
April 16, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and love the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews