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Spanish Brand #3
Paloma and the Horse Traders
As the eighteenth century draws to a close, the Kwahadi Comanches seem to be making their peace with the settlers of the Spanish Colony of New Mexico. No one is as relieved as Marco Mondragón and his adored wife Paloma Vega, whose ranch, the Double Cross, sits on the edge of Comanchería. Their tranquility is short-lived, however, for other Comanches are terrorizing the plains, led by the ruthless renegade, Great Owl.
At the annual fair in Taos, Marco and his Comanche friend Toshua arrange to buy a team of bays from horse traders who sometimes wink at the law. Marco can't complete the purchase because he spends all his money to buy a slave from Great Owl, thus saving her life. Graciela accompanies them back to the Double Cross, along with Diego Diaz, one of those traders Marco still owes for the team.
Great Owl's threat to tentative peace between the Kwahadi and the Spanish must be squelched. Marco and Toshua bolster their small army of two with an unexpected ally in Joaquim Gasca, a disgraced former lieutenant with the Royal Engineers. They are joined by Diego Diaz, who turns out to be a key figure from Paloma's past. Adding two shady horse traders and the secretive Graciela, Marco leads his small but determined army north to land contested by both Utes and Comanches. Though woefully outnumbered, they must defeat Great Owl or die trying.
At the annual fair in Taos, Marco and his Comanche friend Toshua arrange to buy a team of bays from horse traders who sometimes wink at the law. Marco can't complete the purchase because he spends all his money to buy a slave from Great Owl, thus saving her life. Graciela accompanies them back to the Double Cross, along with Diego Diaz, one of those traders Marco still owes for the team.
Great Owl's threat to tentative peace between the Kwahadi and the Spanish must be squelched. Marco and Toshua bolster their small army of two with an unexpected ally in Joaquim Gasca, a disgraced former lieutenant with the Royal Engineers. They are joined by Diego Diaz, who turns out to be a key figure from Paloma's past. Adding two shady horse traders and the secretive Graciela, Marco leads his small but determined army north to land contested by both Utes and Comanches. Though woefully outnumbered, they must defeat Great Owl or die trying.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2015
12 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
141 books808 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 20, 2015
I just really like this Spanish Brand series and the latest installment; “Paloma and the Horse Traders” is as good as the first two. I am a huge Carla Kelly fan and I enjoy learning some fascinating history through her historical fiction books whether it is here in America or across the ocean in Regency England.
“Paloma…” is the continuing story of Marco Mondragon and his wife Paloma, who live a frontier life in the general southwest area of 18th Century America. An honorable and respected man, Marco commands the area that includes the Spanish, Comanche, Ute Indians, Mexicans, and various frontier “roamers” both law-abiding and not. He is an official of Spain appointed to register cattle brands, settles disputes and tries to keep a general peace in the area. That’s not easy as not everyone is friendly or law-abiding. Some are, some are not. And this time it’s Great Owl who is wreaking havoc through the area.
New characters join the group including Graciela, an ill-used slave girl saved by Marco, and Diego Diaz, and his thieving horse traders buds. All have important histories and personalities to complete the quest for Great Owl. And as always, Marco’s Comanche “slaves” Toshua and his wife Eckapeta are as sneaky and amazing as ever.
The great love and devotion to family by Marco and Paloma are admirable. They truly show unconditional love. Quote pg. 161: “He thought a little longer, and felt another rush of understanding. ‘Maybe this is it: Paloma and Marco treat us as though we are already the wonderful people they want us to become.’” In a time and area that survival was paramount, life was a gamble everyday.
This series is not for those who get squeamish. There are scenes described that are horrific and difficult to imagine. I’m glad I didn’t live in that time of history, but I certainly get a feel for our expanding country and the difficulties it had to go through.
Of course this will sit among its companions in my personal library. Another awesome book, CK! I suppose the series will end when Paloma finally gets her red shoes…
“Paloma…” is the continuing story of Marco Mondragon and his wife Paloma, who live a frontier life in the general southwest area of 18th Century America. An honorable and respected man, Marco commands the area that includes the Spanish, Comanche, Ute Indians, Mexicans, and various frontier “roamers” both law-abiding and not. He is an official of Spain appointed to register cattle brands, settles disputes and tries to keep a general peace in the area. That’s not easy as not everyone is friendly or law-abiding. Some are, some are not. And this time it’s Great Owl who is wreaking havoc through the area.
New characters join the group including Graciela, an ill-used slave girl saved by Marco, and Diego Diaz, and his thieving horse traders buds. All have important histories and personalities to complete the quest for Great Owl. And as always, Marco’s Comanche “slaves” Toshua and his wife Eckapeta are as sneaky and amazing as ever.
The great love and devotion to family by Marco and Paloma are admirable. They truly show unconditional love. Quote pg. 161: “He thought a little longer, and felt another rush of understanding. ‘Maybe this is it: Paloma and Marco treat us as though we are already the wonderful people they want us to become.’” In a time and area that survival was paramount, life was a gamble everyday.
This series is not for those who get squeamish. There are scenes described that are horrific and difficult to imagine. I’m glad I didn’t live in that time of history, but I certainly get a feel for our expanding country and the difficulties it had to go through.
Of course this will sit among its companions in my personal library. Another awesome book, CK! I suppose the series will end when Paloma finally gets her red shoes…
October 13, 2015
We're past the romance-novel aspect of the first book and straight into classic western territory as the story of Paloma and Marco Mondragon continues. They're now a settled couple with two small children and one on the way, but the land around them continues to remain unsettled as rumors surface of new Comanche attacks, and strangers who may represent powers unfriendly to the Spanish government.
I've been enjoying Ms. Kelly's Spanish Brand series very much, not only because she tells a great story, but because as a resident of La Florida I'm all too aware that U.S. history overlooks the contribution of Spanish settlers throughout what's now the southern U.S. Florida, Louisiana, Texas and points west all had European settlers long before the Pilgrims set foot in New England, but their history is seldom told.
The stakes are still high for Paloma and Marco living in their fortress-like home on the New Mexican frontier, but the arrival of an unexpected guest brings the past alive for them. The government in Madrid may think it's in charge, but Marco knows it's men like him who will have to negotiate the new world of relations with the Indians, French, British, and now American interlopers. Fortunately he has the wise and loving counsel of Paloma, who brings her own skills at relationship building.
This is a thoughtful tale of good people trying to do the right thing. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from swashbuckling tales of pirates and privateers, and read about ordinary people who are extraordinary in their own way.
I've been enjoying Ms. Kelly's Spanish Brand series very much, not only because she tells a great story, but because as a resident of La Florida I'm all too aware that U.S. history overlooks the contribution of Spanish settlers throughout what's now the southern U.S. Florida, Louisiana, Texas and points west all had European settlers long before the Pilgrims set foot in New England, but their history is seldom told.
The stakes are still high for Paloma and Marco living in their fortress-like home on the New Mexican frontier, but the arrival of an unexpected guest brings the past alive for them. The government in Madrid may think it's in charge, but Marco knows it's men like him who will have to negotiate the new world of relations with the Indians, French, British, and now American interlopers. Fortunately he has the wise and loving counsel of Paloma, who brings her own skills at relationship building.
This is a thoughtful tale of good people trying to do the right thing. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from swashbuckling tales of pirates and privateers, and read about ordinary people who are extraordinary in their own way.
September 25, 2018
Carla Kelly is our favorite author. My wife and I read this book as we traveled in our car. I drove and she read. I like the setting in the colony of New Mexico as part of the Spanish Empire around 1780. I never even wondered what it would be like there and then. That is a time I think of the Revolutionary War along the east seaboard of the now US.
She has crafted a couple, Marco and Paloma Mondragon, who are living along the frontier with the Comanches, a very brutal people. They have two children and a beneficial relationship with a Comanche couple. The man Comanche named Toschua has devoted himself to protecting Paloma since she has saved his life several times. Marco is a judge of the area handling minor cases and problems with animal brands out on the frontier.
Marco and Paloma are in love and are so close in supporting each other yet give each other freedom to grow.
In this book Marco buys a slave girl to keep Great Owl from killing her. Her name is Gracelia and she will fall in love with Claudio, a young man who shows up with the Horse Traders. He just happens to be Paloma's brother who was scattered during the Comanche raid that displaced Paloma. She didn't know he was still alive.
Another of the horse traders, Jaoquin, who is a big, rough man of the world, happens to fall in love with gentile Sancha, the Mondragon's head hired help. He is fatally smitten and has to go a long ways to be worthy of her. She is deeply in love too which Paloma and Marco couldn't even imagine.
In the end, some gun traders are bringing a wagon full of guns from Saint Louis to sell to Great Owl. In a marvelous and interesting way, author Kelly brings about the prevention of this with the cooperation of Marco, Gracielia and Claudio, Jaoquin (who turns into their leader and mastermind), Rain Cloud and the Utes, even the British gun trader, Toshua and his wife Eckipeda, and the providential appearance of the Kowahadie Comanches.
It is a great story.
She has crafted a couple, Marco and Paloma Mondragon, who are living along the frontier with the Comanches, a very brutal people. They have two children and a beneficial relationship with a Comanche couple. The man Comanche named Toschua has devoted himself to protecting Paloma since she has saved his life several times. Marco is a judge of the area handling minor cases and problems with animal brands out on the frontier.
Marco and Paloma are in love and are so close in supporting each other yet give each other freedom to grow.
In this book Marco buys a slave girl to keep Great Owl from killing her. Her name is Gracelia and she will fall in love with Claudio, a young man who shows up with the Horse Traders. He just happens to be Paloma's brother who was scattered during the Comanche raid that displaced Paloma. She didn't know he was still alive.
Another of the horse traders, Jaoquin, who is a big, rough man of the world, happens to fall in love with gentile Sancha, the Mondragon's head hired help. He is fatally smitten and has to go a long ways to be worthy of her. She is deeply in love too which Paloma and Marco couldn't even imagine.
In the end, some gun traders are bringing a wagon full of guns from Saint Louis to sell to Great Owl. In a marvelous and interesting way, author Kelly brings about the prevention of this with the cooperation of Marco, Gracielia and Claudio, Jaoquin (who turns into their leader and mastermind), Rain Cloud and the Utes, even the British gun trader, Toshua and his wife Eckipeda, and the providential appearance of the Kowahadie Comanches.
It is a great story.
June 12, 2019
As usual from Carla Kelly, this is a history lesson wrapped in a love story about a time in the very dim past in New Mexico. There's lots of humor to offset the harrowing and dangerous lives these people lived. Please note, it is important to read these novels in order.
This is book three in a four-part series (so far). We think life was dangerous for the settlers in the 1800's; but life in the far west during the 1700s was tenuous, at best. For ages, the indigenous Indian tribes had warred amongst themselves, often dragging in the newer arrivals (the Spanish settlers and French traders).
These stories are unique and told from a historian's perspective. They occur during a time when the varying Indian tribes controlled much of the area known as the Spanish Colony of NEW MEXICO. It was also a time when religion dominated decisions and guided men's lives day-to-day.
Spanish Brand
The Double Cross (2013)
Marco and the Devil's Bargain (2014)
** Palermo and the Horse Traders
This is book three in a four-part series (so far). We think life was dangerous for the settlers in the 1800's; but life in the far west during the 1700s was tenuous, at best. For ages, the indigenous Indian tribes had warred amongst themselves, often dragging in the newer arrivals (the Spanish settlers and French traders).
These stories are unique and told from a historian's perspective. They occur during a time when the varying Indian tribes controlled much of the area known as the Spanish Colony of NEW MEXICO. It was also a time when religion dominated decisions and guided men's lives day-to-day.
Spanish Brand
The Double Cross (2013)
Marco and the Devil's Bargain (2014)
** Palermo and the Horse Traders
July 3, 2023
The author needed a timeline from the point of the journey with the little yellow dog until the end of the third book when everyone walked through the gate back into the double cross. The book made no sense. She changed the years and the ages and the events until they were so confusing I lost track of the story. Why didn’t her editor pick this up? I wish someone would go back and edit this book and get the timing correct. In the last few pages of the book she called the same child as being one year old and then being four years old or two years old depending on the age of Soledad who was according to this book either two or five years old, or somewhere in the middle. ARGH!
April 28, 2018
I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as the 1st two. Much more action & warring so much more sadness & death. All historical based. Still a very frisky married couple- just so you know; nothing graphic but it’s still present.
June 22, 2018
Another wonderful book by Carla Kelly
I have read the whole series and now I am buying them all to have my own copies. I am 69 and have read thousands of books. All of her books are keepers, whether they are regences or westerners!
I have read the whole series and now I am buying them all to have my own copies. I am 69 and have read thousands of books. All of her books are keepers, whether they are regences or westerners!
March 12, 2021
Bien
This is such a good series that works at creating peace and understanding among all of us who are indigenous to the earth
This is such a good series that works at creating peace and understanding among all of us who are indigenous to the earth
Read
January 29, 2022Three down, one to go.
Following this family's story in 18th century New Mexico has been a multifaceted pleasure. Carla Kelly scores again.
On to the last!
Following this family's story in 18th century New Mexico has been a multifaceted pleasure. Carla Kelly scores again.
On to the last!
November 1, 2022
Great historical detail
As always, the harsh truths of history are interwoven by Kelly with wisdom and grace. A joy to read and ponder.
As always, the harsh truths of history are interwoven by Kelly with wisdom and grace. A joy to read and ponder.
July 24, 2024
I didn't like it.
February 7, 2016
I have a hard time rating this book. This is the last book in the series and I loved the characters and Kelly does an amazing job with the history. I thought it had more sexual content that her books usually have and the Comanche Indians are violent, so those parts were super gruesome--historically accurate, but stomach churning.
December 17, 2015
Another Wonderful Book
This time, Marco holds center stage. With another special person. Fascinating description of Comanches, Utes, the world of New Mexico long before the Civil War. So so good.
This time, Marco holds center stage. With another special person. Fascinating description of Comanches, Utes, the world of New Mexico long before the Civil War. So so good.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews