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Man from Boston #2
Coyote Summer
Upper Missouri River, 1825
Against the wild grandeur of the Rocky mountains and a richly woven tapestry of Indian cultures--Sioux, Mandan, Crow, Shoshoni-- Coyote Summer unfolds into an unforgettable tale of love and reconciliation, destiny, and the indomitable spirit.
No two people could be more different: Heals Like A Willow, a beautiful young Shoshoni medicine woman, and Richard Hamilton, a Harvard philosophy student new to the frontier. Though they come from worlds apart, hindered by vastly different cultures, their souls have met and will not be denied.
But Willow has ties to the Spirit world and a responsibility to her people. In visions she has seen the coming White Storm brewing in the East--the endless stream of settlers overrunning the land, pouring ever westward. She must leave the trading posts, the river, and the company of white men. Even if it means leaving behind the one who has taken her heart.
Armed only with his philosophy, meaningless in the harsh reality of the Rockies, Richard sets out after her. Facing the endless expanse of mountains and snow, a new understanding dawns on Richard--that his desperate search for love and illumination may bear the ultimate price.
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
Against the wild grandeur of the Rocky mountains and a richly woven tapestry of Indian cultures--Sioux, Mandan, Crow, Shoshoni-- Coyote Summer unfolds into an unforgettable tale of love and reconciliation, destiny, and the indomitable spirit.
No two people could be more different: Heals Like A Willow, a beautiful young Shoshoni medicine woman, and Richard Hamilton, a Harvard philosophy student new to the frontier. Though they come from worlds apart, hindered by vastly different cultures, their souls have met and will not be denied.
But Willow has ties to the Spirit world and a responsibility to her people. In visions she has seen the coming White Storm brewing in the East--the endless stream of settlers overrunning the land, pouring ever westward. She must leave the trading posts, the river, and the company of white men. Even if it means leaving behind the one who has taken her heart.
Armed only with his philosophy, meaningless in the harsh reality of the Rockies, Richard sets out after her. Facing the endless expanse of mountains and snow, a new understanding dawns on Richard--that his desperate search for love and illumination may bear the ultimate price.
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
660 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1997
21 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
181 books730 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 16, 2017
Review: Coyote Summer By w. Michael Gear
One of the first books I shared with the avid reader known as my mother, I loved the story of the wild west, the familiar Native American tribes and the interactions between Richard Hamilton, and Willow, inspires the spirit that there is a way to solve any problem. The rogue that is Richard has created an avid fan of many of the Fansite group. Willow is a character that is impressive in the magic that she brings to the story.
One of the first books I shared with the avid reader known as my mother, I loved the story of the wild west, the familiar Native American tribes and the interactions between Richard Hamilton, and Willow, inspires the spirit that there is a way to solve any problem. The rogue that is Richard has created an avid fan of many of the Fansite group. Willow is a character that is impressive in the magic that she brings to the story.
March 20, 2017
another great book by micheal gear...have loved all his books so far
March 20, 2017
How would I describe this book? I'd say good but not great. It was a good length novel at 650 pages and the stories were certainly well developed, and when the sub-plots were centred around that frontier, primitive survival instinctive type behaviour the book was fantastic. In fact, the way it ended I thought what a great lead in to a sequel, but apparently no prospect of that. The downside of the story was the at-times never-ending repetitive focus upon Richard's philosophical challenges (at the beginning of the book), and then later the conflict that existed between staying with Willow or going back to his father. It just went on and on and on. Some may enjoy this byplay between the physical and the rational (or not), but it fell short for me.
November 3, 2017
Top-notch reading
Mr Gear weaved a spell binding story in this novel. Combining back East philosophy with frontier and Native American Indian traditions, he has the reader questioning our ingrained beliefs in truth, religion, and basic tenants of civilization, while at the same time drawing us into the conflict between a Boston raised preppy idealism and the firsthand reality of the frontier/mountainman lifestyle. An easy but spellbinding read.
Mr Gear weaved a spell binding story in this novel. Combining back East philosophy with frontier and Native American Indian traditions, he has the reader questioning our ingrained beliefs in truth, religion, and basic tenants of civilization, while at the same time drawing us into the conflict between a Boston raised preppy idealism and the firsthand reality of the frontier/mountainman lifestyle. An easy but spellbinding read.
January 1, 2018
Masterpiece
W. Michael Gear does it again is his own great style. In the early 1800 west of St. Louis was facing the bare wilderness. If you could not be ONE with nature, you did not survive. That came to creature necessity as well as love. No one had time to be false face, they were busy staying alive. Using you brain and thinking before you move is primary. Masterfully told. A must reread!!!!
W. Michael Gear does it again is his own great style. In the early 1800 west of St. Louis was facing the bare wilderness. If you could not be ONE with nature, you did not survive. That came to creature necessity as well as love. No one had time to be false face, they were busy staying alive. Using you brain and thinking before you move is primary. Masterfully told. A must reread!!!!
December 27, 2017
Interesting book with lots of interesting facts about the early west. A little long but the author keeps the story moving along and keeps it interesting.
Got a little predictable towards the end of the story but Gear introduced some interesting twists into the story to keep my interest up. I shall order more of his book -- that is the best recommendation I can provide any author.
Got a little predictable towards the end of the story but Gear introduced some interesting twists into the story to keep my interest up. I shall order more of his book -- that is the best recommendation I can provide any author.
July 23, 2019
Word out my eyes reading because couldn't put it down
Educational and thought provoking. Thoroughly enjoyed. Really cared about the characters and had to find out what happened to all.
Educational and thought provoking. Thoroughly enjoyed. Really cared about the characters and had to find out what happened to all.
June 24, 2023
This was the fourth book in a four book series. They just kept getting better. I wish there was a fifth and sixth. It has action and many areas to make you think. I really enjoyed the detail of living in the unclaimed west. If you want a good read this book is for you.
June 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this sequel to The Morning River. I enjoyed the setting of the unsettled US West in the early 1800's. And the characters were different from any I have encountered before. I especially enjoyed the Native Americans and trappers.
July 22, 2023
Great series. This last one is a must to to see where Heals With Willow and Richard end up, not exactly the climax I expected. Five stars except too much fill such as will Richard go back, will Richard stay.
September 5, 2023
Devoured both books back to back. Interestingly, the copy of the second book, via Amazon, in spite of being rated “like new” quality, had been shot twice by an air rifle. The damage was annoying, but it also made for an even more memorable reading experience.
April 20, 2018
Hard to put down
Very good read..as usual facts but much more a story of people and the transitioning as the West expanded and the fur trade developed and influenced
Very good read..as usual facts but much more a story of people and the transitioning as the West expanded and the fur trade developed and influenced
May 9, 2021
The first 200 pages of this book suck! Then the story picks up as Willow and Richard explore their love in the true frontier days of the west.
March 8, 2024
Excellent ending to Morning River. This is the continuation of the saga of Willow, Travis and Richard and their survival in the wilderness.
June 7, 2025
Nice story, well written, excellent read, thought provoking, would recommend.
February 26, 2013
I first read The Morning River and its companion Coyote Summer in the early 2000s. Over the years this story has stuck with me until I finally felt the urge to re-read the 2 book series. It has been every bit as enjoyable as the first time around. The author does an outstanding job of blending carefully researched, historical fiction with an epic quest. The vivid descriptions of frontier life in 1825 America transports the reader into the story. Plot, character development, setting, and readability - all excellent. Highly recommended.
July 17, 2021
5* twenty years ago and still rate it the same. The fascination I have with this story is the surface contrast between 1826 Boston society, culture, religion, values, laws and mores and that of the mountain men and native american tribes. I say 'surface' because the author then takes us into the real lives of all these peoples and it turns out that human behaviors are much the same across all cultures. The compare/contrast between the Christian Bible stories/teachings and those of the Native American myths are so interesting! (to me anyway) Well done Mr. Gear.
December 5, 2013
Whenever I begin reading the sequel to a book that I really liked, I always fear that it may not be able to measure up against the first book and I will be disappointed.
This was definitely not the case with Coyote Summer. It proved to be just as good, if not better than, its predecessor, The Morning River.
This was definitely not the case with Coyote Summer. It proved to be just as good, if not better than, its predecessor, The Morning River.
October 22, 2009
A very powerful story. It touches my heart until I refused to go to work one day just to know what Heal the Willow and Rishard to know it was a happy ending.In the year 1825 ............... I hope that I was born in that year.
April 22, 2011
I enjoyed reading the perspectives of Indian thought verses "white man's" thought in this book. The author seemed to do a lot of research into the different ways of the tribes. I wish I would have read "The Morning River" first however; this book was the conclusion of that story.
June 25, 2014
My first book by Gear(s). Didn't realize it was a sequel until later. Loved the dialogue. Would love to hear an audio version or a film. Travis is a great character. Read a few more of theirs, looking for more...
December 20, 2007
The second volume/continuation of Morning River. Though Coyote Summer can stand alone as its own novel, it is better suited as continuation/companion piece to Morning River.
September 2, 2013
I grew with the character and gain insight from the girl about how big God is.
July 29, 2015
I just could NOT get into the characters although the book was very well written. Guess it was me and Westerns.
October 12, 2015
great ending
July 24, 2016
Love it! It is the second half to The Morning River. The publisher made him break it into two books.
June 1, 2008
Powerful depiction of the early frontier
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews