Too Soon to Die

The Jensen Brand #2

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Johnstone Country. Stay awhile. With their acclaimed novels of the Jensen family, bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone have captured the pioneering spirit of America itself. Now a new generation of Jensens prepares to take the reins—and live the dream their ancestors fought for . . . A JENSEN CELEBRATION. A JENSEN RECKONING. There’s nothing like a wedding to bring families together. And there’s no place like the Sugarloaf Ranch to throw a foot-stomping hoedown—even if it turns into a gun-blazing showdown. Smoke and Sally Jensen are delighted that their son Louis is marrying the lovely widow he met during a perilous stagecoach journey through the Donner Pass. The whole family welcomes the bride and her young son with open arms. In fact, everyone is invited to the party—even the handsome stranger who rescued Louis’s twin sister Denise from a runaway mustang. Who is this mysterious hero? No one knows. But there’s going to be a lot of gunshots along with the wedding bells when this stranger makes his deadly moves. Once more, the Jensens band together to fight for what’s theirs. And it just might be till death do they part . . .Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2019

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Johnstone's next in the Jensen Universe, Too Soon to Die, (Pinnacle Books 2019) is Johnstone at his best. This book deals with Smoke Jensen as a mature gunslinger, a rancher and family man:

"Youngsters organized games or just chased each other around, squealing happily, while the grown-ups sat at the tables or stood in the shade under the trees as they caught up with their friends on everything that had happened since the last time they had seen each other. Births, deaths, other marriages, good roundups and bad, all were topics of great interest."

"...ranch hands under Cal’s direction began hanging lanterns from tree limbs and along the awning over the porch that ran around three sides of the main house. Fiddle players rosined up their bows, and guitar pickers tuned and tightened strings."

Smoke has left his dangerous days of fighting outlaws behind and now, his son is getting married--just like so many other parents in the world. He wants to give him a wonderful wedding and take care of his new wife's son for a few weeks while the newly weds go on a honeymoon. Is that too much to ask?

Maybe. Complications start innocently enough when his daughter is rescued on a runaway horse by a silver-tongued cowboy who's passing through. Smoke offers him a job which seems to work out. His daughter even reluctantly is attracted to him. Then they run into cattle rustlers, horse thieves, kidnappers, and a bunch of outlaws who just want Smoke and everyone close to him dead.

This is Johnstone at the top of his game. An excellent read for both Jensen fans and lovers of the Western genre.

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

The family dynamics of the Jensen’s makes this series so solid and enjoyable. I wholeheartedly recommend it for those who enjoy the western genre.

Commenting on the audiobook edition - unfortunately, the narrator does effect my decision to rate it 4 stars instead of 5. No difference in pitch, pace, variation. It's not terrible, but it doesn't make a good story great

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where there is a Jensen there's usually Smoke. This western is set in the beginning of 1900s. Bu it's still a good traditional western. Some good guys and some bad guys. I love series where you follow families through time and this is one of those. Not the best and not the worst I have read but enjoyable.

[Jamesie (inactive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would give this a 4.5 star if i could lol, was a great read.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime you get the chance to read a Johnstone Western, you should take it. These series are all interwoven, families across the country, but still families. This is another chapter in the Jensen family saga. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but they are so much richer for the details woven throughout the series that you really should pick up more than one. Yes, the good guys win, but the journey from wedding party to the final showdown is an exciting ride full of detailed western history and a little bit of tall tale. I have never, repeat never, read a Johnstone book that I did not love.

[David Burnworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis gets married and takes a honeymoon back East.
Anew guy is hired on at the Sugarloaf and Pearlie has a sinking feeling he is bad news and looks familiar. Meanwhile, Smoke's daughter Denny finds herself having feeling for the stranger after he sort of save her life.

There is a plan to kill smoke and kidnap Louis for ransom. The pan goes to hell for someone, and there will be a lot of deaths.

[Carol Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Amazing book

This was an amazing book, I so enjoyed reading this book about the Jensen family. It kept me on the edge of my seat hair the whole time I was reading about the rescue of Brad, Louis’s adopted son, who is now his son and the Grandson for Smoke and Sally. I have a lot of the Smoke Jensen books and I re-read them a lot. This was a very well written book that will keep the reader captivated all the way to the end.
Thank you for writing these great books

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

THEY KIDNAPPED BRAD

All anyone can really say is, you mess with one Jensen, you got the whole family to deal with. They do not back away from any situations facing them. That also goes for the men who work for Smoke Jensen. As they say in the West, "we ride for the brand."
So I say "ride easy with the 💨Wind and Sun 🌞 at your back ."

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is an amazing story-line filled with action, intrigue and western lore. The warning is clear - never go up against anyone in the Jensen family. In case there is any doubt, even the wranglers are part of that family. There’s so much going on in this book that I sat planted in my chair and read until The End. Such a great book! I can hardly wait to start Book 3.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not A Bad Read!!!

This definitely may not be the best book ever written by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone but it's still good entertainment. The only things I didn't care for were that it started out really slow and was a bit too romantic for my tastes.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not the best book in the "Denny Jensen" series - it was still entertaining.

Louis is getting married,
Denny meets a new guy, is he a good guy or an owlhoot?

Brice is not pleased...


Bad guys show up...

Bad guys get shot ..

Typical Jensen family shoot 'em up.

[RICHARD STENTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Jensen Brand is fascinating as it introduces Denny to a new blooming love relationship. This forms after she dresses like a man and enters a big horse race before her brother's wedding. This relationship turns out to be a bad thing for all, and the adventure heats up when Smoke sends her with this cowhand and the rest of his crew on a cattle drive to Montana. It is an easy, quick read with lots of fun adventures.

[Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denise “Denny” Jensen, strong, independent daughter of famous gunman Smoke Jensen falls for an undercover member of a gang who kidnaps her young step-nephew.

Modern feel in an old western story.

Contains: Cussing, premarital kissing, death.

[Nita Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Soon to Die

Both stories are very adventurous and exciting. Denny likes to be part of her Dad's ranch, the Sugarloaf. There is always something going on the ranch and Smoke and family gets involved in the gun shotouts.

[Kat M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really had a great time reading this book, the Johnstones are wonderful western storytellers. The plot is what I was looking for in a western.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Too Soon to Die. This second installment from The Jensen Brand series is full of adventure and action. I give it four and a half stars.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it as I have most Johnstone novels. Once I started the book, I could hardly put it down. It kept my interest throughout.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story of the Jensens ...

[Richard Riordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good book as always.bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla la bl

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. It was hard to put down.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a different type of western, at least from what Johnstone usually writes. I enjoyed it. The kids I'm not so sure about, but it's working if you enjoy anything Jensen related.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

24-35. Whoa . what an exciting adventure of Smoke Jensen. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Hoopla app.

[Abbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this a 3.5, fun Western adventure and I like that there is a heroine and the ups and downs in the characters. Overall a fun departure from what I normally read.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay story. Mostly about Smoke and Sally's stubborn daughter, Denise. Or as she liked to be called, Denny.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

great stories. love the audio edition.