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Frontier Traveler #2
Fatal Ground
Forbidden love. Broken trust. Deadly choices.
All Graham Davidson desired was to marry Makawee, the beautiful Crow woman with whom he fell in love while exploring Yellowstone. He envisioned a quiet life on the frontier. But when he travels back to Montana Territory in 1872, his dreams are quickly shattered.
Makawee’s father, Long Horse, demands a steep price for his daughter, and Graham must compete with a Crow warrior to win her hand. Tragedy strikes when she suffers an agonizing loss that scars her physically and emotionally.
Long Horse sends him on a mission into the newly created Yellowstone National Park, where squatters and poachers exploit the park’s resources.
Graham and a Crow friend enlist as scouts for the army. When George Armstrong Custer recruits them for the Seventh Cavalry, the friends are soon riding into the Little Bighorn Valley. Should Graham warn the brash cavalry officer his entire command will be killed? Does he betray his Crow friends by warning the Sioux of the pending attack?
Or does he allow both sides to engage in the looming battle at a place destined to be fatal ground?
Makawee’s father, Long Horse, demands a steep price for his daughter, and Graham must compete with a Crow warrior to win her hand. Tragedy strikes when she suffers an agonizing loss that scars her physically and emotionally.
Long Horse sends him on a mission into the newly created Yellowstone National Park, where squatters and poachers exploit the park’s resources.
Graham and a Crow friend enlist as scouts for the army. When George Armstrong Custer recruits them for the Seventh Cavalry, the friends are soon riding into the Little Bighorn Valley. Should Graham warn the brash cavalry officer his entire command will be killed? Does he betray his Crow friends by warning the Sioux of the pending attack?
Or does he allow both sides to engage in the looming battle at a place destined to be fatal ground?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2022
354 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Galloway
5 books61 followershttps://www.facebook.com/DAGallowayAu...
dgallowayusa@yahoo.com
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania near Gettysburg. After a long career in the paper industry and writing a bestselling nonfiction book, Safety WALK Safety TALK, I decided to follow a once-dormant dream of writing a novel. I enjoy reading about adventurers and explorers, traveling internationally, riding a recumbent tandem bike, and spending time with my grandsons.
Burning Ground was inspired by two memorable summers of my youth.
As a teenager, I worked on a fruit farm in Pennsylvania. It is here I met Redfield, a Crow Indian who lived a simple life but had a profound effect on the way I saw the world and people around me.
As a young man, I spent a summer in Yellowstone National Park in the late 1970's giving guided tours on Yellowstone Lake. When I was not working, my days were spent exploring all corners of that magnificent land, often in the backcountry. My love for our nation's first national park is rooted in that wonderful experience. I've included some photos from my time in the park in the Author Updates.
I am currently working on the sequel to Burning Ground, tentatively titled Fatal Ground.
dgallowayusa@yahoo.com
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania near Gettysburg. After a long career in the paper industry and writing a bestselling nonfiction book, Safety WALK Safety TALK, I decided to follow a once-dormant dream of writing a novel. I enjoy reading about adventurers and explorers, traveling internationally, riding a recumbent tandem bike, and spending time with my grandsons.
Burning Ground was inspired by two memorable summers of my youth.
As a teenager, I worked on a fruit farm in Pennsylvania. It is here I met Redfield, a Crow Indian who lived a simple life but had a profound effect on the way I saw the world and people around me.
As a young man, I spent a summer in Yellowstone National Park in the late 1970's giving guided tours on Yellowstone Lake. When I was not working, my days were spent exploring all corners of that magnificent land, often in the backcountry. My love for our nation's first national park is rooted in that wonderful experience. I've included some photos from my time in the park in the Author Updates.
I am currently working on the sequel to Burning Ground, tentatively titled Fatal Ground.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 19, 2022
Travel Back in Time to the Battle of Little Bighorn
I am so glad that Burning Ground now has a sequel. Fatal Ground: Love, Betrayal & Death in Montana Territory, by D.A. Galloway, is a fantastic follow-up, and though a sequel in a series, I think it stands well on its own.
Fatal Ground opens with the birth of a child and the death of a parent. It is a time of great change in the life of Graham Davidson. He has recently graduated from college, but most of his wisdom comes in the form of sage advice from a mentor named Redfield, who tells Graham things like, “There is no death. Only a change of worlds,” and “What will be, will be. What’s done is done.”
The theme of Fatal Ground is patience. When the young time traveler realizes that his future lies 100 years in the past, he makes plans to return and reunite with the woman he fell in love with in Burning Ground. Graham’s return is not inevitable. To find his way back, he must keep an uncooperative Studebaker alive, find the right location, wait for the right moment, and garner the favor of the spirits. Our impatient hero attempts to find transport at Dragon’s Mouth Spring in Yellowstone, at the Devil’s Tower near the Black Hills, and at the sacred Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn Mountains. Finally, “On a moonlit night in 1972, in the middle of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, Graham Davidson vanished.”
Returning to his beloved Makawee isn’t Graham’s only challenge. He must win the approval of her Crow parents, pay a steep price for her hand, and best a rival whose mother will stop at nothing to help her son marry the chief’s daughter. As if that weren’t enough, Graham gets drawn into the Battle of Little Bighorn. His “singular goal” is to “return home safely with Rides Alone,” Makawee’s brother, Graham’s friend, and the chief’s son.
In addition to the patience theme, this book is also a “circle of life” book. It starts with birth and death. Time travel in this book is rather like a rebirth. The lunar cycle and time travel during full moons are symbolic of the estrous cycle, which lasts 28 days. It takes Graham 28 seconds to complete his trip back in time. There are 28 spokes in the Bighorn Medicine Wheel.
I loved the many stages of this book, including Graham’s time in 1971, his quest to return to the 1870s, and the challenge of winning the hand of the woman he loves. The lead-up to the Battle of Little Bighorn is exciting, the battle scenes are riveting, and the outcome is poignant. We know that Custer will make his “last stand,” but what about the fates of the cast of Fatal Ground? Who will survive?
Fatal Ground is richly detailed. Artwork within the book helps readers picture the past. The brilliant cover features stunning artwork by Kristin Llamas. The historical facts, relics, and landmarks place us firmly in the 1970s and 1870s. The author’s riveting storytelling and compelling protagonist draw the reader quickly through the pages. I couldn’t wait to read this book, and I was delighted to have it with me on vacation. It was everything I hoped it would be. Now I can begin looking forward to the third installment.
I wholeheartedly recommend Fatal Ground.
I am so glad that Burning Ground now has a sequel. Fatal Ground: Love, Betrayal & Death in Montana Territory, by D.A. Galloway, is a fantastic follow-up, and though a sequel in a series, I think it stands well on its own.
Fatal Ground opens with the birth of a child and the death of a parent. It is a time of great change in the life of Graham Davidson. He has recently graduated from college, but most of his wisdom comes in the form of sage advice from a mentor named Redfield, who tells Graham things like, “There is no death. Only a change of worlds,” and “What will be, will be. What’s done is done.”
The theme of Fatal Ground is patience. When the young time traveler realizes that his future lies 100 years in the past, he makes plans to return and reunite with the woman he fell in love with in Burning Ground. Graham’s return is not inevitable. To find his way back, he must keep an uncooperative Studebaker alive, find the right location, wait for the right moment, and garner the favor of the spirits. Our impatient hero attempts to find transport at Dragon’s Mouth Spring in Yellowstone, at the Devil’s Tower near the Black Hills, and at the sacred Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn Mountains. Finally, “On a moonlit night in 1972, in the middle of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, Graham Davidson vanished.”
Returning to his beloved Makawee isn’t Graham’s only challenge. He must win the approval of her Crow parents, pay a steep price for her hand, and best a rival whose mother will stop at nothing to help her son marry the chief’s daughter. As if that weren’t enough, Graham gets drawn into the Battle of Little Bighorn. His “singular goal” is to “return home safely with Rides Alone,” Makawee’s brother, Graham’s friend, and the chief’s son.
In addition to the patience theme, this book is also a “circle of life” book. It starts with birth and death. Time travel in this book is rather like a rebirth. The lunar cycle and time travel during full moons are symbolic of the estrous cycle, which lasts 28 days. It takes Graham 28 seconds to complete his trip back in time. There are 28 spokes in the Bighorn Medicine Wheel.
I loved the many stages of this book, including Graham’s time in 1971, his quest to return to the 1870s, and the challenge of winning the hand of the woman he loves. The lead-up to the Battle of Little Bighorn is exciting, the battle scenes are riveting, and the outcome is poignant. We know that Custer will make his “last stand,” but what about the fates of the cast of Fatal Ground? Who will survive?
Fatal Ground is richly detailed. Artwork within the book helps readers picture the past. The brilliant cover features stunning artwork by Kristin Llamas. The historical facts, relics, and landmarks place us firmly in the 1970s and 1870s. The author’s riveting storytelling and compelling protagonist draw the reader quickly through the pages. I couldn’t wait to read this book, and I was delighted to have it with me on vacation. It was everything I hoped it would be. Now I can begin looking forward to the third installment.
I wholeheartedly recommend Fatal Ground.
September 21, 2022
I read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story picks up where Burning Ground left off. Graham is a person who experienced much loss in his childhood. One of his friends whom he works with during a summer job is a Native American descendent named Redfern who suggest Graham experience a vision quest. This takes Graham back in time 100 years to frontier Wyoming and Montana. There he meets and falls in love with Makawee, the Crow Indian guide helping the Hayden expedition navigate the territory in their quest to explore what is now Yellowstone national park. He returns to present day where he tells no one of his experience except his friend Redfern. In Fatal Ground Graham desires to travel back to 1872 to reunite with Makawee. Once there he is reunited with her but her father and tribal Chief Long Horse gives him a challenge to complete in order to be given Makawees hand in marriage. He also has to best another suitor who’s mother is ruthless and stops at nothing to ensure her son is chosen to marry Makawee so he can one day become chief of the tribe. Rides Alone who is Makawee’s brother becomes a loyal friend and allie of Graham who helps him in his quest to meet the challenge thrust upon him. Set backs occur and eventually Graham and Rides Alone find themselves in the heat of the Battle at Little Big Horn with General Custers Army. This story is filled with sadness, happiness, cruelty, loyalty, family, love and beauty. The author describes the Montana and Wyoming wilderness in a way that makes you feel you are there. The story is rich with history and Indian lore. I learned so much from reading this book. I highly recommend it. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.
January 21, 2025
This is the second book in the "Frontier Traveler" series. Graham Davidson traveled back in time to the Yellowstone region the 1870's in the first book. He met a native woman, Makawee, who he fell in love with. In this volume, he returns to the 1870's to continue his relationship with Makawee. Their relationship remains strong. But Graham must win the approval of Makawee's family who wants Makawee to marry a native man. Graham and the other suiter must compete in the eyes of the family to earn the right to be with their daughter.
Graham also becomes involved in the events that lead up to Custer's battle at Little Big Horn. The author does a very good job of weaving historical events into the narrative. Many of the true characters of the day are described very well.
The pace of the book is fast and entertaining. The fictional characters are likable and their interactions kept my interest. I did not particularly like the soft "porn" aspect of the book. I feel the relationships could have been developed without the sexual descriptions. But, I enjoyed the history and, for the most part, enjoyed the story. I will definitely read the next book in the series and I recommend the book to those interested in the history of the Yellowstone region.
Graham also becomes involved in the events that lead up to Custer's battle at Little Big Horn. The author does a very good job of weaving historical events into the narrative. Many of the true characters of the day are described very well.
The pace of the book is fast and entertaining. The fictional characters are likable and their interactions kept my interest. I did not particularly like the soft "porn" aspect of the book. I feel the relationships could have been developed without the sexual descriptions. But, I enjoyed the history and, for the most part, enjoyed the story. I will definitely read the next book in the series and I recommend the book to those interested in the history of the Yellowstone region.
October 31, 2023
Fatal Ground exhibits happiness, love, sadness, betrayal, death and future hope.
First off, I love a book with a map. Since D A Galloway writes about Yellowstone National Park and lands around the park, having a clear navigational map to delineate the movements of characters was appreciated.
The book relays to Grant Davidson and his wife Makawee transit from area to area. On their way, the decreasing amount of buffalo changes the Native Americans lives. Between killing needlessly of bison by the white man and the killing for the buffalo hides, the waste creates starvation. The main means of meat for the tribes devastates these people.
Generals time and time again turn their backs on previous treaties. The Native Americans are left once again in a position without alternatives, except war.
Grant being an eyewitness to these sad events gives the reader a true vision of the sadness and resignation of many tribes. Some of these scenes are embedded in my heart.
Once again, the author's research must have been lengthy and abundant. Bringing forward various events, people and places, the reader gains such insight to the many occurances.
A five star read
First off, I love a book with a map. Since D A Galloway writes about Yellowstone National Park and lands around the park, having a clear navigational map to delineate the movements of characters was appreciated.
The book relays to Grant Davidson and his wife Makawee transit from area to area. On their way, the decreasing amount of buffalo changes the Native Americans lives. Between killing needlessly of bison by the white man and the killing for the buffalo hides, the waste creates starvation. The main means of meat for the tribes devastates these people.
Generals time and time again turn their backs on previous treaties. The Native Americans are left once again in a position without alternatives, except war.
Grant being an eyewitness to these sad events gives the reader a true vision of the sadness and resignation of many tribes. Some of these scenes are embedded in my heart.
Once again, the author's research must have been lengthy and abundant. Bringing forward various events, people and places, the reader gains such insight to the many occurances.
A five star read
September 23, 2022
Fatal Ground is a wonderful sequel to Burning Ground, the Historical Fiction account of Graham Davidson as he travels back a century ago into the wild lands around Yellowstone. Fatal Ground continues the beautiful love story between Graham and Makawee, a Crow woman and adopted daughter of Chief Long Horse. Threaded amongst actual historical events, Fatal Ground clearly depicts the challenges facing the Native American tribes during this period and provides a unique perspective on one of the most famous battles of our land. The story is very compelling - I was proud of the determination of Graham as he tries to earn the right to marry Makawee; was drawn to the loyalty and bravery of Rides Alone, and was touched by the losses suffered by Chief Long Horse. This gripping story flowed smoothly, with interesting turns as it progressed. I found it difficult to put down and am now anxiously awaiting the third volume in the Frontier Traveler Series. If you like historical fiction, you will really enjoy these books!
September 27, 2022
D.A. Gallaway has done it again with the second book of the Frontier Travelers Trilogy.
FATAL GROUND is a riveting tale that continues the time traveler vision quest of Graham Davidson that began in Book 1 BURNING GROUND.
FATAL GROUND is a tale of passion, anger, death and redemption during the troubled post-Civil War frontier history. The reader is captivated by the page turning adventures of Graham Davidson and the
Crow Maiden, Makawee. if you appreciate rich well researched history intertwined with adventures
FATAL GROUND is the book for you.
FATAL GROUND is a riveting tale that continues the time traveler vision quest of Graham Davidson that began in Book 1 BURNING GROUND.
FATAL GROUND is a tale of passion, anger, death and redemption during the troubled post-Civil War frontier history. The reader is captivated by the page turning adventures of Graham Davidson and the
Crow Maiden, Makawee. if you appreciate rich well researched history intertwined with adventures
FATAL GROUND is the book for you.
September 29, 2022
I just completed Fatal Ground, the sequel to Burning Ground by the same author. I couldn't wait to read it, and it did not disappoint! Living and working in Montana this summer, the history depicted is what is known to have occurred in terms of conflict between the western expansion (and US Government) and the Native Americans here for centuries. I found myself anticipating (because history is known) and yet surprised at how the story was woven to be suspenseful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope D.A. Galloway has yet another in the Frontier Traveler series in the near future!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope D.A. Galloway has yet another in the Frontier Traveler series in the near future!
September 30, 2022
D.A. Galloway certainly did not disappoint with the sequel to Burning Ground. Both books are so rich with historical detail. Some of the scenes are difficult to read because of the events depicted - but they are historically accurate. I now understand better what indigenous people faced, and it is heartbreaking. I highly recommend both Burning Ground, and Fatal Ground. They are set in Wyoming and particularly in Yellowstone. Galloway does a masterful job of weaving a story amid beautiful scenery; and, he teaches you some things you didn’t know about our history along the way!
October 23, 2022
This was a nice followup to your first book. It is very obvious that the time you spend at Yellowstone when you were younger really left an impression on you. As kids in school we were never exposed to the policies of our government that took land and resources from the Indians. I appreciated the detail you provided about the policy to eradicate all the buffalo to starve Indians and to get them to kill each other while trying to survive with less food on shrinking land. I also enjoyed the graphics in the book -- it really helped make the story come to life.
December 11, 2022
I was so happy to see Galloway publish a sequel to Burning Ground. The drama continues! This book allows you to get a more intimate connection with Graham’s Native American family, and I also got another good history lesson out of this book. I listened to the audio version of Burning Ground and did the same for the sequel. The narrator is amazing - I highly recommend the audio version, as he really brings the characters to life. I will eagerly await the third book and am still waiting for someone to make these into movies! :)
January 8, 2023
Six Stars to Fatal Ground
I was reluctant to start Fatal Ground hoping it would half as good as Burning Ground. I could not imagine a time travel character to be so developed that he would grow with every challenge physically, emotionally and relationally. Now I trust the author to take us on the next leg of this historical journey with new twists of fate and fortune. Thank you. Helen Devine
I was reluctant to start Fatal Ground hoping it would half as good as Burning Ground. I could not imagine a time travel character to be so developed that he would grow with every challenge physically, emotionally and relationally. Now I trust the author to take us on the next leg of this historical journey with new twists of fate and fortune. Thank you. Helen Devine
January 17, 2023
Historical book of the American Frontier, 1872.
Once again I was caught up in the Love story of Makawee and Graham. I absolutely Love the history of the Lakota tribe, especially their burial and wedding ceremonies. This book tells the story of the Battle of Little Big Horn. I appreciate the historical notes at the end of the book of each chapter. If you Love History this book is for you. Looking forward to Bitter Ground.
Once again I was caught up in the Love story of Makawee and Graham. I absolutely Love the history of the Lakota tribe, especially their burial and wedding ceremonies. This book tells the story of the Battle of Little Big Horn. I appreciate the historical notes at the end of the book of each chapter. If you Love History this book is for you. Looking forward to Bitter Ground.
September 29, 2022
Excellent book!
Being born and raised in WY on the edge of an Indin Reservation and then living the last 20 years in MT, I just really enjoyed these books and appreciated the historical and otherwise relevant pictures throughout. The story would make a good Netflix series! I have been waiting to get my hands on this second book for a while.
Being born and raised in WY on the edge of an Indin Reservation and then living the last 20 years in MT, I just really enjoyed these books and appreciated the historical and otherwise relevant pictures throughout. The story would make a good Netflix series! I have been waiting to get my hands on this second book for a while.
October 2, 2022
Reviewing this book
Mr. Galloway has done it again. I could hardly put it down and was so sad when it ended. I wish it had many more chapters and I wait anxiously to find out what happens to Graham and Makawee and family in their new adventures. A very well written book. Thank you Mr Galloway for a wonderful read.
Mr. Galloway has done it again. I could hardly put it down and was so sad when it ended. I wish it had many more chapters and I wait anxiously to find out what happens to Graham and Makawee and family in their new adventures. A very well written book. Thank you Mr Galloway for a wonderful read.
February 5, 2023
This is a great sequel to the first book. I really enjoyed it when Graham was telling his incredulous mom about his time travel! The battle scene at the end has some true brutal details. I could have done with less sex scenes between Graham and his love. However, I appreciated his application of Scripture in this novel. I will await the third book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2022
Custer
I grew up in Billings, Montana which is not far from the Battle of the Little Big Horn. I have been there many times. This book took me there and made me see the battle fields once again.
I grew up in Billings, Montana which is not far from the Battle of the Little Big Horn. I have been there many times. This book took me there and made me see the battle fields once again.
May 4, 2023
Graham
This was a very interesting read. If you don’t mind fighting the Indians & blood shed . It was very informative & had a lot of how Yellow Stone got started years ago. Would recommend if you don’t mind the fighting. It had a good happy ending.
This was a very interesting read. If you don’t mind fighting the Indians & blood shed . It was very informative & had a lot of how Yellow Stone got started years ago. Would recommend if you don’t mind the fighting. It had a good happy ending.
August 20, 2024
Little Bighorn Valley
This section of series brought memories of visiting the site. A horrible but interesting bit of history that books aren't actually picturesque in our minds until you actually walk among the markers.
This section of series brought memories of visiting the site. A horrible but interesting bit of history that books aren't actually picturesque in our minds until you actually walk among the markers.
October 5, 2022
Excellent series looking forward to the next book!😆😆
January 1, 2023
very good series of books, kept your interest.
February 9, 2023
Wonderful pick up, where Burning Ground ended. Great read.
March 22, 2023
One to remember
The first half of the book was very interesting and the people grew on me. I will miss it forever.
The first half of the book was very interesting and the people grew on me. I will miss it forever.
October 24, 2023
Adventure tale
Loved this addition to the first book! So much history and such a special look at the way life for the Indians progressed. Makes for a great read!
Loved this addition to the first book! So much history and such a special look at the way life for the Indians progressed. Makes for a great read!
December 19, 2023
great read
The Frontier travelers is one of the best series I have ever read. You pick it up and can’t put Down!!!!!!!!
The Frontier travelers is one of the best series I have ever read. You pick it up and can’t put Down!!!!!!!!
February 2, 2024
can’t put it down
I binged this book all night long great read!! Can’t wait to tread book 3 then 4 such a way to read from the Crow side of things.
I binged this book all night long great read!! Can’t wait to tread book 3 then 4 such a way to read from the Crow side of things.
April 4, 2025
This was a incredibly good story!
Between the storyline and the pictures I found this one of the best time travel stories I've read! Can't wait to read the next one!
Between the storyline and the pictures I found this one of the best time travel stories I've read! Can't wait to read the next one!
2025-list
October 8, 2025an interesting Tale that weaves historical events with a good story. I appreciated the development of the characters the relatively close association with the actual historical events.
October 12, 2025
Great second book in the series
I have enjoyed books 1 and 2 of this series. I find it hard to put down. I’m starting on book 3 immediately.
I have enjoyed books 1 and 2 of this series. I find it hard to put down. I’m starting on book 3 immediately.
November 6, 2025
Great Historical novel
Being a history buff I certainly enjoyed the facts and photos provided, when I started this series I never thought I would enjoy the story line so much.
Being a history buff I certainly enjoyed the facts and photos provided, when I started this series I never thought I would enjoy the story line so much.
December 1, 2025
Frontier Traveler (Book 2)
I will give a complete review on all four books when I've finish reading the series. So far very good reading.
I will give a complete review on all four books when I've finish reading the series. So far very good reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews