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Homesteader, Finding Sharon
Facing down a bully
" Finding Sharon"
Hank James and riding partner Harry Gilmore ride the rails east to look for the woman Hank thought would be his mate for life. They unload their horses and gear at Canmore and immediately have trouble with a pompous local.
Riding on into Calgary they find Sharon but Hank is suddenly not sure if she is who he thought she was. He does decide to stay around long enough to see if she is or isn't.
If they are staying around for awhile anyway Hank and Harry become homesteaders. Portis Martin, whom they had met east of Canmore did not think they showed him proper respect but as homesteaders they became threatening enemies.
Hank and Harry's new enemy is manager of a very big cattle ranch. He has the money, the livestock and the manpower. He does not have time for saddle tramps. He also doesn't have a conscience that will interfere with getting them out of the way by any means possible - including attacking this woman that seems to interest them.
From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L'Amour.
Watch a video trailer for "Homesteader" at youtube.com/watch?v=viYLd3u_4AM
Praise for " Finding Sharon"
From Brenda Casto for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)"I found myself absorbed not only in the story, but the history lesson that I felt I was getting ..."
FromPaul Johnson for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)"All in all, a satisfying plot with enough action to keep the readerturning the pages to see what will happen next."
From author Barbara Martin I will say that I didn't want to put the book down once I began it because each chapter urged me on.
From author Clayton Bye
I enjoyed Homesteader. Narrative is conversational and easy to read.Best of all, the book appears to be historically accurate, and the story plausible. Staking a claim to a homestead in the rugged, untamed Canadian frontier of the 1880's was hard enough. But when someone tries to run roughshod over the "nesters," a man has to take a stand.There is more than bad weather for Hank James to contend with as he rides in search of the land of his dreams and the woman of his heart. Portis Martin, manager of a large cattle company, has no use for the small homesteaders that have begun to pepper the area...and he isn't afraid of using every dirty trick he knows to run them out.And Portis had been doing a pretty good job of it-until Hank James and his partner arrive on the stage.The dreams of early homesteaders were not always strong enough to see them through adversity, but with Hank James on their side, the people might just find a way of uniting for the common good and building a dream that can endure.
" Finding Sharon"
Hank James and riding partner Harry Gilmore ride the rails east to look for the woman Hank thought would be his mate for life. They unload their horses and gear at Canmore and immediately have trouble with a pompous local.
Riding on into Calgary they find Sharon but Hank is suddenly not sure if she is who he thought she was. He does decide to stay around long enough to see if she is or isn't.
If they are staying around for awhile anyway Hank and Harry become homesteaders. Portis Martin, whom they had met east of Canmore did not think they showed him proper respect but as homesteaders they became threatening enemies.
Hank and Harry's new enemy is manager of a very big cattle ranch. He has the money, the livestock and the manpower. He does not have time for saddle tramps. He also doesn't have a conscience that will interfere with getting them out of the way by any means possible - including attacking this woman that seems to interest them.
From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L'Amour.
Watch a video trailer for "Homesteader" at youtube.com/watch?v=viYLd3u_4AM
Praise for " Finding Sharon"
From Brenda Casto for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)"I found myself absorbed not only in the story, but the history lesson that I felt I was getting ..."
FromPaul Johnson for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)"All in all, a satisfying plot with enough action to keep the readerturning the pages to see what will happen next."
From author Barbara Martin I will say that I didn't want to put the book down once I began it because each chapter urged me on.
From author Clayton Bye
I enjoyed Homesteader. Narrative is conversational and easy to read.Best of all, the book appears to be historically accurate, and the story plausible. Staking a claim to a homestead in the rugged, untamed Canadian frontier of the 1880's was hard enough. But when someone tries to run roughshod over the "nesters," a man has to take a stand.There is more than bad weather for Hank James to contend with as he rides in search of the land of his dreams and the woman of his heart. Portis Martin, manager of a large cattle company, has no use for the small homesteaders that have begun to pepper the area...and he isn't afraid of using every dirty trick he knows to run them out.And Portis had been doing a pretty good job of it-until Hank James and his partner arrive on the stage.The dreams of early homesteaders were not always strong enough to see them through adversity, but with Hank James on their side, the people might just find a way of uniting for the common good and building a dream that can endure.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
David Milton McGowan
9 books5 followersDavid Milton McGowan (D. M. McGowan) is a novelist who occasionally writes rhymes and songs. His stories generally contain Canadian themes since he believes his birth-land doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves for its contribution to the world. In addition the neighbors often receive denunciations that could be equally applied to Canada despite a benevolent reputation and only acceptance of that history might precipitate change.
He has been a cowboy, forest fire fighter, heavy equipment operator, farmhand, gardener, road musician and businessman. He has many years’ experience in the welding/fabrication industries and as a commercial driver. He has lived in several areas in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and played music in much of North America. He and Karen are the proud seniors to four children and eight grand-children.
Dave has several published novels, both digital and print, is presently expanding his recorded or audible offerings (narrated by the author) and several short stories some available separately and some compiled in collections. Most work, even a few contemporary shorts can be classified as Western Fiction or Historical Fiction and will include Adventure, Mystery and the building of the Canadian West.
He has been a cowboy, forest fire fighter, heavy equipment operator, farmhand, gardener, road musician and businessman. He has many years’ experience in the welding/fabrication industries and as a commercial driver. He has lived in several areas in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and played music in much of North America. He and Karen are the proud seniors to four children and eight grand-children.
Dave has several published novels, both digital and print, is presently expanding his recorded or audible offerings (narrated by the author) and several short stories some available separately and some compiled in collections. Most work, even a few contemporary shorts can be classified as Western Fiction or Historical Fiction and will include Adventure, Mystery and the building of the Canadian West.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 28, 2025
How do stories from the 1880s still feel relevant today?
It’s because some tales, even set in the rugged Canadian frontier, are rooted in timeless values like determination, justice, and heart.
That’s exactly what has been beautifully reflected in Homesteader: Finding Sharon, the second book I’ve read by this incredibly skilled author.
This book is a rewarding read.
The highlight I loved about this book is how it combined grit with emotion, blending raw frontier life with a search for belonging. The storyline is bold, grounded, and gives a strong sense of place and purpose.
The author has delivered yet another memorable tale. His storytelling is sharp, balanced with heart, and layered with grit. The writing is fluid and confident, making the journey through the Canadian wild both vivid and smooth. Readers are pulled in effortlessly hooked by both tension and tenderness.
This book is a heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a blend of resilience and romance. I found this book to be both inspiring and compelling. It makes readers pause, reflect, and root for justice.
The author’s ability to bring history to life is impressive. His characters feel real, and his settings transport readers back in time. I can’t wait to explore more stories penned by him!
Overall, bold, beautiful, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
It’s because some tales, even set in the rugged Canadian frontier, are rooted in timeless values like determination, justice, and heart.
That’s exactly what has been beautifully reflected in Homesteader: Finding Sharon, the second book I’ve read by this incredibly skilled author.
This book is a rewarding read.
The highlight I loved about this book is how it combined grit with emotion, blending raw frontier life with a search for belonging. The storyline is bold, grounded, and gives a strong sense of place and purpose.
The author has delivered yet another memorable tale. His storytelling is sharp, balanced with heart, and layered with grit. The writing is fluid and confident, making the journey through the Canadian wild both vivid and smooth. Readers are pulled in effortlessly hooked by both tension and tenderness.
This book is a heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a blend of resilience and romance. I found this book to be both inspiring and compelling. It makes readers pause, reflect, and root for justice.
The author’s ability to bring history to life is impressive. His characters feel real, and his settings transport readers back in time. I can’t wait to explore more stories penned by him!
Overall, bold, beautiful, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
January 22, 2010
This western story opens in 1886 in foothill country near Cochrane in the North-West Territories of what will later become Alberta. Henry “Hank” James, late of Farwell (Revelstoke, B.C.), is on a mission to find a woman. While in Farwell Hank James had built a prosperous freight business and, what he thought, a promising relationship with Sharon Dalton, housekeeper for the magistrate. Sharon had left Farwell in September 1885 after learning that the B.C. police knew about her past and association with some outlaws in Missouri. Hank wasn’t too concerned as some of those outlaws had been his relatives.
After deducting that Sharon had taken a train east to Calgary, Hank, and his partner, Scott Gilmore, went east to search for her. Hank’s other intention for going east was to locate appropriate land for a cattle and horse operation under the Homestead Act. Gilmore is half Lakota Sioux, raised in St. Louis, Missouri with a university education, and from time to time educates Hank James.
A neighbour, Lottie McAdams, is running a homestead after the death of her husband and trying to keep that fact a secret. Under the Homestead Act women had no rights to own property, only men were allowed a quarter section consisting of 160 acres to prove up by making the required improvements.
Portis is a nasty antagonist, keeping the story going well with all sorts of conflicts. He’s used to getting his own way, and when Hank James gets back at him legally he turns to more ruthless methods.
David McGowan has history well documented for the time with the homesteading, the lack of rights for women (considering they were only a man’s property), the North-West Mounted Police, the special promotion that the Canadian government in Ottawa gave to the European and English nobility and gentry to open up the land for business, over the single family homesteading operations. If the small operation homesteaders were run off by the cattle barons, Ottawa tended to look the other way or take sides with the larger ranches.
The story moves along at a good clip with action and new conflicts in each of the chapters which are eventually resolved. There is a continuity to the story without any of the slumps sometimes found in novels. Does Hank James end up with Sharon Dalton? I’m not telling. But I will say that I didn’t want to put the book down once I began it because each chapter urged me on.
Something I really appreciated was that Mr. McGowan included an Author’s Note to verify some of the historical episodes related in the book, although I’m well versed in the history of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
I look forward to reading more of Mr. McGowan’s western books as I like stepping back into history in western Canada. Some times it feels like I’ve gone home because there are phrases that have carried over from those early years to now.
After deducting that Sharon had taken a train east to Calgary, Hank, and his partner, Scott Gilmore, went east to search for her. Hank’s other intention for going east was to locate appropriate land for a cattle and horse operation under the Homestead Act. Gilmore is half Lakota Sioux, raised in St. Louis, Missouri with a university education, and from time to time educates Hank James.
A neighbour, Lottie McAdams, is running a homestead after the death of her husband and trying to keep that fact a secret. Under the Homestead Act women had no rights to own property, only men were allowed a quarter section consisting of 160 acres to prove up by making the required improvements.
Portis is a nasty antagonist, keeping the story going well with all sorts of conflicts. He’s used to getting his own way, and when Hank James gets back at him legally he turns to more ruthless methods.
David McGowan has history well documented for the time with the homesteading, the lack of rights for women (considering they were only a man’s property), the North-West Mounted Police, the special promotion that the Canadian government in Ottawa gave to the European and English nobility and gentry to open up the land for business, over the single family homesteading operations. If the small operation homesteaders were run off by the cattle barons, Ottawa tended to look the other way or take sides with the larger ranches.
The story moves along at a good clip with action and new conflicts in each of the chapters which are eventually resolved. There is a continuity to the story without any of the slumps sometimes found in novels. Does Hank James end up with Sharon Dalton? I’m not telling. But I will say that I didn’t want to put the book down once I began it because each chapter urged me on.
Something I really appreciated was that Mr. McGowan included an Author’s Note to verify some of the historical episodes related in the book, although I’m well versed in the history of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
I look forward to reading more of Mr. McGowan’s western books as I like stepping back into history in western Canada. Some times it feels like I’ve gone home because there are phrases that have carried over from those early years to now.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews