437 ratings | 17 reviews | avg rating:4.28

Bruce’s Year In Books

Bruce’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Bruce’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Bruce’s 2025 Year in Books

Bruce Blizard’s Followers (15)

Bruce’s Bookshelves

to-read (21)
currently-reading (55)
read (487)
did-not-finish (0)
northwest-writers (14)
western (24)

Bruce’s Friends (214)

A.C. Fuller

222 books | 594 friends

Annette Mackey

98 books | 1,974 friends

Mark Noce

1,727 books | 5,026 friends

Jes Drew

1,374 books | 655 friends

J.F. Penn

1,100 books | 3,782 friends

Jake Needham

79 books | 4,185 friends

Elisabeth

2,058 books | 126 friends

Brian Larson

43 books | 4,238 friends

More friends…

Bruce Blizard

Goodreads Author

Born

in Bakersfield, California, The United States

Website

http://www.bruceblizard.com

Twitter

bruceblizard

Genre

Western, Young Adult, Christian

Influences

Larry McMurtry, Henry David Thoreau, Annie Dillard, William Edgar Staf ...more

Member Since

October 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/bruceblizard

edit data

I am a recently retired English and history teacher and track and field coach living in the Inland Pacific Northwest. My wife of 37 years, Tina, and I live on 25 acres in the southeastern section of Washington state with various dogs, cats, and horses. Before I became a teacher, I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for 14 years.

23 posts
Bruce Blizard's Blog

Where I Live

Rattlesnake Ridge

There is always a mystery

The land where I live rushes north, up from the Yakima River to the crest of Rattlesnake Ridge and then away to the northeast and into the mystery of the Technological Century. As we ascend the southern slope of the ridge on horseback, my daughter and I meander upward away from the comfort of our primitive home. We can see the thin ribbon in Interstate

Combine Editions
Bruce Blizard’s books

Average rating: 4.32 · 25 ratings · 13 reviews · 9 distinct works

	God's Instant 4.13 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 2013 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Man of the Oval: The International Legacy of John Chaplin and WSU Track & Field 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Better Place: really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dark Canyons: A Young Adult Western Novel of Loss and Discovery it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	God's Instant: Rodeo, Revenge, and Redemption 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Always a Runner 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	God's Instant: Rodeo, Revenge, and Redemption 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Better Place: Originally Published as Dark Canyons 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Better Place 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Bruce Blizard…

Bruce is Currently Reading

Bruce Blizard is currently reading

What's A Little Blackmail Between Friends

by Lynn Morrison (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

19 hours, 16 min ago

Bruce Blizard is currently reading

Murder On the Doorstep: A Violet Carlyle Cozy Historical Mystery (The Violet Carlyle Mysteries Book 48)

by Beth Byers

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jul 16, 2026 03:45PM

Bruce Blizard is currently reading

Duke of Eccess (Seven Dukes of Sin #4)

by Mariah Stone (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jul 16, 2026 01:56PM

rss
Bruce’s Recent Updates

Bruce Blizard is currently reading What's A Little Blackmail Between Friends by Lynn Morrison (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19 hours, 16 min ago · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of What's A Little Blackmail Between Friends by Lynn Morrison. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — What's A Little Blackmail Between Friends by Lynn Morrison <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard finished reading The Great Gaston Murder (Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries, #6) by Colette Clark (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 24, 2026 11:58AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Great Gaston Murder by Colette Clark. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Great Gaston Murder by Colette Clark <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard finished reading Death on the Deck (Lady Ellen Investigates #8) by Kelly Mason (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 18, 2026 05:33PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Death on the Deck by Kelly Mason. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Death on the Deck by Kelly Mason <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading Murder On the Doorstep: A Violet Carlyle Cozy Historical Mystery (The Violet Carlyle Mysteries Book 48) by Beth Byers	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 16, 2026 03:45PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Murder On the Doorstep by Beth Byers. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Murder On the Doorstep by Beth Byers <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading Duke of Eccess (Seven Dukes of Sin #4) by Mariah Stone (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 16, 2026 01:56PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Duke of Eccess by Mariah Stone. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Duke of Eccess by Mariah Stone <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading The Great Gaston Murder (Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries, #6) by Colette Clark (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 10, 2026 06:54PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Great Gaston Murder by Colette Clark. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Great Gaston Murder by Colette Clark <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading Son of the Morning Star: Custer and The Little Bighorn by Evan S. Connell	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 30, 2026 08:54PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading Murder in the Garden of Enchantment: The Constantinople Diaries (A Madame Theodosia Mystery) by Kathryn Gauci (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 30, 2026 05:36PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Murder in the Garden of Enchantment by Kathryn Gauci. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Murder in the Garden of Enchantment by Kathryn Gauci <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading A Blighter is Bumped Off (A Duchess of Stortford Mystery): A Victorian whodunnit with a hint of humour (The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries Book 4) by Helen Golden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 28, 2026 02:21PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Blighter is Bumped Off (A Duchess of Stortford Mystery) by Helen Golden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Blighter is Bumped Off (A Duchess of Stortford Mystery) by Helen Golden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Bruce Blizard is currently reading Lady Viola's Accidental Husband (Merry Spinsters, Charming Rogues, #7) by Sofi Laporte (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 18, 2026 09:54PM · like

More of Bruce's books…

Bruce’s Quotes

“The greatest sin you can commit against your own life is to know what you want and not to act.”
― Kim Stafford, Lochsa Road

7 likes

“When his life was ruined, his family killed, his farm destroyed, Job knelt down on the ground and yelled up to the heavens, "Why god? Why me?" and the thundering voice of God answered, There's just something about you that pisses me off.”
― Stephen King, Storm of the Century

tags: god, humor, religion

7983 likes

“Humor is almost always anger with its make-up on.”
― Stephen King, Bag of Bones

1788 likes

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
― Stephen King

tags: writing

3937 likes

“There are books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story... don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. Read sometimes for the words--the language. Don't be like the play-it-safers who won't do that. But when you find a book that has both a good story and good words, treasure that book.”
― Stephen King

tags: great-writing, on-writing, stories, storytelling

1470 likes

More of Bruce’s quotes…

recent posts
Bruce’s Groups

Western Authors & Readers — 427 members — last activity Jul 02, 2026 06:37PM
The western genre is a niche, and this is the place to gather. Where authors & readers can find each other, and talk about what's new. Post your wes ...more

Connecting Readers and Writers — 3960 members — last activity Jul 25, 2026 06:12AM
We connect adventurous readers with Indie Authors. This group is about connecting writers with readers in a way that has not been done on Goodreads b ...more

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 57217 members — last activity 3 hours, 0 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Literature & Philosophy — 28 members — last activity May 08, 2020 03:09PM
Here you will reflect on your SSR selections and comment and respond on others' reflections. ...more

¡ POETRY ! — 22510 members — last activity Jul 17, 2026 05:50PM
No pretensions: just poetry. Stop by, recommend books, offer up poems (excerpted), tempt us, taunt us, tell us what to read and where to go (to read No pretensions: just poetry. Stop by, recommend books, offer up poems (excerpted), tempt us, taunt us, tell us what to read and where to go (to read it!) Goodreads honors wordsmiths: poets and poetry promoted and prompted here. ~~~ "Poetry is the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits." -- Carl Sandburg “God has a brown voice, as soft and full as beer.” —Anne Sexton On Clouds – “…what primitive tastes the ancients must have had if their poets were inspired by those absurd, untidy clumps of mist, idiotically jostling one another about…” —Yevgeny Zamyatin “If the poet wants to be a poet, the poet must force the poet to revise. If the poet doesn’t wish to revise, let the poet abandon poetry and take up stamp-collecting or real estate.” —Donald Hall “Poetry is a rich, full-bodied whistle, cracked ice crunching in pails, the night that numbs the leaf, the duel of two nightingales, the sweet pea that has run wild, Creation’s tears in shoulder blades.” —Boris Pasternak “Wanted: a needle swift enough to sew this poem into a blanket.” —Charles Simic “Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all the time we long to move the stars to pity.” —Gustave Flaubert “Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It’s that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that’s what the poet does.” —Allen Ginsberg. ~~~~~ Amy King, Moderator Amy King is the recipient of the 2015 Winner of the WNBA Award (Women’s National Book Association). Her latest collection, The Missing Museum, is a winner of the 2015 Tarpaulin Sky Book Prize. She serves on the executive board of VIDA: Women in Literary Arts and is co-editing with Heidi Lynn Staples the anthology, Big Energy Poets of the Anthropocene: When Ecopoets Think Climate Change. She is also co-editing the anthology, Bettering American Poetry 2015, and is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at SUNY Nassau Community College. ...more

Rodeos, Cowboys, Outlaws and Ranchers — 15 members — last activity Dec 11, 2013 03:39AM
There's nothing like the old west: traveling rodeo circuits, waking up to miles of sky and open land, working hard on a ranch... AKA: reading about so ...more

Making Connections — 14919 members — last activity Jul 23, 2026 07:19PM
Read, Review, and Make Connections

Oprah's Book Club (Official) — 87397 members — last activity Jul 26, 2026 07:54AM
Welcome to the official Oprah's Book Club group. OBC is the interactive, multi-platform reading club bringing passionate readers together to discuss i ...more

New Adult Book Club — 20265 members — last activity Jul 02, 2026 07:09AM
This group is for everyone to share their love of New Adult fiction - the rapidly growing catagory for books that have the same coming of age feel as ...more

HERBOOKLIST — 12 members — last activity Jul 25, 2013 02:46PM
Everyone has a book list. Not everyone's book list is the same either. It will change from time to time. Herbooklist is about those individual book ...more

More of Bruce’s groups…

Bruce’s Friend Comments

No comments have been added yet.

Bruce Blizard’s Followers (15)

Bruce Blizard

Goodreads Author

rssBruce’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — What's A Little Blackmail Between Friends by Lynn Morrison

See a Problem?

Preview — The Great Gaston Murder by Colette Clark

See a Problem?

Preview — Death on the Deck by Kelly Mason

See a Problem?

Preview — Murder On the Doorstep by Beth Byers

See a Problem?

Preview — Duke of Eccess by Mariah Stone

See a Problem?

Preview — The Great Gaston Murder by Colette Clark

See a Problem?

Preview — Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell

See a Problem?

Preview — Murder in the Garden of Enchantment by Kathryn Gauci

See a Problem?

Preview — A Blighter is Bumped Off (A Duchess of Stortford Mystery) by Helen Golden

rss
Bruce’s Recent Updates