A surprisingly well written historical fiction novel. The plot was well done and intriguing. I'm a fan of historical fiction, so I can definitely recommend this to other fans of the genre. It's definitely worth reading,.

Not my usual thing at all. I requested this ARC from NetGalley on a whim and I’m so glad! I was immediately drawn into this tale of a boy and his Lakota half-sister who cross paths with Calamity Jane. These engaging characters will appeal to a much wider audience than simply those who love Westerns or historical fiction. Excellent!

Rating: 5.0/5.0

This was a truly beautiful novel. The story, the characters and the way it is written, all are so good. Usually, most of the westerns genre novels tend to get boring but not a moment of boredom was there while I was reading this book. The story is about Jimmy Glass, a twelve years old boy and his little sister Hour Glass and what they go through and the people they meet when their father gets sick of smallpox. Calamity Jane a tough kind woman comes to their help and offer them her rented room in a brothel run by Jane's friend Dora.

If you are looking for a story that is really heartwarming then you should definitely read this one. The characters of the two kids are so unique and nice. Jane, on the other hand, is given a wonderful unique identity of a strong western woman who is looking tough but her heart is all goodness and kindness.

Hour Glass gets nothing less than a full mark from me. I was lucky to get an early advance copy of this book via NetGalley. The book will be on shelves end of this month (Feb 2018).

I don’t normally read westerns, but who would not want to read about Calamity Jane. I enjoyed this book so much, I will warn you though, there is quite a bit of inappropriate language, it’ll cost you a penny. Ole Calamity talks like a sailor, but most times, I was outright laughing when she did. She has a way with the booze, a marksmen with a gun and her storytelling, she is quite the character.
The story is told by 12 year old, Jimmy Glass, he first met up with Calamity in Deadwood, and I might say, the author did a great job of sounding like a 12 year old boy trying to be a man. His father became ill and he and his younger sister, pushed and pulled him to town in a wagon. With Jane’s persuasion, the local ladies of the night took them in, and provided a roof over their heads. He tells of many escapades with Calamity. The author made this book so good, taking you back to the old days in a small rough western town, making you feel like you were there, and getting to know the people. I would highly recommend to anyone, whether you like westerns or not, it was an awesome read.
I thank Net Galley and Amberjack Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read early and give my review.

I thought I would enjoy this book but was challenged by the language used from the beginning. I did not finish.

All heart, Hour Glass was such a surprise! This delightful, yet poignant, bildungsroman is right up there with True Grit. Our narrator, a twelve-year-old Jimmy Glass, leads the way through the grime and grit of the dying age of the Old West. His maturity is astounding, but still so believable, and Rene doesn't falter on the setting and all its dirty details.

I usually am rather unsure of books where the main character meets and interacts with a well-known historical figure. Sometimes it works, but more often than not it just feels forced, placed, and predictable. But, what would feel like a misstep in other fictionalized works, succeeds here because of the setting of the American frontier and the fully developed characterizations. Rene strikes exactly the right tone and pace for this setting and for the historical figure of Calamity Jane. Her existence in this book is strikingly seamless and whole. Not only did I want to learn more about the real-life Jane, but I found this book hard to put down because of Jimmy.

This is a charming and heartwarming historical fiction book. It centers around the infamous and colorful Calamity Jane and a host of other characters in the town of Deadwood during the wild west period. This wonderful cast of characters come together to take care of a brother and sister (Jimmy and Hour Glass) who lose their father to smallpox. The author really brings this story to life, as she tells the story through the eyes of 12-year old Jimmy. High recommended! Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -- 4.5 Stars

Yee hah!

This was a VERY fun read - totally believable and excellent dialogue which drew you in the novel as if a lasso had been tied around your neck and tugged sharply. This is a ride of a novel from start to finish - excuse the Wild West analogies but it’s essential I swear!- and Calamity Jane seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy is a rare treat. I felt very honoured to be in their company and felt very much involved with the story line.

The author’s writing style fits the story and themes very well, pace, fun, humour and apt description are wonderfully drawn. Deadwood comes to life off the page, I could almost smell horses and see the glint of gold in my eyes as I read. Dust sprinkled out the side of my kindle...

Deadwood is a real life town that has a wealth of history I knew little about but this nvoel was areal eye opener and a brilliant way of finding the town and seeing its unique history. Ah Jimmy! you’re a fine character indeed as is Jane, but it’s you I will remember most. Tell the others to mind their language though will you? I know this is the Wild West, but still!

Will there be more? I hope so. I’ve the horses saddled up and raring to go

This book was brilliantly written, I could not put it down. The portrayal of Jane was vivid and colorful, and the other characters were equally enchanting. I found myself laughing, crying and at times cringing, but above all, I felt a connection with each of these characters that lasted long after I read the last page. The story of Jimmy, Hour, Jane and the rest of the characters were so captivating that I can't really say which one I liked best. Each person had their own set of issues to work through, and each one had their own kind of tragedy that bonded them all together in one amazing story! I highly recommend this book, it's a beautiful story that will keep you entertained from cover to cover!

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read an advance copy of Hour Glass.
This book tells the story of Calamity Jane and the friends she met along the way. I laughed and cried as I read the beautifully written words of 12 year old Jimmy as he recalls the life and death of his dear friend. This is the the kind of book that when you weren't reading it, you were thinking about the people fondly and were looking forward to meeting them again.

FIVE STARS for this lovely book about the famous Calamity Jane and her perpetual cussing!

It was well-written, well-paced, and the dialogues where well-balanced.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Michelle Rene, and Amberjack Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

This is an excellent historical western, with Calamity Jane playing a supporting roll as she helps smallpox victims and the motherless children of one of the victims, Jimmy and Hour, as they struggle to survive in the town of Deadwood as they wait to see if their dad will live - or die. You will love Jimmy before the first chapter closes, and Hour is a flower of a special kind - she too will win your heart early on in this novel. This is a book I am pleased to recommend to friends and family, and one I hope Michelle Rene will be back soon with more like this....