A western with a few twists that make it more than just a western or more than historical fiction. This is the first story of it's kind that I've read and I do alot of reading. The strengths and weaknesses of the characters shine through the hardships that will take them to freedom...or death.

"Johnson had heard that the West was vast and wild...A place where any man could find freedom...the chance to be his own man." How to stay alive? "Watch ya back, learn to fight, be careful who ya trust...Freedom's out there; ya just gotta go an' get it."

There was no proof that Johnson had assaulted a white woman in Saint Andrews, Indiana in March, 1876. He was forced to run, to leave the city before "an angry mob might be inclined to mete out their own form of justice."

Frederick Boyd, father of the wronged girl, had built a riverboat empire. "He would protect his family, and when he could not, he would ensure justice was carried out...". He called Allen Pinkerton, who sent a top notch agent, Cole Charles, a tenacious bulldog of a man, to search for Johnson. Charles always finished a job.

Exhausted from his journey, Johnson stumbled upon a stagecoach relay station. Gruff, testy Burt Griffin offered Johnson refuge in exchange for performing station repairs, starting with the barn roof. A runaway stagecoach, having been attacked by bandits, arrived at the station. Who were the passengers? Passenger Cole Charles felt that Johnson looked suspicious...however...there were no handbills with his face. A young woman who "exuded an air of dignity that gave her a commanding presence..." emerged from the carriage. "Johnson was unnerved by the woman's beauty...trying to avoid her gaze." Margret Herston was traveling west to become a writer. She was determined to document her experiences on the western frontier.

Johnson felt that "life has a way of slowly tryin' to take everything away from you...men like us, we need freedom, but there's only so much time to find it...". He must elude Charles who is hot on his trail. Johnson had a "crisis of conscience" when deciding to move on from the relay station. Burt, the old stationmaster, had silently left him new boots and leather gloves. To survive in the West, Johnson needed to learn new skills; roping, working with horses, and firing a pistol. These skills would enable him to become a wrangler on a cattle drive headed for Wyoming. Cole Charles wasn't the first, nor would be the last, to treat Johnson with contempt.

"Wild Salvation" by Alfred Stifsim is a beautifully written novel of the Old West as seen through the eyes of a man being hunted for a crime he did not commit. Author Stifsim's extensive knowledge of the West delivers a work of historical fiction filled with plethora of colorful characters. We are privy to their hardscrabble lives...some rise, others sink into despair. This action packed adventure provides a delightful journey into the West of old. Highly recommended.

Thank you Rowan & Littlefield/ Two Dot Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"Johnson is accused of assaulting a white woman, a deadly charge for a black man in 1875. "

An okay read, I guess. There was a lot going on within the story itself and the characters haphazardly jumped from one location to the next which, at times, made it hard to follow. But, the characters were interesting enough and maybe with a bit more (self?)editing this could be a great story.

2.25☆