A Beautiful story set in early twentieth century Wyoming.
Ellen Webster accepted a teaching position in Wallce Wyoming. she’s fallen in love—both with the High Plains and with a handsome cowboy named Charlie Bacon. Life is not easy in the flat, brown corner of the state where winter blizzards are unforgiving and the summer heat relentless. But Ellen and Charlie face it all together, their relationship growing stronger with each shared success, and each deeply felt tragedy.
Sandra Dallas' Writhing is beautiful and touching. I had a good time losing my self in the Frontier. Ordinary people try hard to survive, Ordinary people has courage and love to fight.

recommend to historical fiction lovers

3.5 stars cause books like this just make me sad. This book was so REAL.

Realities of life in the plains of Wyoming. Wow. Wow. Wow.

The characters were so loveable. I was feeling what they were feeling. Ellen and Charlie ♥️

I will warn you that this will tug at your heartstrings and it's not a happily ever after.

But the story is very well done and for historic, real, book lovers, this one is for you!

Absolutely adored this novel by Sandra Dallas. Connected with the characters right away and felt extremely invested to find out what happened with Ellen and Charlie. It was a great description of what life would have been like at that time. This was my first book by Sandra Dallas, but I will be reading more.

I’ve been meaning to read another book by Sandra Dallas since I read book:Westering Women and I finally got around to another historical fiction novel focusing on the strong women settling in the West. Wyoming where the winters are fiercely cold and snowy, where the living is tough on everyone, but especially the women as is the focus here. Life on the prairie reflecting the difficulties of being a woman here in 1916 with heartbreaking losses, times with little food, the brutality of some of the men towards their wives and children is gut wrenching .

For a while I thought that the life of the new teacher in town, Ellen Webster who marries a cowboy Charlie Bacon would be different . It was in a sense . These two people loved each other deeply and Ellen did not endure the abuse that other wives did. However, their abiding love could not protect them from heartache and loss. I found here some of the same loyalty and sisterhood as well as conviction and courage that I found in book:Westering Women. Dallas does a great job of portraying the time and place in 1916 Wyoming . It’s just so damned sad.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley

I think this might be the saddest book I've ever read. I couldn't even count the number of times my jaw dropped or I straight up said "oh, come on," out loud. That being said, it's a beautiful story about how love endures through unthinkable hardship and heartbreak. This type of historical fiction isn't my usual genre, so I'm really glad I picked it up! It might end up being one of my favorite books this year.

Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas. Pub Date: April 18, 2023. Rating: 4 stars. Set in early 1900 Wyoming, the reader is taken to the wild west through the eyes of a teacher looking for different surroundings and exploring the great unknown. Ellen is a strong woman who has morals, conviction, strength, determination and a loyal heart. She falls for a cowboy, quits her teaching job and sets to be a homemaker. This story is her story, one filled with hopes, dreams, grief and loss. I loved how the author displayed the hardships of living "off the grid" in the early 1900s. It's fascinating to realize so many people survived with little materials, but had a lot of grit and heart to make it work. Beautiful writing throughout this novel. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Prologue begins in 1945 with remembering. Two women enter a house that has been vacant for years. One of the women knew the lady of the house and instantly remembered things such as Ellen buying the chairs. Outside she recalled Ellen kept an excellent garden. And beautiful flowers. Ellen made Hollyhock dolls for the neighbor’s girls. [I love hollyhocks.]

The place, eastern Wyoming. The time, 1916. The view, open prairie. A wide, lonesome prairie where the coyotes howl mostly at night. The couple, Charlie Bacon and Ellen Webster, And how these two loved each other. The reader learns this immediately so I’m giving nothing away.

Some people can’t handle that big, wide-open prairie. The loneliness. The wind. The coyotes howling. But in the end, Ellen loved it. Ellen came to Wallace, Wyoming to teach school. A country school. Well, this reviewer spent the first eight years of education in a country school. A one-room schoolhouse with eight grades for four years and two rooms the last four years with 1st-4th in one room and 5th-8th in another. Ellen had 18 students. I don’t think there were ever 18 students in my school or 5th-8th room.

When she arrives in Wallace, she learns there is no boarding house. She will be staying with the McGintys where a friendship develops between Mrs. Ruth McG and a dislike (for good reason) with Mr. McG. Ellen learns that the previous teacher had no grit. You’ll never believe where one of the prior teachers works. Ellen didn’t either.

Ellen learns that cowboys are special. That Charlie Bacon, cowboy, was willing to pay more than a week’s salary for her box supper. Charlie had gone to school through the eighth grade. [Personal note: that is quite an achievement. My paternal grandfather completed only the 6th grade before he was needed full-time on the farm. That was not unusual. It was common. And yes, I am THAT old.]

The characters in Where Coyotes Howl are rich in detail and likability, Well, most of them. The Gurley’s. Oh to have a Mrs. Gurley in your life when you move across the country. And a Charlie who loved to tell you a fact that wasn’t. There was Gladys, a neighbor. Ruth made gorgeous quilts but had a miserable life. A boy called Fatback. [That’s NOT a typo.] Another is called Pike. Margaret, a girl who was impaired and dearly loved. Hattie was a student and then a friend.

Where Coyotes Howl is filled with gripping stories of what it was like to live on the vast prairie of Wyoming in the early twentieth century. What it was like for a woman. How Ellen grew to love it and why some perished. Especially those who had no way to leave. How a man could be a good one and others who were the opposite. There are wonderful moments. And the sad ones are beautifully written. You feel when you read this book. This is a five-star read which I hope you will enjoy as much as I did. Sandra Dallas is a new author for me although she is a prolific writer.

This historical fiction book was published in April 2023 but I spent a chunk of that year with one health issue after another. SO—-I didn’t get it read until 2024. I read the DRC (digital review copy) from NetGalley and publisher, St. Martin’s Press. I appreciate both for allowing me to turn a review a year later. No request for a positive review was requested; the opinions are my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Cover: Fits the book. That’s Charlie & Ellen.
Pages: 311
Publish Date: 18 Apr 2023
#WhereCoyoteHowls #NetGalley #SandraDallas

Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas is reminiscent of Catherine Marshall's 1967 novel Christy, set in the Smoky Mountains. In Where Coyotes Howl, a young teacher travels to a remote Wyoming community and falls in love with a local man. Recommended for historical fiction fans and cozy novel lovers.

Choosing “Where Coyotes Howl” by Sandra Dallas was a decision I made based on multiple factors, ultimately leading me to rate it four stars. One significant influence was my mother’s deep appreciation for the author’s work. Moreover, knowing that Ms. Dallas resides in my home state of Colorado added a personal connection to the reading experience. Despite the story primarily unfolding in Wyoming, the rich and vivid descriptions of the landscape vividly brought to mind the familiar scenery of Colorado, making the setting feel intimately close to home.

Delving into the narrative, I found myself immersed in a tale that skillfully balanced sweetness and tragedy. The emotional depth and complexity of the story were particularly captivating, holding my attention throughout. What truly elevated the experience for me was the authenticity of the characters. Despite inhabiting a different era, they felt remarkably relatable, their struggles and triumphs resonating with universal themes of humanity.

Overall, “Where Coyotes Howl” proved to be a compelling read, earning its four-star rating through its masterful storytelling, vivid imagery, and deeply relatable characters, making it a book I would highly recommend to others.

This was an amazing real life tribute to pioneer life. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed how she portrayed a realistic depiction of life for women in early settlement years. Quite heart wrenching

4.5/5 -- Great story. I love reading anything by Sandra Dallas because she features strong women who have to go thru hard times, usually out on the Western prairie. I loved the characters in this story but I will tell you this: it is sad, sad, sad. So many hardships, so many struggles, difficulty around every corner. But, I suppose, such was often the way lives were out there during this time. The story felt realistic and I was emotionally attached to it.

Interestingly, the 1916 Wyoming prairie in this story read a lot like the 1800’s prairie stories always do, which was a surprise to me. I suppose most modern conveniences hadn’t made their way out there yet. I don’t often read historical fiction set in the early 1900’s, so I guess I thought modernities moved out to the West quicker than they actually did.

Loved it. I’m such a big fan of Sandra Dallas’ work.


I received a digital copy of this book from St Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This story was a heartbreaker but such a great love story. Set in Wyoming during the early 1900's it is a vivid description of the hardships faced on the prairie. Beautifully written.

A couple of years ago, I read Dallas's Little Souls which is set during the Progressive era of the early 1900s. I loved the novel.

Where Coyotes Howl is set just a couple of years before Little Souls. The story takes place on the prairies of Wyoming. In many ways it could have been set in the 1800s for how wild west the small town was.

It was more of a love story than I was expecting, but I don't think I would call it a romance novel. It was more of a slice of life type of novel as we follow Ellen and Charlie through the ups and downs of life in a pretty unforgiving place.

Though set a good 20 years before Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds, Where Coyotes Howl gave me many of the same vibes.

I loved the characters and learning about 1916 Wyoming. It is a sweet story and oh the ending. This was not an easy place to live - think about the early settlers of the West and life hasn't changed too much by this point. And women had it hard. It was a lonely life. The nearest neighbor would be miles away and the husbands could be way for days on end tending to the cattle on the ranch.

I know this book came out last year, but if you missed you or like me have had it buried in your to read pile, you need to pick up this book now. It is so compelling. You want the characters to succeed.

My review will be published on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/02/reading-second-book-by-favorite-authors.html

This is one of my all time favorites.
A woman that applied for a teaching pstory about a young osition in Wyoming in the 1800's.
Almost right away,she met Charlie Bacon & fell in love instantly & he with her. They lived a hard, but love filled life on the wild frontier.
They had three children,but none lived & she lost her life during the birth of her 3rd.child.
It was a lonesome life,but before her death,she & Charlie had each other.
This amazing story is wonderfully alive with rich characters & a great storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley & the author for making this copy available.

This was a beautifully heartbreaking story about what it takes to survive in Wyoming. It’s about the strength of women and the importance of community. I absolutely loved it.

If you like stories about female friendship set in the west, pick up Sandra Dallas. Where Coyotes Howl was not the best Sandra Dallas book, but it was still a good book.

Set in Wyoming right before World War I, this book explores life in the prairie, it’s hardships, it’s trials and how the community had to come together to get by.

Ellen Webster is a new teacher when she meets handsome cowboy, Charlie Bacon. They fall in love and marry, but life is hard and it takes a strong will, and stronger commitment to overcome what they will face.

This is Ellen and Charlie’s story, but it’s also the story of life on the prairie, family and friendship.

I enjoyed Where Coyotes Howl. It was fast paced with characters I loved. While the tone isn’t overly hopeful, the love story presented was beautiful.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced e-copy of #wherecoyoteshowl . This book published on April 18, 2023 and is available where you buy books.

Liked this book very much. Fair warning, it is not a happy story. It is a story that is probably truer to the life of the women who lived and settled early 20th century Wyoming. I read it in two days. It has subject matter that may be hard for some, I wondered about finishing at all. The love story is one we all wish for ourselves. However, the harshness and things that the characters went through... I am sure it is true of a lot of families back then; I can't even imagine. I guess that is why they say the settlers were tough people. I don't want to give anything away; this story did not end the way I thought it would. I was shocked and disappointed. I guess I just wanted it to work out the way I thought it would. But any book that makes me gasp and say noooooo at the end is well done. The only thing I didn't care for was the ending, it seemed a little rushed. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Well written, historical fiction of a time and place that many don’t write about anymore. This was truly a love story, not only to the time, but regarding the people in it. very enjoyable, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

WTAF was the author thinking with that ending?? I like a depressing tale, it's one of my favorite "genres" give me some tough times, domestic abuse, deaths and heartache sure but don't just do me dirty with an ending like this one. I was perfectly content reading about this miserable ranch life and all of the neighbors- but then the last chapter happened. It didn't make me cry, just pissed me off and it is because of that I can't recommend.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Sandra Dallas for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"Where Coyotes Howl" takes readers on a heartfelt journey through the harsh realities of life in a remote corner of the state. Set against the backdrop of an unforgiving landscape, the story follows Ellen and Charlie as they navigate the challenges of their surroundings, finding strength and solace in their unwavering love for one another.

The author paints a vivid picture of the flat, brown corner of the state, where winter blizzards and scorching summer heat test the resilience of its inhabitants. Through Ellen's perspective, we witness the hardships faced by those living in this rugged environment. Yet, despite the adversities, Ellen and Charlie's relationship grows stronger with each shared success and tragedy they endure together.

Ellen's role as a rancher's wife becomes her source of purpose and fulfillment. The bonds she forms with other women settled on the prairie provide a sense of community and support. The author skillfully portrays the complexities of these relationships, highlighting the strength and resilience of these women as they face the challenges of their lives. Not all of them have loving husbands, and not all of them came to Wallace willingly, but they find solace in their shared experiences and the mutual aid they provide one another.

The setting of rural Wallace, with its vast distances and limited access to amenities, creates a sense of isolation akin to the Wild West. The author effectively captures the spirit of this remote community, where survival depends on the strength of the human spirit and the bonds forged between neighbors.

What sets "Where Coyotes Howl" apart is the emphasis on the enduring love between Ellen and Charlie. Their unwavering commitment to one another is the driving force that sustains them through the trials they face. The author beautifully portrays their love as a beacon of hope and resilience, reminding readers of the power of love to overcome even the harshest of circumstances.

In conclusion, the novel is a poignant and captivating tale of resilience, community, and the unbreakable bonds of love. The author's vivid descriptions transport readers to the unforgiving landscape of rural Wallace, where the characters face constant challenges. Through Ellen and Charlie's journey, we are reminded of the strength that can be found in love and the power of human connection. This novel is a testament to the enduring spirit of the human heart.