Member Reviews

Here in this book, you get three different stories about the family and each one is unique. Starting the beginning of how Luke ended up where he is during the Civil War and what happened to his brother. In the next one, Sally calls out for help because the ranch is in trouble, and their daughter who is like the two of comes from Europe to help. The last Smoke comes with the help of a friend like some of his other books. Each story is good on its own but all together makes for a good read.

Was this review helpful?

There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.

Was this review helpful?

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

in this book there are two stories and one is about smokes children and the other is about ace and chance, both are a really good read but i did find smokes daughter to be a bit of a pain at first but she grew on me

it was great to see that smokes children and relatives all have something in common...trouble with a capital T

an enjoyable read in this series

Was this review helpful?

Looking for a good western? Let me suggest The Jensens of Colorado by William W. Johnston and J.A. Johnston. The Jensens of Colorado contain three different books about the Jensen family. In Those Jensen Boys, twins Ace and Chance go searching for their father who they never meet and along the way encounter a few adventures. In The Jensen Brand, Smoke Jensen is fighting cow thieves. Finally, in Heart of the Mountain Man, Smoke gets into a battle with an outlaw, named Big Jim Slaughter.
The Jensens of Colorado books are full of action and suspense which will cause the reader to not want to put the book down. The stories also include humor and a little bit of romance too! This is the first time that I have read by the Johnstons and I plan to read more of them.

Was this review helpful?

In the Jensen’s of Colorado we get to meet the extended family in the first book we meet the twins Denise and Louis and we find out Denise is just as savvy as her daddy but a lot prettier. I’m booked till we get to meet the cousins ace in chance and although they’re a bit rowdy they also stay on the safe side of the wall we also get to see smoke go up against an outlaw with that was my favorite one I love the John stones in their books and this is definitely one for their biggest fans or those just starting out in the world of the Johnstone western. We learn so much more about smoke and Sally and get to see the ranch hands who are getting older but are just as ready to help smoke as they ever were. I love these books and feel so lucky to be able to be an early reader for such a great author in such a great genre. I received this book from NetGalley and Kensington books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Was this review helpful?

The Jensens of Colorado is a great Johnstone novel. I love these books and this one does not disappoint. Five stars.

Was this review helpful?

The Jensens of Colorado is a good compilation of characters giving a good introduction or refresher of Smoke Jensen and his family. William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone bring to life some of my favorite western characters. I recommend this book for those who enjoy Westerns.

Was this review helpful?

This book is three episodes in the Jensen saga that reminded those of us who have read the entire series of how certain parts of the legend came to be. You could read them as stand-alone books or here as one good read.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great introductory volume to the adventures of the Jensen family. Multiple generations of western heroes lead these three exciting adventures, and readers will not be disappointed. While all three stories feature members from the Jensen family, each story is unique. This was originally issued as a Sam’s Club exclusive hardcover but is being reissued as a paperback volume, and you cannot beat the price.

Was this review helpful?

This one is a great way to try three different series , all containing the Jensen family. The Jensens of Colorado by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone lets us read about Smoke Jensen in Heart of the Mountain Man, Ace and Chance Smokes nephews in Those Jensen Boys and finally Smoke, Sally and most of all Denise their daughter in The Jensen Brand. What a family. There is a few more series with Jensens in them and those are Luke Jensen, Smokes brother and The Christmas series. They appear in other series as well and it is often fun following them although some of the books is not as good anymore due to new authors. As usual I have to thank Netgalley, Pinnacle and Kensington for letting me read this advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

This is a two-fer book. There are two complete and only loosely related stories in this compilation. The first is called “The Jensen Brand” and covers a time when the Jensen twins—Denise (aka Denny) and Louis are returning to the Sugarloaf spread.

Smoke (aka Kirby) had just gotten back from dealing with some erstwhile rustlers when he got the telegram telling then his kids we coming home. He is well pleased they are coming. He and his wife, Sally, are going to go into town to meet them.

Well this is great until some drama breaks out and Denny is right in the middle of it. A new guy in town is involved and while they appear possibly to like each other, stubbornness prevailed.

The rest of the story revolves around the “tension” between Denny and Brice. They get involved in several scrapes with the same band of rustlers that Smoke dealt with in the beginning of the book.

Who comes out on top? One will need to read the book to find out. There are parts where, if the reader has been following the Jensen clan for a while, which will seem familiar. Almost like déjà vu !!

Even given the caveat of knowing some of the relationships from other books, this retrograde story is alright and a fun read. I’d recommend it to see how these outlas are dealt with and how Denny may corral the handsome Brice.

The second novel is called “Those Jensen Boys” and covers the exploits of some twin brothers (Ace and Chance) who just happen to be named Jensen. These boys’ mother died in childbirth and their father didn’t even know she was pregnant. Step up a gambler who loved the woman and made it his duty to care for the squalling little one and raised them the best he knew how.

They get into some serious scrapes but have been successful in getting out of them. In one hair-raising incident they are rescued by a young Smoke Jensen. This causes them to muse whether he could be their Dad but decide, rightfully so, he is too young to be their father.

They get involved with some sisters (not twins) who are running with their father stagecoach line. Needless to say all is not rosy and trials and tribulations build up. A railroad and a crooked group are trying to gain control for their own purposes.

An enjoyable read about the boys—Ace and Chance— and how they remain true friends.

Both novels are full of the Jensen charm and I recommend them if a reader is seeking Western adventure.

Was this review helpful?