Member Reviews
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.
Taylor Cavanaugh has been a bully in outlaw but now since moving to peace Valley he’s a savior and wants to save men from the life he escaped. He’s ridden with Confederate outlaws and done some bastardly deeds but he balls only to bring man’s spirit to the Lord and not because he ended the life but when the marshal is killed in a dispute over feeding ground DEX Kavanaugh to take the job and although reluctant he eventually agrees. All is well until the railroad wants to put tracks over a piece of land that’s thing occupied by Native Americans but that’s not all he hast to worry about his past soon comes calling and unfortunately it’s looking for revenge. It comes in the form of brothers who are out to get some outlawed justice and by killing Kavanaugh can make a name for their self at the same time. I love books by the John stones but I will be honest and say it took me a few chapters to get into this one but once I did I was all Lynn. I thought Cavanaugh was a great western figure in love his dilemma of keeping the peace or taking up a gun and as always I really enjoyed the sport. I have never given a Johnstone book less than five stars and I am not going to start now. I received this book from NetGalley and pinnacle and Kensington but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
Save It for Sunday is the second installment from the Taylor Callahan, Circuit Rider series. It is just what I would expect from a Johnstone novel. Five stars.
Of the Johnstone Clan series of books, I believe this Taylor Callahan has edged The Loner and Preacher series to the top. Helping are better written and plotted novels.
This second entry continues the great writing of the previous. This one even better thought out. A tale with many bumps and potholes in the trail Callahan takes. I really like the surprises that pop up and resolutions. The references to the "Major General" are perfectly placed and gies a very strong foundation of the main character. Though, also has the reader wondering how Callahan will get out of his fixes thanks to the "Major General".
How this book starts involving a wagon accident and propels into a wagon race, bad guys, indians, sheep and assorted characters continuing the Johnstone brand of strong characters, gives what readers look for: A thorough story that has the reader exiting the book thoroughly satisfied.
I do hope the Johnstone Clan do not let this writer loose from their corral!!
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
I do like this new series about the Circuit riding preacher by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. Save it for Sunday is the second book and we get to know a little more about Callahan and his past. The troubles in Peaceful Valley is not the best story ever but there was some surprises I didn't see coming. Overall it's an entertaining western and it's a new type of hero. I must thank Kensington Books , Pinnacle and Netgalley for making this advance copy available to me.
William Johnstone's Book 2 in the Taylor Callahan series, Save it for Sunday (Pinnacle Books 2023), follows the journey of a circuit riding preacher who spreads the good word to anyone who will listen long enough to tithe whatever they can afford. Callahan doesn't care how much that is, even if it's only bed or breakfast. He has lost everything important including his will to achieve what used to be important to him, except one: a fundamental sense of justice. On his way to one more wayward town, he comes upon a dying stage coach driver, flagged down another stage coach to assist., but the injured driver dies before they can get him to the closest town, Peaceful Valley. It seems as good a place as any for Callahan to preach the good book until the sheriff is shot and Callahan is called to replace him. What happens next puts the former Confederate soldier, retired rebel gunfighter, now peaceful preacher in the middle of a fight he can't avoid and shouldn't lose.
Save it for Sunday is a sometimes meandering story much like Callahan's life, but with each of his decisions to do what's right, we the readers find ourselves caring more about him and wanting to see him succeed. Though a bit slow to start and occasionally confusing (not unlike Callahan himself), in the end, it is a good and worthy story.
Great read! Fast paced, well developed characters, and suspense and hard decisions. I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down!!!
This is the second Taylor Callahan novel, and it easily surpasses his first appearance. Where the first book had a great character in a mediocre story, “Save it for Sunday” succeeds with both elements. This book features plenty of adventure, but continues to develop its strong lead character. “Save it for Sunday” is well worth a read, and hopefully the series will continue.
Would have given 3.5 stars if possible. The story seemed to be really disjointed to me. Was hard to follow at spots in the book. Taylor Callahan recently become circuit riding preacher, is placed in a precarious position.
During the Civil War he was one of the riders from Missouri that attacked and killed. He saw the error in his ways after his home was burned and wife and child killed. He has devoted his life to saving souls not taking them. However this is not all that easy as he also believed is helping right wrongs.
The two conflicting emotions come to a head and he has to decide to take up arms again or to try the peaceful way. As I said the story especially near the end got to be better and held my attention. It was in the middle chapters that there was a lot of "jumble" for me.
I'd say it is worth a read.