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.

In this book titled The Jensen Dynasty by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone we get the beginning of Smoke Jensens way out west as well as the start of his brothers story starting at the end of the civil war. Both book in one and they are really good although I favor the Smoke story wher he meets Preacher for the first time. The background on both these mens stories are interesting andif you like the you will have many good storie ahead of you to read and enjoy. I thank Kensington Books and Netgalley for letting me read this one.

In Jensen Dynasty the journey begins by William Johnstone it’s all about the early years when smoke was still Kirby and knee-high to a grasshopper. Pearl and Emmett Jensen still lived in Missouri with their three young children Luke Janny and Kirby and were happy with their loving family then talk of freeing slaves came about and soon the Civil War this is what took Paw and Luke away from home leaving pearl Janny and young Kirby to fend for their self they were doing the best they could Kirby even plowed and planted the land but soon a gang led by an outlaw name Angus Shardine and the Jayhawkers The gang would kill his mom ruined his sister and make Kirby into the man he would become. The rest of the book is Kirby becoming smoke reuniting with his dad and then Kirby hunting down Angus like the dog he was. He meets preacher and gets a lesson in cowboying from the man himself the last two books the first one is Luke hunting down a outlaws because he is a bounty hunter and the second one is Luke reuniting with smoke and they hunt down the guys that killed Emmett. There’s also part of an article out of the big sky magazine that was really good talking about cutthroat Montana and it’s history that was very interesting I love these books in love when you get more than one these are few and far between I don’t mind rereading books because most of these I’ve read eons ago this is a great collection that I would recommend to anyone who loves western books I am gaga over western theme books and the John stones are my absolute favorite authors may Jay rest in peace. I want to thank Kensington Books, Net Galley and the author for this great Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The Jensen Dynasty by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is another compelling addition to the Western genre, showcasing the authors' unparalleled ability to paint a vivid picture of the developing West. With a perfect balance of factual background and creative storytelling, the book immerses readers in a world that feels both authentic and captivating. The intertwining stories of brothers Smoke and Luke offer a rich exploration of family, resilience, and the harsh realities of life on the frontier. From Smoke's origins to Luke's journey as a bounty hunter, the narrative is filled with gripping episodes that leave readers wanting more. Johnstone fans and Western enthusiasts alike will find themselves eagerly turning the pages of this engrossing tale.

William W. Johnstone's The Jensen Dynasty is a great lookback at how it all began. I have a LOT of folks that I know will enjoy the heck out of this, thank you!

You get the beginning of two brothers and the family. First how Smoke started and what had happened after his father and Luke left for the war, this was a really good part some of which I had read in another book. Second, you get Luke’s story which is how he is shot and left to die by some men he was with just before the war ended. He is taken in and nursed back to health and he starts his life as a bounty hunter. Both are good stories in one book.

Another Johnstone entry into the genre. When it comes to paintings a picture of the developing West, none do it better. With enough factual background thrown in, the creativity of new scenes and characters feel just as real and pull the reader into episodes that end much too soon.

Johnstone's The Jensen Dynasty: The Journey Begins is a great book. I enjoyed it very much and am giving it five stars.

The Jensen Dynasty is a book that is about the Jensen family. The first part of this series is about the gentleman called Kirby also known as SmokeJensen. It is about his early life and how he grew up without a brother and a father, who had left to go fight in the Civil War. It describes how he lost his mother and his sister; and how, as a very young teenager, he was forced to become a man.

The connections and twists putting him close to people he wanted to find but often without actually maki g contact. Sometimes the connections were made and he was better off because of it.

Also introduced here was a mentor called Preacher, who helped Smoke become more self sufficient.

Book 2 is about the brother, Luke, that Smoke thought he was dead. Again the various twists and turns helps the reader become more involved in the larger Jensen family and the inner workings of the family.

Both books in this two part story add to the knowledge that helps round out the personalities of the Jensen family…making the readers feel as if they better know the family members they earlier read about and enjoyed.

Definitely recommend the read…it is enjoyable.