Reviews from

Tin Stars and Yankee Gold

Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Tin Stars and Yankee Gold"
The exploits of Civil War veterans turned outlaw

30 total reviews 
Comment from Father Flaps
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Earl,
I enjoyed your intro chapter very much. I've never heard or read about how things went at the end of the Civil War. How did Confederate soldiers break up and get home with Yankee troops all over the place? What about all the POW's? What was the fate of the officers? I'm Canadian, but I'm sure most Americans know all the details.
I think there were probably marauders who caused much damage and death on their way home. One of my favorite western movies is 1965 "Shenandoah", starring Jimmy Stewart, Doug McClure, Rosemary Forsyth, Phillip Alford, Katharine Ross, Paul Fix, Denver Pyle, George Kennedy, James Best, and others. That movie had three marauding rebels who came across Charlie Anderson's (Stewart) peaceful farm in Virginia. Maybe they were on their way back home, skulking through Yankee territory. They killed one of Charlie's sons, who was drawing water for them from the family well... a sword thrust through his heart with a mangling twist. Then they raped his wife and looted the place. Thankfully, they didn't kill the little baby. Charlie and the rest of his sons ( and one daughter) were out looking for the youngest boy who had been taken prisoner by the Yankees for foolishly wearing a Confederate hat that he'd found while fishing in a nearby stream on the property. I'll bet you've seen the movie, so you'll know what I'm going on about. It was a terrible time in American history. Charlie Anderson didn't want to have anything to do with the war. He didn't believe in it. He was a religious man, and just wanted to be peaceful and farm his land. But he was drawn into the war anyway. He lost two sons and a daughter-in-law.
Another movie where I saw the portrayal of the Confederate army was 1966 "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly", starring Clint Eastwood.
Nicely penned, Earl! I'll try to follow your story along if I can. I'm a big western fan. My favorite movie ever is "The Magnificent Seven", starring Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen. I've watched that movie 50 times if I've watched it once.
Cheers,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Kimbob if you watch the Outlaw Josie Wales you'll see an version closer to what Mosby was afraid he faced. I have seen Shenandoah and agree it's a great movie. Thank you for checking this out and for the six wonderful stars. I wrote this book long hand while I was rehabbing from hip surgery, but never typed it. This one will come faster than Wilderness Redemption Road.
Comment from Begin Again
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello, Earl. Thank you for pulling me out of my doldrums this morning and entertaining me with an excellent beginning to our history and where the how the Confederates must have felt at the time. They two thought they were fighting for what was right. You've done a terrific job. Your characters are alive on the page.

Carol

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much Carol. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my new book.
Comment from Jay Squires
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Well, this is a dang fine beginning to a novel. A worthy contender for the contest prize. Good luck.

I made a couple of notes as I read: none of them of major concern. You may want to consider them, though. Accept or reject. No problem.

Myers headed away to do what he was ordered to do. [To prevent an awkward-sounding "echo" of "to do" you might want to change it to: "Myers headed away to do as he was ordered."

riding herd on the quick tempered Tyler. [... quick-tempered. Both are adjectives, modifying "Tyler". The rule is, when one of the adjectives doesn't function by itself (Quick Tyler/ tempered Tyler) then they should be hyphenated.]

"Boys, I've just received the word we will be surrendering tomorrow," Mosby began, "General Lee [Period after "began", not a comma.]

As I said, nothing major. But if a change tilts the odds in your favor, so much the better. Historical western fiction is your strong suit. Your love of it is obvious. Also, though, you have a fine sense of dramatic timing in this chapter, as I'm sure the subsequent chapters will prove so as well. You keep the reader moving down the screen, waiting, heart pounding. Good stuff!


 Comment Written 16-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much for the editing tips Jay, I went through and made those fixes. I appreciate the six stars and taking the time to read and review my work.
Comment from Ethan Vandervelden
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is very good! I enjoyed the writing and thought it had great style! Your use of language and the way characters speak really make the reader feel they are in the room listening to the interchange!
I only saw one small typo:


"Tell the General thank you for his courtesy,with my--(space missing between courtesy and with)

I also really liked the character descriptions and am interested in the story going forward!! Great work!

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much for the editing tips, I went through and made those fixes. I appreciate the six stars and taking the time to read and review my work.
Comment from RGstar
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have read from you before Earl, and remember liking what I read,so wanted to come again, and you didn't disappoint. I love watching the old westerns like my dad did, though I am not like him. I enjoyed the read, only wished I had followed, so to give the stars it deserves.
Keep writing.
Have a good day.
My best wishes.
RGstar

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much RGstar. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my new book.
Comment from Barry Penfold
Good
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed this first chapter. Nice outline of what had taken place and introduction to the characters that will surely feature in the further chapters. Will look forward to the 2nd Chapter. All the best in the contest.
Regards
Barry Penfold

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2022
    Can you clarify why this only rated four stars?
reply by Barry Penfold on 16-Jan-2022
    Earl there was not a lot in it and to be honest it might have just been me at that time of day. I certainly was not on the edge of my seat but it was a good solid opening to what I feel will be a very good story. All the best.
Comment from Mary Shifman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed this first chapter very much. I'm looking forward to the next one. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy westerns. I like your characters and it sounds as if it's going to get exciting. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 15-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my new book.
Comment from pome lover
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I did, indeed, and learned a thing or two. or three.
You know your history and I love the accents. Bein' from Gawgia, my Texas friends say I still haven't lost my accent. (which is pretty close to Texan's)
This is a good chapter and I look forward to reading more.
Katharine

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much Katharine. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my new book.
Comment from aryr
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Good luck wishes regarding A First Book Chapter contest entry, Earl. This was not only entertaining but rather educational as are all your stories. I loved the picture of the rustic building and the lone horse. I really enjoyed the determination and compliance of John Singleton Mosby. He was considerate of the courier and of Tyler and Ford. What a great start to an upcoming book.

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my new book.
reply by aryr on 18-Jan-2022
    This is definitely a keeper, Earl and you are so welcome.
Comment from irishauthorme
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You're off to a great start! The Civil War continues to fascinate me, had three distant great-great-uncles, two of whom fought on the Union side, one who fought for the South.
Good characters, and you gave me enough to visualize them.
Will wait for the next chapter!
irish

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2022


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
    Thank you very much Irish. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my new book.