The New Western: A touch of class

Review by Wendy Bertsch, Author of historical fiction and humour:

Historical fiction fans are ready for a more sophisticated western, and Tierra Red fills the bill.

It offers the high suspense we want, from start to end, but with rare sensitivity and finesse.  The author's love for the southwest gives the book universal appeal, and the characters she presents are unusually complex and appealing.  (I admit to a particular fondness for the intuitive, generous-hearted Serena.)

Set at the turn of the last century, Tierra Red lands Lily Preston smack in the middle of a dangerous, high-stakes conspiracy that has been building for decades.  The plotters are ruthless and powerful, and Lily is in the way.  Where will it end?

Time and time again . . . .

Been living in two time periods simultaneously for months now.  Research for both the early 1900s and the present day has been fascinating from so many vantage points.  We often think we know so much about the time we live in but there are many surprises to be found.

The sequel -- Illusions -- has not only required research and writing in the two aforementioned eras but has found me digging around in prehistoric New Mexico, too.  My home state has a fascinating geological history coupled with amazing anthropology issues.

Writing in both these periods can leave a body wondering where the heck they are sometimes!  So much so, that I have forgotten to post to this blog many wonderful reader comments that Tierra Red has received in the past six months.  I will be updating the sidebar with all of these reader comments but I thought I would share each of them individually over the course of the next few weeks.

My dear readers and fans -- you will never know how much your reviews and comments for Tierra Red mean to me.  Your words make my heart sing!

June 8, 2012     Review by Line Bender

With "Tierra Red", author Kathy Vorenberg has created a novel that for many reasons might well stand above many better known period novels of the Old West.  She dramatically weaves and paints with authentic historical detail and intrigue, taking the reader along on a thrilling adventure into a period of history and romance in New Mexico when it was an open territory for both European and American interests.  She has brought diametrically opposed characters to life in a very creditable way and appealingly the more so, from the perspective of a woman.  Vorenberg knows her turf.  This novel will take the reader along on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and mystery not experienced since Dan Brown wrote "The DaVinci Code".  Similarly, Vorenberg's "Tierra Red"  seems already written for adaptation to a movie script.  But, at least for now, I'll take the book version!