Book picks similar to
Oli's Gold: 19th Century Frontier Survival by James Oliver Virmala


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Trapped in the Game (The Streets Won't Let Me Go Book 1)


Tamicka Higgins - 2017
    And Black knows that better than anyone. After a drug heist gone bad, Black and Buzzy are hellbent on selling off all the pills they thought they'd gotten away with. All they want now is to unload the narcotics and live the high life by spending the cash and getting out of the business. But that's easier said than done...The two men they lifted the drugs from are making demands, and Black and Buzzy can't turn away. Now, Black is faced with a new challenge, falling for Layla, a chick he just can't have. After all, she's married to the man who's doing time for Black's heist. Black can't possibly take everything from him. With the cops on his tail, a desire to bail on the game, and a guilty conscience, Black must act carefully. But will his next move involve another man's wife?

Zombie Crusade


J.W. Vohs - 2012
    With the traumatic experience seared into his mind, he earned his Ph.D. in ancient history and began developing medieval weapons-making skills after he left the service. When the virus broke free from the Hindu-Kush Mountains a decade later and rapidly spread across the globe, Jack knew how to fight the monsters created by the infection: 21st century technology combined with deadly medieval tactics and weaponry. Jack and his former squad-mates lead a resistance against a zombie apocalypse in a crusade to ensure humanity's survival.

Riders of the Lone Star: Heck Carson Series Volume 1


John Spiars - 2017
    Johnstone, Best-selling western author, John Spiars has created a timeless hero of the old west. The first novel in the Heck Carson Series, Riders of the Lone Star brings the wild and lawless Texas frontier to life. When the Law ain’t enough… He brings Justice. The year is 1852. Settlers on the Texas frontier are at the mercy of hostile Comanche and vicious outlaws, and the only ones holding the line between life and death are a few brave men, known as Texas Rangers. Outnumbered and outgunned, they bring law and order to the untamed land. They face impossible odds with nothing more than grit, determination, and a fast gun. It is this adventure and excitement that lures sixteen-year-old Jesse “Heck” Carson to leave his families ranch to join the fight. Heck quickly learns that this life comes at a price, the cost of which is hardship, danger, and possibly his own life. The bonds of friendship, loyalty, and duty lead him into epic battles that test his courage and resolve, and along the way he learns what it means to wear the star of the Texas Rangers. Excerpts: As fast as he could, he pulled the hammer back and fired, the first Comanche jerked once and hit the ground. The other warrior was no more than two feet away now. Heck wondered if he had another bullet left. Had he fired five or six shots? He couldn’t remember. Saying a silent prayer, Heck pulled the hammer back and looked at his approaching enemy. The point of the warrior’s lance was inches away from his chest when heck pulled the trigger. The barrel of the Walker was almost touching the chest of the charging Indian. Heck heard no sound, but saw the smoke pour out of the barrel and the big warrior dropped to his knees, and fell on top of the young Ranger. Lieutenant Sutter and Corporal Anderson approached the men on horseback, ready to do what had to be done. Looking at the group of riders, however, Sutter immediately recognized he had made a terrible mistake. These men were not military, not even by Southern standards. They were unkempt, filthy, and armed to the teeth. His heart sank as he noticed that most of the detachment were Mexican and their guns were not in their holsters. “What is going on here?” he said, unable to believe what he was seeing. The lead rider smiled and said, “This was even easier than Senor Cortina said it would be. Thank you.” Without saying another word, the man raised his pistol and fired two quick shots, hitting both Lieutenant Sutter and Corporal Anderson between the eyes. The man wheeled around with his rifle as Heck landed on his back, but it was a fruitless gesture. There was a look of pained surprise on the man’s face as Heck covered his mouth and pulled him to the floor. Heck plunged his knife into the man’s chest several times, as he kept his hand over the man’s mouth. After several seconds his muffled cries were silent. John Spiars is the author of the Heck Carson Series. He is a writer and amateur historian with a passion for the history and myths of the "Old West". His hope is to keep alive the western genre for this generation and all of those to come, while both entertaining and educating readers of all ages. He is a native Texan and lives in North Texas with his wife and four children. When not writing western novels, he maintains a blog and Facebook page about Texas history and travel entitled Under the Lone Star.

Hills of Nevermore


Janalyn Voigt - 2017
    Shane lands face-down in the mud for his trouble, and there’s talk of shooting him. America intervenes and finds herself in an unexpectedly personal conversation with the blue-eyed preacher. Certain she has angered God in the past, she shies away from Shane. Addie Martin, another widow, invites America to help in her cook tent in Virginia City, the new mining town. Even with Addie’s teenage son helping with America’s baby, life is hard. Shane urges America to depart for a more civilized location. Neither Shane’s persuasions nor road agents, murder, sickness, or vigilante violence can sway America. Loyalty and ambition hold her fast until dire circumstances force her to confront everything she believes about herself, Shane, and God. Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in America, Hills of Nevermore explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west.

Horror Fiction: Burn, Baby, Burn


Gerard Harrison - 2017
    Sarah Caysum, a middle aged woman suffering from Munchhausen Syndrome by Proxy (and perhaps something else far more sinister), leaves her four year old daughter Casey trapped in a car to die one summer afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona on a day when temperatures are expected to reach a record breaking 125 degrees.

Sanctum (Black Dogs MC Book 1)


Sienna Valentine - 2017
    It was the only real family I’ve ever known. Her asking me to leave was bullshit, but then disappearing without even saying goodbye was so much worse. I was done with Maggie then. I never wanted to see her face again. Five years. Five years of anger, pain and regret. Five years to move on and forget. And five seconds to get sucked back in. MAGGIE I have no right coming back here. No right asking for help. Not after the way I left everything - the way I left Jase. But what choice do I have? I’m dead if I don’t. I’ve made so many bad choices in my life. Caused so much pain. Maybe I deserve what’s coming to me. What right do I have putting Jase, my father, and the whole MC in danger just to help me? The MC is Jase’s sanctum, and I may not deserve it, but I’m praying that it can now become mine. Note: This is a stand-alone romance novel with an HEA ending. It contains sex and violence and is intended for adults only.

The Popcorn Girl


Michael J. Vaughn - 2012
    Top Five Pick, 2016, jennyredbug.com When the owner of an atheist bookshop falls for the girl who works in the moviehouse across the street, he has no idea what he's getting into. Jasmina is the survivor of a toxically religious upbringing, and has managed to escape only by losing her original identity and, when the pressure gets too much, etching a staircase of cuts into her arm. When Paul discovers a missing person flyer with a picture of a twelve-year-old Jasmina, the psychological fireworks are about the begin. A mind-bending thriller from the author of Frosted Glass.

Trifling 3


Jennifer Luckett - 2014
    Ontavious is perfect and treats her with respect, but when Sayveon unexpectedly returns to claim Sparkle’s heart, his entire demeanor changes and it becomes disturbing. Sparkle must decide whether the relationship is worth fighting for or if she should rekindle that old flame. Stephanie now has it all together. She’s bounced back after several misfortunes and is determined not to let anything or anyone get her down. However, she’ll once again find herself in an position that’s hard to get out of. Her strength will once again be put to the test, and she’ll be fighting for survival. Is she strong enough to make it through this one? After a serious and shocking experience, Sayveon realizes how he has taken life for granted. With a completely different frame of mind and wanting to change his old ways, he tries to become a better man. With all of the thirsty chicks surrounding him, he’s constantly tempted. When a new enemy arises and attempts to take him out of the game, he soon learns that nobody in the streets is to be trusted. Will he finally change for the better or will he continue with his Trifling ways? Find out what these characters have been up to in the third installment of the Trifling series.

Forever Salty (A Ghetto Soap Opera)


Aleta L. Williams - 2013
    Will they succeed, or will Ken & Jazz get the ending they deserve? In this episode, Peter is Grimy as ever. His new motto is “I want it all.” Will he get it? Yay is still envious and Jazz isn't the only one she’s out to bring down. Lisa has something that belongs to her and she wants it back, and Jazz . . . she just doesn't like her. Will Lisa and Jazz be able to handle Yay’s Saltiness? Calvin, Jazz’ dad, is back and he's on his revenge trip. He's going after Diesel and his family—while waiting on Pastor G to step out those prison gates, because he wants that dude, too. Will he be able to take them all down? Ken and Jazz just want to be happy, but Jazz believes that won’t happen until Ken changes his lifestyle. Will he give it all up for his Forever?

The First Face of Janus: Secret Society of Nostradamus


Phil Valentine - 2017
    A sci-fi writer finds a set of quatrains that foretell a horrible catastrophe, a mass murder that will change the course of history. He races against time to decipher the quatrains and stop the slaughter. The next prophecy has begun, and there’s only one man who can stop The First Face of Janus.

Squeaky Clean Book Bundle, #7-9


Christy Barritt - 2015
    Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. She takes a short-term gig as a private investigator—a cold case that’s eluded detectives for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve, but Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get complicated. With every new development, Gabby prays that her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. Yet every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart. Foul Play (Book 8) Gabby St. Claire is crying “foul play” in every sense of the phrase. When the crime-scene cleaner agrees to go undercover at a local community theater, she discovers more than backstage bickering, atrocious acting, and rotten writing. The female lead is dead, and an old classmate who’s staked everything on the musical production’s success is about to go under. In her dual role of investigator and star of the show, Gabby finds the stakes rising faster than the opening-night curtain. She must face her past and make monumental decisions, not just about the play but also concerning her future relationships and career. Will Gabby find the killer before the curtain goes down—not only on the play, but also on life as she knows it? Broom and Gloom (Book 9) Gabby St. Claire is determined to get back in the saddle again. While in Oklahoma for a forensic conference, she meets her soon-to-be stepbrother, Trace Ryan, an up-and-coming country singer. A woman he was dating has disappeared, and he suspects a crazy fan may be behind it. Gabby agrees to investigate, as she tries to juggle her conference, navigate being alone in a new place, and locate a woman who may not want to be found. She discovers that sometimes taking life by the horns means staring danger in the face, no matter the consequences.

They Called Him Cav: Reloaded


William Coury - 2014
    He has long since passed away, but his book remains, gathering dust on my shelf when it should have been entertaining good folks like you. So here it is at last: a western with heart written on an old manual typewriter. The story takes place in the badlands of West Texas (where he lived), and is chock-full of all the sprawling drama, heartache, triumph, tragedy, and gun-slinging grit one could desire. The cover of the book is adapted from an oil painting brushed by our father back in 77—one of many. I remember it hanging on the wall when I was a kid. I believe it was his favorite, so thought it only fitting that it be the cover. Now, finally, after all these years, our dad will get the recognition he deserves for both his writing and his painting. I sure hope he can see what's going on down here, 'cause I know it would make him smile. So take a deep breath, and let the troubles of the modern world slip away as you journey back to a simpler time (two simpler times, actually), the old west, and the 1940's....

The Geisha and The Monk


Julian D. Bound - 2011
    As well as sharing an insight into the preparation and life of a Geisha, the novel explores the seldom known life and training of a Buddhist monk within Tibet's monasteries. Two souls born thousands of miles apart. Together each shall follow a similar path.Japan, 1876: A girl is born, her life path to become the famed Geisha she is destined to be. Tibet, 1876: A boy is born, ordained to be the revered Lama he is recognised as. San Francisco, 1900: At the dawning of a new century fate brings them together, a lifetime away from all they have ever known.

When You Can't Let Go (Damaged Love Series Book 1)


Mia Black - 2018
    She does what she has to do to get by and that includes stripping to take care of herself, her child, and her man Hov. But Hov isn’t making things any easier for them. At one time, Hov was number one in the drug trade, but when he started using more product than he sold, he lost control. Now, he’s nothing more than a freeloading addict with a penchant for violence against the woman who stood by him when his world fell apart. Now, someone new has taken over and he’s set his sights on Jericka. He can give her what Hov never could. He’s the only one who can get Jericka and her child out of their desperate situation, but is she willing to say goodbye to the father of her child yet? Find out what happens in part one of When You Can’t Let Go!

Curby


Adrian Del Valle - 2013
    Nick Santinelli steers a huge New York City street sweeper around a corner and sees the box lying just ahead. He gets out and picks it up, both surprised and shocked at what he finds inside. He brings the sleeping baby home and only blocks from his route. “Sandy!” he called out, as soon as he entered the living room. Her hair, still wet from a shower, his girlfriend sat on the couch drying it. “What are you doing home, Hon?” “Oh, nothing important…just a baby I found in the street.” She instantly stopped drying her hair, holding the still pose and replaying what she just heard inside her mind, or what she thought she just heard. No, that could not have been what he said. She turned to him with a questioning look. “What did you just say?” Sandy, his longtime girlfriend, decides they should not report anything and raise the baby themselves. She’s dying of terminal cancer and wants this one chance to be a mother. After she passes away, Nick finds a Nanny who he believes he can trust. When the nanny steps out to buy cigarettes after leaving the now three year old to take his afternoon nap, Curby walks out of the apartment and becomes lost in the Brooklyn streets. Without a birth certificate, Nick can’t prove the boy is his. He battles the court and the assigned city caretakers from Children’s Services for custody of Curby where a surprise awaits everyone involved.