Customer Reviews

Chalk's Woman

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Almost more of an historical novel than a Western, Chalk's Woman by David Ballantine is, actually, both -- and authentic in both spheres! Its characters are alive and non-stereotypical; its men are 'Western', but Human (good and bad Human) and not cardboard formulated -- and often rare specimens; its women (and the hero is a civil-war innocent injured woman) are beautifully characterized and sensitively portrayed, believable and important. Excellent plot; excellent writing--;totally enjoyable and VERY interesting. I genuinely recommend it -- and I am not, normally, a 'Western reader or buyer! Book deserves a lot more attention than it has gotten. Let yourself enjoy this one. (This si the first time I have ever bothgered to write a review on a book -- so I MUST think its really good!). A great gift! ...

In the summer of 1863, the armies of the North and South fight at Vicksburg with some of the residual combat directly impacting civilians. For instance, local resident, teenager Ann Baxter barely survives a blast to her home that left her family dead and her arm amputated. After recovering in a poorly designed stopgap hospital, Ann realizes that as a homeless orphan her life in her hometown is over. She decides to leave Vicksburg and start over out west.

On the trek, Ann meets fourteen-year old Jim and his three younger siblings including a baby. Jim's parents just died leading to Ann, Jim, and the others to quickly rely on one another. In Kansas, Chalk, a drunk with little to live for, meets Ann and her merry band. As he observes her courageously face danger and trying situations, he finds he now has something to care about, his beloved Ann.

CHALK'S WOMAN is an exciting Reconstruction Era romance that centers on the lasting aftermath of the Civil War. The engaging story line works because of the depth each important character contains, which allows the audience to feel what the prime cast feels. David Ballantine provides sub-genre fans with a powerful debut novel that will leave readers anticipating future works from the author.

Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed this book! David Ballantine captured the feel of the time. I felt that I was there. The drama and characters were so real that I couldn't stop reading. It really is a page-turner! I hope that he does more books. This was a wonderful read!

A work of fiction, yes; a western , yes; a page turner, yes; but it is absolutely believable; it has the ring of truth, of history, of biography. It opens with one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever read - the leveling of Vicksburg during the Civil War. Among the visions of the horrors of war this one must stand with the most convincing . CHALK'S WOMAN moves from the Civil War to pioneers crossing the continent : starvation, being lost in a snow storm, almost being killed by Indians, and on to frontier life in a small mining town. A whorehouse, bank robbers, a gun fight , and the rough justice of frontier law. There are no superheroes here. Just ordinary people slogging through a very tough life : sometimes mean, sometimes kind, sometimes almost heroic ; and, interestingly , almost all seeking to live by a moral and humane code. Episode by episode I believed that this is what the West of the 1860s was really like.