Customer Reviews

Frontier Woman

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is the first book I have read by Joan Johnston, and I will read more! I love Westerns, be it books or movies and not since Calamity Jane have I seen such heroism in a woman depicted in this genre.
Creighton "Cricket" Stewart,a free spirit, at 17 is the youngest of Rip Stewart's three daughters. Rip is a wealthy cotton plantation owner in Texas at the time it was still a young Republic. Rip taught his daughter's all special skills of survival. In Cricket's case thanks to her father, she was so self reliant that she thought she didn't need any man, ever!She could handle whatever came along, Hostile Indians, Mexican Bandidos, she even had wolves for pets.
Enter Jarrett Creed, a handsome Texas Ranger on a secret goverment mission, to expose traitors to Texas, during this time that the republic was under siege from both Mexiacan armies, and Indians alike. Jarrett, who has lived with an Indian tribe is able to save Cricket from a fix she manages to get herself into with the Comanches ... They both infuriate each other as they travel together to uncover a conspiracy, that also unwittingly has Cricket's sister involved. Together they face danger, adventures, and unexpected romantic situations, which get pretty steamy at times.
And just when you think the story is over, Ms. Johnston gives us a sneak preview of "Texas Woman" and "Commanche Woman" (The stories of her sisters) leaving us wanting more.
I read this book while sitting in hospital waiting rooms, thank you Joan Johnston for taking my mind to another time and place. Laurie

Take "Cricket" Stewart, the feisty, hard-headed, independent daughter of Rip Stewart, a Texas rancher and pair her with Jarrett Creed, a feisty, hard-headed, independent Texas Ranger and this book crackles with fireworks on almost every page! Initially I didn't think I was going to care for the rebellious Cricket as a romantic interest for the handsome Ranger because she seemed spoiled in a childlike way, talked rough and even turned into a once a month drunk to quell the pains her monthly cycle brought on. Somehow I didn't see how she'd ever turn into a woman that Creed would be interested in. But, as the story progressed and her interest in the Ranger increased, a gentle, less abrasive heroine begins to take form. Before long she's a perfect match in this tender yet still explosive romance with the dynamic Texas Ranger. I understand that this is the first in the BITTERCREEK series that will include Crickets sisters Sloan and Bay. FRONTIER WOMAN gives enough information about both these women in the storyline to give strong clues that these two women are also going to make for interesting reading. I'm looking forward to their stories as well.

Cricket Stewart is the youngest of Rip's daughters, the rebel. She's opinionated, dresses and fights like a man. Jared Creed, a Texas Ranger who spent many years as a Comanche brave, is her match in every way. From him, Cricket learns to accept and love her femininity, and still retain her fiery spirit. This book was the first in a series to feature three daughters who are unusual for their time, when women were considered inferior. I found myself encouraging Cricket to let go of her fears of being a woman and Jared for being the man to do it.

This was a difficult book to read. While it's nice to read about a strong heroine, it's another to read about an unreasonable brat, which is what Cricket was. This woman was like a plague leaving destruction and mayhem in her wake. It was unrealistic that she could be the reason for her sister-in-law's tragedy and not only did she not face any consequences, but she did not learn a lesson and she continued on as before. I am happy that this wasn't the first book I read from JJ... it would have been my last.

Creighton "Cricket" Stewart is a woman of many means, a woman of strength, a woman who would rather live as a man, until Jarrett Creed. Jarrett Creed, a Texas Ranger, who also, like Cricket, is a loner, until he meets Cricket Stewart. The two meet during a time of Comanche raids and the Wild West, before it was won.

Their story takes them across Texas and into New Orleans and back again, all to save Cricket's sister, Sloan and the Texas frontier. The last thing the two expect is to fall in love...

*****Another five stars from me. This book I approached apprehensively, (I'm not really into these types of novels) but I found that I could not put it down! This novel was wonderful, full of character and humor. I was reading it on my breaks and people were staring at me because I was laughing so hard. This is definitely a good read, and now I'm looking forward the rest of this series called Bitter Creek. *****

Reviewed by Kim Blair

I have to agree with other reviewers who were put off by the main character's careless ways. As she indulged in incident after incident that not only endangered her own life but brought loved ones to the brink of death, her character almost ruined the story. At that point I'm more disappointed with the writer. Having a main character that careless/stupid/thoughtless is just a short-hand way of advancing the plot. Yes, she did mature some emotionally and that made her more endearing. But those character lapses where she caused death and destruction were so fateful they almost took me out of the story. I began to think, "Come on, Joan, couldn't you come up with some other character/incident to move the plot along?" I enjoy the story more when the main character is admirable. It's escapist reading and I'm not entertained by silly, selfish main characters. Plus, it kind of makes the hero look bad when the woman is a fluff-head.

Anyway, I gave the story three stars because it was still a fun read (when you didnt' want to choke the main character) and I like the "preview" of the sisters' stories.

Joan Johnston is a wonderful author and I've rated many of her books as keepers...but this one misses the mark. It starts out fine. A man wants a dynasty and plans for 3 sons but, alas, he has 3 daughters so he just raises them as sons. They are each unique, beautiful women living their lives as they've been taught by the father they love and admire. Naturally things happen and they each learn that they are more vulnerable than they knew and that everyone needs love...and that being a woman doesn't mean giving up their independent thoughts and lives.
While the youngest was "the brat in buckskins" she didn't know any different and I loved her fiesty nature. It was a hoot. Sister Bay was the gentle gal, and Sloan the heir apparent so Cricket could be as outrageous as she chose, except that her father now decided she should marry..whoops. The middle of the book drags and though the writing is good, having Cricket "made into a lady" gets a bid tedious and demeaning. I really liked the characters and enjoyed much of the dialogue. It just didn't make the overall quality that I expect from this author. (Pick up the bodyguard, the bridegroom, the texan and several others instead of this one!!)

I am not sure I have ever picked up a more over the top book in my life! If you like over the top stories, stereotyping of the Comanche, Mexican and people in general help yourself. If you like to read of people being endlessly and needlessly cruel to one another go ahead and read. However, if you like your stories believable and to show some humanity, keep searching.
Between the manipulative and cruel father, the over bearing and even cruel hero, the raping Comanches and other stereotypical thugs this book has no shortage of bad guys and turmoil. What it does lack is humanity and a look beyond the surface of the usual suspects. This book seemed to be all about how much she could put the characters through before the end and how much "delicious" horror she could illicit from the readers. Thank you but no thank you. I stopped just short of finishing this book- something I rarely do. I simply could not take any more. Needless to say I will not be reading this author again and thought I would warn other like minded readers. Mellow drama is one thing- this book leaves it in the dust.

This book is a good read. I love the old western settings and Joan does a wonderful job creating it. Once you read this book you will want to go right into the next one. Be sure you have all three books once you start. I couldn't put them down.

Cricket's father prepared her for the life in the young republic of Texas. Cricket could take care of her self and had no use for men. Jarrett a Texas Ranger rescues Cricket from the Comanche Indians. Then the sparks fly. This is a fast moving book that involves a scheme that may involve Crickets' sisters. You will keep turning the pages of this book. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"