Customer Reviews

Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an epic western saga offering a marvelous mixture of rousing adventure, heinous villains, heart-stoping action, outlaws-turned-heroes and a romance that will just warm the heart. At the center of this story are two women - one, a deadly gunslinger, bitter from the injustices in her past - the other a gentle dreamer trying to escape the horrors of the present. Their destinies come together one fateful afternoon when the feared outlaw makes the choice to rescue a young woman in trouble. For her part Josie Hunter considers the brief encounter at an end once the girl is safe, but Rebecca Cameron has other ideas. Enthralled by the enigmatic figure of the legendary bandit, and desperate to escape a life that is quickly crushing her spirit, Rebecca decides to follow her rescuer - much to the older woman's chagrin. It is at first a difficult relationship but one which slowly begins to grow and change and deepen as the two unlikely friends share adventures, share their joys and pains and hopes and dreams, only to in time discover...they also desperately want to share their hearts. This is a beautiful, passionate love story that develops slowly, pulling the reader into this drama as the leads themselves discover the growing intensity between them. The authors spent considerable time researching the Old West which shows in the tale's air of authenticity. Set aside some time for this one because it is a long, thoroughly satisfying read you WONT want to put down. An impressive accomplishment that gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

'The Western Chronicles' is a read that once started is difficult to put aside. The pacing is crisp, the characters are well-defined and each compelling in their own right. Together, their chemistry sparks the relationship in ways that generate conflict and sensuality at the same time. The Western backdrop moves the story along from one adventure to the next, never lingering too long in one place. A thoroughly enjoyable ride!

To condense 380 pages of such a wonderful and touching story into but a few words and thoughts is an awesome task, especially when it comes to this remarkable work.

I am the epitome of the type of person in my title. Online I search for short stories and poetry - pieces that get to the point - that "tootsie roll center" if you will, and forget the accoutrements. However.. after exhausting every piece of work online I could find by Vada Foster and having TWC referred to me, I decided to delve into its depths and see what I would find. I did not honestly know if I could finish it prior to beginning my reading, but it so captured me.. all of me.. that I became as one obsessed, and at each available moment had to read further and further.. becoming enveloped in the complexity of the characters - the accuracy of the story (historical fiction is a personal favourite of mine) - and the overall encompassing sense of this book. I was moved by the full gamut of emotions evoked by the skilled pens of both writers - touched by the humanity and the story which was the background for all of these treasures to unfold.

I am prone to ramble, but this book, despite its length, does quite the opposite. Everything is there with reason and rhyme, and I would, without any reservation whatsoever, recommend this book to even the hardiest non-novel readers out there.

Give yourself a treat.. don't miss this one.. it's truly a gem!

This well-researched book features a warrior and an ingenue, but unlike Xena and Gabrielle, Josie and Rebecca allow their admiration and love to flourish into a physical relationship that satisfies them -- and the reader! This is enjoyable reading, and as grounded in the reality of the outlaw west as Nancy Little's Grass Widow was in the American plains. (Grass Widow is not uber fiction, FYI). For those who like to imagine that lesbians found happiness BEFORE Stonewall, I recommend both books heartily.

Women are often marginalized in history especially in stories about the Old West. BL Miller and Vada Foster have changed that by rewriting history, if only in fiction, with Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles. Women are front and center throughout the pages in this stimulating and inspiring tale of two women finding each other as well as themselves while they forge new trails.

Josie Hunter becomes an outlaw after she is accused of killing her best friend Genie. While on the run, she dispenses her own kind of justice, skirting the "law" quite often. It is during one of these times that she rescues Rebecca Cameron from a gang of men trying to rape the young woman. After this encounter, Rebecca becomes Josie's traveling partner. While unwilling to totally accept this spirited woman, Josie reluctantly lets her tag along.

The authors have invented a truly heroic character with Josie. While it may seem that Josie recklessly breaks the law every chance she gets, in actuality, on the frontier, the law was localized and very arbitrary. Being half Cherokee makes Josie's situation much more complicated. Although deeply flawed and displaying a brusque exterior, she risks her life more than once to save those who can't help themselves. Her compassion for others shows in all of her actions. Rebecca's character complements Josie, offering us innocence as well as a quiet strength. It is her belief in Josie's goodness that draws out the tough outlaw's deep feelings.

As a reader I have found that well written historical fiction is hard to find. Either the authors give too little detail, or they get bogged down in facts that do not move the story along. There is no balance thus the real events detract from the plot. This is not the case with Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles. It is interspersed with actual events that give the readers a flavor for the times. The setting is detailed and accurate. Josie and Rebecca's travels are full of action and variety which keep the book interesting throughout. Foster and Miller realistically portray the women in the story, the choices they must make and the way they are generally treated. The authors also deal with Josie being part Cherokee and the prejudice that Native Americans endured during those times. The authors never preach but let these crucial bits of overlooked history reach us through superb storytelling.

Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles is enjoyable and thorough without dragging. It will surely become as legendary as the great Westerns that have preceded it. I highly recommend this extraordinary account of our forgotten history as told through the fictional characters of Josie and Rebecca.

Phenomenal... There isn't a better word to describe this book. Miller and Foster have teamed up on several occasions, but this is one of their best.

From the Back Cover... "Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles is an epic western saga with all the elements familiar to that genre; rousing adventure, heinous villans, heart-stopping action, outlaws-turned-heroes, and of course a romance that will warm the heart. At the center of this story are two women - one, a deadly gunslinger, bitter from the injustices in her past, the other a gentle dreamer trying to escape the horors of the present. Their destinies come together one fateful afternoon when the feared outlaw makes the choice to rescue a young woman in trouble. For her part, Josie Hunter considers the brief encounter at an end once the girl is safe, but Rebecca Cameron has other ideas. Enthralled by the enigmatic figure of the legendary bandit and desperate to escape a life that is quickly crushing her spirit, Rebecca decides to follow her rescuer - much to the older woman's chagrin. It is at first a difficult relationship but one which slowly begins to grow and change and deepen as the two unlikely friends share adventures, joys, pains, hopes and dreams, only to discover they also desperately want to share their hearts. It is a beautiful passionate love story that develops slowly, pulling the reader into this drama even as Josie and Rebecca themselves discover a growing intensity between them."

If you're a fan of Xena, you'll love this book. Period.

Much of the plot and experiences of the main characters seems to be a mirror image of Season 1. Rebecca is attacked and saved by Josie. Josie takes her home. Rebecca follows. Josie begrudgingly lets her come along. Josie helps people along the way and depends on Rebecca's way with words to help in many situations. Josie begins to change her reputation from "outlaw" to "saviour" as their adventures continue.

The only differences are the setting and the ability of the characters in this story to actually consummate their love after they slowly fall for each other.

I waited a long time for this one to hit my bookshelf. It is a fantastic read that I hope to enjoy again many times in the future.

This another well done story full of good characters. I want a sequel to this one. Josie and Rebecca are just great strong women and there were a couple of times I thought I hurt myself laughing. Great read I am gonna keep this one.

From the back cover:
When out-law-on-the-run Josie Hunter rescues a young woman from the clutches of three desperados, she unwitting sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives. Soon Josie and Rebecca are reluctant companions on a journey that leads beyond secrets and past pain to a place neither ever expected to go. As they learn to rely on one another for survival in the harsh world, they eventually forge a bond far deeper than friendship.

What I liked about this novel was that the Old West setting was authentic. I really felt what a dangerous life they were living. The characters were all very interesting, likable (or hate-able) and realistic for the period. And most importantly the authors took their time developing and changing the characters, in particular the relationship between Josie and Rebecca so you had time to get to know them and care whether they became lovers or not. (Oh, and the sex is great!!)Another great thing was that this book is a good length. Despite being fast paced the authors still have lots to say to keep the book a satisfying length.
This is the best lesbian romance book I have read in the historical/western genre to date. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good read in that area.

Josie Hunter is supposedly a wild desperado...robbing trains and killing folks. Unfortunately, one of her gang turns against them and their final job has her gang running for the hills in different directions.

While Josie is riding thru the frontier with no place to go, she hears a scream. When she arrives at the scene, three cowboys are preparing to rape and kill a pretty, young woman. Josie tries to get the girl released without any problems, but the guys go for their guns and they die because they were stupid.

Josie takes the victim, Rebecca Cameron, back to the outskirts of her town looking disheavaled. Rebecca father, Caleb, is a drunken abuser and beat the [...] out of Rebecca because he doesn't believe her story.

So Rebecca runs away and begins following Josie's tracks. Josie almost kills her when she creeps on the outskirts of her campsite. After Josie gives into the fact that Rebecca is going to follow her, she relents and allows Rebecca to travel with her.

Rebecca attracts alot of attention, but it is always the wrong kind of attention, either from men or snakes. Josie is there to take care of the situation, with her gun.

The characters you meet along the trail boost the characterization of Josie. The events which occur during their travels make them both stronger and bond them together.

This is a great read.

Two women from vastly different backgrounds meet when one rescues the other from a dangerous situation. On the run after a botched robbery, outlaw Josie Hunter aka "Terror of the Railway" suddenly finds herself with a tagalong she didn't bargain for. A tagalong that has run away from home...namely one small blonde by the name of Rebecca Cameron. What made her run? Was she running away from something or is she perhaps running towards someone? And why follow Josie? Especially since she knows whom Josie is and what she is capable of. Does she hope to discover what turned Josie into an outlaw? Or does she simply want another type of life? It seems Fate itself has its own plan for the women, a fate where both women become bound together by some unforeseen force.

Things begin to unfold...a series of events where the two women are pushed into traveling together. Along the way they start to learn about each other. As Josie begins to suspect at least one of the reasons behind Rebecca's running away, Rebecca discovers Josie frequently suffers from nightmares. Wondering if the nightmares are caused by events in her outlaw life, or by something going much deeper she offers what comfort she can. Along the trail, both women also discover something much more profound...the tender beginnings of friendship. Something Rebecca or Josie hadn't experienced much of.

As times goes by and they spend more and more time together, other feelings start to surface. Unexpected feelings. Strange feelings. Feelings for each other that are growing beyond friendship. At the same time and unbeknownst to both women, someone from one of their pasts has surfaced. Who is this person? What threat could they pose? Which of the women could be in danger? While Josie and Rebecca tread their way carefully through these new feelings, the hint of danger draws closer and closer to them. Will a new love being born be strong enough to help both women stand together and overcome the threat? Or could it destroy what is yet still growing?

Travel a road well worth taking as Vada Foster and BL Miller prove to be a talented duo working well together in weaving drama, suspense, intrigue and romance skillfully in a fantastic tale of life in the days of the old West. BL Miller's co-authorship with Vada's sister, Verda Foster, of the terrific books, Crystal's Heart and Graceful Waters, also displays a definitive expertise for working well with either author.