HOME MOUNTAIN

by Jeanne Williams ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 14, 1990

Another of Williams's golden-good, plucky heroines (see No Roof but Heaven, p. 220; Lady of No Man's Land, 1988) who bravely soldier on in the Old West--here, in 1881 Arizona. Among the familiar eater icons: a ruthless rancher; a lone sometime-cowboy with a price on his head and compassion in his heart; an Apache raid; and some real personalities who parade in and out. Sixteen-year-old Katie MacLeod, orphaned in Texas with three younger siblings, plods on, leading her family and their fine horses and Guernseys, with the aim of settling in Arizona's mountains. The little caravan looks to be finished (with thirst). Katie is pointing a double-barreled shotgun at the varmint responsible when rescue comes in the person of Bill Radnor, who ""looked the way most cowboys wanted to but didn't."" Bill encourages the girl to sing and play her harp for the men of the cow and mining town of Galeyville. Before long, because of friends in Galeyville, Katie and her family will have a house by a creek in canyon country--""Home Mountain."" Coming around: mean rancher Lattimore, a land-and-stock grabber who threatens to take Katie's siblings; middle-aged gambler Jack Diamond, an affectionate uncle to Katie's brother--who takes the place of Jack's own lost son; Nacho, elderly Yaqui; and ex-Lattimore hand Beau. Finally, all questions of love and war are settled after a terrible Apache raid. Sarsaparilla western.

Pub Date: Dec. 14, 1990

ISBN: 0595095836

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1990

Categories: FICTION