Dog Soldier Moon by McKendree Long

 

In this sequel to his novel, No Good Like It Is, McKendree Long continues the saga of Dobey Walls and Jimmy "Boss" Melton during the three years following the Civil War.  In Dog Soldier Moon, a great crime decimates the tiny Panhandle community of Canadian Fort, twisting relationships and putting Dobey and the Boss on a trail of retribution and frontier justice, yet unaware that they are targets of two Pinkerton teams.  Black Kettle, Meotzi, the 'Boy General' Custer, and J.B. Hickok flesh out the cast in this all new classic tale.  (taken from the back of the book)

Having read and reviewed No Good Like It Is, I was really excited when McKendree asked me to review Dog Soldier Moon.  Even though it's been a couple of years, I remembered the excitement and joy I got from reading the first book.  Plus, the author is a heck of a nice guy and it's always a joy working with him.  So it was with much anticipation that I cracked this one open, knowing full well that no book can live up to the hype I'd already built in my brain for it.

My already beloved characters were returned to me, along with some new ones that I quickly came to love as well.  Coming from a time when men were men, I found myself intrigued by their roughness and wit.  Hurt a man's woman, and there will be Hell to pay.  The women are tough as nails, too, but also so sweet and loving that you can't help but adore them.  New to this book is Shelly, and I don't know how I ever got along without her!

I think Dog Soldier Moon actually surpasses the first book and it is definitely alright as a stand alone book.  McKendree's sense of humor is found throughout the book and there were several 'laugh out loud' funny parts.  Read the first chapter and you'll be hooked!  On the other hand, there are some really raw, violent scenes as well.  There were a couple of times I had to stop reading because I was imagining the scenes too intensely and needed a few seconds of a break from it.  If you're squeamish, you may want to skim a few parts. 

Though this is fictional history, it's so easy to get sucked in and enjoy it for what it is, a great read.  You also may learn a little something along the way.  Whether you like horror, drama, romance, or just good old 'cowboys and Indians', there's something in this book for you.  Even though I had convinced myself that it couldn't live up to the hype I'd built up in my brain, it surpassed my expectations.  I'm waiting patiently for McKendree to finish the third book in the series.

For more information on McKendree Long, please visit his website and feel free to leave him a comment.