Paradise Sky [B0435]

2017 PB. A Library Journal Best Book of 2015! A rollicking novel about Nat Love, an African-American cowboy with a famous nickname: Deadwood Dick. Young Willie is on the run, having fled his small Texas farm when an infamous local landowner murdered his father. A man named Loving takes him in and trains him in the fine arts of shooting, riding, reading, and gardening. When Loving dies, Willie re-christens himself Nat Love in tribute to his mentor, and heads west. In Deadwood, South Dakota Territory, Nat becomes a Buffalo Soldier and is befriended by Wild Bill Hickok. After winning a famous shooting match, Nat's peerless marksmanship and charm earn him the nickname Deadwood Dick, as well as a beautiful woman. But the hellhounds are still on his trail, and they brutally attack Nat Love's love. Pursuing the men who have driven his wife mad, Nat heads south for a final, deadly showdown against those who would strip him of his home, his love, his freedom, and his life.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This is everything you want in a Western. There's a protagonist running from injustice, meeting good and bad along the way. There's an Army fort, Indian fights, Wild West shows, romances and lots of mayhem. It's written with humor, compassion and realism. I'll be reading more from this author."; "Absolutely great. I enjoyed every moment of this book. One of the most compelling first-person POV voices I've read."; "Incredibly entertaining! It's a fresh novel that fits in perfectly with classic Western literature."