Silver Creek
By A.H. Holt 

     After a dispute with his father, John Garrett left the family ranch. Six years later, he learns that his father needs his help and saddles up for the long ride home. On the way, he encounters trouble and has to shoot another male in self-defense. With a crooked sheriff and posse on his trail, John is wounded and is rescued by young Andy Blaine, who turns out to be a young woman. She and John are attracted to each other, but John's father seems to be behind the death of one of Andy's father's ranch hands and the trouble brewing on the Blaine spread. Can John and Andy overcome the obstacles facing a possible relationship?

      Silver Creek starts very slow, giving more time and attention to Garrett's uneventful ride home that might have been better spent in providing a more rousing opening. Nevertheless, the developing relationship and almost immediate building up of the trust between John and Andy make for a pleasing secondary romantic plotline. Weaving their relationship into the mystery of who is responsible for the troubles at the Blaine's spread and the question of who is actually in charge of Garrett's father’s ranch keep the level of intensity high. A.H. Holt has a rather nice flowing style that made it easy to keep turning the pages to see how events would unfold. Holt has crafted a satisfying tale that made me long for the days when westerns ruled. Silver Creek is not the usual western, so if you're looking for an action-filled shoot-em-up, Silver Creek might not be not for you. However, if you'd like to open a book and lose yourself in a tale that will make ranch life come alive, saddle your horse and trot on over to Silver Creek. You'll enjoy the ride and your visit.