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Sidewinder

   (30 reviews)
Genres: Western, Action/Adventure, General Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Historical
Sub-genres: Adventure, Drama, General Romance, Light Mystery, Historical Romance, Western, Western Historical, Western Romance

Life in the Old West was harsh. The work was hard, but the men were harder, and death.... well... it came easy. Boone had no one until he met Coy, a handsome cowboy with a good heart. Their friendship was quickly formed, and meant everything to him, but after five years of being at each other's side, it was time to move on. Coy didn't need him anymore, and Boone wanted someone made like he was. Finally accepting that was never going to be Coy, and tired of being rootless, he sets out to find a home... land that was his, and a place he could belong. Coy? Left on his own, what path will he take?

What was life like for a gay man in the Old West? Westerns are not a popular genre, but this author grew up on them, and I wrote this for me. This is my second story set in these times, and I wanted to explore how these men coped... how they survived, and what the attitudes of the times were. A lot of research went into this, but the trappings of the story are only a small part of it. This is a simple human drama about wanting what we all want... to stay alive, have a place to call our own, and someone to share it all with. Sometimes, it's just a dream....
Copyright © 2020 Headstall; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (56 members)

  • Action Packed 28
  • Addictive/Pacing 42
  • Characters 55
  • Chills 10
  • Cliffhanger 25
  • Compelling 16
  • Feel-Good 12
  • Humor 10
  • Smoldering 28
  • Tearjerker 22
  • Unique 38
  • World Building 27

1 Story Award

  • Reader's Choice 2023 - First Love

    Reader's Choice 2023 - First Love

    Earned

  • Like 17
  • Love 47
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AFBNOW

AFBNOW 75

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

Having been raised in a small settlement neighboring a Fort known as Lauderdale (a trading post known primarily for its liquid refreshments)  we had horses growing up.  Therefore I am attracted to horse stories (sorry Blue).   I'm not big on romantic stories.  This story was well written  and held my attention  to the end.  I didn't even notice any of the occasional spell check errors most stories have.

Response from the author:

Thanks, AFBNOW! I appreciate you reading "Sidewinder" and leaving such a great review. I'm a horseman myself, and was always a big fan of westerns while growing up. I like romance, but I prefer to think of my stories as human dramas, encompassing the themes many of us have in our own lives. Religion, for example, plays a part in this story because it was very much a part of the people of the frontier. And yes, this story is well edited, but the cadence, word choices and overall dialect in both dialogue and narration was something I worried about. As near as I could tell in my research, tenses were often mixed up, and the rhythm of speech was far different from today's. I am so pleased my interpretation was well received. :)  Just as a heads up, I am in the process of writing another western tied to this story. You might want to follow me on my author's page for updates. I am nearing completion of it, and will begin the editing process soon. Thanks again, and cheers... Gary....

  • Like 4
  • Love 5
chris191070

chris191070 116,225

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

Having read all the fantastic reviews for this story, I had to give it a read and find out what I'd missed.

I wholeheartedly agree with each and every one of the reviews.

This is a terrific story about two people in the Wild West who are in love with each other, who learn to overcome there individuall inhibitions.

This is a fantastic story from one of the best authors on GA and I highly recommend Sidewinder to everyone.

Response from the author:

That's the power of reviews, isn't it Chris? They can be enticing and help a potential reader in their choices. I knew westerns weren't a popular genre when I wrote this, but I have been very pleased with the response. Thank you so much for giving it a chance. I'm stoked you liked it, and I thank you for the kind words and the recommendation. Cheers!

  • Like 2
  • Love 5
J J

J J 516

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Wow!

This story has it all.

Love. Though thought unrequited.

Hard work to no avail.

Toil, trouble, family jerks and tragedy.

An almost ethereal respite from the tragedy.

Admission from both sides of a love long unspoken of.

Growth, passion and a moral of the story included that most language arts teachers would agree with (unless prejudiced). They always said it was integral to any story.

All the while the author uses seemingly simple words to portray the images and characters of this story so as I read it I felt as if I knew these guys and felt their emotions.

That's Entertainment!

Response from the author:

Thanks, J J. I tried to give us a full experience of what it might have been like in those times, and it truly does take us on a journey. Your review is extremely kind and appreciated. I love when a reader gets engaged enough to think about the story as a whole, and yes, there are a couple of morals in this one... but I tried not to beat anyone over the head with them. :)  It's been my experience that such a review as this brings in new readers. Prove me right, potential readers! Thanks again, my friend. This made my cold, somber January day. Cheers!

  • Love 5
Tnels28

Tnels28 4

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

This was an absolute delight and so well written. I enjoyed ever second of it. Thank you very much!

Response from the author:

Thanks, Tnels28! I'm really pleased to receive this review, and hope it helps stir new interest in the story. Sidewinder is the first of two closely-tied books (Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale), with an associated third (Bearpaw: An Old West Tale) posting now. Please keep sharing your thoughts with me if you read those others. Cheers! 

  • Love 4
Dan South

Dan South 6,197

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

I tend to ruminate when I finish a book. I’ve spent some hours thinking on this one trying to capture and keep how I feel about it. What I might say about it. Who I met. Where we journeyed.

This is a western and a classic one at that. I opened this book with all the shoot-‘em-up western television shows of my youth on my mind. Sidewinder  is like none of them.

It’s better.

I’m at an advantage because I know there’s a sequel. I can see Boone & Coy again. That won’t make saying goodbye any easier just because there’s a next time available right now. Good guys.

Great characters. Vivid imagery. Compelling pacing. Not a single dull moment.

Thank you Headstall, it’s a great read!

Response from the author:

Wow, Dan. I am really moved by this. THANK YOU! If you think this story is better than the westerns you grew up on, then I have done something better than right. I don't need much from a review, but I have to say this one is perfect, and I hope it entices new readers to open up the story page and take the journey. I say to such readers, Dan and I don't think you will be disappointed. :)  

  • Love 5

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