Sidewinder

Thank you so much for the wonderful review of "Sidewinder", Johnny. It is a tale of love and discovery and pain and joy. It is a story I wanted to write, and I strove to make it as authentic as possible. I hope potential readers will see this and be convinced to take this journey... and the one in its sequel. Again, I appreciate your recommendation, my friend.   

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.   

Wow! I feel blessed today. Tow really encouraging reviews for "Sidewinder" within minutes of one another.   Thank you so much, Doha, for taking the time to share your thoughts on something I am very proud of. I wrote this story for me during the pandemic, knowing 'historical western' wasn't a popular genre, but I didn't care. I needed something to be passionate about to snap me out of a writing slump, and I really didn't expect it would garner the support it did. Yeah, definitely feeling blessed right now. Thanks again, my friend. I hope new readers will take note of your words and dive in. Cheers!  

Thanks for this incredible review, PBax. As important as the setting and time period are, it is the characters who drive this story, so I agree with you. I might be biased, but I believe even if you don't care for the Western genre, it is still easy to get lost in this story... and the earth and sky. I am passionately proud of "Sidewinder", so much so that I wrote a sequel, something I seldom do, so your kind praise for the elements of this story makes me very happy indeed. I hope your words stir new readers to give this a shot and join a very supportive group of readers who lifted me up. In all sincerity, this review truly made my day. Cheers!    

Thank you so much, Mancunian. I have come to respect and appreciate your opinions on this site, and what you say about this story makes me extremely proud and happy. I have come to love writing in this genre, but I also have come to realize a good story can transcend genre if one takes care and gives respect to what might make a genre special. Westerns are unique for what an author can mine in them. Rich in detail, they are about a time period that has long been romanticized, but there is opportunity to tell it like it really was as well, and that is what I tried to do with "The Sidewinder Series". It is rewarding to know my striving for authenticity has paid off with a passionate readership who inspires me to explore further. You caught me in one of my rambling moods, but just know my appreciation of your recommendation is sincere. Cheers!

Thanks, Aaron! The response to this story is why a wrote a sequel. I hope someday you will find the time to read Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale. Whether you do or not, I appreciate your kind recommendation to others. Cheers!

Thanks, Quixo! As much as it may have been a joy to readers, it was also a joy to the author.   Immersing myself in that time period was a rewarding experience, giving voice to stories I made up in my head as a kid about the Old West. I expect I will always be thinking about writing more in this genre. Cheers!

Thank you so much, Pascal. I am happy to hear my story set in the Old West touched you as it did. To be honest, this story surprised me, as did the reaction to it. I know westerns aren't a popular genre as a rule in this day and age, but I hope your kind words will encourage others to give this story a chance. This story is dear to my heart, and reviews such as yours help inspire me to keep writing. Cheers!

Wow! Thanks, raven1. I certainly couldn't ask for a better review than this one. I hope potential readers take note and give this western a chance after such a glowing recommendation. You're correct that I did do a lot of research for this story, and it is as authentic as I could possibly make it. I enjoyed writing this story, and the response to it is why I've written a sequel call "Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale". Cheers! 

Thanks, VBlew! I'm glad you've now read Sidewinder. It should make the sequel more enjoyable, and Boone and Coy's story is what makes Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale a more special endeavor for me. I haven't written many stories set in the Old West, but I'm really liking the time period, and the settings, so there will likely be more to come.    Appreciate your kind words and recommendation to other readers. It was a fun ride. Cheers! 

I've been a fan of Westerns my entire life, whether books, movies, or TV shows. Yet, most of those were notoriously inaccurate. Bad guys didn't wear black hats all the time, and Indians weren't vicious savages.   I wanted to write an authentic western that happened to be a gay love story. Your kind words make me feel successful in that endeavor. 

Characters make a story, and like many readers, I fell in love with Boone and Coy early on. And of course, animals were crucial on the frontier, and it was only natural to make them characters in their own right. Thanks for supporting my little western, Geron, and for leaving such an affirming review. Potential readers take note. Geron knows his stuff and if he recommends it, you should give Sidewinder a chance.   Much appreciated, buddy. Cheers!

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....

Thanks, Atlboy! Reviews are so helpful in bringing other readers to a story, and I truly appreciate this one. Writing a multi-chapter human drama set in the Old West was something I'd wanted to do for a long time, and am pleased this one was so well received. If you like westerns, check out my shorter story called "Finding Refuge." It's a little over thirteen thousand words. Cheers! Gary. 

Thanks so much for giving my little western a chance, wenmale64. I'm pleased you liked it, and thank you for your kind words and recommendation. No matter how much time goes by, I always appreciate my stories receiving reviews because they can stoke new interest in my work. Cheers!  

Thanks for the wonderful review, Sherye. I fully intend to write another western, because I really enjoy delving into that time period. The Old West has been a magical place for me since I was a kid, and I hope others will be spurred by your enthusiasm to give this little story a chance. Cheers!

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!

Thanks, Bft! The Old West is a fascinating time for me, and as someone who's been involved with horses for so long, I kind of relate to cowboys... I like them too.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Sidewinder and recommending it to others. I truly appreciate that. Cheers! 

Thanks, James for such a wonderful review. I don't think Larry McMurtry need move over, but I am humbled by any comparison to such a writer. It is high praise indeed that this is one of your favorite westerns ever.  I hope more readers will give this little story a chance, whether they are fond of the western genre or not. Cheers!. 

Wow. Thanks, LD! I hope other readers take your advice and read Sidewinder. This has quickly become one of my favorite endeavors, and I'm pleased you found it so worthy. Cheers!

I appreciate you leaving Sidewinder a wonderful review, Leo! As you probably know by now, I don't like to drag a story out with unnecessary drama, and character development is something I like to unfold naturally. These guys have stolen my heart now, and I thank you for your kind support. Cheers!

Nothing wanting for this review, Jeff. It's a wonderful testament for potential readers to absorb, and I thank you for it. This story turned out to be a wonderful experience to write and post, thanks in no small part to the readers. Cheers!

Thanks, Kris! Maybe I should get you to do my PR work for me.  I truly appreciate the marvelous review, and hope it will resonate with potential readers. Cheers! 

Thanks, Albert! I always love to hear there might be such a thing as Gary magic.   Writing about the Old West again was a lot of fun, and the reception of this one was rewarding. Thanks for your support, and I hope your review helps convince new readers to give it a shot. Cheers!

What a wonderful review of a story so close to my heart, Onim. Thank you so much for this validation. This one took a lot of research and attention to detail, but it looks like my choices were well received.   Cheers!

Lol. There had to be a mule, dugh.   I used to read those dime store westerns too, and I would get lost in those worlds of horses and cowboys and good guys and bad guys. Who'd have thought that young kid would one day write a western where the hero is a gay man? Not me, that's for sure, but I've sure enjoyed doing it. We all have dreams, no matter what times we live in, but the challenge for finding someone to share them with might have been harder back then, and that is what Boone faces.  

Thanks so much for the great review, bro. I hope it will give others the impetus to read this little story... cheers! Gary.