Amazon Anne Haw Holt Writing, Photography and Other Fine Things Category:  Western Publisher: Avalon Books and Amazon ISBN-10:  0803496001 Type: Fiction Pages: 198 Copyright: 2003 John and his father are estranged but he travels back to Silver Creek to clear his father of murder.  Six years ago John Garrett left home swearing to never return. But his father is in trouble. Their neighbor Tim Hostetter is murdered. His riders are gone and Garrett cattle are grazing his range. One of Russ Blaine's riders is killed and another wounded.  Mason Garrett has always wanted Silver Creek.  He and Rafe Willis are pushing Blaine to sell. They desperately need Silver Creek Ranch water. Would Garrett kill to get it? Excerpt Lying as flat as possible against the horses neck, John urged him to a gallop as he settled in the saddle. The sound of scattered gunshots reached him as he passed the livery and turned into the dusty road leading to the river. He guided the horse along the beaten track for a short distance, then turned off into some scattered trees and brush, slowing Prince to a smooth Canter. He stopped the horse as he topped a sharp rise and turned to look back. He expected to be followed, and he was not disappointed. Just as he turned, a group of ten or more men came around the livery barn, running their horses. John shook his head in disgust as he urged Prince over the little rise and turned west toward the mountains.

Silver Creek
Step back into the Old West with A.H. Holt's wonderful debut novel, "Silver Creek."
"Silver Creek," presents John Garrett, an honorable cowboy that leaves the ranch and the home he's always loved after an argument with his father Mason. Gone for six long years, John is urged to return by long time friend Alec Gunnison, a man most concerned with the underhanded dealings he's witnessing emanating from the Garrett Ranch.

Since John's departure, his father it appears seems to be capable of doing anything from cattle rustling to out-and-out murder to ensure he secures the property of neighbor Russ Blaine. Rich in much needed water; Blaine has rejected all offers of purchase from Mason Garrett for Silver Creek, but would that warrant Mason resorting to murder to get what he wants? Somehow, despite their quarrels John doubts it and realizes that there must be a logical reason for the behavior purported to be that of his fathers.

John's return to the Silver Creek area opens up a barrel of worms and unearths hard truths and harsh betrayals. He becomes particularly concerned when he discovers that the men his father hired aren't experienced ranch hands at all but gunslingers. Are these gunslingers loyal to his father or are they the tools of Mason's ranch foreman Rafe Willis?

What a terrific first novel for A.H. Holt. Her knowledge of cowboy life infuses every page and having been raised on a big farm working horses and cattle, her life experience is easily the basis for a very strong debut novel. The characters are well developed, the heroes and the villains are abundantly clear as the novel progresses, but what I enjoyed most about this book is its representation of American values, an area that becomes less defined in modern day America. Life was simple in the American West, you were a good guy or a bad guy and you stood up for what you believed in and tackled those that threatened it.

Good story, pleasant plot and a very nice weekend escape. Step back into history and see what you're missing, A.H. Holt's, "Silver Creek," is not just a good novel, it will leave you overflowing with nostalgic yearning.







Denises Pieces Reviews

John Garrett is on his way home after a six-year absence, an absence imposed by his father who kicked him off the family ranch where he was acting foreman. But now, an old friend of the family has brought word to John that his estranged father needs his help. Despite his uncertain reluctance, John hurries to travel the 400 miles that will bring him face to face with his past. Unfortunately, a bullet puts a dent in his plans.
Andrea ‘Andy’ Blaine may dress like a man around her family’s ranch, but beneath the boy’s clothes, she’s all woman. For her own safety and to help protect her father’s ranch, she disguises her curves beneath the clothes and rides the range, keeping an eye on the strange goings on. Someone’s trying to run her father off his ranch, and the suspicion points to none other than John Garret’s father.
John and Andrea join forces to try to determine who’s behind the bushwhacking and killings going on around Silver Creek. But to make matter more difficult, they each are attracted to one another, an attraction they both desperately try to deny. After all, if John’s father is truly behind the disturbing activities that are causing the Blaine’s problems, such an attachment is doomed. Can the two of them discover who’s behind the evil sweeping through the valley before it’s too late for both of them?
Silver Creek is a good old-fashioned western penned in the style of Grey and L’Amour. It’s good, clean, exciting fun. The bad guys are bad, the good guys handsome and proud, and the women, well; the women are tough and feminine at the same time. Ms. Holt has created wonderful characters with her novel, and though the narrative style could use a bit of polishing around the edges, her first novel is very well done. She’s a gifted storyteller who knows the importance of creating fine characterizations, and she’s done that and more with, Silver Creek.