Reviews for SIDESHOW AT HONEY CREEK:

These reviews appeared on my amazon page.

My very latest ***** 5 Star Review for

SIDESHOW AT HONEY CREEK.

 

Thank you Ms. Sealy.

 

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

 

In Sideshow at Honey Creek, Steven Malone presents an engaging tale inspired by true events that took place in Texas in the waning months of the Civil War. In a setting largely ignored by most novelists and Civil War historians, Malone shares the story of a guerrilla war waged on one side by a rogue Federal Army manipulating Native American Tribes and, on the other side, valiant but outnumbered ranchers along with a small but determined, remnant of the largely depleted Confederate Army. Malone takes what some authors might treat as a documentary and turns it into a riveting story with action and a variety of colorful and interesting characters.

If you are a fan of westerns, action/adventure, and historical fiction, Sideshow at Honey Creek has all of that in one story that will keep you pushing the "forward" button on your e-reader even as you have chores that need doing. If you are into ease and comfort, this book may not be for you. But if you want to feel the sleet stinging your face or the summer heat burning your skin as you ride through Texas, Malone delivers.

I noted in reviews from other readers some concern about typos or proofreading errors. With this re-edited and re-proofed edition, I noted only very rare instances of those and they detract not at all from a compelling story. My recommendation - buy it it, read it, enjoy it. It's that good. 
 
 

 

 

Another much appreciated review on amazon.com. A reader from holland.

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars The Texas frontier during the war, November 22, 2013


By


joost vink - See all my reviews

 


This review is from: Sideshow at Honey Creek (Paperback)


This is the first western I've ever read that has no cowboys in it. This tale is based on true events, and it is one of frontier farmers. The stage is that of the fringes of the civil war stretching out over Texas. To me it is a startling encounter with the farmers' way of life and with their view on native Americans. The main characteristic of this book is authenticity. The details in the story are very instructive. I learned a lot of words and expressions I never read in, lets say, a Wilbur Smith or a Tom Clancy story. I learned about different horses, and about loading a navy revolver. Things John Wayne probably never knew about. Most shockingly, while reading I was forced to understand the harshness of life on the Texas frontier, and why there was so much hatred towards native Americans. Yet, at the same time, the author shows that they are just like other people, caught up in a very unfortunate situation: that Sideshow at Honey Creek.

 

 


 

 

Thank you, 'Dog Brindle'. It's good to have readers from Canada.

 

 

Monday, 18 November 2013
Who doesn't like a good western?
Sideshow at Honey Creek by Steven D. Malone

 

 

You have no time to think...

 

The Republic of Texas during the American Civil War. You are in the middle of a battle, led by General A.E. Lee. Tomahawks are flying, Comanche Indians.

 

The beginning of the book is a little confusing. You're thrown into the action immediately, which leaves you a little bewildered. But luckily, it lasts only for the first few pages until you become accustomed to the authors style, a little graphic at times, especially the war scenes, mostly dialogue.

 

Here's one line that resonated with me, "The war made old men of little boys" It made me think, what being in a civil war was really like for a young man back in those days. I'm sure very scary.

 

Some of the scenes, Steve has written as if he were right in the middle of the thick of things, a little shocking. The Indian not being painted in a good light, but that was then and this is now. Two different stories. And I'm almost sure that's how it was back then. War was war.

 

I'm reading this book on my computer, and have noticed the formatting needed a little more work and some copy editing. But not a problem! It's not that distracting.

 

A lot of research went into writing this book you can tell. Not that I would know any difference. The story stands by itself.

 

A really good book with great characters and plots, I took off the half star only for formatting and a few grammatical mistakes which after the first chapter you are completely unaware off, besides that an excellent read.

 

A History Book. Steve sounds like a great historian, you will have to take his word it. He sounds very convincing. The book was a treasure to read. I recommend it whole heartedly. Excellent work Steven, this book got my blood circulating.

 

I give it four and 1/2 stars. I took off half a point for not editing and formatting his final copy, the only reasons. You hardly notice them anyways as I mentioned. I'm just being picky in my old age because,
Who doesn't like a good western?

 

Not for the faint of heart.

 

Dog Brindle

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Rick 50

 

5 Stars

Well researched, April 28, 2013

 

By Rick 50 - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Sideshow at Honey Creek (Paperback)

 

The book is obviously well researched. I have read books recently on the U.S. Army cavalry regiment sent to Texas in the 1850's to try to protect the settlers from the Comanches and on the every day difficulties of the soldiers in Lee's army in northern Virginia, and this book rings true.

 

I noticed that some of the guns mentioned were real guns from lesser known manufacturers; it was not all Winchesters and Colts.

 

The plot was well thought out. The writing was good. In scenes of unsettling violence, I think the author used a good balance in letting the reader understand how dangerous the Texas frontier was at this time and not getting to graphic.

 

I learned that American Indians fought in the Civil War. I also learned about the Kikapoo tribe. This is certainly not a "Western" written in several weeks to an old formula, so much credit to the author.

 

 

I just received my latest ( 5 ***** Star) review from Stan Jensen.

 


 

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic and Real, February 19, 2013

 

By S.J. - See all my reviewsAmazon

 

Verified Purchase

 

This review is from: Sideshow at Honey Creek (Kindle Edition)

 

When I read a book, I want the characters to be real, I want to feel what they feel, see what they see, hear what they hear. I also want a strong sense of time and place. "Sideshow at Honey Creek" does all that. I learned more about Indians and their ways, and the hard life of the Settlers in Malone's novel than I learned in all the other books I've read about the Old West. Great praise to Author Steven Malone for putting in the long hours of research that made this novel so authentic and real.

 

I also want to add that I've been a student of the Civil War for decades, and Malone broke new ground for me. I, like so many who study the War, generally study everything from the Mississippi east...but now comes Malone to open up a new chapter in my study of a war that nearly divided a great nation. My thanks to Author Steven Malone!

 

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Gripping!, January 17, 2013

 

By Lance Manley - See all my reviews

 

Amazon Verified Purchase

 

This review is from: Sideshow at Honey Creek (Kindle
Edition)

 

Sideshow at Honey Creek by Steven Malone is a rare find,
whether ebook or print. Western and Texas history in particular has been a
passion of mine for many years. I love reading historical accounts written
contemporaneously by people involved in the words as they spoke at the time.
With respect to fiction, I want a story woven into actual historical events.
Steven Malone has done a masterful job of just that.

 

Honey Creek unfolds on the high plains of Texas during the
Civil War. In the days of the Republic of Texas and the early days of Texas
statehood, pioneer settlers had staked out tenuous toeholds in the Comancheria,
the land west of present day Fort Worth. Even before the war, the Comanches
dominated the plains, and exacted brutal punishment on those who dared trespass
on their territory. As the war progressed, drawing increasing numbers of able
bodied men away from the frontier into the Confederate army to fight east of
the Mississippi, the Comanches literally pushed back the "border",
leaving many settler farms and towns abandoned. The settlers who remained were
largely on their own to face the Comanche and other native peoples, agitated
and manipulated by Union mercenaries.

 

Honey Creek traces historical events leading up to and
through a major engagement between native tribes and Texan Confederate forces.
In Malone's meticulously researched tale, we hear the voices speaking in the
way people did at the time, and still get to see into their psyches from a
modern analysis. As the impending conflict rises, the author's depiction
becomes absolutely gripping, and he never lets up all the way to the end.

 

Highly recommended!

 

 

 My first reveiw ever. Thanks Christoph.

 

Jan 03, 2013

 

Christoph Fischer rated it 5 Stars

 

 

 

“Sideshow at Honey Creek” by Steven Malone is a fascinating historical find about one of the lesser known stories of American History, at least it was for me, a European. It is no surprise that the author has a degree in History, the research he must have done for this book is enormous.

 

The big picture deals with the involvement of Kickapoo and Comanche Indians in Texas during the American Civil War. The smaller stories follow several groups of colourful characters and their personal ordeals during this time, too many to name individually but the plot lines are well chosen and skilfully developed and the connections between these people are nicely set up.

 

The book is a great achievement in research, execution and fleshing out of the scenes, it uses copious amount of detail, making it easy to picture the settings. It is an epic read with a lot of food for thought and has stayed with me for some time after I finished it.