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CALIFORNIA BOUND: A Classic Western Adventure (The Jeb & Zach Western Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 801 ratings

Texas Lawmen won’t go!
The U.S. Cavalry can’t go!
2 Civil War vets wade the Rio to find a stolen girl!

In a Union POW camp, Jeb and Zach dreamed of California Gold, but the road West leads Jeb to his sis's home in Texas. They ride home to find a border war raging on the Rio Bravo near Eagle Pass TX! Cattle rustled! Ranches burnt! Innocents killed or kidnapped! Juan Cortina holds a grudge against the Yankees, and he lets his younger brother, Miguel, ride roughshod along the Rio.

Jeb’s niece Rebecca is missing. Jeb is wounded when he confronts 2 Cortina men about her location. A young widow tends Jeb in healing after the Doc sews his wound. Jeb and Zach take a shine to the bold and sassy lady.

“Aww, man. After all the time we been together, are we gonna fight over a woman?” Zach asked.
“No fight needed,” Jeb said. “She’s gonna decide, then get us think it was our idea.”
“She always does,” Zach replied.


Jeb and Zach trick Cortina to rescue Rebecca but Miguel crosses the Rio Bravo to take Eagle Pass hostage! Either Jeb and Zach surrender to him or he burns the town! He plans to marry Rebecca!
Jeb and Zach promised to put an end to Miguel’s rampage—or die trying!
Will they ever get to California?

California Bound is the first dramatic story in the Jeb and Zach series of gritty westerns. If you like rich descriptions, multidimensional characters, and tales that bring history to life, then you’ll love this wild “shoot ’em up” adventure across the Rio!

Buy California Bound to ride across the Rio to fight the bandits of the Wild West today!

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0741WPB1N
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Intellect Publishing, LLC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 16, 2017
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 455 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 353 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0990602552
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Jeb & Zach Western Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 801 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
801 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this western novel to be a great read with lots of action and well-developed characters. They appreciate the humor, with one customer highlighting the banter between the main characters, and another noting the historical elements, with one review specifically mentioning the military practices of post-Civil War Texas. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some customers finding it slow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

59 customers mention "Readability"59 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great and fun read, with one customer noting it's a superb western novel.

"...The detail, the authenticity of the vernacular, the humorous dialogue and the touch of classic, “save the damsel in distress” – makes it an all-..." Read more

"...pair are best of friends and quite the characters throughout this original and explosive story as they travel to his sisters ranch in Texas just a..." Read more

"I enjoyed reading this western. The ebook made you really feel like you were riding the trails with the two main cowboys...." Read more

"Frank Kelso has written a superb western novel: gunfights, love, kidnapping of a fair maid, rescue, horses, it has it all!..." Read more

26 customers mention "Action content"22 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the action content of the book, describing it as a great western adventure with lots of cowboy action and suspenseful storytelling.

"...Bound, by Frank Kelso and John O’Melveny Woods, is simply great western story-telling...." Read more

"Action packed. Good humor. Good length. It felt familiar as these two war buddies go about righting a wrong...." Read more

"...of friends and quite the characters throughout this original and explosive story as they travel to his sisters ranch in Texas just a few miles from..." Read more

"...It seemed very true to western adventure." Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, with one mentioning how they are nicely mixed with real western historical figures.

"...Set near the Mexican border, it is filled with good men, Jeb and Zach, and evil bandoleros...." Read more

"...Nicely mixed in with real western historical characters. This is indeed a good Western to sink your teeth into." Read more

"...The author does a wonderful job in developing the characters and in descriptions of locations and events...." Read more

"...Jeb and Zach are some interesting characters for sure!" Read more

12 customers mention "Humor"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the banter and teasing between characters Jeb and Zach.

"...The detail, the authenticity of the vernacular, the humorous dialogue and the touch of classic, “save the damsel in distress” – makes it an all-..." Read more

"Action packed. Good humor. Good length. It felt familiar as these two war buddies go about righting a wrong...." Read more

"...California Bound is an exhilarating story filled with humor, romance and historical facts about the old West. Will Jeb and Zach rescue Becky?..." Read more

"...Unfortunately, although they both are of good humor and enjoy life, not everyone they meet is of friendly persuasion...." Read more

7 customers mention "Historical context"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical context of the book, with one customer highlighting its detailed portrayal of post-Civil War Texas military practices.

"...is an exhilarating story filled with humor, romance and historical facts about the old West. Will Jeb and Zach rescue Becky?..." Read more

"...One of the things that impressed me was the authors knowledge of the Civil War, he even knows the actual reason the south left the Union...." Read more

"...portray the social, mechanical, medical and military practices of post-Civil War Texas...." Read more

"...Easy reading, authentic dialog, historical perspective and true to life characters...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it slow, while one customer describes it as a fast-paced Texas-set western.

"...Starting to investigate with the skills taught work wonders. Fast reading & good." Read more

"Enjoyed this book. Was slow in parts but right amount of violence...." Read more

"...It was entertaining and fast paced but way too much happens to them. It was kind of unremarkable but kept me occupied for a couple of hours." Read more

"It was a little slow. I would order from this writer again." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2017
    California Bound, by Frank Kelso and John O’Melveny Woods, is simply great western story-telling. California Bound is gritty, tough and ruthless – the sort of Clint Eastwood style of action in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, and yet, with the panache, flippant and flirtatious flamboyance of saddle-riding, gun-shooting cowboys who smile at danger and wink at death at every turn. The detail, the authenticity of the vernacular, the humorous dialogue and the touch of classic, “save the damsel in distress” – makes it an all-round good story to hang onto into the late hours of the night. Like Louis L’Amour, who drew the line in the sand, between the white hats and the bad hats, California Bound doesn’t pull any punches when the life and death confrontations occur. The two main characters, Jeb and Zach, are like Robert Redford and Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, only they are more remorseless when it comes to taking out the bad guys and when the blood and guts pour out, the authors have not spared the reader the vivid descriptions. Overall, a fun and entertaining read – true classic western-style stuff.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2017
    Action packed. Good humor. Good length. It felt familiar as these two war buddies go about righting a wrong. Not so much a Roy and Dale thing... More like Tango and Cash in 1868. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2020
    A terrific rollicking story with two Rebel sergeants as the main characters who have finally been paroled from prison after the Civil War ended. This very southern pair are best of friends and quite the characters throughout this original and explosive story as they travel to his sisters ranch in Texas just a few miles from Mexico’s border. When they finally arrive there his sister, and nephew are dead, his brother-in-law fatally wounded and his niece carried off.the ranch house and barn are burned to the ground and the cattle gone. Jen and Zach are determined to get her back and the intrigue that follows provides tons of action from page to page. A good story and fun to read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
    I enjoyed reading this western. The ebook made you really feel like you were riding the trails with the two main cowboys. It was great they rescued Becky from the evil men and saved her. The comraderey between the cowboys was wonderful, which even showed up among the minor characters. It seemed very true to western adventure.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2018
    Jeb and Zach are two Confederate veterans on their way to California. They’re hoping to pan some gold and get rich. On the way, they want to pay a visit to a big ranch on the Texas border, belonging to Jeb’s relations. Unfortunately, they come across a sad sight, finding his sister and brother-in-law murdered. The house and barn, burned to the ground, the cattle gone. The only survivor is Becky, Jeb’s niece, but she’s gone missing.
    Seems there are some leftover political alliances on both sides of the U.S. border. Unfortunately, unscrupulous moneymaking propositions are continuously sending steer-rustling bandoleros across the Rio from Mexico.

    Vowing to find his niece, Jeb has to come up with a plan. His ever-changing plan consists of saving Becky. He also needs to stay out of the clutches of the Federales and Miguel Cortina’s armed banditos. Staying out of jail is part of the plan too. But the plan has a few holes in it and needs reworking, based on which side of the Rio their guns are pointing. “Few minor hitches in the giddy-up,” Jeb replies to Zach’s question about how his plan is working. “Still got to get out alive,” Zach says before a giant skirmish.

    California Bound is an exhilarating story filled with humor, romance and historical facts about the old West. Will Jeb and Zach rescue Becky? Will they make it to California? If you like Westerns, read this novel today and find out whether the plan works!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2017
    Frank Kelso has written a superb western novel: gunfights, love, kidnapping of a fair maid, rescue, horses, it has it all! Set near the Mexican border, it is filled with good men, Jeb and Zach, and evil bandoleros. Colorful characters, mastery of dialogue, thickening plot, you can’t put this book down. It culminates in a scene where the two Civil War scouts are outgunned and outnumbered, but the cunning Jeb has a plan that will play out as they go. Don’t miss this one. I, for one, would love to see this as a television series like Lonesome Dove. It’s that good!
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2019
    FK./JW. have penned a western action adventure which begins with two men, ex Confederates, are headed for California, but circumstances beyond their control caused a delay in Texas, because one of the men's nieces has been kidnapped and taken South of the border under the cover of a Bandito who raids back and forth across the border. They make their plans for her rescue when they had her location. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
    Enjoyed this book. Was slow in parts but right amount of violence. It was a story about 2 friends going to Mexico to rescue Jeb's niece from a bad guy.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Elinor Salter
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great authentic read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2017
    I have just read this in four days and thoroughly enjoyed it. As an Englishman I have always enjoyed westerns since a child and this is up there with the best. The characters are well drawn, with enough vernacular speech to make it authentic but not difficult to read. The sense of place and scenery is prefect. They also deal well with horses and guns -I have a pet hate of westerns when they write' he pulled his pistol' ! If you are going to write westerns, you have to describe the guns and horses and understand them. This book is excellent in this regard. Great pace of story and a thoroughly good yarn. The highest praise I can give is that it is up with most of Louis Lamour's books!
  • DAMIENSNANA2
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hubby loved it!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2019
    Hubby loved the book! It is in the genre that he enjoys so much!
    Story moved along keeping the reader enthralled!
  • R. B. Mcdonald
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2020
    Not quite a five star read. I wondered if the author thought he was creating another Gus McCrae and Cap'n Call. Not up to that standard but entertaining enough. Plenty of action, the area the story takes place seemed authentic enough. I may try another.
  • L. Barrington
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brill read from start to finish
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2019
    Reading
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good adventure story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2021
    Very enjoyable read. Likeable characters and a good rollicking tale. A disappointing ending, so it is to be hoped that there is a sequel involving Zach and Jeb.

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