THE SPARROWS OF MONTENEGRO

by

BJ MAYO

Categories: Western / Historical Fiction / Texas

Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Date of Publication: February 8, 2022

Number of Pages: 312 pages

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Tree “Bigfoot” Smith and Cedar Jones first meet on the day they join the US Cavalry’s Fourth Cavalry Regiment based out of the Historic Fort Concho in what is now San Angelo, Texas, in 1870.

Their journey takes them into the heart of the dangerous Llano Estacado region known as the Comancheria. The area is ruthlessly defended by a band of Quahadi Comanche and their stoic leader, Lonely Horse. The Troop encounters a large group of Comanches and the gun-running Comancheros at Mushaway Mountain, close to Gail, Texas. A quick battle ensues that leaves eight men dead.

Post Cavalry life finds Tree Smith and Cedar Jones as cowhand and cook on the large Rolling J cattle ranch in South Texas bordering the Rio Grande River. The ranch employs two Vaqueros from the village of Montenegro in Mexico, just across the river, whom Tree befriends.

The quiet life on the Rolling J ranch is brought to an abrupt halt when a local sheriff warns that a band led by the cold-blooded, sadistic killer known as Gato Montes has been preying on the ranches along the Rio Grande. After the sheriff is nearly killed by these men, Tree is tasked with tracking them down, only this time, he is traveling alone and the dangers are greatly multiplied. His epic journey takes him back into the Llano Estacado where he is captured by Lonely Horse and taken to Mushaway Mountain where the Comanche carry out their own form of frontier justice.

Tree’s return journey puts him on the same path as Marco, a Mexican goat herder, who rides with him to the Mexican Village of Montenegro, where Tree meets Julia, who changes his life forever after he becomes involved in and bears witness to the wonderful celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

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PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“I could not put this one down. Mayo has masterfully written a character-driven page-turner, a compelling tale for the reader who seeks something more than the stereotypical western novel.” —Ron Schwab, author of Goldsmith and the Law Wranglers series

“This mild-mannered west Texas rancher has woven a border tapestry using yarns made of unimaginable horror and sweet innocence.” —Tumbleweed Smith, author of Under the Chinaberry Tree

“A thoroughly enjoyable read—a cowboy’s trail you’ll want to follow, with a memorable cast of characters, renegades, soldiers, lawmen, and simple folks, and a hero that you’ll want more of.” —John J. Jacobson, author of All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone

If you are in the mood for a historical western that has everything from cowboys & ranching, cavalry, Dia de Los Muertos, Indian justice, faith, humor, and even a little romance, then this is the book to read.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started this book and wasn’t sure where the first few storylines were going, but as I continued reading everything fell into place. As it was said in the book “Dios knows.” The stories weave together as if they were always meant to be there and the descriptive words of the sights, sounds, and smells will have you wondering if you were there with them experiencing the same thing.

There are so many likable characters, and of course some unlikable ones too. I’m not quite sure who my favorite character was out of all of them, but it was close between Tree, Marco, and Felicity. Tree is one of the main characters and like his name, he is steadfast and strong. Marco is a minor character we meet about 2/3 of the way through the book but his kindness and goat-whisperer abilities just spoke to me. Felicity is not your average woman and can definitely take care of herself as she shows us multiple times. Plus, her ability to move past her past and look forward to a future with Cedar is something many can relate to in our own lives.

This story is not a sweet recounting of what life was like in the late 1800s but a realistic look at what settlers might have endured from the Indians, banditos, wild animals, and weather that they may not be prepared to experience. The biggest obstacles were the Indians and the justice that they meted out to those trying to take over their lands or unsavory acts perpetrated upon the tribe or others. The truth isn’t whitewashed and the details may be hard to read for some, but it was how things were handled at that time.

While the story has multiple facets, the main focus is on Tree and his life during the cavalry and afterward. He is a noble character with flaws and a heart as big as Texas. So many go through life with events from their past that haunt them and this is no different for Tree. However, he learns to adapt and eventually captures the heart of a woman from a village across the border. While we don’t see a lot of their relationship blossom and it does seem to happen rather quickly, they are perfect for each other and ultimately complete each other.

I do have to add that I got a huge chuckle of what the men would call their privates – hangy-downs.

This is a wondrous tale that hovers between western and historical fiction, but it definitely made an impression on me. We give it 5 paws up.

BJ Mayo was born in an oil field town in Texas. His career in the energy industry took him to various points in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Bangladesh, Australia, and Angola, West Africa.

He and his wife were high school sweethearts and have been married for forty-six years. They live on a working farm near San Angelo, Texas.

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Autographed copies of The Sparrows of Montenegro.

(US only. Ends 2/19/22)

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