Vagabonds and Kings

“Following the recent successful trait demonstrated by Amy Stewart in her Kopp sisters series McCann has taken the background of a historical figure, in this case, a beloved grandfather, and woven his beginnings into a fictional tale, filling in the missing pieces from stories handed down by a variety of family members, to give us a semi-biographical novel based on what became the legend of Tony LaMontagne.

“Tony leaves his rural upbringing in Quebec to start a life at fourteen years old. Determined to meet up with his brother, Gene, who is working in Oregon for a logging outfit, young Tony strikes out on his own, working several jobs to earn enough money, and friends, across the upper States until he and Gene finally meet up, years later, chasing the goldrush in The Yukon.

“McCann gives us an up close and personal brush with her grandfather and his journey from brash youth to a respected business owner. A great mature read, her best work yet.” – Mark P. Sadler

“This is a wonderful story that the author tells in a style reminiscent of Jack London. Her sense of place and her recreation of a life and the settings it transpired in are both exciting and informative. The early scenes in turn-of-the-century Chicago are especially well done. We are taken from Canada to the Midwest to the western frontier before we end up in Alaska. The author’s hero, Tony, is an amazing character who accomplishes in a few years what many of us could never do in a lifetime. Based on the author’s own family this is a terrific American novel written in a style that serves its story perfectly. Highly recommended.” – Steve Shadow Schwartz

“Merle McCann—takes you on an adventure with youthful, fifteen-year old, Tony La Montagne from Quebec, Canada, to a wealthy environment where skills in cooking and horses with drawn carriages introduce him to women, business and the ways of the world of 1890’s, Chicago. Then on to Montana, cowboying, and furthering his dream, west to the Yukon, hauling fright and working a roadhouse. All along the trail Tony grows up wrestling with feelings not understood and struggles with issues he eventually learns to resolve by age thirty-two. The beauty in how Vagabonds and Kings unfolds is supported by the research through documentation and interviews with family members.” – Tim Moore

“Wow – talk about a rugged, daring, go-for-the-gold character!. McCann does a superb job showing, rather than telling us about life in period detail as it evolves for this amazing man who just happened to be her grandfather. If it were a movie you’d be holding your breath for the next scene – how could anyone be that tenacious yet kind-hearted? Hold onto your hat for a cross-country adventure; you’ll wish you knew more people who were that determined to win, whether the danger comes from beast or man.” – Pamela Waterman

“I’m not a big reader but loved this book. Written in a way I could really enjoy the story. Made it sound so real. Well done Merle.” – Shayne Dunlop

“Loved this story. It ended too soon. I hope more books come out about Tony and his family. What wonderful history.” – Alta Anderson

“This author makes you feel like you are right there in the same room with Tony. Great book!!!!!” – Delores Linscott

Katherine

“A finely woven rendering of an extraordinary woman’s life that spans the opening decades of the 20th Century. Richly emotional, vivid and accurate historical fiction that will keep the reader glued to the pages as they fly by.” ~ Steve Shadow, author of Lou Silt and Joey Mompo. 

Fist Full of Grit

“Descriptive story of a woman’s gumption and will. Well done.” –  S. J. Smith

“Loved this story about the lady who definitely does have a lot of grit. I was spellbound by the story. Could not put the book down, wanted so much to see what was going to happen next. Want to read more of Merle McCann’s writing.” – Delores Linscott

“Cooper is a feisty gal that I would have enjoyed knowing in person.I would have enjoyed listening to her sing. I learned a little about the history of University of Washington and Washington Territory.” – Alta Anderson

“Whenever we think of suspense either a thriller or a mystery springs to mind. McCann does a wonderful job of reminding us that suspense can be found in any type of genre, and proves it with her extraordinary western. Set in the late 1800’s, she has written a tale with a female lead, a heroine so young she can barely be called a woman, who faces up to almost impossible odds to keep her inherited ranch out of the hands of robber barons.

“Cooper Hughes left school as a young teen to take up the running of the ranch when she was orphaned. The bank owners attempted to hornswoggle the land out from under her, knowing the railroad was due to come through and offer a lot of money for their rights. This forces Coop to take on a role as singer at the saloon in the next town over—and risk her reputation—to make enough money to pay off the last few payments and avoid foreclosure.

“With the temperance movement in full swing threatening to expose her moonlighting, and threatening to have her young brother removed from her care, Coop finds life to be very stressful. It all comes to a boil when two local girls are murdered, stabbed to death. Certain she can do a better job at finding the murderer than the local sheriff, Coop investigates the killings on her own.

“The timing of a new suitor makes her even more suspicious. Where will her trust lie? Is he for real or a plant? The suspense builds and comes to a screeching halt faster than being thrown by a bucking bronco. When the dust clears, we’re left to find out if Coop survives to fight another day on the frontier streets of her cowboy town. My best guess is this tough little woman will be running the town when it’s all said and done. An endearing story of the American West and the characters that led to its creation.” – Mark P. Sadler

“This is a terrific and complex story set in Washington Territory in 1880. It features a strong female character, Cooper Hughes, that the author makes utterly believable. The setting is authentic and the author, whom herself has a background in raising horses and working on ranches, never hits a false note. Without going into the intricacies of this twisting plot, I will say that the pace of the book is good and the story is never less than fully absorbing. This is the authors second adult novel and she just keeps getting better. I hope she continues writing westerns like this. I greatly enjoyed reading this one.” – steve shadow schwartz

“McCann takes the reader back to 1880 with meticulous attention to historical detail. She weaves a tale that makes you feel you’re standing beside her feisty heroine as she fights to protect her family and save its heritage. Who would have thought she could do all this through music? Fist Full of Grit manages to combine mystery, romance, and historical western into one stirring story.” – Antoinette Niesen

The Permanent Solution

“I just finished reading, The Permanent Solution, by Merle McCann. It was a fun read and well worth the cost. As a retired law enforcement officer, I was intrigued with the way her killer killed his victims. The different plots were weaved together well and the book had a wonderful ending. It’s a feel good book, which I like. Great job for new author and I seldom say that about an author’s first book. I’ll be looking forward to her next one.” – Sherrie B.

“The Permanent Solution had me at the end of the first paragraph. Thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Alta Anderson

“This genre jumping novel has something for everyone. A feisty Irish heroine, a strong silent western ranch hand, business tips, animal husbandry, marital dilemmas, Hollywood glamour. feminine issues and to top it all off we have a psychotic murdering hair stylist. What initially seems like more plot than one book can handle, the author deftly carries off this high-wire act with aplomb. The story, told in two alternating converging pathways, is handled nimbly by the author without missing a beat. She seamlessly integrates our heroines struggles with surviving a failed marriage with the artfully shown mental disintegration of the evil hair dresser. While the inevitable clash is preordained, the author fills her book with some very interesting sidesteps that show her knowledge of horses, ranching, hotel management and myriad other subjects that I, for one, found fascinating.
I do believe that this book will appeal more to female readers than male but this is not a bad thing. A skillfully done thriller that also features feminine empowerment is always welcome. I did find the novel a bit long for my taste but that said I have to admit that the character of John Farber, the demented hair dresser, was drawn with a high degree of believability. His chronicled descent into to full-blown psychosis is both scary and well done. The heroine, Riley Gordon, is an interesting woman but a little too saintly for me. Certainly she is idealized a bit but then again she does have to deal with real issues and the author does not shy away from presenting her with true 21st Century domestic and social situations. All in all this is a highly readable, well done entertainment that should appeal to anyone that enjoys a well written story.” – steve shadow schwartz

“Faced with the fact that her cheating husband was a bigamist, Irish immigrant Riley Gordon, sets out to start life over on the ranch she receives in the divorce. The fact that it comes with a hunky ranch-hand, Cole, doesn’t seem to have any downside at all.

“Deciding to improve the ranch to encompass it as a resort for the rich and famous who wish to recover from the stresses of their lives, Riley goes all out to make her business one that will rival anything similar and uses general ranch work, under the steady eye of new partner Cole, to bring a sense of normalcy to her guests lives.

“Unfortunately for Riley she crosses paths with John Farber, a hair-stylist with ulterior motives. Having mixed together a poisonous hair solution that allows him to anonymously dispatch those annoying people in his life, beginning with that soul-crushing mother of his. When his business travels combine with a meeting with a girl band that wronged him in another life, the peaceful resort becomes a den of intrigue and murder. You’ll never forget to tip your hair-stylist again!” – Mark P. Sadler

“This well-written mystery follows the struggles of Riley Gordon, as she confronts betrayal from her husband and the challenges of rebuilding her life on an Oregon ranch. Interwoven with Riley’s story are the escapades of John Farber, a hair stylist who carries a unique product line. At the end, Riley and John’s stories come together in a dramatic conclusion.

“Both the characters and setting add richness in their complex and vivid portrayal. Riley, originally from Ireland, loves the ranch country of Oregon. To raise money to keep the ranch going, Riley starts an exclusive spa program, which leads to the introduction of such interesting characters as the 400 pound Martha. In spite of the obstacles of starting any business, Riley forges ahead, earning the reader’s admiration for her gusto and determination. Her efforts to create the spa include description of Oregon ranch country, a bonus for a reader who enjoys learning about the northwestern states.

“Two good-looking guys, developed in detail, also add depth to the story. Cole, Riley’s foreman, engages sympathy as he supports Riley’s spa business and feels attracted to her. John, the hair stylist, emerges as a driven man who has his own demons to fight.” – Margaret Anne

“What a good read. I enjoyed this from the start. The characters involved are folks I’d really like to know…except for John…my, my…what a bad boy. For those readers in the Pacific Northwest…you’ll enjoy the various locations described…I know I did. I really think you’ll enjoy this book…Happy Reading!!” – Kathleen Marie Killmurray

“Makes you want steer clear of beauty salons! The heroine and good guys are believable. The bad guy, scary creepy. Rich detail. Satisfying ending. Ms. McCann’s first adult effort is definitely not for kids–in a good way. Recommended.” – S. J. Smith

“I enjoyed this story and its well developed characters from hairstylists and ranch hands to the colorful guests at the Safe Harbor Ranch. The loose ends weave throughout the story and ties them up nicely.” – Tim Moore