On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
I purchased this book after
enjoying other books by Kathryn Long/Bailee Abbott.
I read it now for the July Alphabet Soup Mini Challenge
and my Literary Escapes Challenge.
Oklahoma’s Gold
Romantic Suspense
Setting – Oklahoma
Publisher : Road Not Taken (July 22, 2011)
Paperback : 226 pages
ISBN-10 : 1463751036
ISBN-13 : 978-1463751036
Kindle ASIN : B005E82QV4
Oklahoma’s Gold is a fast-paced suspenseful mystery that leads its characters on a challenging journey into the past only to discover its mysterious connection to the present. Set in the rustic, southwestern town of Chickasha, Oklahoma, this novel tells a tale of murder and romance with heartwarming, southern character and a bit of cultural, Native American flare. Heroine Jess Clinton is a strongly spirited young woman, whose recent tragedy has left her vulnerable, but also guarded. Coming to this small, southern town, hoping to make a new start, Jess soon discovers Chickasha is not the calm scene she expected. Her Uncle Fred has been brutally beaten, the Indian ranchers have experienced repeated vandalism on their land, and a modern-day medicine man is warning how evil spirits have come to Chickasha to avenge a wrongdoing from the past, as well as one from the present. Jess, along with the good people of Chickasha, must work quickly to find answers before their peaceful, little community is destroyed.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Following the death of their parents twenty-year-old Jess Clinton, her fourteen-year-old brother David “Deek”, and her sister Melissa “Missy” travel from Ohio to Oklahoma to live with their Uncle Fred. All were anxious about living on a ranch after living in a big city but when they arrived in Chickasha they learned their Uncle Fred had been brutally attacked and was in the hospital in a coma. They also learned that Native American ranchers’ lands have been vandalized and a modern-day medicine man asserts that evil spirits have come to town to retaliate for past crimes. Chickasha is nothing like they expected. Jess quickly makes friends and with them, she tries to save the community that welcomed her and her siblings with open arms.
The community of Chickasha includes many Native Americans, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes, and they are being targeted. Jess is truly ignorant about their ways and traditions but after a few missteps, she is willing to learn. Enter Daniel, the ranch foreman for Uncle Fred’s good friend Emma. He is descended from the Cherokee and Emma was proud to hire him after he returned from college. He was horse-savvy, strong, independent, loyal to Emma, and sweet on Jess. It was Emma who took in the Clinton children with their uncle in the hospital. She is a strong, smart woman who doesn’t back down. Ms. Long’s characters are very well-crafted and continue to grow as the story proceeds. I do wish Missy and Deek had larger roles in the story.
Someone is really dishing out trouble and when Jess and Daniel try to figure out who they find themselves in danger. It was interesting to meet many town residents and how some had to be handled differently due to their heritage and things that had happened in the past. And the current happenings were connected to happenings from the past, so the story had a nice flow. I enjoyed following along to wherever the clues led. After several twists and dangerous moments, Daniel and Jess make a big decision not supported by others. Jess then makes a mistake that could be very costly but she makes a realization and major discovery that helps all the clues fall into place but she isn’t safe. Not at all. Then she gets help in a cool way, but did it really happen?
The author includes a Prologue, three Interludes, and an Epilogue that adds eerie feelings to the story. At first, I was unsure about them but they worked as intriguing moments in the right places.
Oklahoma’s Gold was released in 2011 and reading it now was refreshing. There were few cell phones, CB radios were used to communicate with each other, teenagers outside and having fun on the ranch in different ways, and old-fashioned legwork was needed to solve the mystery. This is a stand-alone book with an expected ending filled with unexpected drama to move the story along. It was a great escape.
*This book was from my private library.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Kathryn Long is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. She’s actively involved in the writing and publishing worlds and stays up to date on her social media platforms. Kathryn lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. The B&B series also includes Boarding with Murder and Snowed Under Murder. Inspiration for the storyline comes from her classic movie obsession, particularly Arsenic and Old Lace, and her love for Cary Grant. Kathryn also writes the PAINT BY MURDER mystery series under the name Bailee Abbott.
Author Links
Website – Facebook – Twitter
Written as Bailee Abbott
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.
I am giving away a Kindle review copy!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The Contest Will End August 9, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
*This book was from my private library.
It is my pleasure to shine the spotlight on Christmas in the Crosshairs (Love Inspired Suspense)
, was inspired by a psychiatric hospital down the street from my childhood home, Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital. It was a huge hospital where Woodie Guthrie stayed from 1956 to 1961.
, 
and 
who inspired me most while growing up. They made me want to become an author.
.
was a very enjoyable read. As promised, there is Danger, Passion, and Drama. Ms. Vanak takes her readers on an incredible journey with her characters. While this is part of Bonnie Vanak’s 
