Rick Magers

Review #1

A.H.Holt
Western Fiction Reviewer
January 2007

Book Category: Historical western fiction

Book Surge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4196-6035-1

$20.99
Order at: Amazon.com

The McKANNAHS
Author: Rick Magers

The McKannahs is the epic story of a tough Irish family that settles in nineteenth century California. It is also the story of the plight of the Spanish Californios whose culture was crushed by the land-hungry Anglos, and a chronicle of the tragic devastation of California's Native Americans by the settlers' greed and prejudice.

Sean McKannah was born in Ireland. When his family is killed in a fire he runs away to sea to find a better life. He is befriended by the captain of his ship and supported by this friend as he matures. McKannah leaves the sea in California to go gold hunting. He falls in love, marries, has a family and makes his place in California. This is the thrilling story of his adventures and adventures of his sons.

One of Sean's sons becomes a Texas Ranger. Two become lawyers. Another is an honest professional gambler. His very special fifth son, Jesse, becomes the legendary "White Buffalo," friend to the California Native Americans.

Neither the Irish, the Californios, nor the Native Americans were fully accepted by other Americans during the nineteenth century. Magers has woven a great story around the triumphs and tragedies of the settlement of western America. The McKannahs is a mixture of historical fact and well-crafted fiction that holds the reader's interest to the last page and leaves you wishing for more.

I look forward to reading the sequel: The McKannahs: together again.

Anne Holt
Author / reviewer
Silver Creek: ISBN 0803496001
Kendrick: ISBN 0803496508

Review #2

Book Category: Historical western fiction

January 2007

Book Surge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4196-6035-1

$20.99
Order at: Amazon.com

The McKannahs
By
Rick Magers

In 1780 Dublin, Sean Brennan McKannah was born in a tiny apartment near the docks. When Sean was thirteen, a fire killed his family leaving him as an impoverished orphan. With nothing to keep him in Ireland, Sean finds work on a ship headed by Captain Patrick Mullholland, who likes the lad’s courage. Eventually Sean leaves his mentor to begin work as a trapper. He and his partner, Francisco "Frank" de Rivera Santiago make a go of it in the San Francisco area. Sean marries Frank’s sister Issabella "Bella". They lovingly raise five sons and a daughter; all born between 1802 and 1807.

However, Sean and Bella soon realize that their six children will go their own way regardless of how much their parents love them and want the best for them. Their journeys have begun. Patrick and Broderick head east wanting to become lawyers; Ian loves to gamble; Simon thinks of joining the Texas Rangers; Jesse seeks solace and salvation perhaps with an Indian tribe; and finally Aleena, who struggles to find happiness.

THE McKANNAHS is a superb late eighteenth to mid nineteenth century family saga that readers will fully enjoy. The key players are an ensemble, but each has a distinct personality that makes them seem very real and in turn enables the audience to fully appreciate life in Ireland and especially in North America. Though the book may have been better off as seven novels that would allow expansion of Sean’s salad days, Rick Magers provides a deep drama that vividly brings to life a bygone period like few tales ever do. Fans of epic historical novels will want to travel with the McKannah brood.

Harriet Klausner
USA book reviewer

Review #3

BOOK REVIEW
by Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews
www.allbooks.bravepages.com

January 2007

Book Category: Historical western fiction

Book Surge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4196-6035-1
$20.99
Order at: Amazon.com

The McKANNAHS
Author: Rick Magers

Sean Brennan McKannah, orphaned in Ireland at thirteen sets sail on the Sea Duchess with Captain Patrick Olin Mullholland in the year 1793. He eventually finds himself in California where he meets Frank de Rivera Santiago. The two try their hand at trapping and then horse wrangling for Frank’s uncle, Luis. Although he is aggressive and fearless with the men of the Wild West, Sean is definitely not comfortable with the ladies. Eventually the shy and reserved Sean, pursues and marries the beautiful Issabella. Sean and his wife produce six strong willed and determined children-Broderick, Patrick, Ian, Simon, Jesse and Aleena.

The McKannah’s is the saga of one Irish lad’s journey to the Americas and the life he finds there. Adventure, excitement, challenges and tragedy all play a major role in the McKannah’s history. The story of young men that become lawyers, hoteliers, gamblers, and living legends amongst the Indians and a daughter that makes her own mark on the world. The reader will come to love the characters that author Rick Magers brings to life—each one different yet loveable. The pioneer spirit reigns supreme in this feisty family saga.

The author’s in-depth research of the period fills the book with descriptive imagery and unforgettable situations. Bandits, Indians, and scoundrels all compete for the attention of our heroes and heroines. The story leaves the reader wanting to know more about this wonderful early 19th century pioneer family.

Historical novel enthusiasts will love this book by adventure author, Rick Magers, and will be waiting for the sequel: THE McKANNAHS: together again.

Review #4

Book Category: Historical western fiction

Book Surge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4196-6035-1
$20.99
Order at: Amazon.com

The McKANNAHS
Author: Rick Magers

Review:
The McKannahs - Rick Magers

Woo! What a ride down the rapids of the Columbia River this novel is!

Set in the early 1800’s the story of The McKannahs unfolds when Sean Brennan McKannah is orphaned in Dublin, Ireland, at the age of thirteen. Captain Mullholland takes the Irish lad to heart and Sean soon finds himself onboard the trading ship the Sea Duchess, heading for high seas of adventure to ports around the world.

Yerba Buena – now renamed San Francisco - is where Sean McKannah will begin a new life, trapping in the mountains with his Spanish friend Francisco. It will be a life long friendship they share; Sean McKannah marries Francisco’s ‘homely’ sister Isabella.

Trading posts in California supply goods to trappers while lawlessness is settled with instant justice from the McKannah boys. Jesse McKannah is the youngest son of six McKannah offspring; he will grow to become the legendary White Buffalo. His protective love of Aleena would never leave him.

White Buffalo is one day challenged for his courage in a village on the Columbia River by a drunken Umatilla brave who trades for the white mans’ whiskey. Moon Dog swings the red umbrella he carries in falling snow, Jesse McKannah ducks the waving blow to attack his rage with, "Are you the camp news boy, or the snow fairy?"

The icy Columbia River douses the effects of the white mans’ firewater when the Chief of the Umatilla throws Moon Dog into the flow. White Buffalo shows concern, but he need not worry, it is a monthly ritual.

There are so many priceless moments in The McKannahs. Rick Magers is the storyteller who keeps you enthralled as he sits by the campfire unfolding this story.

Readers will be anxious to buy the soon to be released sequel The McKannahs: Together Again, once they have read the novel The McKannahs!

Reviewed by: Dakota Wind ©
February 2007 Rolling Seas Reviews… (plus d'informations)