Overview

It's 1954, and San Francisco writer Phoebe Kelley is enjoying the success of her first novel, Lady in the Desert. When her sister-in-law asks her to return to Tribulation, Arizona, to help run the H Double Bar Dude Ranch, Phoebe doesn't hesitate. There's competition from a new dude ranch this year, so the H Double Bar puts on a rodeo featuring a trick rider with a mysterious past. When accidents begin to happen around the ranch, Phoebe jumps in to figure out why, and confronts an unexpected foe.

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9781941052693

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Reviews

"""Downey has captured time and place and gives us intriguing characters and plots with twists and turns. I predict this second book in her series will garner even more awards!""---Jana Bommersbach, author of Cattle Kate and co-author with Bob Boze Bell of Hellraisers and Trailblazers, The Real Women of the Wild West. ""The wonderful Phoebe Kelley-fledgling author and accidental investigator-returns in this 2nd love letter to 1950s dude ranches, . It's sure to captivate readers hungry for a smart story about a strong, independent woman.""-Theresa Kaminski, author of Queen of the West: The Life and Times of Dale Evans . ""From the changing cast of characters-two with a malicious agenda-to a colorful description of a 'dudeo, ' to a tender love story, Downey writes with a knowledge and passion for the American dude ranch. Whether you're a seasoned rider, a dude, or a dudine, Dude or Die will leave you ready to saddle up for your own dude ranch vacation.""-Sandra V. McGee, Co-author of The Divorce Seekers-A Photo Memoir of a Nevada Dude Wrangler  ""Dude or Die captures idyllic cowboy life, and brings the thrill and excitement of rodeo by holding the first 'dudeo.' The book introduces a character who represents a story of the American West not often told of Americans with Japanese heritage who endured a shameful injustice of forced internment during WWII. I'm a fourth-generation Japanese American who grew up hearing my family's stories. I'm also a former professional trick rider and was delighted that this beloved rodeo artform is featured. This unique intersection of Japanese American identity and rodeo trick riding brings to light the prevailing strength shared by both worlds. That strength is resiliency or, as the cowboys would say, grit.""-Miko McFarland, global educator and professional trick rider. ""Like the first novel in her dude ranch series, this story centers on Phoebe, a can-do heroine drawn to the magic of Tribulation, Arizona. The author's deep knowledge of 1950s dude ranching is evident in the rich details. I was utterly charmed by the Double H Ranch-the people who run it, to the food they eat and the clothes they wear. That's not to say it's all happy trails-serious mishaps are plaguing the H Double Bar, and Phoebe is driven to investigate. But while she dives into those mysteries, she avoids investigating the longings of her heart. Warning: This book may compel you to drink whisky and Google 'dude ranches.'""-Kate Anger, author of The Shinnery ""This novel took me right back to the days of my first stay on a dude ranch in Arizona. The plot is a page turner, the history the author includes is surprising, and the characters are realistic and very lovable. Dude or Die helped me relive some of the happiest days.""-Manuela Schneider, award-winning novelist, author of Arma del Diablo, and filmmaker of Miner´s Candle."

Author Information

Lynn Downey is a native Californian and self-described dudine. She grew up around her uncle's horses and her rodeo cowboy cousins in the San Francisco Bay Area, but instead of spending her childhood on horseback, she ended up as a historian and novelist of the West.She read about the culture of dude ranching while working as the company Historian for Levi Strauss & Co., and spent her first dude ranch vacation in Wickenburg, Arizona. She became fascinated with this unique American institution and made it the setting for her award-winning debut novel, Dudes Rush In, the first book in her H Double Bar Dude Ranch series. Lynn has written about Western history for over thirty years, and her books include American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West; Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World; Arequipa Sanatorium: Life in California's Lung Resort for Women; Arizona's Vulture Mine and Vulture City; Wickenburg: Images of America; and A Short History of Sonoma. Her books have won many accolades: the Will Rogers Medallion Award, New Mexico-Arizona Book Award, the WILLA award from Women Writing the West, and the INDIE award from Foreword Reviews.She shares her home in Sonoma, California with a collection of very entertaining cats and occasionally makes wine from the Pinot Noir vineyard in her backyard.You can find Lynn on Instagram at lynn.downey.historian. Her website is at lynndowney.com, and she also writes the blog Tumblereads: A New Twist on the Old West: tumblereadsblog.

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