I enjoyed the book, right up to the end,,, which wasn't. It just stopped and let you guess what might have happened. Therefore the low rating. Till the last page, it was a four in my mind. ( )

Yancy and Cooper Landon are true western lawmen. They're rough and tumble and willing to do what they need to do. As with the first novel, Cotten employs a light humor organic to the western setting. In an atmosphere so heavy it seems real not to take oneself so seriously. There are too many true dangers out there. As witnessed in the band of killers and thugs that kidnapped Jessica. Yancy and Cooper know the danger and they know they're on borrowed time investing the story with a true sense of urgency and often a lack of hope for the character they're trying to save.

Readers will appreciate the strong female character in Entwined Paths. Jessica is no wilting violet. There is a scene in which she's confronting her captors and she mentions that her uncle is a well known cattleman of the area. The gang confirms knowing him and says they've taken some of his cattle to market. Jessica asks if her uncle knew they were "working" for him and one of the gang says that he didn't at the time. Those light moments in a situation in which the author could have had his female character trembling in fear and hog tied add an entertainment factor and respect for the character. Kill her if you want but don't be sure it'll shut her up. Jessica is smart and can take care of herself and notices things that her companions don't.

If you like Louis L'amour, Max Brand, Zane Grey or any of the great western writers, you'll like Tell Cotten. Pick up the Landon Family Saga today. ( )