The Long Shadow (Illustrated)

Written by a reader, Debbie Zapata: "I didn't get a chance in November to read any titles from my list of Bower works so I was eager to finish at least one this month. The Long Shadow was a bit darker than her usual 'Eastern Girl meets Western Cowboy and they fall in love at first sight' type of story.Yes, there was an Eastern Girl: Miss Flora Bridger. And yes, she met a Western Cowboy by the name of Charming Billy Boyle. Charming Billy? It is because he sings that song all the time, especially when he is happy. You know the one, right?Humble apologies if the tune becomes an earworm, but at least it will be out of my head now.Anyway, they meet in dramatic fashion and part of the story shares the course of true love. But the darker part of the story is about the change that is coming to the open range country. Civilization is pressing in, with its fences, plows, farmers....what is a lifelong cowboy supposed to do with himself when he realizes that his world is threatened by that menacing, long shadow of civilization?Charming Billy and I were both near tears at this point. I love wide open spaces and Nature in all her glory, and so did he. What will he do? How will he live without the very essence of his soul? Will that Eastern Girl help or hurt?The other Bower titles I have read so far as part of this personal challenge have all been light-hearted romps through cattle country. The Long Shadow has a bit more of a bite, like a lazy breeze on a chilly autumn day, hinting at the gloomy winter that is just around the corner. Quite frankly, I was impressed with the added dimension.