Wait...Wait For The Thunder

by Buck Jones

Overview

The song "Riders on the Storm" by artists The Doors is a theme running through this American western novel, set in western Montana. It's a cowboy ranching story of two couples falling in love, interwoven with American Indians, horses and rodeos, and faithful cattle dogs. Beginning in 1949 the main character, a young rancher, is sent to the Korean conflict, and his plane is shot down in aerial combat. A murder occurs, creating a puzzling mystery for the characters of this fast moving book. As the saying goes, "Who dun it?" Spanning seven decades, and based on the author's personal experiences and others, this historical novel WAIT ... WAIT FOR THE THUNDER has a lightning flash ending.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940044839915
Publisher:	Buck Jones
Publication date:	08/13/2012
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Biography

Writing a book was the last thing on my mind in March 2011. After retirement in 2007 this (A) personality was at a loss for something to do.
Having been employed or self employed for some 65 years, give or take It occurred to me that I had reached the age of maturity and was at a loss on how to fill the time. I volunteered to work for the Special Olympics, painted the house, did some wood carving, yard work and learned to play the harmonica. I took piano lessons. Not my thing. I live in a golf community. Hate golf. I joined a gym and got in top shape.
Two years ago I was at the California Mid-State Rodeo telling stories. One of the cowboys said, "Why don't you write a book?" Are you kidding me? I can't write. Just for kicks I wrote an outline. Ten months later I had a book. "Wait… Wait for the Thunder" is an historical novel spanning eleven decades. Many of the events and stories in the book I lived, and some I experienced vicariously through others.
My uncle Jack Baker taught me to ride when I was a youngster. I did some junior rodeo and spent countless hours riding old Pedro on the trails of the Sacramento and American rivers with my buddy Glen. One day Glen on Buckaroo and me on Pedro took a camping trip into desolation valley near Lake Tahoe, We camped and fished for 2 days and got lost for two days on the way back We were scared tired and hungry when the search party found us. All my uncle Jack said was "Did you cowboys have fun?

Buck Jones

Editorial Reviews

Jones' debut Western novel follows two Montana cowboys through the highs and lows of ranching life. Having just been hired by Ray Rayburn to work on the North Flats cattle ranch, Luke McKeever finds himself stranded with his new partner and boss in a cabin during a blizzard. Things take a turn for the worse when Ray comes down with appendicitis. Luckily for him, Luke, thanks to his father's insistence, is a former medical student. With the help of alcohol and prayer, the two form a lifelong bond as they face near-certain death in the blistering cold. North Flats, from 1949 until the present day, is the primary setting for a refreshingly diverse cast of characters: an Irish doctor, Native American ranchers, a presumably French cook and others, all of whom Jones blends together well. When a bounty hunter starts skulking around, the ranch becomes the backdrop for the dark mystery's showdown, although this major plot point would have been more appealing if it had been further developed. Nonetheless, with the exception of the aforementioned showdown, the remaining storyline is strong, which isn't surprising given that Jones admits the tale is semiautobiographical. The writing, in contrast, is weaker, and the dialogue can be choppy and clipped, making conversations seem rushed. Some scenes and narrative threads need more description, especially the assortment of romantic relationships; other plot points, such as Ray's military service or Luke's ever-present watch, could do with less description. Ultimately, Jones' story isn't about storms, as the title might suggest; it's about taking life as it comes and getting back on the horse that bucked you off. A broad, promising Western in need of wrangling.

Kirkus Reviews