Rusty, a young cowboy, has given his word to ramrod a cattle drive across 1000 miles of wild frontier. A gang of savage outlaws led by two godless killers are hellbent to end the drive with Rusty's gruesome death. Frank and Slade, two middle eastern brothers, grew up poor and destitute. They live by an oath to use any means necessary to get rich and stay rich. They will stop at nothing to get the cattle and kill the crew, including Rusty's beloved Mandy. Rusty was raised to become a good man by loving missionary parents posted in the far east. He must dig deep into a forgotten past to find the will and wisdom to keep him and those he loves alive. Rusty, Frank and Slade were lured to America by a love of horses, the wild west, and a desire to become cowboys. They think, fight, laugh, and love, from a wellspring of starkly different wells. Guided by echoes of very different pasts, these very different cowboys lock horns in a life-or-death struggle that rumbles across the frontier headlong into the maw of the unimagined. On the sacred land of the Little Bighorn all worlds collide-the Plains Indians will sing of it for generations. Authentic to 1875, the story moves like a stampede in the night, fast, furious, and unsure of what lies ahead. This novel targets those who love the west and appreciate well researched historic fiction. It is a wild and woolly ride to the very end where you will laugh with a toothless lama and want more of the authentic old west as seen through the author's lens. Praise from readers for Wind HorsesMary Huey Leleiwi: editor and former rancherDon Hunter authenticates the soul of the old Western frontier, bringing its history and people to life. It's the mid-1800's, and pages turn with excited expectation as outlaws, cowboys, Native American tribes, and 3,000 head of cattle take the reader on a cattle drive through the western frontier. Wind Horses will leave you holding your breath at times and exhaling a satisfying sigh as the last sentence is read.Peter Ritzer, author Seven Ox SevenWhat strikes me is the flow. For instance, for what it is worth, I used to have a difficult time reading James Michener, as I found it work to get through his stuff, chunky with obstacles. You have good flow and write intelligently with good easy use of vocabulary. Second, it is honest.Dale Crawford: artist, western historianDon has created a unique cast of characters not seen before in novels about the American west. Sit back and enjoy the ride.Barbara Cole: LibrarianI love it!! You found a good way to bring in Native Americans. The healing seemed like a metaphor in addition to a physical healing. Maybe I'm saying that wrong--but the spiritual content was good. Great introduction to Rusty's relationship to horses. I could really picture the places you described. Rusty, with his compassion and insight, turned into a very appealing character.Mitch Brown: Cowboy with a lifelong passion for the Native American culture.Don has masterfully found a way to bring the meaning of prayer flags from the cultures of the Eastern hemisphere and meld them into the wild and woolly West. I found striking similarities between the medicine wheel of Native American culture and that of the prayer flags. An exclamation on how all mankind has lived with similar principles throughout history. Certainly, Don has done his research, as the book is accurate down to the smallest details. Wind Horses is a wonderful read that is sure to enlighten and entertain all that venture on the journey. Saddle up and enjoy the ride!
