TERRA (The Portal Series, Book 2)

Back to his normal life, Larry Barnes thinks he'll never again see the PortalÔÇöa strange device that took him to a parallel universeÔÇöuntil a beautiful woman appears and begs for his help.
The mysterious preacher Larry previously encountered in the parallel universe is in trouble on another world, and only Larry can save him.
Against his better judgment, Larry enters the Portal, and finds himself in a desperate battle against a priesthood trying to kill the preacherÔÇöand now him.
While struggling to defeat the priests and then return home, Larry senses he may have powers he never dreamed of, and that his fate is inextricably linked to the preacher… and the Portal.
THE PORTAL SERIES, in order
Portal
Terra
Barbarica
THE LAST PI SERIES (Science Fiction), in order
Dover Beach
The Distance Beacons
Where All The Ladders Start
OTHER TITLES by Richard Bowker
Senator
Replica
Forbidden Sanctuary
ABOUT RICHARD BOWKER:
Critically-acclaimed author Richard Bowker has published a variety of novels including science fiction, mysteries and thrillers. When he isn't writing, Richard enjoys offering thoughts on the writing life at www.richardbowker.com
thing, if they can't outwit a goddess.
its positive results.
Readers should be forewarned that this is no 'light, fluffy' read. Plenty of Western history builds background and injects realistic, compelling facts into the events: “Despite this new opportunity to crack her case, Sadie had mixed feelings about the Farmers Alliance meeting at the Grand Park Hotel next week. Fence-cutting cattlemen were only half of the range-war story. Vigilante grangers were on the rise in Texas, and certain whispers in certain saloons placed the vengeance-minded ring-leaders in Lampasas.”
Gangs and gunfights, futile efforts to keep Sadie out of the crossfire of Cass's life and choices, and gritty determination for each character's objectives in life («In the final analysis, Cass didn't give a rat's ass about Pinkerton or his secret army of nameless, faceless minions. If Cass had to use his Ranger badge to keep Baron alive and Sadie safe, then by God, he would.”) create a drama filled with plenty of satisfying twists and turns of plot.
The processes of Pinkerton's services and the devices they employ, from new bulletproof vests to investigations, permeate a story line of evolving passion – and yet it's also satisfying to note that Sadie doesn't become a helpless female in the face of love, but preserves her feisty, determined independence.
The result is a well detailed, carefully honed Western romance mystery that will thrill, titillate and delight readers of these genres with its winding story of love and life's evolution.
-- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“Six-guns, brothels, and a wily raccoon set deWolfe's latest Wild West mystery apart. The relationships keep the pages turning.”
--Emily Thompson, Reviewer, Library Journal
ÔÇ£Adrienne deWolfe serves up a dose of pure fun. Her feisty heroine, charming hero, and assortment of secondary players are loaded with character. The tale is liberally infused with a Wild West flavor that really spices up the tale. Fans of suspenseful Westerns should get this one on their e-readers!”
--Heather Nordahl Files, Reviewer, Affaire de Coeur
«Adrienne deWolfe has done it again with a rousing adventure set in the Wild West thatÔÇÖs sure to please any lover of Western novels. Deftly weaving rich characters with a sublimely unique plot, DEVIL IN TEXAS is the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud storytelling and heartfelt emotion. Set against the colorful backdrop of 1880ÔÇÖs Texas, deWolfe delivers a deliciously wicked pair of star-crossed lovers, a Texas-Ranger whodunit, and a rascally raccoon, named Vandy, who will steal your heart. Honestly, I couldnÔÇÖt put it down!
--Barbara Ankrum, #1 Bestselling Author
“Adrienne deWolfe's DEVIL IN TEXAS sizzles like the devil's own pitchfork! And that devil, Cass Cassidy, meets his match in the fiery diva, Sadie Michelson. Readers will love this sassy duo, a heroine who changes her name as often as she changes clothes, and a to-die-for hero she dubs, 'Eros in spurs.' Sparks really fly between these lovers with sparkling dialogue, hilarious one-liners, and laugh out loud witticisms. DEVIL IN TEXAS highlights deWolfe's fantastic storytelling skills with this perfect start to a great new series. I can't wait to read the next book!”
--Sharon Ihle, #1 Bestselling Author
My main issue with writing this review is where to go first! I was already excited to dive back into deWolfe's writing because it's been a while, and Devil in Texas was definitely worth diving into! It has plenty of suspense, drama and romance and it all keeps you wanting to turn pages until the very end. Basically once I started Devil in Texas I didn't want to put it down at all.
I love Sadie! I mean I'm pretty sure I loved her already from Shady Lady, a prequel of sorts to Cass and Sadie's love story, but in this book she came into her own. She was a strong and independent woman who knew what she wanted and would get it. She didn't need protecting and to top it off she was a Pinkerton (pretty much an undercover policeman).
Cass on the other hand had a devilish charm, but despite his reputation being a big thing for the other characters, particularly with women, I never once thought that he wouldn't stand by Sadie. He was protective of her, but he was also protective of Collie (effectively his sidekick) and the other people around him. He let Sadie be herself though, including helping her out of trouble not saving her.
The romance between them was almost a subplot really. I mean they clearly loved each other a lot, but the other things going on in the book took a more central role. I liked it as it meant that they could really grow as characters, and because they already felt that way about each other at the beginning of the book.
Collie (and his pet coon, Vandy) definitely provided a bit of comic relief too! Though for some reason I kept imagining him younger than he was even though I knew he was 18. While this is the start of a new series, Cass and Collie have been characters in a different series,Velvet Lies, too and it helped knowing their backstory too.
This was an exciting and highly enjoyable read, I'd definitely recommend it!
--Laura Greenwood for Trips Down Imagination Road