Reviews:

"Fast Moving, Gripping, Uplifting"
"Matt Reed, a veteran, returns to his home in Wyoming after two years in Viet Nam. During his absence, Matt’s mother died of cancer, and his father heavily mortgaged the family ranch for money to pay medical bills. His father tragically took his own life. Matt was confronted with foreclosure on a $ 100,000 mortgage, due within six months.
     “Absaroka” an Indian term describes the area bordering the Reed ranch and the home of the Crow Indians. Conflict and interaction of the townspeople, the ranchers, and the Crow Indians make this an exciting fast moving contemporary Western drama.
      Bochmann’s characters are genuine, and believable. They range from corrupt, unprincipled, and feisty to heroes and heroines that create empathy, admiration, and warmth. The pen and ink illustrations drawn by Pat Lehmkuhl subtlety, and vividly enhance the narrative.
      Joan is rich in imagination and a gifted communicator. She uses intrigue, romance, environmental issues, post traumatic stress syndrome, Indian rights, and interpersonal issues to impact the reader with her important and timely message. The many surprise twists capture and hold the reader’s attention right up to the dramatic ending.
I found “Absaroka” gripping, fast paced, and stirring. Raven Publishing has produced another frontrunner."
--Richard R. Blake, richard330@yahoo.com (3/07)

" A Western writer with a modern twist, that's how I would describe Joan Bochmann. She was raised in the high Yampa River valley in Colorado . Her love of horses was brought out by her father, while her mother instilled in her the value of literature. These factors are what make up this compelling novel called Absaroka. It is a moving story of a Vietnam Vet and his struggle to regain his normal life after the war. Matt Reed is a veteran of the Vietnam era who comes home to find his mother has died, his father old and ailing, and his home about to be taken away by unscrupulous people and his town on the verge of extinction. Matt hooks up with a few of his friends from diverse backgrounds to battle the forces that are threatening Matt and his town. They encounter many obstacles at every turn in their valiant efforts…. Though the story is modern day, the struggles are as old as the days of the Wild West. Cowboys, Indians, a Damsel, and a Villain make Absaroka a compelling read. Unlike any western I have read to date, it is modern, exciting and was a pleasure to read. Joan has presented this story in a way that has earned it my very high approval. If you enjoy westerns and all the wonderful things that comprise a good western, you will enjoy Absaroka. I give it an A."
--William Phenn for Reader Views (5/06)

"Excellence in western adventure and romance! This book is an excellent choice for any reader. It moves quickly and precisely from beginning until the end. The protaginist is a true-to-life man who deals with the hardships of life in Wyoming after the Vietnam War. I found myself entranced by the story and the setting. Matt Reed is truly a character for the ages. I was constantly taken back to the 1800's through a modern day hero. This a book for anyone who has ever struggled against the gravest of odds in there life and dreams to come up a winner. Do yourself a favor and buy this book and two for two friends it will pay you back ten fold. As for myself I hope the author continues the epic saga with another novel. I wait anxiously..."
--J. Michael Thomas "JMT" (Texas) (1/06)

"'Absaroka' by Joan Bochmann. What an absolutely wonderful book this is. It was a delightful reading pleasure from beginning to end. Set in Wyoming, we meet Matt Reed as he is returning from Vietnam. He desperately needs the peace and security his family's ranch will bring to him, but soon that is shattered and Matt is left with another war to fight.
      Jake, Matt's father, dies shortly after his return and Matt learns that their beloved ranch has been mortgaged and the deed is held by none other than Matt's arch rival from years ago, Paul Pringle. Why is it so important for Paul to own Matt's ranch? Is it just revenge against Matt or is there a more sinister plot beneath it all? You'll be surprised. Now Matt has six months to come up with $100,000 plus in order to save his homestead. The odds of winning this war are totally stacked against him. However, miracles do happen I am happy to say.
      A plan forms in Matt's mind, a plan filled with wild horses, the help of a Indian named Joe Little Hawk, a family friend named Hank, and a woman who will be more than a friend to Matt, Jill King. You are in for a treat as this story unfolds.
     This book is extremely well written, keeps your attention, has characters that wrap around your heart, and a storyline that resembles the great movie, "Rocky." I had to smile as I put the book down, sometimes the good do win. Don't miss this one. Highly recommended."
--Reviewed by Shirley Johnson--in.song@funport.net from Book Review Cafe, and Senior Reviewer, MidWest Book Review.

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