Reviewed by Tidal
TITLE: Shuffle of Angel’s Feet
SERIES: Ramsey Family Chronicles
AUTHOR: T. A. Chase
PUBLISHER: Amber Quill Press, LLC
LENGTH: 128 pages
Blurb:
When Ansel Woolstem arrives in Gideon’s Crossing from England via New York, he doesn’t know whether the lung disease from which he suffers will get better or whether he will die on the American frontier. The townsfolk aren’t about to accept a greenhorn like Ansel, but he doesn’t let it stop him from doing his best to live what’s left of his life. It’s not until he’s saved from a misunderstanding by a mysterious cowboy that he starts hoping for a miracle.
Job Ramsey comes to Gideon’s Crossing to help out a family member in a blossoming range war between cattlemen and sheepherders. He doesn’t usually take on these types of missions, but when his cousin Travis can’t help, Job agrees to head out. As he spends time in the town, he begins to think the situation isn’t quite as it had been described. Then he meets Ansel and all bets are off.
Being from two different worlds might seem a smaller obstacle than Ansel’s consumption, but Job isn’t willing to give up on the man with whom he’s falling in love.
REVIEW:
This is another offering in the Ramsey Family Chronicles series. Job Ramsey is a cousin to Travis and he comes to Gideon’s Crossing to help mediate negotiations in a land dispute. The Ramsey family originated from a Scottish clan with a huge sense of honor and loyalty. Usually Travis Ramsey is in charge of handling disputes but he and his lover Eagle are not able to handle this one so Job agrees to take care of matters.
Englishman Ansel Woolstem arrives from London to Gideon’s Crossing. He is sent there to take care of family business and to die. He has an accent that makes him stick out, and try as he may he just does not fit into the rough and tumble town. Ansel is dying from consumption; in a town like Gideon’s Crossing that is a death sentence where men can smell fear.
Job is torn between family loyalties and doing what is right. Job senses the vulnerability in Ansel and feels compassion for the man. Job saves him from a life or death situation and the men are drawn to each other. Job feels responsible to protect and nurture Ansel. Both men realize that even though they are both from different worlds they have very much in common.
Ansel has his pride and Job honors that as their odd friendship grows into something very wonderful. Ansel tries to push Job away because he is dying and does not want pity. Undeterred, Job loves him and will stop at nothing and family be damned. We are also treated to an appearance by Travis and Eagle.
This is the second T. A. Chase book that I have read. I have not usually been a fan of western books but I really like the characters. The story is well written, timely, and relevant. The Ramsey family has a real code of honor and Job handles the problems in this book with character and integrity. It is a beautiful love story. The tension is very realistic; and a great treat to see family dynamics at work in a family that really loves each other.
RATING: 
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