PURGATORY SANDS REVIEWS

If you like Louie L'amour you will love Purgatory Sands - 11/28/2007
Purgatory Sands mixes the excitment and historical accuracy of the great L'amour books with the complex plots of Zane Gray. You will enjoy the adventures experienced by 'Purg' as he developes into the westerner we all hope existed in this time of our countries development. You will beg for the the next addition when you finish this initial story. Do not miss this book and enjoy the reading adventure.

Tales of Daring Do - 02/27/2007
Those of us born in the first half of the 20th century were only one or two generations removed from the frontier, and recall mythically sung stories of derring-do in western movies. V. E. Bixenstine’s novel, Purgatory Sands, has overtones of those myths. It is clear from the book’s back cover that the author remains in their grip. The novel’s eponymous hero undergoes moral and physical development with echoes of Oedipus, but this myth is a Bildungsroman, rather than a tragedy. Its drive, energy, and color carried me along. I was back in the darkened movie theatre, pulling for our hero. A great read.

Old West Captured Realistically - 01/19/2007
Although I am not a fan of the genre, 'Purgatory Sands' does a nice job of capturing the sound and feel of the old West. Period dialogue is always a challenge yet these characters stay within their era rather than sounding like TV actors plunked down on the nineteenth century range. All in all, a good tale told well.

The following review was written by C. K. Crigger and published in ROUNDUP MAGAZINE, June 2007, Volume XIV, Number 5, p. 42. C. K. Crigger has published Black Crossing: A Novel of the American West which won the 2008 Eppie award for best entry in the Historical and Western division.

In Purgatory Sands, Mr. Bixenstine introduces the reader to young Justin Simms. In Philadelphia, Justin has been raised as a gentleman by his mother who was widowed during the late Civil War. When she dies, seventeen-year-old Justin comes west to claim a surprise inheritance — a ranch his father had won in a poker game. During his journey to New Mexico, Justin is befriended by a mysterious Westerner, Sam Boden, who helps the boy grope his way toward manhood. Over the next few years Justin is aided by others in an unlikely string of surrogate fathers. First there is old Squinty Craig, whom Justin finds in possession of his ranch but who is most willing to share. He often confuses Justin with his long, lost brother. Squinty teaches Justin what he knows about ranching and animals, a knack that pays off when Justin tames his horse, Sovereign. But when Squinty is killed and Justin trapped by the lies of an unhinged young woman, Justin abandons his ranch and flees. Later, down Texas way, he is befriended by a man on the fringe of legality named — what else?—Tex, who teaches him about guns and protecting himself.
As Justin is on the way of becoming an outlaw like Tex, Sam, who turns out to be a U.S. Marshal, once again enters the picture, taking a hand and drawing Justin — whose name has long since changed to Purgatory Sands — onto the side of law and order. Justin’s journey to manhood is a well-drawn tale that will keep you reading. A nit might be the author’s propensity to use ye” instead of ‘you,” leading this reader at first to think “Irish,” but it is a small distraction in a good story.
— C.K Crigger


MARSHAL SANDS AND MRS. MOLLY  REVIEW

The following review was written by C. K. Crigger and published in ROUNDUP MAGAZINE, April 2008, Volume XV, Number 4, p. 24 -25. 

In this sequel to Purgatory Sands, the book in which Justin Simms was introduced, the pace of the story changes. First is a portion telling Molly Dandridge’s story. The young Chicago society lady is introduced to Rancel Hilliard and promptly falls in love with him, in spite of her wealthy father’s fear she is being wooed because of his money. A spirited young woman, Molly is persuaded to elope with Rancel, only to find herself abandoned, and with her reputation ruined after she tells Rancel her father is disinheriting her. Before long Molly takes up a life of prostitution and gambling, but faces demons in trying to reconcile this with her upbringing and ingrained morality. So matters stand when newly appointed U.S. Marshal Purgatory Sands takes up residence in Green River City, Wyoming.
Purgatory is captivated by the tragic gambling woman at first meeting, but his own past keeps him from declaring himself. Meanwhile, he learns his appointment to Green River City was evidently a ploy to keep the law from interfering in a burgeoning open range war. Now Purgatory must handle the showdown between factions, try to reclaim his rightful name of Justin Simms, and win Molly’s heart.
Characters to care about, a good feeling for the time and place, a story with romance and intrigue along with plenty of action—what more could anyone want?
—CKC

Coming of Age- October 6, 2007
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book, PURGATORY SANDS where the story ends with the main character, Purgatory Sands truly at a crossroads in his life. Instead of continuing his life as an outlaw, he is able to be commissioned a US Marshal.
Again, I thoroughly enjoyed its sequel Marshal Sands and Mrs. Molly where there are two parallel stories in play. The story begins with Marshal Sands reporting to Judge C.W. Cross in Green River City. This appointment gave Purgatory the opportunity to turn his life around, although he was unaware that there might be "strings" attached to this appointment.
At the same time, Molly Dandridge comes to the brutal realization that the love of her life was a cad and only interested in her because of her father's money. Her lover had preyed upon her innocence and youth. The images of her Prince in shining armor is smashed forever.
As the story unfolds, the reader, as an observer, is able to see how both young people grow and mature. With no family to help, they need to use their own judgment and intuition to begin putting order into their lives.
We see how Marshal Sands grows into his job as a U.S. Marshal. He has the "Marshal" title, but does he have what it takes to do the job? At that time, there certainly wasn't any semblance of "training" to prepare Purgatory for his Marshal job. As the story progresses, he becomes more comfortable relying on his instinct and insight to analyze the behavior patterns of the criminals he is being paid to catch.
Mrs. Molly's heartbreaking experience leaves her suicidal. How could she have been so easily fooled by such a scoundrel? How can she ever rely on her judgment to determine the good character of another individual ever again? How can she ever go home to her scandalized family with the knowledge that her father was correct regarding Mr. Hilliard's intentions?
Although her friends were able to stop her suicide attempt, she remains depressed, aloof and hopeless. Her options are minimal. Her stint in the world's oldest profession is short-lived, but she is able to find a niche where she begins to put the pieces of her life together. It's not the same type of life that she was familiar with, but she is able to have a place to live, food on her table, a few close friends and feel self-reliant and safe.
This is no fairy tale where they automatically marry and live happily ever after. Luckily, both Molly and Purgatory, or Justin I should say, are able to overcome their idealized visions of love and life, as well as avoid taking the path of least resistance because it's easier.
I ask the author… Where will the next book take us? It would be interesting to find out if a reconciliation occurs between Molly and her family!

Excellent Book - October 10, 2007
What a fantastic read. The first book was excellent, but this was that much better. The author has an amazing ability to gather you into the setting and make you feel the story. There were times in this book that I truly ached and felt sad for Mrs. Molly. I welled up with teers as she struggled so profoundly; I could feel her pain. Then the storyline broke off into adventure and danger, only to return to personal struggle and accomplishment. The way the author could bring human emotion alive was truly amazing. The book has adventure, pain and strife, accomplishment and struggle, and all wrapped around a delicate love story that is always precariously on the edge of disappointment. I laughed, cried, and lost some sleep as I could not put it down and go to bead. Bravo!!