Wild-Willed Women of the West, Book 1
****Overall ***** Performance *** Story —- Review by Rox Burkey **** Fierce Friends Forever
K.T. Blakemore’s ‘The Good Time Girls’ is a refreshing historical Western novel that combines action, humor, and rich character development, centered around two dynamic female protagonists, Ruby Calhoun and Pip Quinn. The story chronicles the girls’ escapades as they navigate life on the run from the vengeful Cullen Wilder in the early 1900s. The narrative unfolds in a dual timeline format, with the present events set in 1905 and flashbacks to 1898. These vignettes provide crucial context to the characters’ current backgrounds and former lives as showgirls, though at times slowed the pace, and added choppiness.
The earlier timeline explores how Ruby and Pip became friends and the impact of the doomed love affair involving Pip and Cullen Wilder. The writing showcases a clever use of witty dialogue and humor, making the primary and secondary characters lively and engaging. Though Ruby and Pip are fleeing Wilder, they are trying to reclaim some semblance of the good times they shared. The author effectively captures the language and atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immersing readers in the setting with rich descriptions and period-appropriate dialogue. The plot progresses smoothly, combining action-packed moments with heartfelt storytelling, revealing the trials and tribulations Ruby and Pip endure as they try to outsmart Cullen Wilder.
Gail Shalan’s talented performance adds depth to the characters with distinctive voices that bring them to life. The outstanding delivery has impeccable timing and perfect tonality, delivering a flawless listening experience. The unblemished quality of this audio performance significantly enhanced the story. There were no quality issues with the audio format.
‘The Good Time Girls’ stands out from typical Westerns with a focus on resilient female characters. The novel will appeal to fans of Westerns and listeners ready for solid, entertaining storytelling. It blends camaraderie, vengeance, and survival while delivering an outrageous narrative filled with charm and grit. The dynamic duo of Ruby and Pip brings humor and heart to the Wild West. Book one of Wild-Willed Women of the West is a good start to a promising series.
About the Author
K.T. Blakemore grew up in the West and never left. Her novels The Good Time Girls and The Good Time Girls Get Famous are the first two adventures in the Wild-Willed Women of the West Series, featuring women who take no prisoners and succeed through sheer grit, determination, humor, and a parcel of luck. Her award-winning historical thrillers and young adult historical fiction, written under the pen name Kim Taylor Blakemore, have been awarded a Silver Falchion Award, Tucson Festival of Book Literary Award, and a Willa Award for Best YA Fiction. The Good Time Girls was honored as a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award Finalist. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Women Writing the West. In addition to writing, she is a developmental editor and founder of Novelitics Writers Collective. She teaches editing and creative writing workshops to writing groups around the United States, Canada, and the UK. She has hung her hat in California and Colorado and resides in the Pacific Northwest. The rain does not deter her research, whether train timetables from 1905 or the best way to catch a loose horse.
About the Narrator
I’M A U.K. TRAINED STORYTELLER IN NEW YORK CITY.
I was raised in culturally-rich Berkshire County, Massachusetts where I was lucky enough to work with Shakespeare and Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and others before my passion for storytelling propelled me to Boston, New York, Rome, London, and Bristol, earning my MFA in Acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and performing at renowned venues such as The Bristol Old Vic, Edinburgh Fringe, Cherry Lane, and St. Ann’s Warehouse. I bring my diverse experience in performance and training to all my work.
Most days, I tell stories behind the mic, as a narrator and voice actor across many genres. Amongst other narration accolades, my solo narration has garnered praise from The School Library Journal, Vulture Magazine, BookRiot, as both Apple Books & New York Times Must-Listens, I was listed as a 2023 & 2024 Voice to Know by Audiofile Magazine, am a multiple-Earphones Award-winning narrator, and was honored with the 2024 Audie Award for Best Middle Grade for the multi-cast recording of What Happened to Rachel Riley? and the 2024 Audie Award for Best Young Adult for my solo narration of This Terrible True Thing.
When not performing, I’m out and about exploring with my partner and our very sweet and sassy puppy, Edith, listening to or making music, basking in the worlds of visual art, art history, poetry, myths, folklore, or, alongside my writing partner Kaiya Jones, creating new stories for your ears, eyes, and hearts.
A keen believer in exploring universality through specificity, I’m always happy to converse about my life experience, heritage, and identity. I’m passionate about stories that center generational healing and mental health, that navigate the sticky spaces between childhood and adulthood, and stories that ask who am “I”? And who are “we”? And what dwells in the space between us, what dwells in the space within us? That’s where the most incredible discoveries and curiosities lie.
