Nickel's Luck is the debut novel by S.L. Matthews. I overlooked this
book because westerns are not my preferred genre. However, I did eventually
download it to my Kindle and devoured the story of Ryder Wheeler, a sailor
named Old Joly, a cowboy named Bannack, and the beautiful gulf coast town of
Indianola, Texas set in the late 1800s. This is a western slash historical
fiction slash coming of age slash story that I hope to someday see as a
television mini-series. I enjoyed getting lost in this story.
Ten year old Ryder is an adventurous, charming child who cannot turn down
any dare. He has rejected his family name and calls himself Ryder because
he claims to be able to ride anything, and has proven this to be true
until the day he could not ride the dolphins because the waves drug him
out to sea before he could catch up to them. His best friend, Les, calls
him "Nickel" because Ryder is lucky; unnervingly lucky at times. Nickel
becomes the town's golden child and everyone adores him.
Everyone except his father and an older brother. Oren Wheeler is a
drinking, smoking, angry man who produces many children that he isn't very
concerned about providing for. He is a fisherman, like many residents of
Indianola, but his family often goes hungry. Alastor, an older brother,
seems to be following in Oren's footsteps. Ryder literally sleeps with his
eyes open due to Alastor's malintent.
Part way into the book, and with tears streaming, I paused to do an
internet search to see if Indianola, Texas was an entirely fictional place.
Surely, this had to be a figment of the author's creative imagination. I was
stunned to find that the town had indeed existed. Indianola was a gulf coast
town in the 1800s. A bustling port where business was booming and life
revolved around the sea and fishing. People like Old Joly, a sailor, lived
life on and next to the water. That way of life is described; the myths, sea
monsters, tattoos, fishing, and floods. I felt I was there with my toes in
the sand and listening to the waves on the shore.
Bannack is the type of cowboy I tend to imagine when I think about
westerns. The lone, dark stranger and his horse. Complete with hat and
jingling spurs, fists and gun. Bannack knows nothing of the sea life or
those who live it. Les and Ryder loved dime store novels. Loved is probably
not the correct word. They obsessed over dime store novel heros. And Mustang
Grey, pony express rider, was their favorite. Les had re-read these books to
Ryder repeatedly. They had all of the details of Mustang Grey's life or
death ride memorized. Les and Ryder are quickly suspicious that Bannack is
Mustang Grey. I am not adept at writing reviews and I am concerned that any
more I say about Bannack will create spoilers. So I will stop
here.
Despite his luck, Ryder is in danger many times from age 10 into his
adolescent years. Old Joly saves his life immediately and Bannack sets out
to save him long term. The residents of Indianola are superstitious and love
their lucky golden child. Girls line up, vying for his attention. Ryder's
nickname sticks as the residents believe that if you give him a nickel, you
can buy some of his luck. Through the book, and through the years of Ryder's
life (experiencing abuse, love, trauma, and loss) I began to wonder if he
had sold all of his luck.
Nickel's Luck
is a wonderful peek into two very different worlds (sailor and cowboy,
seaport and ranch). The superstitions and myths believed of those who live
on the water was intriguing. The rootin', tootin' and shootin' of the wild,
old west was intense.
I thought I had guessed how the story would end. But I was wrong. While I
raced to the ending (quite frankly, to see if anyone would survive) I was
sad when I reached the last page. This was a gritty, sometimes violent and
heart-breaking novel that kept me turning pages late into the
night.
Nickel's Luck: Superstitious Sailors. Rugged Cowboys. An Epic Journey.Check Price
Related Link:
S.L Matthews is a multi-talented and interesting soul. She is a
photographer and living history reenactor. Over the years I have enjoyed her
photographs on social media. I completely relate to her statement that her
favorite smells are "horse sweat, saddle leather, and campfire smoke. These
are prioritized even over the aroma of chocolate." To learn more about her,
visit her author page here.
For the purpose of transparency: I had met the author and family once
when they lived in my area. Via social media and mutual internet
friends, I was aware that the author was in the process of writing and
publishing a book. Westerns are not my go-to reading genre (although, I
do enjoy Westerns in the movie form) so I had no intention of reading
this novel. But between the down time created by the current
socially-distant environment and comments by mutual friends who enjoyed
reading Nickel's Luck, I decided to give it a try. I feel this is an
honest review and I did not receive a copy for review. Over time, I have
seen how much the author enjoys all things related to the 18th and 19th
centuries; especially the Old West and that love and familiarity clearly
shines through in her writing.
*Images used with the permission of the author.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
