reviews

“Jackson’s sequel to An Eye for an Eye (2017) combines a riveting, briskly paced tale of adventure with a historically nuanced peek at the conflict. A gripping blend of dramatic fiction and historical portraiture.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

In the second installment of a historical fiction series, a man finds himself perilously embroiled in the Texas Revolution.

In 1836, Texas settlers are in open revolt against the Mexican government, attempting to establish independence. Zebadiah Creed joins the cause, enlisting in the New Orleans Greys, still reeling from the murder of his parents by the Lakota and his brother, Jonathan, by “bushwhackin’ thieves.” Zebadiah and his pal Grainger make their way to San Antonio, but their fort at the Alamo is in grave danger, soon to be overtaken by a sea of Mexican soldiers. Both men are tasked with a dangerous mission: delivering a letter to Gen. Sam Houston urgently requesting support. But the Alamo seems increasingly doomed, and Zebadiah and Granger are sent to solicit help from the impossibly arrogant Col. James Fannin, who refuses to comply with the request or to wisely retreat when an overwhelming army of Mexican soldados arrives. Jackson’s sequel to An Eye for an Eye (2017) combines a riveting, briskly paced tale of adventure with a historically nuanced peek at the conflict—the Texans see themselves as freedom fighters while the Mexican government considers the group invaders. The plot can become overly convoluted as well as implausible—at one juncture, Zebadiah seems to believe he can negotiate a peaceful cease-fire with a Mexican general by making him a gift of his Bowie knife, a proposition even he seems embarrassed by later. Still, Zebadiah is a captivatingly nuanced character, murderously angry but morally principled. And as another soldier, Deaf Smith, observes, it’s not at all obvious why he’s there at all: “Are ya here ’cause God wants you to be here? Son, in a fight like this, ya gotta serve somebody or some higher purpose, else your just killin’ for no good reason at all.”

A gripping blend of dramatic fiction and historical portraiture.

~ Kirkus Reviews

reviews

“One of the best Western novels ever written.” ~True West Magazine

Mark C. Jackson’s character, Zebadiah Creed, in The Great Texas Dance, ‘Tales of Zebadiah Creed, Book 2’ (Five Star, $25.95), lives by his own moral code. At the Alamo in 1836, Creed and best friend, Grainger, are sent off with a plea for reinforcements from Gen. Sam Houston. Within two days, the Alamo falls to the Mexicans. Safe for now, Creed gives the message to Houston, who counters with another errand. Along the way, Creed befriends a young boy, and they both learn about friendship, deceit, loyalty, slavery and war. While much has been written about the actual Alamo siege, this novel from the point of view of a messenger, fills in holes which help round out the story. Filled with tantalizing descriptions and wild action, The Great Texas Dance is, in this reviewer’s opinion, one of the best Western novels ever written.”

Melody Groves, author of When Outlaws Where Badges

True West Magazine

reviews

Review by Kathleen Morris

By Kathleen Morris

The Great Texas Dance by Mark C. Jackson

Mark C. Jackson’s done it again. The Great Texas Dance (The Tales of Zebadiah Creed, Book Two) continues the saga of Zebadiah Creed and we find our hero at the Alamo aside Jim Bowie, William Travis and Davy Crockett in the last days before the fall. Zebadiah’s luck holds and he and his pal Grainger are sent off with urgent messages for reinforcements to General Houston. We follow Zebadiah on his journey to Gonzales, the fateful and doomed Goliad and threading his way through the intrigue of conflicting loyalties and perilous escapes on his journey to Houston and others. Zebadiah finds his own truth and loyalties tested, never really sure who his friends are or his foes. The dance of Tejanos, Texians, the Mexican army and the American politicians weave together a complicated waltz orchestrated by greed, passion, slavery and its foes. Jackson has given us a new look at the Texas revolution…what started it, who stood to gain, and who its real heroes were.

For me, this book was an eye-opener into a piece of history that I had only known superficially, like the horrifying fate of those defending the Alamo. I was in San Antonio and visited the mission last fall, and I was struck by how small it was, this place where so many well-known heroes had lost their lives. Whenever I visit a historic site I try to immerse myself in the past, especially the things I know that have happened there and are landmarks in the history of our times. I did the same here and was saddened and overwhelmed by a sense of impending doom and futility. I had to get away from the tourists snapping pics and laughing about the great margaritas they’d had the night before.

Mark Jackson brought it to life for me, as it was then, as he did for all of Zebadiah’s journey. His dinner of stale corn tortillas spiced by the unobtainable odor of roast beef cooking behind the well-supplied Mexican lines, the mud, the blood, the despair and the exhilaration of still being alive despite incredible odds, are all part of his story. I can’t wait to see what happens to Zebadiah next.

Kudos to Mark C. Jackson for a job well done and a story wonderfully told. The Great Texas Dance is a must-read. 

Kathleen Morris
reviews

Review from The Historical Novel Society

By Jeff Westerhoff, Historical Novel Society

In 1836, Zebadiah Creed and his friend Granger are in the Alamo, surrounded by the Mexican Army led by Santa Anna. Ordered to leave the Alamo and try to bring reinforcements, Creed and Granger first arrive at Gonzales with a letter from Colonel Travis for Sam Houston. Unable to meet with Houston, Creed becomes separated from Granger and travels alone to Goliad and joins a small band of Texan soldiers. After Santa Anna defeats those at the Alamo, his army arrives at Goliad. Creed helps in the fight. After the Texans are defeated, Creed is able to escape imprisonment and rides to meet up with Sam Houston’s main army.

This novel continues the adventures of Zebadiah Creed after he leaves New Orleans as the first book in the series ended. I enjoyed this interpretation of the Texas Revolution by an author who has written another character-driven novel filled with adventure and excitement, although descriptions of the actual battle scenes are kept to a minimum. I feel this book can stand alone, although reading the first book would help the reader understand how Creed changed since he left his home several years ago.

Jeff Westerhoff, History Novel Society
reviews

Historical Novel Society Review, Editors’ Choice

I have been given the honor of receiving an “Editors’ Choice” along with a great review for the book.

“Fur trappers Zebadiah Creed and his brother Jonathan are traveling the lower Missouri River in the late summer of 1835. One evening while camping, they are bushwhacked, their pelts stolen; Jonathan is killed and Zebadiah is left for dead. Nursed back to health by a local Quaker doctor and his daughter, Zebadiah seeks revenge. On his trip down the Mississippi by riverboat, his destination St. Louis and eventually New Orleans, he meets a new friend, Billy Frieze, who provides help. Zebadiah faces almost insurmountable odds, meeting unusual characters along the way: Frenchy, a sadistic saloon owner in St. Louis; Madam Sophie and the patrons of her bordello in New Orleans; and Olgens Pierre, a free black man who helps Zebadiah accomplish his mission.

I loved this book. What an exciting, fast-paced, action-packed, gripping story with a dramatic conclusion! This is the author’s first novel, and I will be anxious to read the next in the series. I had difficulty putting this book down. The dialog and drama make it one of my favorites this year.”

– Jeff Westerhoff  Historical Novel Society