Badlands

By: Melissa Lenhardt

Narrated by: Suehyla El-Attar

Outlander meets post-Civil War unrest in the conclusion to Melissa Lenhardt's fast-paced historical series.

"A fast-paced page-turner, kill or be killed historical romance with bandits, Pinkerton agents, bounty hunters, mystery and more. Melissa Lenhardt writes with passion and does not hold anything back. Her research on the historical facts and people she portrays enhances the plot without overwhelming." -- RT Book Reviews (4.5 stars, Top Pick!) on Blood Oath

Laura's worst fears have been realized: Kindle has been taken into custody and she is once again on the run. The noose awaits her in New York, but Laura is realizing that there are some things worse than death. Finally running out of places to hide, it may be time for Dr. Catherine Bennett to face her past.

"Packs a big punch with grit and raw passion. There is mystery, murder, Indians, bounty hunters and intrigue. The women are brave, intelligent and don't take crap from anyone. Lenhardt is a talented, creative writer; she has a grand slam out of the park with Sawbones." -- RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!) 4.5 stars

"Raw, gritty and sometimes graphic, Melissa Lenhardt has crafted a page-turner. In Sawbones, the women are smart, brave and at times 'incorrigible.' The plot twists, unique characters and intriguing story of passion and betrayal make this a book well worth discovering." -- Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of A Light in the Wilderness

"Absolutely loved it! I couldn't tear myself away from Sawbones. An epic story of love and courage that sweeps from east to west, Sawbones will rip right through you." -- Marci Jefferson, author of Girl on the Golden Coin

"You will fall in love with Catherine, as I did, as she struggles to assert herself in a violent and treacherous world, fighting not only prejudice but evil." -- Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author

"Sawbones is a thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western." -- Lone Star Literary Life

Laura Elliston novelsSawbonesBlood Oath Badlands

Critic reviews

"Badlands is every bit as tough and raw as the American Wild West and proves more authentic as it denies the genre its myths and tropes, unsparingly exposing the options of women of the era with an unflinching eye. Badlands is not for the faint of heart; Lenhardt seems to be trying to shock us, but it doesn't feel egregious -- it feels like bold truth-telling."—Lone Star Literary

"Packs a big punch with grit and raw passion. There is mystery, murder, Indians, bounty hunters and intrigue. The women are brave, intelligent and don't take crap from anyone. Lenhardt is a talented, creative writer; she has a grand slam out of the park with Sawbones."—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!) 4.5 stars

"Raw, gritty and sometimes graphic, Melissa Lenhardt has crafted a page-turner. In Sawbones, the women are smart, brave and at times 'incorrigible.' The plot twists, unique characters and intriguing story of passion and betrayal make this a book well worth discovering."—Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of A Light in the Wilderness

"Melissa Lenhardt has given us an amazing heroine and sent her on a thrilling journey from the teeming streets of New York City to the vast wilderness of the Texas frontier. Dr. Catherine Bennett's adventure will keep you turning pages long into the night!"—Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue

"Absolutely loved it! I couldn't tear myself away from Sawbones. An epic story of love and courage that sweeps from east to west, Sawbones will rip right through you."—- Marci Jefferson, author of Girl on the Golden Coin and Enchantress of Paris

"Lenhardt writes of the Old West and of 19th century medicine with authority, but even better -- she tells a great, gritty, compelling story. Absolutely wonderful novel by a first-rate writer at the top of her game -- tension from the first page to the last."—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches, on Sawbones

"You will fall in love with Catherine, as I did, as she struggles to assert herself in a violent and treacherous world, fighting not only prejudice but evil. Melissa Lenhardt's heroine is a passionate, compassionate woman, who must deal with Indians and bounty hunters, fear and injustice -- and even love."—Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author

"It was damn brilliant and I absolutely loved it!...Mix of loveliness with the book's vicious, ruthless side that made Sawbones so compelling...You can be sure I'll be devouring [Blood Oath] as soon as I can get my hands on it."—Bibliosanctum (4.5 stars)

"Sawbones is a thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western."—Lone Star Literary Life

3 book series of the book called Sawbones

the reader was excellent with all the very descriptive words and activities to make you feel
like you were there watching. everything !
it was a great series of the west and days gone by!

Very exciting book suspenseful!

I couldn’t want till the finish and glad the ending was disappointing Almost wished there was another book about the rest of her life with Kindell to complete the long story or extended ending settling into their normal life!

So sad it's over

What an amazing series! I was hooked and am so sad that it's over. An inspirational tale with amazing characters and adventure.

Excellent! Great Ending to a great series!

Do not wonder any longer what your next escape read will be. Make it the entire Sawbones series/ you won't be disappointed! This final offering for the series definitely brings things round to a satisfying conclusion. Remember how much you loved little badass Maddie in True Grit? Well Laura Kindle is the new #feministwestern who is as foul mouthed and smart and tough as Claire Frazier (and stubborn as Maddie), and William Kindle is just as dreamy and man enough to handle it as James Frazier. And the West is as violent as you know is true, while the East must be navigated with as much care as a rattlesnake in your bed blanket. And this narrator is superb (except for the Native and Spanish mispronunciations but there are none in this book). Go for it right now.

Great series.

I truly enjoyed all 3 books. it was a very interesting story. Lot's of adventure and intrigue. Somewhat grusum at times. But none the less a great story.