Gold of Cortes

This is the third book to feature McGuire's character Clay Cole: The Rainmaker. Amid the dust and desolation of southwest Texas lies a secret that has lasted for centuries - the hidden treasure of Aztec artifacts hoarded by Hernan Cortez. When Clay Cole finds English Lord Nigel Apperson and Dr. Jane Reeves wandering the Texas desert, searching for the mythical prize, he agrees to sign on as their scout. Together they confront Texas Rangers, desperadoes, and the relentless Major Miles Perry, whose driving desire is to court-martial Cole for treason at Little Big Horn - treason Cole never commited. That's just for starters... Tim McGuire's mix of very different people make for a journey of gripping reading. There's a battle of wills between those driven by gold lust and those who'd rather not lose their lives to renegade Comanches, there's the struggle of who to believe about the events that have lead Cole to be wanted for treason. There's double-cross and soul searching. All told in a fast paced story of believable characters. One of the admirable qualities of McGuire's presentation of Clay Cole is that The Rainmaker isn't the most intelligent of people, he doesn't read, struggles with lifestyles outside of his own, which combine to make him more real as opposed to some superhuman western heroes. The action is first rate as the story races along to its spectacular finish. An ending that purposely leaves a few threads dangling, making it impossible not to want to read the next book in the series as soon as possible!

Tim McGuire knows how to write a great story, and in my opinion "GOLD OF CORTES" is an excelent examle of his wonderful writing.There is plenty of action in this novel, but the best parts of it is his how he describes human realtions. When I started with this novel I was sceptical about an archaeological expedition in Texas about 1880. It was no reason for this. The story is realistic and logical and I,m sure Tim McGuire knows archaologists.(I,m an archaeologigst by profession and I know the breed) I enjoyed to read about how the expedition was seaching for the hidden gold. I recommend this story to any reader who loves a fine westerns.Tim McGuire is a great writer, and I am sure we will hear more about him in the future

I only read this because I had bought it along with "Nobility". I did not like "Nobility" at all but I read this one anyway. It is much better, in my openion, than his last two. Clay Cole is again the hero. He is hired by Nigel Apperson and Dr. Jane Reeves to guide them to the lost gold of Cortes. BAM, who shows up but Major Miles Perry who has been chasing Clay through the first two books. They declare a truce until the search for the treasure is over. This small group has to fight off Mexican outlaws and Comanches. The journey is long and many things happen along the way. There is much more action in this book than the last two. This one will hold your attention through most of it. Will Clay ever be a free man? Doesn't look good at this point.

Gold of Cortes is a wonderful western adventure. Clay Cole is back. He finds an archeologist and her partners wandering in the desert looking for lost Aztec treasure. They hire Cole to protect them. Clay Cole isn't perfect, he has flaws, and he comes across as a real human being. McGuire's writing is unique and his story has alot of surprises. His character development and his insight into people and life is amazing. I have been a fan of McGuire since his first novel, Danger Ridge, and Gold of Cortes is another winner! Don't pass it up!