Lone Star Book Blog Tour: The Sparrows of Montenegro by BJ Mayo (Review and Giveaway)

“Nobody has the right to dictate somebody else’s happiness…”

The Sparrows of Montenegro by BJ Mayo is an intriguing tale of self-forgiveness, integrity, and hope, laced with astonishing brutality and bitterness. The overall narrative sets up the story about the sparrows of Montenegro, which is beautifully and interestingly revealed toward the end. Tree ‘Bigfoot’ Smith and Cedar Jones served together in the 4^th Cavalry Regiment in Texas in 1872, forging an unbreakable bond and everlasting friendship from a shared harrowing experience. Tree is a giant of a man who despises injustice, and Cedar is a sharpshooter and a capable cook. Several years later, both find themselves working together on the Rolling J Ranch near the Texas/Mexico border. Unfortunately, all is not peaceful and easy because a caustic man is terrorizing the area and mutilating and killing people, creating a tidal wave of fear and leaving communities wondering who will be next.

The Sparrows of Montenegro mostly follows Tree Smith and is often a slow roll across the pages; however, the author expertly weaves in some high action to keep the story interesting and constantly on the move. Pablo, who is filled with bitterness, grew up in the village of Montenegro in Mexico, not too far from the Rolling J Ranch in Texas, but he now calls himself Gato Montes, or cat of the mountain. His hatred and level of cruelty can be difficult to take for some readers, but these aspects are actually important to the overall story. Without such violence, Tree’s principles and hatred for injustice and prejudice would not appear so prominently. Good versus evil is a popular theme throughout literature, and while good sometimes does not win every battle, it typically prevails in the long run. In The Sparrows of the Montenegro, Tree is imperfect and a man of few words, but his heart is true. He has fought his own internal and external conflicts, and he refuses to stand silent when people and animals are mistreated. Juxtaposed with the evil Gato Montes, Tree is a man worth knowing and having in your corner.

BJ Mayo’s writing is both smooth and astute, and he has created a memorable story that shows the importance of people doing the right thing and helping each other, rather than lashing out with violence because of self-hatred and greed. The characterization is varied and compelling, providing the worst and the best of humanity. While traditional romance plays a small role here, it is not central to the story; however, The Sparrows of Montenegro is a type of romance as Tree finally learns to forgive himself and follow his own code of honor, subsequently changing many people’s lives for the better and reaping the love he so richly deserves.

“We are heading home. It’s chilly but the sun is shining, and we are alive, children, we are alive.”

Enter the giveaway below on or before February 19, 2022, for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Sparrows of Montenegro by BJ Mayo.

I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.