Review: Well-researched, wonderful characters, no cliff hangers, "feel-good" stories
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 21, 2013
This set contains the first 6 novels in this series + 2 bonus shorter stories.  There are currently 10 novels in the series. Radke adds bonus short stories/novellas here and there (included with some of the novels; not sold separately, far as I know), which kind of fill in the blanks about some of the minor characters -- not necessary, but good stories in themselves, and they add to the richness of the saga. So far, I have read the first 7 novels in "The Traherns Series" plus 3 of the bonus stories as they occur in the order of the books. It really does make for a feeling of completeness if read in order.  Yet, each book and novella can stand alone.  There are never cliff-hangers, but each story is complete in itself.  I love Nancy Radke's writing, which is clear, colorful, authentic, and tells a lot of story with just enough words.  Her stories always move right along and include plenty of eventfulness and some surprises.  Main characters are well-developed; background is well-described.  Even though some events are not "light" (outlaws, thieves, gunmen, etc.), the stories have a feeling of lightness. There are always elements of romance, adventure, family, integrity among the main characters.  The stories fit together quite well. (These comments refer only to Radke's "Traherns Series," as I have not YET read any of her other works.)