Review by Carol-Anne Trollip -- The Lost Years of Billy ...

Carol-Anne Trollip · Post by **Carol-Anne Trollip** » 04 Mar 2020, 13:07

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Lost Years of Billy Battles" by Ronald E. Yates.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The Lost Years of Billy Battles.
By Author Ronald E. Yates.

From the pen of multi-award winning author, Ronald E. Yates, comes the third instalment of the epic Finding Billy Battles trilogy, The Lost Years of Billy Battles. As the first two books cover the first fifty years of Billy's life, the third book wraps up the trilogy very neatly and makes for a compelling read. It contains all that is necessary for a spectacular story of one man's adventures and misfortunes.

Not always fast-paced, the story begins in Chicago in 1914 where Billy and his second wife, Katharina, live a good life in a beautiful home. Billy now thinking his years of looking over his shoulder, living through havoc and heartache is finally over, never thought for one moment that he would be jolted back into a life of great danger and epic adventure. Only this time Katharina will be partnering up with him. The fact that Katharina is German and the former Baroness von Schreiber, ties up nicely with what they are about to embark on. It only took one phone call from an old friend from Billy's past to set to motion a series of events that will forever change the life of not only Billy himself but that of Billy's loved ones as well. From going undercover for the U. S. Government, engaging with not only German spies and Mexican Revolutionaries, but encountering misleading and deceitful political operatives, and other devious mortals too. Billy and Katharina embark on a highly dangerous trip that will subsequently lead to tragedy and the disappearance of Billy. Needless to say, Billy's disappearance leaves his loved ones with many unanswered questions.

The veil over the mysterious disappearance of Billy Battles will be lifted in the end. Reading this book was like hunting for treasure, knowing I'll find it but first having to fight off ghosts of Billy's past and present. This spellbinding and gripping tale of Billy Battles was penned down by Billy himself in his private journals which his great-grandson, Ted Sayles, inherits and arranges into these three fine books we know as The Trilogy of Billy Battles. Ted even included a forward which made the trilogy even more captivating. Ronald E. Yates provided readers with such a pleasurable read yet again! I can not in all honesty find anything negative to mention about this book. It was engrossing, realistic and oh so memorable. Ronald E. Yates had done some serious and intensive research for this book as actual people, places and events of the past beautifully harmonizes with fictional ones. He intertwined both these worlds so perfectly that this book could very well pass as a historical masterpiece. Detailed perfection in the language used during the historic time period of the book, the description of people, places, food, events and incidents etc.

The Lost Years of Billy Battles will appeal to readers who love history, especially American history and readers who would like to delve back into the past to discover some of the wonders of yesteryear. Readers who are interested in historical things like ships and weapons of the day, the type of language spoken at the time and the geography of Midwest and Western U.S. States as well as that of Mexico, will find this read appealing. I myself have gained insight into some cultures dipicted in this truly amazing book.

The Lost Years of Billy Battles by author Ronald E. Yates has undergone thorough and superior editing, which is only fair given the fact that Mr.Yates succeeded triumphantly at writing a brilliantly compelling tale. It is beautifully written, easy to read and follow even when it's brimming with loads of detail and information.

It is the first time ever that I am rating a book full marks and that being said, I give The Lost Years of Billy Battles by Ronald E. Yates, a very cool 4 out of 4 stars, golden stars! And now only one question remains: Will the Billy Battles Book Citizenry be indulged with a fourth installment of this excellence surpassing trilogy? Come on Ted Sayles! Surely you can divulge some mysteries and epic tales of your great-grandfather you oh so reluctantly excluded from the three books..

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The Lost Years of Billy Battles
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Amy+++ · Post by **Amy+++** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:15

I feel that I would have to read the first two books in order to fully grasp the series.

Aan Granados · Post by **Aan Granados** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:24

Wow! Your review makes me excited to read this. I love historical fiction and this seems great. Thanks for your review!

Tan TR · Post by **Tan TR** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:27

The story seems to be well-structured. The finish book of the trilogy ends the story quite nicely.

cpru68 · Post by **cpru68** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:34

Wow! Book three? The sample pages made it seem like it was maybe a sequel. I will have to go back and check out the first two. I love the diary type entries to the writing as the author takes us back in time. Thanks for more insight on this one.

Post by **Sanju Lali** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:36

A spectacular story of Billy's adventures and misfortunes can be found in the book ""The Lost Years of Billy Battles" by Ronald E. Yates. This is third book in the trilogy that wraps up the Billy's life through going undercover for the U. S. Government and engaging with German spies and Mexican Revolutionaries. The story appears to be quite thrilling.

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:42

While I would need to read the first two books to fully grasp the concept, it sounds very mysterious and I am interested as to what came of his disappearance. It sounds like he had suffered much adversity before his disappearance. Thanks for the lovely review.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:45

Sounds quite intriguing. However I would have to read the earlier installments first! Thanks for the wonderful review!

Post by **Shrabastee Chakraborty** » 23 Apr 2020, 11:47

I do love the genre and would like to know to what quest Funston sends Billy and Katharina. However, I would.lkke to read this book only after I have completed the previous books in the series. Thanks for the review!

Kia · Post by **Kia** » 23 Apr 2020, 12:04

High praise indeed! It's clear from your review that this is definitely a book worth reading. I love historical fiction to begin with, so I'll be sure to check it out. Congratulations to the author on such a great review.

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 23 Apr 2020, 12:07

A work of "faction" (based in part on fact, but augmented by narrative fiction), the Finding Billy Battles trilogy is a sequential saga and should be read as such. The historical details about WWI and the problems along the US-Mexico border made me want to solve the mystery of Billy's disappearance. Thanks for an interesting review!

Tars · Post by **Tars** » 23 Apr 2020, 12:13

Sounds enticing enough, but I see hardly any use in reading third part of trilogy, when I lack even basic understanding in what happened in previous parts. Thanks for giving it free, but I still pass.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 23 Apr 2020, 12:13

It is the first time ever that I am rating a book full marks and that being said, I give The Lost Years of Billy Battles by Ronald E. Yates, a very cool 4 out of 4 stars, golden stars! And now only one question remains: Will the Billy Battles Book Citizenry be indulged with a fourth installment of this excellence surpassing trilogy? Come on Ted Sayles! Surely you can divulge some mysteries and epic tales of your great-grandfather you oh so reluctantly excluded from the three books..

Your enthusiasm truly shines through your review, especially in this paragraph. I appreciate a well-researched work of historical fiction.
Thank you!

Jorge Leon Salazar · Post by **Jorge Leon Salazar** » 23 Apr 2020, 12:15

Third installment of the epic Finding Billy Battles trilogy, The Lost Years of Billy Battles. Just like the first two books cover the first fifty years of Billy's life. It contains everything is needed for a spectacular story of the adventures and misfortunes of a man who mysteriously disappears.

Afreen Fatima · Post by **Afreen Fatima** » 23 Apr 2020, 12:17

this book sounds quite iteresting... probably i should first go through first two.. the series of book is making me more exciting to read it...and one of the best part is it sounds mysterious and has historical fiction.....