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  • Desert of Dreams: Historical Novel Society North America Las Vegas Short Story Collection

Desert of Dreams: Historical Novel Society North America Las Vegas Short Story Collection

by Historical Novel Society North America (Author) Format: Paperback
4.8 out of 5 stars (6)
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Las Vegas is a land where dreams come true—and sometimes where they go to die. Neon-spangled some days, rough-hewn on others, the city’s history isn’t long, but it is colorful.

In this, the first anthology produced by the Historical Novel Society North America, historical writers celebrate the many faces of Las Vegas in stories from wistful to cynical.

Suzanne Uttaro Samuels and Sally Milliken remember when Las Vegas was little more than a dusty patch of desert. In “Doorway to the Desert,” Samuels recounts how Helen Stewart, later considered the “first lady of Las Vegas,” chose to stay on her land after her husband’s murder. Milliken brings to life the story of Stewart’s sons, who can’t forget their father’s murder, in “Cowboy Justice.”

“One of Our Own” by Leah Moyes takes readers to 1920s Vegas, when neon was bright and new and cruel men lurking in dark corners could be dangerous.

Laura Mace’s haunting “Lady Luck” takes readers to the construction of the Hoover Dam, as seen through the eyes of a skilled and fearless Native American laborer.

A greasy spoon is the setting of Sally Bays’ “A Hot Vegas,” where a mobster’s girl takes refuge in the arms of the guy behind the counter.

In her dual timeline tale “The Last Frontier,” Deborah Grochau recalls when singer Josephine Baker faced down racism in a 1952 nightclub—a moment that changed another woman’s life.

In the 1950s, atom bomb tests were both a serious Cold War reality and a source of late-night entertainment. B.K. Froman recounts the determination of a Civil Defense official in the face of mounting opposition to the tests in “Up and Atom.” Julianne Douglas takes readers inside a bar for a front-seat look at a mushroom cloud—with a cocktail and maybe a spy—in “A Flash in the Pan.”

In “Millie & Loretta at the Desert Oasis,” Ana Brazil tells the story of a disillusioned wife who meets a sympathetic woman to help her find freedom.

The night the Beatles performed in Las Vegas is recalled in a darkly humorous noir story, “A Hard-Boiled Day’s Night” by Kurt Larsen, about a cynical journalist and a dame who may or may not be called Nancy, whom somebody wants to kill. Larsen’s story was named the grand-prize winner in the HNSNA anthology contest.

And what would Vegas be without Elvis? Lisa Ard’s “Fools Fall in Love” recounts the story of a young fan aiming to stop his wedding to Priscilla in 1967. In “Twenty Minutes to Showtime,” Linda Saether takes readers backstage with Elvis near the end of his Las Vegas reign.
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  1. Print length
    148 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 7, 2025
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.37 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8998969317
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FCN2MR94
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Historical Novel Society North America
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 7, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 148 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8998969317
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.37 x 9 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #3,499,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars (6)

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
6 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Syd Young
    5 out of 5 stars
    Fantastic!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2025
    Format: Kindle
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    I loved this books so much. I want to give it to any friend who makes a Vegas run! Short / Sweet, very entertaining and interesting history!

    The stories go in sequence based on time. Because it’s established history, they build and echo prior history, while being totally set in their own time. Pretty riveting. Could read on the plane! Well done on putting it together and great job to all the selected writers.

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  • Nancy Harvey
    5 out of 5 stars
    Old Las Vegas
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2025
    Format: Kindle
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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I visited Las Vegas in the 50's. I saw Elvis twice in Las Vegas. This book is filled with my memories and has added some interesting moments of others. Good read

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  • Lisa Ard
    4 out of 5 stars
    Viva Las Vegas! with its varied history...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2025
    Format: Kindle
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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    This collection of historical fiction short stories highlights the varied history of Las Vegas: settler murders, atomic bomb testing, gangsters, Elvis! What a fun collection for any lover of historical fiction and / or Las Vegas fan.

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  • btw
    5 out of 5 stars
    Great Collection of Short Stories
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2025
    Format: Paperback
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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    What a fun collection of stories. I knew very little about Vegas's history beyond the Rat Pack and the Bomb, and this book helped fill in a few gaps. Who knew women played such a vital role!

    I've always been a fan of short story collections because they allow you to go to bed at the end of the story rather than leave you hanging (or staying up all night). Put this one on your nightstand, and you won't regret it.

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  • P.Ana
    5 out of 5 stars
    A very satisfying read! This book should be sold all over Las Vegas!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2025
    Format: Paperback
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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I'm totally impressed with the range of characters, crises, and emotional resolutions in this book. Such a satisfying read!

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  • A Reader
    5 out of 5 stars
    More to Vegas than what meets the eye!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2025
    Format: Paperback
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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    There's a lot more to Vegas than just the Strip! I loved reading about the early beginnings of the city with its cowboys and Railroad Barons, as well as the stories about movie stars and the Atom bomb explosion that could be seen from far away.

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