Never Forget. . .
Why not join the Pearl Brothers on the trail?
Friday, July 28, 2023
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Short on name and Stature - Long in Story
Shorty Thompson: U.S. Marshal: Books 1 - 5: A Western Adventure
This compilation is a fine introduction to U.S. Marshal M.D. (Shorty) Thompson. I’ll let the blurb speak for itself.
******
The journey begins with Shorty
Thompson, U.S. Marshal trailing a herd of stolen cattle from New Mexico
Territory to Wyoming where he finds more trouble than he can handle. Even the
cavalry is in on this deal. With a disgruntled woman, he heads for Washington,
D.C. for help.
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, 19th President of the
United States, needed a U.S. Marshal in New Mexico Territory. When Shorty
showed up in Washington asking for help with some cattle rustlers, President
Hayes knew he had his man.
Ride into the West with one of its most enduring
characters—Shorty Thompson: U.S Marshal.
******
Yes, we’re introduced to a rather
endearing character who you can’t help but like from the get-go.
Follow along as Shorty endures the ups and downs of serving the people of New
Mexico and west Texas amid a boiling cauldron of unrest. Bandits. Hustlers.
Cattle thieves and horse rustlers. It all there, with shoot-outs and feisty
gals galore.
I really enjoyed it. There's never a dull moment, the
characters are as engaging as they are relatable and entertaining, and the
action is relentless.
(And I also enjoyed the brief dip into a story
inspired by the legend of Judge Isaac Charles Parker, as it adds a depth to the
collection that helps you appreciate just how perilous the wild west was, and
the courage displayed by the men who policed it).
Yes, were enjoying a work of fiction, but my goodness, that fiction is inspired
by the very real dangers those men had to face.
A thoroughly satisfying read.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Feel's Like a Breath of Fresh Air
(But Mountain Air Will Do That For You)
This is the first
Mountain Man book I’ve ever dipped into, and I have to say, I really enjoyed
it. Ash Lingam has hit on a winning recipe of man against nature – and against
the worst of the rest of humanity – in an adventure that’s sure to become a
surefire hit.
As the blurb only
hints at:
*******
When Brick Hammer left Illinois, it was
because he had no reasons left to stay. His father had died the year before,
and his wife and two children passed away from disease just before he sold
everything, leaving him financially well off. With his newfound funds and no
family to care for, he decided to complete a dream he had since he was a small
boy—to become a mountain man as he had read in the nickel novels of Kit Carson
and Davy Crocket.
He left Denver heavily equipped and armed to the
teeth. As he began seeking adventure, he trapped and hunted in the Rocky
Mountains. While alone in the wilderness, he ran into an unexpected situation
that would change his life forever. A wizened old man with snow-white hair
cared for him until his health returned, and they forged a bonding
relationship. Grizz Adam James had lived in his cabin, lost in the wilderness,
for decades. Brick was near death when Grizz found him, and he adopted him as
his apprentice; this is where it all began.
*******
Yup, a boyhood dream becomes a reality.
But that reality is far more dangerous than Brick could possibly imagine.
Fortunately, he meets Grizz, a wizened old man who’s forgotten more about being
a mountain man than Brick will ever know. And the thing is, he’s pretty good at
reading human nature too. A godsend, seeing as how the ignorance of the army threatened
to destroy the peace that Grizz – and now Brick – have worked so hard to
achieve.
Entertaining action. Great dialogue
between the characters. And the satisfaction of being able to scratch when the
baddies get what they deserve.
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail
Have YOU Seen this Amazing Review From an established & Highly Regarded Western Author?
A couple of
thoughts about this book from someone who knows nothing about reviewing books.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
Sometimes I am unsure of
my skills as a writer, but there is no doubt in my lack of experience in
writing a review, but here are a couple of thoughts on this book.
First off it completely surpassed my expectations. I’m well acquainted with
Andrew’s work, but not in his skill with a western. Fast paced, but never skimping
on details. And the style he chose to write this in was inspired. Since
childhood I have read and reread the account of the capture and rescue of
Jemima Boone (Daniel’s daughter) as well as her friends. This book reminded me
greatly of that harrowing episode. At times I forgot that I was reading an
oater, and found myself lost in what could easily have been the adaptation of a
journal. Each emotion of the captives, the captors, and the rescuers was there
for us to read and feel. I strongly commend Andrew on the attention paid to the
bond between Noah, Jacob, and Sam.. this was a pleasure to read, and not only
ended satisfactorily, but left the door open for adventures in the future.
If you like your
westerns written with detail instead of cliches, this is your kind of book.
Bravo Andrew, bravo.
…Jeff Crawford.
*******
So, there you go. Needless to say, I'm rather delighted to get a review like that.
If you'd like to see why Jeff enjoyed Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail so much, then please, why not find out for yourself?
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Do YOU Like to Mix it up?
This is the first Scott McCrea book
I’ve read, and it won’t be the last.
And the simple reason?
It’s a fast and furiously paced adventure that’s
as fun to read as it’s gripping.
*****
A killer bear is slaughtering the
villagers of La Mort Sanglante, a mill town in the mountains of Oklahoma.
Marshal Tom Mix—on his way to a conference of Texas Rangers—isn’t so sure. Is
Big Claw real, or a mountain man riding the vengeance trail? And will Tom be
able to identify the killer before he becomes the next victim
*****
I loved the idea of an ex-wild west showman
turned U.S. Marshal – Tom Mix – sticking his nose into what most folk think is
a straightforward, yet tragic death. Nobody really gives him any credence. He
doesn’t fit. Not the way he acts. The way he dresses. But boy, does Mix prove
them wrong!
As I mentioned, its riotously good fun. The
setting is superb; the plot a nice mix of murder/mystery/whodunit; and the
story rolls along at a furious pace that holds you from beginning to end. It’s
like one of the Saturday Matinee adventures you’d go to see at the cinema on
weekends as a kid.
What’s not to like.
But hey! Don’t take my word for it. Grab a
ten-gallon hat and find out for yourself.
You won’t regret it.
The Cabrerra Brothers thought they had
a perfect escape plan after stealing the plates for the new five dollar bill:
hijack a balloon at the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show! Their plan
goes haywire with the appearance of Wild West star Tom Mix, a band of renegade
Comanches, and an emergency landing on Black Mesa, Oklahoma. Tom Mix and the
bandits might survive … but only if they band together against the renegades.
Monday, July 10, 2023
Latest Review of. . .
Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail
Sometimes I am unsure of my skills as a writer, but there is no
doubt in my lack of experience in writing a review, but here are a couple of
thoughts on this book.
First off it completely surpassed my expectations. I’m
well acquainted with Andrew’s work, but not in his skill with a western. Fast
paced, but never skimping on details. And the style he chose to write this in
was inspired. Since childhood I have read and reread the account of the capture
and rescue of Jemima Boone (Daniel’s daughter) as well as her friends. This
book reminded me greatly of that harrowing episode. At times I forgot that I
was reading an oater, and found myself lost in what could easily have been the
adaptation of a journal. Each emotion of the captives, the captors, and the
rescuers was there for us to read and feel. I strongly commend Andrew on the
attention paid to the bond between Noah, Jacob, and Sam.. this was a pleasure
to read, and not only ended satisfactorily, but left the door open for
adventures in the future. If you like your westerns written with detail instead
of cliches, this is your kind of book. Bravo Andrew, bravo. …Jeff Crawford.
If you would like to see the review on Amazon, just follow the link:
And if you'd like to read the book itself?
I'm much obliged. Just click on the cover in the side bar
Return of the Ranger
Having been a fan of Jeff Crawford’s character, Walsh Ritter, for a while now, I was intrigued to discover he’d released a new series. This one detailing the exploits of another character who sounds as if he might be worth getting to know.
So, who is Noah Weyland?
Let’s find out. . .
*****
The past was exactly where he wanted it to be… in the past. He had worked hard to leave behind most all he had known. He wasn’t ashamed of what he had been; it was simply a period in his life he had lived through and up until now had been successful in forgetting about. Those had been the wilder days when men like him had been needed. But times and opinions change, so he had been asked to move along.
For thirty years after that, he had put all of his energies into building a successful cattle ranch. He had wanted his sons to make it their dream too, but they’d had their own paths to follow. Now it was just him and his wife, Elise. They were growing old, and a boredom was settling in. Everything was just fine with their lives and that was the problem. There just weren’t any surprises anymore, until Sheriff Rhoden came riding into the yard.
Elise was more than concerned when she saw the sheriff ride away and her husband begin buckling on the gun rig that he hadn’t worn in years, since he was a Ranger. But nothing could make him go back to that way of life, nothing aside from the attempted murder of their son, the burning of their son’s house, and the taking of their son’s wife. Former Ranger Noah Weyland would fasten on his gun again without question for that.
Across the barren landscape of South Texas, Noah raced to bring his daughter-in-law back alive, while his wife and his other two boys watched and waited to see if their family member lived or died. In an abandoned and mostly forgotten village near the border, a man from Noah’s past waited. He had not forgotten how Noah had been when he had been a Ranger, and he was going to ensure that Noah never forgot again. He had waited too long for the return of the Ranger.
*****
Yes, Noah Weyland is a man with a past best left untouched.
However, it would appear someone is determined to dig over old bones to catch his attention. And when they do, Noah’s family suffers greatly.
A situation that simply can’t be ignored. A challenge that must be answered.
The trouble is, to answer that challenge, Noah must cast of the air of civility he has worn for thirty years and become the beast of old. And that beast was a creature of focused brutality and cold, hard justice.
What follows in a brooding, wound of a story that builds in tension and menace until the inevitable faceoff. And what I enjoyed about it the most, is the sprinkling of reality Crawford sprinkles through the pages of the narrative. For no matter how mean and nasty a person might be in his youth, age tempers a man. It robs him of vigor. Of dignity. Of the ability to answer strength with strength.
Oh, he might talk the talk. But is he still capable of walking the walk?
Find out in a dark and briskly paced tale that will have you rooting for the good/bad guy as much as you wonder how the hell he will survive. Don’t miss it!
So, who is Noah Weyland?
Let’s find out. . .
*****
The past was exactly where he wanted it to be… in the past. He had worked hard to leave behind most all he had known. He wasn’t ashamed of what he had been; it was simply a period in his life he had lived through and up until now had been successful in forgetting about. Those had been the wilder days when men like him had been needed. But times and opinions change, so he had been asked to move along.
For thirty years after that, he had put all of his energies into building a successful cattle ranch. He had wanted his sons to make it their dream too, but they’d had their own paths to follow. Now it was just him and his wife, Elise. They were growing old, and a boredom was settling in. Everything was just fine with their lives and that was the problem. There just weren’t any surprises anymore, until Sheriff Rhoden came riding into the yard.
Elise was more than concerned when she saw the sheriff ride away and her husband begin buckling on the gun rig that he hadn’t worn in years, since he was a Ranger. But nothing could make him go back to that way of life, nothing aside from the attempted murder of their son, the burning of their son’s house, and the taking of their son’s wife. Former Ranger Noah Weyland would fasten on his gun again without question for that.
Across the barren landscape of South Texas, Noah raced to bring his daughter-in-law back alive, while his wife and his other two boys watched and waited to see if their family member lived or died. In an abandoned and mostly forgotten village near the border, a man from Noah’s past waited. He had not forgotten how Noah had been when he had been a Ranger, and he was going to ensure that Noah never forgot again. He had waited too long for the return of the Ranger.
*****
Yes, Noah Weyland is a man with a past best left untouched.
However, it would appear someone is determined to dig over old bones to catch his attention. And when they do, Noah’s family suffers greatly.
A situation that simply can’t be ignored. A challenge that must be answered.
The trouble is, to answer that challenge, Noah must cast of the air of civility he has worn for thirty years and become the beast of old. And that beast was a creature of focused brutality and cold, hard justice.
What follows in a brooding, wound of a story that builds in tension and menace until the inevitable faceoff. And what I enjoyed about it the most, is the sprinkling of reality Crawford sprinkles through the pages of the narrative. For no matter how mean and nasty a person might be in his youth, age tempers a man. It robs him of vigor. Of dignity. Of the ability to answer strength with strength.
Oh, he might talk the talk. But is he still capable of walking the walk?
Find out in a dark and briskly paced tale that will have you rooting for the good/bad guy as much as you wonder how the hell he will survive. Don’t miss it!
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
A Dangerous Beginning: A Western Adventure
(A John Tailer Bishop Western Adventure)
Book 1
I haven’t relaxed and read something different for a long time. And as for an out and out western? Well, the word ‘decades’ springs to mind. It’s been years since the likes of the Edge Series I enjoyed while I was still in the military.
So, in deciding on how to reintroduce myself to the Wild West, I took a look at Amazon, and one name in particular stood out: Wayne C Winkle. And especially his John Tailer Bishop series that started in the January of this year.
That series stars with A Dangerous Beginning. (And what better way to start)?
It was like I’d travelled back in time to the good old days. . .
Here’s the blurb:
*****
John Tailer Bishop never knew he had a daughter. But he didn’t hesitate when Henry Rankin came to his Missouri farm and told him she’d been kidnapped.
Someone wanted Bishop to suffer, so he led him on a long and dangerous chase with Rankin.
Once he got to where he was directed, Bishop was overwhelmed by surprise after surprise.
Will he find his daughter? Or has she been sold down in Mexico?
*****
Now isn’t that the stuff of western legend? Of good guys versus bad; doing what has to be done; being tough but fair; and of always finishing what you started?
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The easygoing pace helped you mosey along through the story arc as our main characters adapted to the trials before them, faced obstacles with determination, and never – not ever – backed down from doing the right thing.
Sorry if that sounds a bit generic, but I don’t want to give any details away, other than those already hinted at in the blurb. The events portrayed in the story speak for themselves. And they do so marvelously. The injustice of what happens; the anxiety created by how each character reacts; the relatability of those characters. (You really can identify with what they’re about); the pace of the story itself. It takes you on a journey. An easygoing adventure throughout the wide open west, interspersed with bouts of tension; sharp shootouts of action; and the building hope that everything will turn out alright.
Until the final showdown that is. . .
Yes, Wayne Winkle delivers a truly entertaining, Dangerous Beginning. What better way to start a new series off?
Sunday, July 2, 2023
First Review
(And thank you kindly. . .)
I'm pleased to say that Trouble on the Smoky Hill Trail has attracted its first review:
***************
If you have read the author’s IX series you will already know
that he has an affinity with this period of American history.
His first story set
exclusively in this era does not disappoint.
It fairly rattles
along and the descriptive narrative puts you slap bang in the middle of the
action whilst providing an insight into the mindsets of the settlers and the
native Americans.
Developing the
characters, who are still alive by the end of this novella, should produce many
more absorbing tales and I look forward to reading them.
Thank you kindly, for that Dave & Diane -
And if you'd like to see why Dave & Diane loved it so much, please, feel free to avail yourselves of the link:
And, I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank Nick Wale over at DS Productions for giving me the idea to switch to westerns in the first place, and then spurring me on to make that idea a reality.
Much appreciated
And I hope you're lookin' forward to the ride as much as I am. . .
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