Western Fictioneers Presents LEGENDS OF THE GUN: Six Classic Western Novels 99 Cent Boxed Set

The good old shoot-'em-up westerns are still around, and this collection has six by the masters of the genre.

West of the Big River: The Avenging Angel by Michael Newton – Orrin Porter Rockwell is more than just a deputy United States marshal and a deadly gunfighter. He's a member of the Mormon Danites, the group of enforcers known as the Avenging Angels, and he's the personal troubleshooter for Governor Brigham Young. And when Young sends Rockwell to the rough-and-tumble mining town of Tartarus, there'll be plenty of trouble for him to shoot. Award-winning author Michael Newton spins an action-packed, historically accurate yarn in THE AVENGING ANGEL.

The classic, Spur Award-winning novel by Frank Roderus, POTTER'S FIELDS is the story of Joe Potter, a man haunted by the past who deals with the harsh realities of the frontier by becoming harsh and violent himself. A former lawman no longer able to find work carrying a badge because of his corruption and brutality, Potter becomes a cowboy and spends the winter in an isolated line shack, where the arrival of a stranger forces him to confront himself and his past. Rich with poignant emotion and vividly detailed ranch life, POTTER'S FIELDS is a novel that will stay with the reader long after the story is over.

Jake Scudder is just a drifting, peace-loving cowboy. So why does he find himself in jail, convicted of the murder of an old-timer he had befriended and sentenced to hang for that crime he didn't commit? Jake gets a chance to clear his name when the train taking him to the gallows crashes, but was that wreck an accident? Who's the real ringleader of the gang of vicious outlaws known as the Marauders? Jake Scudder has to dodge not only the law but also a cunning murderer as he attempts to save his own life and that of a beautiful young woman. A ROPE FOR SCUDDER is another classic, action-packed Western from bestselling author Clay More.

A fortune in gold dust, two beautiful women, a pair of deadly bushwhackers gunning for him, a dangerous blizzard, an avalanche, and an unknown plotter masterminding murder and robbery . . . These are just some of the things Clay Brand has to deal with when he signs on to guard gold shipments coming down from the mining country in California's San Bernardino Mountains. But before Clay can get to the bottom of the violence plaguing the mountains, he'll have to shoot straight and fast and escape the unexpected menace of a lynch mob! GUN FOR HIRE is the first Western ever written by acclaimed author Jory Sherman. Includes a new introduction by the author written especially for this volume in the Western Fictioneers Library.

In THE HAM REPORTER by Robert J. Randisi, Bat Masterson is no longer a sheriff in the Old West. He’s moved East to New York City where he gets a job as a sports writer for The Morning Telegraph. But when his friend and fellow-newsman, Inkspot Jones, disappears, Masterson’s wife Emma asks if he could look into it as a favor to the man’s wife. It doesn’t look hopeful—Inkspot had something on somebody, and that somebody may have decided to play rough. Pretty soon they’re up to their eyeballs in crooked politicians, hired thugs and a woman of mystery. And before it’s done, Bat may have to strap on his Colt again for some old fashioned Western justice.

Lawyer Billy Cambridge, a retired Texas Ranger, and his best friend, vaquero and ranch foreman Nacho Graves, set out by stagecoach from Pecos, Texas, to deliver $20,000 in cash to a client in Fort Smith, Arkansas. When the stagecoach is held up and Cambridge and Nacho lose the twenty grand, they set out on a dangerous quest to recover the money and bring the outlaws to justice…a quest that leads them to beautiful women, cold-blooded killers, the last Comanchero, and more surprises than they're ready to face. RED RIVER RUSE is a fast-moving Western novel packed with action, emotion, and danger, from award-winning, bestselling authors James Reasoner and L.J. Washburn.

#NewRelease -- SIX-GUNS -- Boxed Set of Six Western Novels -- #99cents

Six classic Western novels. The good old shoot-'em-up westerns are still around, and this collection has six by the masters of the genre.

William M. "Bill" Tilghman had one of the most illustrious careers of any Old West lawman, but he faced perhaps his greatest and most dangerous challenge when he rode alone into the wild Oklahoma Territory settlement of Burnt Creek on the trail of a gang of rustlers and outlaws with some unexpected allies . . . THE LAWMAN, by New York Times bestselling author James Reasoner, is the first novel in the West of the Big River series.

In Frank Roderus’ HOME TO TEXAS, Charlie McMurty brought a herd north, got a great price, and had enough left over once he repaid his neighbors to buy a ranch so he could ask for the hand of his sweetheart. Unfortunately, on the way back to Texas he was robbed and left for dead. To make matters worse one of his attackers was his friend he'd hired to help him with the herd. All he had left was a big debt back home and a big hole in his chest. His new quest became the need to be able to return his neighbor's money. First he had to heal and learn some fancy shooting.

Violence stole young Ben Brand's family from him, but blessed with uncanny speed and skill with a gun and befriended by an old mountain man, Ben sets out on a bloody quest for vengeance. As he tracks his enemies over the years and the miles, Ben battles men and the elements—and risks his own soul—to become the avenging nemesis known as Iron Heart! Long out of print and originally published under the pseudonym Walt Denver, IRON HEART is a classic Western from Jory Sherman.

Veteran author Clay More spins a fast-paced Western adventure in STAMPEDE AT RATTLESNAKE PASS. With her father murdered and her brother crippled by bushwhackers, half her herd stolen and her crew massacred by vicious rustlers, beautiful blond Elly Horrocks is going to have her hands full keeping the family ranch going. Luckily for Elly, drifting cowpoke Jake Scudder has a nose for trouble. It'll take all of Scudder's skill with guns and fists to save himself and keep Elly from being wiped out. Diamondbacks aren't the deadliest varmints in Rattlesnake Pass anymore!

Some men deserved to die like rabid animals. In FAST HAND the Thornberrys and their worthless cousin counted among those the world would be better off without. Judge Sebastian Hand sentences the Thornberry gang to the gallows for rape and murder. But when they escape, the judge trades in his gavel for a gun, and suddenly he's judge, jury, and executioner all in one. Karl Lassiter is the pen name of a prolific author who also writes under the pen name Jackson Lowry.

James J. Griffin's famous character Texas Ranger Jim Blawcyzk isn’t really working for the Rangers this time. In fact, he winds up on the wrong side of the law with the Rangers after him, because he takes off his badge and goes after the gang that attacked and possibly murdered his wife and son. As a result, RANGER’S REVENGE is a little grittier than Griffin’s earlier books, but it has the same fine action scenes, interesting settings, and welcome touches of humor.

In Memoriam

Hi- Troy Smith here, publisher at Western Trail Blazer and editor of WF's Wolf Creek series. I decided to use this space to talk about something that has been on my mind as I wrapped up my first year as WTB ramrod and prepare to start my second... and that is something that I don't believe anybody thinks about when they take on a job like this. And that is... the mortality of us all. It has felt very surreal preparing sales records for authors who have passed on, and communicating about their legacies with their bereaved families. So while we're celebrating the new and recent releases we have, and the writers of the future, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the memories of three writers who put their brand on the western genre, and on the hearts of those who knew them well.

The first such author did not leave this mortal coil in the past year, but a little before that- in September of 2012. However, WTB is still working with his wife to release his unpublished work.

I am speaking of Lee Baldwin, who wrote westerns as Lee Aaron Wilson. Lee was one of the first writers to come onboard WTB in the first months of its existence. His novels include COLORADO JUSTICE, KILLDEERE CHALLENGE, and PA'S JOURNAL. (By the way, I am deliberately not including links or cover images -they are easy enough to find, if you are interested -because I want this post to be about paying tribute rather than advertising.)

Phyllis Baldwin provided these words as a memorial to her husband:

"Lee Aaron Wilson passed away suddenly in September, 2012.   He lived for his writing and hardly a day went by that he wasn’t at his computer either writing a new story or modifying an existing one.  Lee loved discussing and recounting various scenes and became very emotional as he described them.  As anyone can see when they read his stories, his characters definitely come to life and one can imagine him being a part of some of them.  The writing world lost a good storyteller."  

Mart Shaughnessy loved horses, showing his Appaloosas in four world championships. He came late to writing- as his website informs us:

"Mart has a Masters Degree in education and spent twenty years teaching and coaching football, then went into the family business until retirement. His first published work was a short story, Frontier Justice, which won the genre fiction category of the 2OO9 Writers Digest 78th Annual Writing Contest."

WTB published his western/time travel novel PALOMINO DAYS several years ago, and he had recently completed a sequel that we corresponded back and forth via email about publishing- when I received word he had passed away on May 22, 2014. We will be releasing that sequel, ESCAPE TO THE PAST, before spring.

The third writer WTB lost recently is well known to many of us here at Western Fictioneers, and a recipient of our lifetime achievement award -and deservedly so. Jory Sherman had a long and storied career, winning a slew of awards. His novel THE RUNNING GUN has been a mainstay at WTB for some time. While I knew Lee and Mart through their work and occasional email, I had considered Jory a close personal friend for many years and was struck especially hard by his passing. I am honored by the fact that one of his last works was a contribution to the Wolf Creek novel STAND PROUD; his character Roman Hatchett only showed up a few times in our fictional town, but he was distinctive and memorable.

I am a big fan of The Highwaymen, both as a group and individually. Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, in particular, always seemed to me to be good artistic role models- they had their own voices, and their own visions, and they refused to conform to the restraints of Nashville. This particular song by the two of them, "Heroes," is especially poignant to me, as they died in such similar circumstances and so close together in time... and because it is about the Hollywood cowboys of yesterday, and about the strength and frailty of our heroes, and of ourselves. So I'm posting a link to it below, in honor of Lee, and Mart, and Jory, and everyone else we have lost... who showed us the path to follow.

"Heroes, facing the fight

Calling for courage, trying to do right,

When the dust blows, and the light goes...

Give me a reason we all must carry on,

Like all the heroes have done."

LISTEN TO THE SONG

Remembering Jory Sherman

Jory Sherman, one of the founding members of Western Fictioneers, author of hundreds of novels, friend of and mentor to countless writers, passed away on June 27.  We asked the members of WF to share some of their memories of Jory.

***

In February 1985 I went to a writer’s meeting in Branson  Ozark League of Writers because a famous  western writer was speaking. That day I met Jory Sherman and told him I’d written three western short stories and had them published. He handed me the entry form for WWA. Why I could not belong to WWA, but they accepted me and that started my acquaintance with Jory. He was a mentor and a great friend. Through the years that followed I sought him out for questions I had no answers for and he coached me on things I needed. We drank a lot of beer and solved many things. When he won the Spur his friends gathered up quite a lot of money for him to go to Billings—we knew he’d need it same for the Jackson trip.

When I first met him he drove a big mobile RV home and next time I went to see him he took me to lunch in an old beat up station wagon. Feast or famine Jory blazed on. He spent one winter in a fold out camper near Conway Arkansas and I didn’t know why he didn’t freeze to death. His wife told about them living in an abandoned chicken house and she worked in a poultry plant when they first came to the Ozarks.

But no matter where the coin fell he always came heads up. He always had time for his friends and knew many people in the industry—but his blustery ways cost him too. He was still Jory and my friend. I pushed hard for him to get the Wister award. He was truly a legend in the Western Writers and I finally prevailed last year with the help of many others to get him there. I had him and Chet Cunningham together in rollicking session last year. I wish I’d taped it. Oh well, time marches on but Jory left an indelible mark on the western publishing business. -- Dusty Richards

***

I first became aware of Jory Sherman's work from seeing his name on the Gunn series of Adult Western paperbacks. I read some of them and enjoyed them, as well as reading some of his traditional Westerns and liking them, too. Then in 1986 I attended the Western Writers of America convention held in Fort Worth, just down the road from where I lived. One of the first people I met was Jory Sherman. I believe Joe Lansdale, already an old friend of mine, may have introduced us, but that was nearly thirty years ago so I'm not sure about that part.

I remember the long conversation I had with Jory, though. It seemed like he knew everyone in the business, not just in the Western field. He had been friends with several famous mystery writers and had plenty of stories to tell about them and their books. He knew all the Beat poets from San Francisco in the Fifties and had been one of them. He had written for prestigious hardcover publishers and low-rent, fly-by-night paperback houses and knew seemingly every editor in the business. He had written house-name books that I'd read and enjoyed without knowing who wrote them. He was working on a book even while he was at the convention and had brought one of those newfangled computer gizmos with him so he could send it back to his office a chapter at a time via something called e-mail.

I think it's safe to say that after that conversation, I wanted to be Jory Sherman when I grew up.

Jory and I got together at many conventions after that. I was very pleased for him when he won a Spur Award for one of his novels and thought his acceptance speech was gracious and moving. At one convention I inadvertently said something that annoyed him quite a bit, but he was too big-hearted to stay mad at a dumb kid, so he forgave me and moved on and we remained friends. We lived in the same area for a while, and the last few times I saw him were at book signings, where we had the usual rewarding conversations about the business and life in general.

Jory and I never actually worked together, unless you want to count the fact that I had a hand in editing some of his books that have been reprinted by the Western Fictioneers Library. And I'd hardly call that work, since in the process I got to read some of his excellent early novels that I'd never read before. Over the years he's been an inspiration, an author whose work I always enjoyed reading, and most of all a friend. In all those respects, I'm going to miss him. -- James Reasoner

***

A few years ago, I was doing some editing for Rebecca Vickery and she assigned me Jory's memoir, BUKOWSKI AND ME about Jory's odd friendship with Charles Bukowski, a "beat" poet of the 60's. As was our way of doing things, I wrote to Jory and told him I would be editing his book before we published it. He wrote me back and told me very nicely that he had never needed an editor; and that, at one particular company where he'd submitted a book, the editor they'd given him wanted to change too many things. He had talked with the editor's superior and the young man had been taken "off his project". Well, that just scared the socks off of me--I didn't know Jory at all, or what kind of person he was. So, I wrote him back and told him I didn't intend to try to change his writing--I was just there to make sure there were periods and commas and so on.

Fast forward to the middle of the book--a scene where, if a person had been there, everything would have made sense as it did in Jory's mind as he put it on paper. But there was a line missing that was crucial to having it make sense to the reader. What should I do? Leave it? Fix it? What? In the end, I highlighted it and explained why. I think there were only 2 or 3 other changes in that entire manuscript--punctuation, nothing more. When he wrote me back, he told me that he had run it by his wife and they both agreed that an extra bit of explanation was needed in that particular section. And he thanked me sincerely for catching it. During our correspondence about that book, I came to know him, and considered him a friend. I'm very thankful to Rebecca for providing me that opportunity. He was a wonderful human being and a consummate wordsmith. -- Cheryl Pierson

***

It was a privilege to meet and talk with Jory Sherman at the 2013 Western Writers of America conference.  What struck me most about him were his great intellect and his kind demeanor. -- Charlie Steel

***

I don't have a personal Jory story per se, but I think it's a great tribute to him that the last thing he wrote (or one of the last things) was his chapter for Wolf Creek 12: Stand Proud. Despite being so very ill, he honored his commitment, and finished his chapter. And most appropriately, the book was released only a couple of days before Jory's passing. -- James J. Griffin

***

Jory Sherman worked on one of my early books and improved it greatly. Through that and the times we spent talking at various WWA conferences, he also encouraged me, it made me a better writer and, I hope, a better person. I have tried to pass on his encouragement to others who are starting out. He will be missed, though I do believe his spirit will be with all of us forever. -- Jack Legg

***

About ten years ago I was going through a very painful divorce. Among the various things I lost (and by no means at the top of the list) was my computer. I was struggling to provide for my then 12-yr-old daughter and myself, and times were very hard. The only way I could even check my email was at the public library. Jory asked why I had been so scarce lately, and I told him my situation. I few days later I got a package. He had sent me a laptop and a printer, and a message that said "There go your excuses, now get to work." He refused to let me pay him for the stuff when I had the money later, and refused to let me return them. He insisted that, instead, I give them to some needy writer who needed them, which is what I did. 

I discovered, while reading through old emails while writing that blog, that it was Jory who suggested the name "Western Fictioneers" for our organization.  -- Troy D. Smith

***

I only met Jory a couple of times. The last time was at a book signing in Fort Worth, where a number of writers gathered around to listen to his stories about his long career. He kindly allowed Western Fictioneers to reprint some of his wonderful novels, including his very first Western, and I was proud to work on them. Jory will be greatly missed by so many. -- Livia J. Washburn

***

An era passed when Jory Sherman, one of the greatest Western Writers of all time, died. I can say that, because I am a Western writer, so I have enough of an inside perspective to recognize greatness when I see it.

All of my fellow writers who are my facebook friends will validate my comment. There will be many of you who aren’t writers, who may question the bold declaration. You have heard of Zane Grey, you say, and Louis L’Amour, and maybe even Larry MacMurtry….but who is Jory Sherman?

Jory was a man whose talent was the biggest part about him, it was bigger than his business acumen, it was bigger than his success, it was too big to be corralled in genre.

Sometime between fifty, to a hundred years from now, some historian not yet born, is going to do an in-depth study of the classical “American Western.” Westerns, he will say, were windows to the early days of the American frontier. The Western novel’s portrayal of good and evil, of courage and honor, of truth and myth, was the most identifiably American genre in all of literature.

It remains to be seen exactly how his study will be posted. Will there still be books? What type of electronic publishing will be the norm, in the year 2075?

Regardless of how the information will be posted there is no doubt in my mind but that the name Jory Sherman will be there. His writing was unique . . . it could portray the grit and grime of a grimy saloon in a dusty trail town, present characters so real you could smell them, describe gunfights so vividly you wanted to seek cover. And yet, the words, his words, were written with such poetic lyricism that they would not be out of place being presented in a Carnegie Hall reading by someone like James Earl Jones.

I met Jory in the 1980s at a writing seminar in Kansas City, Kansas. The publisher I had been writing for, Pinnacle, had gone under, stranding, and leaving unpaid many of their authors, including me. In this business you are always one contract away from being unemployed…and I was unemployed.

“No problem, Dick,” Jory said. “I can get something for you.” Remember, we had just met.

Less than a week after I went home, Jory called with an offer. That, as they say, was the beginning of a long, and personally rewarding friendship.

Everyone who knew Jory had “Jory stories” to tell. Jory, like just about every writer I know, had what…in aircraft navigation we would call “Compass deflection.” He tended to do things that were sometimes….just off the true track.

Here is an example. Several years ago, I arranged a big book signing to take place at Waldenbooks in Cape Girardeau. I invited 20 writers from all over the country, and of course, Jory, who lived in Branson, Missouri at the time, was one of the first people I invited.
“I’ll be glad to come,” Jory said.

The event took place in February. Two days before the big signing was to take place, we were hit with snow and sleet. But the weatherman promised the bad weather would move out the next day, so those who were flying in, or driving down from St. Louis, should have no trouble, and as it turned out, they didn’t.

But Jory called me that night. He was in Sikeston, so I invited him over for dinner.

“Well, it’s too cold to drive over, right now,” he said.

“Too cold to drive over?”

“I rode my motorcycle over from Branson. I was in sleet and freezing rain, all day.”

“Good Lord, Jory, why did you do that? Why didn’t you come in a car?”

“I thought it would be fun,” Jory said.

There is no doubt in my mind but that, right now, Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, Owen Wister, Max Brand, and yes, even Ned Buntline have taken Jory in hand, and are introducing him to Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickock, George A. Custer, and all the other Western heroes who real, or in composite, graced the pages of Jory’s novels. And folks like John Wayne, James Arness, and Gary Cooper have joined the party.

The world has not gotten smaller because Jory died. The world was made larger because he lived.

Jory, my friend….keep a pot of coffee going for those of us who will see you again, some day. -- Robert Vaughan

***

Sometime back in the 1990’s, a western Ezine called American Western made its appearance. Part of this publication was a message board where huge western fans could chat with their favorite authors. One of these was Jory. Shortly after this Ezine shut down, I received an invitation from RJR to join the Campfire, a small group of authors who appeared regularly in American Western. I was the only non-author at the time. While a member of the Campfire I started writing book reviews of various members books, including Jory. I always sent the author an advance how my review would look. Jory told me I was giving to much of the plot away in his review. I revised that review and after he approved it, I sent it out. Later when I started writing I took a course Jory offered called Help 4 Writers. Once a month we received a short story written by Jory. I still have a few of those that I occasionally refer to. I was honored in 2002 when Jory dedicated his book Sunset Rider to me and sent along a signed copy. When I sold my signed book collection, Jory’s book is one three I kept. Jory was always there to answer  my questions and offer his advice and help. I will never in my life time be the writer that Jory Sherman was. But then, who will? He was a master wordsmith, painting vivid pictures with words that when you closed your eyes, you could vision the scene he was writing. Jory Sherman is, as the saying goes, “A man to ride the river with.”  Les Williams

***

  I met Jory in 1982 at WWA in Sante Fe. I had been reading his GUNN books and corresponding with him while creating my Gunsmith series. By the time I got to Sante Fe 6 of them had been published.  He was the first person I met when I got there, and while I spotted him from behind I knew it was him immediately. No., I'm not psychic. On the back of his leather belt it said "Jory Sherman."  I spent a little time with he and Charlotte, and met their son Mark.

  I went to every WWA from 1982 to 1991.  In '85 Jory was the host in Branson, Mo.  He picked me up at the airport in his motor home, and together we picked up J.T. Edson and a few other folks at the airport.  I got to know him better in Branson, along with Charlotte, and spent a lot of time drinking beer in his motor home, since at the time Branson was in a dry county. Jory was also generous enough to make sure I was included in some newspaper coverage of the convention that week.

  A few years later I did a panel at a Romance Writers Convention in NY, with Jory and Lou Cameron, who created the Longarm series. Lots of testosterone there.

      I give Jory credit as a friend and as a mentor.  After 1991--after having seen him at WWA 9 years in a row--we saw each other sparingly.  He skipped a convention, I skipped a convention. But a 32 year friendship is a 32 year friendship.  I got to see him a few times over these past few years, and while his health was failing, he was always still Jory. Bigger than life. Maybe a little more mellow.

   Oh yeah, a good piece of advice he once gave me. I had a character named Sherman Jory appear in one of my Gunsmiths. He was a powerful rancher and in one scene he had sex.  Next time I saw Jory he had read the book. He told me he wasn't mad (in fact, he thought it was funny), but in the future if I was going to use somebody in a book as a character I should clear the behavior with the namesake first because if he'd WANTED to he could have SUED me.   

  A 32 year friendship is a 32 year friendship  Now there's just a big hole. -- Robert J. Randisi

Wolf Creek 11: Stand Proud

After a brief hiatus, we are ready now to return to the rough-and-ready fictional cowtown of Wolf Creek, Kansas. For those unfamiliar with this series published by Western Fictioneers, you're missing out -it's almost as fun to read as it is to write.

Each of our writers -there are currently over two dozen -creates one or two unique characters to be citizens of our little community. Our books are either short story anthologies, in which the authors delve more deeply into their characters, or collaborative novels in which each chapter is written by a different writer, from their character's POV.

We have two such novels to present now (we'll tell you about the second one tomorrow.) They are closely connected, in that each of them continues the mini-saga of Wolf Creek's citizens resisting the threat of evil cattle baron Andrew Rogers, who wants to take over the whole county as part of a grandiose plan to advance his political and financial ambitions.

In this volume, STAND PROUD, Rogers has two targets- the Norwood Dairy, run by Gib Norwood (and his two octaroon half-brothers, sons of his father's slave Glory), and the nearby hamlet of Matthias- a town founded by ex-slaves trying to make new lives for themselves in the West. Without giving too much away, Rogers's small army of hired killers attack both places and the Wolf Creek forces are divided. Only a small and hardy group is on hand to face the horde of gunmen attacking Matthias, in hopes of holding them off until the main posse arrives. The Matthias defenders are led by newly deputized leather-worker (and an ex-slave himself) George Alberts.

We're going to leave you with a brief excerpt:

George took a deep breath and turned his attention to those who were willing to join him. “Thank you, gentlemen. Raise your right hands, and I’ll try to remember how this posse oath goes.” He thought a moment. “Do you solemnly swear to do your duty?” They all answered in the affirmative.

“That’s close enough for me,” George said. “I hereby declare us a posse. Let’s ride.”

Charley leaned forward in his saddle. “One more thing,” he said. “I don’t live in this town, I just drink here sometimes, so I reckon I’m free to speak my mind. All the rest of y’all can go to hell.”

Some of the townspeople flinched at being spoken to in such a way by a Negro. Or by an Indian. Or by whatever Charley Blackfeather was. But no one said a word, because whatever Charley Blackfeather was, it could often be very scary.

“All right,” George said, and scanned over his first official posse. Emory Charleston and Charley Blackfeather. Asa Pepper. A farmer, a lawyer, a schoolteacher, and a gangly youth who worked at the general store.

“Robert,” George said to young Gallagher. “I know you said you’re healed up, and I know how much sand you got. That’s why I need you for somethin’ else. Somebody needs to ride hard, and I mean hard as hell, to the Norwood Dairy and fetch the other posse. Tell ʼem to come join us at Matthias—sounds like we’re gonna be way outgunned, but if we can get there before the Rogers bunch, we will hold ʼem off till Sheriff Satterlee and the others can reinforce us.”

“If you’re outnumbered, you’ll need me,” Gallagher protested.

“You right,” George said, “but I ain’t sure I can trust any of these people stayin’ behind to fetch the sheriff as quick as I think you would. It’s the most important job, it could mean all our lives.”

“All right,” Gallagher said, reluctantly.

George nodded to the youth, who was already in the saddle, and Gallagher sped away in a cloud of dust.

“Now,” George said. “Let’s ride.”

The books are released under the house name Ford Fargo- but here are the writers in this volume, and the characters they write for:

Jory Sherman - Roman Hatchett, mountain man

Robert J. Randisi - Dave Benteen, gunsmith

Jerry Guin - Deputy Marshal Quint Croy

Jacquie Rogers - Gib Norwood, dairy owner

Troy D. Smith - Charley Blackfeather, black Seminole scout

Check it out today- and if you haven't read the first ten, shoot, find 'em and see just how much fun they are!

AMAZON

SMASHWORDS

Review Roundup: Peacemaker Award Nominees, Short Fiction

By Kathleen Rice Adams

The winners of Western Fictioneers’ fourth annual Peacemaker Awards for excellence in western fiction will be revealed June 1. Below are reviews for three of the nominees in the Best Short Fiction category.

“It Takes a Man”

By Cheryl Pierson

in Wolf Creek: Hell on the Prairie

Western Fictioneers, June 2013

$9.89 paperback, ISBN 1490505059

$2.99 Kindle, ASIN B00DPPFUPM

$2.99 most other e-formats, ISBN 9781301613717

Derrick McCain, a recurring character in the Wolf Creek series of collaborative novels, returns to his former home among the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory to confront recently discovered secrets about his family. His father, a Cherokee leader whose illicit affair with a white woman produced McCain, allegedly is at death’s door. Tortured by his mixed heritage and allegiances to both sides, McCain reconnects with a childhood friend and a Cherokee woman ostracized in a classic case of society blaming the victim for a heinous crime. McCain must make some difficult choices that will affect his life, and the lives of others, for years to come.

Author Cheryl Pierson writes both traditional westerns and western historical romance. In “It Takes a Man,” her strong skills in the romance genre shine. McCain emerges as a swoon-worthy hero, yet Pierson manages a delicate balance between romantic sentimentality and thorny issues including race relations and society’s expectations.

“The Last Free Trapper”

By Jory Sherman

in A Wolf Creek Christmas

Western Fictioneers, November 2013

$8.99 paperback, ISBN 149372651X

$2.99 Kindle, ASIN B00GFEZA5A

$2.99 most other e-formats, ISBN 9781310352843

Mountain man Roman Hatchett faces the end of an era, unwilling to change but unable to prevent the disappearance of the only life he knows. In “The Last Free Trapper,” author Jory Sherman, recipient of the 2012 Peacemaker Award for Life Achievement, spins a character-driven tale rife with subtle symbolism. Using simple, unadorned prose in achingly eloquent ways, Sherman evokes a time and place of tremendous upheaval in the American West.

Hatchett searches his soul while attending a dying enemy. What he learns about himself and humanity as a whole is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

“Charlie’s Pie”

By Livia J. Washburn

in Wishing for a Cowboy

Prairie Rose Publications, October 2013

$12.60 paperback, ISBN 061591070X

$2.99 Kindle, ASIN B00G9GTWVC

$2.99 most other e-formats, ISBN 9781311521330

Alone in a remote Texas cabin while her husband and son seek a suitable Christmas tree in the forest some distance away, Lauralee Brannam bakes her son’s favorite pie for the boy’s Christmas Eve birthday. When a wounded stranger collapses at her doorstep, she assumes the man is an outlaw on the run. Nevertheless, she nurses him back to health, setting in motion a whirlwind of violence.

Award-winning author Livia J. Washburn weaves tragedy, traditional western action, and romance in a way that touches the heart but never veers into the maudlin or syrupy. The suspense and ultimate resolution of the mystery at the core of the story will push readers through the tale like a West Texas wind. Ultimately, redemption ties up the package with a Christmas bow made all the more beautiful by its frayed edges.

Kathleen Rice Adams is a Texan, a voracious reader, a professional journalist, and an author. She received review copies of Wolf Creek: Hell on the Prairie, A Wolf Creek Christmas, and Wishing for a Cowboy from the publishers. Her opinions are her own and are neither endorsed nor necessarily supported by Western Fictioneers or individual members of the organization. Links in the review are for convenience only; they do not produce affiliate revenue.

The Western Fictioneers Library Presents IRON HEART by Jory Sherman

Violence stole young Ben Brand's family from him, but blessed with uncanny speed and skill with a gun and befriended by an old mountain man, Ben sets out on a bloody quest for vengeance. As he tracks his enemies over the years and the miles, Ben battles men and the elements—and risks his own soul—to become the avenging nemesis known as Iron Heart!

Long out of print and originally published under the pseudonym Walt Denver, IRON HEART is another classic Western from Jory Sherman, winner of lifetime achievement awards from Western Fictioneers and the Western Writers of America. No author combines the poetry and savagery of the American frontier better than Jory Sherman, and the Western Fictioneers Library is proud to make this thrilling tale of obsession and adventure available again.

    Barnes & Noble NOOK Link   Smashwords Link

Review Roundup: Christmas Comes to Wolf Creek

Wolf Creek Book 9: A Wolf Creek Christmas
By Ford Fargo
Western Fictioneers, November 2013
$9.99 paperback, ISBN 149372651X
$2.99 Kindle, ASIN B00GFEZA5A
$2.99 most other e-formats, ISBN 9781310352843
204 pages

In little more than a year, the Wolf Creek series has found its legs and become the sort of popular phenomenon typically found in graphic novels and the Saturday movie serials of yore. By producing roughly one volume per month since August 2012, the Western Fictioneers who compose the house pseudonym known as Ford Fargo have set a standard: Readers are accustomed to a regular diet of high adventure in an 1871 Kansas cattle town. That kind of prolific production can be exhausting for authors.

Fortunately, Western Fictioneers is growing, and so is the talent pool writing as Fargo. Wolf Creek Book 9: A Wolf Creek Christmas is the group’s second anthology and its first Christmas-themed edition. The book introduces a host of new characters and new voices, many of whom will become series regulars.

In Jory Sherman’s “The Last Free Trapper,” mountain man Roman Hatchett faces the end of an era, unwilling to change but unable to prevent the disappearance of the only life he knows. The character-driven story is rife with subtle symbolism. “A Savior is Born” by Meg Mims introduces Phoebe Wright, a middle-aged widow who comes to Wolf Creek in search of her niece only to find the girl in a less-than-savory occupation. A moral crusade undoubtedly lies on the horizon.

Jacquie Rogers introduces dairy farmer Gib Norwood and his mixed-race half-brothers, Peter and Paul, in “Twas the Fight Before Christmas.” Departing from her usual humor-laced style, Rogers plays a Christmas Eve shootout at the farm fairly straight, although a houseful of snowbound hookers and newborn calves is inherently amusing. Her story and Jim Griffin’s “Renewal of Faith” introduce multiple new characters. Griffin hangs his tale on Ben Tolliver, a Wolf Creek resident who’s been around since Book 1. The Texas Ranger-turned-hostler is no stranger to violent confrontations, but he really shoehorns himself into a tight spot when he befriends two Irish Catholic newcomers. The Yanks and Rebs in town may tolerate one another, but apparently none of them are willing to abide either Irish or Catholics.

Troy Smith and Jerry Guin stick with characters Wolf Creek fans will recognize. Black-Seminole scout Charlie Blackfeather and an army patrol deal with Indian mischief on Christmas Eve in Smith’s “A Kiowa Christmas Gift.” For hardened loner Charlie, an unexpected invitation is the most difficult part of the adventure. In Guin’s “That Time of Year,” white-hat deputy Quint Croy shows his diplomatic chops when he helps two young lovers avoid the crossfire between their feuding bosses.

Like the previous anthology (Wolf Creek Book Six: Hell on the Prairie), A Wolf Creek Christmas is an enjoyable departure from the series’ usual collaborative novels. A couple of caveats apply to A Wolf Creek Christmas, though.

First, several stories do not close on tidy “peace on Earth, goodwill to men” endings … but this is, after all, Wolf Creek. Just because a door is shut doesn’t mean someone won’t fling it open and start shooting.

Second, although each story in A Wolf Creek Christmas stands alone as a self-contained tale, readers will find copious references to characters and incidents from previous novels in the series. Those who have not followed the series from the beginning will stumble across a couple of big spoilers in this book.



Kathleen Rice Adams is a Texan, a voracious reader, a professional journalist, and an author. She received a review copy of Wolf Creek Book 9 from the publisher. Her opinions are her own and are neither endorsed nor necessarily supported by Western Fictioneers or individual members of the organization. Links in the review are for convenience only; they do not produce affiliate revenue.

Christmas Comes to Wolf Creek

Several months ago, we decided to do a special Christmas anthology of Wolf Creek stories, with all the tales taking place in the Christmas season of 1871. I encouraged new folks to join our writing team, with these short stories an ideal way to introduce a new character to our town.

And boy did Western Fictioneers respond.

We wound up with what would have been a 90,000 word book, when our regular books range from 25,000 to 35,000 words. We decided, then, to break the anthology up into two volumes.

Both of which are available now.

Here is a rundown of the stories and authors:

WOLF CREEK BOOK 9: A WOLF CREEK CHRISTMAS

"The Last Free Trapper" by Jory Sherman. Mountain man Roman Hatchett has spent decades int he Rockies,but has finally admitted to himself the beaver aren't coming back. He comes south to Wolf Creek, where his long-ago partner Casto Haston is running a tannery, to try out the buffalo hunting trade. But Roman's past has tracked him to the Plains, and he will have to face it down...

"A Savior Is Born" by Meg Mims. Phoebe Wright, fearless reformer, hits Wolf Creek in search of her sister. Phoebe Wright is always right -and will allow no one to intimidate her. Not even Ira Breedlove, owner of the Wolf's Den Saloon and controller of much of the town's vice.

"That Time of Year" by Jerry Guin. Deputy Marshal Quint Croy is a straight-forward young man, dedicated to preserving the peace. In the days before Christmas, however, he finds himself caught up in a dispute between several of the toughest people in town. Including his own boss. Can he kindle their Christmas cheer?

"'Twas the Fight Before Christmas" by Jacquie Rogers. Gib Norwood owns a large dairy operation outside town, along with his brothers Peter and Paul (whom his late father conceived with a slave, Glory, who also lives with them.) Christmas finds them in a dispute with the troublesome ranch hands of cattle baron Andrew Rogers -a dispute that involves a wagonload of prostitutes from Abby Potter's School for Wayward Girls, including Miss Abby herself.

"A Kiowa Christmas Gift" by Troy D. Smith. Cavalry Captain Tom Dent and Seminole scout Charley Blackfeather find themselves conducting an important parley with Kiowa leaders on Christmas Eve. Dent hopes they can finish negotiations so he can be with his family on Christmas; Charley fears that, if antagonistic warrior Stone Knife has his way, they won't get home at all.

"Renewal of Faith" by Jim Griffin. Texas-Ranger-turned-livery-owner Ben Tolliver and his son Danny get a very unexpected Christmas gift. Then they meet and befriend the new Catholic priest who has come to establish a mission at Wolf Creek, in time to perform Christmas Mass- but Ben finds much of the town opposed to the father's presence. Ben is determined that the Mass will be held, if he has to fight a mob to see it done...

WOLF CREEK 10: O DEADLY NIGHT

"Sarah's Christmas Miracle" by Big Jim Williams. Farmer Hutch Higgins -haunted by his own Civil War secrets, like many in Wolf Creek -must brave a snowstorm to find help for his sick little girl.

"Irish Christmas at Wolf Creek" by Charlie Steel. Kelly O'Brian has been a railroad worker and a buffalo hunter -now he has his heart set on becoming a rancher. His plans are interrupted, though, when he is kidnapped by a a cruel gang who intends to use him, and their other prisoners, for forced labor.

"A Home for Christmas" by Cheryl Pierson. Derrick McCain's sister Kathleen has not recovered from her experience at the hands of the Danby Gang -and her judgmental husband, Reverend Dill Hyder, cannot accept what he now considers an "impure woman." Then someone from her family's past shows up, and everything changes...

"The Angel Tree" by Chuck Tyrell. The soiled dove known as Brandy has previously only shown up as the object of cowboy Billy Below's desire. She takes center stage in this story, though... when she learns that the innocent children of the prostitutes at Cribtown are barred from attending school by the town fathers because they are "undesirable," and sets out to do something about it.

"The Spirit of Hogmanay" by Clay More. Doc Logan's road to Hogmanay -the Scottish New Year's Eve celebration -is littered with good intentions. And injuries and diseases galore. And to top it all off, someone has stolen his good Scotch...

"O Deadly Night" by Troy D. Smith. Marshal Sam Gardner learns that, for a lawman in a town like Wolf Creek, there is no such thing as a night off. Even on Christmas.


Both volumes out now for kindle, due soon at smashwords, b&n, createspace, and etc.

Get 'em here:

Wolf Creek 9: A WOLF CREEK CHRISTMAS

Wolf Creek 10: O DEADLY NIGHT