Thursday 29 December 2011

Black Horse Westerns - December 2011


Gunsmoke over New Mexico by Dale Graham

Nobody in the town of Tularosa is aware of the secret harboured by the proprietor of the local firearms store. The truth is that Sol Henshaw has never fired a gun in his life. All that changes when the infamous Clanton Gang rob the bank in the sleepy New Mexico town. Instinctively, Sol grabs the nearest revolver and runs into the street. A lucky shot kills the gang leader thus foiling the theft. Revered as a hero, Sol's picture is splashed across the front page of the Tularosa Tribune. The hot-headed younger brother of Rafe Clanton also sees it and wants revenge. But all does not go according to plan and innocent victims are placed in the firing line. How can Sol Henshaw save his family and bring the gang to justice? Much blood will be spilled before the final denouement.


Comes a Horseman by C. J. Sommers

When the heavily armed and mysterious John Dancer rides into the town of Matchstick, everyone knows there is trouble ahead. They just aren't sure what kind. Brian Solon owner of the huge SS Ranch figures Dancer has been sent to help the small ranchers along the river who have been blocking his access to water. Some believe that the beautiful Esperanza Del Rio, who still has tenuous claim on Solon's land, has induced the gunman to come to her aid. Debt-ridden banker, Sanford Wilkes panics at the sight of Dancer, believing that he has come because of the missing money he has embezzled from the bank. When someone in town goes to the extreme of sending for the brutal killer, Mad Jack Doyle, to murder Dancer there is nothing to do but fight his way out of Matchstick.


Running Wild by Corba Sunman

Deputy Sheriff Cole Paston does not know what lies behind the trouble festering around Clear Spring, Kansas. He suspects Floyd Kennedy, the wilful son of Buck Kennedy the biggest rancher in the country, of being the cause of it. Floyd was sent to prison for three years for trying to kill Mart, Cole's brother, after Mart had shot and wounded hotel owner Frank Bartram. To complicate matters further, Buck Kennedy is trying to take over the Paston ranch for Floyd, who is about to be let out of prison. Cole senses that the trouble is far from over, and he is right. When all hell breaks loose, bloodshed and murder rages until the last shot.


Gun Law of Phoneix Cline By Terrell L. Bowers

Phoenix Cline had seen the error of his ways and wanted to do something worthwhile with his life. Helping a few indentured Chinese didn't seem like a bad start. But making dangerous enemies by opposing them, or leaving dead bodies behind, is not the smartest way to escape life as a gunfighter. Seeking a peaceful existence and a woman to love are all Phoenix wants. But when men start shooting at him from ambush or come to town gunning for him, the only law he can make them respect is The Gun Law of Phoenix Cline!


Trouble at Mesquite Flats by Will Keen

Soon after his arrival in Mesquite Flats, ex-New York businessman Bodene Rich is committed to Yuma Penitentiary for a vicious assault. Six months later Rich is released, in light of new evidence, and pardoned by Warden Bradley Shaw. On the day of Rich's release, Shaw hands in his resignation and when he is shot dead on the trail by an unknown gunman, Rich is once again in trouble. Rich finds himself further blighted by circumstance and finds himself working towards a showdown involving a bloody gun battle in open country, where the outcome hangs in the balance until the final shot is fired...


The Devil's Payroll by Paul Green

John Harrison, a lawyer turned bounty hunter, finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue after capturing fugitive outlaw Clay Barton. He is persuaded by the beautiful Maggie Sloane to allow Barton to lead them to the loot robbed from an army payroll. But things get complicated when Barton double-crosses them and Maggie is kidnapped by the mysterious Leo Gabriel. With the veteran buffalo soldier, Sergeant Eli Johnson, at his side, Harrison battles ruthless vaqueros and a Commanche war party to recover the money, re-capture Barton and rescue Maggie. However, a further surprise awaits him when he finally catches up with his enemies.


Showdown in Jeopardy by John Davage

In the depths of a winter's night, a train is sent off its tracks near Cutler's Pass and raided for the $80,000 gold shipment it's carrying. Just after midnight, five years later in the town of Jeopardy, ex-Bostonian Clyde Pascoe is puzzling over the anonymous arrival of a newspaper cutting. Minutes later, he is shot and killed by an unknown assassin. Sheriff Cyrus Yapp and local newspaper editor, Will Bullard, are soon making the connection between Pascoe's death and the five-year-old train raid and wondering if newcomer to Jeopardy, Luke Frey, is mixed up in the murders that suddenly occur in this once peaceful town. Luke, however, is more interested in discovering the identity of the train's mysterious fifth raider. But why?


Sheriff without a Star by I. J. Parnham

Despite his four years of distinguished service Sheriff Cassidy Yates lost the confidence of Monotony's townsfolk because his error of judgement has led to the death of Leland Matlock's son. But when the star Cassidy had worn with pride was removed from his chest, Leland claimed he knew something that would shed new light on the sheriff's downfall. Before Leland could reveal what he knew he was shot, but Cassidy still had the instincts of a lawman. He believed Leland's shooting was connected to the death of his son and that if he could uncover the link it would restore the townsfolk's confidence in him. So Cassidy embarked on his greatest ever challenge: to get the star pinned back on his chest where it belonged.

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Blood Creek by Lance Howard now available as an e-book


I'm pleased to announce Blood Creek is now available exclusively for Amazon Kindle. A Western novel of vicious revenge upon those who committed a heinous crime long ago and thought they got away with it, Blood Creek was originally published in hardcover under the Black Horse Western line and in large print Linford Library paperback edition under my Lance Howard penname...

More details at Dark Bits

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Review of Showdown in Jeopardy by John Davage


John Davage’s third Black Horse Western is as enjoyable as his first two. Starting with the train robbery, the story quickly moves forward five years and it’s then that the reader becomes hooked by all the puzzles that make this tale so intriguing...

Read more at Western Fiction Review.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Linford Westerns - December 2011


Railroad to Redemption by I. J. Parnham

ISBN: 9781444809169
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 221 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 8.99

The influx of railroad men looking to build a new track to Redemption brings trouble for Sheriff Cassidy Yates. But when Dayton Fisher arrives, looking for work, things seem to be looking up. And his bravery persuades Luther to hire him as a bodyguard. However, when he also takes on gunslingers to cause mayhem about town, Luther is killed and suddenly Dayton is pitted against his friend Cassidy. Can the two men be reconciled and defeat the gunslingers?


Hideout At Mender's Crossing by John Glasby

ISBN: 9781444809121
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 248 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 8.99

The ghost town of Mender's Crossing is the ideal base for a gang of outlaws operating without interference. When a group of soldiers is killed defending a gold-train, the army calls upon special operator Steve Landers to investigate. However, Landers is also up against land baron Hal Clegg: his hired mercenaries are driving independent ranchers from their land. He will need nerves of steel to succeed when he is so heavily outnumbered. Can he cheat the odds and win?


Dead Man Riding by Lance Howard

ISBN: 9781444809138
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 224 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 8.99

Two years ago Logan Priest left the woman he loved to shelter her from the dangers of his profession...but he made a terrible mistake. A vicious outlaw whom he brought to justice escapes prison and seeks revenge on the very woman that Priest had sought to protect. Logan is forced to return to the manhunting trail when he receives the outlaw's grisly calling card. Can he meet the challenge, or will he become the killer's next victim?


Hangtree County by Hank J. Kirby

ISBN: 9781444809145
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 248 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 8.99

Drew Hardy always found himself overshadowed by his brothers, Kerry and Luke. Then he was jailed for attempted murder. Four years later, a twist of fate sets him free. But would freedom mean working for Kerry and Luke whilst they ensured he never got his share of the family ranch? He must settle the matter with guns - time in jail had taught him plenty about those. Now, for the first time, Drew was a force to be reckoned with.


Fightback by Joseph John McGraw

ISBN: 9781444809152
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 248 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 8.99

When Tom Harker gets shot at, there's nothing personal about it, but when he shoots back, things change... Walter Viall, the cattle king of Tate Country, has a murky past and doesn't take kindly to strangers meddling in his affairs. He has used intimidation and violence to get the law-abiding town of Laureston exactly where he wants it - and he has no intention of letting anyone get in his way. He remains unchallenged...until Tom leads the fightback...


To Die This Day by Clint Ryker

ISBN: 9781444809176
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 208 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 8.99

The rich and powerful Traffords are relieved when their eldest son, Tom, returns home safely to the family ranch after the war. When his wartime partner and hero, Clayton Grady, shows up too, the homecoming celebrations rock the county. How could veteran Grady know that this seemingly happy event would, in time, tear his family apart and lead to a nightmare of deceit, suspicion and bloody murder, as horrific as anything he had encountered during the war...

Monday 19 December 2011

Bestsellers on Amazon - 19 December

1. Arizona Pay-Off by Duke Patterson (Kindle Edition - 31 Oct 2011)
Buy: £3.19

2. The Kansas Fast Gun by Arthur Kent (Kindle Edition - 31 Oct 2011)
Buy: £3.19

3. Gunhawk by John Long (Kindle Edition - 31 Oct 2011)
Buy: £3.19

4. Trail of the Burned Manby Thomas McNulty (Hardcover - 30 Nov 2009)
From £0.50

5. The Black Horse Westerns: Collection No. 1 by Abe Dancer, Dean Edwards, Tyler Hatch and Scott Connor (Kindle Edition - 1 Jan 2011)
Buy: £6.86

6. Dead Man's Range by Paul Durst (Kindle Edition - 31 Oct 2011)
Buy: £3.19

7. The Snake River Bounty by Bill Shields (Hardcover - 28 Feb 2011)
From £8.24

8. Hideout at Mender's Crossing by John Glasby (Hardcover - 30 Jul 2010)
From £7.43

9. The Way Station by Owen G. Irons (Hardcover - 30 Sep 2011)
From £8.93

10. Comanchero Trail by Jack Dakota (Hardcover - 30 Sep 2011)
From £9.00

Sunday 18 December 2011

Review of Sheriff Without a Star by I. J. Parnham


Ian Parnham presents the reader with another story about Sheriff Cassidy Yates. You don’t have to have read the others in this series to fully enjoy this novel, as it’s a stand-alone story. And what a tale it is, full of twists and turns that enthral, peopled with a great set of characters, and expertly paced...

Read more at Western Fiction Review.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Dales Westerns - December 2011


The Outlaw And The Lady by Chap O'Keefe

ISBN: 9781842627907
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 240 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 11.99

Tod Larraby was a deadly shot, an ex-Confederate guerrilla with a reputation to match. But when he was tricked into shooting a crooked gambler in a Colorado mining town, a dubious price was set for his freedom. Lord Buckhampton, a bull-headed British capitalist with investments in the state, needed Larraby to guide him to his delinquent son, who'd vanished into the wildest parts of the Rockies with a half-breed whore from a Leadville bordello. But would Tod be able to complete his task and win his liberty faced as he was with death and deception?


Six Trails West by Mike Stotter

ISBN: 9781842628638
Large Print (Soft Cover) - 192 Pages
Published - 01-12-2011
Genre - Western
Price - £ 11.99

Corralled together for the first time comes an exciting collection of short stories by Mike Stotter that captures the imagination of the American Old West. Iconic themes of the Old West are given a new lease of life and you'll be exhausted at the end of your ride.

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Review of The Devil's Payroll by Paul Green


This is the first Black Horse Western from Paul Green, and if it’s action you want he’s an author worth trying out. This book is filled with gunfights as Harrison encounters people wanting to kill him in every chapter, be they bandits, Comanche’s or outlaw Clay Barton. All these deadly battles means the book has a high death count and after seeing early on that Paul Green has no problem killing off some of the main players, the reader can never be sure who will be alive by the end...

Read more at Western Fiction Review.

Monday 12 December 2011

Bestsellers at The Book Depository - 12 December

1. The Ballad of Delta Rose - Jack Martin - 2011

2. The Tarnished Star - Jack Martin - 2009

3. Revenge for a Hanging - Richard Smith - 2011

4. The Hired Ace - Clay Starmer - 2011

5. Guns of Ponderosa - Chuck Tyrell - 2010

6. Hell Fire in Paradise - Chuck Tyrell - 2010

7. No Quarter at Devil's Fork - Terrell L. Bowers - 2011

8. Jake Rains - Tony Masero - 2011

9. The Outpost by Owen G. Irons - 2009

10. Cannon for Hire by Doug Thorne - 2011

Friday 9 December 2011

Review of Travelin' Money by Logan Winters


Logan Winters really puts his hero through a tough time in this book. Bad luck piled upon back luck. Stolen from, knocked unconscious, lied to, tricked, all these many times over and more. Much of this seems befall him because Joe Sample is a nice guy, a gullible and far too trusting man...

Read more at Western Fiction Review.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Lou Armstrong western to be reprinted as an e-book


Leo Denver is in trouble. There's a sick Chinaman back at his ranch, lovely Rose Prescott has married his rival Jake Brody and when Leo tries to drown his sorrows he ends up in jail with the sheriff promising to hang him. So, when Leo's offered a half share of the Chinaman's gold, he fights his way through the desert to California. A man only gets one crack at winning a fortune. But Jake Brody takes the game into a different league when he murders Leo's brother and captures the Chinaman, Charlie Tang. Leo must rescue Charlie, but how? And can he beat his enemy to the gold?

More information on the publication and details of Lou(ise)'s other novels can be found at Louise Armstrong writes.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Review of In the High Bitterroots by William DuRey


Starting with a bank robbery that introduces the reader to a family of outlaws that have an important role to play in the outcome of this very fast moving tale, the story never lets up in the action stakes. Will DuRey has created some wonderful people, all of which have their own personalities, that soon have the reader hoping they succeed, or not, in their personal agendas. The book contains strong characters in both sexes...

Read more at Western Fiction Review.

Monday 5 December 2011

Bestsellers on Amazon - 5 December

1. The Way Station by Owen G. Irons (30 Sep 2011)
From £9.07

2. The Kansas Fast Gun by Arthur Kent (31 Oct 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy £3.19

3. Comanchero Trail by Jack Dakota (30 Sep 2011)
From 8.98

4. The Black Horse Westerns: Collection No. 1 by Abe Dancer, Dean Edwards, Tyler Hatch and Scott Connor (1 Jan 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy £6.86

5. Arkansas Smith by Jack Martin (31 Mar 2010)
From £6.93

6. Dead Man's Range by Paul Durst (31 Oct 2011) - Kindle eBook
Buy £3.19

7. Rough Justice by Jackson Davis (31 Mar 2010)
From £6.93

8. The Ballad of Delta Rose by Jack Martin (29 Jul 2011)
From £8.75

9. Robbery in Savage Pass by D.M. Harrison (1 Sep 2009)
From £11.93

10. Guns of Wrath by Colin Bainbridge (30 Nov 2011)
From £10.44

Saturday 3 December 2011

An interview with Mike Stotter


Subsequent to the St. Louis Bouchercon, Stotter re-released some of his out-of-print fiction in both e-book format (available for download here) and paperback versions. It got me to thinking about the fact that most people know Stotter only as the editor-in-chief of Shots. Comparatively few realize that he’s also a writer of children’s books, Westerns, and crime fiction. So I decided to take him out to one of the London public houses and record a short interview for The Rap Sheet. We had a opportunity to discuss his work for the CWA, his longtime involvement with Shots, his work on non-fiction books, and his success in composing Western fiction--even though, as he readily admits, “the nearest I have gotten to the Wild West is Missouri.”

Read more at The Rap Sheet.

Friday 2 December 2011

Review of A Man Called Breed by Chuck Tyrell


Unusually for a Black Horse Western, this story is told mainly in the first person, through Falan Wilder. I say mainly because Chuck Tyrell quite often moves the tale away from Breed so the reader can follow the movements of those who hunt him, these parts of the story being told in the third person...

Read more at Western Fiction Review.