BADGE FOR BRADDOCK

 

BADGE FOR BRADDOCK

By Kirk Hamilton

A Coronado Western (No. 1063) from Cleveland Publishing – year unknown.

Kirk Hamilton is one of a handful of pseudonyms used by Australian author Keith Hetherington; a writer who had 800 – 1,000 stories published. Those put out by Cleveland fall into the novella category of story length.

Due to the short length of this tale, there is no room for padding, no room for anything that doesn’t propel the story forwards at a brisk pace. Braddock is a bounty hunter, a type of man despised by many, especially when his latest prey is brought in dead and backshot. The townspeople want him gone as soon as possible. Only thing is it’ll take a while for his bounty money to be authorized, meaning Braddock will have to hang around the town of Beaumont for a few days.

Beaumont has a new, inexperienced lawman, Kip Pickett. The local bigwigs are moulding the young sheriff into a man they can control as they conspire to run the town. When Pickett learns that Braddock is an ex-lawman he hires the bounty hunter as his deputy, much to the disgust of the town’s big shots. A fired stagecoach guard learns of some valuable paperwork being held in the safe of the stageline and plots to steal it with the blessing of the town’s criminal element but Braddock could be a problem so he’ll have to be removed, permanently. There’s more to the story than that though, such as the young woman who runs the stageline hating bounty hunters and thus despising Braddock even though he’s trying to help her. This adds for some electrifying dialogue between the two.

There’s plenty of action and the author took me by surprise with one shooting. The final showdown was exciting and even though it finished the story as expected it did bring about a satisfying conclusion to the tale. 

I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything written by Keith Hetherington and this story proved to be another great tale from him that left me looking forward to reading more of his work very soon.

BOOTHILL BRAND

By Kirk Hamilton

Cougar Books, date unknown

It was three years ago they’d run him out. Lou still bore the mark of Boothill on his chest – the brand he’d carry till he died. And the old man had waited for him to scream as they did it, and looked somehow disappointed when he didn’t.

“Come back here, Lou,” the old man had said meaningly, “And you die!”

They had thrown him off the ranch then. Without a horse, without his guns, with only what he stood up in. And Shane had stood and watched, her face expressionless.

He’s come back now. Come back to kill the old man, to kill Johnny Wena if he was still around, to humble the proud Shane and break her life for her as she had broken his.

Cougar books were part of Cleveland Publishing and like the majority of their publications they don’t carry a date, so it’s not easy to find out when they were published. This story is a re-issue, complete and unabridged, except for a title change from Danger Spread to Boothill Brand, which was originally put out under the Cleveland name. I’ve included the original below and I think the cover art of that first issue fits the story a lot better as it does illustrate a scene from the tale.

Lou Masters makes for an engaging lead character. He’s tough, quick with a gun, yet naïve, blinded by his love for Shane which leads him into many dangerous and life-threatening situations. Shane isn’t the only woman who will cause problems for him as he’s caught the eye of Lena Blair. There are some excellent twists and turns to the plot that sees both of these women get Lou on the wrong end of a gun.

The story never lets up in its fast pace as Lou is framed, struggles to recognize who is his enemy and who he can trust. Vicious gunmen arrive and it seems no-one is safe from their desire to take what they want and kill anyone who opposes them. There’s plenty of gunplay before everything leads to Lou having to face unbeatable odds which makes for a nail-biting climax. 

Boothill Brand proved to be an excellent read, but then again, I thought it would having enjoyed many westerns by this author already. Kirk Hamilton is a pseudonym, one of a handful, used by Keith Hetherington, an Australian author who has had well over 600 stories published – probably closer to 1,000 – and he comes highly recommended by me.

Head West issue 1

Summer 2018 issue

Piccadilly Publishing

Way back in 1980 the first issue of a magazine appeared on the shelves of UK shops simply called Western Magazine. Sadly, it only lasted for four issues. The consultants for this being David Whitehead and Mike Stotter, the two men who today run Piccadilly Publishing and have now launched a new magazine.

Like the much-lamented Western Magazine Head West features a mix of articles, interviews and original fiction. Head West has a full glossy cover with everything inside being reproduced in black and white.

For me, the interviews make for superb reading as they feature two of my favourite all-time western authors, namely Keith Hetherington - who writes under a variety of pseudonyms including Kirk Hamilton and Brett Waring - and Peter Watts whose most well-known pen-name is Matt Chisholm.

Original stories come from D.M. McGowen, Jake Henry and new-comer M. James Earl. Henry’s story features his character known as The Drifter and Earl’s being the first published tale about his heroine Barbary Dove. All three of these tales proved to be very entertaining reads.

With an article by Tony Masero on creating cover art, another looking at the making of the film Vermijo along with Linda Pendleton remembering her fathers love for the western, this is a magazine that deserves to be successful.

You can get your copy from https://www.lulu.com/ 

Buckshot Ridge

By Jake Douglas

Hale, July 2015

Clint’s only wish is to transform the Delta Ranch where he lives into a home, so that he can settle down peacefully with his wife-to-be, Belle Camden.

All is going smoothly until Clint witnesses a brutal murder. The killer tries to lie his way out of it, but Clint is not the lying type. When threats don’t work, the killer takes Belle hostage. All Clint must do is admit he’s made a mistake – forget what he’s seen, move on – and his fiancée will be returned to him unharmed.

In a situation that goes against Clint’s every moral code, in the end the choice can only be decided by gunsmoke – and blood.

Jake Douglas is one of a handful of pseudonyms used by Keith Hetherington for his Black Horse Westerns and this one confirms why he’s had such a long career writing for this line and other publishers, having around a thousand westerns published to date. You can read an interview I did with him here.

As for this book, it is a very fast moving read full of action – fistfights, gunfights, and duels of words. In fact the tense exchanges of dialogue provide most of the ‘how-can-they-get-out-of-that situations, as any plan Clint and lawman Si McLaren have seems to be bettered by the man they are attempting to bring to justice at every turn.

The taking of Belle hostage, a dangerous situation in itself is made even more deadly when there’s a disagreement between the killer, Forbes, and his right-hand man Hank, a man who wants nothing more than to kill both Clint and Belle, and it soon looks like he’s going to achieve his aim.

The story ends with a breath-taking struggle that brings everything to a neat and satisfying conclusion that left me eager to pick up another Keith Hetherington book straight-away.

Mention must also be made of the excellent cover Hale have selected to front this book.

I Am the Law!

By Hank J. Kirby

Hale, May 2015

Mitchell Slade, a top US Marshal, is sent to clean up the New Mexico town of Hatfield. Within a few minutes of his arrival, four men lie dead under a shroud of smoke, and this sets the tone for Slade’s stay.

It isn’t long before the man who killed Slade’s family, Brazos McGraw, shows up in town. The streets of Hatfield are ready to run red with blood unless Slade can stop his old enemy’s reign of terror. And to do this will cost him much more than he is prepared to pay.

There are lots of surprises waiting in store for the reader as the truths about Slade and McGraw’s past come to light. This is not the only twist though, for one of the four men Slade kills on arriving in Hatfield is the towns’ Sheriff. Seems this lawman helped outlaws escape justice for a hefty sum of cash. Why? Was he as crooked as they are? Obviously I can’t answer that here, but will add that the Sheriff’s daughter is soon gunning for Slade.

When we first meet Slade he comes across as a brutal no-nonsense man who justifies his actions by saying he can do what he likes because he is the law! Something that rubs up many of Hatfield’s citizens the wrong way. As the story develops we see through this mask and Slade’s true motivations are revealed and these become more complicated by the dead Sheriff’s daughter, an attraction to each other neither can deny even though she wants him gone, preferably dead.

Regular readers of WFR will already know that Hank J. Kirby is a pseudonym used by a favourite author of mine, Keith Hetherington, a writer with hundreds of western books published under a variety of pen-names. Like many of his books this one starts with a bang and then gallops forward at an ever increasing pace offering the reader great dialogue, tough characters of both sexes, and plenty of pulse-pounding action before a final race against time that seems impossible for Slade to win.

If you’ve never read any of Keith Hetherington’s books then this one is a great way to introduce yourself to his work. 

Rawhide Express

By Jake Douglas

Hale, March 2015

They called him ‘Hardluck’ Lacy and the name stuck. It sure followed him to his old stamping ground, where old friends have now become new enemies.

But three years in prison have hardened him and he’s now ready for anything.

He hopes….

Plenty of questions serve to hook the reader early on and more come before any are answered. Why would Lacy’s long-time friend want Lacy’s land as it’s nothing particularly special?

Jake Douglas weaves his tale expertly, his tale gathering momentum all the while as it races to its memorable conclusion. Why memorable? Most westerns see a final shootout between good-guy and bad as justice is served. And, yes, the bad-guy does get his comeuppance but it isn’t dealt out as expected, in fact the book has a refreshing way of bringing about the bad-guys’ downfall, one that will stick in my mind for a good long time.

Of course I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed by this book as Jake Douglas is one of a fistful of pseudonyms used by one of my favourite western writers, Keith Hetherington. If you’ve yet to try his work then this book would serve as a perfect introduction to his excellent storytelling.

Dead Man River

By Tyler Hatch

Hale, January 2015

It seemed like a wonderful solution to Dave Brent’s troubles: exchange identities with the dead man he found floating in the river and that should be the last he would hear of the Vandemanns, who wanted his blood.

But the dead man was more popular than he reckoned – and a lot of men wanted to find the man now using his name: if they caught him, he could choose to die either by torture or a quick bullet. Dave didn’t want to settle for either choice.

This extremely fast moving story illustrates how making rash decisions can bring even more problems down on your head, meaning this tale is full of twists and turns and how is he going to get out of that situations.

There’s plenty of action involving both guns and fists, as Dave struggles to clear his name of both the deadly trails he straddles, and he finds no-one is to be trusted.

The reason people are hunting the dead man Dave finds can’t be revealed here but I will say it sets the book up for a terrific ending that has an excellent final sting-in-the-tail.

As many regular readers of this blog will already know, Tyler Hatch is a pseudonym used by one of the best western writers in the business; Keith Hetherington. Once again he has written a superb tale that has me eagerly waiting for his next book to be published. If you’ve yet to discover his work then Dead Man River would certainly be a highly recommended place to start. 

Hood

By Jake Douglas

Hale, August 2014

When they find him he doesn’t even know his own name – or where he is, or how he got there. He sure doesn’t know who shot him in the head and left him in the badlands to die.

So he does the only thing a man like him can do: strap on his guns and get back in the saddle. He hunts and trains, working to improve his strength before time runs out and he is left with no land, and no future. But perhaps that is part of the plan all along, and perhaps someone is hoping his run of luck is coming to an end….

Opening the book with the discovery of a man who doesn’t recall anything about his past allows Jake Douglas to throw all kinds of questions at the reader ensuring they will become easily hooked by this tale of mystery and…..well you didn’t really think I’d reveal the plot here did you?

Hood makes for an engaging lead character, a tough man who soon finds himself dealing with all kinds of problems as well as trying to discover who shot him and why. He is helped by Doc Hammond who is experimenting with new types of medicine. Then there’s the sheriff who seems to want nothing more than to lock Hood up. And what part will Stevens and his sister play? They thought Hood was dead and have moved into his home. Just when answers seem to be on the verge of being revealed in rides a US Marshal to further complicate matters.

Jake Douglas keeps the story moving forward at a tremendous pace, throwing plenty of twists and turns into the tale. Violence erupts regularly and there’s a tremendous, frantic, final showdown. Douglas also includes some laugh out-loud moments of humour and took me completely by surprise by killing off someone I thought would survive.

Jake Douglas is a pseudonym used by Keith Hetherington, one of my favourite western authors, and this book proves once again why I enjoy his work so much.

For some reason I can't get Amazon UK links to work so please use the search box to the right if you'd like to buy a copy in the UK.

Dark Mesa

By Hank J. Kirby

Hale, April 2014

He was stubborn and an ex-jailbird to boot. No wonder he didn’t fit in with the people of Keystone. They wouldn’t give him the time of day, bought down the law on him, even burned him out, then sent for a hired killer.

He stayed put and did things his way – until, finally, the harassment drove him to strap on his guns and go after the one man behind his troubles. That was when Keystone finally realized he was unstoppable….

Hank J. Kirby hooks the reader immediately with a number of questions such as what does a man called Moreno want with McCall, not that McCall has any interest in the answer, just wants to be left alone. Of course we know McCall will be pushed too far and then the already fast moving storyline really picks up pace, building quickly to a memorable, tense, final showdown.

Hank J. Kirby is a pseudonym used by prolific western author Keith Hetherington and this book, like many of his others, contains a superb fist-fight that sees both combatants suffering badly from the brutal exchange.

Bad guys and good are all well-crafted, each having their own personalities, and descriptions of landscape, characters and action are very visual.

Keith Hetherington’s years of experience shine through his prose, and Dark Mesa proved to be a very entertaining read indeed that left me eagerly looking forward to his next book.

Dark Mesa at Amazon.com

Dark Mesa (Black Horse Western) at Amazon.co.uk

Long Ridin' Man

By Jake Douglas

Hale, January 2014

They call him ‘Hunter’ because he ruthlessly picks off men. But there is one man in particular for whom he searches: the man who destroyed his family. Catching up with the killer finds Hunter in a booming town in urgent need of a deputy sheriff and, in need of cash, he pins on the badge.

But the body count is rising and the folk of Cimarron wonder just who they’ve hired as their peacemaker and when Hunter discovers why the town needs a fast gun so urgently the odds are that it will be too late for him to get out alive….

Dealing with the man who killed his family is the opening scene in what turns out to be an extremely fast moving read full of intrigue and violent action. Jake Douglas lets the reader in on a few of the answers to the puzzles that are troubling Hunter but doesn’t explain all straight away thus ensuring the reader will keep turning the pages.

As well as the reason a man who should want Hunter out of town but seems happy to have him in Cimarron and working as a deputy, there is also the hostility aimed at Hunter by his landlady, a young woman whose brothers he killed some time ago. Can Hunter convince her it was in self-defence? Will he become friends with her? Possibly more? The conclusion of this particular relationship closes the book and, for me, will stick in my mind for a long time.

Jake Douglas is a pseudonym used by Keith Hetherington, a prolific writer of westerns who always produces top-class reads. After having written many hundreds of stories I’m regularly astounded at how he seems to keep coming up with plots that seem fresh and new that leave me eager to read more of his work, as this one does. 

Long Ridin' Man at Amazon.com
Long Ridin' Man (Black Horse Western) at Amazon.co.uk

Mr Gunn

By Tyler Hatch

Hale, February 2013

He was called ‘Mr Gunn’. A good name, he’d earned it – but it wasn’t his name.

That was the trouble: he didn’t know who he was. He learned he had once been called ‘Laredo’ but it stirred no memories. There were other names, too – so many he seriously thought of carrying a notebook to write them in…. One of them surely must tell him why so many men wanted him dead.

But he had to learn his true name, even if it meant he could face a hangman’s noose when he did.

Tyler Hatch writes some superb opening scenes to this tale, telling of the destruction of a prison camp towards the end of the Civil War where both prisoners and guards must all be wiped-out. But there is one survivor, the man who will become known as Mr Gunn. His frantic struggle to stay alive makes for gripping reading.

Gunn’s frustrations at discovering his true identity are portrayed extremely well and soon had me wondering as to just who he was. Tyler Hatch reveals little hints as Gunn finds himself in more and more danger. Being a Southerner during the Reconstruction isn’t a help either.

There’s plenty of action as Gunn falls foul of being framed for murder, becomes a target for a jealous man, whilst attempting to find out about his life before being imprisoned in the war. Even when he does think he’s finding the answers doubt is thrown over his discoveries.

Does Gunn find out who he is? That would be telling and really would spoil the excellent conclusion to this book, so I guess you’ll just have to get yourself a copy if you want to find out.

Mr Gunn has an official release date of February 28th but should be available now from the usual Internet bookstores.

Not a Hope in Hell

By Hank J. Kirby
Hale, December 2012

They said he was a trigger-happy sheriff, but when the bad boys came to town nobody complained when he cut loose with his guns.

Until the day when two elderly folk are killed during a shoot-out, forcing the sheriff to get out of town and find a new place to make a living. But when things don’t work out as planned: the only place to go is back to Texas, where the wanted dodgers await, along with a whole crowd of enemies….

Hank J. Kirby is one of the pseudonyms used by Keith Hetherington, a writer who has fast become one of my favourite western authors. Each book of his I’ve read has left me eagerly waiting for his next and this story continues that desire.

Not a Hope in Hell is filled with great characters and has a hero that doesn’t come out of gunfights and fistfights unscathed, in fact for most of the book Clay Emory is walking wounded.

The plot at first seems fairly straight-forward but it isn’t long before there’s questions that need answers and then the story moves through a couple of twists and turns and the reader is left wondering just which side of the law Emory now works on. Of course everything is eventually explained and resolved in a spectacular gunfight.

I’ve been a bit vague with the plot on purpose so as not to give anything away and spoil the storyline for those intending to read this book. I’ll finish by saying if you have yet to try any of Keith Hetherington’s work then this could well be the perfect place to start.

Not a Hope in Hell is officially released on December 30th, but is available now.

Fargo's Legacy

By Tyler Hatch

Hale, September 2012

Craig Fargo was barely fifteen years old when he killed his first man.

By doing so he saved his father’s life – but only for a few more minutes. And in those minutes he was committed to a quest that would take him eight brutal years to complete.

The road is long when you’re alone, and that first dead man had a lot of company as Fargo’s legacy kept his fists ready and his guns blazing. But when he reached the end of the trail and the gunsmoke cleared, his legacy was not what he expected….

This book begins with the killing of Craig Fargo’s father that sets the young man on his quest, following a trail that doesn’t really make any sense to him, that gets stranger as those he seeks are dying just before he finds them. Who is killing them and why? It’s these questions that kept me glued to the pages as Tyler Hatch expertly keeps the answers hidden, heightening the mystery elements of this very fast moving tale.

Tyler Hatch is one of the pseudonyms used by prolific author Keith Hetherington, and this book contains one of his excellent brutal fistfights. There is also loads of gunplay and a superb villain – someone I’m not going to say anything more about so as not to spoil anything about the gripping plot.

A mistake provides a slim opening and a dramatic race against time that begins to put the pieces of the puzzle in place, leading to a terrific final confrontation that ties everything up neatly, and violently.

So, once again I’ve found myself being thoroughly entertained by a Tyler Hatch book and am left very much looking forward to Keith Hetherington’s next novel.

Against All Odds

By Hank J. Kirby

Hale, May 2012

He didn’t even carry a gun, it wasn’t necessary when he was so good with his fists. But after a fatal altercation with a proddy kid he began to see he was perhaps too good, especially as the boy had a mighty powerful father and brother who would be waiting for him when he was finally released from prison.

It seemed like the moment to start packing a gun – a very special kind of gun. He needed all the advantage he could get as he was only one man against many. Someone had to die to even up the odds.

Hank J. Kirby is a pseudonym used by prolific western author Keith Hetherington, a writer that has fast become one of my favourites in the genre. This book contains all the elements that make his work so entertaining; excellent characters, fast moving plots, plenty of gunplay, and lengthy fistfights. This story also has the added element of the unusual weapon, a Spencer-Bannerman slide-action shotgun.

The books’ hero, Ronan, finds himself on the wrong end of a vicious beating that finishes with his hand being pulverized by a rock. His hand is virtually useless after this and the shotgun becomes the only weapon he can use effectively.

The storyline is a twisting tale of revenge that becomes a pulse-pounding race to save a hostage that sees Ronan battling heavy odds in no prisoners taken situations.

Once more I found that this was another Keith Hetherington story that was very hard to put down before the end was reached, and, again, I was left eagerly looking forward to his next book.

Against All Odds has an official release date of May 31st, but it is available now from the usual Internet bookstores.

Cut-Price Lawman

By Tyler Hatch

Hale, October 2011

They wanted a sheriff they could control, to run the town their way. Chris Cade seemed to fit the bill – a drifter, drunk, stupid with toothache, and broke. It was easy to pin a badge on him.

However, after that it got harder. Cade had his own agenda, his own set of rules, a pair of hard fists and a fast gun. They figured they’d got him for a cut-rate, but the price they had to pay put them deep in the red – and the well-turned soil of Boot Hill.

If you’re not a fan of dentists, the opening chapter to this extremely fast moving book will have you squirming in your seat: “Why anyone’d call it laffin’ gas beats the hell outta me!”

It soon becomes obvious to Cade that everything isn’t quite on the straight and narrow as he begins life as a lawman and discovers the fate of his predecessor. Also there are questions about the disappearance of Duggan; a man surveying the surrounding land. And where has a missing wagon and its army escort vanished too? Plenty of questions ensure the reader won’t be putting this book down before the end, and the reason behind the mystery’s came as a surprise to me.

Tyler Hatch is one of the pseudonyms used by Keith Hetherington, a writer who became a favourite author of mine after only reading a couple of his books. Once more he doesn’t disappoint with this tale. His fast flowing style, hard hitting action, and twisting storylines just keep me coming back for more, and leaves me eagerly waiting for his next book.

The Last Mann

By Hank J. Kirby

A Black Horse Western from Hale, September 2011

Jubal Mann was the closest he’d ever been to realizing a long-held dream. With all his experience following the wild and dangerous cattle trails, from the Rio to Canada, he figured he could start a new breed of cattle: Longhorn Cross with imported Angus Red.

Mann was convinced that the best of the hardy, self-sufficient Longhorn combined with the meat-bearing quality of the Angus would put top-notch steaks on the plates of a nation, and dollars in his pocket.

However his past came back to haunt him: just as he had his dream within reach, killers moved in and he found himself with his back to the wall, and a smoking gun in each hand.

Cattle breeding is just the backbone to this story, it plays little part to the main thrust of the plot, this being a bounty placed on Jubal Mann by an unknown enemy, which leads to a number of well written violent confrontations.

The pace of the book is superb, as one would expect from this author – Hank J. Kirby being one of the pseudonyms used by Keith Hetherington: a writer who has been putting out quality westerns for many years. The story also offers a number of surprises, and the twist that comes along about half-way through the book was completely unforeseen by me and meant it was virtually impossible for me to put the book down from then on as I had to discover what would happen next and how it would all play out.

Even though the reader knows who is behind the attempts on Mann’s life, the why isn’t revealed until the author is good and ready to tell. By the end, all the plot threads are neatly tied up and I was left eagerly looking forward to Keith Hetherington’s next book.

Lonesome Range

By Tyler Hatch

A Black Horse Western from Hale, June 2011

He had many names – but only one told who he really was – the fastest gun in Texas, Colorado or just about anywhere. Sometimes he was recognized, no matter what the name and then the challengers would come, guns would blaze and he’d ride away from yet another dead man.

Then came the day where he’d killed one too many and the fastest gun had to swap his colt for a sledge on the rockpile – for ten long years.

He wasn’t ready to give up just yet though – and when a chance for freedom came along, he was prepared to grab it with both hands….

The above blurb has all taken place before the beginning of this book, and the reader meets the man as he struggles to survive a desert crossing. It’s here he finds himself siding a small rancher against a much larger one. Even though the story has a backdrop of a range war the main plot is about the identity of the man, and once this is found out it’s how he deals with more people gunning for him. The mystery gunman having to not only deal with the land-hungry rancher, but treachery from his own side, and a vengeance hungry daughter of one of the men he killed a long time ago.

The story is extremely fast paced and packed with action that is quite brutal at times. The odds against the survival of the man makes for gripping reading and you have to wonder if this is one anti-hero that won’t be alive by the books end.

Having read many books by this author – Tyler Hatch being one of a number of pseudonyms used by Keith Hetherington – I knew I’d be in for a cracking read and that’s exactly what I got. If you’ve never read one of Keith’s many books then this could be a great place to introduce yourself to this writer’s talents.

Lonesome Range is officially released tomorrow but is already for sale at the usual Internet bookstores.

The Scattergun Gang

By Hank J. Kirby

A Black Horse Western from Hale, May 2011

The Scattergun Gang were the worst bunch of killers that Texas had ever seen and they had Josh McCall’s wife as a hostage.

There were no definite clues, only a relentless trail through Indian Territory, a place infested with outlaws on the run – all with an eye for a fast buck and all willing to put a bullet in your back if that was what in took.

But McCall was ready to take them all on, even if he had to use his bare hands….

Nothing would stop him getting Rosa back. Nothing.

Hank J. Kirby starts the book with a bank raid that can only be described as explosive. The violence of this mellowed a little by the humorous touches that Kirby includes in this opening sequence – some of which had me laughing out loud.

From then on the book takes a slightly darker tone, as McCall hits the trail in search of his wife. His actions at times almost as savage as the gang he is chasing down.

The action comes thick and fast as McCall encounters the army, another band of outlaws, a man who isn’t whom he seems, another who isn’t all he’s said to be, other men who see his hunt as a way to get some easy money…. All this leads to a dramatic final shootout where the identity of an assassin known only as The Spider is revealed.

This story provides the reader with a very fast moving tale, filled with action, touches of mystery, and a few twists to the plot. All of these combine to make for a difficult to put down read. Then again I wouldn’t expect anything less from this author, as he’s been a successful western writer for a long time, with hundreds of books to his credit. Hank J. Kirby being one of Keith Hetherington’s pseudonyms, and once more I’m left looking forward to his next book.

Dakota Rage

By Jake Douglas

A Black Horse Western from Hale, April 2011

Chance Lawton lived with his best friend, Ishna-Kobay, amongst a Lakota Sioux tribe in the Black Hills of Dakota. They hunted and broke mustangs – until a fake army patrol ambushed them, stole their belongings and killed Ishna-Kobay.

Lawton usually liked to steer clear of trouble, but avenging his friend’s murder was no trouble: the way he saw it, it was his bounden duty. And if duty meant facing ‘Captain’ Brodie Hall’s guns, then so be it….

This book is filled with fast moving action from almost the first word. Lawton’s desire for revenge seemingly the only storyline, and that would be enough for most authors. But Jake Douglas further complicates matters with the discovery of hidden gold nuggets that Lawton cleverly uses to draw his enemy to where he wants him.

The final showdown between Lawton and McCracken – the actual killer of Ishna-Kobay - is an exciting one on one without guns that is told brutally. This fight carried out under Indian rules. In fact a band of Sioux play a major role to the outcome of Lawton’s quest for vengeance and the other plot threads.

Dakota Rage is a well-written book that moves forwards at a tremendous pace as it builds to its excellent ending. But then again I’d expect nothing more from this writer: Jake Douglas being non other than the highly regarded western author Keith Hetherington.

Dakota Rage has an official release date of April 29^th but is available now.

Western Fiction News

WILLIAM JOHNSTONE / J.A. JOHNSTONE

Many new books have been announced, including new series, and a new book in a series I thought long passed by. There hasn’t been a new book in the Town Called Fury series since 2007 but July 2011 will see the publication of the fourth titled Redemption.

New books will be appearing in all the main series as well as J.A. Johnstone’s Loner series. New series include MacAllister: The Eagles Legacy and Savage Texas.

BLACK HORSE WESTERNS

For the past few months Hale have upped the number of Black Horse Westerns they publish each month from seven to eight.

So with this increase and the Johnstone family putting out new series does this mean the western might be becoming a little more popular?

BLACK HORSE EXTRA

The latest edition of Black Horse Extra can be found here. As usual it contains an excellent mix of articles, observations and chat.

The main theme of BHE#20 is what books writers read and there are some great thoughts and reflections from Keith Hetherington. Three other writers also comment on their reading material, these authors being Nik Morton, Matthew P. Mayo, and Gary Dobbs.

There’s also a fascinating article by Greg Mitchell on the history of the telegraph.

DORCHESTER

Seems Dorchester has a new CEO who is, apparently, making big changes to solve the problems within the company that has stated it’s not on the verge of bankruptcy.

It’s said that Dorchester will now begin to sell paperback’s starting in January 2011, possibly fuelled by the many complaints of readers not being able to get paper books by their favourite authors. Whether these will be regular mass-market paperbacks or trade paperbacks only time will reveal. These will be available through normal retail outlets such as B&N and Amazon. They will still be producing ebooks in a big way.

Let’s all hope the above comments turn out to be true.

A FEW STATS

It would seem that the interviews I do are some of the most viewed items I post on this blog. There’s almost always six of them in the top ten slots of the all-time posts with cover artist Ken Laager usually claiming top place. Ralph Cotton can be found in second place regularly too – is this because both of these people have links to WFR on their own sites? The only other artist I’ve interviewed, Tony Masero, has never been lower than fourth place.

At one time there was only one book in the top ten, and this often claims second spot, this being The Outlaw Josey Wales. I reckon this gets many hits from people searching for the film as much as the book. Since reviewing Beat to a Pulp, this has claimed sixth place as it’s own. The only other book in the top ten is Larry D. Sweazy’s The Rattlesnake Season.

And just where do the majority of my blogs readers come from? Yeap, America. Over three times the number of visitors to second placed UK. Filling out the rest of the top ten are: Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Australia, Denmark, France, and finally Brazil.

By far the majority of people searching for the blog use either google com or UK and the site that many people link to WFR from is James Reasoner’s Rough Edges – thanks for adding the link James.