Searcher #6

DEVIL'S BRAND

as by Josh Edwards

Diamond, November 1991

John Stone didn't expect too much from the Texas range – just the chance to be reunited with the only woman he loved. But that was before he laid eyes on Cassandra Whiteside, the beautiful mistress of the Triangle Spur ranch…and a dead ringer for his long lost Marie. It doesn't take long for Stone to get on the bad side of the old colonel who calls the Triangle Spur and Cassandra his private property. Soon Stone has added a pair of scheming cowhands and the wicked owner of a rival ranch to his dance card of enemies. Who said ranchers live longer than soldiers?

This is another excellent entry in the SEARCHER series.

Josh Edwards, a pseudonym for Leonard Levinson, writes a fast paced book that keeps the reader guessing to the outcome, as Stone's enemies grow in number to what must be unbeatable odds.

All the characters are superbly portrayed, many having dark secrets. There's even an ex-slave of Stone's, who swears he'll kill Stone the first chance he gets.

One of my favourite characters has to be the man who lives in a cave who says Stone will end his days living in one too, it's the safest place to be. A man full of despair, like Stone. It's no wonder they decide to go to Kansas because if they're lucky the Comanche will kill them on the way!

Stone's big drunk, on a night in town, leads to some terrific scenes, such as a drunken gunfight in a bar that sees neither Stone or his opponent able to hit anything they aim at.

And what of Stone's search for Marie? Maybe it's ended with the heart- stopping discovery of a woman who looks just like her. I guess you'll have to read the book to find out.

Searcher #1

as by Josh Edwards

Charter Diamond, August 1990

This is the first of a 12 book series.

Once, John Stone had everything a man could ever want: wealth, position, and a woman who loved him. But that was before the Civil War. Now, he's lost his fortune, and his fiancée has disappeared. All he has left is his Colt, a picture of Marie, and a mission – to roam the West until he finds the woman he loves. He is the SEARCHER.

Josh Edwards is a pseudonym for author Leonard Levinson.

Levinson's hero is a tough man, quick to use his Colt or fists, he doesn't back down no matter how large the odds, which is good for Stone as he has the ability to attract trouble without trying. Stone is also a little out of his depth as he ventures west, here hired to scout for a wagon train heading for Texas. The wagon train contains many well portrayed secondary characters, as are the cowboys, outlaws and Indians they'll come up against.

The story is confidently written and moves along at great pace. The book is filled with terrific action, my favourite part being how Stone deals with some outlaws wanting to charge the wagon train members to use a pass through the mountains.

Then there's a more personal battle that makes for intriguing reading, that of Stone's promise to himself to stay faithful to Marie, when faced with temptations.

To get the best enjoyment from this series it is best read in order, but please note that the publisher made an almighty blunder when publishing books 11 and 12 and put them out the wrong way round, book 12 should be read before #11.