By the Gun They Died

as by Matt James

A Black Horse Western from Hale, April 2010

With seven killers camped on his trail, big Blaze Morgan rode south into Weeping Woman Valley. With his superior gun skills and horsemanship, Morgan expected to shake his pursuers quickly, but soon realizes he will be lucky to survive the next-four hours…

How can he possibly overcome such obstacles?

Matt James hooks the reader quickly by throwing in many questions that just have to be answered before the book can be put down. Questions such as who are the twins that live in the large house in Weeping Woman Valley? Why won’t they answer any of Morgan’s questions? Will they kill Morgan? Will the seven killers hell-bent on revenge be successful in their quest? Whose body does Morgan discover hastily buried, who killed him and why?

Of course Matt James is a pseudonym and it’s one of those used by long-time western author Paul Wheelahan. A writer, who knows his craft extremely well, knows how to keep his readers turning the pages. His characters are believable, his descriptions paint vivid images within the minds eye, his dialogue is convincing. All these things combine to make this book a gripping and action filled yarn that will definitely appeal to most western fans.

By the Gun They Died is officially published today but has been available for a while and if you want a copy I suggest you put your order in as soon as possible as BHW tend to sell out very quickly.

Always the Guns

as by Matt James

A Black Horse Western from Hale, November 2009

A murder charge followed by a desperate flight and pursuit halfway across the West for two innocent young ranchers – could fate be more brutal?

Darien Pell and Slim Carroway are soon to find out during an odyssey which takes them from the once-peaceful East to the wilds of old Texas … with a vengeful posse in pursuit.

Is it simple bad luck that they fall in with flamboyant old Mack and his gang of wild desperadoes? Or might it prove to be their one hope of dodging the hangman’s noose?

Matt James is one of the pseudonyms used by the prolific Paul Wheelahan and like all the books I’ve read by him this one is a fast flowing and entertaining read. There’s not as much action as I expected, most of the action is described in the narrative after it has happened. Having said that there is plenty to hold the readers attention; the superbly drawn characters, particularly Mack Dunn. The fact that the outlaws are being hunted by Rangers, as well as the posse out to bring back Darien Pell – the latter being resolved in an unexpected, and almost understated, way. About two thirds of the way through the book Dunn announces he has a plan and a destination in mind, but doesn’t reveal what either are, so Paul Wheelahan introduces a touch of mystery to the story which insures the reader will keep turning the pages.

Always the Guns has an official release date of November 30th, although it should be available through Internet booksellers now.

Fans of Paul Wheelahan’s work will also be pleased to now that Always the Guns is one of two BHW released by him this month; the other being Take me to Texas as by Ryan Bodie.