The Trailsman #5

THE RIVER RAIDERS

as by Jon Sharpe

Signet, February 1981

When a pistol-packing blonde beauty pegged Skye Fargo, the Trailsman, as a hired gunslinger out to get her uncle’s foreman, it was draw first and ask questions later. Yet by the time he’d tamed the gorgeous young spitfire enough to convince her she was wrong, Fargo was trapped into hunting down the desperadoes who were killing her uncle’s men and stealing his cargo from the riverboats.

Lured on by the loving promise of double pleasure from the gloriously golden Amber and her voluptuous, raven-haired sister, April, Fargo had no choice but to ride a river of treachery, where every bend hid another bushwhacker thirsting for his blood…

Jon Sharpe throws so many questions at the reader that it is almost impossible to put this book down until discovering the answers, many of which will only be found out at the end.

The author (who I believe is series originator Jon Messman) places suspicion on just about every character in the book, as to who is behind the plot to put Sam Fuller out of business. And when you think you’re getting close to working it out the writer slips another twist into the tale to keep you guessing.

It’s also interesting to see the differences in this early entry in the series and the books being published today; for instance it isn’t mentioned that Fargo wears buckskins, the Ovaro is referred to as the pinto nearly all the time, and all the women seem to be there just for Fargo’s pleasure.

So in conclusion this is a well written, tough, fast moving, action filled book that should provide gripping reading for all Trailsman fans.

Joe Blade

as by Matt Chisholm
Panther, May 1959

Joe Blade had two passions in life: Sarah, and his horses. Joe and Sarah were the kind of people who started a legend on the flaming frontier of the Old West; Joe was a man who stuck to his word, while Sarah was a woman who stuck to her man.

When someone from her past was crazy enough to touch her and Joe’s horses, it was the beginning of a long and relentless search. Joe was a man who did not know what it was to give up, especially when he was riding in company with Pierre Duclos, the greatest scout the West ever knew.

Joe searched for his horses, his enemies, and for justice. And he found them all.

Matt Chisholm wrote this book in the first person, but not from just one person’s point of view. The book is divided into four parts with the first and last sections being told through the voice of Sarah Blade, the second part through Joe Blade and the third portion as Pierre Duclos. This way of telling the story helps make the book stand-out from any others I’ve read for a long time.

The book is filled with action from beginning to end that makes for some edge of the seat reading, as it often seems impossible for Chisholm’s heroes to survive the dangerous predicaments they find themselves in. And it’s during one of these gunfights, early on, that Chisholm cripples the main hero of the book, Joe Blade, which results in him losing a leg. For a horseman this is devastating, and how this loss of limb is overcome proves to be one of the strong points of the story.

Chisholm’s descriptions of action and landscape are superbly told, you can see events unfold before your eyes, share his characters fears, desperations, and jubilations. You can feel the cold, the heat, and taste the dust. Feel the tension in such life threatening situations as attempting to trade for ponies with Indians.

As the story’s circular path returned to where it began, to finish with yet another brutally savage fight that tied all the plot threads up neatly, I realized I’d once more really enjoyed a book by Matt Chisholm (author Peter Watts), and must again recommend this writer to all fans of the western.

Note: In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s Matt Chisholm had a series of twelve books published called Blade, about a man called Joe Blade. At first I thought all these books were about the same man, now I’m not so sure, as the time periods don’t fit, and the series hero has two legs.

Guns of Virtue

as by Peter Wilson
A Black Horse Western from Hale

March 2009

The brutal murder of his lawman father and the memory of a younger brother’s decline into a life of lawlessness set Adam Wade on a quest for revenge on the man he holds responsible. The search takes him to the town of Virtue where the man he is hunting, rich ranch owner Hal Kember, is a pillar of society and a future state governor.

But just when he thinks his search is over and vengeance is his, Adam becomes involved in a web of deceit and murder involving Kember’s beautiful wife, Laura, his errant son, Luke, and a group of stage robbers and killers. Now it will all end in a shoot-out that brings one last life-changing shock for Adam.

To my knowledge this is Peter Wilson’s first Black Horse Western, and what a debut it is. From the first killing, and subsequently watching the Wade family fall apart, which in turn leads to Adam Wade taking to the vengeance trail, the book moves along at an ever increasing pace. Even when the end of Wade’s quest seems to have arrived, Wilson throws in twists and turns that reveal some surprising revelations about many of the superbly drawn characters that this story revolves around. This all means Wade’s hunt hasn’t come to an end and the exposed secrets lead to more danger, deceit, and death, as men switch sides, double-cross each other, and plot for their survival.

Peter Wilson’s writing style is very easy to read, is fast paced, and his descriptions paint some vivid scenes. There’s plenty of action that builds to an exciting final shoot-out, that, although it’s not a surprise as to the identity of one of the characters, does provided a strong and emotional ending for Adam Wade.

If Peter Wilson’s further books are as good as this one then he’s definitely an author worth keeping an eye out for. His second book, Gannon’s Law, is due to be published in August 2009.

Guns of Virtue has a published date of March 31st 2009, so you’d best get your order in now if you want a copy as Black Horse Westerns do seem to sell out fast these days.

Die This Day

as by Dempsey Clay
A Black Horse Western from Hale, March 2009

When their troubled town found itself yet again without a peace officer to enforce the law, the citizens finally agreed on what must be done: forget the cost and risks involved and hire a town-tamer.

The famed marshal seemed to meet all their requirements – until the day gun hell erupted again.

The town looked confidently to their hero to deal with the trouble – while only the marshal himself realized that this town – and this adversary – might prove the one to put him in his grave.

Like the previous Dempsey Clay western I read this is a fast moving and action filled book as marshal Cord Ashton attempts to bring peace to Sugar Creek. Although he faces the usual problems of drunks, rowdy cowboys, and the local gamblers and wannabe gunfighters, Ashton has to face his own demons. Ashton was the law in Sugar Creek once before and left when he ran from his growing feelings for Barbara Kincaid. Barbara’s brother does not want this relationship to be renewed and will do anything to see it isn’t.

Dempsey Clay – author Paul Wheelahan – builds the mounting tension between Ashton and Stirling Kincaid superbly and writes some terrific exchanges of dialogue between the two. This is the plot thread that kept me hooked, eager to find out how all would be resolved, as Ashton doesn't want to have to kill Barbara's brother and face the consequences this could have on his relationship with Barbara.

Die This Day is published on March 31st – although it is possible to buy now through various internet booksellers – and if fast moving traditional westerns are your preferred reading choice then I suggest you get your order in now.

Wilderness #59

ONLY THE STRONG
as by David Thompson
Leisure, March 2009

Nate and Winona King know the frontier is a dangerous place. Even more so for a family of runaway slaves. The Kings thought they had saved their new friends from the worst of their troubles, a gang of vicious slave hunters. But two of the hunters survived – and have hired a seasoned frontiersman and four killers to track the Kings and the runaways down. Nate and Winona continue to lead their party across the vast prairie to the far distant Rockies. Little do they realize that a pack of two-legged wolves are nipping at their heels…and that eventually the prairie will run red with blood.

This book continues a storyline begun in the previous entry in the Wilderness series, Cry Freedom.

David Thompson (David Robbins) hooks the reader from the word go, his superb use of cliff-hanger chapter and scene endings making it very difficult to put the book down. Not only do the King’s, and the family of slaves they are guiding to a new life, have to contend with a vicious pack of slave-hunters, they also have to deal with the added danger of the landscape and wildlife.

It’s the creatures that inhabit the wilderness that provided some of the most exciting moments in this story, both of Randa’s encounters with buffalo making for gripping reading.

David Thompson also reaches the reader’s emotions really well, as through all the family bickering and battles of wills, and the never-ending struggle for man and woman to understand each others way of thinking, comes a powerful sense of love, none stronger than that that sees Nate King become consumed by rage that leads to a savage and brutal killing spree.

Does the book have a happy ending for the King’s and the runaway slaves? I guess you’ll just have to read it and find that out for yourselves.

Abilene #4

THE NIGHT RIDERS
as by Justin Ladd

Pocket Books – October 1988

On a day of searing heat and swirling dust, new settlers arrive in Abilene – dirt-poor farmers in covered wagons, determined to set down roots and make a living from the land. But in the Kansas cattle town that means trouble – angry ranchers, rash threats, and violence just around the bend.

Marshal Luke Travis and Deputy Cody Fisher are fighting a tide of barroom brawls and exploding hate. The farmers are strapping on six-guns to protect their women and their land. But one rancher has a cutthroat streak – and a band of outlaws in his pay. The masked riders strike hard and fast. They raid at night, aiming to kill. And two lawmen must face them in a brutal, final showdown!

There’s plenty going on in this book with various people who live in Abilene getting involved in the struggle to keep the peace between the farmers and the ranchers. Even though the reader thinks they know who is behind the troubles the author (James Reasoner writing as Justin Ladd) has a couple of twists waiting to turn these thoughts around.

For followers of this series most of the main characters you’ll have met in earlier books have a part to play as do some newcomers, such as the school teacher, who one hopes will return in later books. In fact this school teacher provides one of funnier moments in the book at the train station.

Like all great multi-character series many of the developing relationships between these people are left hanging to be carried on in the next books, particularly that of Marshal Travis and Aileen Bloom now that the school teacher may come between them.

I for one am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and if you’ve yet to try the Abilene series then may I suggest you do something about it soonest.

Linda Aksomitis Virtual Tour

LONGHORNS AND OUTLAWS
by Linda Aksomitis
Coteau Books – 2008

Lucas Vogel is all alone after his parents die in the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. His older brother, Gil, shows up and wants to take Lucas to Montana to work on a cattle drive. And to look for their cousin, Henry, who might be able to give Lucas a home.

Lucas would rather read stories about outlaws and the detectives who trail them – Pinkerton Agents – than spend long days in the saddle in the choking dust of a cattle drive. But in the wild buttes of Montana and Canada’s Big Muddy he finds real outlaws and real danger when he runs into the Sundance Kid and his gang. Gil thinks his brother’s making it up to get attention. Will anyone believe Lucas? And will the boys ever find Cousin Henry?

This book is aimed at a juvenile readership and I think Linda Aksomitis has come up with a great tale to capture the imagination of the young reader. The book is very easy to read and the story moves forward at great speed.

As Lucas learns about being a cowboy, and riding a horse, so too does the reader, as Linda Aksomitis takes care to explain many of these lessons in detail. She also does this with historical information and that of the geography of the locations the story is set in. None of this comes across as a teacher speaking to a class, but it reads as a natural part of the story.

Lucas is a very easy character to relate to, he comes across superbly well as a little boy lost struggling to accept his new life, as we share his hopes, joy, sadness, his despair at not being believed when he tries to tell people about his encounter with the Sundance Kid, and his confusion at understanding right from wrong when getting back the stolen herd of horses.

Overall this book is an exciting and entertain story that should also teach younger readers about life as a cowboy and, hopefully, get them interested in reading more about the West.

As well as reviewing the book Linda has taken the time to answer some questions about Longhorns and Outlaws as part of her Virtual Tour.

Why did you decide to write a book aimed at juvenile readers and what age group would you say this book is targeting?

I've always loved children's literature -- both from my voracious appetite as a child reader, then through eleven years as a school librarian. My many years of experience with young readers showed me that children do the most reading once they reach longer chapter books, at around nine or so, and that's also a point where they love to exercise their imaginations and put themselves into adventures in other times and places. So, it seemed ideal to have my main character be twelve years old, as he'd appeal to these readers. On the other hand, many adults have read Longhorns and Outlaws and loved the story as well.

Why did you decide on the western genre as opposed to any other?

I grew up watching western movies at midnight with my dad -- it was a special "treat" on Saturday nights that my brothers and I were allowed to do, as long as we took a nap earlier in the evening. I loved the excitement and the adventure in those old black and white movies with John Wayne and Audie Murphy, and decided I'd someday write a western myself. Growing up on a horse ranch and marrying into a rodeo family also helped immensely!

How long did it take to write and did it involve a lot of research?

I spent three years writing Longhorns and Outlaws, during which time I did a lot of research, both travelling through the areas and reading related books and newspapers from the turn of the century. I was lucky to find various novels and nonfiction books written at the turn of the century by cowboys, free for download from Project Gutenberg on the Internet. The biggest block of research was a week long trip through Montana where I followed the Yellowstone River along the same course the cattle drive takes (the Interstate highway follows it now), stopping in various towns to visit museums, discover books by local authors, and talk to people.

How are you going about getting the books into the hands of young readers?

I started out celebrating the arrival of Longhorns and Outlaws with a book tour through Alberta, visiting schools in the heart of rodeo and cattle country in September of 2008. In the four days I talked to more than 1000 enthusiastic young people -- it was an amazing reception! I followed up with visits to another dozen public libraries and schools around Saskatchewan. Since then, I've been very lucky to have some great book reviews for Longhorns, and to have both the Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada and of the U.S. agree to review the book in their magazines. At Christmas, our largest Western Canadian bookstore, McNally Robinson Booksellers, recommended Longhorns and Outlaws in their seasonal catalogue, which was an amazing honor as they only list five books for this age group, and Longhorns was the lone Canadian book. During the virtual book tour I'm on now, I have stops with blogs, BlogTalkRadio, a virtual visit with a Texas classroom, and am a guest author chatting at the Institute of Children's Literature. I'm appearing in several conferences in spring 2009 too, so I have another exciting season coming up!

Have you had any feedback from younger readers and what do they think of the book?

Feedback has been very good! The local book launch in Qu'Appelle, where I live, had the library packed to standing room only. Of course, readers who have some experience or interest in horses have the most enthusiastic response, although many young readers -- including my grandson -- who have neither, have enjoyed Lucas's adventure.

Is Ebenezer based on a horse you owned?

Yes, Ebenezer's character is drawn, at least in part, from my first appaloosa horse, who was named Naomi. His coloring and speed, however, are based on his being a direct descendant of Chief Joseph's very famous appaloosa, Ebenezer. Chief Joseph, riding Ebenezer, led a small group of Nez Perce people across 1500 miles in four states with 2000 cavalry behind them, making it to about forty miles from Canada, before they were captured and forced to surrender. While Lucas doesn't discover Chief Joseph's story in this book, he will in a future book.

Are Appaloosa’s your favourite type of horse?

Yes, my family have raised appaloosa horses on the QAR Appaloosa Ranch for forty years, and I've been involved with the breed since I was about ten. Although I stopped riding after I was a teenager, I spent hours in the pastures taking photos for the ranch Web site for about five years while I was their Webmaster, and rediscovered my love of appaloosas.

Which authors have been an influence on your writing?

I taught myself to read before I started school, so read pretty well every book I could find during my early years. In the Western genre I devoured a great many Louis L'Amour titles, and in children's literature I always loved Madeline L'Engle, Elizabeth George Speare, and Eloise Jarvis McGraw's books as a young reader. Now, as an adult, I love the Airborn series by Kenneth Oppel, finding them a perfect blend of beautiful writing and page-turning suspense and adventure for young readers (and we young at heart readers).

Have you further plans to write more westerns aimed at this age group?

Yes, I'm currently completing a sequel for Longhorns and Outlaws, titled Kidnapped by Outlaws, which is based on a true incident in Southern Saskatchewan. My plans are to have several additional titles where Lucas runs into outlaws in other areas of Canada and the U.S. than where he currently is now, in Montana and Southern Saskatchewan. I'm still reading historical books from the period, looking for the outlaw story that appeals to me! I've developed a Web site for the series, which provides information, teacher's guides, and fun links at: http://www.outlawbooks4kids.com/

To read more about Linda’s work then check out these other stops on her Virtual Tour:
March 12th http://www.blogtalkradio.com/igniting-imagination
March 18th http://wellreadchild.blogspot.com/
March 19th http://blog.mawbooks.com/
Week March 16th to 20th http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.php?PHPSESSID=2a8bc7cc7841efd6e73539aef0aaf742&board=11.0