American Old West

Originally a novella in The Pony Express Romance Collection August, 1861After her mother’s death, Alannah Fagan is left in the care of a brutal stepfather. When he demands that she marry his youngest son, her only hope is to escape. Together with Conn Fagan, her younger brother, she flees their westbound wagon train with no plan other than to survive. Stewart McCann left northern Virginia behind to take the stationmaster job at the Pony Express’s Horseshoe Station in Wyoming territory at the start of the Civil War. He has struggled with that decision ever since. When he discovers a ...

One of the most thrilling Times in American History was the Pony Express Trail stretching almost 2,000 miles from Missouri to California, where pony riders--orphans and teens were preferred for this demanding deadly job--carried mail on horseback and leaped from one animal to the next every 10-15 miles to cover 75-100 miles daily. The Pony Express, however, lasted less than two years, replaced by the trans-continental telegraph. Ellis, an adventurer since his own youth when he ran away from home thumbing from Alabama to New York, retraced the Pony Express Trail by foot, horse, covered wagon...

Previously published as 'Shattered' by Jesse Storm Sheriff Eli Hayes’ life is shattered. In the town of Silver Lake, Sheriff Eli stands as a beacon of justice. Respected by his community and cherished by his loving wife, Maria, and teenage daughter, Emily, Eli’s life shatters when a gang led by outlaw Wyatt Ripley storms through Silver Lake. Wyatt’s rampage ends with Maria’s murder and Emily’s abduction, thrusting Eli into a desperate quest to save his daughter. Maria’s father, a Confederate officer, had hidden a cache of gold meant for the war effort. The treasure’s location ...

There was nothing average about the small town of Pine Falls, Nebraska in the year 1891. When a resident died and left his home and estate to the town, Sheriff Nolan used it to bring seven single ladies to their town. They'd grown up in an orphanage, but after becoming of age, had nowhere to go. He offered them the use of the now vacant home, and assured them several reputable businesses were looking for help. The small town welcomed the ladies, who finally felt like they were part of a community. There was now more than one seamstress in town, the restaurant owner finally had some help, ...

Sarah and Thomas Woodford travel west in search of a better life. En route Thomas takes ill and dies leaving Sarah to look after herself. Remaining for a time with the wagon train, a man she befriended betrays her and she soon discovers she's alone in the frontier town of Parish without much except for her meagre savings. Lodging at Parish's sole hotel, Sarah must eke out a living to survive, hoping all the while she'll save enough money to pay for her passage home. When things don't work out as planned, Sarah is forced to make a choice she'd never have considered possible. A Sporting Life ...

A historical fiction book set in the Staked Plains of the American West during the 19th century. Embark on a gripping journey across the unforgiving Staked Plains alongside the Jasper family in "The Treacherous Drive." This tale of courage and resilience follows young Jamie Jasper as he navigates the trials of a perilous cattle drive, where the harshness of nature and the weight of responsibility test the bonds of family and friendship. As the Jasper family battles the scorching heat, dwindling water, and lurking dangers of the plains, Jamie's adventurous spirit leads him into both ...

A hunt is on for Wiley Hatcher and the renegades before more people are hurt. Leading that search is Adam Dale, a young Civil War veteran. Adam has witnessed a brutal tragedy where his neighbors, the McCormicks, have been murdered by the renegades. Only Lydia McCormick, age nineteen, has survived. The renegades are emboldened by new Winchester rifles, which Hatcher has also illegally sold the stolen weapons to the natives. Adam is aided by his younger brothers, Lyman and Jake. Adam will need all of his bravery and skills to make sure justice is brought to the frontier. During his mission, ...

Solitary and legendary shooter Dan “Three Hands” Roberts learns about a tragedy on a wanted poster – the Barber Boys are wanted for the deaths of two men and a house burned to ashes. The victims? Dan’s father and brother. It was a twisted revenge served cold by the Barber Boys after Dan killed Wes Barber, one of the gang members, in a fair duel. But Dan’s mother and sister have managed to flee, and it is up to Dan to protect his surviving kin. The Barber Boys, merciless brothers with a mining fortune, will put anyone in the ground if they stand in their way of making money, ...

Ben Daniel is a driver for the Rocky Stagecoach Company. He has a zest for the frontier as well as transportation. After all he had been a rider for a short while with the widely known Pony Express outfit. Ben takes enormous pride in his stage duties and is incensed that another company driver, Merle Rusten, has crossed the line and become a criminal. Rusten has orchestrated a holdup on his stage. It led to the deaths of five people and the loss of sixty-thousand dollars. One of those killed is guard Jason Carey, father of Sarah Carey. And Sarah is Ben’s one and only true love. Ben will ...

“The bridge.” Sheriff Dean Coleman paused, then said, “The bridge? What about it?” “The bridge that the Texas Pacific rides on, over Bitter Gorge. That’s a drop of one hundred feet or more, down into the Pecos River.” Dean leaned in. “You don’t figure they’re blowing it up?” “I don’t know. It makes sense. Blow up the bridge, take the gold.” After finding a train schedule in the pocket of a dead outlaw, Sheriff Dean uncovers the most sinister plot yet of the deadly militia Los Bandidos Rojos. There’s a train car full of gold due to pass through Dean’s town. ...

It’s 1868 and many people are relying on the skills of scout Drake Sagewater. Drake is helping settlers on their way to California. The Andrews family, riding in a canvas wagon, has been attacked by a shrewd renegade from the Apache Nation, named Jace. With a rag-tagged band of fellow renegades, Jace is making life miserable, and sometimes deadly, for settlers. That is the case with the migrating Andrews family, who loses their patriarch, Jed Andrews, in a raid. While seeking justice, Jed’s daughter, Lydia, takes a shine to the handsome young Drake Sagewater. Drake’s challenge is ...

Natasha Goering removed the knife from its sheath. In one fell swoop she cut her braid at the nape of her neck and let it fall to the ground like it meant nothing to her. She slashed at the straggling hair that remained until she could feel with her fingers that it was fairly close to the scalp. Satisfied, she put the knife away, and faced Pete Brewster. “We should get you proper clothes,” Brewster said. “And a hat.” Natasha nodded and climbed into her saddle. “You got a name to go with that haircut?” Brewster asked. Natasha considered it a moment. Tasha was her family’s pet ...

He upholds the law, until the law is held in utter contempt. U.S. Marshal Wade Nelson’s stint in the Union Army and no-nonsense approach to law enforcement makes him a natural fit for his position. When a night has gone lawless to become known as the Bandera Massacre, starting with the death of a sheriff, Wade saddles up. Law and lawlessness cannot co-exist. The Bateman Gang inflicts great evil and suffering in both Texas and the Indian Territory. They terrorize. They think they are soldiers. They see everyone else as ‘outsiders’. Little is known about the gang, except that: 1- they ...

Introducing West to the Canyons, by Ken Cannon, set in the Rugged Terrain of the American West, this novel will take you on an adventurous journey through the breathtaking canyons and valleys of Arizona. With powerful storytelling and gripping characters, this is the perfect read for anyone who loves a good Western adventure. The story revolves around Karen Oakman, a wealthy and independent young woman from New York City. Karen is a successful, ambitious, and self-absorbed socialite who leads a glamorous but unfulfilling life. However, her world is turned upside down when circumstances ...

The Nations is a short fiction set containing twenty stories by master storyteller Thomas F. Sheehan. These tales celebrate the heroic deeds and legends of various Native American Indian tribes (Cherokee, Kiowa, Lakota) of the Old West in the United States.

Blackfoot tribal member Dean Wolfsblood is the keeper of the sacred Dragonfly medicine pipe that makes time travel possible. When Dean’s medicine pipe goes missing—and there’s chilling evidence his fiancée Kai has been abducted—he rushes to the ceremonial place in the mountains to save her from the cruelties of fate and history. Something Kai knows all too well. Dean arrives in the nick of time and finds Kai and his pipe in the brutal hands of Weston Bonner. Weston has crucial information about Badger Lowell, a hoard of gold, and Dean’s long-lost parents. Information that has the...

The Ladies Aid Society is determined to find brides for the bachelors who have moved to their town in the last two or three years. Their first attempt is for Angus Kelly, a red-haired giant of an Irishman. The society members have written to all their old friends across the country, and one willing respondent seems to be perfect for Angus: Nessa O’Shea. At the same time, Detectives Deacon Snow and his brother have been hired by a bank in Rawlins to search for the criminals who stole a shipment of newly minted gold coins intended for three different banks. On the way to the San Francisco ...

“Do I need to remind you to take care of yourself?” she reminded him. “Don’t worry about me. I still hate to lose, dear,” Colton mildly admonished her. Colton Day does not get a chance to rest much as yet another threat has come to the rugged frontier town of Temple Ridge. Earlier in the year, former lawman Colton defeated a killer gang and then thwarted a group of kidnappers. Now, Birch Simmons has come to town and killed Temple Ridge’s Mayor Huck Flinton. But bringing the corrupt rancher Simmons to justice will be a monumental challenge. This challenge naturally falls on ...

"I was present at the Frog Lake Massacre and escaped by the slim margin of one hundred paces the fate that overtook my hapless fellows. For months afterward the unexpected report of a gun put my heart in my mouth, painted savages plunged in my dreams at early dawn through belts of dark firs upon my flying footsteps, bullets sang in my ears or found their mark in my flesh, and I awoke gasping and unable in the first few seconds of consciousness to convince myself that it was not all a horrible reality. Looking back on that now distant date and thinking over the flow of perilous turns in ...

Recently retired policeman Tom Kettle is settling into the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a Victorian castle overlooking the Irish Sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, catching only glimpses of his eccentric landlord and a nervous young mother who has moved in next door. Occasionally, fond memories return, of his family, his beloved wife June and their two children.