Peter Bentley #5

 Command

by

J.E. MacDonnell

A Peter Bentley Story

In recognition of his bravery in piloting a midget submarine into a harbour thick with the Japanese, and sending one of the Japs’ largest battleships to the bottom of the sea, Peter Bentley was given command of H M A S Wind Rode. It should have been a proud moment for the young lieutenant-commander … but Wind Rode was a sorry-looking destroyer. Everything about her had been allowed to slide.

Peter had his work cut out for him, bringing her up to the standards he’d grown used to aboard his old ship, the Scimitar. And it was a job he couldn’t do alone.

His old commander, Bruce Sainsbury V.C., recognized this and acted at once. He sent Bentley a new Number One, Bob Randall. And of course the one and only Hooky Walker as his buffer. With their support, Bentley was going to bring Wind Rode up to scratch, or the merciless enemy was going to send them down to Davy Jones’ locker …

I worked my way through a stack of these naval novels years ago, and among the many characters, Peter Bentley and John “Dutchy” Holland stood out as my favourites. This particular book, however, focuses squarely on Bentley as he assumes command of H.M.A. Destroyer Wind Rode.

On arrival, Bentley finds the ship’s crew unruly and undisciplined, presenting him with challenges from the very start. But things begin to turn around with the appointment of a new first lieutenant and a new Buffer—both men Bentley knows well, and both perfectly suited to restore order and efficiency.

J.E. MacDonnell delivers another stirring sea-faring tale, one that proves enjoyable throughout. While the first two-thirds concentrate on Bentley’s struggle to whip the ship into shape, the pace quickens later, bringing plenty of action and excitement. It may not rank as the finest MacDonnell I’ve read, but it remains a thoroughly satisfying adventure.

Bannerman The Enforcer #41

 The Buckskinners

by 

Kirk Hamilton

(Keith Hetherington)

Bannerman The Enforcer #41

They came out of the mountains, a tight-riding bunch just like a breath from the past in their blood-stiff, stained and reeking buckskins. They all wore beaver tail caps, and their hair was shoulder-length, their features almost completely hidden behind bushy, matted beards. They were the Buckskinners, and they robbed and often killed to get what they wanted.

But now it seemed that they’d gone into the kidnapping business, and the husband of the beautiful woman they’d abducted was very specific about what he wanted Yancey Bannerman and Johnny Cato to do about it.

If possible, they were to save his wife. But one way or the other, they were to kill the Buckskinners—every last one of them.

The tale begins in Mexico, where Johnny Cato pulls Yancey Bannerman out of a perilous scrape. A fierce gunfight erupts, and the two men barely manage to escape, crossing the border to safety.

Their respite is short-lived. When a brutal kidnapping shocks the region, Bannerman and Cato are charged with rescuing a woman held by the ruthless gang known as the Buckskinners. Yet the mission proves far from straightforward and nothing is quite as it appears.

This is classic Hetherington storytelling: a Bannerman adventure packed with relentless action, sharp intrigue, and unexpected twists. As the pair hunt for the missing wife of a powerful cattle baron—whose influence reaches all the way to Governor Dukes—the stakes rise dangerously high.

A gripping entry in the Bannerman saga, sure to satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Clay Nash #25

Paydirt in Scars

by

Brett Waring

(Keith Hetherington)

Clay Nash #25 

Wells Fargo’s top detective, Clay Nash, was transporting a wounded outlaw to San Antonio when he came across the town of Saguaro Flats. Immediately he sensed that the town was hiding a sinister secret. Marshal Mace Tanner ran things with a firm hand, and was not above cold-blooded murder when it suited him. That put him and Clay at loggerheads straight away.

Clay suspected that the town was involved in the smuggling of impoverished Mexicans across the Rio Grande, where wealthy cattle barons could exploit them as cheap labor. Before he could do anything about it, however, he had to prove it.

Technically, it wasn’t any of Clay’s business. But he’d just helped two Mexicans, Manuel and Rosa Alvarez, to cross the big river into the United States, and he hated like hell to think that he might have inadvertently condemned them to a life of pain, misery, starvation and ultimately … death.

Clay Nash rides one last time—and it’s a gripping tale.

From the moment he heads into Saguaro Flats, Nash is fighting uphill battles. Even before arriving, he survives two gunfights and a dangerous crossing of the Rio, all in the effort to drag Laredo Pitt back onto U.S. soil.

But the real trouble begins once he gets there. A crooked sheriff, a ruthless landowner exploiting Mexican laborers, and the slippery Laredo Pitt—who manages to escape again—stand in his way. Add to that a beating, getting shot, and the constant danger, and it feels like this could truly be Nash’s final ride.

As expected from the Cleveland stable, the pace never lets up. Hetherington delivers his trademark blend of sharp writing and relentless action, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. I’m currently working through the installments I missed, and once I’m done, I may just circle back to revisit the earlier ones.

This was one I had to read in ebook form. 

Last Mountain Man #40

 Strike of the Mountain Man

by

William W. Johnstone

and

J.A. Johnstone

A young man has inherited a ranch—and a whole lot of trouble—in this Western in the New York Times bestselling series.

In Colorado Territory, Smoke Jensen is trying to live at peace with the big, beautiful world around him. Then a tinhorn named Puddle enters his valley—and unleashes a hellstorm of a range war.

Then the shooting started

Malcolm Theodore Puddle is a twenty-one-year-old shipping clerk—from way back East. What is he doing out here? The Mountain Man's former neighbor, Humbolt Puddle, has died and left his crumbling six-hundred-acre ranch to his only living heir, just as a greedy and ruthless cattle baron is circling the Humbolt ranch like a ravenous vulture. Poor, unsuspecting Puddle is walking into a death trap.

Smoke is the not the pitying kind. But any enemy of Smoke's neighbor is his enemy, too: Kill-crazy hired gunmen are threatening the whole valley and good men are dying. Puddle may not be much, but he's all Smoke has—as a take-no-prisoners mountain man and a timid tinhorn make for an army of two . . . in one hell of a fight.

Colonel Marquis Lucien Garneau—a Frenchman with a shadowed past, wanted back home for murder and theft—has crossed the ocean to reinvent himself in Colorado. His ambition? To become the most powerful rancher in the territory.

With Deekus Templeton at his side, Garneau begins seizing land by ruthless means. But he’s never faced a man like Smoke Jensen, a rancher quick on the draw and unwilling to yield.

When Humbolt Puddle secures Smoke’s promise to protect his nephew’s inheritance, Smoke stands ready. Garneau, however, has other plans. Templeton unleashes a band of hired gunmen to crush resistance. Only one man has the skill and grit to stand against them all.

This installment in the Last Mountain Man series delivers sharp writing, relentless action, and page-turning suspense. It’s a Western that grips from the first shot to the final showdown, keeping readers hooked until the very last page.

 Brace for Impact

 by

Anthony J. Tata

The hijackers were among the last to board. Three men in their twenties—sporting close-cropped hair, tactical gear, and carrying small duffel bags—stood out immediately. Alongside them was a sharply dressed Chinese businessman in a $3,000 Zegna suit, also under suspicion. Minutes before takeoff, Zara Sheridan, a newly appointed air marshal and former military police NCO on her first assignment, is scrambling to find their true identities when she receives a disturbing alert from the regional office . . .

An experimental fighter jet, the Hyperion X, has crashed near Sheridan’s North Carolina home. One of the jet’s senior engineers is on board Sheridan’s flight, en route to Taiwan to close a multibillion-dollar deal for Blackwood Aviation. His presence is not a coincidence. But by the time Sheridan realizes who he is—and what’s going to happen—it’s too late . . .

The plane is in the air. The hijack team takes over.

The lives of 350 passengers and 14 crew members are at stake. As tensions rise and the violence escalates, Sheridan uncovers shocking information about the new weapons technology the hijackers are after—and how it could change the course of global events. In the wrong hands, it could trigger a third world war. And she’s the only one who can stop it . . .

Terrifying, tense, and all-too-possible, Brace for Impact delivers a masterfully crafted scenario ripped from tomorrow’s headlines.

Crafting a story confined to the skies could easily feel restrictive, but Tata avoids that trap by splitting the action between Zara Sheridan in the air and her son on the ground. Add in a lethal assassin and shadowy private contractors, and the tension only escalates.

This marks a strong launch to a new series—tight writing, relentless pacing, and suspense that rarely lets up. The action unfolds so cinematically that it practically begs for a film adaptation, one that might even outshine the book itself. If high-octane thrillers packed with danger and intrigue are your thing, this one should be at the top of your list.

Thank you to Kensington and Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

Sharpe Series

 Sharpe's Command

(Sharpe and the Bridge at Almaraz, May 1812)

by

Bernard Cornwell

Outsider.

Hero.

Rogue.

If any man can do the impossible it’s Richard Sharpe.

And the impossible is exactly what the formidable Captain Sharpe is asked to do when he’s sent on an undercover mission to a small village in the Spanish countryside, far behind enemy lines.

For the quiet, remote village, sitting high above the Almaraz bridge, is about to become the center of a battle for the future of Europe. Two French armies march towards the bridge, one from the North and one from the South. If they meet, the British are lost.

Only Sharpe's small group of men—with their cunning and courage to rely on—stand in their way. But they're rapidly outnumbered, enemies are hiding in plain sight, and as the French edge ever closer to the frontline, time is running out. . . .

When you pick up a Richard Sharpe novel, you know exactly what awaits you: relentless action, simmering intrigue, and a brutal clash with the French. True to form, this tale delivers without faltering.

Sharpe and his men are sent to meet a guerrilla leader who promises them a secret path around Miravete Castle. Yet from the outset, something feels off. Their supposed ally proves treacherous—first demanding their gold, then their weapons, and finally, their very lives.

Cornwell’s writing is sharp and compelling, the pace unyielding. Once again, he grips the reader from the opening pages and refuses to let go until the final line.

Thomas Caine Thriller

 White Tiger

by

Andrew Warren

Thomas Caine #6

CIA Paramilitary Officer Thomas Caine is a man with countless enemies, but few friends. So when an ally from his past is brutally attacked, Caine returns to Japan to settle the score. There, his mission takes a deadly turn when he crosses paths with Byakko, the White Tiger - a merciless Yakuza gangster whose hypnotic gaze strikes fear into the hearts of his victims.

Following a trail of bloodshed to the snow-swept city of Sapporo, Caine uncovers a chilling conspiracy. The White Tiger is linked to a cabal of foreign operatives plotting a devastating attack on US soil. And the countdown has already begun…

From Seoul’s neon-lit alleys to the icy forests of Hokkaido, Japan, Caine races to protect a terrified woman who holds the key to this sinister plan. Can he prevent a viral outbreak from killing thousands before it's too late?

To look into the White Tiger’s eyes is to stare death in the face. But Caine is a predator himself. And in this clash of killers, only one will survive…

The story was well written and full of action to keep the pages turning. This was the first Thomas Caine for me and it was OK. 

Not sure if I'm fully convinced on the series though. There was something about it. However I'm willing to give the series another crack down the road and maybe even reread this book to see if I can get a better grip on it. 

Don't let this turn you off however. This is only my opinion. Still worth 4 stars on the good parts alone.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

The Frontiersman #3

 The Darkest Winter

By

William W Johnstone

&

J.A. Johnstone

Exiled from the Smoky Mountains for gunning down a man in self-defense, Breck Wallace tries to make a new home in St. Louis, even tries his hand at romance, but some men are too wild to settle down. Breck is soon back on the trail, where a vicious gang of trappers, after his goods, picks up his scent and begins to dog his every step, until Breck’s only choice is to bed down for the winter with a tribe of friendly Indians. In the frigid, brutal cold of a Rocky Mountain winter, he hopes to find peace…but death is not done with Breck Wallace. When the trappers ambush the Indians and leave Breck for dead, the frontiersman must ride deeper into the mountains than he has ever gone before. Peace be damned. The blood will flow until vengeance is his alone…

Breck Wallace and his trusted trapping partner Morgan set out from St. Louis once again, bound for the unforgiving wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. But their journey nearly ends before it begins—someone wants Breck dead.

Deep in the wilds, they stumble upon Carnahan and his crew of trappers, saving them from a brutal Indian attack. Gratitude is short-lived, though. By dawn, one of Carnahan’s men—driven by spite—accuses Breck and Morgan of theft, igniting tensions that threaten to boil over.

And that’s just the start. What follows is a relentless gauntlet: a punishing winter, a vengeful adversary, and a descent into bloody conflict. This season in the Rockies may be Wallace’s most harrowing yet.

This is the second Frontiersman novel I’ve read, and apparently I’m tackling the series in reverse. No matter—the writing is sharp, the action gripping, and the suspense constant. The author’s depiction of the early 1800s frontier is bold and evocative, with broad strokes that bring the landscape to life without bogging it down in detail.

I’ve long been a fan of the Preacher Mountain Man books, but the Frontiersman series holds its own. This installment was a thrilling ride from start to finish—an easy 5-star read.

 Razor Edge

By

Logan Ryles

Mason Sharpe #12

They framed him for murder. Now Mason is coming for blood.

Army veteran Mason Sharpe has found peace in Newark, where employment at a homeless shelter provides an opportunity to serve and maybe a chance to heal. Life isn’t easy, but it’s meaningful, and that’s all Mason is looking for.

Until the dirty cops show up. Mason sees them harassing Vinny, a friend from the shelter with his own troubled past. Mason intercedes and makes it clear—further harassment will not be tolerated.

But then Vinny is fatally stabbed, and the murder weapon is recovered from Mason’s personal locker.

Hunted by police who want him silenced, and stalked by Russian mobsters who want him dead, Mason has no choice but to run. To clear his name, he’ll need to dig into Vinny’s secret life—a trail that leads straight to the heart of a criminal empire hidden in plain sight.

This sophisticated organization is ironclad, infested with killers, and carefully constructed to withstand any attack. But what they don’t know?

Mason cuts with a Razor Edge.

Logan Ryles delivers another explosive thriller featuring the relentless Mason Sharpe, who once again finds himself up against impossible odds. This time, the stakes are higher than ever. Corrupt law enforcement and the ruthless Russian Mob running illegal sweatshops. Their first mistake? Choosing the wrong man to kill. Their second? Framing someone who refuses to go down quietly. And Vinny? He was hiding a secret that started it all.

This gripping installment is just as electrifying as the last. Packed with sharp writing, non-stop action, and a pace that never lets up. The earlier books are now firmly on my TBR list. Ryles is officially a must-read author.

Heller from Texas

 Heller from Texas

By 

William Heuman

(Originally published 1957)

At twenty-eight, Trev Buchman decides to return to Cannon Basin and the Box B Ranch. It had been eight years since he'd had it out with his father and ridden off never to return. His father had been dead for four years now and Trev wanted to see his brother, Jim. But he'd come six weeks too late. According to stories he'd been told in Flint Rock, seventy-five miles to the south, Jim had fallen off a holding corral fence after a dizzy spell and was trampled to death by the milling crowd of cattle inside. They'd told him that Jim had been married for a year and a half before his death.

This was my first time reading Heuman, and I have to say—he delivers. The story is gritty, fast-paced, and packed with hard-edged characters who don’t flinch.

When Trev Buchman returns to Cannon Basin, he’s greeted by the corpse of a close friend. The dying man manages to name his killer, setting Trev on a path of vengeance.

With a bounty hunter named McTigue at his side, Trev wastes no time settling the score. But revenge is just the beginning.

Ivy Buchman—his late brother’s widow—isn’t mourning. She’s mobilizing. With a crew of hired guns and a deadly agenda, Ivy’s about to turn Cannon Basin into a war zone.

Marius' Mules II

The Belgae

By

S.J.A. Turney

Reviewed 2014

I finished this book and I was worn out. The battle scene was large and engrossing. Swapping between all your favorite characters and yes, as in times of war we do lose some and feel their pain and loss. Caesar as usual is brutal and unforgiving and only Fronto is willing to stand against his ways.

Like I said the battle scene is large and it puts you right in the middle of action. Making a stand against thousands.

S.J.A. Turney is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this series of books drags you right in and holds you there.

The characters are made to feel real and not unbelievable.

It is easy to read, flows well and keeps you hooked.

Now all I want for Xmas is the next two books!!!

If you have never tried him give it a go and I think you won't be stopping there!!

Range Killer, Jeff Clinton

 Range Killer

By

Jeff Clinton

Dan Echo rode into town with one purpose: to hire out his gun to Hoover—the greedy, heavyset man who wanted it all. Hoover had his sights set on the sodbusters’ land and was ready to drive them off by force, assembling an army of hired guns to do the dirty work. Echo signed on, but the job—and the men around him—left a bitter taste. Sickened by the mission, he switched sides, knowing full well it could cost him his life. No one quit on Hoover and lived to talk about it.

Range Killer, as far as I can tell, was published in 1965 by Berkley Medallion. Jeff Clinton was the pen name of Jack M. Bickham, who also wrote the Wildcat O'Shea series under that alias.

The story is a fast-paced, punchy read at just 128 pages. Bickham’s writing is smooth and packed with action. Echo stands out as a man of principle, even if he started on the wrong side. He honored his word to Hoover—until his conscience wouldn’t let him anymore. That’s when he crossed the line to do what was right.

This is the first Jeff Clinton title I’ve read, and if I stumble across more, I won’t hesitate to pick them up.

Crocketts #9

 Escape From the Devil

By

Robert Vaughan

Get it here!

WITH THE CROCKETTS' IN TOWN, EVERY TWO-BIT GUNSLINGER’S CHANCES OF SURVIVING ARE JUST ABOUT ZERO…

After brothers Will and Gid Crockett deliver several horses to Colonel John Abernathy – a man they knew during the civil war – he hires them to accompany his sixteen-year-old daughter, Julia, on a stagecoach trip for fear she may be kidnapped and held for ransom.

Julia is very highly sought after, and Silas King and his outlaw gang refuse to back down.

The Crockett brothers find themselves in the outlaw town of Jericho with nothing but a shootout standing in the way of justice.

Will and Gid Crockett ride again in Escape from the Devil — the gripping ninth entry in Robert Vaughan’s action-packed western saga.

This time, the brothers are tasked with tracking down Julia Abernathy, a young woman who fled home for love, only to find herself caught in a far more sinister scheme. Her suitor’s true intentions? A hefty ransom.

Add Silas King and his ruthless gang into the mix, and the Crockett brothers may have finally met their match.

Robert Vaughan delivers another masterclass in pacing and storytelling, proving that even with his later books, he remained at the peak of his craft. I’ve read several books in this series, and each one holds its own — thrilling, tightly written, and impossible to put down.

Available now from Wolfpack Publishing.

Tomahawk Callahan #2

 A Coffin for Tomahawk

By

William W. Johnstone

&

J.A. Johnstone

Western legend Luke “Tomahawk” Callahan agrees to lead one last wagon train across the Mexican border—where revolution is brewing, bullets are flying, and all roads lead to death . . .

With just a single journey under his belt, first-time wagoneer Tomahawk Callahan became a national hero. It started as a challenge waged by a railroad mogul—a race between an old-time wagon train and a brand-new rail line—with the whole world watching. Against all odds, Tomahawk led his family business to victory. At the time, he thought it would be his first—and last—wagon train. But at his sister’s urging, he’s agreed to take on one final job, a never-before-attempted trip across the Mexican border . . .

But Mexico is undergoing bloody changes. After a brutal coup, General Porfirio Diaz is determined to bring “order and progress” to the country—while revolutionaries plot against him. Tomahawk’s wagon train could help modernize Mexico, bringing railroad workers, miners, and supplies—across a desert full of rattlesnakes, Apache, and other threats. The deadliest of all is a former priest known as Generalissimo “Padre” Rodriguez, who has his bloodthirsty sights set on the wagon train. Tomahawk’s got to drive his wagons out of this frying pan and into the fire—or they’ll all end up on a wagon trail to Hell . . .

Callahan had no desire to head south with the wagon train—but he did. And what awaited him was chaos incarnate: Apaches on the warpath, bloodthirsty revolutionaries, a ruthless one-eyed woman with a taste for murder, and a Mexican insurgent known, ironically, as Padre.

The journey alone was a gauntlet of peril, but things only worsened upon arrival. Captured and cast into a dungeon, Callahan found himself fighting not just for freedom, but for survival. In the end, it all boiled down to a desperate last stand—just a handful of men facing off against an entire revolutionary army. The odds were impossible. But Callahan never played by the odds.

This tale moves at a brisk pace, with solid writing that held my attention throughout most of the ride. The narrative splits evenly—half devoted to the perilous wagon train journey into Mexico, the other half focused on Callahan’s capture and daring escape. While I personally found it a notch below the first installment, it still delivers plenty to satisfy fans of the western genre. And the cover art? Absolutely striking—one of the series’ standout features.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of this book. 

Fallen Star

Fallen Star

By

Lee  Goldberg

 A fifty-five-gallon drum washes up in the Malibu Lagoon stuffed with the corpse of Gene Dent, the key player in a bribery scandal that ensnared several local politicians. LASD detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone know the case—and all the likely suspects—well. Just as they begin their investigation, the sheriff publicly reveals evidence linking the crime to LA’s mayor.

But Eve and Duncan realize the bombshell allegation, true or not, arises from corruption within the sheriff’s own office…because they helped cover it up years ago. If the sheriff goes down, so will they.

Eve is agonizing over her moral dilemma when a helicopter crashes in the hillside below her Calabasas home. It’s not a coincidence. Eve soon discovers among the twisted wreckage and dead passengers shocking connections to her own past…and they lead straight to a fight for her life.

I’d never read any of the Eve Ronin books before, so I figured I’d give this one a shot. I really enjoyed the story—Eve finds herself investigating a murder while also dealing with the fallout from a helicopter crash. These events both add tension and complexity to the plot. The helicopter incident brings in Walker and Sharpe, who I believe have their own series, which was a nice crossover element.

Overall, it was a satisfying read. If I had one small complaint, it’s that some of the sentences felt a bit too long—I caught myself thinking breathe more than once. But that’s just my personal take.

Would I recommend the book? Definitely. I’d be keen to read more from the series.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book. 

Louis L'Amour Frontier Stories Volume 7

 Merrano of the Dry Country

By

Louis L'Amour 

Barry Merrano carved out a ranch in the unforgiving terrain of Mirror Valley—a place so dry it made Hell look hospitable. While others watched their land parch and their cattle suffer, Merrano thrived. He’d spent 4 years building dams and ponds, capturing every drop of runoff the land would give. Now, he was the only rancher with water.

The others were desperate. Their herds were dying, their wells bone dry. And Merrano had what they needed. They didn’t care how they got it—only that they would. One way or another.

This gripping short story appears in Louis L'Amour's Frontier Stories Volume 7. At 34 pages, it's a bit longer than most in the collection, but L'Amour makes every page count. The tale centers on Merrano, a determined rancher who foresaw the dangers of drought and worked tirelessly to secure water for his land. In contrast, Tom Drake—owner of the powerful TD brand and the valley’s wealthiest man—had no water. His daughter, however, caught Merrano’s attention.

Merrano was despised by the other ranchers. As the son of a Mexican Vaquero who had once left and returned, he was seen as an outsider. They tried to fence him off from water, but Merrano found it anyway. Worse, he warned them they were destroying their land and that when drought came, their cattle would suffer. They hated him for being right.

And when the drought finally hit, Merrano had what they needed—and they came to take it.

This was a fantastic read. It felt like a full novel distilled into a short story, packed with tension, grit, and action that kept the pages turning.

Last Mountain man #53

 Thunder of the Mountain Man

By

William W Johnstone

and 

J.A. Johnstone

Thaddeus Bolton sees himself as a cattle king. His ambitions are as big as the land and stock he just purchased near Smoke Jensen’s Sugarloaf ranch. Bolton and his family are friendly enough, although in the case of his wife Emmaline, perhaps too friendly. While her husband stakes his claim with plans to spread throughout the territory, she’s set her sights on Smoke. But fending her off is the least of Smoke’s worries when outlaws sweep across the valley on daring rustling raids—hitting every ranch except Bolton’s.

Fearing it’s only a matter of time before his cattle falls prey to the rustlers, Bolton takes the law into his own hands. Forming a band of vigilantes, he tracks down the men he believes are the thieves and hangs them, despite no evidence linking them to the crimes. Then when Bolton’s ranch is actually rustled, his vigilantes go on an even deadlier, merciless rampage.

To stop the escalating violence, Smoke forms his own posse to bring the outlaws to justice—only to discover that Bolton’s plans are sinister and downright evil.

Now Smoke will have to prove Bolton’s corruption…before the entire valley erupts in a blood-soaked range war . . .

Just when it seems the Smoke Jensen saga has ridden off into the sunset, a new chapter thunders in. Smoke’s got fresh neighbors—Thaddeus Bolton and his kin—and with them comes a storm of trouble.

Rustlers hit Bolton’s spread hard, but that’s just the beginning. His wife sets her sights on Smoke, stirring up tension that cuts deeper than any cattle raid. And then there’s Bolton’s daughter, sweet on Cal—or maybe Cal’s the one doing the sweet-talking.

To clean up the mess, Bolton brings in regulators with orders to string up the rustlers. But the truth’s got more twists than a mountain trail, and when the dust settles, it all explodes in a smoke-choked showdown.

Another gripping tale from the Johnstone camp, packed with action, suspense, and plenty of twists. The writing is sharp, the pacing tight, and the story keeps you guessing right up to the final pages when the truth comes crashing down and the schemers are unmasked.

This time, Cal steps into the spotlight, offering a fresh angle that adds depth and variety to the narrative. His expanded role brings a welcome shift in perspective and keeps the story feeling fresh.

Western fans will find plenty to love here—it's a wild ride from start to finish.

This book will be published in Nov. 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the Arc of this story.

Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan

 State of Evil

Mack Bolan #111

(Mike Newton)

(Published 2006)

A call from an old friend sends Mack Bolan to the Congo, armed and ready to extract a young man from cultists calling themselves The Process. Led by a fanatical sociopath who believes his ultimate power lies beyond the divine--but also in the hands of an elite security team of Uzi-wielding enforcers--this self-styled prophet's most recent holy act involved removing all traces of a U.S. congressman's humanitarian visit, including the bodies. Making his way through the jungle with his reluctant charge in tow and hunters on his back, Bolan's instincts kick into high gear, quickly turning the rescue mission into a race to stop the detonation of an atomic weapon before the African cult leader's personal Judgment Day leaves no opportunity for second chances....

Mack Bolan is back in action—this time, deep in the heart of the Congo. His mission: extract a young man ensnared by a deadly cult led by the enigmatic Ahmadou Gaborone. Sounds straightforward enough.

At first, things go according to plan. The target is drugged, rescued, and Bolan makes a clean getaway. But the jungle has other ideas. Pursued relentlessly, Bolan is forced to fight his way through the undergrowth, danger lurking at every turn. Then, just as the extraction seems within reach, the young man drops a bombshell—literally. There's a nuclear device in play.

Bolan doesn’t hesitate.

He pivots back into the fire, launching a kill-or-be-killed mission to stop global catastrophe. As the stakes rise, the young man begins to see the truth: Gaborone was never the savior he believed in. Bolan, however, is the warrior he wishes he could become.

Mike Newton delivers another adrenaline-charged installment that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. As one of the prolific voices behind The Executioner series following Don Pendleton’s original run, Newton has carved out his own legacy in Bolan’s brutal world.

State of Evil showcases Bolan in peak form—relentless, resourceful, and razor-sharp. It’s a fast-paced, high-octane read that fans of the series won’t want to miss.

 Secret of the Malpais

By

Richard Ferber

(Dell 1963)

Cover by Harry Schaare. 

Logan wanted the gold, his wife's brother wanted him gone. But the Apache just wanted Logan dead.  

Logan staggered out of the Malpais, barely alive. His brother was dead—slain by the Apache—and now they were after Logan, accusing him of violating one of their women. He’d abandoned a fortune in gold deep in that cursed land, and he intended to reclaim it.

He found refuge at his brother’s remote cabin, where Angela, his brother’s widow, still waited. When she asked about her husband, Logan gave her the truth: he was gone. Not long after, the Apache came searching for Logan. When they left empty-handed, Angela made it clear—she wanted Logan out of her life for good.

Time passed. Logan gathered a horse, two pack animals, and set his sights once more on the Malpais, determined to retrieve what he believed was rightfully his. But he wasn’t riding alone. Angela joined him, demanding her share of the gold. They weren’t the only ones chasing it. Others lurked in the shadows—greedy, violent men—and Logan soon realized he was trapped between three deadly forces: the Apache, a cold-blooded killer named Moon, and the unforgiving land itself.

This was a fast paced well written story that I enjoyed very much. At a 160 pages, I read it in one sitting, flicking through the pages at a furious pace. Not knowing how it was going to pan out and at least one great twist along the way.  

Published by Dell in 1963 it had great cover art and the book was surprisingly in good condition. I've never read anything by Richard Ferber before but if I come across one of his books again, I'll be sure to read it.  

Sheriff Ben Stillman Series

 Hell on Wheels

By

Peter Brandvold

(Ben Stillman #8)

Get it here!

BEN STILLMAN’S WILD RIDE!

When Sheriff Ben Stillman accompanies Judge John Bannon and friends to a wedding in Sulfur, Montana Territory, he aims to have a nice long weekend of rest and respite from law dogging. But Angus Whateley has other plans. The crazy ex-Confederate has just been released from prison, and he’s out to avenge the hanging of his cattle-rustling sons--hangings ordered by Bannon.

Backed by a gang of the most violent and vicious members of his family, Whateley strikes when the judge takes the stagecoach back home. Soon, Stillman finds himself fighting a wheel-bound war against clan of zealous killers out for bloody revenge...

Hell on Wheels was first published back in September of 2006 by Berkley. Then in 2019 it was reissued by Wolfpack Publishing 

Hell on Wheels delivers exactly what the title promises—relentless action and high-stakes drama. In this gripping installment, Ben Stillman and his pregnant wife Fay are en route to a wedding with Judge John Bannon and his wife. But the celebration turns deadly when Angus Whately, recently released from prison, sets his sights on revenge. Years ago, the judge ordered the hanging of Whately’s sons for rustling—and now Whately intends to balance the scales in blood.

The return journey by stagecoach becomes a gauntlet of violence. Stillman must fight to protect everyone aboard, unaware that the judge and his wife are hiding truths. The tension is razor-sharp, the pacing relentless.

This is classic Peter Brandvold—gritty, well-crafted, and packed with the kind of storytelling fans have come to expect. With 16 books in the Ben Stillman series, I’m already queued up for the next wild ride.

Originally published by Berkley in September 2006, Hell on Wheels found new life in 2019 through Wolfpack Publishing, bringing its explosive energy to a new generation of readers.

 Red Diamond Rustlers

By

Will DuRey

(Published 2019)

Reviewed 2019

Law was a rare commodity on the vast cattle ranges and a man had to fight if he meant to hold on to what he owned. A rancher dispensed his owned justice when he caught those who stole his livestock, but Titus Sawyer lost more than cattle when rustlers raided his Red Diamond spread. Men were killed, too, slaughtered in a dreadful ambush, so, when he summoned his nephew Frank to track down the killers his desire to punish the culprits was deeper than justice; it was revenge.

Loved this book. Always enjoy a western with rustlers and ranchers in it.

Lots of action to keep you turning the pages and cheering for the good guy as he goes along picking up bits of information here and there to bring him closer to the truth.

Will DuRey is a prolific writer for the Black Horse brand and I've read a few of his books and enjoyed every one.

One thing I will say with full disclosure (I used to write for the Black Horse brand) is I think that these westerns are underestimated by some die-hard western readers. I say give them a try, there are a lot of talented authors who wrote these stories. Will DuRey amongst them.

Why not start your Black Horse adventure here?

 Quigley's Way

By

Philip McCormac

(Published 2018)

(Reviewed 2018)

A dying man, Peter Barker asks Sheriff Quigley to deliver a message to his family. Quigley does so, only to find himself the target of range baron Huston McRae, who controls everything in Gila County, including the local sheriff, and doesn't want an outsider nosing around in his affairs. And above all, he doesn't want Quigley helping Noreen Barker, Peter Barker's widow. When McRae's attempted intimidation of Quigley fails, he orders him killed. Quigley sends for his deputy, Murray Fishbourne, and together they take on the local sheriff and the gunslingers McRae sends after them. But as the fighting intensifies, can Quigley and Murray survive?

It starts with a promise to a dying man, and ends in a firestorm of lead.

After the death of a stranger in his town, Quigley promises that he shall deliver the news to his wife in person. What he doesn't understand is just how bad things actually are in the dead man's home town.

A great, quick read. Lots of action that will keep you turning the pages.

Action from the outset which drags the reader along.

An old fashioned good vs evil story which lovers of westerns will thoroughly enjoy.

 The Texas Hill Country

By

William W Johnstone

(J.A. Johnstone)

This story will be published in late Sept. 2025

Introducing a bold new saga from the bestselling Johnstones. This is the epic story of new arrivals in the Old West—a proud family of dreamers in the untamed wilds of Texas Hill Country . . .

They came to America to start a new life. Three brothers and their sister, the Braxton heirs lost everything they had in Europe so they boarded a ship to the Texas coast, hoping to stake a claim in the land of opportunity. They knew frontier life would be hard. But their troubles begin before they even reach Texas. A man is killed on board—a member of the fierce MacLochlainn clan who blame one of the Braxtons for his death. So begins a blood-drenched feud that will haunt and pursue them as they try to build a future in Texas Hill Country . . .

Now a fugitive on the run, the wrongly accused Perry Braxton changes his name and joins the Texas Rangers—waiting for the day his past catches up to him. His oldest brother, Athelston, struggles to build a ranch in Commanche territory while the middle brother Jeremy turns to gambling and running with outlaws. Their sister, Bodie, falls in love with a rugged frontiersman, who teaches her the importance of riding, hunting—and shooting—in a life-or-death game of survival. Each of the siblings have forged a path of their own. But when one of them is in trouble—and a rival is out for revenge—the Braxtons stick together. Because family is family. And blood is thicker than bullets . . .

This story reminded me so much of the early Sackett books from western author Louis L'Amour. Family comes to America to make a life for themselves, runs into trouble, sorts it out. 

The Braxtons lost everything and are forced to leave their home country in favor of greener pastures. Or so they think. However, while on that trip, one of them is accused of murder. Upon arrival the accused escapes and somehow by good fortune ends up signed on as a Texas Ranger under the name Jack Smith.

Meanwhile the rest of his family are headed to the Texas Hill Country where they start a new life building a ranch. But trouble seems to follow them wherever they go and it soon isn't long before it rears its ugly head once more in the form of rustlers. Only this time, they have an ace in the hole. One of the rustlers is also a Braxton. And soon the story is rushing along to its shattering gunsmoke filled conclusion.

Really enjoyed this story. Well Written and fast-paced. Plenty of western action which keeps the pages turning. As stated above it reminded me of L'Amour's early Sackett stories which I loved. In the pages were a great cast of characters and hopefully this will be the start of a great new series. Like the Sacketts I can see each character having their own leading role. 

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Fort Death

Trailsman #374

By

Jon Sharpe

(David Robbins)

Signet, December 2012

When Skye Fargo gets a letter from an old friend and fellow scout, he finds he's not alone. It seems that every sharp-eyed pathfinder worth his buckskins has been asked to Fort Carlson. But it's soon revealed that someone has brought them together for a very special reason--to take them out, one by one...

The request seemed simple enough: head to Fort Carlson and scout for the army against the troublesome Bannocks. But Fargo isn't the only scout there, and it becomes clear that someone wanted them all in one place for a specific reason. Soon, scouts start dying one by one, and it's up to Skye Fargo to identify the killer and stop them before it's too late.

Overall, it was an enjoyable story with a good mix of mystery and action. The characters were well-developed, though if I had a dollar for every time Bear River Tom said "t$$s," I'd be rich. Surprisingly, the book lacked the usual amount of intimacy found in a Fargo story—there was only one scene instead of the usual two or three. Nevertheless, it was a well-written and engaging tale.

I finished this story in just a couple of sittings. It kept me hooked and made me wonder why I hadn't been reading the series more consistently instead of just a few scattered stories over the years. The dialogue was sharp, and the ending was genuinely unexpected.

All in all, a fantastic western tale. Now, I need to go back and read Mountains of No Return.

Faraday Series

 Rails into Hell

A Faraday Western

By

Robert Vaughan

Brent Towns

Preorder here! 

This is my second Faraday book, the first being The Buffalo Train. The other books in this series were written by various authors, including James Reasoner and Robert Vaughan.

Set during the 19th-century railroad boom, these stories delve into sabotage, murder, espionage, and political intrigue tied to the steel rails stretching across the continent.

Faraday’s agents, often undercover, navigate hostile terrain, corrupt officials, and deadly ambushes while safeguarding the railroads' interests.

Each book is a standalone story, unconnected to the others, making it easy to pick up the series at any point.

My first book, The Buffalo Train, is based on historical facts with a good dose of fiction. The Buffalo Train was a real concept, a stunt devised by Joseph McCoy to attract buyers back to Dodge City.

McCoy organized a trainload of live buffalo, elk, deer, and other wild animals to be shipped eastward—reportedly to Chicago—as a dramatic display of the railroads’ capacity and the frontier’s abundance. His goal was to reignite buyer enthusiasm and draw attention back to Dodge City, which had started losing prominence as cattle routes shifted and competition from other cow towns intensified.

This wasn’t just a spectacle—it was strategic marketing. McCoy understood how the romance of the frontier could be leveraged to boost business. By showcasing exotic wildlife alongside cattle, he made Dodge City seem like the vibrant heart of the Wild West, brimming with opportunity and untapped resources.

This premise inspired me, and I ran with it.

Now with the second one, I've returned to what feels like a more classic 50s movie vibe, featuring an undercover agent who used to be a hired gun, a range war, and a murderer determined to derail the railroad's progress.  

Blurb: The railroad’s arrival promised progress, but in Sagebrush Creek, it came riding on a tide of blood.

A surveyor lies dead, murdered to halt the iron rails’ advance. Matthew Faraday knows one man who can uncover the truth—former gunfighter Jack Quade. But Faraday’s reasons aren’t entirely about justice. Trouble’s brewing in the hills: a range war with Quade’s estranged father, Vince, at its heart.

Years ago, Vince Quade disavowed his son. Now Jack must face a father who wants nothing from him—least of all help. But with a killer on his trail and tensions ready to explode into open war, Jack has no choice but to fight on two fronts: mending a broken bond and stopping a murderer before Sagebrush Creek becomes a graveyard.

Will Jack Quade bring peace to a town on the brink—or will the railroad carry him straight into hell? 

Writing the new story was a lot of fun, and I hope it resonates with readers as I intended. I aimed to capture the feel of an old 50s western movie, so fingers crossed I pulled it off. Now, all that's left is to wait for October 14 and see how things unfold. 

Larry & Stretch

Trail Dust

By

Marshall Grover/Len Meares

(Larry & Stretch) 

Larry Valentine and Stretch Emerson, the two trouble-prone Texans, are back in action, diving straight into more chaos and mayhem. This time, their journey takes them to Riggsville, Colorado, to visit Stretch's cousin Sam. Stretch mistakenly believes Sam is a horse doctor, but in reality, Sam Emerson is the town sheriff.

During their visit, a massive stagecoach robbery occurs, with outlaws making off with $100,000. But that's not the Texans' biggest concern. They've been duped into escorting a wagon train to a remote town called Windy Dip. The catch? The cargo consists of 60 women headed for the womanless town.

To make matters worse, one of the women has stolen the outlaws' loot, and now they want it back. What ensues is a wild adventure filled with chaos, culminating in a high-stakes showdown where Larry and Stretch must stand their ground or meet their fate.

Another fantastic Larry & Stretch western, packed with sharp dialogue, fast pacing, and plenty of action, along with their signature dash of humor. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Larry & Stretch story without the obligatory brawl.

I read so many of these during my younger years, but there are still plenty I haven’t gotten to yet—this being one of them. The story feels just as lively as I remember, making it an enjoyable read. I’d guess this book was published in the early to mid-1960s, though I could be wrong.

If you come across one, give it a read. For American readers, the series was published under the name Larry & Streak by Marshall McCoy. I still can’t figure out why the names were changed.

Home Like a Hero

by

Emerson Dodge

(Paul Wheelahan)

First published 1999

Val Tyrone was returning home from Mexico. He had left as a reckless young man but came back matured. However, some things remained unchanged—such as the deep-seated hatred between father and son. 

Other things, however, had shifted. His father was dying, a widowed woman sought to marry him for his wealth, and his oldest brother was after everything. Yet, upon Val’s return, it felt as though nothing had changed, especially the constant conflict with his father. The old man’s disdain for Val only grew when the ranch hands gave him a warm welcome.

Cole Tyrone, however, had a scheme to achieve his goals. He unleashed his unfaithful wife on Val, hoping to ensnare him. When that failed, only one option remained: ensuring his brother was laid to rest. 

Another fantastic Emerson Dodge (Wheelahan) tale, with just the right mix of mystery and scheming by those eager to take advantage of a dying old man. While it doesn't pack the level of action you'd typically expect from a Cleveland Western, it still delivers a solid and enjoyable story overall.

To read an interview with Paul Wheelahan, click here!

 

 1000 Dollar Target

By

Marshall Grover

(Len Meares)

(Big Jim #11)

At showdown time … the big man needed a miracle! Was this to be the last ride of Big Jim Rand? The killers awaited him dead ahead. Another of them rode directly behind him, covering his back. And, inside the disused shack, a desperate woman risked her life to give Jim a fighting chance of survival. Big Jim had become the target for professional assassins because his quarry, the elusive and badly scared Jenner, had posted a bounty on him. As well as the professionals, a trio of inept amateurs invited themselves to the ruckus, injecting humor into an otherwise grim situation

The copy I read of "Big Jim" was published around 1968 (though don't quote me on that). Jim Rand, also known as Nevada Jim in the series published under the name Marshall McCoy in the US, once again rides into a heap of trouble, accompanied by his cowardly yet light-fingered Mexican companion, Benito Espina.

This time, the story follows him as he closes in on Jenner, the man who killed Big Jim's brother and the reason he's riding the vengeance trail.

However, Jenner gets warned, and a $1,000 bounty is placed on Big Jim's head. Five men decide to cash in, but five men may meet their end instead. This could very well be Jim Rand's final ride.

As always with Meares' storytelling, there's a touch of humor mixed with plenty of action. The book is well-written, and the series was quite popular in its heyday. While paperback copies are hard to come by now, Piccadilly Publishing has released some of the stories as ebooks, including this one, ensuring they are not lost to time.

Buy it here!

 Callahan Rides Alone

by

Lee Floren

Published 1977

(Centurion Books)

Ex-Texas Ranger Al Callahan came to Montana to buy into a ranch, but it wasn't that simple. Two men tried to kill and rob him and then his would-be partner turned out to be a woman. Her main rival was another hellcat and that made the situation even worse. What with rustling and murder going on, not to mention a mighty peculiar character who walked around with a pack of wolves as bodyguards, Callahan got to thinking that maybe he should have stayed in Texas. But he had come this far so he might as well go the rest of the way

At first, I found myself a bit lost in this story, but as it progressed, everything fell into place, making for a solid tale. Not the best, but definitely enjoyable. Callahan was lured north under false pretenses to invest in a ranch run by Max Heywood, mistakenly thinking Max was a man, not a woman. From there, chaos ensues. Two men attempt to kill him, a peculiar old man with wolves shows up, he discovers Max has a brother, and learns that Max and Ann Scott, a young woman from the neighboring ranch, absolutely despise each other. Adding to the turmoil, cattle rustlers are targeting the ranch, leaving Callahan in over his head. I think I might have read this book years ago, but I couldn’t quite recall it. All in all, it was a solid entry in the western genre by an author whose work was widely published in magazines, paperbacks, and serials both in the U.S. and internationally. 

 High Rise

by

Gabriel Bergmoser

After a year of searching, rogue ex-cop Jack Carlin has finally found his estranged daughter, Morgan, holed up in the top floor of a rundown, grimy high-rise building. The trouble is, Jack's unconventional policing and information-gathering methods in the past has made him some serious enemies. And what Jack doesn't know as he heads into the building, intent on saving his daughter, is firstly, that Morgan doesn't want to be saved - particularly not by him - and secondly, that the entire criminal underworld in the city are on their way too... There's a bounty on his head, and they're after his blood - and they don't mind if Morgan is collateral damage.

As bounty hunters and gang members converge on the building, father and daughter are thrown into a desperate fight for survival through fifteen stories of deadly enemies - with only each other to rely on.

This book showcases Bergmoser at his finest. It's well-written, packed with a fantastic cast of characters, and loaded with nonstop action. Jack Carlin is on a mission to find his daughter, ultimately tracking her to a high-rise. As I mentioned, the cast is excellent—even Maggie from THE HUNTED makes a cameo.

However, it’s quite violent, so if that’s not your thing, this might not be the book for you. For the rest of us, dive right in and enjoy.

My only gripe, and this is purely personal, is that the book is written in present tense. But like I said, that’s just me. Overall, it’s an exhilarating read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this story. 

Top Gun

by

Gordon D. Shirreffs

Get a copy here from Wolfpack Publishing!

Dade Averill was fed up with being a gunslick. Before getting locked into the path he’d been on for years, he’d wanted more out of life than the clothes on his back and the pair of silver-inlaid Colts on his hips.

When an old friend pleaded for his help to fight off a bunch of killers, he wanted no part of it but couldn’t simply turn his back. He knew what he had to do, simply because he was the best. There was no rest for the weary, and no resting place for a top gun—except the final one.

I really enjoyed this book. It has a strong element of mystery, starting with Dade Averill being asked to help a friend while trying to leave his gunhand ways behind. Add another fast gun named Guthrie and an old flame named Mae, and things get intriguing right from the start. Then he meets the sheriff and his daughter, and everything shifts. The sheriff is murdered, and Chris Guthrie, the prime suspect, is locked up. But Averill suspects he’s not the killer, so he sets out to uncover the truth while staying alive. Eventually, everything unravels, leading to a final bloody showdown. 

Shirreffs is at his storytelling best here, crafting a broad range of characters, any of whom could be the killer. I read the paperback pictured below—the cover art is excellent, and the pages have that wonderful old book smell. Originally published in 1957, the edition I read dates back to the mid-to-late 1970s.