July 2023 MBR The Western Fiction Shelf

The Western Fiction Shelf

Beat The Drum Slowly
Sheldon B. Cole
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850314, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 186pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beat-the-drum-slowly-sheldon-b-cole/1136785771

Synopsis: Drifter Blake Durant was arrested and thrown into the Sunfish Creek jail in a case of mistaken identity. The town was expecting a visit from Tom Moran, who'd sworn to get revenge on its lawmen, and Deputy Billy Owen suspected that Durant was part of his gang, sent out ahead to scout the lay of the land. Then everything became even more complicated when some genuine owlhoots broke jail and committed a cold-blooded murder. A manhunt followed, as did the unexpected appearance of Moran's beautiful young daughter Lisa. And Durant found himself on the trail of the outlaws, because the only way to clear himself of suspicion was to bring back the guilty parties - either in their saddles, or across them.

Critique: Few writers today have a better grasp on the western action adventure novel than Sheldon Cole. A riveting read from first page to last, this large print paperback edition from the Linford Western Library, "Beat The Drum Slowly", is an especially recommended addition to the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans and community library Western Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: There is a comprehensive and available listing of Sheldon B. Cole's novels at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/19648928.Sheldon_B_Cole

Mission to Treaty Mesa
Abe Dancer
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850215, $24.50, Large Print, 210pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mission-to-treaty-mesa-abe-dancer/1136785797

Synopsis: When a band of Apache Mescalero are forced from their homeland, Preston Kewle sees Treaty Mesa as a favorable, well-situated base for his ever-expanding life of crime. So he sets up a home and operates out of there - but finds he is tied to the place by a commitment that is more burdensome than he ever expected.

Eventually, the powerful General William Newton gets word of Kewle's activities, and for intensely personal reasons, steps in to find out the true reason for Kewle's presence in the mesa. He summons Jack Games, and issues him with an ultimatum - either undertake a rescue mission to Treaty Mesa, or spend the rest of his life branded an outlaw.

Locating and inveigling himself into a gang of owl-hoots, and riding across the Lizard Loma badlands to locate stolen money and supplies, is almost regular work for Jack. But staying alive long enough to find and successfully return what General Newton believes is rightfully his is more difficult, and Jack's rescue mission has an unexpected and violent outcome.

Critique: As a novelist, Abe Dancer has a complete mastery of the western genre. With the publication of this large print paperback edition of "Mission To Treaty Mesa" from the Linford Western Libfrary series (and originally published as A BlackHorse Western in 2020), is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to library Western Fiction collections and the personal reading lists of all dedicated western fans.

Editorial Note: Abe Dancer (the pen name of Carl Bernard), worked in higher education for 25 years. He is the author of more than 45 Black Horse Westerns, including Blackwater, The Border Search, and Teal's Gold. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1173498.Abe_Dancer)

Bullet for a Sheepman
Cole Sheldon
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850260, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 216pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bullet-for-a-sheepman-cole-shelton/1136785791

Synopsis: Trouble was brewing in the town of Longhorn, Utah. A band of nesters had moved onto land the local cattlemen had always previously claimed as their own. And they also happened to be the one thing no cattleman could stand -- sheepmen!

Judd Gunther, the biggest rancher in those parts, immediately declared war on the newcomers. Against so many hired guns, there wasn't much they could do to defend themselves -- until Shane Preston and Jonah Jones happened to pass through.

Taking a shine to nester's daughter Elizabeth Cooper (and an instant dislike to Judd and his two bully-boy sons) Shane and Jonah decided to buy into the war, in the hope of stopping it. But when the bullets started flying, they realized things were going to get a whole lot worse before they got better!

Critique: The stuff of which classic western films were made in the Golden Age of cowboy movies, this large print paperback edition of "Bullet for a Sheepman" from the Linford Western Library series is a fun read from cover to cover and an especially recommended addition to personal western fan reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: There is an impressive on-line listing of novels by Cole Sheldon at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7160486.Cole_Shelton

Kee-To, Iron Hand
Art Isberg
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444850093, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 258pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kee-to-iron-hand-art-isberg/1136491098

Synopsis: Kee-To, Iron Hand is the one Sioux leader white soldiers have never been able to corner or capture. His daring raids and uncanny ability to avoid being behind bars have made him a priority for the cavalry officers to find and jail. But Kee-To has the blood of his fighting ancestors, and their mystical whispers to him, to keep him free. He would rather die than let the horse soldiers pen up his people behind fences under guard. A battle is looming as the Sioux prepare to journey to the safety of Canada. Can Kee-To prevail one last time?

Critique: An action-packed novel set in the Old West and with a Native American as the hero, "Kee-To, Iron Hand" is one terrific read from cover to cover. Original, deftly crafted, and memorable, no community library Western Fiction or personal reading lists of dedicated western fans should miss out on the thrilling and singular story that is "Kee-To, Iron Hand" by Art Isberg.

Editorial Note: An impressive and lengthy listing of western novels by Art Isberg is available online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1681798.Art_Isberg

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