Excerpt from Chapt. 10 of "Haunted Falls"

"You think one got away?"
"Unlikely. There was a mess of blood down by the creek. Seen some big tracks there that dang sure weren't human…Wasn't no cat, neither. Musta been a wolf."
"That's odd…Lone wolf sticking around here with all this commotion goin' on? Better keep our eyes open, boys."
"I'm heading up to the north end of the valley to pick up my horse and see if I can catch the one from the Sartain you picked off…still cain't git over that shot," Selden said.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph…speak of the devil," Bass said as he spotted Tobe coming from the direction of the falls, being trailed by a giant white wolf. He drew his pistol and said softly, "Tobe, freeze right where you are and don't move a muscle." Bass eased his six-shooter to eye level and aimed just past Tobe's elbow.
"No!" Tobe said as he moved over in front of Bass' line of fire and held up his hands. "He's friendly."
Ben was headed back toward the wagon with Kyle's body over his shoulder and took in the scene. "That is Nashoba Tohbi, Jack's wolf-dog, Bass. He is sacred spirit animal. Jack calls him 'Boy'."
"Huh…didn't know Jack had a dog. Didn't have one when he left Fort Smith."
"Mister Jack told us the spirit wolf took up with him when he first hit the Arbuckles. Been with him ever since."
"Why is he a spirit wolf?" asked Loss.
"He sees and communicates with spirits of the dead…All white animals are sacred to the Chickasaw because of this."
"Right," said Loss with a look of non-belief.
"Oh, my sweet Jesus," remarked Tobe as he stared at Ben.
"What?"
"Seen a little blonde-headed child beside him when I first saw 'em, Bass…leastwise I thought I did…She even talked to me. When I looked again…she was gone. Figured I was dreamin'."
"That would have been Anna. Angie's child that was lost in the falls near two years ago," said Ben.
"Come again?" asked Tobe.
"She is restless spirit…saved Jack's life. He has seen an' talked with her several times…You must be special person too, Tobe Bassett. Only special people are allowed to see the spirits."
www.tinyurl.com/thenations1

New Review for "The Nations" on Western Fiction Review.

The Nations

By Ken Farmer and Buck Stienke

Timber Creek Press, August 2012

THE NATIONS also known as "Indian Territory", "Robber's Roost" and "No-Man's Land", was regarded in the latter part of the 19th century as the bloodiest and most dangerous place in the world. It was a refuge for outlaws from all over the North American continent. There were only 200 Deputy U.S. Marshals made up of whites, blacks and Indian to police the vast area of 74,000 square miles under Federal Judge Issac C. Parker, known as the hanging judge. 

It is the year 1885. A notorious band of outlaws, known as the "Larson Gang", has been terrorizing Arkansas, Missouri and the Nations for years. When they kill five Deputy Marshals while rescuing Ben Larson, the vicious younger brother of the leader Wes Larson--it is too much for Judge Parker. He orders an all-out concerted effort to capture the Larson Gang and bring them to justice. "If they will not respect the law; then by God we will make them fear it."

This book is based on truth and the authors tell the story extremely well. The opening chapters follow the Larson Gang as they commit a number of violent atrocities which lead to Judge Parker sending Marshal Bass Reeves to round them up. The story then tells of the lawmen's attempts to track down and capture the gang. Other real-life characters have a part to play too, such as Belle Starr and Bud Ledbetter.

Backgrounds of the characters blend smoothly into this fast flowing tale and become a natural part of the story without coming across as bland historical passages. Dialogue is believable and often laced with humour. But for me the action sequences are particularly well done – and there are many of them – as much powder is burnt and lead flies wildly, missing its target more than hitting it. The authors don’t hold back when the bullets strike though, describing it brutally and graphically.

This is Ken Farmer and Buck Stienke’s first western and I can only hope it won’t be too long before they write another. If you like your westerns brimming with authenticity and hard-hitting action then I’d suggest you give this a try. 

 

BLOOD IVORY on Midwest Book Review

Black Eagle Force: Blood Ivory
Stienke, Farmer, and Ingrham
Timber Creek Press
9780984882083, $16.99 www.timbercreekpress.net

Dr. Israel Drazin, Reviewer
www.booksnthoughts.com

This is the fourth exciting well-written tale about the Black Eagle Force by bestselling and award winning authors Buck Stienke and Ken Farmer. Doran Ingrham joined them in writing this book. It is an adventure story filled with action. The authors describe the battles and exploits of a unique battle force in fascinating detail that draw readers into the clashes. The US Posse Comitatus act of 1878 limits the power of the federal government to use military forces for law enforcement. Accordingly, according to this novel, President Ronald Reagan had a secret civilian ultra rapid deployment black ops strike force organization established that was independent of the military for plausible deniability. This is the Black Eagle Force. They protect the country. The president made sure that the Force had the best trained creme de la creme men and women, special ops personnel from all military branches, and the most up to date equipment, far better than any other organization. Their motto is Semper Paro Bellum, Latin for Always Ready for War. The men and women in this Force are usually tall, muscular, handsome, capable, and sure of themselves. They are uniquely close to one another and, as brothers and sisters, frequently josh with each other. Two of the sons of the US president are members of the Force.

There are two main plots in this tale, two situations that require the expert assistance of the BEF. One concerns the kidnapping of a US senator and his daughter while they are on a safari in Africa by men who brutally murder elephants for their ivory tusks. They chance upon the senator and his daughter and see an opportunity to rack in many dollars. The second plot is the hijacking of the world's largest cruise ship. Among its 5,000 passengers are the two sons of the US president and their wives who are on a honeymoon trip. Are these Somali pirates or are they Al Qaeda? Why did they hijack the ship? The president is outraged and is determined to wipe out the Somali pirates once and for all. Readers will react as they finish this action-packed drama: "Wow! When will the next book come out?"

New 5 Star Reveiw for The Nations.

A wonderful new 5 Star Review for Ken Farmer and Buck Stienke's historical fiction western, "The Nations".
A little bit of history and a whole lot of fun., April 4, 2013By Beth Erlandson (caliente nv) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Nations (Paperback)when I first got the book I wasn't sure what to think, I had already read Eye of the Storm , by Ken Farmer and Buck Stienke. Wasn't sure how they would pull off a western, never fear from page 1 you are on the edge of your seats waiting to find out what happens or doesn't happen!!!Lot of laughing and crying and worrying about our heroes .For me it was neat to read that there was a point in time When a Black man could be US Marshal and people treated him with respect and the outlaws actually were afraid of him. The book holds nothing back as the US Marshal Bass Reeves and his partner Jack McGann work for the 'Hanging' Judge Issac Parker..my favorite line is by Parker." If they will not respect the law; then ,by God, we will make them fear it." so grab The Nations and settle in for a ride back to 1885 wild and dangerous place and Justice And if you want to know how US Marshal Reeves and McGann got the Bloodiest "Larson Gang " get the book you won't be sorry. Just ask the Preacher Man.www.timbercreekpress.net