HAUNTED FALLS - Excerpt - Cpt. 6

PAINTED LADY SALOON - Gainesville, Texas - 1895

"What the hell you think you're doing with my man? You have no jurisdiction in this state!"
Bass looked at the shorter man and sized him up quickly…his experienced eyes went to Raff who stood almost shoulder to shoulder with his twin brother—their dark eyes burned back at him in similar disdain. Twin peacocks. Not ones to get their hands dirty. His eyes narrowed as he noted their crossdraw rigs with Colt Thunderers tucked under their frock coats.
"Now, you two boys run along and keep your noses out of my business. This here sorry-ass excuse for a man, done beat up a woman upstairs and he's going to jail…And just so you know, sweet-cheeks, the US on my badge stands for United States…I got jurisdiction anywhere I put my boots…from sea to shining sea."
Rafe's jaw muscles flexed visibly as he gritted his teeth. He could feel his brother's eyes as well as those of his men and several of the bar patrons bore into him. It was clearly his move and the noise level in the bar dropped significantly as many of the conversations stopped around them. Even the piano player noticed the confrontation and had stopped in the middle of his ragtime tune.
"Didn't you hear me, Nubian? I told you that's my man you are mistreating and I won't have it!"
Tobe, Jed and Selden made it to their feet and were already moving toward the front of the bar. Selden swept his dark gray frock coat back behind the bone-handled grip of his Single Action Army Colt.
"Son, I only warn once…you best step aside whilst you still have a chance," Bass said softly.
Rafe's temper boiled over. His right fist unclenched as his hand snaked across his midsection and wrapped around the bird'shead handle of the .41 Colt. Bass caught the motion and dropping Jake's clothes, his massive left hand whipped out—a black cobra striking in the blink of an eye. His fingers closed around Rafe's wrist like steel bands, immobilizing his arm while his right hand let go of the leg shackle chain dropping Jake's legs to the floor with a thud. Bass surprised the immobile shootist by slapping him three times in rapid succession—hard. Rafe's hat flew off with the second strike—a backhand—and tumbled to the filthy floor.
The bar fell deathly quiet as the big man pointed his index finger over at Raff. "Don't even think about it peacock…I'll kill you where you stand."
Raff's hand was frozen above his belt. He had never seen anyone as fast as Bass and his low, soft voice unnerved him. The burly lawman had not backed down like others the two gunfighters had bullied before. His jaw moved, but no words came forth. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of a pair of Remington shotgun hammers being brought to full cock.
"I understand you have a prisoner for me, Marshal."
Bass looked left and saw Loss flanking a tall, well muscled man wearing a bowler hat and the badge of the Cooke County Sheriff pinned to his vest, standing directly behind Raff. He lowered his hand back down beside his own Colt as he crunched the wrist bones of Rafe's shooting hand. He heard a slight involuntary moan from the embarrassed gunslinger as his Thunderer fell to the floor. He locked eyes with Rafe as he spoke.
"That's right, Sheriff. I was just explaining to these two upstanding citizens how this one behind me earned himself a little time in yer hoosegow." He let go of Rafe's wrist, but never took his eyes off him. "Kindly step aside, gents and let the good Sheriff Wacker take charge of his prisoner…Oh, I think you dropped somethin'," he said to Rafe as he pointed to the pistol on the floor.
Rafe looked behind Bass and saw the three other marshals that had moved in close to support Bass. He rubbed his right wrist to get the circulation flowing again, reached down, picked up his six-shooter and holstered it, then wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Some other time…some other place," he said to Bass in a low voice.
"Look forward to it…Don't forget your hat…looks like dandy one," Bass said as the twins turned back to the bar.
http://www.timbercreekpress.net/western.html

Release date for HAUNTED FALLS - June 18, 2013

New Video Interviews of Ken & Buck.

New video interviews of best selling and award winning authors, Ken Farmer  and Buck Stienke by Nick Wale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJhTnxCAfOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaG0sVGdxao

www.tinyurl.com/thenations1

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

Excerpt from "HAUNTED FALLS".

Excerpt from Chapt. 8, HAUNTED FALLS. Sequel to THE NATIONS.

"Angie, we appreciate your hospitality," said Ben Sixkiller as he and Winchester started down the steps of the front porch.
"Hank, it's my considered opinion, both as a medical doctor and a Chickasaw shaman, that those images you saw and told us about were fragments of your memories…"
"But, my father and Montford talked like they knowed what wuz gonna happen and wouldn't tell me 'zackly what. Now why is that?"
"Your mind is not ready to know some things, my son. It's still healing. That's why there remains a veil between you and your past…You must be patient."
"Ain't sure patience wuz ever one of my long suits, shaman…Don't seem like it anyways."
"Maybe it's Ababinili's way of teaching you maturity."
"What about Anna?"
"There will be a time for her also. It is you she wants to find her. That is why the Great Spirit sent Nashoba Tohbi to you when you came into the Chickasaw Nation. It is ever his way in his infinite wisdom to work wonders and miracles to perform."
"Wondered 'bout that…I remembered after I come out of the lodge 'bout how him an' me hooked up…Woke up one mornin' in my camp 'fore gittin' to Montford's house, an' there he was, lying beside me. Like to scare't me to half-to-death to come out of a sound sleep an' have a wolf starin' me right in the face…an' a white one at that. Then he licked me right across my mouth…Didn't know if'n he was jest taste testin' 'er what till he pushed his nose under my hand fer me to pet 'im…Figgered it was kinda an order, ya know? Them golden eyes jest seem to talk…"
"There is no question, he's the link to the spirit world."
"The Nashoba Tohbi is the totem of our clan of the Chickasaw. Angie's husband, Towana, was my cousin. His mother, Te Ata, or Bearer of the Morning, was revered priestess and great storyteller of our people," added Ben. 
"Ain't real sure I'm the right person…or kin live up to all this that seems to be 'spected of me…" Hank shook his head and looked off to the creek.
"Think we give you Chickasaw name. Oka'-bia-Lawa, he who talks with the water," said Ben.
"Don't need another trip to that sweat lodge, do I?"
"We see. Leave lodge here for a while," Ben said with a grin.
"Cain't wait."
Anompoli Lawa and Sixkiller headed to their horses tied to the fence outside the gate. The shaman turned back to Angie and Hank as they reached the gate. "We do not choose, Oka'-bia-Lawa…we are chosen."