Over 400,000 words of acclaimed western reading by L. J. Martin, formerly published by Bantam Books. Written in the Louis L'Amour tradition.

    When his business starts expanding in the far West, he finds himself enjoying the rugged wilderness and small-town life of the frontier. Trouble ensues however when a gang of kidnappers holds the daughter of a cattle baron hostage. At that point, Bruce realizes that it will require all of his skills and the help of his sidekick, Monty, to track down the shadowy figures. How will Bruce succeed in getting the rancher's daughter back when he refuses to pay a ransom? Will he manage to avoid getting himself killed in the course of this dangerous undertaking?With the passing of time, the kidnappers are running out of patience, demanding the ransom without further ado, otherwise, they swear to spread deep sorrow on their way. As if this wasn't enough, the unexpected actions of the hostage's husband make the criminals fly into a rage. How will the legendary duo stall the kidnappers while they figure out a way to free the young couple? Will Bruce's experience and wit help him rescue two innocent people and preserve his widespread reputation?While Bruce and his sidekick try to trace the ruthless criminals, tensions come to a boil and multiple dangers lurk behind shadows. In this excessive cat and mouse game, will Bruce capture the merciless abductors before it's too late, or will he fail to carry through the most important task of his career?A pulse-pounding drama, which will make you turn the pages with bated breath until the very last word. A must-read for fans of Western action and romance."Showdown with a Ruthless Rival" is a historical adventure novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cliffhangers, only pure unadulterated action.

    This boxed set includes 10 western novels by an American author William MacLeod Raine:BRAND BLOTTERSTHE YUKON TRAIL (A TALE OF THE NORTH)BUCKY O'CONNOR (A TALE OF THE UNFENCED BORDER)MAVERICKSCROOKED TRAILS AND STRAIGHTTHE VISION SPLENDIDA DAUGHTER OF THE DONS (A STORY OF NEW MEXICO) THE HIGHGRADERSTEVE YEAGER THE SHERIFF'S SON

    Excerpt and one of them, Gavin, was reputed to be the strongest man in the neighborhood. The daughter, a long-limbed slip of a girl who rode like a cow-puncher, was about the boy's age. Though Godfrey French had a ranch it was worked scarcely at all. The boys did not like work, and apparently did not have to. Godfrey French was reputed to have money. His ranch was a hang-out for what were known as "remittance men," young Englishmen who received more or less regular allowances from home--or perhaps to keep away from home. There were rumors of gambling and hard drinking at French's ranch. "Well, I'll take you home," the boy said. "You can ride my pony. He's on a rope a mile from here. But I'll have to hang up this buck, or the coyotes will chew him." He found two small saplings close together, bent them down, trimmed them and lashed their tops. Over these he placed the tied legs of the buck. With a little search he found a long dry pole. With this he had a tripod. As he hoisted with the pole the spring

    Until Hayden Tilden caught up with him.Smilin’ Jack Paine is one face from the past that Hayden would rather forget, but the man’s sinister grin is permanently etched in his memory, along with the chilling thoughts of Paine’s unspeakable crimes. There seems to be no other way to put that demon to rest than to tell the whole story—from the day Hayden first heard the man’s name to the day he finally wiped the grin off Paine’s face for good.Praise for Lawdog: The Life and Times of Haydon Tilden“Lawdog should assume its rightful place beside other Western classics.” —Peter Brandvold, author of Once Hell Freezes Over“Lawdog has it all. I couldn’t put it down.” —Jack Ballas, author of West of the RiverAbout the Author:J. Lee Butts is the author of 22 published books and numerous magazine articles and short works. His book Brotherhood of Blood was runner-up for the Western Writers of America Spur Award in 2005. He’s worn many hats over the years (teacher, administrator, pool manager, IBM supervisor, and western author), and he and his late wife lived everywhere from Los Angeles to Dallas. Currently he’s hanging those hats back in White Hall, Arkansas.

    

    The Apache Indians were apt to bolt from the reservation at any time and murders were commonplace. Every man went armed and bad whiskey was common, as was over-indulgence; in New Mexico, fights that might have involved fists in other times and places involved guns, and often enough the fight left one or more dead by the time it was over. Corruption was the norm. The Santa Fe Ring, an alliance of crooked lawyers, politicians, and land speculators, controlled the courts. Cattle theft, ‘rustling’, was for many a way of life. But it was a way of life that threatened the survival of the honest ranchers and herdsmen of the time. It was little wonder that the rustler often ended his life at the end of a rope! Liam Clancy, Irish immigrant and recently-discharged veteran of the Union Army, had lost his young wife and unborn child to cholera. Grieving, he sold his homestead and headed west. More by accident than design, he ended up in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory. Crooked sheriffs and corrupt politicians, beware! This is as far as he will go. He will fight to protect himself, his property, and the young woman he intends to make his bride!

    Will he survive the harsh trail life, Mexican bandits, and a kidnapping? Rescue comes from the most unlikely place--but will it come in time?

    He can hardly remember his days of wanderlust, and he’s grateful to have left behind the violence of a raw frontier. In a celebratory mood, Steve invites his mother to a meet her new grandchild in a chic resort in Monterey, California. With the delivery of a handwritten note, his world suddenly reverts to the savagery of his bygone days. There will be no peace.

    

    Having no interest in gold or fame, he had his fill of adventure before arriving in the untamed backdrop of the wild frontier. When he first set foot in Bozeman, Montana, trouble was the last thing he expected to find, but after the sudden attack of three notorious felons wanted by the law, he figured out that his stay there would not be a child's play, as he wished. As if that weren't enough, running low on bullets and cash will soon throw him on the mercy of a ruthless rancher, who has nearly complete control of the town. Will Smith finally take the risk to accept a tempting job offer from the vicious man?Rumors about Smith spread in town like wildfire, but little did he know that this crime was only the beginning of his perilous adventure. While riding on a rainy day, he rescues a helpless woman, trapped in a criminal's dirty hands. Smith will soon find out that she is Josephine Compton, the daughter of a powerful cattle baron, and he will take it upon himself to return her to the ranch. How will their unexpected encounter change their lives once and for all?Even though Josephine and Smith meet under the worst variety of circumstances, the attraction between them is impossible to deny. However, their love cannot flourish, as Smith's temporary stay in Bozeman will soon turn into a bloody undertaking without end. Will he manage to choose the right side and fight for good against evil? Or will they both be doomed to a dreadful fate?An action-packed story, featuring complex and fascinating characters, and twists and turns that will take your breath away. A must-read for fans of Western action and romance."A Wild Journey for Payback" is a historical adventure novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cliffhangers, only pure unadulterated action.

    Noah starts out to find the thieves who stole his herd of trade horses but time and weather wipe out all signs of their movements. With nothing else pressing on his life he wanders to Deadwood for the winter and then to Dakota Territory, with troubles and another theft along the way. Heading towards the Colorado gold fields he agrees to guide Dora across the Montana plains, leaving her in Miles City. After a summer in the high up mountains he decides to find Dora again. Humor and romance ensue. Noah Gates, although not a true sequel, has many tie-ins with Hamilton Robb.

    Make sure you've got plenty of powder and shot, because there will be Blood on the Mountain.Click the buy button to join Moses Calhoun. And don't forget to bring your coat.

    Many L'Amour fans believe the original versions are tighter, with stronger impact and more authentic flavor. Includes "Showdown on the Hogback" 1950 in Giant Western, expanded as Showdown at Yellow Butte 1953; "The Rider of the Ruby Hills" September 1949 in West, expanded as Where the Long Grass Grows 1976 (filmed as Treasure of the Ruby Hills 1955); "Ride, You Tonto Raiders!", (short story collection), various magazines; "Rider of Lost Creek," April 1947 in West, expanded as A Man Called Trent.

    Now Sam is putting down roots with his wife and daughter, and no amount of evil can stand in the way.Secure in their out-of-the-way stronghold, the proprietors of the criminal enterprises never planned on a man like Sam Blaylock—a man who would face the Devil himself to balance the scales. Sam never backed down from a bad situation.Rancho Diablo Western Series: Omnibus includes – Shooter's Cross, Hell On Wheels, The Hold Up, The Matamoros Bull, The Armadillo's Hole Saloon and Shooter York.