The Adventure and Romance of America, her people, her spirit and the West.
Fourth novel of thirty-three books of the Threads West, An American Saga series--compared by reviewers, authors and readers to Lonesome Dove, Centennial, Louis L'Amour (with steam) and called by some the "Gone with the Wind of the West" and applauded by others as "rings true and poignant, as authentic and moving as Dances with Wolves". This multiple #1 bestselling series--winner of fifteen National Awards, (including Best Historical Fiction, Best Romance, and Best Western)--bursts with the adventure, romance and promise of historical America set in the West.
The epic saga of Threads West begins in 1854 with Book One. We meet the first of five richly-textured, complex generations of unforgettable characters. The separate lives of these driven men and independent women are drawn to a common destiny that beckons seductively from the wild and remote flanks of the American West.
Gunslingers: A Story of the Old West is John Layne's inaugural novel set in the Old West packed with family drama, action, and adventure. In this, Book One of the Luxton Danner Series, author John Layne tells the story of Joel Thornton and his daughter Elizabeth, as they seek frontier justice with legendary U.S. Deputy Marshall, Ben Chance.
Joel Thornton is a retired U.S. Deputy Marshal now living a quiet rancher's life. Days after welcoming his daughter Elizabeth home, a fugitive seeking revenge attacks his ranch. Badly wounded trying to protect his home and save his daughter, Thornton sends his daughter on a dangerous mission to find help from the only man he trusts to save his beloved family and ranch.
Fans of Western Fiction novels are in for a treat with Layne's crisp, strong prose and cinematic style.
From the author of Gunslingers: A Story of the Old West comes a second novel about frontier freedom and justice on the American Frontier and the Old West.
Red River Reunion is a classic Western Fiction novel set in 1877 that traces the lives of U.S. Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne during their latest Texas adventures, where they risk everything to defend the meek, uphold frontier law, and satisfy their pursuit of doing what no other men can.
Tragic circumstances, lawlessness, and villainy, mark life in the Old West as settlers and law enforcement band together to survive and thrive and create a safe and prosperous future for all. Fans of Layne's distinctive style will enjoy his rich characters and period details that bring the Old West back to life.
Finalist Fiction: Western The 2020 Best Book Awards
In the wake of disaster, would you leave your family to fulfill an old promise to a stranger? Born with a permanent grin and natural charm, young Ryder Wheeler wanted to be a Pony Express rider just like his dime novel hero. In a coastal Texas town in the 1870s, it isn’t easy to turn cowboy, so Ryder relies on what he has—a strong will, a nickel’s worth of luck, and an inclination to take on any dare. Adored by all, he gains notoriety as the “luck child” of Indianola. When Ryder’s abusive father goes too far, a hard-fisted cowboy intervenes, offering him a deal with one condition: He must leave his beloved town of Indianola behind. After peddling his luck for so long, will he make it as a cowboy at the Middle C Ranch? As Ryder faces the consequences of his decision, the Mistress—the ocean Ryder loves to hate—tries once more to claim him. Can young Ryder best the storms in his path? Or will he lose his dream—and his town—forever? Brimming with superstitious sailors, rugged cowboys, and catastrophic events, Nickel’s Luck is a coming-of-age tale that takes readers on an epic journey.
Finalist Fiction: Western The 2020 Best Book Awards
Left penniless after her husband's death, Fiona Lenihan and her two children set out for California in search of a fresh start. Ten years ago Fiona fled the Irish Potato Famine. She has crossed an ocean, so why not a continent? Kier Moran is a loner with a reputation for being the best tracker, best shot, and best guide. As a favor to his aging parents, he is leading their wagon train West, to the Santa Clara Valley, known as the Valley of Heart's Delight. Kier intends to deliver his parents safely to California then resume life under the sun and stars. But meeting Fiona Lenihan threatens his simple plan.
Finalist Fiction: Western The 2020 Best Book Awards
When former Texas Ranger scout Pete Horse agrees to join his old friend Charlie Goodnight’s first trail drive across Texas to the New Mexico Bosque Redondo Navajo reservation, he knows the way will be fraught with danger. He expects to encounter bandits, hostile Comanche, bad weather and stampedes, and he’s not disappointed.
He hadn’t been expecting the treacherous Comancheros, renegade Apache, and night riding gangs of unreconstructed Rebels seething with resentment, and all of them fighting over a thousand stolen Army rifles. When he’s forced to kill two men who are stealing his prized horse Pete incurs the wrath of an ex-communicated religious zealot and his sect of trigger-happy disciples. The entire Texas Panhandle is about to erupt in a shooting war that could spread across the West. Riding up with old friends Bigfoot Wallace, Bass Reeves, Britt Johnson and more legendary men of the west, Pete still faces the longest odds of a long, turbulent life on the violent frontier.
Finalist Fiction: Western The 2020 Best Book Awards
Thrust to the mercy of the Mississippi river, thirteen-year-old Rowdy floats safely away as he watches the smoke rise from his burning farmhouse. His father, dead. His brother, dead. Both gunned down in front of him by a murderous gang of bandits. Now alone in the world, his perilous journey of survival begins, challenging and shaping him into the young man his father would want him to become. Pulled from the waters, he is given a chance by a lone river Captain and his mate. Working the trade routes between St. Louis and New Orleans, he learns to navigate safe passage but more importantly identify dangers both in and on the water. Rowdy has grown strong working the river but must use his wit as well as his strength to confront a bullying crewman and survive a surprise attack by river pirates. Growing up on the Mississippi river was a start for Rowdy, but a new beginning is just around the next bend. Dodge City, Kansas proves it has its own challenges but gives Rowdy the one thing he has been longing for, companionship.
Finalist Fiction: Western The 2020 Best Book Awards
In this, the second part of her award-winning novel 'The Trappers Promise,' continue to delve into the life of the trapper known as Sarah Cole, as author Bronwyn Trotter takes you on a wild journey from the Rocky Mountains that Sarah loves, to the town of Cedar Creek that Sarah hates, where she meets Christian Morgan, a man who is determined to keep his past buried, and who is now wearing the badge of a lawman.
