The Western Fiction Shelf

Aces Wild
E. Jefferson Clay
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850123, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 239pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/Aces%20Wild

Synopsis: They were an odd pair, the one-time Union captain and the former = Confederate sergeant. They'd fought each other during the Battle of Pea Rid=
ge -- and then ended up fighting shoulder to shoulder when a common enemy s= howed his face. Bo Rangle, leader of the guerilla force known as Rangle's R= aiders, took advantage of the slaughter to steal what the two opposing forc=
es had been fighting for - two hundred thousand dollars' worth of Confedera=
te gold. Hank Brazos and Duke Benedict never forgot that day, or each other=
.. And when, by chance, their trails crossed again after the War, they decid= ed to team up, find Rangle and reclaim that gold for themselves. And while = they were at it, they swore to get revenge for all of their comrades who'd = died that day back in 1862.

Critique: E. Jefferson Clay's western novel "Aces Wild", begins the story f=
or fans of our two unlikely (and reluctant) heroes as once again they are i= nvolved in gunplay aplenty as they return to their quest for that treasure =
of Confederate gold" continued in "A Badge for Brazos" . A fun, action pack= ed, and simply riveting read from cover to cover, this large print paperbac=
k edition of "Ace Wild" from the Linford Western Library collection is espe= cially and unreservedly recommended reading for all dedicated western novel=
fans and community library Western Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: E. Jefferson Clay (www.fantasticfiction.com/c/e-jefferson-c= lay) is one of the many pseudonyms for Australian author, comic book writer=
and illustrator Paul Wheelahan.

Escape from the Casa Grande
P. J. Gallagher
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850154, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 222pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/Escape%20from%20the%20Casa%20Gr= ande

Synopsis: Josh Martin has headed West seeking adventure. He finds it -- and=
also finds a life and death situation, becoming marooned in a lonely desol= ate valley with no hope of remaining alive unless he can employ the few ski= lls that he possesses. To add to his problems, he also has to care for Elli=
e, a girl who is the sole survivor of an Apache raid.

Critique: A riveting survival story set in the Old West, "Escape from the C= asa Grande" showcases the narrative driven storytelling talents of western = novelist P. J. Gallaher. Originally published as A Black Horse Western in 2= 020, this new large print paperback edition of "Escape from the Casa Grande=
" is fully recommended for both community library Western Fiction collectio=
ns and the personal reading lists of dedicated western novel fans.

Editorial Note: P. J. Gallagher served in the British Army. He has written = and had published close to 20 articles for The Journal of the Royal Artille= ry, competed for the past 20 years in Cowboy Action Shooting, and is a coll= ector of antique firearms. There is an extensive listing of his books at: h= ttps://www.goodreads.com/author/list/281621.Paul_Gallagher

Shiloh
Paul Bedford
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850116, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 233pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/Shiloh

Synopsis: When Martha Pootes watched the three Union soldiers approach her = parent's farm in Kentucky, she had no inkling of the stark horror they woul=
d bring. Raped and left for dead, the young woman manages to impart a very = sketchy description of her attackers before breathing her last. Returning t=
o General Grant's Army Of The Tennessee, the men believe that they are in t=
he clear. Unfortunately for them, Martha's uncle just happens to be a Deput=
y United States Marshal. Knowing only that one of the rapists has a powder = burn under his right eye, the marshal joins Grant's forces. But being part =
of an invading army means that he is not only in mortal danger from the fug= itives. There is also the very real risk that in pursuing them, Pootes coul=
d be shot by the Confederates defending Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. = And that's only the start of it all!

Critique: A classic revenge quest western set against the background of the=
American Civil War, "Shiloh" by novelist Paul Bedford is an inherently fas= cinating and carefully crafted, compulsive page-turner of a read from begin= ning to end. Originally published as A Black Horse Western, this new large = print paperback edition from the Linford Western Library series is unreserv= edly recommended for personal and community library Western Fiction collect= ions.

Editorial Note: Paul Bedford (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/paul-bedfo= rd) has a strong interest in the history of the American frontier and speci= fically strives to make his western novels as factually accurate and realis= tic as possible.

Enemies of Medicine Feather
Will DuRey
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850142, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 221pp

https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/Enemies%20of%20Medicine%20Feath=
er

Synopsis: A renowned hunter, tracker and guide, few white men know the land=
west of the Missouri like Weston Gray. The Arapaho and Lakota Sioux people=
with whom he's lived from time to time call him Medicine Feather and he's = acted as interpreter and spokesman for them to avert trouble with the milit= ary and at treaty meetings with Washington delegates. Among the people he c= alls 'friend' are army officers and tribal chieftains who, in order to main= tain peace, listen to his advice. But the discovery of gold in the Black Hi= lls has changed the mood on both sides and now, in the summer of 1876, Wes =
no longer knows if he has any friends along the frontier. He does know that=
he has enemies.

Critique: With a very special appeal to western fans with an interest in th=
e impact that gold fever had on White and Indian relations, "Enemies of Med= icine Feather" by Will DuRey is an original, deftly crafted, action packed = read from first page to last. With painstaking attention to getting histori= cal details correct, "Enemies of Medicine Feather" will prove a welcome add= ition to personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction colle= ctions.

Editorial Note: Will DuRey (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/will-durey) =
is a life-long student of the history and legends of the Old West. He has b= een writing western fiction for more than a decade and lives in Northumberl= and, UK.

The Valerons - Honor Bound
Terrell L. Bowers
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850192, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 258pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-valerons-honor-bound-terrell-l-bowers/= 1136491101

Synopsis: Nothing grabs a man's total attention like being shot at! Jared V= aleron learns that an unknown gunman has tarnished the family reputation by=
killing a man while impersonating his cousin Wyatt. In trying to track dow=
n the culprit, Jared is drawn into an odd mystery at a gold-mining town. So= lving the riddle of the killer's target requires discovering a motive for t=
he murder. When his investigative efforts propel him deep into a hole, only=
his cousins can help dig him out. Before the folly ends, guns will be draw=
n and bullets will fly. Family honor sometimes comes at a high price!

Critique: Another terrific Valeron western novel from the pen of Terrell L.=
Bowers, "The Valerons - Honor Bound" deftly combines all the western eleme= nts with a puzzle mystery to solve -- if Jared Valeron can stay alive long = enough! Highly recommended to the personal reading lists of the legions of = Terrell Bowers fans, "The Valerons - Honor Bound" is highly recommended for=
all community library Western Fiction collections.

Editorial Note: A lengthy listing of available novels by western author Ter= rell L. Bowers can be found at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/10244= 8.Terrell_L_Bowers

Halliday
Adam Brady
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850178, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 216pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/halliday-adam-brady/1136815778

Synopsis: Judge Cowper of Shimmer Creek hires Buck Halliday to take care of=
a problem. Jason Henley has taken over the town lock, stock and barrel, an=
d now expects every other businessman to pay him protection money. Halliday=
might have dealt out death before, but he isn't a killer for hire. Still, = maybe he can convince Henley that it might be better for his health if he m= akes dust and heads for someplace else. Trouble is, Henley has more lives t= han a cat. And to get to him, a feller first has to go through his pet gunm= an, the notorious Rafe Murchison. It appears to Halliday that he really is = going to earn his money on this job...

Critique: A riveting read that launched a popular series of westerns by nov= elist Adam Brady featuring Buck Halliday, this large print paperback editio=
n of "Halliday" from the Linford Western Library collection will leave enth= usiastic readers and community librarians looking up the other novels compr= ising the 'Halliday' series!

Editorial Note: There is a substantial listing of Adam Brady westerns avail= able at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4832559.

Outlaw
Philip McCormac
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850161, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 300pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/outlaw-philip-mccormac/1136775906

Synopsis: Blain Larkin and his brother Moylan run afoul of Verne Lecroy, so=
n of a powerful banker. When Lecroy kills Moylan in a gunfight, Blain tries=
to avenge his brother's death, but only manages to wound Lecroy. When youn= gster is sentenced to hang for attempted murder, Blain goes on the run, and=
joins an outlaw gang led by Robert Sturdy. Though he's resigned to leading=
the life of an owlhoot, when he meets Robert's sister, the delightful Emel= ie, he resolves to lead a better life. But meanwhile, he must battle to sur= vive!

Critique: A fun and riveting read from cover to cover, "Outlaw" by novelist=
Philip McCormac is a non-stop, action packed western of the first order an=
d this large print paperback edition from the Linford Western Library serie=
s is certain to be a welcome addition to the personal reading lists of west= ern buffs and a singularly popular pick for community library Western Ficti=
on collections.

Editorial Note: Philip McCormac is the author of sixteen Black Horse Wester= ns, ten as P.McCormac and six using various pseudonyms. He has also publish=
ed crime thrillers, historical thrillers, supernatural thrillers as well as=
short stories in various genres. Philip was born in Northern Ireland. (htt= ps://www.fictiondb.com/author/philip-mccormac~84842.htm)

Rod Wilson's Challenge
Terry Murphy
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444850185, $24.50, PB, Large Print, 252pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rod-wilsons-challenge-terry-murphy/1136775= 905

Synopsis: The arrival of Rod Wilson in the New Mexico town of Cabbana, a pl= ace of lawlessness, is welcomed by most but greeted with hostility by a few=
.. Along with two fellow lawmen from his past, Wilson sets about bringing or= der to the place. With the added complication of two women vying for his at= tention, he has to deal with the constant threat of being killed by outlaws=
employed by a businessman who wants rid of him, leading to a confrontation=
with a man he knows to be a fast gun. Only then will Wilson learn whether =
or not he can be quickest on the draw.

Critique: With the publication of "Rod Wilson's Challenge", novelist Terry = Murphy showcases his considerable storytelling talents with a story that ha=
s everything a dedicated western fan could want -- a just cause and life-or= -death gunplay with the outcome hanging in the balance. This large print pa= perback edition of "Rod Wilson's Challenge" is a riveting read and highly c= ommended for both personal reading lists and community library Western Fict= ion collections.

Editorial Note: A complete listing of available large print paperback weste= rns can be found at: https://www.librarything.com/nseries/273883/Linford-We= stern-Library

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
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(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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