Blog Archives
Stuck In My Brain
Pistol Jake follows a legendary bounty hunter with a questionable past who faces off against hardened criminals and corrupt deacons. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
There’s never a simple answer to this type of question, but I’ll give it a try. I became fixated on a single line that popped into my head. “I’m in love with you, and I don’t know what to do about it.” Just that line was stuck in my brain. Then I saw a cowboy standing in a doorway with his back turned to the viewer/reader. I had to craft a reason for him to say those words, and to be standing in a doorway with his back turned to someone he felt this way about.
From there, it essentially became a Lego set of putting pieces together for me to bring this scene to life. There’s always more to the story, but there’s the crux of its beginnings.
What draws you to the western genre?
My grandfather was my hero. He was a hero for all of my siblings and cousins. He watched John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and many classic Westerns with great fervor. He read the works of Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, and other Western novelists. I grew up surrounded by Westerns, and nostalgia plays a significant role in my affection for the genre.
Also, there’s something mythological about humanity versus the untamed world, or the world as it transitions into being tamed. A world without instant information, where hyper-masculinity and hyper-femininity collide at the edges of law and order, is such a fertile playground for storytelling.
On top of that, they no longer make those John Ford-style Westerns, and I wanted to see a new one enter the conversation. So, I humbly entered Pistol Jake into the chat.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’ve always been interested in the consequences of revenge. Sometimes, revenge is justified. Other times, grace and forgiveness are what’s needed, and we must forego the quest for vengeance. I wanted to see a world where the primal need for vengeance clashed with the Christian concept of grace, and what kind of messy things would happen when they collided.
Christianity versus Primal was at the center of it all, and not just in the question of revenge. There’s also the primal drive of lust versus Christian sexual reserve, and what does one do when the primal is too hungry to ignore?
In short, I wanted to see those two concepts clashing on multiple fronts and see what responses these characters would have to them. Not to justify or judge, but rather to observe.
I find a problem in well-written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
Maybe. And I don’t use “maybe” to be evasive or coy. It’s a real “maybe.” I intentionally set it up to allow for more stories to be told, but I can’t promise you I have one fully formulated today. If I get obsessed with another line that I need to build a story around, Pistol Jake 2 will be on the way.
Having said that, I have the beginnings of the story in mind. Without giving away the ending of this book, there are certain alliances made that could prove to be quite entertaining in the future.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Jacob Roy spends his life catching bad guys for a living, yet the public can’t seem to get around his reputation as a killer. Though he prefers to bring in his bounties standing on two feet, many are ignorant enough to test his prowess and end up six feet under. All it takes is an innocent telegram to send him on a quest to test his mettle, right a wrong, and protect something he loves beyond life itself.
Jessie North, a tough, god-fearing widow, has one main goal in life. Keep her ranch healthy, closely watch her untrustworthy son, and make it to a new day. Who knew finding an unfamiliar mound of dirt, breaking up a brawl by the bunkhouse, and a trip into town would lead to the unbelievable?
Deacon is…well, just Deacon. He sports a black hat, carries a razor blade, and the only thing quicker than his draw is his wits. You’ll see.
Come watch the sparks fly in this Wild West adventure where the guns are fast, love comes faster, and no one knows who they can trust.
Pistol Jake
David C. Hoke’s Pistol Jake is a gritty, character-driven Western that follows the tumultuous life of Jacob Roy, a legendary bounty hunter with a complicated past and a reputation that precedes him. Set against the dust-blown backdrop of Praytell, Texas, the story pits Jake against hardened criminals, corrupt deacons, and his own haunted choices, all while weaving in subplots of family, redemption, and vengeance. With a colorful supporting cast including the no-nonsense ranch widow Jessie North and the razor-wielding, scripture-quoting outlaw Deacon, this tale dives deep into themes of morality, justice, and the toll a life of violence takes on the soul.
Reading this book was like riding shotgun on a runaway stagecoach. The writing is raw, immersive, and brimming with energy. Hoke doesn’t pull punches. There’s blood, grit, and language that match the lawless world he’s created. I appreciated the balance between action and introspection. Jake is more than a sharp-shooting cowboy, he’s a man weighed down by loss, regret, and an ever-present sense of duty. The dialogue is sharp and often darkly humorous, which brings the characters to life with authenticity and charm. Deacon, in particular, is terrifying in that he believes his cruelty might actually be divine justice.
The book isn’t afraid to get messy, emotionally and morally. Sometimes the transitions felt jarring, and I feel that a few scenes edged into the grotesque or uncomfortable, but never without purpose. The violence is earned, not gratuitous. Hoke does a fine job of showing how power, faith, and desperation can twist people in different directions. There’s something relatable about all of it. You root for Jake even when he doesn’t root for himself.
Pistol Jake is perfect for readers who love a brutal, heartfelt Western with complex characters and no guarantees. If you’re the kind of person who likes your stories weathered, your heroes imperfect, and your endings earned, saddle up. This book isn’t just another shoot-’em-up—it’s a darn good tale with a whole lot of soul.
Pages: 325 | ASIN : B0DDHRQHW1
LITERARY TITAN 