Blog Archives
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
Rustlers, Renegades, and Rogues
Joanne Fralick’s Rustlers, Renegades, and Rogues: Cournoyer Brothers Book 1 is a gripping Western novel that pulls you straight into the rugged landscapes of South Dakota in the late 19th century. The story follows Leon Cournoyer, a half-French Canadian, half-Lakota freighter and rancher, as he navigates the challenges of frontier life. From battling brutal storms to outsmarting cattle rustlers, and facing the slow, creeping grasp of government control over Indigenous lands, the novel doesn’t hold back in immersing readers in a world that is both harsh and beautiful. Family, identity, and survival lie at the heart of the story, as Leon and his sons try to hold onto their Lakota heritage while adapting to an ever-changing frontier.
What I really enjoyed about this book was how Fralick’s writing brings the setting alive. Right from the opening chapter, where Leon trudges home in a relentless rainstorm, drenched and weary after weeks on the trail, I could feel the weight of his exhaustion. The way the environment is described, the sticky, muddy roads, the storm beating against his oilskin, and the smell of woodsmoke promising warmth make the book feel vivid and immersive. The prairie is as much a character as the people, and every description of the land and weather sets the perfect mood for the scenes that unfold.
The characters in this novel stand out as its strongest feature. Leon is a tough, hardworking man, but he’s also a father, and you can feel the deep love he has for his family. One of the most powerful moments for me was when he reassures his son John during Sarah’s childbirth, trying to remain composed even as his own nerves are frayed. The interactions between the brothers, John, Claude, and Philip, are filled with the kind of rough teasing and camaraderie that makes them feel real. Fralick is adept at interweaving deep undercurrents that add a rich layer of complexity to the story.
The action in this book keeps readers on their toes. The cattle roundup scenes, the run-ins with land-hungry settlers, and the tension of frontier justice all build an atmosphere of uncertainty and danger. The anger, the frustration, and the unfairness of some situations made my blood boil. And then there are the quiet but powerful moments. The contrast between action-packed sequences and deeply emotional reflections makes this book a page-turner.
Rustlers, Renegades, and Rogues is a fantastic read for anyone who loves Westerns with depth. It’s not just about cowboys and cattle, it’s about family, resilience, and the painful history of Indigenous displacement. Fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in stories that balance action with rich character development, will find a lot to love here. If you enjoy books with strong, morally complex characters and an authentic sense of place, this one’s definitely worth picking up. I can’t wait to see what happens next with the Cournoyer brothers.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B0D96D2B33
The Weighing of Values
Apache Sun follows a newspaper publisher in the New Mexico Territory in the year 1876 who tries to track down a murderer and kidnapper across the desert. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve written in other genres but always wanted to do a western but a little differently.
Your novel has some interesting characters who have flaws but are still likable. How do you go about creating characters for your story?
I don’t “design” my characters. I just let them come to me along with the story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The weighing of values. In this case, justice/revenge vs. welfare of loved ones.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In 1878, Lacey Hudson, newspaper publisher in New Mexico Territory, learns of his sister’s murder in Las Cruces. He suspects his former friend and fellow Civil War veteran, Adam Dawson, of the murder and the abduction of his niece. As he tracks Dawson across the desert opens and through the occasional hardscrabble mining settlement, he encounters Apache raiding parties, uncooperative law enforcement, and life-threatening water shortages. When he finally finds Dawson after a two-month ordeal, he confronts a new threat. The feared crime organization, the Santa Fe Ring, has a stake of its own in his quest. Unknown to him at first, schoolteacher Ellen Sharpley is assisting in the location and recovery of his missing niece. She proves to be a crucial ally.
Apache Sun
Apache Sun is a Western that follows Lacey, a determined man on a six-week search across the New Mexico Territory. Lacey is trying to track down a man named Adam Dawson, who is suspected of kidnapping a young girl and committing several other crimes. The journey takes him across barren landscapes and through small, crumbling towns as he grapples with exhaustion, doubt, and the brutal realities of the desert. Along the way, he enlists the help of two Mescalero Apache boys, and together they face treacherous enemies, fierce terrain, and their own moral questions.
The way the author, Jeffrey W. Tenney, paints the Western landscape is impressive. The opening scene immediately places you in Lacey’s shoes, crossing a desolate desert, which “smoldered like a second sun beneath his feet.” You can feel the heat and desperation from page one. I really liked the gritty tone, and the dusty, harsh reality of the frontier is consistently strong throughout the book. But, the book takes its time lingering in the vastness of the landscape, which adds to the atmosphere, but at times it slows down the momentum of the storyline.
Another thing I appreciated was the character development. Lacey is not your typical gunslinger out for blood. He’s weary, unsure, and constantly battling whether or not he should just give up. He’s not perfect, and that made him relatable. The man is chasing justice, but there’s an emotional toll that feels very real. However, while Lacey is well-rounded, I wish we got a bit more depth on Dawson, the villain of the story.
One of the most interesting parts of the novel is the dynamic between Lacey and the two Apache boys he teams up with, who he nicknames Red and Blue. Their relationship starts as one of convenience. He needs their help tracking down Dawson, and they want money. But their relationship evolves into something more. The Apache boys add an extra layer to the story. They offer insights into their culture and the tensions between the Native people and the encroaching settlers. I liked how the author didn’t shy away from the messiness of these interactions. At one point, the boys negotiate their wages like seasoned businessmen, adding humor and humanity to what could have been a straightforward revenge tale.
Apache Sun is for readers who enjoy the slow burn of classic Westerns. Where the landscape is as much a character as the people themselves. If you’re someone who appreciates a hard-won journey with a bit of grit and a lot of heart, you’ll probably dig this one. It’s not all shootouts and action. Lacey’s quest has a deeper quality that sets it apart from your typical Western.
Pages: 334 | ASIN : B0DDLBS2Z9
LITERARY TITAN 