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The Unsung Heroes
Lone Star Justice follows Texas Rangers Hondo Stone and Kid Carter, who do their best to bring justice to Old San Antonio against the mounting opposition who outnumber and outgun them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
First, let me thank you for this great interview from your prodigious company, Literary Titan. I truly appreciate it. The inspiration for my story is manyfold. But first and foremost, my inspiration is my late brother, Duane “Mr. Bear” Campos, who is the heart and soul of the 2-Bru Krew. The way he lived with honor, courage, true friendship, and unwavering principles according to his Code of Honor inspired me to write this series of Western novels. The setup of the story is an homage to people of strength and resilience everywhere: law enforcement, soldiers, and other protectors of citizens who put the well-being of others ahead of their own. They are unsung heroes whom an ever-fickle modern society heralds with tickertape parades and yellow ribbons when it makes them feel good, then that same public oftentimes turns around and hypocritically chastises and scrutinizes these same defenders when they see that it takes a wolf to protect the sheep from other wolves.
What is the biggest thing that people THINK they know about the old west/western genre that isn’t so?
Most people live under the misconception that during the Old West, Texas was populated by mostly Hispanics or Whites from the South, when the truth was Texas was a melting pot within the “melting pot” of the United States. Though it is true, Hispanics made up a great percentage of the population and were there long before Anglos, Texas, was filled with Indigenous Native Americans of many different tribes. And Texas was similar to New York in being a key destination for immigration, such as the “Forty-Eighters”, who were European immigrants that came to Texas in the late 1840’s-1850’s and not only settled throughout the state but also founded many new towns with their European culture. My series of Western novels, starting with “Old San Antone” and continuing with “Gunfighter’s Requiem” and “Lone Star Justice”, has several leading characters who are German-Jewish immigrants that settled in Old San Antone, such as the Birnbaum Family, Dr. Issak Jaffe, and Papa Schultze, to name a few. There are a slew of other Europeans too, like the Bohemian Czech gunman Dutchy Laszlo, the French gambler Taj, and perhaps most prominently of all, one of the main characters, the Englishman “Kid Carter”. Other main characters are also transplants to the west: Captain Hondo Stone is originally from Illinois, Jess LeBeau is from Kentucky, Kay Hart is from New York, Sara-Belle Garnett is from Philadelphia. Not to mention the antagonists such as: J.B. Jenkins who is from Ohio, Dickie Diamond and Dexter Gaff are from New York, and the gunman Domino McGillicutty is from Ireland. But the ethnic group that is oftentimes most overlooked is African-Americans, and I’m proud to say they are represented well in my novels, with the lead characters Ma’am Daisy Brown, the gambler Red-Dog Rouge, Madam Rose, the young lad Toby, and an assortment of gunmen, and of course, Moses Brown, whom Hondo makes the first Black volunteer Texas Ranger.
Your novels are extensive and detailed, showcasing the real old-west. Were there scenes you ended up cutting you wish you could’ve kept? Describe them and the decision-making process.
Thank you for the compliment about the detail of my novels, I truly appreciate it, it means a lot to me. To me, a novel should be detailed. People read to be immersed in a world within their mind, and as authors it’s our job to transport them there with words that fly off the page, enter their mind, and take them to another place in time where they can live and experience another life as though they were living it themselves. It’s easy for an author to pump out a 125-page pamphlet that reads like a quick screenplay with little to no description, which leaves the reader guessing what happened, and transports them no where except to a place where they wasted a handful of cash and a few boring hours sifting through a book that should’ve been left unread. But it takes dedication and love of the craft of writing for an author to pour their heart and soul into their books. I am a writer who does that. My blood is in those pages… Not “on” them, but “in” them… Did I cut anything out? No. It’s all there. That’s why I made the conscious decision to make this an ongoing series of books, where one picks up where another left off. Maybe some people might think them long. But to paraphrase the prodigious author Victor Hugo about his novel Les Misérables: “Due to the great length of my book, I don’t know whether this story will be read by everyone… But it is meant for everyone. Because it is written for everyone…”
Do you plan to write more books surrounding Hondo Stone and Kid Carter? If so, where will the story take readers?
That’s a great question. Most definitely, I’ll be writing more books following the “Chronicles of Hondo Stone and Kid Carter”. For those who’ve read the first 3 books thus far, they know that each novel begins with a “Prologue” that takes place in the year 1900, with a young journalist coming to Old San Antone wanting to find out more about the lives of Hondo and Carter, so he can write a series of stories about them. He meets a grizzled old newspaperman who knew them, and the widow of Carter, and together, they tell this journalist the tale. The chapters of each book then immediately transport the reader back to 1867, and they get to “live” the experience first-hand, seeing the events unfold as they did at that time. At the end of the book, it returns to the year 1900, with the journalist begging to know more, and knowing the story will continue in the next novel. So the future books will continue the tale of the two best friends, Hondo Stone and Kid Carter, and the people closest to them, Jess LeBeau, Rachel Birnbaum, Sara-Belle Garnett, Daisy Brown, Professor Birnbaum and his wife, and other main characters, as their lives intersect with events, both tragic and triumphant, that shape not only themselves, but the State of Texas over the years, chronicling the wild west as it actually happened. I am currently working on the 4th installment, which I plan to publish before the year is out. Thank you so much again for this wonderful interview with your great company and staff. I can’t thank you enough, Literary Titan. You are awesome.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website | YouTube
Heroes never quit and never surrender. Sometimes they die, but they don’t ever give up. They fight to the bitter end, win or lose, live or die, and they take honor and glory with them. No one could ever ask for more than that. This is a story about heroes. This is a story about Captain Hondo Stone, Texas Ranger, and his best friend and brother-in-arms, Kid Carter.
This is the third installment in the continuing tale of Hondo Stone and Kid Carter: two imperfect heroes for an imperfect world, that was suffering an imperfect time in history… The world might deem them as anti-heroes, because they may seem hard to fully understand at times, but all great men of honor usually are… They’re complex souls, who may appear to be insufferable to those who don’t appreciate the kind of unique lives that they live, but they’re also the most tender-hearted of all people to those that they love. For they live lives that are vastly different from what others may deem to be a “normal” or “ordinary” life. But that’s what it takes to be the stuff of legend: to be heroes in a world that has grown too cynical to believe in heroes anymore.
Picking up right where “Gunfighter’s Requiem” left off, “Lone Star Justice” is the exhilarating and much-anticipated continuation of the “Chronicles of Hondo Stone and Kid Carter”, which culminates the events of the first two books in an explosion of an exciting action-packed climax that’ll thrill you to your very core!
For, during the Christmas of 1867, in Old San Antone, there would be no peace on earth, and no good will towards all men… Rather there would be an ominous hell-storm of violence and vengeance unleashed within the city as the final battle between the Texas Rangers and the Jenkins Faction would playout on a fateful morning in which debts would be settled, vendettas would be resolved, lives would be lost, the balance of power would be changed, history would be made, legends would arise, and Lone Star Justice would be served, all by the hands of Captain Hondo Stone. What you must ask yourself is, do you have what it takes to seek out Lone Star Justice alongside Hondo and the Kid? Because if you do, then the greatest story of your life is only a turning of a page away.
Lone Star Justice
Lone Star Justice by John Campos seamlessly follows the thrilling events of Gunfighter’s Requiem. Set against the evocative backdrop of Old San Antonio, Texas, during Christmas of 1867, this narrative dives deeper into the tense standoff between JB Jenkins, head of the formidable Jenkins Faction, and the dogged Texas Rangers, chiefly Hondo Stone and John “Kid” Carter.
In the previous book, Hondo Stone had narrowly escaped multiple assassination attempts by JB. This new installment portrays JB Jenkins as a leader on the edge, making desperate, impulsive choices that signal his potential downfall. This shift from the meticulous tactics he once employed is a telling exploration of the perils of ineffective leadership. While Hondo and Carter are undeniably adept as gunmen, they face an opponent who boasts superior numbers. One can’t help but ponder how different the outcome might have been had JB exhibited strategic leadership, given his resources. His often ill-conceived strategies, coupled with a lack of respect for his allies, hindered his ability to foster unwavering loyalty.
A notable evolution in this Western crime thriller is Campos’s decision to delve into the personal lives of Hondo and Carter. The introduction of romantic arcs for both protagonists provides a refreshing contrast to the high-octane confrontations. It’s a joy to witness moments of genuine happiness and intimacy, which were scarce in their previous adventures.
However, while Campos’s meticulous descriptions enhance immersion, I feel they occasionally verge on excess. I think a more measured approach might have tightened the narrative. Additionally, I feel presenting Hondo with steeper challenges could have heightened the stakes, offering readers an even more gripping experience.
Overall, Lone Star Justice is an enthralling continuation, painting a vivid picture of Old West confrontations while also illuminating the intricacies of its protagonists’ hearts.
Page: 778 | ASIN : B0C3SCW14K
Right vs Wrong isn’t Legal vs Illegal
Gunfighter’s Requiem continues the saga of a Texas Ranger who is trying to restore the law to the Wild West. How did this story transform as you were writing the novel?
First, let me thank you for this amazing opportunity of being interviewed by your esteemed literature organization, “Literary Titan”. I truly appreciate it. The entire story is pre-plotted out ahead of time prior to writing it, with key plot points and scenes broken down per each book in action-packed segments that leave-off with dramatic “cliffhanger” type moments to be continued in the next book, similar in style to the original publications of the literary classic “One Thousand and One Nights”. (Readers might note the homage to this with Carter’s own horse being named “Scheherazade”.) The saga of the “Old San Antone Chronicles” thus far comprises of 4 individual books, with many more planned for the future. The first 3 books are published, and I am currently working on the 4th installment now. Each story transforms by taking on “a life of its own” as I connect each of these key plot points and scenes together, filling the dialogue with lines as though they’ve been spoken from the mouths of the characters themselves.
Captain Hondo Stone is an unforgettable character with a lot of grit and honor. What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
That is a great question, and thank you for the compliment and recognition of the virtues of my main character, Captain Hondo Stone. The writing process to capture his character was simple: Hondo Stone is based upon the personal character of my late brother and “bru”, Duane “Mr. Bear” Campos, who is the heart and soul of “The 2-Bru Krew”. My brother was a man of “The Code”: a man of integrity, honor, courage, and honesty. But more than that, he was also very good-hearted and human: the best friend anyone could ever hope for. He was tough, but fair and just. And you knew you could trust him, just by looking into his eyes. I wrote Hondo Stone with my brother’s personality and character in mind. I conceived an idea for a scenario, and said, “Given these same dire circumstances, what would my bru Mr. Bear do in a situation like this?” And the scenes wrote themselves. Hondo does what my brother would do – or in some cases, has done in the past. Hondo says what my brother would say, or has said, once upon a time… If you want to know what kind of a man my brother was, read my western books, and you will see him in full authenticity, and in living reality. Hondo Stone is a hero, because my brother Duane “Mr. Bear” Campos was a hero. That’s the truth. And in the end, the truth is all that matters.
When money and power make the rules instead of the law, this sets up the novel to deliver some very entertaining scenes. What scene was the most fun to write?
That’s a great point, and very true. I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, in dire poverty in the inner-city slums. When you grow up in environments like that, you see all the ugly realities that many upper-class “polite” people in society are never exposed to. You see corruption and apathy from the ground-up, or in some cases, the gutter-up, and have a harsher more realistic point-of-view of the world than the more privileged classes harbor, when it comes to “law and order”. That’s why my books show the difference between “right and wrong”, not just what’s “legal and illegal”. As far as the scenes that were the most fun to write, (I truly loved them all), but I’d have to say Chapter 6, titled “Gunfighter’s Requiem”, where Texas Ranger Captain Hondo Stone has a showdown with the crooked Sheriff Ace Deveraux on the “Bridge of Sorrows”. The moody setting at daybreak, with the rising sun silhouetting the sides of both men as they meet on the loathsome bridge spanning the river, with the sunlight glimmering upon it, with the only noise being the soul-chilling wind, transforms this face-off from a mere shootout to an artform of a duel. Everything about that chapter is a classic-themed style of a gunfight befitting a western, or even an epic samurai duel. In fact, much of the themes of my western novels, including the morality of “The Code”, is based upon the honorable samurai code of “Bushido”, and a reader can see the parallels between samurai “Ronin” and the main characters of Hondo Stone and Kid Carter.
Can you give your fans any information on the third installment of this series and what is in store for Captain Hondo Stone?
Thank you very much, I’d love to! The next book (3rd in the series) is already published and is titled: Lone Star Justice. It is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats at this link: https://amzn.to/41NRhVm. Lone Star Justice concludes the Jenkins-Ranger feud in an epic gunfighting finale as it weaves an exciting tale teeming with honor, friendship, romance, love, drama, and action, that you won’t want to miss! There’s never been a western quite like Lone Star Justice, because as the novel itself says: “Heroes never quit and never surrender. Sometimes they die, but they don’t ever give up. They fight to the bitter end, win or lose, live or die, and they take honor & glory with them.” Lone Star Justice is a story about heroes. Read it and you’ll agree. Thank you once again for this amazing interview with your awesome Literary Titan organization. I truly appreciate it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website | YouTube | Instagram
What makes a man keep on fighting when his back is against the wall and the odds are stacked against him so high that there’s little chance for success, and death seems certain? “The Code”… That’s what makes a man like Texas Ranger Captain Hondo Stone never quit, never surrender, and keep on fighting to his last dying breath… And what code was that, you might ask? “The Code of Honor” of a man, that had been nearly all but forgotten in this bleak lawless era, except to a few men who still lived by its set of unwritten rules. Rules that were ingrained in “The Code”, where a man kept his word. Where loyalty, trust, and friendship were bonds that could not be broken. Where a man finished what he set out to do, even if it cost him his life. And where courage and valor were not just words written in poetry books; but were the morals and foundations by which a man lived by, and when need be, died by. This was “The Code” that Hondo Stone lived by each and every day. This was “The Code” that Hondo was willing to die for, whenever the time and need would arise. And this was “The Code” that led him to a “Gunfighter’s Requiem”…
This is the continuing story of Texas Ranger Captain Hondo Stone, who came to bring justice to Old San Antone, and his best friend the gunfighting gambler Kid Carter, who tempted the winds of fate and befriended Hondo, becoming his sworn blood-brother and ally in a war against a powerful criminal organization known as the Jenkins Faction...
Picking up right where “Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend” left off, “Gunfighter’s Requiem” is the exciting and much-anticipated continuation of the story, and it pulls no punches as it shows the truth about the Wild West in a stark reality that reveals all the good and bad with equal blunt honesty, gritty realism, action-packed excitement, intense suspenseful drama, and even moments of endearing romance and jovial good-natured humor. Teeming with meticulous details of historical-accuracy and filled with unique intriguing characters and a powerful storyline, Gunfighter’s Requiem is certain to entertain and delight, and leave you captivated. But more than all that, it will also enlighten you to the true definition of what Honor, Courage, Valor, Friendship, True Love and Romance really are, as you get to know two heroic men who will stay within your heart and mind, forever.
Everybody needs someone to believe in… Believing in the greatness of someone else inspires the greatness within us all to come forth. That’s why the world so desperately needs heroes; because by believing in heroes, it brings out the heroes in ourselves. Heroism makes people strive to be heroic as well, and it inspires them to be something greater than themselves. Such is the stuff that heroes are made of: heroes like Captain Hondo Stone... For while there might not have been any shining armor in the old west, there were knights back in those days… Even if they were black knights… And one of those knights was Captain Hondo Stone… What you have to ask yourself is do you have what it takes to believe in heroes again and follow Hondo Stone as he takes a walk down the streets of Old San Antone during a Gunfighter’s Requiem? Because if you want to see the truth of what really made the old west wild, and be inspired by a hero who will make you want to believe in something greater than yourself, then all you have to do is read, “Gunfighter’s Requiem”.
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Gunfighter’s Requiem
Gunfighter’s Requiem, penned by the formidable duo known as 2-Bru Krew, unveils a chilling narrative set in a land where the line separating law and anarchy is alarmingly blurred. This compelling tale presents an unsettling reality where corruption supplants constitutional norms and wealth triumphs over justice.
Set in the backdrop of Old San Antone, Texas, in 1867, the narrative unfolds in a region crippled by fear, not of the government, but of a power-hungry antagonist named JB Jenkins. Jenkins, through his wealth and manipulation, exercises his dominance in a disturbing fashion – not least of which includes appointing a puppet Sheriff, thereby stripping away the constitutional right of the populace to elect their public servant.
At the center of this gripping tale is an incorruptible law enforcement officer. His noble quest for justice serves as the heartbeat of this narrative, thrusting readers into an exploration of crime fiction that scrutinizes the damaging effects of a malfunctioning justice system. The tale brilliantly captures the dire consequences of corruption, underlining the harsh reality that due process is often bypassed, leading to an environment ripe for vigilantism.
Our protagonist’s mission is undoubtedly virtuous. However, the dysfunction of the justice system forces his hand, prompting him to adopt methods not dissimilar from the villainous Jenkins. This blurring of ethical boundaries further intensifies the plot, questioning the means by which justice can be served when the system itself is inherently flawed.
The 2-Bru Krew expertly leverages the “show, don’t tell” strategy, enriching the narrative with evocative descriptions that draw readers into the heart of the story. This illustrative storytelling effectively engages the readers, facilitating a deep, immersive experience.
The predictability of certain plot points can be seen as a comforting familiarity, providing the reader with a steady, well-trodden path through the storyline. In addition, the protagonist’s journey to restore justice, while developing at a measured pace, emphasizes his endurance and unyielding commitment to his cause, even in the face of a persistent adversary. This slow-burn approach could heighten the anticipation for some readers of the inevitable showdown, creating a unique kind of suspense that grips the reader.
Gunfighter’s Requiem remains a fascinating exploration of justice, power, and corruption. The tale it tells is not just a reflection of its historical setting but a sobering commentary on the timelessness of these issues. Its strengths certainly outweigh its weaknesses, making this book a worthy addition to the library of any discerning reader of crime fiction.
Pages: 1183 | ASIN : B0BRK7MRDW
Nearly All But Forgotten
Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend follows the life of a Texas Ranger in the Old West who tracks down the outlaws and gunfighters of the time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration comes from my late brother, Duane “Mr. Bear” Campos who was a true man of “The Code”. And what code is that, you might ask? “The Code of Honor” of a man, that’s been nearly all but forgotten in this modern era, except to a few men who still live by its set of unwritten rules. Rules that are ingrained in “The Code”, where a man keeps his word. Where loyalty, trust, and friendship are bonds that cannot be broken. Where a man finishes what he sets out to do, even if it costs him his life. And where courage and valor are not just words written in poetry books; but are the morals and foundations by which a man lives by, and when need be, dies by. This novel “Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend”, and all of its sequels, are a tribute to my brother, my Bru, my best friend, Duane “Mr. Bear” Campos. He is my inspiration. He is the heart and soul of the 2-Bru Krew.
As a work of historical fiction, what kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the time period with accuracy so as not to give readers “horse opera”?
Thank you for your kind words about the historical authenticity of my novel. I have been a dedicated devotee to history all my life, with a particular interest to the Victorian Era and the Old West. So, I can honestly say that there is a lifetime of painstaking research that went into making sure “Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend” is completely 100% historically-accurate in every way, down to each last minute detail, from the description, setting, timeframe, attire, cuisine and weaponry, to even the colorfully unorthodox language, frontier phrases, Southern slang, Yiddish jargon, and Cockney vernacular that was used during the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era of the Wild West. The end result is a novel that is so authentic that every page transports the reader back to 1867 in Texas, where they can experience life during that challenging time first-hand for themselves.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most crucial themes to my novel are the ideals of Honor, Brotherhood, Justice, and Humanity. For while some people might read “Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend”, and never see past the surface that it is anything more than an action-packed “shoot-‘em-up” filled with gritty violence like some sort of a Sam Peckinpah film, the truth of the matter is, it is quintessentially a tale that focuses on these important principles of Honor, Brotherhood, Justice, and Humanity. For the main characters, the protagonists Hondo Stone and Kid Carter are each in their own way, icons of these values, imbued with the morals of their beliefs, even if they are more akin to being valiant “anti-heroes”, than virtuous “heroes”. For like it says in the novel, “There might not have been any shining armor, but there were knights back in those days… Even if they were black knights. And two of those knights were Hondo Stone and Kid Carter.”
Question: What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book in the series is titled “Gunfighter’s Requiem”, and it is currently available on Amazon.com in both Kindle and Paperback formats. It picks up right where Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend left off and continues the exciting tale of Captain Hondo Stone, Texas Ranger, and his brother-in-arms, the gunfighting gambler, Kid Carter. My latest novel has just been published on Amazon as well in both Kindle and Paperback. It is titled “Lone Star Justice”, and it is the 3rd book in the series, that is packed with action, drama, good humor, and some moments of endearing romance as well. All three novels are definitely worth a read, and all three books are available for free with Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited. Thank you so much for your time and interest in my novels, and I’d truly like to thank the great staff of Literary Titan for this opportunity of being interviewed and all of your fantastic services on your amazing website.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Amazon
“In the Old West, there was a place where Lawmen, Gunfighters, and Outlaws all met… That place was called, ‘Old San Antone’.”
Go back to a time when a man kept his word, when a badge meant honor, and when courage was all that it took to fight tyranny… After the Civil War, Texas was filled with lawless despair as outlaws and gunmen preyed on the misfortunes of others. There was NO law in Old San Antone until Texas Ranger Captain Hondo Stone came to town like a storm of justice… This is his story…
Do you want to know what the Wild West was really like? Then look no further than “Old San Antone”! Unlike most of the conventional “horse opera” tales of the wild west, where cliché tropes and stereotypical western balderdash are piled-up like haystacks to feed a famished herd of mindless cattle, “Old San Antone” brings a fresh new perspective to the old west, telling it the way it really was, in this fascinating era of our nation’s most colorful and exciting history. This book pulls no punches as it shows society in a stark reality that reveals all the good and bad with equal blunt honesty, gritty realism, action-packed excitement, intense suspenseful drama, and even moments of endearing romance and jovial good-natured humor. In essence, it is an exposé to life and society in the Wild West era of post-Civil War America. Teeming with meticulous details of historical-accuracy and filled with unique intriguing characters and a powerful storyline, Old San Antone is certain to entertain and delight, and leave you captivated. But more than all that, it will also enlighten you to the true definition of what Honor, Courage, Valor, and Friendship really are, as you get to know two heroic men who will stay within your heart and mind, forever.
It’s a western novel unlike any other that will make you believe in heroes once again as it transports you back in time to the Wild West era of the lawless Texas frontier, where life was cheap, and death could be bought for the right price. Money and the balance of power was held in place by how quick and deadly a man was with a gun. Gold bought lead, and in turn, lead forcefully took gold as professional gunfighters enforced the tyrannical wills of corrupt cattle barons in the conquest of entire towns.
Treachery and danger lurk around every corner in Old San Antone, which is rife with political corruption and seething with violence. Only a bold Texas Ranger Captain named “Hondo Stone” dares to stand up against insurmountable odds as he comes to Old San Antone to bring a despicable murderer to justice. He must leap into the lion’s den and take on an entire organized-crime cattle faction that is backed by corrupt lawmen, crooked politicians, bloodthirsty hired gunslingers, and an entire town full of subjugated citizens who are too intimidated by the miscreant criminal syndicate to risk lending a hand to help the Ranger.
Outnumbered and surrounded by enemies, with death awaiting him at every turn, Captain Hondo Stone stands alone, armed only with his six-guns, his relentless courage, and his unwavering “Code of Honor”, to see to it that justice is served against the tyranny of oppression. Into this volatile powder keg of lethal peril enters a devil-may-care professional gunfighting gambler named “Kid Carter” who raises the stakes to a new level of explosive derring-do, adding a wildcard to this most deadly game.
In the Old West, there truly was once a place where Lawmen, Gunfighters, and Outlaws all met, and that place was called, “Old San Antone”. What you have to ask yourself is do you have what it takes to saddle-up and ride there? Because if you want to see the truth of what really made the old west wild, then all you have to do is read, “Old San Antone: Dawn Of The Legend”.
LITERARY TITAN 