Return of the Coyote

My latest novel was released on ebook on Amazon today (the print book should be available in a couple weeks). Many readers have asked about a sequel to Night of the Coyote, suggesting they were left hanging about the futures of Skye dePaul and Ethan Ramsey, the protagonists. Whether the reader likes the outcome or not, the answer will found in Return of the Coyote.

This will be a wide-ranging novel with lots of action, some tragedy and, of course, a bit of romance. Is it a good novel? I’ll let my readers decide. I’m a terrible judge of my own work.

I am presently working on Dismal Trail, the third book of the Law Wrangler series, which I hope to have out in early summer. While I expect to continue this series indefinitely, I think of this book as the final one of a trilogy featuring the end of the Comanche wars with Quanah Parker and the last of the holdout Kwahadi. I’m having fun with this one, and I hope this is reflected in the product.

I anticipate having two or three additional Law Wrangler books out in 2017. This is the year I transition to full-time writing, and I look forward to writing many novels in the months and years ahead.

I have one final self-serving note. If you enjoy my novels, a review on Amazon is very helpful and appreciated.

Good reading,

Ron

The Law Wranglers

October and November were exciting months for the new Law Wrangler series. Book 1, Deal with the Devil, was released on October 2nd and quickly climbed to or near the top of the sales charts in various Western categories on Amazon. Book 2, Mouth of Hell, was released on November 18th and seems to be benefitting from readers who enjoyed the first book. Both books are available in Kindle and paperback at Amazon.

My sincere thanks to all my readers, who not only make these sales possible, but give me the satisfaction of knowing, as I write, there will be at least a few folks looking forward to the next book. I also want to express my special appreciation to the persons who take the time to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

I have had readers ask when there will be more of the Law Wranglers series. I am currently working on Return of the Coyote, sequel to Night of the Coyote. This book should be released early in 2017. After that will come two or three more Law Wranglers books, and, later in 2017, I hope to revisit the Locke family from Last Wheel and Medicine Wheel.

Good reading and best wishes.

Ron

Deal with the Devil (and more)

My reading tastes run to the less traditional and offbeat western novels. A fellow member of Western Fictioneers recently recommended THE WHIP by Karen Kondazian. I read it, and thoroughly enjoyed the novel. I was unaware before I read the book that a stagecoach driver in the Old West was often called a “whip,” thus the book title.    

The novel was inspired by Charley Parkhurst, a famous stagecoach whip on the West Coast, although the narrative appears to be a largely fictionalized version of the driver’s life. The twist is that upon Charley’s death the world learned that the great whip, unbeknownst to even the driver’s best friends, was a woman. The story essentially runs the span of the whip’s life, and it held my interest from beginning to end. It’s a dark tale, but if you like a novel that’s not just a shoot ‘em up western, you might find this book worth a visit. The novel won the Best Western 2013 International Book Award and earned other honors.             

On a personal note, I’m pleased to announce that the first novel from my Law Wranglers series, DEAL WITH THE DEVIL, is now available on Kindle and should be available in trade paperback on Amazon and other retailers in a few weeks. Book two, MOUTH OF HELL, should be published in November. Santa Fe and the Southwest will be the setting of these books, and, as usual, I try to mix in a bit of history. The early books center on the last days of the Comanche and famed war chief, Quanah Parker.

Some of my readers have asked about the sequel to NIGHT OF THE COYOTE. I am working diligently on RETURN OF THE COYOTE and hope to see it released in early 2017

Ron

New Western Series

The first book in the upcoming Law Wranglers series should be released in September. Titled DEAL WITH THE DEVIL, this book will be set in the Southwest and Comanche country. Much of the action also takes place in Santa Fe, where sort of a stock company of characters is, more or less, located. This series should interest the readers of more traditional westerns, but I hope characters and plots will still attract many non-genre readers. The second book in the series, MOUTH OF HELL, should be out in October.

Many fans of NIGHT OF THE COYOTE have asked for a sequel. Based on Amazon ratings for the first book, I fear this is going to be a tough act to follow. I am forging ahead, however, and have written the first paragraph of RETURN OF THE COYOTE. My publisher, Poor Coyote Press (an imprint of Leafcutter Publishing Group, Inc.) hopes to have the novel in publication by Christmas. That means the author better get to work.

Finally, it has been exciting to watch our novels move up on the Kindle sales charts this summer. MEDICINE WHEEL and LAST WILL took turns at various times at number three on the "Western Fiction Classics" and "Classic Historical Fiction" charts and have consistently been in the top 10, with NIGHT OF THE COYOTE nearly always in the teens. Several times we have seen PAINT THE HILLS RED and SIOUX SUNRISE join these books in the top 25 in these categories. Thanks to all of our readers who have made this possible.

Ron

A New Book and Some Exciting News

It has been a few months since I’ve posted any news or commentary. I promise to do better.

New Release

There have been some exciting developments the past few days that my readers may be interested in hearing about. First, I am pleased to announce that my newest novel, Medicine Wheel, should be released and available in both print and electronic editions by the end of May. This novel is set in the Kansas Flint Hills in the Manhattan area and represents a more ambitious undertaking than my previous work. The book is longer, and the plot more complex.

For those who read Last Will, you will meet more of the Locke family, and, although the Locke lawyers play roles, the protagonist Locke is a veterinarian, who brings another dimension to the book. I think you are going to find an interesting and diverse cast of characters.

Western Fictioneers Finalist(s)

My publisher, Poor Coyote Press, has received the news that I am a double–nominee for the 2016 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Novel. Night of the Coyote and Last Will are both among the five finalists for the award. The winner will be announced June 15.

The books face tough competition. Other finalists include legendary western writer, Dusty Richards, for A Bride for Gil. Richards has authored over 85 novels, is a previous finalist and has two Spur awards (Western Writers of America) to his credit. Douglas Hirt has been nominated for The Bone Digger. He has authored books in many genres and has twice been a Spur finalist.

Finally, co-authors Mickey Spillane (yes, the late, great writer of the Mike Hammer series) and Max Allan Collins (author of many novels including Road to Perdition, which became a Tom Hanks-Paul Newman movie) have produced Legend of Caleb York. I can only say I am honored and humbled to have my novels considered with those of such distinguished writers.

Stay tuned and thanks for visiting.

Ron

Holiday Greetings

As the year ends, I am pleased to announce the release of two more books. Ghosts Around the Campfire is now available at Amazon in both electronic and trade paperback formats. This is a new edition of a book first released 30 plus years ago–with three or four new stories. The book includes a variety of ghostly and supernatural tales and is suitable for both adults and children. For younger kids, though, parents might wish to review for suitability, if you don’t want to end up with frightened children in your bed at night.

I am delighted to have this book in print again thanks to Leafcutter Publishing Group, Inc. I have had many requests for the book in recent years, but they were sold out. I had even given away my personal copy not realizing the lack of availability. This is a great gift for kids or youth group leaders.

Additionally, my newest novel, Last Will, is now available for pre-order in the electronic version at Amazon, and I was just informed the trade paperback edition became available today. This book is the first of what my publisher has tentatively called the Locke Chronicles. Here you will meet lawyer-rancher Ian Locke, and a feisty young female attorney, Casey McGlaun, who, in the course of their adventures should provide a few chuckles amidst intense drama. This book was the most fun to write of my novels to date, and I hope my readers enjoy this novel, too.

Merry Christmas and wishing you a lot of good reading in 2016!

Ron

Western Fictioneers Convention

Several weeks ago Bev and I journeyed to St. Louis to attend the first convention of the Western Fictioneers, an organization of published fiction writers whose stories obviously focus on western settings and adventures. The event was loaded with educational and inspirational sessions, and it was a pleasure to be a part of the activities.

We couldn’t help but be a bit star struck to have the opportunity to hear and meet some of the legends in western fiction writing. These included Dusty Richards, who has written over 100 novels and recently sold the movie rights to one, and Robert Vaughn, who has sold over 400 books under his name and 42 pseudonyms. Then there was Robert Randisi, who has written about 620 books in the western, crime and horror genres. As J.R. Roberts, he is the author of The Gunsmith series, producing about one book a month since the early 1980s. It is nothing short of amazing when one thinks about the prolificacy of these writers.

For evening meals we wore our cowboy garb and boots and escaped into the old west for a brief and entertaining time. Meeting such real and down-to-earth people was the greatest bonus.

On the trip home I decided I have a lot of writing to get done before I join the ghost riders in the sky, and I’m looking forward to a productive 2016.

Ron

"Real" Books

I occasionally read books on a Kindle or Nook, but I’m an old guy who still likes the feel of a real page-turning book in his hands. Thus, I am delighted to announce that Sioux Sunrise and Night of the Coyote are now available in trade paperback on Amazon. Now it feels like we’re producing REAL books.

My latest novel, Paint the Hills Red, will be available on Amazon as an e-book on Thursday, October 22, and the print edition will be released in early November. Last Will is on the horizon, and we anticipate serialization of some other western fiction works soon.

My wife, Bev, and I will be heading to the Western Fictioneers convention in St. Louis October 30-November 1. We expect to meet a lot of interesting writing types and hope to learn a few things at the wide-ranging sessions scheduled there.

Ron

Welcome, Readers

This is my first entry on our blog. I expect to make frequent visits in the months to come to tell our readers about books in progress as well as previous releases.

This is an exciting time with two western novels now available in electronic editions and soon to be offered in print. Look for “Paint the Hills Red” to be released very soon, with “Comanche Justice” not far behind. “Justice” will be the first of what we are tentatively calling The Law Wrangler series, which will offer a unique concept in western suspense.

Coming up will be “Last Will” and “Serena’s Medicine Wheel.” You can expect “Last Will” to be released early fall. It’s written and now in editing stage. I’m writing “Serena” and hope to have this book out in December or January. These two books are a part of what I’m presently calling the Locke Family Saga. I think readers are going to like the Lockes.

Some are asking if there will be a sequel to “Night of the Coyote.” I do not see this as a series (although book sales can be persuasive), but, yes, you will see more of the Ethan and Sky story next spring on the fringes of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

These early releases are westerns, and I have been asked if I write anything else. I do, and you can look for some suspense and general fiction releases in the summer of 2016. Try the western genre, though, if you haven’t been there for a while. You’ll find some good reading.

In my westerns I’m especially targeting the crossover reader who just wants a good story. I hope you find it in my books. My favorite football coach always says that the goal is to get a little better each day. That’s what I’m trying to do, and I’ll let my readers be the judge.

Thanks for dropping by.

Ron