AUTHOR FAVOURITES: O’MEARA’S GOLD by JEFFREY J. MARIOTTE

 JEFFREY J. MARIOTTE is the bestselling, multiple-award-winning author of more than fifty novels ranging across genres, including ‘dark thrillers,’ supernatural thrillers, horror and latterly westerns. He has also produced comic books, short stories, graphic novels, nonfiction and video games. As well as his own original work, he has written novels and comics based on licensed properties such as CSI, Star Trek, Spider-Man, Superman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Conan the Barbarian and more.

Jeff is a three-time winner of the Scribe Award for best novel, presented by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, a co-winner of the Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America, and a recipient of the Inkpot Award for his contributions to the fields of science fiction and fantasy from the San Diego Comic-Con. He's been a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, the International Horror Guild Award, the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, the Peacemaker Award from the Western Fictioneers, and, in the comics’ field, the Harvey and Glyph Awards.

Jeff’s THE FOX AND THE SNAKE was, for me, one of the highlights of SIX GUN JUSTICE PODCAST WESTERN STORIES, an anthology of western short stories edited by Richard Prosch, introduced by Paul Bishop. In my blog about SIX GUN JUSTICE PODCAST WESTERN STORIES I write: ‘Mariotte wastes not a word in this taut, superbly-written tale. Once more, the cinematic qualities of the writing brought movies to mind, perhaps a Sam Peckinpah-directed end-of-the-west elegy with a script by Elmore Leonard. (Full review here: https://andrewmcbrideauthor.blogspot.com/2021/11/andrew-mcbrides-review-of-six-gun.html )

Jeff tells me he has three particular favourites of his own novels, one of which is O'MEARA'S GOLD, because, as he tells me: ‘I've never had so much fun writing a book, and I've wanted to write "traditional Westerns" for decades.’ O'MEARA'S GOLD is the first of a trilogy of books featuring Cody Cavanaugh. Jeff says, (and I’m sure this is a motivation for many authors) ‘It's a Western I always wanted to read, but I had to write it because nobody else had.’

When, in 1864, Union private Cody Cavanaugh is captured and sent to the Confederate prison at Camp Tattnall, he's befriended by Sean O'Meara. O'Meara, dying, passes on to Cody his secret: the location of a stash of stolen Confederate gold. Cody promises to deliver the gold to O'Meara's fiancée, Eleanor Perry. But it’s not until the 1870s that he finds her, in Pedregosa, Arizona Territory. Pedregosa is in the grip of a war between miners and ranchers, and Cody winds up in the middle of it, facing an old enemy…

Some American Civil War POW camps acquired a grim reputation for inhuman conditions. During a period of 14 months, 28% of the Union prisoners held at Camp Sumter, near Andersonville, Georgia died.

The infamous Andersonville Prison Camp

 At Camp Douglas in Chicago, 10% of its Confederate prisoners died during one cold winter month.

 

Confederate prisoners at Camp Douglas

 

and the death rate of 25% at Elmira Prison in New York State very nearly equalled that of Andersonville.

 In total about 56,000 soldiers died in prisons during the war, accounting for almost 10% of all Civil War fatalities.

 Various western movies have been set or part-set in Civil War prison camps, including MAJOR DUNDEE,

BEN JOHNSON, RICHARD HARRIS and WARREN OATES in 'Major Dundee' (1965)

 TWO FLAGS WEST

JOSEPH COTTEN and ARTHUR HUNNICUTT in ‘Two Flags West’ (1950)

And ESCAPE FROM FORT BRAVO.

WILLIAM HOLDEN in 'Escape from Fort Bravo' (1953)

INCIDENT AT PHANTOM HILL deals with a quest to find lost gold in the Old West just after the Civil War.

JOCELYN LANE and ROBERT FULLER in Incident at Phantom Hill (1966)

REVIEWS of O'MEARA'S GOLD:

‘Great action, some very emotional areas, great characters, and a beautifully written storyline.’

‘The action doesn’t stop. Great read.’

‘Rip-roaring western yarn.’

 

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/OMearas-Gold-Classic-Western-Cavanaugh-ebook/dp/B09MMLBXL9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr

and here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/OMearas-Gold-Classic-Western-Cavanaugh-ebook/dp/B09MMLBXL9

Review of TERMS OF SURRENDER by LORRIE FARRELLY

LORRIE FARRELLY is the award-winning author of not only westerns but romance, Time Travel, suspense and paranormal books. 

Here’s my four star review of her western romantic fiction novel TERMS OF SURRENDER:

‘Romantic fiction’ isn’t my thing so I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed TERMS OF SURRENDER.

Captain Michael Cantrell is commander of a dwindling band of confederate soldiers, surrounded by his wounded and dying men in the Virginia woods in April 1865.

Confederate soldiers

In a moving opening scene he receives word from Robert E. Lee himself that the war is lost. In defeat, Michael heads west to find himself.

General ROBERT E. LEE

In Wyoming Territory he finds instead a young settler woman, Annie Devlin, and her 10-year old brother Robbie. Annie is being forced off her land by greedy rancher Colonel Randolph and his gang of hired guns – including two particularly villainous ones.

Michael sides with Annie against Randolph, in what looks to be another doomed cause. Violence ensues – fist fights, rape and gunplay - in the course of which Michael and Annie fall in love.

As you might gather TERMS OF SURRENDER is a lot grittier than the description ‘romantic fiction’ would indicate.

Of course it does cover familiar territory – shades of ‘Hondo’ and ‘Shane’ – but often the best western fiction re-works the familiar, while still finding new wrinkles, as Farrelly does here.

Lee Aaker, Geraldine Page, John Wayne and Ward Bond in 'Hondo' (1953)

The child characters in ‘Hondo’ and ‘Shane’ are rather passive and saintly, but Robbie is a lot spunkier. I particularly liked his humorous interplay with Michael.

Alan Ladd and Brandon De Wilde in the  classic western 'Shane' (1953)

Jill Ireland and David Carradine in the TV series version of 'Shane'

Perhaps the best aspect of this excellent novel is how the trio of brother, sister and damaged stranger bond against their enemies, while Farrelly’s writing skills provide the necessary edge. Recommended.'

Other reviews of TERMS OF SURRENDER:

‘Descriptions are evocative and compelling... Readers can expect to find humor, violence, gritty action, and exquisitely-wrought tension throughout… (This) is for readers who seek more depth and layers in their stories.’

‘Another beautifully crafted tale by Lorrie Farrelly… a mixture of passion and nail-biting suspense.’

‘From the first chapter, I was captivated by Ms. Farrelly’s wordsmith skills, as well as the verisimilitude and historical accuracy she brought to the narratives and dialogue about the War, the soldiers and their language.’

‘I remained captivated by superb characterization and narrative.’

Find my review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9310432-terms-of-surrender

And on Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Terms-Surrender-Western-historical-romance-ebook/dp/B003ZDO4SI/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=terms+of+surrender+lorrie+farrelly&qid=1584691830&sr=8-1

You can also find TERMS OF SURRENDER here: https://www.amazon.com/Terms-Surrender-Western-historical-romance-ebook/dp/B003ZDO4SI/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=terms+of+surrender+lorrie+farrelly&qid=1584691683&s=books&sr=1-1

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: REBEL RUN by JACK GILES

Ray Foster, who writes westerns as JACK GILES, tells me a favourite of his own novels is REBEL RUN.

This is more an ‘eastern’ than a western, as the location is the ‘Island,’ a POW camp in the eastern states where Confederate Prisoners are held during the American Civil War. This is Ray delving into POW escape territory, not surprising given two of his favourite books are Pat Reid's 'The Colditz Story' and Charles McCormac's 'You'll Die In Singapore.'

In REBEL RUN Confederate artilleryman Van Essen masterminds the escape, which involves a death-defying race down river rapids; but this is only the beginning of the dangers the escapees will face as they attempt to break through the enemy lines and rejoin the Confederate Army.

Ray is rightly proud of the research that went into the novel, conducted prior to the age of Google. Some Civil War POW camps acquired a grim reputation for inhuman conditions. During a period of 14 months, 28% of the Union prisoners held at Camp Sumter, near Andersonville, Georgia died.

The infamous Andersonville Prison Camp

At Camp Douglas in Chicago, 10% of its Confederate prisoners died during one cold winter month;

Confederate prisoners at Camp Douglas

and the death rate of 25% at Elmira Prison in New York State very nearly equalled that of Andersonville.

In total about 56,000 soldiers died in prisons during the war, accounting for almost 10% of all Civil War fatalities.

Various movies have been set or part-set in Civil War prison camps: MAJOR DUNDEE,

BEN JOHNSON, RICHARD HARRIS and WARREN OATES in Major Dundee (1965)

TWO FLAGS WEST

JOSEPH COTTEN and ARTHUR HUNNICUTT in ‘Two Flags West’ (1950)

and a particular favourite of mine - THE RAID (1954.)

VAN HEFLIN, PETER GRAVES and LEE MARVIN in ‘The Raid’ (1954)

Not forgetting MYSTERIOUS ISLAND!

Mysterious Island (1961)

Reviews of REBEL RUN:

‘A brilliantly told and well-researched story that kept me hooked to the last page.'

‘…Great, a prison break story and a chase. Action packed, with really good interesting characters.'

https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Run-Jack-Giles-ebook/dp/B01BHUM6XK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rebel+run+jack+giles&qid=1552997568&s=books&sr=1-1-spell

and

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebel-Run-Jack-Giles-ebook/dp/B01BHUM6XK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1503238959&sr=1-1&keywords=rebel+run+jack+giles

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: SEASON OF RECKONING by CAMERON JUDD

Prolific and distinguished author Cameron Judd (whose books tend to focus on the early frontier and Tennessee history) couldn’t pick an absolute favourite of his books (I know it’s a tough question!) but does have a particular fondness for his American Civil War/ Mountain War trilogy. His favourite character is Ben Scarlett, the town drunk of Knoxville, Tennessee, who is central to the trilogy.

The final part, SEASON OF RECKONING, takes us to 1864. As the Civil War is ending, the mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina see even more destructive violence and terror; a wounded nation has to start healing after the wreckage of war.

Together, Amy Deacon, Ben Scarlett, and Greely Brown have to face the bitter reality that the Mountain War will carry on after the Civil War has ended.

Nurse Ann Bell tends wounded soldiers in a Nashville Hospital 1864

In late 1864 the Confederacy suffered two major defeats in Tennessee. At the Battle of Franklin Confederate LT. GENERAL JOHN BELL HOOD's attacks on fortified Union positions, held by GENERAL JOHN SCHOFIELD, were repulsed with heavy loss. 6 Confederate generals were killed, 7 wounded and 1 captured, in what is sometimes called the 'Pickett's Charge of the West.' 

Artist’s impression of the Battle of Franklin

Troops at the scene of the Battle of Franklin 1864

A few weeks later MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS routed Hood's army at the Battle of Nashville. The Confederate Army of Tennessee was effectively destroyed as a fighting force for the remainder of the war.

Soldiers’ camp at the site of the Battle of Nashville 1864

Although Tennessee was a Confederate state, a significant minority – particularly in the east of the state – supported the Union. These divisions are reflected in the fact that ANDREW JOHNSON, from Tennessee, was elected Vice President under Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He became President after Lincoln's assassination in 1865.

Andrew Johnson

The difficult aftermath of the war in the defeated Confederacy is touched on in movies like ‘The Undefeated’ and ‘Run of the Arrow’ – as well as ‘Gone with the Wind’ of course.

The Undefeated

Gone with the Wind - images of the ruined South:

Reviews of SEASON OF RECKONING:

‘I hated for it to end. Totally engrossing series.’

‘Awesome.’

‘Great read.’

‘An outstanding trilogy.’

'Great book. Superb author.'

‘I can’t say enough about this trilogy. I couldn’t put it down – even though I read this book on my honeymoon!’

https://www.amazon.com/Season-Reckoning-Mountain-War-Trilogy/dp/055357390X

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: THE PHANTOM LEGION by CAMERON JUDD

Prolific and distinguished author Cameron Judd (whose books tend to focus on the early frontier and Tennessee history) couldn’t pick an absolute favourite of his books (I know it’s a tough question!) but does have a particular fondness for his American Civil War/ Mountain War trilogy. His favourite character is Ben Scarlett, the town drunk of Knoxville, Tennessee, who is central to the trilogy.

The 2nd in the series, THE PHANTOM LEGION, deals with events of 1863, when the war in Tennessee and North Carolina goes underground and soldiers use signalling points like Clinch Mountain and Lookout Mountain.

Lookout Mountain

It continues the story of Amy Deacon, Ben Scarlett, Sam Colter and Greeley Brown as they wage an underground war on the side of the Union. This reflects how Tennessee, although part of the Confederacy, had a large minority of Union supporters, particularly in the east of the state.

Confederate soldiers

Battles fought in this area at this time included actions at Fort Sanders at Knoxville, the Battle of Bean’s Station, Chattanooga and Chickamauga.

Artists depiction of the Battle of Chattanooga 1863

Confederate leaders included 

General Braxton Bragg

and General James Longstreet.

Their Union opponents included

 Generals Ambrose Burnside,

Joseph Hooker

and U.S. Grant – who later became President, of course.

Publishers Weekly on CAMERON JUDD: ‘A keen observer of the human heart as well as a fine action writer.’

REVIEWS of THE PHANTOM LEGION:

‘Draws attention to a part of the Civil War that little has been written about.’

‘Historically accurate, fast paced, easy reading.’

‘This is just as good as the first one.’

https://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Legion-Mountain-War-Trilogy/dp/0553573896/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: THE SHADOW WARRIORS by CAMERON JUDD

Prolific and distinguished author Cameron Judd (whose books tend to focus on the early frontier and Tennessee history) couldn’t pick an absolute favourite of his books (I know it’s a tough question!) but does have a particular fondness for his American Civil War/ Mountain War trilogy. His favourite character is Ben Scarlett, the town drunk of Knoxville, Tennessee, who is central to the trilogy. The first instalment, THE SHADOW WARRIORS, paints a bold picture of the turbulent first years of the Civil War in the mountains of Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.

The Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina/ Tennessee

As the Civil War loomed Tennessee was a divided state. A referendum in February 1861 to secede from the United States was defeated by a 54–46% margin. But after the attack on Fort Sumter in April and the outbreak of hostilities, opinion shifted. On June 8, 1861, voters approved a second referendum calling for secession, and Tennessee became the last state to join the Confederacy.

Confederate soldiers at Shiloh, Tennessee 1862

Tennessee furnished more soldiers for the Confederate Army than any other state besides Virginia; but it also provided more soldiers for the Union Army than the rest of the Confederacy combined.

Confederate officers

SHADOW WARRIORS reflects the polarisations of Tennessee in that Amy Deacon, daughter of an arch-secessionist newspaperman, is secretly writing pamphlets for the pro-Union ‘Underground Railroad.’

In this place of bitter division, Falstaffian Ben Scarlett struggles to stay neutral… but can he succeed?

The ‘Underground Railroad’ was a network of secret routes and safe houses established during the early-to-mid 19th century. It was used by slaves in the Confederate states to escape into free states and Canada, helped by abolitionists and sympathetic allies. One estimate suggests more than 100,000 slaves escaped via the ‘Railroad.’

Fleeing slaves who used 'The Underground Railroad.'

‘Gone with the Wind’ may be (with allowances for monetary inflation) the most successful film in box-office history, but the American Civil War has not been an overly-popular subject in film and TV. Among the movies that have Civil War settings are ‘Raintree County,’ ‘Shenandoah,’ ‘The Horse Soldiers,’ ‘Glory’ and – a particular favourite of mine – ‘The Raid,’ from 1954, about a Confederate fifth column operating in Union Territory.

'Shenandoah' (1965)

'The Raid'

An engraving from Brownlow's Sketches, showing Confederate soldiers marching Union prisoners through the streets of Knoxville in December 1861

Publishers Weekly on CAMERON JUDD: ‘A keen observer of the human heart as well as a fine action writer.’

REVIEWS of THE SHADOW WARRIORS:

'Another great read by Cameron Judd. Mr. Judd's depth of historical knowledge of Tennessee history is vast, yet he is able to weave it seamlessly into his stories while creating great fictional characters.’

‘Very good plot development based on historical events.’

‘A terrific novel by an excellent author.’

‘Cameron Judd's Civil War trilogy illuminates a dark corner of the Civil War, making the era come to life with all the conflict and danger that characterized the war in the mountain south.’ -- Sharyn McCrumb, New York Times best-selling author

‘You would be hard-pressed to find a writer of historical novels better able to capture the dialects, the smells of rabbit cooking over an open fire, or the scent of breath sweetened with cedar twigs …the way Judd does here.’

https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Warriors-Mountain-War-No/dp/0553576984