AUTHOR FAVOURITES: THE SHOPKEEPER by JAMES D. BEST

JAMES D. BEST is a best-selling author who writes across genres. He tells me his second favourite of his own novels is THE SHOPKEEPER because ‘it was so much fun to write.’

THE SHOPKEEPER is the first appearance of James’s hero Steve Dancy, who leaves his New York shop in 1879 to travel the west, recording his experiences in a journal he hopes to expand into a novel.

Dancy's infatuation with another man's wife soon embroils him in a deadly feud with Sean Washburn, a Nevada silver baron. Pinkerton detectives and hired assassins add to this exciting tale, which James salts with playful humour.

The writer out west theme reminded me of MARK TWAIN (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) who travelled in California and Nevada in the 1860s.

MARK TWAIN in 1867

He was depicted by Frederick March in THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN (1944.)

Twain in Nevada features in no less than three episodes of BONANZA, including ‘Enter Mark Twain’ with Howard Duff.

And the eastern ‘dude’ finding himself in rough, not to say dangerous, company out west naturally brought to mind James Stewart in THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE.

Mining camps in the Nevada remained rough ‘frontier’ places even into the early 20^th Century, when the Tonopah mining district was developed.

REVIEWS of THE SHOPKEEPER:

‘One of the best western books I've read in a long time.’ 

 ‘In structure, with short chapters, crisp dialogue, and lots of movement, it's reminiscent of a thriller ... you'll certainly find enough twists and turns to provide an entertaining and exciting story.’

‘If you are a fan of great westerns from authors like Louis L'Amour and Larry McMurtry, then you need to get on board with James Best and the Steve Dancy series. Great stories, interesting and diverse characters and plenty of action!’

‘The film noir like writing provides plenty of unexpected twists and turns.’

‘Mr. Best shatters the mold for western novels.... This is a western unlike any I've ever read. The scenery and description of the towns, trails, people and the trails they travel is exquisite and historically accurate.’

‘Not your usual gun totin shoot-em-up bang bang western. Shopkeeper is a turn off the TV compelling read that includes politics, gunplay, intrigue, and a hint of unrequited adoration.’

https://www.amazon.com/Shopkeeper-Steve-Dancy-Tale/dp/1587369222/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499864614&sr=1-1&keywords=the+shopkeeper+james+d.+best

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: THE LONG TRAIL by BRAD DENNISON

It’s becoming the norm when I ask authors which is the favourite of their books for them to pick 2! (It’s a tough call, I know, like asking which is your favourite pet, your cat or your dog.) Brad Dennison does have a personal favourite of his westerns, which I’ll post about shortly. However he tells me it’s really best to start with THE LONG TRAIL, the first of his McCABE series. Brad says: ‘The McCabes aren't really stand-alone novels. There are story arcs that weave their way through more than one novel.’

THE LONG TRAIL begins with Dusty, who grew up on the frontier never knowing who his parents were. Coming into young manhood he decides to find them. His quest takes him first to Nevada (where he encounters a woman in danger at a lonely stage station, resulting in a cracking shoot-out in Chapter 1.) Dusty discovers his father is still alive – former gun fighter Johnny McCabe, now a rancher in Montana. Arriving at his father’s ranch, Dusty has to adapt to his new family - not only his father, but his step-brother and sister. And while he’s about it raiders strike - men Dusty knows all too well from his childhood.

Here’s a real way-station in Nevada

and another at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

And here’s two prominent Montana cattle ranchers:

GRANVILLE STUART (1834-1918) a rancher (and also author) who started cattle ranching in Montana as early as 1857. 

And German-born CONRAD KOHRS (1835-1920) who started ranching in Montana in 1866 but suffered mixed fortunes: ‘I guess I’ve been broke oftener than any man in Montana.’

The theme of the prodigal son/ sons finding out his/their absent father is/was a big rancher naturally made me of 2 TV Western series: THE BIG VALLEY

 Lee Majors in 'THE BIG VALLEY'

and LANCER.

The Montana ranch location also reminded me of THESE THOUSAND HILLS, a film based on a novel by A. B. Guthrie Jr., a writer who both Brad and I admire.

Finally the woman in danger at the remote way-station brought to mind Karen Steele in the Randolph Scott western RIDE LONESOME (1959.)

The last time I looked THE LONG TRAIL has garnered 110 5 star reviews!

Reviews:

‘A classic western.’

‘The best western I’ve read in a long time.’

‘Found myself sitting up late at night not able to put it down.’

'In the vein of the late Louis L'Amour.'

'Great book, never goes stale.'

'Some good characters and some very fine writing.' 

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Wheeler-Large-Print-Western/dp/1410476987/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1482362161&sr=1-2

 

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: JACOB CHANCE U.S. MARSHAL by JOHNNY GUNN

Johnny Gunn tells me the place to start on his novels is JACOB CHANCE, U.S. MARSHAL. 

The Jacob of the title comes to Civil War-era Nevada to settle a land dispute and finds not only danger but romance. 

I thought of other westerns set in Nevada – BONANZA inevitably, but also movies like THE OX-BOW INCIDENT. 

And the fact that the hero sometimes wears a serape naturally brought to mind Clint Eastwood! 

Reviews of JACOB CHANCE:

‘Great tale about a little known historical period.’

‘I highly recommend this book to everyone looking not only for a good western, but a style of writing that is sure to take this author far.’

Check JACOB CHANCE out at:

https://www.amazon.com/Jacob-Chance-U-S-Marshal-Johnny/dp/1625262337