Published: Oct. 02, 2011
Words: 40,534 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465715159

Short description

A collection of Western short stories focusing on character and conflict. From the suspenseful “Cross My Heart” to the comedic romp of “A Rangeland Renaissance,” to a Western twist on star-crossed romance in the title story, “The Ranch Next Door,” these stories will appeal to a variety of readers, as well as fans of the traditional Western. Total length approx. 40,330 words or 160 book pages.

Extended description

A collection of Western short stories that go beyond the standard action and adventure of the genre to focus on character and conflict. In the award-winning “Disturbing the Peace,” honorable mention in the 2010 Rope and Wire short story competition, a sheriff experiences a revelation about himself and his relationship with the people of his town, while in “The Outlaw’s Wife,” a country doctor worries that his young friend is falling for a married woman whose husband is rumored to be a wanted criminal. From the suspenseful “Cross My Heart” to the comedic romp of “A Rangeland Renaissance,” to a Western twist on star-crossed romance in the title story, “The Ranch Next Door,” these stories will appeal to a variety of readers, as well as established fans of the traditional Western. These seven stories total approximately 40,330 words or 160 book pages.

Praise for “Disturbing the Peace”:

This is an extremely well-written, engrossing character study of the main p.. (Read more) A collection of Western short stories that go beyond the standard action and adventure of the genre to focus on character and conflict. In the award-winning “Disturbing the Peace,” honorable mention in the 2010 Rope and Wire short story competition, a sheriff experiences a revelation about himself and his relationship with the people of his town, while in “The Outlaw’s Wife,” a country doctor worries that his young friend is falling for a married woman whose husband is rumored to be a wanted criminal. From the suspenseful “Cross My Heart” to the comedic romp of “A Rangeland Renaissance,” to a Western twist on star-crossed romance in the title story, “The Ranch Next Door,” these stories will appeal to a variety of readers, as well as established fans of the traditional Western. These seven stories total approximately 40,330 words or 160 book pages.

Praise for “Disturbing the Peace”:

This is an extremely well-written, engrossing character study of the main protagonist…It starts out almost as a standard western short story…but quickly becomes much more than that. ~ James J. Griffin, Western Author & Storyteller

An awakening for the Sheriff. A young man who has been a friend to all finds that friendship returned when he is down. The story is a good study of two men…well written with a classic moral woven all through. ~ Dave P. Fisher, award-winning Western Author, Cowboy Poet & Western Humorist
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Tags

short stories, western, cowboy, ranch, outlaw, bank robbery, sheriff, westerns, feud, western fiction, prairie, western short stories, western short story collection

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Reviews

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Review by: Sue McMillan on Oct. 08, 2011 :
There are seven stories in this collection, all set on the prairies of the American west. The collection opens with 'The Ranch Next Door', a story reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. The Spencers are cattlemen and the Ryans are sheepherders; never a good mix. So what happens when a Spencer falls in love with a Ryan?

'Disturbing The Peace' came next with a more reflective tone, followed by 'Cross My Heart' that had me holding my breath as the tension built.

'A Rangleand Renaissance' is my favourite. Old man Patton, an irascible old crone, has his granddaughter wrapped around his finger, he's even interfering with her courting! But are things as they seem? Elisabeth's prose shone in this story. Old man Patton leapt of the page fully formed, with absolutely spot on dialogue.

'The Outlaw's Wife' was riveting, with a wonderful twist at the end that I just didn't see coming and 'Delayed Deposit' was a fine end to a great anthology.

These stories are packed with cowboys and outlaws, yet beyond the high stakes and adventure there is a quiet, thought provoking quest for justice and integrity. These stories linger after the last word is read, which, to me, is the sign of a great writer.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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