Location: United States
Member Since:
July 06, 2022
Darrel Sparkman
Biography
Darrel Sparkman is an award-winning author of novels, novellas, and short stories. He's been included in western anthologies, worked as a feature writer for Saddlebag Dispatches and blogged a short time for Sundown Press. Ideas come from a diverse past of serving as a combat search and rescue helicopter crewman in Vietnam and volunteer Emergency Medical Technician First Responder. He has worked as a professional photographer, computer repair tech, and was part-owner of a commercial greenhouse operation and flower shop.
Darrel is enjoying semi-retirement and finally has that job that wakes you up every day with a smile.
Favorite quote:
... a noble race but they are gone
with their old forests wide and deep,
and we have built our homes upon
fields where their generations sleep.
William Cullen Bryant 1878
A word from Darrel:
I never studied much. School wasn’t a big interest for me. In retrospect, I wish I had. But what I did was read. Didn’t have much of a childhood, so I read to escape. Four to five books a week—from middle school into adulthood. You name it—I read it.
Being raised in rural America bent me toward adventure novels and westerns. Reading an adventure novel and wanting to get on to the next one gave me the style in my writing of picking a week or so in the protagonist’s life and riding hell-bent from problem to solution. My heroes are prone to suddenness of action and intent.
Writing can exorcise your demons, give you the pleasure of a story well told, and drive you to distraction. But it is always a ride worth taking.
And most of all... THANK YOU FOR READING! A lot of folks don't.
Darrel is enjoying semi-retirement and finally has that job that wakes you up every day with a smile.
Favorite quote:
... a noble race but they are gone
with their old forests wide and deep,
and we have built our homes upon
fields where their generations sleep.
William Cullen Bryant 1878
A word from Darrel:
I never studied much. School wasn’t a big interest for me. In retrospect, I wish I had. But what I did was read. Didn’t have much of a childhood, so I read to escape. Four to five books a week—from middle school into adulthood. You name it—I read it.
Being raised in rural America bent me toward adventure novels and westerns. Reading an adventure novel and wanting to get on to the next one gave me the style in my writing of picking a week or so in the protagonist’s life and riding hell-bent from problem to solution. My heroes are prone to suddenness of action and intent.
Writing can exorcise your demons, give you the pleasure of a story well told, and drive you to distraction. But it is always a ride worth taking.
And most of all... THANK YOU FOR READING! A lot of folks don't.
Where to find Darrel Sparkman online
Website: http://www.darrelsparkman.com
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://darrelsparkman.com/blog
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://darrelsparkman.com/blog
Where to buy in print
Series
Spirit Trail
by Darrel Sparkman
The Journey
Night Panther
Sean MacLeod’s world was shattered on a warm summer morning of 1820 when his family was killed by renegade Blackfoot marauders. Vowing revenge, Sean battles Bloods members until he realizes that killing will never replace his wife and son.
Leaving the north country behind, Sean embarks on a journey down the Missouri river with a brief stop at Kawsmouth then on to the Ozark Mountains. He did not leave his enemies behind.
Arriving at Jones Mill in southern Missouri, he soon becomes involved in the search for a missing young girl. Teaming up with the girl’s mother and an old Blackfoot medicine man, they discover a slave trade preying on Indian and whites alike.
After rescuing Beth Mackey, peace is restored in the small community until the arrival of Stoneface and his renegade Shawnee. Beth’s adopted grandfather is killed by the renegades. Standing over his body, a change takes place – a Night Panther is born.
Spirit Trail is a journey into the past, entwining Native American and European culture. Some were enemies, more were friends. Most wanted to raise their families and live in peace but soon learned that on the frontier, peace must be fought for every day.
The Journey
Price:
$2.99 USD.
Night Panther
Price:
$2.99 USD.
Books
Night Panther
by Darrel Sparkman
Series: Spirit Trail, Book Two.
Price:
$2.99 USD.
Words: 58,730.
Language:
English.
Published: February 23, 2023
.
Categories:
Fiction » Western, Fiction » Adventure » Action
NIGHT PANTHER is a story that blends the lives of Native American and European settlers on the frontier borderland between Arkansas and Missouri in 1821. Sean MacLeod and Ellen struggle through many circumstances beyond their control and come out at the end, stronger and united. That would not have happened without their own Mishipeshu.
The Journey
by Darrel Sparkman
Series: Spirit Trail, Book One.
Price:
$2.99 USD.
Words: 65,570.
Language:
English.
Published: January 30, 2023
.
Categories:
Fiction » Historical » Western & American frontier, Fiction » Adventure » Action
Sean MacLeod lost his family to renegades. In his quest for retribution he nearly forfeits his soul. Searching for redemption, he follows the Spirit Trail down the Missouri River to the Ozark Mountains. When a local girl is kidnapped by the Osage, his choice becomes painful. Should he turn away or risk losing everything once more?
A Promise to Keep (Quinlan's Law)
by Darrel Sparkman
Price:
$2.99 USD.
Words: 60,950.
Language:
English.
Published: August 5, 2022
.
Categories:
Fiction » Western, Fiction » Romance » Action/adventure
Unscathed from a gunfight with rustlers, Quinlan Barrett is ready to call it quits. Then he falls under the spell of beautiful Consuela Pinder, only to have her abducted by the madman, Macrae. Aided by a Kiowa scout, an Exoduster, and a few remaining Cherokee Brigade, Quin sets out onto the rescue. There are promises to keep.