tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30337838917767132612012-02-08T18:54:14.003ZWhatever else you do, don't think I take myself seriously.Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.comBlogger731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-31979921778579138552012-01-31T19:51:00.000Z2012-01-31T19:51:55.042Z

Sentenced to hang for a murder he didn't commit, mustang man Auggie Kellerman escapes from custody and heads back to the scene of the crime to clear his name. As an escaped prisoner, he is fair game for every lawman, bounty-hunter, and Indian-tracker in the Arizona Territory. And also a fast-moving target for Charlie Keogh, the so-called Copper King of Arizona, the one man who stands to lose

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-68888126143256136902011-12-10T08:39:00.000Z2011-12-10T08:39:45.039Z

I've just finished reading my first 'inpirational western'. It came about after I spotted a film being shown on tv and decided to give it 5 minutes of my time. I actually sat and watched it through and although it had all the usual stereotypical characters and scenes it was all done gently and I was left with a warm feeling at the end. So I decided to buy the first in a series of books by the

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-19672457901369719842011-12-09T14:57:00.000Z2011-12-09T14:57:14.263Z

Here's the new cover for the Echoes of a Dead Man large print edition. Not a very hi-res picture but it gives an idea.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-43577538698904238042011-11-20T10:20:00.000Z2011-11-20T10:20:27.425Z

I spotted this interesting article from The Independent, which might interest my fellow western enthusiasts.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-375136550548860542011-11-06T20:04:00.001Z2011-11-23T21:40:24.863Z

AN INTERVIEW WITH TERRY JAMES CONDUCTED BY MEMBERS OF THE BLACK HORSE WESTERNS DISCUSSION GROUP5-6th November 2011 Q. Has your storytelling style changed at all between the writing of Shadows to Echoes to Ghosts, either by design, default or just experience, and if so, could you tell us a little about the how or maybe the why?A. Yes, I believe my writing has changed and is continually changing. I

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-82229131416549927562011-10-31T19:54:00.000Z2011-10-31T19:54:12.540Z

The first review of Ghosts of Bluewater Creek can be found at Western Fiction Review now. And don't miss the opportunity to have a look around for other great reviews while you're there.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-66418012228404342982011-09-27T10:36:00.000Z2011-09-27T10:36:58.373Z

I've had a Louis L'Amour month. Anyone who knows me, in real life or virtually, knows I am a long time fan of the man's writing. Shamefully, I have still only skimmed the surface of his back list. This month I read two titles which were new to me and one which I'd read previously in the 80s. All I'm going to do here, is provide you with the covers, the titles and the blurb. Other than that, all

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-54445579164498603652011-08-30T14:42:00.002Z2011-08-30T14:44:42.718Z

About 31 years ago I read my first western. I can't remember what the title was but I know it was written by Louis L'Amour. Today Mr L'Amour is still my favourite western writer and I read his books on a regular basis. I'm almost ashamed to say I haven't read everything he penned but some things need to be savoured, especially when the source of the enjoyment is no longer with us. So, I was

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-30485500085561122712011-08-02T12:22:00.001Z2011-08-07T16:56:06.625Z

John Dancer was a drifting man. Following the trail to nowhere he came upon a pretty young woman weeping at her lynched husband's feet. Raiders had hit her ranch wanting everything the widow owned. Dancer had no choice but to lend Cassie Blythe a hand, but the web of deceit and murder on the range was too much for any man alone.When the night-raiders returned they came with guns blazing, and John

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-54996005172906795922011-08-01T12:20:00.003Z2011-08-07T16:55:38.850Z

Claiming to be wrongly accused of murder, drifter Rafe Lonis takes Diana Logan hostage and leaves Matt Sutton in his clothes to face a blood-mad hanging party. Now, Matt must elude the posse if he's to save Diana. But, on catching up with them and taking Lonis prisoner, the trio have to fight their way through Indian country with the knowledge that one of the possemen is the mysterious murderer.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-77114498605541682862011-07-13T19:53:00.003Z2011-07-15T17:37:38.106Z

This isn't my idea and I came upon it purely by chance at a website called Ink Paper Pen. The premise is simple: a prompt is given and you write about it for five minutes. Simple! The thing that surprised me was how short people's submissions were...and then I tried it myself. The result is below, but before you read on, here's the deal (from the original blog). The Write On Wednesdays Rules: 

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-63155042184979684502011-04-10T07:26:00.002Z2011-04-10T07:45:43.437Z

A warrior-assassin is forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands after refusing a mission. This is by far my favourite film of the year. Martial arts. The Old west. A slight spaghetti western feel, together with sepia-type photography giving it an almost comic book feel. The characters are all interesting misfits who accept each other for what they are and eventually band together to

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-1003613532699455102011-04-07T15:13:00.000Z2011-04-07T15:13:21.945Z

I discovered at Howard Hopkins' site Dark Bits that the Black Horse Western has now ridden into Waterstones. Full of curiosity, I headed into town and lo and behold was overcome by a double whammy of excitement. I find the westerns listed as Yee haw!, and my own book Echoes Of A Dead Man one of the 8 titles on display. Because I'm a bit of a spanner, here are the pictures I took for posterity.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-71883447875189108462011-03-28T21:07:00.000Z2011-03-28T21:07:46.963Z

I came across this 8 minute short called L'Ultimo Pistolero (The Last Gunfighter). It's clever despite only having Franco Nero in it and no dialogue, and I'd like to have written it. Enjoy! A man roves a deserted industrial plant ready to grasp his gun. Hat, boots, belt, the last pistolero is going to face the hardest of challenges... I

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-43849122397521412942011-03-02T09:40:00.001Z2011-03-02T09:42:04.518Z

A collection of four short stories published/rereleased between 1938-2000 including themes of 'stage robbers, range wars, hidden gold and the threat of the hangman's noose'. The cover states that the book is 'showcasing TT Flynn's amazing gift for combining mystery, suspense and action' and that's true. Flynn serves up characters you want to know, puts them in situations that are familiar and

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-49773206573442558222011-02-18T21:36:00.001Z2011-02-18T21:37:28.784Z

When horse trader Con Carnigan finds his cabin looted and his newly trained cavalry horses stolen, he faces starvation if he cannot get the herd back. He tracks them to Sidewinder Flats in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, but finds himself in the domain of a Western Fagin. The town is a robbers' roost run by a criminal mastermind called Hoffman who offers Carnigan the job of sheriff so long as

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-47438884399226935962011-02-17T08:51:00.003Z2011-02-17T09:29:31.196Z

Major James Brionne brought Dave Allard to trial for murder. Just before the hanging, Dave swore his brothers would take vengeance. Four years later the Allard boys returned to settle the score. Only Brionne's son escaped. They murdered his wife, destroyed his home, and left Brionne nothing but the charred ruins of his past to haunt him. Seeking peace and a new life, Brionne and the boy headed

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-68388349035927324012011-02-14T08:51:00.000Z2011-02-14T08:51:43.299Z

They stole Rush Bonner's horse and left him afoot in mighty wild country. But Bonner was tough: he recovered his mount and left the thieving rider for the coyotes. But it caused him more trouble than he could shake a stick at. First, there was the head wound and the jail cell. Then the escape - with a dead sheriff left in his office, and ten thousand dollars missing. And the posse who hunted him

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-26701126237269138522011-02-09T20:44:00.002Z2011-02-09T20:49:33.158Z

They made him swear by his bloody sixes to bring peace to this bullet-torn range...killers to ride with him, or gun him down. Nick Marquis took an oath to fight where other died, win where others lost - and live where death rode each man's saddle, for, more than life itself he needed this last gun chance. I hadn't previously heard of or read anything by this author. According to the bio in the

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-42919092322611333332011-02-06T09:58:00.001Z2011-02-08T17:22:02.185Z

Although he had helped defend a wagon train full of hopeful settlers against a brutal Indian raid, Rock Bannon fights alone to put down Morton Harper's outlaw crew and make peace in an untamed land. What can I say? I love reading Louis L'Amour westerns and this one didn't disappoint. It had a strong central character, interesting and plentiful supporting cast and a beautifully painted landscape

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-3052646180386654402011-02-02T21:30:00.000Z2011-02-02T21:30:04.070Z

Harlan has been arrested and accused of murder in a case of mistaken identity. His only chance of avoiding the hangman’s noose is to break out of jail and track down the real killer before a posse can find him. Having recently read and enjoyed Dead Man's Journey by Frank Roderus, I was keen to get stuck into another one of his stories. However, having read this one, it will be a while before I

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-89292673395723237632011-01-28T10:59:00.000Z2011-01-28T10:59:11.600Z

What's a life worth? $300, maybe. Half-Mexican Corbin Molina lost a hand during the Civil War but he has adapted. Now he's on a mission to Walkerville. On the way, he prevents a train robbery and finds an old friend. Corbin always carries $300, which is significant, since that's what he was a paid as substitute soldier for the Union. When Corbin starts asking questions about Walkerville's law and

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-42817208613089424062011-01-25T22:11:00.002Z2011-01-26T18:38:47.154Z

When Hopalong Cassidy discovers old friend Red Connors wounded after tangling with a bunch of rustlers, it is only a short time before the rustlers are after Cassidy, who represents the ranchers' last best hope. Louis L'Amour has always been my favourite author (western or otherwise) and it occurred to me recently that I have neglected him for far too long. So, I catalogued my LL collection,

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-45561334343976127942011-01-23T18:36:00.001Z2011-01-23T18:36:57.944Z

Based on true events, this film tells the story of a mountain climber who became trapped under a boulder for five days while canyoneering alone and the desperate measures he took in order to survive. IMDb I remember when this happened back in 2003 saying to my husband 'I'm looking forward to seeing that when they make it into a film'. Well, after a wait of seven years I wasn't disappointed. I

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-19472912463458710902011-01-21T20:10:00.000Z2011-01-21T20:10:08.135Z

The story starts on board a ship at sea where Rafe Covington (Selleck) promises a dying friend that he'll watch over the man's wife and ranch after he's gone. However, when Rafe gets to his friend's ranch, he finds that local businessman/bully, Barkow, wants not only the ranch but the woman too and will stop at nothing to get them. I'm sure that in the distant past I read the book that this

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-26947994920867565322011-01-21T13:30:00.002Z2011-01-21T13:48:16.052Z

When Westley the farm boy is captured by Dread Pirate Roberts, there is no hope of him surviving. Prince Humperdinck is then free to wreak his havoc and capture the beautiful Buttercup for himself. So, who then, is the mysterious Man In Black, seeming to thwart Humperdinck at every turn? Can he possibly succeed in stopping the evil prince? Being a hopeless romantic, I have been a fan of the film

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-2392769611545041442011-01-09T09:42:00.001Z2011-01-09T09:48:25.594Z

The Civil War took everything from Alex Adamley. Once the captain of the blockade runner the Savannah Belle, Alex was left broken and penniless at the end of the bitter conflict. His ship blown apart, home and family gone. Himself with only one arm. And with no will to live.Yet his dead brother had left him a piece of property in the distant West. With no other refuge to call his own, Alex

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-64642117788984019312011-01-04T09:21:00.001Z2011-01-04T13:08:25.730Z

Yesterday was Wild West eMonday, the brainchild of Gary Dobbs aka western writer Jack Martin. Unlike previous events, this one promoted books in e-format. In support of this, I donated my 2005 release, Raven Dove, for free download. If you'd like a copy, pop on over to The Tainted Archive and follow the instructions. Update: As of 4 January, Gary has already given away 128 copies. Isn't that

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-62728240947596390082010-12-30T15:18:00.001Z2010-12-30T15:29:47.929Z

I am definitely looking forward to this now there's a decent trailer out there. Roll on the first Orange Wednesday after the kids go back to school! Does anyone know the release date because according to their websites it's not showing at any of my local cinemas in the near future.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-58204315695010826802010-11-03T10:21:00.001Z2010-11-03T10:25:06.869Z

This time my Western Wednesday post follows on from a reader review. In it the reviewer says ‘The story is gripping, and what makes it compelling as well is when the author tells the story from Jessie's point of view’. So this week I want to say a few words on point of view (POV). There are plenty of schools of thought on POV. I’m not going to look at omniscient, first, second, third. Lots of

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-50781857922816133082010-10-27T07:57:00.000Z2010-10-27T07:57:01.957Z

I received a comment from a reader this week that I found interesting. It referred to an incident in Echoes Of A Dead Man and, while I won’t say what it concerned specifically, I will allude to the fact that it pertained to something unpleasant in the plot. For the sake of argument, let’s say it was violence. Sometimes writers say they feel their work is dulled down because in certain markets

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-11239276592992924272010-10-25T15:41:00.000Z2010-10-25T15:41:10.377Z

The first review is in. You'll find it at Western Fiction Review. Enjoy...

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-61490986136974245242010-09-12T19:18:00.000Z2010-09-12T19:18:56.797Z

As some of you will know, I've been revisiting the television of my youth. Part of this is nostalgia and part is to find out how my perception has changed over time. For quite a while I've been wanting to reacquaint myself with one of my absolute favourites: How The West Was Won. All I remembered was loving the characters and loving the stories every week. All in all, there were 26 c90 minute

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-61851216258476879772010-07-31T11:23:00.001Z2010-07-31T21:53:01.850Z

Where to start... I watched this on TV (and read the book) in about 1979 when I was 11 or 12 years old. It is THE one story that has left an indelible mark on my mind between then and now. From a novel about the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado it spans the creation and evolution of the land and the people that impacted on it. Although the cast is star-studded (for that time period,

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-28391917574057276452010-07-27T07:30:00.000Z2010-07-27T07:30:14.595Z

It's been an entertaining week or so but all good things must come to an end. So, with a drum roll and a flourish, the last excerpt comes from the first Edge book: The Loner originally published in 1972 and out in eBook format from Solstice Publishing late summer 2010. This series was huge in its day and still attracts a large and loyal following with over 18 million copies sold in total. Enjoy!

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-35379538553706554652010-07-26T15:57:00.001Z2010-07-26T17:10:23.852Z

I was very kindly invited by Richard Prosch to write a piece for his blog Meridian Bridge titled My Personal West. To be honest, I didn't have a clue what I, a woman from Middle England could have to say, but since that never usually stops me you can find out what I came up with here.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-90092102859211334392010-07-26T07:04:00.001Z2010-07-26T07:04:39.850Z

Today's excerpt comes from The Fool's Folly by Keith Souter. Keith has written 5 western novels (as Clay More), two historical crime novels (as Keith Souter), three crime novels and has a fourth due out in December (as Keith Moray). He also writes medical books and general non-fiction. Enjoy! PROLOGUEThe Church of St Mary, Cambridgeshire, June 1485            He had never been so grateful for

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-55531381007698449432010-07-25T08:14:00.000Z2010-07-25T08:14:31.264Z

This excerpt comes from fellow multi-published Black Horse Western author IJ Parnham. Enjoy. "And where might we find Woody?"          "He's not here." Emerson scratched his belly. "And I'm kind of too busy right now to go and find him."          Fergal glanced around, taking in the sleeping guard, the men sitting by the fire, then the rest of the square, all of which displayed a general lack

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-25230461160151386562010-07-24T07:59:00.000Z2010-07-24T07:59:19.684Z

This excerpt is courtesy of Celia Hayes and comes from her forthcoming Spring 2011 release DAUGHTER OF TEXAS. Celia's website says 'She writes of the past as a means of exploring who we are, of honoring our unknown heroes and heroines, in order that we may appreciate the present which they built for us... and that we may use their lives as a guide for our own future'. Sounds good to me. Enjoy.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-8979754694293412482010-07-23T06:45:00.000Z2010-07-23T06:45:35.748Z

Today's excerpt is provided by author Lance Howard and comes from his August 2010 release DEAD MAN RIDING. Lance is a multi-published Black Horse Western, horror, pulp fiction, comic books and graphic novels author. Enjoy. Chapter 1      Even after two years, Serena Hedison still missed that man. She reckoned a week didn’t pass when he wasn’t riding through her dreams.     No, that wasn’t quite

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-10778487172411638752010-07-22T07:32:00.000Z2010-07-22T07:32:01.146Z

For your pleasure, an excerpt from THE $300 MAN by Ross Morton, multi-published author of westerns, thrillers and more.            There had been little respite from the blazing sun for Linus Pike as he steered his team of horses along the trail that reflected the heat and the glare. Now, the shadows were welcome as they wound through a dry gulch, its huge boulders rearing up on either side. The

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-46278263537036454442010-07-21T07:58:00.000Z2010-07-21T07:58:58.643Z

Today, I give you 3 short excerpts from historical romance author Diane Wylie. Enjoy.        SECRETS AND SACRIFICES Late Fall 1861Allegheny Mountains Charlotte “Charlie” Garrett, crouching uncomfortably behind a boulder, swallowed the lump of fear in her throat, adjusted the position of her beloved army-issued Springfield, and waited. All snipers had been ordered to come before the main body of

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-22870002668109582592010-07-20T06:23:00.000Z2010-07-20T06:23:48.110Z

Here's another exclusive, a generous 2 chapter excerpt of EVIL WAYS a suspense thriller by Bobby Nash. Bobby is an author of novels and short stories and also writes comic books and graphic novels. Enjoy. Chapter 8. “Damn.  Just what I need,” Myers said, dropping ashes onto the wet ground. The water dissolved the ashes into gray mush around his shoes.  Tom moved over to the front of his truck

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-58093547542523084372010-07-18T17:58:00.000Z2010-07-18T17:58:58.682Z

The next excerpt in my 'Throwing Down The Gauntlet' challenge comes from THE BALLAD OF DELTA ROSE by Jack Martin. I'm pleased to say that this is a scoop for me as the book isn't released until March 2011 and as far as I know I've (and so have you) been honoured with the first glimpse. You can find a review of Jack's current release ARKANSAS SMITH here. Enjoy. ‘You can sleep in the barn,’ Etta

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-57822995937313719712010-07-17T20:09:00.004Z2010-07-22T20:37:56.436Z

Wow! I've had a fabulous response to my challenge and am happy to say that the following authors have already sent me excerpts which I will post over the next few days. Jack MartinChuck TyrellBobby NashDiane Wylie Ross MortonLance Howard Celia Hayes I J Parnham Keith Souter George G Gilman I'm certainly looking forward to what is shaping up to be an enjoyable period of reading. If you want to

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-40308100705978411732010-07-17T13:07:00.017Z2010-07-19T07:45:19.561Z

The next excerpt in my 'Throwing Down The Gauntlet' challenge comes from THE KILLING TRAIL by Chuck Tyrell. Chuck is a multi-published Black Horse Western author. Enjoy. A half dozen men had built a second fire on the other side of the circle of wagons. They were soon deep in a game of poker, laying their bets on a barrelhead. Dylan wandered over to watch.Even in the dark, Dylan stood out.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-45153363605289393162010-07-17T08:05:00.001Z2010-07-17T13:31:36.942Z

Following on from my post 'Throwing Down The Gauntlet', here as promised is an excerpt from my current title LONG SHADOWS available in libraries and at most on-line book retailers. You'll find the cover information (and another excerpt) on the right hand side of this blog. Have fun. Jake was dreaming about blue-green eyes, red hair and creamy skin when a movement in the hallway snapped him

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-29082272067323204782010-07-17T08:04:00.004Z2010-11-08T16:56:51.059Z

Quite often I see a review, or a title or a cover that catches my eye and I think, 'I'd really like to read that'. The problem is, like a lot of people in these dark economic times, I can't afford to buy every book I like the look of. And, as we all know, westerns are not readily available in bookshops so it's not as though you can wander in and have a sneak peek. Yes, you can sometimes go to the

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-51766055203439478092010-07-03T08:24:00.000Z2010-07-03T08:24:57.082Z

For two years Tobias Cantrell has been a man possessed, searching sunbleached Texas and New Mexico for the Apache who burned his ranch and kidnapped his wife. A determined U.S. Army is driving the Apache into Mexico, but there is no sign of his wife in the wake of destruction. Meanwhile, Susan Covington has come west in search of her husband, an army lieutenant whose whereabouts are unknown. Fate

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-60332027909067843342010-06-13T11:02:00.000Z2010-06-13T11:02:04.818Z

A haunted cabin in the middle of the wild great plains? Not exactly, but that was the way the pretty little slip of a girl, Kate McCallister, characterised it when young Ben Flowers appeared to take possession of the property. When she showed him the hundred or so bullet holes in the cabin walls, he understood what she meant. The place was shadowed by many violent memories, and some of them were

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-40512340805191319822010-06-08T20:45:00.000Z2010-06-08T20:45:27.447Z

There's an interesting blog post about Old West hats at Buddies in the Saddle.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-9696411033268235312010-06-06T15:39:00.002Z2010-06-06T15:45:52.674Z

Arkansas Smith: the name was legend. Once he had been a Texas Ranger, but now he was something else entirely. Some said he was an outlaw, a killer of men and a fast draw. Others claimed he was a kind of special lawman, dispensing frontier justice across the West and bringing law to the lawless. Arkansas Smith arrives in Red Rock looking for those who shot and left his friend for dead. He vows to

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-72733701367378085082010-04-04T14:07:00.001Z2010-04-04T14:11:03.013Z

Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson book of the same name, Kidnapped sees the heir to a modest fortune, David Balfour, sold into slavery and sent to the colonies. Fortunately, he meets and befriends a highland rebel, Alan Breck Stewart. Together the two escape dire circumstances and against the backdrop of the turmoil and aftermath of the 1746 Jacobite Scots rebellion against the English at

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-12818304619174157512010-04-01T20:49:00.000Z2010-04-01T20:49:01.868Z

Poldark is the beloved BBC mini series set against the stormy sociopolitical backdrop of 18th-century England. The year is 1780, and Captain Ross Poldark has just returned to Cornwall from his battles in the American War. He hopes to settle down with his inheritance and his beloved Elizabeth, but false reports of his death preceded his arrival, resulting in heartbreaking circumstances. In

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-56363065478745026132010-03-30T13:03:00.000Z2010-03-30T13:03:53.378Z

Dawn came up that day in the town of Random on a bad note. They found a respected local man dead, hanged by the neck from the tree in the livery corral. And things were about to get worse with the discovery of the victims of murderous slaughter and rape at a nearby homestead. Were the two events linked? Was a bunch of crazed killers on the rampage; a lone gunman hell-bent on some personal

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-11721716371949885802010-03-28T14:00:00.000Z2010-03-28T14:00:40.407Z

I've been borrowing a lot of my reading material from the library recently and it got me wondering how other readers come by theirs. So, I've set up a poll (top left of this blog) where you can help satisfy my curiosity and maybe shed some light on the state of the book world.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-21868573166223083822010-02-19T06:58:00.000Z2010-02-19T06:58:09.750Z

For anyone who didn't catch this on The Tainted Archive's Black Horse Western Weekend recently, here's my take on a classic western scene but with a twist you'll hopefully enjoy. The Double CrossbyTerry James/Joanne Walpole ©2010 “Raise you,” said the player in the hand-made suit, the smile on his lips failing to hide the contempt in his narrowed eyes. “It’s gonna cost you everything you’ve got

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-9457733418998015722010-02-06T12:49:00.001Z2010-07-03T08:30:16.264Z

Jim Travis had every penny of his hard earned savings in Sweetwater's bank. It was his future - but when Luke Parsons and his wild bunch cleaned out the town's bank, Jim's money was part of the haul. With no help from the town, Jim rode out to retrieve his money, trailing the Parsons bunch across wild territory. Parsons threw everything he had at the lone rider dogging his heels, yet Jim kept on

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-22978873497561335322010-02-01T21:58:00.002Z2010-07-03T08:30:35.428Z

The stranger without a horse seemed to appear out of the desert sands. The stage driver lets Riley swing aboard, to the disturbance of Eleanor Gates. But Riley himself is discomfited as he recognizes a fellow passenger: the leader of a renegade comanchero band with an eye on Eleanor and the gold the stagecoach is carrying. A gang of thugs is waiting along the trail. Only Riley stands in their way

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-53970702633598008142010-01-31T11:12:00.001Z2010-07-03T08:30:57.360Z

Jake Bridger left a string of broken women behind him - like a kid dropping litter on the boardwalk. He used them, one by one, and then dumped them. The upshot was that there were three young vulnerable girls left to fend for themselves in the dangerous wilderness that was the frontier of the Old West He thought nothing more about them. But what he didn't know was that there was a fourth girl.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-19712918964767066792010-01-30T17:00:00.002Z2010-07-03T08:31:49.711Z

I just wanted to let you know that I have a new short story The Double Cross posted over at The Tainted Archive. It's included as part of the Black Horse Western Weekend where fellow author Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin is aiming to post 100+ articles, interviews, reviews and other good stuff relating to the BHW brand. To show my support, I decided to write an original short western with a twist. I've

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-62829333783461119752010-01-06T23:51:00.001Z2010-01-06T23:53:21.350Z

It's 11.45pm and we've just got back from watching Avatar 3D. I really wanted to see this film because it's a James Cameron offering and I like his stuff. However, when it was released, I realised there was going to be a lot of hype so I shut myself away from it, wanting to see the film on my terms and not with any preconceived ideas. All I can say is...I really enjoyed it. At 2 hours 40 minutes

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-82163516315836135212009-06-24T15:51:00.004Z2009-06-24T16:05:19.494Z

The story: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.I have to admit, I've been looking forward to this film since they announced they were making

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-89151012313492094132009-06-14T12:30:00.006Z2009-06-14T13:16:06.444Z

I notice today would have been Burle Ives' birthday so I decided to mention it as a tie-in to one of my favourite films - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.The story: Mississippi plantation owner Big Daddy Pollitt is celebrating his sixty-fifth birthday, unaware that he's dying of cancer, disturbed by the strained and childless marriage of his favourite, alcoholic son Brick and irritated by his other son,

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-29072752586041762962009-06-07T19:10:00.010Z2009-06-07T20:02:16.025Z

The Wedded Bliss computer dating agency aims to bring together the lonely hearts of Much-Snoggin-in-the-Green. Its owner, Sidney Bliss, has enough complications in his own love life, but still produces a pamphlet called "The Wit to Woo". The strange collection of hopefuls lead to some outlandish matches, and jealousies are bound to lead to trouble. Written by mailto:%7BSimon.N.Smith@cs.cf.ac.ukI

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-47751853507311695682009-06-03T19:47:00.004Z2009-06-03T20:13:00.861Z

It's been a while since a blockbuster lured me to the cinema, but I have been waiting with baited breath for Terminator Salvation. Since the first (and best) Terminator film came out in 1984 I have been a big fan. Terminator 2 is the only film I've ever queued around the block to see. So you can imagine, I approached this new one with a mixture of excitement, anticipation and trepidation. Well,

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-52548094626364845542009-04-30T20:44:00.004Z2009-04-30T20:53:26.365Z

I'd been looking forward to this film and I wasn't disappointed. It had lots of action, great special effects and diverse characters, but the most important thing for me was the story. I needed it to answer all those questions that the other X-Men films had thrown up and it did with bells and whistles. The attention to detail was outstanding. If you like big budget action films with solid plots,

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-71349824544518847332009-04-19T18:09:00.005Z2009-04-26T14:43:04.777Z

The story: A Navy navigator is shot down over enemy territory and is ruthlessly pursued by a secret police enforcer and the opposing troops. Meanwhile his commanding officer risks everything in an attempt to rescue him.Fighter navigator Chris Burnett wants out of the military. He's looking for something more exciting than the boring recon missions he's been flying. Instead, he finds himself

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-81653986719723509762009-04-18T11:09:00.008Z2009-04-26T14:46:00.048Z

In Chicago, during the Prohibition era, two skirt-chasing musicians, Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon), inadvertently witness the St Valentine's Day Massacre. In order to escape the wrath of gangland chief Spats Colombo (George Raft), the boys dress in drag and join an all-woman band headed for Florida. Depite their new identities, they find themselves vying for the attention of the

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-17083561862314628352009-04-13T20:51:00.004Z2009-04-13T21:09:21.764Z

Synopsis: In this fantasy adventure based on Cornelia Funke's book, a young girl named Meggie watches as her father causes fictional characters to leap into reality. But a formerly book-bound baddie takes Meggie's dad hostage, and it's up to the junior heroine-and some fictional help-to rescue her father.I'll say straight off that I wanted to like this film before I watched it - and I did.

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-80998904578859787202009-04-04T15:57:00.010Z2009-04-06T05:27:29.529Z

A western, but not as you might know it.The story: In this romantic comedy set in the rugged wilderness of Northern British Columbia in 1940, three very spirited, very different young adults struggle to carve out their independence and the world's largest cattle ranch. Rich and Pan have risked everything to make their dream come true. Now, after three years, with the ranch about to pay off, WWII

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-11454899495419515012009-03-20T06:33:00.006Z2009-03-20T07:02:41.126Z

They are immortals, destined to live forever. They must duel down the ages until one remains. Only decapitation by sword can release them from their age-long battle for an incredible prize - power beyond imagination. Fron the Scottish Highlands of the sixteenth century to present-day New York, they war for the Prize, while the fate of mortal man hangs in the balance.So, what are you waiting for?

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033783891776713261.post-9192035281242348972009-03-13T17:56:00.009Z2009-03-14T09:33:17.687Z

The Postman (1997) is in my opinion a greatly underrated film, as many Kevin Costner offerings are. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have the patience for a +2 hour film, and the first time I watched it I did indeed break it down into four or five sittings. However, now I've seen it a couple of times I'm happy to dedicate the time to it. For those who don't know what it's all about, or those who need a

Joanne Walpolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13972318968316588965noreply@blogger.com4