WESTERN - NEW VOICE - TERRY JAMES

Joanne Walpole is the person behind the Terry James name and this May sees the publication of the the debut Black Horse Western . So I cornered Jo and asked her to tell us a little something about the book. And it's not easy getting anything out of this lady - she is so modest and prefers to let her books speak for themselves. No harm in that - but I've read an early draft (review here on The Archive in May) and it's good enough to speak for itself. In fact it's a bloody fine tome - but it sure don't hurt to have some info from the author and so The Archive presents - Terry James.

Long Shadows is a story of murder, betrayal and revenge where mutual respect is developed and trust earned. It is written for people like me who have a love of small town westerns as epitomised by the likes of John Wayne and Audie Murphy. But don’t be deceived. My Old West is a dangerous place, the times are violent, the people use guns and fists to settle disputes, some even look the other way. The streets are filled with lawmen and lawbreakers alike. My characters are three-dimensional and separated, as in real life, by emotional conflict and the twists and turns of a harsh reality. In the best tradition of the classic western, the fast-paced action unfolds towards an exciting finale where the events of the past, which will ultimately shape the future, are revealed to explosive effect. If this sounds like your kind of western, read on…

When Jake Rudd is saved from a brutal beating, he can't believe his luck. Not only is his saviour an attractive redhead, she’s an old flame. Suddenly his plans to settle down seem a real possibility. Unfortunately, Ros West has no memory of him, and with trouble following her, no reason to trust him.

It’s not the first time Ros’s life has been in danger. Three years before, someone shoved her under the wheels of a speeding stagecoach then left her for dead in the desert with a bullet in her back. Nursed back to health by an unlikely group of benefactors, she has spent the intervening years in exile, living every day as it comes. However, a personal advertisement placed in a newspaper, convinces her to return home, where she hopes to rebuild the bonds of family that were shattered when she ran away.

Jake is living with the secret of a dangerous past he’d sooner forget. However, the local sheriff seems intent on thwarting that plan when he asks Jake to help him rid the town of a bad man. Initially, Jake is reluctant to get involved. Only when family and friends are threatened, do the long shadows of the past force his hand and bring events full circle. To secure the future, Jake and Ros must deal with the past. But when the smoke clears, will old scores be settled, or will the truth prove more dangerous than a smoking gun?

Long Shadows is published in May and available now for pre order