This mostly western, part fantasy novel has Doctor Spectros searching for the enigmatic Blackschuster, the shape-changing magician, who kidnapped the beautiful Kristin and carries her away in a coma on her wedding day. Showdown at Guyamas is the first in a series of tales written by Logan Winters (Paul Lederer) that takes Spectros through many obstacles and adventures in search of his wife.
A lot of the action in this darkly written tale takes place at night in the shadows of the moon and stars. Blackschuster is in cahoots with wicked gunman "Rat" Peebles to take over a silver mine and a the U/No Ranch with Spectros as Kid Soledad hot on his trail. The scenes are action-packed with death coming out of nowhere and shots being fired all over the place when the parties meet at various points in the narrative and leading to the showdown at Guyamas..
Stories like this are not my cup of tea as I'm a lover of more traditional shoot 'em ups, but I can't say that I didn't like it with all the shootouts and action. I can't take fault with the author because there ae many who enjoy this type of writing with fantasy or sci-fi mixed in. I will give it three-and-a-half stars, but it may be better than that in some readers' opinions.
(Note: Reviewed for Open Road Integrated Media, the publisher of the series.)
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
A Hospital Visit
Shucks! On Friday, the 11th I was ushered into the hospital and a pacemaker was firmly emplaced in my upper left shoulder area to keep the old ticker ticking at a constant rate. I had been waiting two or three months to get this done. They sent me on my way the following day after providing a fine lunch, not wanting me to leave hungry. I was chauffeured back and forth by my step-daughter and she did a nice job. But, I haven't been able to get in the mood to pick up where I left off. I feel all right and get around fine physically, but putting my mind to work is not as easy as it should be. I wasn't doing a helluva lot anyway, even though I never seemed to have enough time for anything.
I can't raise my left arm over my head for six weeks, said the doc, but I started driving after a week and the stitches were removed. I think my brain is still sewn up and they can't get to the stiches to get it moving very fast. I was surprised they gave me a pacemaker being 83 years old. I thought maybe the new medical rules wouldn't allow it. I was wrong and glad that I was, but now my mind is in a freeze getting back to normal. I will keep at it, forcing it to return to where it was. I think the problem is too much sleep recovering from the operation, like logy-ness or thought block. Get more exercise everyone says. OK, I will start walking today, if I can only get enough will power to actually get out of my easy chair and put one foot before the other. Here goes.
I can't raise my left arm over my head for six weeks, said the doc, but I started driving after a week and the stitches were removed. I think my brain is still sewn up and they can't get to the stiches to get it moving very fast. I was surprised they gave me a pacemaker being 83 years old. I thought maybe the new medical rules wouldn't allow it. I was wrong and glad that I was, but now my mind is in a freeze getting back to normal. I will keep at it, forcing it to return to where it was. I think the problem is too much sleep recovering from the operation, like logy-ness or thought block. Get more exercise everyone says. OK, I will start walking today, if I can only get enough will power to actually get out of my easy chair and put one foot before the other. Here goes.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
The Reluctant Gun Hand, a Western by Paul Lederer writing as Logan Winters
Jake Worthy had bad luck. Yep, the worst I've seen in a while. He was just out of prison after serving six months for shooting a double-dealing gambler in self-defense. On his way to Rio Lobo to see his girlfriend who is waiting for him again, he is forced into a robbery scheme by three outlaws and a a tigress of a woman. Jake is supposed to hold the horses ready and provide an extra gun while the others rob the freight office in the town of Belmont. They almost fail, but the woman with the help of Jack, gets away with the money and the others set out to look for her.
The author spins a thrilling tale with some unexpected turns as he takes Jake through a harrowing journey and meets another pretty gal on the way. Mister Winters (Lederer) gets into the conscience of the protagonist in a meaningful way. Jake ends up with the money, but he is torn about what to do with it - return it, keep it, give it away or what? He certainly doesn't want to go back to the Yuma prison again. Will he make it to Rio Lobo? Will his girl still be waiting? What does he do with the stolen money? You'll have to read the story to find out. I found the novel to be very entertaining, suspenseful, action-filled and titillating, not to mention well-written and absorbing. I recommend it for those who enjoy Westerns.
The author spins a thrilling tale with some unexpected turns as he takes Jake through a harrowing journey and meets another pretty gal on the way. Mister Winters (Lederer) gets into the conscience of the protagonist in a meaningful way. Jake ends up with the money, but he is torn about what to do with it - return it, keep it, give it away or what? He certainly doesn't want to go back to the Yuma prison again. Will he make it to Rio Lobo? Will his girl still be waiting? What does he do with the stolen money? You'll have to read the story to find out. I found the novel to be very entertaining, suspenseful, action-filled and titillating, not to mention well-written and absorbing. I recommend it for those who enjoy Westerns.
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