Steve “Buck” Trammel is a former police officer in New York and a former Pinkerton agent in Chicago. Now he is a sheriff in Blackstone where he finds himself trying to put out trouble brewing in the town from many directions. With all his attention captured by trying to stop people from revenge or starting an uprising, the last thing Buck needs is his past to catch up to him now, but that is exactly what happens.
Buck cannot help himself when he knows there is going to be trouble, or he hears guns going off; he is one to run to trouble not away. Because of that quality of standing up to troublemakers, his former love interest, Dr. Emily Downs, has left him. If Buck isn’t careful, history may repeat itself but with another woman.
In town, Buck’s former friend, Adam Hagen, is bent on taking over his father’s empire by hook or by crook. With Buck in the middle, Adam is waging war with his father. He utilizes any and all means in the story to get the power he craves. Adam forms a partnership with a man named Clay as both men want power, but neither can really trust the other. Readers then meet a man who appears as a crusader to clean up Blackstone from the vices of whiskey, women and opium. But is he really trying to clean things up, or is there more to him than what he lets the townsfolk see?
The first two books in the series are worth enjoying to understand the character development and overall story that carries throughout the series. The titles are North of Laramie and Bury the Hatchet written by the same authors. While each book has action, there is an overarching plot developing. I have enjoyed each novel and can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book.
I highly recommend visiting the authors’ website and downloading the booklist, especially if you enjoy reading a series in order. (Written by LBJ)

Buck Trammel is a lawman in Blackstone, Wyoming. He was a former Pinkerton man and worked in the city. Now, he’s in the frontier where living is harder, and laws are different. Trammel is an intimidating young man not just because of his size but also due to his temper. Formerly he was a bouncer at The Gilded Lily in Kansas before being summarily asked to leave that town by Wyatt Earp. Though he didn’t leave Kansas on his own, he left with a drunk by the name of Hagen.
Now in Laramie as their sheriff, Buck and his deputy are trying to keep the town’s less than desirable trades out of public view. Buck used to be friends with Adam Hagen, but Hagen now runs the hotel and saloons and not just in Laramie. If you haven’t read North of Laramie, you may want to before delving into this sequel. The sequel contains some of the characters readers meet and the tale is worth the time to enjoy. However, even if you haven’t yet read the book, you can still enjoy Bury the Hatchet. The authors did a great job of giving enough background of events that occurred before so that the audience will understand what is boiling now in Laramie.
King Hagen, Adam’s father, is proud and believes himself immune to the law in some ways. Buck originally got his job through Mr. Hagen, but Buck doesn’t believe he owes Hagen anything. The townspeople are who Buck strives to protect. Adam and Buck were once close friends. Now, they aren’t really enemies, but they aren’t trusting of each other either. That loosely knit bond is about to be tested when a bounty is put out on both their heads and the men coming after them work for the Pinkertons. The leader of the group Buck has met before.
In this delightful sequel, it was easy to get swept away in the action, intrigue, mystery and fictional town of Laramie, Wyoming. I like the newest male lead, Buck Trammel, as he is his own man who has perhaps found a place to call home. His past is revealed a little bit more which gives the readers more depth and knowledge of Buck. Buck and the town widow, who is also the closest thing Laramie has for a doctor, have a thing for each other that may lead to more serious plans in the future.
Grab the book and then sit a spell to enjoy the latest western saga from the Johnstone pen! (Written by LBJ)