Never Let Them See You Bleed is a new addition to the Johnstone works of western fiction.  Readers will enjoy meeting Flint Moran who, along with his siblings and parents, live on a farm outside the town of Tinhorn.  Flint knew he didn’t want to be a farmer, so when the town asked him to be their deputy to help Sherriff Buck Jackson, he agreed.  Now, he boards in a small room at a boardinghouse on the edge of town when he isn’t needed to guard prisoners or chase after law breakers. 

As it turns out, Flint has a natural gut feeling when something isn’t right in town.  When Ada Tubbs attempts to break her husband out of jail, she finds herself on the run too.  However, the woman just goes back to the family home until Flint learns of the location and in a comical move of stealth captures Ada when she least expects it.  Her father and brothers then seek to get her out which lands them in trouble with the law.

The father and brother of Ada move their horses south to evade the law and join up with extended family with the hopes of more profitable though illegal endeavors.  The family gang now sets their sights not on other towns to carry out their illicit plans, but right back to Tinhorn!  Ada sets her black heart on exacting revenge on one person…Flint Moran.  No one better get in her way!

I really enjoyed the first book in the newest addition to Johnstone country.  Flint Moran seems to be an unassuming, intelligent, and strong character.  He loves his family, is in no hurry to marry and for now being a lawman is just fine with him.  Mindy is a local gal who serves at the town’s café owner and enjoys seeing Flint when he takes time to eat there usually with the Sheriff.  

I highly recommend reading and sharing the newest addition with all the action, drama and romance that is sure to please!        (Written by LBJ)

Will Dewey ‘Mac” Mackenzie ever get a decent night’s sleep, or will people always be pursuing him?  Mac’s adventures started in the first book titled, The Chuckwagon Trail.  Audiences learn what started Mac’s running from trail drive to trail drive for many different cattle owners as their trail cook.  Mac has learned not only how to cook with next to nothing but also how to defend himself and others from those wanting to take what isn’t theirs.

The newest addition to the Chuckwagon Trail series is an enjoyable read as we watch Mac drifting then stepping in to help a lady from being mishandled.  From there, Mac receives more than he gives which causes him to have to remain in bed healing on the Standing L Ranch.  When owners take a shine to his quick thinking, wit and good cooking, Mac is once again tasked with being a chuckwagon driver.  Mac has made enemies once again and it looks like a threat from the past, who goes by the name LeClec, may just catch up to Mac and extract vengeance!

The herd is being driven to a boom town where the owners, Becky and Marcus, hope to sell at a good price and save the ranch their parents left to them.  The big bull of the woods who wants all he can grab is a man by the name of Oscar Harcourt.  He takes over anything money can buy, or his men can ramrod for him.  Harcourt sends men out after the Standing L drive to harangue them as they travel, which boxes in the Standing L cattle and crew between a rock and a hard place.  Romance once again might be in Mac’s future, if he ever felt he had one.  With the past still dogging his trail, Mac isn’t sure if he and Becky have a future or if he is ready for one!  The crew on the cattle drive is small but mighty and they have grit to face those coming to take what the Standing L owns.

Once again, the Johnstone pen brings to audiences a novel filled with western trail drive dangers and intrigues along with friendship and budding romance.  If you haven’t read the other novels in the series, I recommend you do.  While each book can be read as a stand-alone, much can be said for reading the books in order.  I enjoyed watching the overall story develop when Mac is accused of an action he didn’t commit in New Orleans.  The main character, “Mac”, is one to admire for his tenacity, quick thinking, good cooking and making friends that stand against evil.  I hope the author plans on bringing more of Mac to readers as he sure is exciting!

Grab a book and read the others in the series starting with The Chuckwagon Trail, Die by the Gun, and Hill of Beans!  Saddle up and ride! (Written by LBJ)