Friday, August 5, 2011

Western Fictioneers: The Traditional West

The Traditional West: A Western Fictioneers Anthology
by 24 Western Authors including Cheryl Pierson
Publisher: Western Fictioneeers

Buy links:
Amazon * B&N * (Available in print soon!)

Contest!
We heard about Cheryl's Time Plains Drifter from her post on Monday.  To win a pdf copy of this book, please leave a comment on any of her posts this week. 

And now, let's hear from Cheryl!
In the category of “dreams come true,” here is my latest one. I became a member of the Western Fictioneers group about a year ago with the help of one of my friends, Kit Prate. Kit’s a fantastic western writer who’s been doing this a lot longer than I have, with many more “notches in her belt”--figuratively speaking--in the writing world. She put my name before the group and I was accepted—a greenhorn in the truest sense of the word.

I’m still totally in awe. Robert Randisi, Jory Sherman, Peter Brandvold, Kit Prate, Kerry Newcomb, James Reasoner, Livia Washburn Reasoner... the list goes on--these are the members of the Western Fictioneers.
Cheryl Pierson

A few months after I joined up, they decided to put together their first anthology. Livia and James Reasoner worked tirelessly on it: collecting the stories from those of us who wanted to submit, editing, formatting, writing the introduction to the book, and even deciding the order of the stories. One of the other contributors, Pete Peterson, provided the gorgeous artwork for the cover of the book.

This book is not, by any means, a romance offering. But there are stories from 24 different authors with many different “takes” on the west. It’s the largest anthology of original western short stories ever put together, and though every one of them might not be to your liking, you’re sure to find some different authors you might want to try out for further reading pleasure from this fantastic collection.

My story is called The Kindness of Strangers. It has a lot of paranormal twist to it, but it’s one of my favorite projects I’ve ever worked on.

I’ll leave you with a blurb and an excerpt.

Jericho Dean is on a one-man mission: to track down the outlaw gang that murdered his wife and daughters. When Freeman Hart joins forces with him, Jericho isn’t sure which side this peculiar stranger is on. Determined to gain his revenge no matter the cost, Jericho finds redemption in a most unlikely circumstance. Will he take that fork in the road, or will his thirst for revenge end his chance for a new start?

Excerpt from The Kindness of Strangers by Cheryl Pierson, a short story in The Traditional West

Jericho gave Dan one final pat. “Ain’t many men lost as much as I did on that day, Freeman. My wife, my daughters, and my desire to exist in this world without them.” He pointed at the growing pile of wood. “No fire.”

Hart gave a sage nod. “I see. You’re expecting to be reunited once you complete your mission—kill the Comancheros. Once you die, you think you and Elena will be together again, along with Maria and Ana.”

Jericho stood completely still. How did this stranger know the names of his family?

How did he know Jericho’s own heart and purpose so clearly?

Hart dropped the last two pieces of wood on top of the pile, then dusted his hands. “We need to have a talk, Jericho. A good long visit about things. I don’t aim to do it in the cold. And make no mistake, this night’ll be an icy one—way too cold to spend without a fire. Trust me, boy. They ain’t gonna know—or care—if you spend it warm or freezin’. Got a match on you?”

Jericho sized up the other man once more, a shiver running up his spine. No, things were not what they seemed, but whether for good or evil, he didn’t know. He cursed his luck, either way. He didn’t want to be burdened with whatever it was this Freeman Hart brought to the table. He hadn’t asked for it, either way. He remembered that he had deliberately not prayed, carefully refrained from asking God for any favors, so he wouldn’t have to be in His debt. Well, he still didn’t plan on owing Him anything, no matter how this all worked out.

He finally forced his legs to move, walking stiffly to his saddlebags. He put the brush away, and drew out the box of matches wrapped in oilskin.

Hart caught them when Jericho tossed them over, opened the box and struck one of them on the bottom of his boot. The match head flared in the gathering semi-darkness and Hart hunkered down, cupping his hand around the flame as it caught the base kindling of the pyre and the wood above it began to burn.

Jericho stood watching as the fire flared to life, remembering how he’d burned the cabin. After he’d buried Elena, Maria and little Ana, he’d poured kerosene throughout their home. The smell of it had made his stomach twist and roll over. He’d poured it over the cabinetry he’d built so lovingly for Elena, remembering how proud she’d been to have a pantry in her kitchen. He’d poured it across the bed where they’d made love. Made children. Made a family together.

He’d opened up the old trunk that had been Elena’s, full of her keepsake treasures. He had taken only one thing from the chest before he’d saturated the rest of the contents with the kerosene remaining in the can. He’d stood at the door and tossed in the match, watching as the trail of fire raced across the dirt floor of the cabin and began to eat the furniture, the woodwork, and finally the walls.

Then, he had turned his back on the entire dream he’d created and then destroyed, riding away from it as it burned. It maybe burning still, he mused. That entire northern part of Indian Territory could be nothing but acres of smoldering blackness destroyed by his hand. Right now, if he could, he’d set the entire world ablaze.
Yes. A fire would be good to have tonight.

“Say, Jericho. You hungry? Me, I’m so hungry my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut. I’ve got some tins of beans and peaches we can open up.” Hart rose and crossed to where his saddlebags lay, rummaging for the tins of food. He pulled them out and came back toward Jericho, who stood rooted to the spot where he’d gone moments earlier to get the matches.

Hart nodded toward the fire. “C’mon. Let’s get some grub. Talk a spell. I can see you’ve got some questions.”

“Who are you?” Jericho’s voice was hoarse.

Hart laughed. “I knew that’d be the first one.”

* * * * *

Visit Cheryl's Amazon Author Page

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19 comments:

  1. Boo hoo, I'm all alone today! I think everyone is "commented out"--hope someone comes to visit!LOL
    Cheryl

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  2. I've got this anthology, and I'm sure I'll love it! :) Just gotta find the time to read it.

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  3. I'm going to buy this anthology. Looks great!

    Cheryl, thanks for posting on RTW all week. Let's do this again sometime!

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  4. Hi Cheryl,
    What a busy week you all have had here at Romancing the West. I think everyone is offline today catching up on errands and grocery shopping.

    Congrats on being part of this anthology. I really liked your excerpt and can't wait to read the whole story. So many great authors are in this one and you definitely belong in there with them. Hope you all have mega sales.

    I love all this renewed effort to help keep Westerns alive. The new movies making an appearance don't hurt either. I can't wait to see Cowboys & Aliens.

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  5. Good grief, girl, you do get around! That's interesting how you came to be a part of the anthology. You go!

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  6. I couldn't let you be all alone but I see you have some very nice company now that I'm here.
    Can you believe it? I have not read The Kindness of Strangers. There is actually a story of yours I haven't read. Just when I had a few coins to rub together, too. LOL I must have this anthology. God, I'm addicted to anthologies. Loved the excerpt, Cheryl and the cover is magnificent. Ya know, I have a devil of a time keeping up with you. Now I've mentioned God and the devil in the same comment...I'm probably doomed.

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  7. Cheryl I love that title.. It is of course reminds me of Scarlett in Gone with the Wind.. In my more amusing moments I have even used this line a time or two..

    This book sounds amazing... All those wonderful writers...
    best regards
    Kathleen

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  8. Hey Cheryl,

    I got here as soon as I could. I couldn't log in at work. :( Funny, how they frown on you visiting blogs. lol

    I didn't know you had a story in this anthology. Wow, how wonderful.

    I enjoyed your excerpt, too. Of course, I wanted more. lol

    I wish you the best always! Have a good weekend!

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  9. Hi Lisa,
    Well, I love me some cowboys and western-y stuff, even if it isn't all romance! LOL There are some really good little treasures in this anthology--I know what you mean, Lisa. I have a ton of books that are waiting to be read, but I put this one at the top of the "stack"(in my Kindle) and am reading a story or two every night.

    Thanks for coming over and keeping me company!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  10. Hi Jacquie,
    This has just been such a pleasure for me to be your guest this entire week. You have a wonderful blog and a fantastic crowd of followers, and I am sorry to see the week end tomorrow! Yes, we will definitely do it again SOON! I have thoroughly enjoyed being a guest here. Thanks again so much for having me.

    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  11. Hi Rebecca,
    I think you must be right about everyone being offline today--even my inbox was pretty subdued. LOL I hope all is well in your corner of the world--it has been too hot here to do much of anything other than keep to the indoors.
    Thanks so much for your kind words about my story and the anthology. I have really enjoyed writing short stories for all the wonderful anthologies at VICTORY TALES PRESS, and I have to tell you, that's what gave me the confidence to submit one to this anthology.

    You will love COWBOYS & ALIENS! Daniel Craig...Daniel Craig...LOL
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  12. Hi Joyce!
    Thank you so much for coming by and commenting! I know you are busy.I appreciate YOU!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  13. Hi Sarah!
    LOL You crack me up!I hope you enjoy THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS, and the rest of the wonderful stories in that collection. Pete Peterson, one of the contributors is an artist and he offered that painting for the cover--isn't it awesome?

    Sarah, thanks for coming over and commenting! You are a DEAR FRIEND!

    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  14. Kathleen,
    Thank you so much for your support. I love this story because of the paranormal twist in it.I hope you enjoy this collection if you get it-it's not romance, but it is pure ol' good western reading!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  15. Karen,
    Thanks so much for coming by--I do know how bosses tend to frown on getting on blogs, etc. at work.LOL I'm glad you make it. Thanks so much for your support and your very kind words.I am so anxious to get LUCCA and read his story! I love fallen angels...
    Cheryl

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  16. 24 stories! What a great idea and a nice way to get introduced to different authors.

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  17. Hi Anne,
    We are just thrilled to get this anthology out there and hope it helps with a resurgence of western popularity. I have enjoyed reading the other stories so much--gives me a lot of insight into the other authors and what they enjoy writing. It has been a great experience, for sure.
    Cheryl

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  18. Cheryl,

    I enjoyed your excerpt very much. It has a great Western feel. I can see this man with a crushed spirit, hellbent on revenge.

    Great post! And congrats on being in such a smashing anthology.

    Maggie Toussaint
    On The Nickel

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  19. Maggie,
    Thanks so much for coming by--you are an inspiration to me. You are always so supportive no matter how busy you are, and I can't tell you how I appreciate that. So glad you enjoyed the excerpt--this was a very interesting story to work on, and I was extremely pleased with the end result.
    Thanks again, Maggie,
    HUGS,
    Cheryl

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