Ralph Compton the Sagebrush Trail by Robert J. Randisi; Ralph Compton

This story is set just after the Civil War and includes Buffalo soldiers.  It amazed me at how the Army tried to get stock at low prices.

Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on November 30th.

The man leading the Buffalo soldiers is white, as well as the second in command.  The others are all black but they like the man they work for.

He's taking horses to a sale he's negotiated.  Unfortunately, the buyer sent a telegram backing out of the deal.  Now he sends more telegrams trying for a buyer.  That army wants them but doesn't give them a long time to get to the fort.  In addition, guns have been stolen.

He makes his trip with Indian interference and not a lot of cooperation from the local sheriffs.  

Will he and his men get there?  He has big plans for his ranch but he needs money.  There are a lot of obstacles in his way....

Ralph Compton Frontier Medicine by Robert J. Randisi, Ralph Compton Series: The Gunfighter Series

Gabriel has come west because of an ad he saw.  An older doctor is looking for a partner that can take over the business.  He meets the older doctor who is a bit crusty and crabby and they decide to share the workload.  He has a bit of trouble fitting in because folks are used to the other doctor, but when they get him in western clothes and he does so well with children, they accept him.

Berkley and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).

Gabe stays with the old doctor at first but soon moves unto an apartment above the restaurant he frequently eats at.  He's not far from the office, the saloon, and shops.

A gunslinger comes to town looking for him.  He intends to kill the doctor.  Gabe carries his gun with him in his bag.  When he goes to get it out, the gunslinger is trying to draw.  He shoots him through the bag and says the gun got caught on the bag.  Nobody believes him.  This is the second man he's killed since he came to town, so the newspaper calls him Doctor Death.

More men come after him, so he makes a deal with a gunslinger who needed medical work.  He ends the Doctor Death reputation and the good doctor finds himself thinking about marriage to one of two women.

This was a good western that kept your attention and entertained you at the same time.

Ralph Compton Red Trail by John Shirley, Ralph Compton Series: The Trail Drive Series

Mace Durst has cattle he has to drive to the agent that gave him a good price.  They can't use the regular trails because the Comanches are hostile and they love to steal cattle.  So he decides to take a little known trail that is hazardous but not inhabited by Comanches.  It's not safe either.

The problem is he needs the money.  They are behind on payments for the ranch.  So he gathers some men and heads out.  He doesn't realize that one of his hands will be paid for killing him...

Berkley and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on December 15th.

Besides high water, animal injuries, and picking up a few men on the way, there are those that want to steal his cows.  Not Indians but white men.  It's a hard trail ride.

At the ranch, his wife is dealing with a neighbor who wants her ranch and will do anything to get it.  That's why there is a killer in Mace's crew.  She runs him off the property with a rifle.  But he comes back, with some of his men.  And he blackmails the banker into calling the loan so she will lose the ranch.  She's no shrinking violet and defends her ranch.

You're not sure if Mace will be back, the threats get worse at the ranch, and the cattle drive is difficult.  

It's a good western, there's bloodshed but the rancher and his wife stand firm.  It was a good read.