Reader's comment

Just finished "Spirit Of The Snake" by Mark Engebretson. A really good read in the vein of Louis L'Amour if you like westerns. Vaughn DeWolfe

Now on Amazon

Spirit of the Snake is now on Amazon.com. In Mineral Wells (Texas), the Booksatchel has copies as well. Or for a signed copy, e-mail me at markeng@nsb-pklake,com. They are $14.99 each. Also, The Golden Amulet is at Amazon and the Booksatchel.

Next book

The third, which I started in earnest today, again features Buck Landers initially in pursuit of a white renegade who has vowed revenge on all whites for the hanging death of his brother. The characters are real, the time, 1871 Texas, when Comanches and Kiowas redoubled their efforts to drive settlers from their lands.But there's more as Buck Landers travels east to make right that which has wronged his family. Again, as in Spirit and the Amulet, characters are drawn from history, this time beginning in 1971 ... the continuation of a very dangerous era in Texas history.

Brendan and Buck

The photo is of Brendan Wayne, grandson of John Wayne, and actor artist Buck Taylor, of Gunsmoke and Tombstone fame, among others.

Mouth of Caddo

The photo at right is at the premier of Mouth of Caddo, a prospectus for the The Legend of Hell's Gate, a western based upon the story of the naming of Hell's Gate at Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas. Left is Tanner Beard, producer and actor in the film. Next to him is actor and artist Buck Taylor, best known as Newly in the TV series Gunsmoke. Following is Brendan Wayne, grandson of John Wayne, also in the movie. Finally, Olympic gold medalist, actor and stuntman Dean Smith, who also appeared in 11 John Wayne movies.

In researching this story, I discovered that Texas, during the post-Civil War era, was probably as dangerous then as say Afghanistan is today. Comanches, Kiowas, renegades ... and no military protection. Having lost the war, southern armies were disbanded, pending the arrival of Union troops. Meanwhile, Indian raids continued, having increased during the war. That's part of what this story is about ... an unsettled and dangerous time. As an aside, consider that areas around the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, inhabited by millions, were once the locations of Comanche and Kiowa raids - very, very dangerous.