Paying the price for rape and murder

Paying the price for rape and murder

“The Making of Jake McTavish”

This is the fourth published novel and in it I managed to include some stories I had heard from pioneers to the Peace River Country. True I changed them a great deal to fit my story line but those stores where what started me on this yarn in the first place.

And then the story took over and lead me places I had not intention of going.

As with most of my novels there are some weapons mentioned, most notably the Cold New Army "Sheriff's Model", the Colt Navy .36 and the Remington .41 rim-fire deringer.

I hope the reader enjoys how Jake uses a Winchester to quell rudeness.

By the way, if it was made by Derringer (who made some early small arms) it is spelled with two r's. If it was made by someone else (such as Remington) it has one r; I expect to get around any infringement problems.

Remington .41 rim-fire

At the end of "The Making of Jake McTavish" there are the usual notes about what actual history is in the yarn but there is also an excerpt from another work I have ready that, so far is entitled "Red Serge to Cattle Business." However, it will be some months before that one is available.

“The Making of Jake McTavish”

Jake’s wife is raped and murdered. A lazy Mountie accuses Jake of the crimes. Angry, in shock and trying to erase the vision of his wife’s body Jake runs into the mountains.

But running away did not erase the vision. Hiding alone and the passage of time did not decrease – and may have increased – his anger. When two renegades try to kill him and steal his furs Jake realizes that he needs to face the vision from the past. To erase it he needs to hunt it down, find out who killed her and see they pay.

First he has to survive.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Watch a video trailer for “The Making of Jake McTavish” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWbZI5A4Do

Praise for “The Making of Jake McTavish”

From Cold Coffee Press:

Well-developed characters and true to life settings with descriptive writing put the reader into the story … incredible story telling.

And here is a free sample of the ebook version of “The Making of Jake McTavish”.

http://epubco.com/samples/978-1-68181-513-8sample.pdf

Facing down a bully

The third published novel for me a continuation of the life of Hank James and a look at Calgary in the mid 1880s. It also includes mention of a stage coach holdup that actually did occur north of Calgary and a winter that changed the way livestock is handled in North America.
I also had Hank use one of the big bore Winchester calibers released that year with the '86 model. Depicted here is a Model 86 in 45-70 as used by Hank but it was available in even larger calibers.

Facing down a bully

“Homesteader: Finding Sharon”

Hank James and riding partner Harry Gilmore ride the rails east to look for the woman Hank thought would be his mate for life. They unload their horses and gear at Canmore and immediately make an enemy.

Riding on into Calgary they find Sharon but Hank is suddenly not sure if she is who he thought she was. He does decide to stay around long enough to see if she is or isn’t.

If they are staying around for awhile anyway Hank and Harry become homesteaders. When they met Portis Martin east of Canmore he did not think they showed him proper respect but as homesteaders they became threatening enemies.

Hank and Harry’s new enemy is manager of a very big cattle ranch. He has the money, the livestock and the manpower. He does not have time for saddle tramps. He also doesn’t have a conscience that will interfere with getting them out of the way by any means possible – including attacking this woman that seems to interest them.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Watch a video trailer for “Homesteader” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viYLd3u_4AM   

  

Praise for “Homesteader: Finding Sharon”

From Brenda Casto for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)
"I found myself absorbed not only in the story, but the history lesson that I felt I was getting ...”

 From Paul Johnson for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)

"All in all, a satisfying plot with enough action to keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next."

 From author Barbara Martin

I will say that I didn't want to put the book down once I began it because each chapter urged me on.

 From author Clayton Bye

I enjoyed Homesteader. Narrative is conversational and easy to read. Best of all, the book appears to be historically accurate, and the story plausible.

Building a Railroad then trying to rob it.

As I mentioned in the last post, I've updated the "blurbs" for my released work and here is another.
"The Great Liquor War" was originally published in 1998 by Daison Publishing and here is a shot of that first cover.

I have to take a moment to thank Marilyn Meikle of "Signs & Things" for the pencil sketch that became that cover.
The new cover is over to the right but now it is available in multiple digital versions as well as trade paperback.
"The Great Liquor War" is the beginning of the Hank James story which is continued in "Homesteader: Finding Sharon". I'll have a new "blurb" for it as my next posting.

Building a Railroad then trying to rob it.

“The Great Liquor War”

Hank James is trying to make his fortune panning gold but it isn’t exactly working that way. However with the help of an “inside source” he does well betting on a prize fight.

With his winnings Hank invests in a new business hauling freight to build the new railroad. With luck, hard work and good help he does well. Then his “inside source” from the days of the prize fight expects help when the BC Provincial Police face off against the North West Mounted Police.

While the police forces fight each other who is watching the criminals? If Hank is identified as helping the law will they try to make him pay for his interference?

And while all the thievery, shooting, killing, arrests and trials are going on, what happened to Hank’s new girl?

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Watch a video trailer for “The Great Liquor War” at https://youtu.be/rG21_mUJc4w 

Praise for “The Great Liquor War”

From Cold Coffee Press

The Great Liquor War by D. M. McGowan is a western pioneering era saga that combines great story telling, true-to-life cowboy experience with US and Canadian history and legends from the 1800’s.

 A.G Wayne Ezeard.  Author of Where Eagles Soar

“This book is a must read. Highly Entertaining.”

R. Hadland:

“Anyone … will get a lot of enjoyment out of this story.”

T. Morden:

I’ve never had so much fun reading history.

 G. Wandling:

Forget about trying to live in the moment … you’ll be there.

Alive despite the renegades

I've recently replaces the information on "Partners" on the Amazon.com-dmmcgowan page and will post that here.
"Partners" is my second published novel and the first done through SBPRA. I'm doing the update on info for it first since I want to do "The Great Liquor War" (1st published and 3rd with SBPRA as a 2nd edition) and "Homesteader: Finding Sharon" (3rd published and 2nd with SBPRA)  back to back since the characters - and their story - continue in "Homesteader".
However, here is the new "blurb" for "Partners".

“Partners”

Tom Brash is educated, traveled, trained and for 1866 well aged

Frank Clement is uncouth, unsophisticated, uneducated and young.

Tom believes young Frank who has no idea where they are or the dangers they face will not survive traveling alone.

Frank thinks the “old man” will get himself killed with his fancy talk and fancy guns.

Can they work together to fend off the renegades trying to kill them out on the plains in Canada’s Western Wilderness? Will their differences make it  impossible to work together at all?

Ride along with these men who find renegades, Blackfoot, US Cavalry, gold miners, policemen, thieves and killers.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Watch a video trailer for Partners at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6LEqjRHCDQ 

Praise for “Partners”:

From the Burton Review
This is a story that flows easily between the concept of camaraderie and the intense events that the partners endure together

From Barbara Martin
Partners is a well told story that entertains and educates. It's a long book too, providing a big read for your money.

From Clayton Bye
If you enjoy westerns or historical yarns, Partners will offer a unique and refreshing read.
From Anne Boling for Reader's Favorite (5 stars of 5)
"Partners" is quite an adventure. ... Dave McGowan is a talented author.

Who is responsible?

As parents, responsible parents at least we try to teach our children values that will result in their realizing sustainable development, longevity, productivity and happiness. A study of history, even a short history of perhaps half a lifetime will show that a moral approach to life is the most promising way to achieve those goals. More extensive study of generations, eras or eons will show that those following such teachings constantly enjoy better long term results than those who are cheating, lying, stealing, and generally destroying.

So is that what we, as a society, do? Do we support those who espouse morality, truth, brotherly love and charity?

No, not in any significant way.

Oh sure, a few of us get together because we are embarrassed by a general response and we see that someone who has made significant contributions to our community receive at least some recognition. We all know of someone who has given unselfishly of themselves by volunteering, raising foster kids, and generally stressing their own well-being for the betterment of others. These efforts are recognized by an article in the local newspaper or perhaps on a blog like this one that a few people take time to read.

Why is so much accomplished through volunteer efforts? Why is there no money for decent military pensions? What about the workers out there, the equipment operators, warehousemen, computer techs, nurses, why don’t they receive livable pensions on retirement?

The news media has also upset me more than once. Too often I see coverage of killers, rapist, terrorist, and other slightly less despicable low-lifes continued on for hours, days or weeks when all they deserve is a nameless mention in order to warm other potential victims. The lives of the victims, who should be made into societal heroes are the ones not mentioned.

I could continue in this vein but I’m getting depressed ….

The answer to all those questions is that we throw money at many things, places and people that don’t deserve it and didn’t earn it. Some one has done little (or anything) productive is whining and complaining that “life isn’t fair” so we throw money at them – which they don’t fully appreciate and eventually want more.

So now we come to why I write the stories that I do.

Sure the primary reason is because I enjoy it, but I also enjoy having the “good guys” win. The characters sometimes do things that can be called questionable, but on the whole they are trying to do the “right” thing and because of that they defeat their opponents who often don’t care about right or wrong.

I find it comforting and entertaining when the people who should win do. I hope it relieves stress for readers.

Yes, it isn’t just the media, bureaucracy, or government that is responsible.

We all are including this writer of historical fiction despite my intentions.