The Outlaw's Twin Sister (Belles of Lordsburg #3)

Book Description

Her life was like a bad dream that kept getting worse. Until the Lord awakened her to a future of hope.

Julianna Ortiz gave up her hopes for a perfect life long ago. She's 32, and alone, and she's accepted that. For how could she ask anyone to share in the absurdity that has become her life? Her twin brother is languishing in a Mexican prison. His fellow gang members are constantly harassing her. And her father, who was absent for so long, has finally returned.

As if Julianna needs another aggravation, along comes a notorious gunslinger who goes only by the Spanish name DelNorte. Their first meeting is frustrating. So much so that she'd rather see him dead than talk with him again--a wish that almost comes true.

Yet this enigmatic man just may hold the key to saving all that matters most to her.

Customer Reviews:

A great feel good book!.......2004-05-06

This book is just alot of fun. Definitely the best of Bly that I have read. The plot is interesting and keeps you guessing. From the mischievous ten-year-old Paco to the mysterious, smooth talking Delnorte, Bly's characters are original and real. You can't help liking them. This book has a sweet love story that doesn't take over the book, as in most christian fictions, but is just enough for you romantics. This book also has amazing dialogue! Bly has a way of making you feel like you are sitting there right beside the character during a conversation. The heroine, Julianna, manages to weave the gospel message into her conversations without making it sound like a sermon. It was a pleasant surprise to read a christian fiction book and not get that deja veu feeling like you had read it before under a different name. In a world of christian fiction dominated by authors like Gilbert Morris this book is a breath of fresh air.

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The outlaws

Outlaws of New Mexico
Peter Hertzog
Manufacturer: Sunstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0865340390
Release Date: 1984-06-01

Product Description

Every century has its folk figures in which villany and heroism combine to produce larger-than-life individuals who then become part of our history and legend celebrated in song and story. This is particularly true of the western United States in the 19th century where the restless expansion of a growing nation was reflected in an era of extreme individualism. This was not only the time of Horatio Alger's "rags to riches" sagas but also a time when violence was seen as another way of achieving material success. By its very nature the West attracted men (and some women) who considered themselves to be outside the law and generally superior to those who tried to maintain order and justice on the new frontier. Because it was a border state, New Mexico had a large population of outlaws. These desperadoes, by their actions and often wanton killings, influenced the course of history in the area. And at least one, Billy the Kid, became a romanticized figure in art, music and literature.

Customer Reviews:

The outlaws.......2007-09-19

I was disappointed in this book. I was hoping for a book with more information in it. The writeup on the book only listed some of the people who were included.
What it did not say is that each of the enclosed outlaws only had one or two lines of information on them. I feel it to be a very shallow source for anyone who is seeking more in depth information.
As I bought the book to find information on just one of the outlaws, I was sorry that I spent my money on it.
As long as a buyer is aware of the type of information included, the buyer can order it aware of it's scope and or limitations.

The Last Gunfighter: Imposter (Last Gunfighter)

Average customer rating:

Mistaken identity.

The Last Gunfighter: Imposter (Last Gunfighter)
William W. Johnstone
Manufacturer: Wheeler Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 1587243164

Customer Reviews:

Mistaken identity........2002-10-20

The book starts off as Frank Morgan getting jailed because of a look alike that is an outlaw. He breaks out of jail and starts looking for the lookalike outlaw. He rides into the town of Chance to resupply and to verify his identity. He is told the lookalike has been raiding towns in the area and takes the job of deputy of Chance. He gets into a confrontation with a rancher from the area and settles it in his way. The outlaw raids the town and kidnaps some women, one of which Frank is fond of. Then "The Last Gunfighter" goes to rescue the women then to settle the score with the lookalike and his followers.

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They Knew Billy the Kid

Manufacturer: Ancient City Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 094127036X

The authentic life of Billy the Kid: The noted desperado of the Southwest, whose deeds of daring and blood made his name a terror in New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico (Classics of the Old West)

Average customer rating:

A valuable book because of the relationship of the author

The authentic life of Billy the Kid: The noted desperado of the Southwest, whose deeds of daring and blood made his name a terror in New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico (Classics of the Old West)
Pat F Garrett
Manufacturer: Time-Life Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0809435810

Customer Reviews:

A valuable book because of the relationship of the author.......2002-07-27

The introduction to this book by J.C. Dyke is good, and explains a lot; especially the last paragraph, wherein he says,"The reading (and study) of [this book] is essential to an uderstanding of that mythical hero, the Robin Hood of the Southwest, who was once just a bucktoothed, thieving, murderous little cowboy-gone-bad, Billy the Kid."

Of course, the author, Pat Garrett, was not an unprejudiced reporter of events, for it was he who ended the life of William Bonney, also known as William Antrim (his foster father's surname). It is also interesting I think, in passing, to mention that Billy the Kid was not a product of the West, but a transplanted New Yorker.

Elsewhere, you will read that Pat Garrett's writing effort is poor, and leaves much to be desired. He readily admits it. In his own words, he says, "I make no pretension to literary ability, but propose to give to the public in intelligible English, 'a round, unvarnished tale,' unadorned with superfluous verbiage."

Garrett is motivated, he says, by an "impulse to correct the thousand false statements which have appeared in the newspapers and in yellow-covered cheap novels."

And, there is no doubt at all that the stories of Billy's exploits were greatly exaggerated by an Eastern press eager for stories of gunplay and adventure on the Western frontier. Today's myth of Billy the Kid is largely descended from the pulp stories created by the inflamed minds of Eastern "journalists" and the latter-day Hollywood screen-writers who have made no attempt at all to portray the truth.

Pat Garrett claims to have known Billy throughout the period known as the "Lincoln County Wars," and having listened to Bonney's reminiscences around campfires and says he has interviewed many persons since Bonney's death. That much would seem to be undisputed.

Bonney was born in 1859, six years after the birth of another Southwestern hardcase, John Wesley Hardin. In fact, they were contemporaries and were raising hell at the same time. Bonney, however, died young at the age of 21, in 1881. Hardin died at the age of 42--twice Billy's age--in 1895. And, if the rumors are true, Hardin probably killed twice as many men. They both started young. Both are reputed to have had fearful tempers. Neither were killed in the face-to-face "quick draw" shootouts so dear to the hearts of Hollywood writers. Instead, both of their executioners used stealth to kill their quarries.

According to Garrett, in Pete Maxwell's darkened bedroom, where he shot Billy to death, Billy was holding a butcher knife in one hand and drawing his double-action Colt "Lightning" revolver ("self-cocker") with the other, while asking in Spanish, "Quien es? Quien es?" ("Who is it? Who is it?") They were, again according to Garrett, at point blank range. The only other witness was Pete Maxwell. There are other versions to the story, including one which insists that Bonney was unarmed except for the knife, which he had used to cut off a chunk of beef from a hanging carcass outside, because he was hungry.

My question is this: it is undisputed that he was holding the knife, and the reason for which he had it. So, where was the beef? It is unlikely that he ate it raw, or stuck it in a pocket. Probably he was holding it in his other hand, intending to cook it. In which case, if he had a revolver tucked in his waistband, he must have had to drop the beef to fetch his revolver.

It is probably of little importance; a Billy Bonney armed with a butcher knife, at close quarters, would still have needed killing. But, did he make the fatal mistake of coming to a gunfight armed only with a knife?

I think that this is an important book, if for no other reason than the relationship that existed between the author and William Bonney. I recommend it. My version is in the hard cover.

Joseph Pierre

Book Description

Published in 1936, The Real Billy the Kid: With New Light on the Lincoln County War, is a landmark biography of the infamous Western outlaw William H. Booney, Jr.--his childhood, encounters with the Apache, entanglement in the murderous Lincoln County War, and his friendship with Sheriff Pat Garnett.

Customer Reviews:

Remembrances from his Friends.......2006-03-26

The Real Billy the Kid, by Miguel Antonio Otero

There have been over 800 literary and cinematic representations of "Billy the Kid" that present varying view from murdering desperado to Robin Hood of the Southwest (Walter Noble Burns). Otero's book is the first from an Hispanic viewpoint (he was Territorial Governor 1892-1906). Otero personally met William Henry Bonney Jr. Most of the fictional representations used Billy as a means to their ends of telling a story. [Most Westerns were written by Easterners to provide entertainment that is more modern than the Song of Roland.] Otero's book contrasts from the Pat Garrett narrative, and is little known. The 'Introduction' displays Rivera's erudition, but "romance" or "tragedy" is best left to the reader.

The Lincoln County War was caused by the commercial rivalry between the Dolan-Murphy faction (allied to the Sante Fe Ring) and the McSween-Tunstall faction. Otero had his reasons for this book, originally published in 1936 (p.xxxv). So to did Garrett and Upson (p.xxxvii). The 'Foreword' uses an unnamed source to claim that "Billy the Kid had no gun". That is unbelievable! Billy was an escaped convict condemned to hang; he would never be without a gun handy, night or day, since his life depended on a gun. Pat Garrett presented Otero with an autographed copy of his book (p.5).

Chapter I tells of Billy's early years. He was often a nice boy, but had a terrible temper and was dangerous when angry. The stories of Billy's early life show his willingness to kill. Billy was also a "first-class gambler" (p.13). Billy gained from other's winnings (p.14). Chapter II tells of his fights with the Apaches. It was the Lincoln County War of 1878 that made Billy's reputation (Chapter III). The Murphy-Dolan company sold cattle to the government, some of it alleged to have come from John Chisum's big ranch (pp.28-29). Otero was a business ally of the Tunstall-McSween Company. One fraudulent scheme involved cattle (pp.31-32). Success went to the faction that was close to the politicians (p.45). Chapters V and VI tell of Billy's criminal activities.

Chapter VII tells of Pat Garrett's ambush of Billy and his gang at Fort Sumner in December 1880. Billy escaped with most of his gang. Chapter VIII has the statements from those who knew Billy and like him. Mrs. Susan Barber, the widow of Alexander McSween, told what happened to her attorney (p.93). Chapter IX has stories from Lincoln, like Hijinio Salazar who survived the attack on the McSween home. Garrett shot people when they were disadvantaged (p.98). George Coe told of his memories, and Frank Coe too (Chapter X). Testimony about Billy's death is in Chapter XI. Martin Chavez tells his memories of Billy and the Lincoln County War (Chapter XII). Billy was one of the kindest ... he was not blood-thirsty (p.126). Billy "never killed a native citizen of New Mexico" (p.129). Otero tells when he met The Kid (Chapter XIII). Garrett and his deputies captured The Kid and his gang, and brought them to the railroad station at Las Vegas. Otero was on the train to Santa Fe and found Billy likable (p.133). Chapter XIV concludes this history by quoting Pat Garrett's story. Chapter XV provides a postscript about the principals of the Lincoln County War. As Governor Otero banned John A. Riley form Santa Fe. [This book provides another view into a minor event that was greatly magnified by writers to provide entertainment and a distraction to the reading public.]

This may be the best book on Billy the Kid.......2005-10-01

Many books have been written about Billy the Kid and his exploits in New Mexico's Lincoln County War. Virtually all of these books, however, have relied on the same basic source of information, that being Pat Garrett's "The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid." Garrett, of course, was the man who killed Billy, and his book was written in part to justify the manner in which he had dispatched the Kid. Sadly, although based partly on the facts as Garrett understood them, his book reads more like a "penny dreadful," than a true biography, casting serious doubts on his book and those which followed.

Fortunately for today's readers, Miguel Otero's book, "The Real Billy the Kid," doesn't trace its roots back to the Garrett book. Even better, it addresses Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War from an entirely new and unique perspective. Consider the following: 1) Otero actually knew Billy the Kid, although only slightly; 2) Unlike Pat Garrett, Miguel Otero had no axe to grind in writing his biography and, therefore, didn't need to embellish the story; 3) Since most of the people living in New Mexico at the time of the Lincoln County War were Mexicans, as is Otero, this book looks at the events of that war from an entirely unbiased point of view and a particularly unique perspective; and 4) In writing this book, the author interviewed those people, still living, who actually knew or were friends with Billy the Kid and who were living in and around Lincoln County at the time of the "war."

This all led to what would appear to be a factual account with a minimum of fluff; Otero simply tells it like it happened. And here are a few other things which struck me about this book and the way it is written: 1) It puts the characters involved in the "war" in proper perspective and in the setting of their times; 2) It provides personal information about some of the participants in the war which I have never seen before; 3) It went on to explain what became of some of those who survived the war. The only disappointment to me about the book was in the way it ended. The author was discussing his interviews with those who knew the Kid, the questions he asked them and their answers. I kept thinking: "Ask this. Ask that." What valuable sources. I would have liked to have known even more. Bottom line - It's a good book and makes interesting reading.

Average customer rating:

Very disappointing, and rather pointless
Billy, the "Phoenix" Kid Rises Again
Let the Dust Fly
A refreshing look at Billy facts and myths
A Welcome Antidote to Snake Oil

Billy the Kid Rides Again
Jay Miller
Manufacturer: Sunstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0865344582

Book Description

In early 2003, three sheriffs set out to prove that Pat Garrett killed Billy the Kid, thereby also proving that Brushy Bill of Hico, Texas was not the real Kid. Along their way, the sheriffs enlisted New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's support and took two communities on a wild ride through court battles to dig up Billy and his mother. Governor Richardson found an attorney willing to work free and provide Billy with a voice. Follow "Billy" as he speaks for himself in court, requesting that he and his mother be dug up to examine the DNA in their dusty remains for evidence that they were related. And follow the small towns of Fort Sumner and Silver City, New Mexico as they fight to retain the integrity of their municipal cemeteries and keep the legend of Billy the Kid from crumbling away. Author Jay Miller followed the strange unfolding of events, digging to find the source of the money that financed an official murder investigation and the court action against two courageous small towns struggling to prevent the exhumations. JAY MILLER grew up in Billy the Kid Country, listening to yarns about Billy, some true, some not. As a syndicated newspaper columnist, Miller has written often about Billy and the Lincoln County War and has used a collection of those columns to weave a riveting story of just what happened when Billy rode again.

Customer Reviews:

Very disappointing, and rather pointless.......2006-03-18

This slim paperback is simply a collection of short newspaper column articles so almost all the short chapters repeat the information from the previous ones, on a 'new readers start here' basis. In fact, if you read the synopsis on the back cover you have the gist, i.e. there was an attempt in 2004 to try and exhume Billy and his mother's bones and attempt a DNA match, 'proving' Billy was the man shot by Garrett (or not), but local residents objected and won the day, leaving their bones in peace. Not a scandal on the scale of Watergate and both sides seemed more concerned about promoting toursim than anything else (nothing wrong with that). I really couldn't see the point of padding that out into a paperback, slim or otherwise..

Billy, the "Phoenix" Kid Rises Again.......2006-01-03

As a teacher of history in West Texas and New Mexico for 32 years, I heartily approve of Jay Miller's thorough approach in researching the recent events in New Mexico regarding "the exhumation trials" of the remains of Billy, the Kid and his mother, Catherine Antrim. The columns that Jay Miller wrote, published and included in book form in Billy The Kid Rides Again are thorough, humorous and savvy, and demonstrate his long years of observing the New Mexico political scene.

Anyone interested in the ongoing saga of Billy, the Kid's various reappearances or especially his most recent reappearance in the news of NM, should definitely read this informative and entertaining account of Billy's latest Phoenix-like rise from the ashes. Again.

Maybe Miller's account of the 3 sherriff's quest to have Billy "pardoned" will finally lay Billy's remains to a well-deserved final rest.

Maybe. Or maybe the next quest will be to ferret out Billy's progeny in NM. :>)

Let the Dust Fly.......2006-01-02

I found Jay Miller's book refreshing, thought-provoking, and most importantly, entertaining. Mr. Miller knows the flavor of New Mexico and shook alot of bones, some buried, and some still rattling. I found the dust flying, and I loved it!

A refreshing look at Billy facts and myths.......2005-12-31

It is a refreshing look at an old legend. The author shares his comprehensive knowledge of New Mexico politics to reveal that the legend of Billy the Kid is as much about the political motivations of Governor Lew Wallace and the presidential ambition of Governor Bill Richardson. It is a must read for those curious about how western mythology is perpetuated and defended.

A Welcome Antidote to Snake Oil .......2005-12-31

To me, one of the most interesting aspects of 19th century Western history is the flim flam man, the con who made his living by foisting fake 'cures' and other swindles upon a credible public eager to sample every new little thing.

I'm always reminded of this snake-oil aspect of western history when I read about another attempt to dig up Billy the Kid's remains from the old cemetery at Fort Sumner. Simply to "disprove" a phony mystery--that Billy the Kid somehow escaped and lived to be an old man--a vocal minority persists in trying to re-write history. Apparently, they don't care that attempts to dig up Billy the Kid have caused great anguish to Fort Sumner residents, who understandably revere their old cemetery, and don't wish to see it become a circus side show.

Jay Miller deserves great credit for writing a series of columns decrying the flim flammery of digging up Billy the Kid. Undeterred by vicious name-calling, Jay persisted in pointing out the real harm in distorting history, and ruining one of the most iconic images of the old West: the gravestone of the West's most famous outlaw. Fortunately, Jay's tough. He's also a hell of a good writer.

I loved his book, and passed it on to friends. I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating:

The book that started the series
awesome
Best Western I have read to date!
This book is Great!
Wonderful New Series!

The Last Gunfighter: The Drifter
William W. Johnstone
Manufacturer: Wheeler Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1587242540

Customer Reviews:

The book that started the series.......2007-09-03

I had read this book some time ago, then went on to the others in the series. However, I found that I could not recall the details of the first tale, so I have just finished it for the second time. And, it is as great a read as the first time! I was reminded of just how prissy and odd Frank's son was, and the details of their first meeting and the days which followed.

I wish, however, that Johnstone had actually brought the men to town who were going to design and drive the ore wagons to the shipping point. One has to just trust that the plan went forward, and maybe even the ore which had been hijacked in previous shipping attempts was located and restored to the mine owners.

All in all, a really great book - if this was my first reading, I know that the next installment would have to be obtained quickly.

I commend this story to anyone who loves great western writing.

awesome.......2004-03-22

the Last Gunfighter: the Drifter, is now my favorite of all western books i have ever read. frank Moragn is straight out of a John wayne movie, heroic,, no-nonsense, quick to the draw,marshall. highly recommended to lovers of a good old fashion western shoot em up yarn. the gun play is non-stop, look forward to reading the rest in te series, the reprisal, the show down,, the rescue..

Best Western I have read to date!.......2000-08-10

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have just finished reading it. Looks like the transition to the next installment is excellent. If you haven't read this book yet, be sure to put it on your reading list very soon. The characters are very well developed and the story is very exciting.

This book is Great!.......2000-03-27

I didn't think I'd read a book to match Ralph Compton's, but this one grabbed me quick. Another outstanding author. A page-turner of a western, and a terrific character in Frank Morgan. This is writing at its best.

Wonderful New Series!.......2000-03-20

Mr. Johnstone has topped his Mountain Man and Blood Bond series. Frank Morgan is a fresh new character and not a "Smoke Jensen" or "Preacher" knockoff. Once again, we see Mr. Johnstone's ability to make history come alive. Can't wait for the next installment coming in August 2000. Mr. Johnstone, please write faster! Thank you for a wonderful read!

Billy The Kid: The Most Hated, The Most Loved Outlaw New Mexico Ever Produced

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Billy The Kid: The Most Hated, The Most Loved Outlaw New Mexico Ever Produced
Mary Hudson Brothers , and Bell Hudson
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1432597671

Average customer rating:

Code of the West
Bob L'Aloge
Manufacturer: Yucca Tree Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0962294098

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