Bøger af Ralph Cotton

At Cold Devil, Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack and Federal Marshal Pete Summers apprehend two wanted men-one of whom has posted a ten-thousand-dollar bounty on the lawmen's heads. When Sam is dry gulched and Pete is wounded, a pretty young gypsy and her family nurse the lawmen back to health. Then Sam sets out to recapture his prisoners-and make the town of Cold Devil hotter than hell. The ranger stepped inside the door, his big Colt in hand, his eyes making a quick sweep across the room. "I'm acting Federal Marshal Sam Burrack," he said, loud enough to be heard, but in a calm even voice. "I'm arresting Jack Spain for participating in a stagecoach robbery in Arizona Territory last fall." He paused, his thumb across the hammer of his Colt, ready to cock it. "And I'm U.S. Marshal Pete Summers," said a voice. From against the bar, a young man stepped back to the middle of the floor, swinging a sawed-off shotgun up from under his long riding duster. Looking straight at Ned Rose, Summers asked, "Does everybody understand us?"

When a fellow lawman falls ill, Sam Burrack-better known as the Ranger-agrees to take the reins of the territory's infamous jail wagon. Driving straight across the territory, the Ranger must keep tabs on a motley group of prisoners, including the younger brother of JC McLawry, leader of the dreaded Blue Star Tattoo Gang.McLawry's gang will stop at nothing to free one of their own. And riding among them is Lawrence Shaw, known as the fastest gun alive, whose isolated existence in the desert has affected his mind -but not his trigger finger . . . .

Lawrence Shaw is the fastest gun alive. But since the death of his beloved Rosa, his shots have come out of a bottle. He gets a second chance at life when he starts working for a widow rancher. Unfortunately, the Barrows Brothers Gang has other plans--and they involve stolen horses and spilled blood. Fast Larry, with Cray Dawson and his partner, Jedson Caldwell-no slouches themselves with .45 Colts-go after the Barrows and light up both sides of the Rio Grande. Great Old West Adventure!

Adventure, action and dark humor galore, delivered Ralph Cotton style, in his fictional take on the real-life DEA - FBI joint Operation Swordfish, a covert effort launched by the two agencies in the early 1980s. Meet Eddie Vango-Chicago gambling debt collector for the Outfit, the lovely Leslie Wright and ex-con Delbert Moss as they make their way through the ranks of South Florida Drug Lords and take a giant share of the underworld's operating capital while the drug world is busy 'replacing' its leadership.Previews of the first two Gun Culture Crime novels, Friend of a Friend and Season of the Wind, follow Blowback: Treasure Coast.

Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack must find Texas Bob Krey, a gambler on the run from a murder charge who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, before bounty hunters and hired guns do. Territorial Judge Bass put up the bounty, since it was his brother who was killed, although he was killed in self-defense. Complicating matters, Sheriff's Deputy Price offered his own 'reward, ' paid in advance, for Krey's head, because Price was on the losing end of a love triangle-of sorts. Great characters and sub-plots in "Killing Texas Bob." Ralph thanks you for purchasing one of his Western Classics. Ralph Cotton Western Classics are books that have been around for a while and proven themselves to be top rate entertainment for Adults and Young Adults alike. Your online reviews of Ralph's work are always welcome, and helpful in introducing new readers to his work, worldwide. In the back of this book, you will find a preview of the highly acclaimed Western Classic, Montana Red, first book of this Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack (Big Iron) Series, and Season of the Wind, Book II in the Florida crime series, Gun Culture.

The first thing of interest Cray Dawson saw upon riding into Crabtown, Montana, on his way to stake his claim in Black's Cut, was a sign outside the barber shop, with a long line of miners, townsfolk, business people and saddle tramps strung along the boardwalk waiting their turn to view Lawrence Shaw in his coffin. FAST LARRY SHAWL DEAD IN HIS COFFIN, 50 CENTS While He Lasts... (below it in pencil) Ralph thanks you for purchasing one of his Western Classics. Ralph Cotton Western Classics are books that have been around for a while and proven themselves to be top rate entertainment for Adults and Young Adults alike. Your online reviews of Ralph's work are always welcome, and helpful in introducing new readers to his work, worldwide. In the back of this book you will find previews of two more highly acclaimed Western Classics: Killing Texas Bob, soon to be re-released, and Hangman's Choice, Book 1 in a trilogy already released and available in your favorite bookstore or by order online. As always Ralph welcomes communication from his readers at: www. ralphcotton.com

Lawless Justice. . . In the town of Bannet, Doss Edding, son of a wealthy land baron, led the cold-blooded Half Moon Gang on a spree of theft and murder that should have put him behind bars for the rest of his life. But the corrupt local law has set the accused man free to wreak more havoc. Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack is determined to put the desperadoes six feet under, but to do so, he must outfox the hired gun Doss's father set on his trail. With a price on his head and powerful men protecting his prey, Burrack will need all his skill and determination to see that even in a lawless world, justice is done.

Civil War veteran and former schoolmaster Sherman Dahl first appeared in Webb's Posse (a Penguin book by Ralph Cotton) when a gang of marauding guerrilla riders sacked his town and burned his school. Dahl helped hunt them down and made them pay with their blood. Now Dahl has made a name for himself riding the Old West as a bounty hunter, a gun for hire when his special killing skills are needed. Known far and wide by outlaws and good people alike as The Teacher, mild-mannered Dahl is relentless in his pursuit of the lawless.

Arriving in the town of Redemption to investigate the murder of a sheriff-a crime for which an innocent man has been accused, Ranger Sam Burrack, in his quest to seek justice, must end the Rio Sagrado Gang's reign of terror over the town once and for all.This is the 11th book in this exciting Big Iron western series, featuring Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack and an always entertaining stock of characters -good, bad, and downright poisonous.Also included in this edition are the first two chapters of Ralph's latest "Gun Culture Crime Novel" series, "Blowback: Treasure Coast" - available in the fall of 2020!

She moved her sights over to the parson, then to Evans, then to Muller. They fit the description Reese had given her before he died. These were the ones; if by some fluke they weren't her attackers, her father's killers, too bad, she thought. If that was the case, they had simply picked the wrong day to come calling. Her sights homed onto Muller, the one farthest away, the one most likely to get atop his horse and make a run for it. She rested the sights there and waited, breathing slowly, calmly. Strange, she thought, how not long ago she had looked for the slightest reason not to kill these men, these men who had violated her, who had taken her father's life, and in that sense destroyed hers. But that had changed. Now, if they fit the description, or matched the names, or came close to doing either, she wanted them dead. The killing had begun. The quicker they were dead, the sooner she could live in a home of her own-something she'd never had. And more than that, she could hold her head up and live there in peace, like regular, everyday folks-something she'd never known. A tear glistened in her eye, but there was no time to wipe it away. She wouldn't let it affect her aim.

Federal Deputy Sullivan Hart arrived too late to rescue his father. But the elder Hart managed to identify his killers before his death -by scrawling the phrase "Los Pistoleros" in his own blood. Since the end of the Civil War, this outlaw gang has been involved in everything from cattle rustling to running guns -without getting caught. Sullivan Hart aims to end that lucky streak. But Sullivan Hart isn't the only man on the hunt. Quick Charlie Sims, gambler and con man, has his own debt to settle with Los Pistoleros. And he's got to do it without letting lawmen like Sullivan Hart get involved. Because Charlie Sims is a wanted man, too....

First time on E-Readers and in Handsome 5x8 Trade Paper. Dick Lowry and his gang think robbing banks is their natural right. It has never occurred to them that Ranger Sam Burrack might thwart them, especially in a one-horse town like Olsen. It's only when the gun smoke clears that the hardcases realize the money's still in the bank vault-and they're behind bars. But Burrack never counted on a certain local vixen with a talent for larceny.... Ralph thanks you for purchasing one of his Western Classics. Ralph Cotton Western Classics are books that have been around for a while and proven themselves to be top rate entertainment for Adults and Young Adults alike. Your online reviews of Ralph's work are always welcome, and helpful in introducing new readers to his work, worldwide. In the back of this book you will find a preview of the highly acclaimed Western Classic, "Blood Rock," sixth book of this Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack (Big Iron) Series, and "Jackpot Ridge," stand-alone western adventure novel.

Turnbaugh gave a dark chuckle. ''You lawdogs and your badges, '' he said, ''you're worse than priests with their crosses.'' He shook his head. ''I never could understand why a little ornament like that makes such a difference to yas.'' ''I don't expect you would, '' said Sam. He paused, took a breath and gave another glance at either end of the bar. Here goes, he said to himself, hoping he'd given Maria enough time to get into position near the empty window frame to back him up. But there was no time to wonder about it now. ''I'm taking you to Fort Smith, Turnbaugh, '' he said. Turnbaugh gave another dark chuckle. ''Are you now?'' he said in a cocky tone, as if it were all a joke. "Care to hear some numbers on how many two-bit lawmen like you has tried that same thing?'' ''The numbers don't matter, '' said Sam, barely shaking his head.

BRAND NEW: FIRST TIME PUBLISHED: The Ranger Sams Burrack book readers have been waiting for. The winner of every battle under the blazing desert sun, is ultimately the sun itself. Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack is in pursuit of Max Carver, the Gentleman Bandit, leader of the infamous Wild Bunch, who has recently graduated from robbery to murder. Crossing the border into Mexico, Sam's orders are to get Carver without involving himself with Mexican Federales or other law enforcement. Easier said than done? You bet ....

As the ranger's eyes searched, his hands deftly opened the Colt, dropped the one empty cartridge to the dirt, replaced it and snapped the chamber shut. He slipped the Colt into his tied-down holster, but loosely, knowing that he might suddenly require its use again. Some parts of hell even the devil didn't travel alone, he told himself. His gaze moved warily outward, through the raging swirl of white heat surrounding the town, out across the harsh Mexican badlands. After a moment he took the folded piece of paper from inside his riding duster and opened it as he kept an eye on the empty dusty street. From between two adobe buildings a skinny hound slunk out through the dust, picked up something from the dirt and raced away with it. "Dallas Fadden, you're marked off," the ranger murmured to himself under his breath. He looked at the list of names on the paper-thieves, rapists, arsonists, assassins, wanton murderers, degenerates all-the worst of the worst, his captain had proclaimed them. With a pencil stub that he pulled from under the brim of his pearl-gray sombrero, he drew a straight line through Fadden's name. On the ground at his feet, Fadden lay at the end of a long streak of bloody dirt where his trail of lawlessness had ended. A bullet hole gaped in the center of his back. The thumb of his right hand had been clipped off by the same single bullet before it bored through his heart. Seeing the bloody stub, Sam looked off in the direction the skinny hound had taken, and realized what had caused the animal to venture out before the smoke and dust had even settled. Sam folded the paper and put it away.

Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack is on the trail of a gang of Yuma jailbreakers led by the blood-thirsty Suela Soto, and he's leaving a trail of death and destruction. The pursuit will bring Sam up against one of the most infamous criminal gangs ever to pull a heist in the West-the Hole in the Wall Gang. From the book: "What do you mean? Why do you want him? He is an old man. He's harmless. He is no threat to you," the priest pleaded. But as he spoke, Soto shifted his gun to his other hand, took off his glove and held his right palm out for the priest to see. "Do you recognize this?" he asked, showing a tattoo that circled his palm. The priest almost gasped aloud. He shook his head and quickly made the sign of the cross. "You-you are one of them?" the priest asked, nodding at the tattoo, his face growing even more troubled and ashen than before. "One of el diablo's-" He caught himself about to speak in Spanish and stopped short. "One of the devil's own!"

In "Killing Plain," Ralph Cotton displays the striking combination of gritty authenticity and lyrical beauty that has earned widespread critical acclaim.Ranger Sam Burrack has never had a partner before, but Hadley Jones has more than proven his mettle, and Burrack can tell they're cut from the same cloth. But two lawmen might not be enough to stop Lonzo Greer and his Black Moon gang as they blaze a bloody trail of murder and destruction across Arizona Territory. Even worse, the cutthroats have a personal vendetta against the rangers for killing one of their own. If the straight-shooting peace officers aren't careful, they might end up as vulture bait under the hot desert sun.

In a hail of thunder and gunfire, Jeston Nash fled a New Orleans billiards hall with a land deed in one hand, a blazing pistol in the other. He'd won his gamble with Quick Quintan Cordell fair and square. But in seconds, violence flared, Cordell lay dead, and Sheriff Pat Garret's promise still rang in Nash's ears ... somewhere, someday, they would meet again .... Jeston Nash learned about robbery from his cousin, Jesse James. But it was the wild outlaw Billy the Kid who taught him that even a wanted man is just a man. Nash catches up with the Kid in a dusty town of drunken bottle-shooters. Along with a scraggly band of gamblers and gunslingers, they ride for New Mexico, where, for Billy the Kid, freedom lies just beyond the border. For Nash, the enchanted land holds the chance to exchange his hard-won land deed for the beautiful and seductive Contessa Cortez. But their dreams turn to dust in the face of revolutionists, scalp hunters, and the deadliest threat of all-the determined Sheriff Pat Garret, who plans to take Nash down with the Kid, all in the name of justice.

After leaving Elk Horn with his hard-earned poker winnings, Jack Bell, a legendary gunslinger, soon finds his life in grave danger when his opponent, Early Philpot, sends his ruthless gang of thugs after Jack to retrieve his money, but Jack has a special surprise in store for Early and his men. Ralph thanks you for purchasing one of his Western Classics. Ralph Cotton Western Classics are books that have been around for a while and proven themselves to be top rate entertainment for Adults and Young Adults alike. Your online reviews of Ralph's work are always welcome, and helpful in introducing new readers to his work, worldwide. In the back of this book you will find a preview of the highly acclaimed Western Classic, "Powder River," 2nd book in the Life and Times of Jeston Nash Series, and "Trouble Creek," 15th book in the Ranger Sam Burrack - Big Iron Series. Both books are available in your favorite bookstore or by order online.

In this large 5" X 8" Trade Paper Collector's Edition of Powder River, outlaw Jeston Nash -the look-alike cousin of Jesse James and horse-man for the infamous James-Younger Gang- and his partner, Quiet Jack Smith, find themselves entangled in the onrush of historical events leading up to the Powder River Indian War. Attracted by rumors and the profits of war, a strange assortment of characters -outlaws, loose women, lawmen, bounty hunters, preachers, and Washington attachés- lay in wait like vultures to pick the bones of the mighty Sioux Nation as it reels on the verge of extinction. In Old West Tradition, Powder River is a richly woven earth colored tapestry that brings together the best and worst of our Western Heritage.

The Ranger Lives for the Hunt.The Outlaw Lives for the Killing.Now They Are About to Come Face to Face at Last.Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack is a man of courage with a lightning-quick draw. His goal is swift justice, and his aim is as sure as death. With a .58 caliber rifle behind his saddle and a list of outlaws next to his heart, he tracks his prey relentlessly, alone, and to the bitter end.No one under the badlands sun would put the Ranger's skills to the test like Montana Red Hollis, a man more brutal than any beast and more cunning than any desperado the Ranger has ever hunted. No one is safe from the wrath of Montana Red and, until the Ranger took up the search, no one was brave enough to stop him. Now, on the high badlands where the fastest gun rules and only the strongest survive, a bloodthirsty killer is about to meet his match.From master storyteller Ralph Cotton comes an extraordinary story about lawmen and the lawless-and of gun justice in the rugged American West.

Lawrence Shaw, aka Fast Larry, aka the Fastest Gun Alive, in this 4th book in the Gunman's Reputation series, appears to have given up. . . . but not just yet. First, he will take Rita Vargas to Willow Creek in search of William Bonney, the infamous Billy the Kid, who, unbeknownst to the Kid, is the father of her unborn child. On Shaw's trail are gunmen hell-bent to leave him dead on the ground, not realizing that having people out to kill him might be the only thing that keeps "Fast Larry" alive. Lawrence Shaw had heard the thunder of horses' hooves from the north trail long before the five riders slid the animals to a halt out front of the plank shack. He'd heard them stop suddenly, fifty yards away, and he'd pictured the riders sitting there discussing him in the pale purple darkness, deciding the best way to kill him. After a moment he'd heard the horses come forward again, this time slower, with stealth and deliberation. 'Oh, yes, they mean to kill me, ' Shaw told himself . . . . He did none of the things a man might do under such dire circumstances. Shaw had lost interest in such matters of life and death. They would arrive to kill him, but he would kill them instead. It was that simple. The matter deserved no deeper thought.

The Widow For the past eight years the folks of Little Aces, New Mexico, have known Emma Vertrees as the wife of their now recently murdered sheriff. But Emma has more in common with the wrong side of the law than her neighbors could possibly imagine. The Fugitive A member of the notorious Hole-in-the-wall Gang, Memphis Warren Beck is on the run from railroad detectives. When fate reunites him with a woman he never expected to see again, Beck risks his freedom-and his life-for a second chance with her. The Lawman Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack is passing through what he thinks is a peaceful town. But the secrets and lies that have caught up to Emma and Beck bring violence in their wake, leaving only Burrack to dispense justice.

Along the road to Paradise . . . "We can sympathize with a man being short on cash, times being such as they are." He eyed Ellis's horse and said, "We just lost our pack mule two days ago. I always say, a good riding animal is just as good as legal tender when a man finds himself in a spot." "Funny, I always say that myself," said Ellis, his hat against his chest. His smile remained as he continued to stand in silence, leaving the man unsure of what to say or do next. Finally the man cleared his throat and said, "So, if you have no cash, we'll be obliged to take the animal off your hands." "There he stands," said Ellis, giving a nod toward the big bay. "Take him whenever you're ready." But in spite of his invitation, the riders made no move forward. Studying the resolve in Ellis's cold gray eyes, the bearded man said, as if it had just dawned on him, "You've got a gun cocked behind that hat, don't you?" "You can count on it," said Ellis, his smile still showing beneath his broad dark mustache.

A KILLER STORM In the dark of night during a raging storm, a criminal is on the loose in the Arizona badlands. His name is Wilson Orez. Half-Apache and a former cavalry scout, Orez is skilled with weapons, seasoned in the desert, and trained to keep a cool head while death lurks all around him. Or when it springs from his own hands. Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack knows the only way to stop Orez is to kill him. But the madman has robbed a stagecoach, driven away its horses, and brutally pistol-whipped one of its passengers, leaving four unfortunate souls stranded in a desert on the verge of flooding. Now Sam must lead them to safety before he can continue his hunt for Orez—if he doesn't drown first.More Than 2.5 Million Ralph Cotton Books in Print

HOLY HELL Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack has encountered many a relentless outlaw in his days as a lawman, but none quite like Fannin "Dad" Orwick. The devout leader of the Redemption Riders, Orwick robs and kills to support his ever-expanding family of young wives and children, all in the name of the Lord. After the Ranger learns that Orwick is moving his harem of wives to a compound deep in the Mexican badlands, he heads south-and meets an unlikely ally in a stalwart woman named Mattie. Once married to Orwick, Mattie has her own dangerous plans for her bloody-minded ex. But neither Sam nor Mattie can know just how far Orwick is about to go for God and family…