THIS JUST IN . . .
WINTERS’ WAR Rides Again!
I’m pleased to announce the release in ebook format of my 2007 novel, WINTERS’ WAR. Never before released in the US, this novel began its life in hardcover for the Black Horse Western line by the publisher Robert Hale, London, UK, after which it was released in large-print as a softcover. Now revised and expanded — and with stunning new cover art — the new Gritty Press release of WINTERS’ WAR appears as I originally intended it, as the first in a series of accounts about the Winters family, ranchers in the shadows of Wyoming Territory’s Teton Range more than a century ago.
Since WINTERS’ WAR first came out, readers have asked, “What happened next to Jenna and Niall Winters? Will there be more stories about the Winters family?” I’ve provided some of those answers and hinted at others in this newly revised and expanded version of WINTERS’ WAR. This new version establishes it as the beginning of a family saga, not unlike “The Big Valley,” “Bonanza,” Dr. Quinn,” and Louis L’Amour’s Sackett series.
As mentioned in the novel’s new Foreword, not long ago while out West on a research trip I found a trove of old, forgotten documents at the abandoned Winters Family Ranch in Wyoming. They chronicle that family’s long, rich history. And as I continue to explore them, I imagine I’ll be riding shotgun exploring the West with various members of the Winters family as they slide into scrapes, track rustlers, instigate hijinks, love and grieve, find and lose fortunes, and in general, live full lives at and around the Winters Family Ranch. Saddle up, it’s going to be a heck of a ride!
Click here for the Kindle version. (Coming soon in an epub version and a handsome trade paperback version….)
Gold, I Tell Ya … GOLD!
Sourdoughs, Claim Jumpers
& Dry Gulchers
Or more to the point, the pursuit of gold that’s the focus of my newly released non-fiction book, SOURDOUGHS, CLAIM JUMPERS & DRY GULCHERS: Fifty of the Grittiest Moments in the History of Frontier Prospecting (TwoDot; softcover; 6 x 9; 300 pages; 28 historic images; $16.95).
Its official release date was June 5, but I’m a few days late in trumpeting since my wife, Jennifer, and I just returned from a trip out West. We were presenting at the Wyoming Writers conference and then touring that fine state. It wasn’t our first visit to the Cowboy State, but it was one of our favorites–Yellowstone, trail rides, the Tetons, great food, kind people, and history, history, history! But I digress….
My new book, SOURDOUGHS, CLAIM JUMPERS & DRY GULCHERS, is the third in my “Grittiest Moments” series for Globe Pequot Press and its Western history imprint, TwoDot. And if sales of the previous volumes are any indication, this one should find a welcome reception with readers as well. Here’s a blurb about the book:
Sourdoughs, Claim Jumpers & Dry Gulchers offers half-a-hundred tales of hard-bitten sourdoughs, petty bandits, outright outlaws, guilt-free gunmen, and murderous money-grubbers as they scrabbled to gain the lands, foodstuffs, and fortunes of wide-eyed greenhorns, gullible and trusting tenderfoots, and slow-on-the-draw gold panners. These 50 moments are truly gritty, sometimes humorous, often shocking and brutal, and always all-too-true!
I hope you enjoy reading SOURDOUGHS, CLAIM JUMPERS & DRY GULCHERS as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Available now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Powell’s
New Review for Dead Man’s Ranch
The new blog, “Old Western Cowboy,” recently posted a thoughtful review of my novel, Dead Man’s Ranch. Here’s a wee excerpt:
“I recommend this western story written by Matthew P. Mayo for Ralph Compton. He has created a new look at the west through the eyes of an easterner who was raised with all the advantages of the east and none of the common sense of the west. The author continues to grow in prominence in my mind. Check him out at your nearest library or book store.”
And here’s a link to the full review: http://oldwesternboy.com/2012/05/23/book-review-dead-mans-ranch/
Beat to a Pulp: Round 2
I’ve had the distinct honor of co-editing one of the year’s finest collections of short pulpy fiction, Beat to a Pulp: Round 2 (softcover; 6 x 9; 386 pages; $15.95; ebook: $5.99), with my friend and fellow writer, David Cranmer (mastermind behind Beat to a Pulp e-zine and anthologies, the Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles shorts and novels, and many other fine projects).
Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’ll let the back-cover copy for Beat to a Pulp: Round 2 do the talking:
Smoke ’em if you got ’em, then set your jaw and steel your stance, ’cause BEAT to a PULP: Round Two is here! It’s all meat, no filler in this red-raw-and-oozing collection of twenty-nine tales of pure pulp action. You’ll find aliens, gangsters, drifters, mountain men, private dicks, gun molls, loners, misfits, drunks, thugs, booze-hounds, and more, all brawling in the pages of Round Two. And that’s just for starters.
Seething with left-hooks, uppercuts, kidney shots, and gut-punches aplenty, this powerhouse compilation doles out the genres, from hardboiled crime, western, and noir to sci-fi, fantasy, literary, horror, and more.
Round Two covers all-new ground with offerings from a gang of tried-and-true heavyweights and inspired up-and-comers, all savvy purveyors of pulp at the top of their game. Haymakers include a Hemingway pastiche by famed mystery author Bill Pronzini, a stunning Chandler homage by Hard Case Crime kingpin Charles Ardai, a post-war tale with a twist from James Reasoner, a zombie-horror nightmare by Bill Crider, and even more blows to the temple from such hotshots as Glenn Gray, Patricia Abbott, the legendary Vin Packer, and more, more, more!
Feel up to it? Then climb back in the ring. BEAT to a PULP: Round Two is ready to rumble.
Diggin’ Dead Man’s Ranch….
Dead Man's Ranch
Duane Spurlock, over at the Spur & Lock Mercantile, posted a fine, in-depth review of my novel, Dead Man’s Ranch. Among the many flattering and astute things he had to say about it was: “… you’ve got all the ingredients for a western stew muy caliente.” Who can argue with that? Plus, he mentions Wrong Town (Roamer #1)–yee haa!
Here’s a link: http://spurandlock.blogspot.com/2012/05/deads-man-ranch.html
Little Old Me….
I’ve been interviewed at the popular website Western Fiction Review, covering everything from how I began as a writer to what book I’d most like to write a sequel to … and a whole lot more. Mighty flattering! Here’s a link….
http://westernfictionreview.blogspot.com/2012/04/interview-matthew-p-mayo.html
High Praise….
Top-selling Western author Peter Brandvold recently reviewed WRONG TOWN on Amazon and he made my week: “I loved ROAMER: WRONG TOWN, and can’t wait for the next one in the series. This is fiction writing at its best, and some of the best writing you’ll find in the western field. If you’re a fan of well-written westerns, you won’t regret adding this one to your collection, and you’ll have a damn good time doing it.”
Coming from Peter Brandvold, I couldn’t be happier, especially given that Mr. Brandvold is one of my favorite authors. His books are ripping reads populated with real people in real circumstances dealing with life as best they can, sometimes having fun with it, sometimes digging in their heels, loading their guns, and toughing it out. But above all else, his books are well written. Needless to say, his kind praise of my writing is most appreciated (and not a little humbling, too!).
WRONG TOWN = Thumbs-Up!
Top-shelf writer, Larry D. Sweazy, author of the award-winning “Josiah Wolfe, Texas Ranger” series has laid some serious praise on me and my novel WRONG TOWN. I can only blush and thank him–and work to keep the work up to such standards. I’m pleased that folks are enjoying the book so much–and that they can’t wait for future installments in the journeys of Roamer….
Here’s a link to the review: http://larrydsweazy.blogspot.com/2012/03/wrong-town-by-matthew-p-mayo.html
WRONG TOWN in Paperback!
I am pleased to announce that not only is WRONG TOWN (ROAMER #1) now available as an e-book, but Gritty Press has just made it available in a nifty new paperback version as well. For readers who prefer a traditional paper-and-ink experience, this handsome 184-page volume packs all the grit of the e-book, but in an affordable, attractive paperback volume. The stunning cover design wraps around and sports a back cover nearly as arresting as the front–and crammed with info about Roamer’s grim adventure in WRONG TOWN.
Click here to book a trip to WRONG TOWN–available in paperback and as an e-book. (Don’t forget your bear spray….)
Click front cover for large image
Click back cover for large image
Kudos for ROAMER #1: WRONG TOWN
Best-selling author James Reasoner has reviewed my recently rereleased novel, WRONG TOWN (ROAMER #1) and I’m pleased to say he digs it mighty.
Here’s a link: http://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2012/03/wrong-town-matthew-p-mayo.html