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The Cowboy and the Vampire #0
Red Winter
Sheriff Early Hardiman has seen a lot of bad things in his life, but nothing could have prepared him for the first Vampire to visit the Old West. It’s 1890 and winter is closing like a noose around tiny LonePine, Wyoming. When the snows come and the train stops and the passes are buried, there’s only one way to leave LonePine — boots up in a pine box. For Sheriff Hardiman, once one of the fastest guns in the West, it’s another four months of watching over the foolish and the foolhardy and praying for spring. At least he has the lovely Miss Grace, his new wife and former madam of the infamous Pearl, to keep him company. Then a murderer turns up out of the cold and dark. People are being killed and not in the usual way, either — they are dying hard, tortured and drained of their blood. Worse, it appears Miss Grace may be next on their list.
How do you kill someone who just won’t stay dead? It will take more than a steady hand filled with a blazing six shooter if anyone in LonePine lives through the Red Winter.
Fans of "The Cowboy and the Vampire" (Midnight Ink, 2010) know that LonePine will see its share of Vampires in another 120 years. But in 1890, no one had yet imagined the kind of terror Jericho Whistler brings with him to Wyoming when he hunkers down for a long winter of feasting on humans.
A Novella.
Editor: Kathleen McFall
How do you kill someone who just won’t stay dead? It will take more than a steady hand filled with a blazing six shooter if anyone in LonePine lives through the Red Winter.
Fans of "The Cowboy and the Vampire" (Midnight Ink, 2010) know that LonePine will see its share of Vampires in another 120 years. But in 1890, no one had yet imagined the kind of terror Jericho Whistler brings with him to Wyoming when he hunkers down for a long winter of feasting on humans.
A Novella.
Editor: Kathleen McFall
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2011
104 people want to read
About the author
Clark Hays
18 books134 followersI'm an ex-poet, lapsed cowboy and whiskey enthusiast living in Portland, Oregon, with my life-, writing- and backgammon-partner Kathleen McFall.
We've written 13 books together so far.
The most recent is Cake and Eat It, the third book in our Restaurantland series, romance novels set in a funky, fictional Portland restaurant in the 1990s. Kitchen Heat is book one and Poetic Justice is book two.
We also have:
A three-book sci-fi series:
Gates of Mars
Scorched Earth
Mars Adrift
A three-book alt-history series about Bonnie and Clyde:
Resurrection Road
Dam Nation
Radioactive
A four-book award-winning paranormal action/romance series, the Cowboy and Vampire Collection:
A Very Unusual Romance
Blood and Whiskey
Rough Trails and Shallow Graves (named to Kirkus Reviews best indie books of 2014)
The Last Sunset (silver medalist, 2017 Independent Publisher National Book Awards; Indie Reader best books of 2016)
I also wrote Just West of Hell, a collection of Western Gothic short stories which Kathleen, thankfully, edited.
You can learn more about the books, and what it's like to write with the person you love, at https://www.pumpjackpress.com.
Follow along on:
@cowboyvampire (Threads and Instagram)
facebook/cowboyandvampire
We've written 13 books together so far.
The most recent is Cake and Eat It, the third book in our Restaurantland series, romance novels set in a funky, fictional Portland restaurant in the 1990s. Kitchen Heat is book one and Poetic Justice is book two.
We also have:
A three-book sci-fi series:
Gates of Mars
Scorched Earth
Mars Adrift
A three-book alt-history series about Bonnie and Clyde:
Resurrection Road
Dam Nation
Radioactive
A four-book award-winning paranormal action/romance series, the Cowboy and Vampire Collection:
A Very Unusual Romance
Blood and Whiskey
Rough Trails and Shallow Graves (named to Kirkus Reviews best indie books of 2014)
The Last Sunset (silver medalist, 2017 Independent Publisher National Book Awards; Indie Reader best books of 2016)
I also wrote Just West of Hell, a collection of Western Gothic short stories which Kathleen, thankfully, edited.
You can learn more about the books, and what it's like to write with the person you love, at https://www.pumpjackpress.com.
Follow along on:
@cowboyvampire (Threads and Instagram)
facebook/cowboyandvampire
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 11, 2011
Yes! A country western Vampire story! I live in the south so this caught my attention right away and I’m glad it did. Red Winter is a pre quell novella to The Cowboy and the Vampire which I have yet to read but want too a.s.a.p. The author has crafted this book in a way that it will resonate with old western and vampire lovers alike. With just the right amount of southern slang and western detail the book feels authentic to the time. Topped off with horses, guns, saloons, detailed gore, and a little romance you really can’t go wrong by choosing this book. I found myself loving the witty dialog between the characters and even laughed out loud at some spots. One problem I see with short books (novellas) is spacing the action at just the right time so that the climax isn’t right at the end, but Red Winter flows beautifully and kept me interested the whole time. A great quick read that leaves you ready for the next book!
http://shadowkissedcassie.blogspot.co...
http://shadowkissedcassie.blogspot.co...
June 10, 2015
Kind of like a prequel to the Cowboy&Vampire series, Red Winter tells the story of the presumably first vampire encounter in Lone Pine, Wyoming. One harsh winter, when Lone Pine is cut off again by the snow, a series of gruesome murders take place. When a stranger appears out of nowhere, sheriff Early Hardiman soon has a guess as to who may be the murderer...
This short story is very straightforward with a good measure of bloodshed and only a little romance, while it does not waste any time with any sidelines. While I would have liked to know more of the origins and motives of the vampire, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this little appetizer. I can well imagine more stories about these older days of Lone Pine and especially the history of the vampires, to support and explain the world Tucker and Lizzie live in. So no surprise this gets another five star rating from me ;) Ready and waiting for more!
This short story is very straightforward with a good measure of bloodshed and only a little romance, while it does not waste any time with any sidelines. While I would have liked to know more of the origins and motives of the vampire, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this little appetizer. I can well imagine more stories about these older days of Lone Pine and especially the history of the vampires, to support and explain the world Tucker and Lizzie live in. So no surprise this gets another five star rating from me ;) Ready and waiting for more!
November 14, 2011
Red Winter is an eBook novella set in the universe and time period of the first published novel of writers duo Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays: The Cowboy and The Vampire. It’s perfectly readable as a stand-alone book as well, the way I did it. I’m planning on reading The Cowboy and The Vampire as well, because I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, but time issues are currently holding me back. Anyway, let’s get going with the review!
At roughly 30 pages, Red Winter is a fast read, but it’s definitely not an easy read. The authors have a large vocabulary at their disposal, and they’re not afraid to use complicated words when necessary. Also, they have mastered that typical western-language perfectly and it shows in this novella. You feel like you’re thrown right back to the time of cowboys, Billy the Kid, Lucky Luke and who ever else wanders around in that era. They catch the vibe of the era so perfectly that I felt ready to go find my rifle and kill some vampires.
I can’t give you much background story without giving away the entire plot, but I’ll give it a shot. We meet Sheriff Early who is asked to go take a look at a dead body. Now, dead bodies are pretty common in the far west, but this one looks particularly gruesome. Back at home with his wife Grace, Early meets a stranger named Jericho Whistler. They play a game of cards until Early is told there has been another murder. This time a hooker was slaughtered in her bedroom, the corpse so heavily mutilated even Early has trouble not spilling the contents of his stomach. The town’s people are certain now: there is a murderer in their midst. All strangers are suspects, and Early gets an especially eerie feeling from Jericho Whistler. Then Jericho attacks Grade, Early’s wife…
Since it’s a short book this review will be pretty short as well. I liked the characters. Sheriff Early was like this typical western hero and Jericho was an excellent villain with no remorse whatsoever. There isn’t much character development, which is common in a book this size. The book is mostly plot-driven as well, and I liked the plot. There were definitily some unexpected twists and turns that had me gasping in awe. The writing is superb as well.
If you like vampires, you should try out Red Winter. It’s a short but eerie and gruesome story that fits right into the horror category. Gone are the silly sparkly vampires, back is the vampire who scares even the bravest souls. I will certainly read The Cowboy and The Vampire after reading this eBook novella. My only complaint? I wanted to read more about this, so I would’ve liked Red Winter to be longer! In any case, definitely recommended for everyone who likes vampires the way they should be – cruel, vicious, mean and deadly.
At roughly 30 pages, Red Winter is a fast read, but it’s definitely not an easy read. The authors have a large vocabulary at their disposal, and they’re not afraid to use complicated words when necessary. Also, they have mastered that typical western-language perfectly and it shows in this novella. You feel like you’re thrown right back to the time of cowboys, Billy the Kid, Lucky Luke and who ever else wanders around in that era. They catch the vibe of the era so perfectly that I felt ready to go find my rifle and kill some vampires.
I can’t give you much background story without giving away the entire plot, but I’ll give it a shot. We meet Sheriff Early who is asked to go take a look at a dead body. Now, dead bodies are pretty common in the far west, but this one looks particularly gruesome. Back at home with his wife Grace, Early meets a stranger named Jericho Whistler. They play a game of cards until Early is told there has been another murder. This time a hooker was slaughtered in her bedroom, the corpse so heavily mutilated even Early has trouble not spilling the contents of his stomach. The town’s people are certain now: there is a murderer in their midst. All strangers are suspects, and Early gets an especially eerie feeling from Jericho Whistler. Then Jericho attacks Grade, Early’s wife…
Since it’s a short book this review will be pretty short as well. I liked the characters. Sheriff Early was like this typical western hero and Jericho was an excellent villain with no remorse whatsoever. There isn’t much character development, which is common in a book this size. The book is mostly plot-driven as well, and I liked the plot. There were definitily some unexpected twists and turns that had me gasping in awe. The writing is superb as well.
If you like vampires, you should try out Red Winter. It’s a short but eerie and gruesome story that fits right into the horror category. Gone are the silly sparkly vampires, back is the vampire who scares even the bravest souls. I will certainly read The Cowboy and The Vampire after reading this eBook novella. My only complaint? I wanted to read more about this, so I would’ve liked Red Winter to be longer! In any case, definitely recommended for everyone who likes vampires the way they should be – cruel, vicious, mean and deadly.
November 4, 2011
1890. LonePine is a small town closing in for the winter… Sheriff Hardiman is taken to see the body of miner, the savage death with no clue of who could have done it. It doesn’t take long before a whore is found dead in her bed and Hardiman focuses his attention to the new man in town, Mr. Whisper, a man who doesn’t fit in. But there is more to Whisper than death, something no one ever saw coming.
This story was the first horror I’ve read in a long time and I now recall why I use to like reading a lot of them. Red Winter starts eerily and continues all the way to end with the reader engaged and wondering what will happen and fearing what creeps out of the shadows.
Hardiman is a great character, he’s rough and rugged, has a sweet spot for his wife and good head on his shoulders, which makes seeing the world through his eyes a pleasure.
Red Winter is written in a way that makes you feel like you know the town already, which lets you slip into the story so easily, which makes the eeriness of the story really sink in good!
You’ll love this if you like thrills, chills, and the “oh don’t do that!” I skipped off my normal romance genre trail, but this novella was well worth it! After all my second love is westerns, so I’m pleased. ;)
This story was the first horror I’ve read in a long time and I now recall why I use to like reading a lot of them. Red Winter starts eerily and continues all the way to end with the reader engaged and wondering what will happen and fearing what creeps out of the shadows.
Hardiman is a great character, he’s rough and rugged, has a sweet spot for his wife and good head on his shoulders, which makes seeing the world through his eyes a pleasure.
Red Winter is written in a way that makes you feel like you know the town already, which lets you slip into the story so easily, which makes the eeriness of the story really sink in good!
You’ll love this if you like thrills, chills, and the “oh don’t do that!” I skipped off my normal romance genre trail, but this novella was well worth it! After all my second love is westerns, so I’m pleased. ;)
November 14, 2011
Red Winter is a nice little cozy read with a bite. After reading The Cowboy and the Vampire last winter I had been dying for some more paranormal western action.
Red Winter takes place in Lone Pine, WY- the same town Tucker is from in Cowboy and Vampire. It's set back in the wild wild west of the 1800's. As winter sets in a visitor arrives in town leaving a bloody trail in his wake.
The town sheriff, Early, (awesome name) has his hands full as he tries to put an end to the blood-bath and kill the SOB causing the mayhem.
My favorite character is Joe, the crazy wolfer who says "That sumbitch won't die."
At first when I read the ending I thought it seemed a bit anticlimactic after all the built tension. But after second thought, I realized it was quite fitting and an excellent way to finish the story, because now we have the possibility for more tales to come from Lone Pine. Which, by-the-way, I'm all for.
I give it 4 stars, because damn it the story ended too soon and I wanted more crazy Joe.
Red Winter takes place in Lone Pine, WY- the same town Tucker is from in Cowboy and Vampire. It's set back in the wild wild west of the 1800's. As winter sets in a visitor arrives in town leaving a bloody trail in his wake.
The town sheriff, Early, (awesome name) has his hands full as he tries to put an end to the blood-bath and kill the SOB causing the mayhem.
My favorite character is Joe, the crazy wolfer who says "That sumbitch won't die."
At first when I read the ending I thought it seemed a bit anticlimactic after all the built tension. But after second thought, I realized it was quite fitting and an excellent way to finish the story, because now we have the possibility for more tales to come from Lone Pine. Which, by-the-way, I'm all for.
I give it 4 stars, because damn it the story ended too soon and I wanted more crazy Joe.
February 5, 2013
This is my first experience with The Cowboy and the Vampire series. I have been meaning to read it for ages and this was the perfect start, my interest has been well and truly kindled.
Red Winter is about the town LonePine in Wyoming in year 1890. The towns sherrif Early, my only complaint is that Early is a confusing name, is investigating a suspicious murder at the start which soon turns into more gruceme deaths. A strange figure Jericho Whistler comes into the town and Early starts to suspect him, after all Mr Whistler isn’t what he seems at all.
Red Winter is very well written and has definitely sparked my interest in the full Cowboy and the Vampire series. I am keen to learn if the characters that have been introduced in Red Winter will be revisited in the series.
The only downfall I found with Red Winter was the fact that I found Early a confusing name, I’m sure however that I probably didn’t pronounce it correctly.
I give Red Winter 4/5.
Red Winter is about the town LonePine in Wyoming in year 1890. The towns sherrif Early, my only complaint is that Early is a confusing name, is investigating a suspicious murder at the start which soon turns into more gruceme deaths. A strange figure Jericho Whistler comes into the town and Early starts to suspect him, after all Mr Whistler isn’t what he seems at all.
Red Winter is very well written and has definitely sparked my interest in the full Cowboy and the Vampire series. I am keen to learn if the characters that have been introduced in Red Winter will be revisited in the series.
The only downfall I found with Red Winter was the fact that I found Early a confusing name, I’m sure however that I probably didn’t pronounce it correctly.
I give Red Winter 4/5.
October 25, 2011
This is a well written short story that takes place in a small old west town in 1890. The author’s descriptive words allow you to easily visualize the town and the people that populate it. You are going to like Sheriff Early Hardiman; you just know he’s seen it all, yet he’s faced with another challenge that could very well be his last. Something evil has come to LonePine and is leaving bloody, mutilated bodies in its wake. As the tension escalates the sheriff worries about how he can defeat this evil and save the townspeople. I enjoyed Red Winter; it’s a quick read that leads you to an unexpected ending. I’d recommend!
November 24, 2011
I was delighted to find this short by Clark Hays. I loved The Cowboy & the Vampire, and I've looked occasionally to see if the author had published anything else but never found anything.
I may be biased toward this because I enjoyed C&V so much, but one seldom sees vampire stories outside of certain contexts, so setting a vampire story in the old West makes this short story feel unique and more original than most. It also makes it hard to categorize. Let's see . . . Not a quite a romance, not quite a classical western, not traditional horror, but The characters are well drawn and the writing is good, and I'm delighted that there will be a sequel to C&V next year.
I may be biased toward this because I enjoyed C&V so much, but one seldom sees vampire stories outside of certain contexts, so setting a vampire story in the old West makes this short story feel unique and more original than most. It also makes it hard to categorize. Let's see . . . Not a quite a romance, not quite a classical western, not traditional horror, but The characters are well drawn and the writing is good, and I'm delighted that there will be a sequel to C&V next year.
March 11, 2012
Red Winter is a captivating concept, well-written, and quite interesting. I absolutely cannot wait to pickup (or download) a copy of The Cowboy and the Vampire. I have every reason to believe it will be just as good. Then this spring/summer Blood and Whiskey is due out; another book I will definitely want to read. Clark Hays has rocketed to the top of my list of favorite authors! And I reckon he'll be a-settin' there a spell...!
March 31, 2015
I loved this short story. Short though it was, it fully kept my attention from the first page to the last. Only thing that could have made it better would to have been even longer. Maybe the author will consider rewriting it in future and adding to it. Would really like to read more about Early and Grace as they were very interesting characters. Aside from that, nothing more I could ask for. Two of my favorite loves in one story is always good for me: Cowboys and vampires.
January 14, 2012
In honor of the snow we received overnight, I wanted to read a book with a winter setting. This short story was perfect - I hate winter and the snow, so what would be worse than being snowed in while a hungry vampire slowly picked off your neighbors? Quick, suspenseful read, perfect for a chilly Saturday morning.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
August 9, 2014
Interesting novella, about the Wild West with a dark visitor determined to end a town and a quick draw sheriff who will serve and protect under any circumstance.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews