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Sidewinders #6

Texas Bloodshed

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The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st Century

With his monumental Mountain Man and Eagles series, William W. Johnstone has become America's most popular Western writer. Now, with J.A. Johnstone, he unleashes the Sidewinders, two honest Texas cowboys with an uncanny knack for lighting wildfires everywhere they go. . .

Home Sweet Deadly Home

If there's anything better than coming home to Texas, it's getting paid to do it. For Scratch Morton and Bo Creel, always on the hunt for funds, the job is taking three vicious criminals from Arkansas to Tyler, Texas for trial. Little do they know that one of the criminals, the one that's a beautiful woman, is the most dangerous of all. Soon the journey home turns into a race for buried treasure, a shoot-out, and another double cross--until Scratch and Bo are making one last mad, bullet-sprayed dash through the land of their birth. . . or the land of their death. . .

328 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

132 people are currently reading
128 people want to read

About the author

J.A. Johnstone

656 books232 followers
J.A. Johnstone learned to write from the master himself, Uncle William W. Johnstone, who began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After-school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western History library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard and learned, later going on to become the co-author of William W. Johnstone’s many bestselling westerns and thrillers. J.A. Johnstone lives on a ranch in Tennessee and more information is at WilliamJohnstone.net

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5 stars
240 (60%)
4 stars
115 (29%)
3 stars
28 (7%)
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10 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
484 reviews111 followers
September 17, 2022
In this instalment our favorite saddle tramps Bo and Scratch find themselves in Arkansas. They are hired as deputies to guard three prisoners through Texas to there trial to be hanged. One of them is a littlle hellcat named Kara. They end up finding the money they had stolen on there way to there trial. This is a very good book and series. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kim.
1,446 reviews
September 14, 2015
couldn't really get into this book I will be taking this book to a resident where I work. he enjoys reading westerns
2,490 reviews46 followers
June 16, 2012
Bo Creel ans Scratch Morton arrived in Fort Smith just in time to help one of Judge Parker's deputies stop an escape attempt by three members of the Gentry gang, one of them a woman named Cara LaChance, the girl friend of the outlaw leader,

Judge Parker calls on them to help the deputy deliver the prisoners to another Federal judge in Texas who had a prior claim. Forty dollars apiece plus miles. He wasn't happy, but as long as they were going to be hung for their crimes...

They knew Gentry would make a try for them somewhere along the way. But that gang wasn't the only danger. The prisoners were vocal everywhere they went about what Gentry would do for them if they were helped to escape. That brought a hillbilly family after them and started a feud when the three lawmen had to kill a couple. The old man was after them as well.

Also, they ran into some Cherokee Lighthorse, tribal policemen, that were pursuing an outlaw Cherokee and are attacked by that bunch.

They already knew that Cara LaChance had a mouth on her and suspected, rightly, that she was the most dangerous of the three outlaws.

The two partners and the deputy soon become embroiled in a race for the hidden loot of the Gentry gang, a raging wildfire all around them, and a last doublecross.

Another winner from the "J.A. Johnstone" that writes this series.
862 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2018
Excellent!

Another great Western by a wonderful author. The tale is well written and edited, interesting and exciting just as all his stories are.
Profile Image for Ryan.
83 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2025
Talk about an exciting book!

Bo and Scratch are two of my favorite characters from the Johnstone line. They’re humorous, courageous and moral, and have a strong bond that fortifies their friendship. Their tales are always loaded with action, too, and this entry is no exception.
In fact, it’s pretty much all action and I loved every page of it.
I won’t even say what it is as to not spoil anything, but there’s a disaster in this book that provided some of the tensest scenes I’ve ever read! Thrilling and fun, to say the least.

Highly recommended.
1,893 reviews8 followers
December 19, 2024
Johnstone is not as good as Louis L'Amour but better than Zane Grey with a more modern approach to the adult western. Not with sex and such but a story with real plots, well developed characters and good writing. He come close to L'Amour in all aspects but after many reads, I just do not think I will follow anymore.
8 reviews
April 17, 2023
Bo and Scratch Triumph Again

I like these characters and the way they get in and out of various "fixes". Fine plot, very descriptive of situations and locations. Look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Darel Krieger.
561 reviews
November 2, 2023
This was a good one from Mr. Johnstone. I liked that it all didn't take place in one small area. The addition of the prairie fire was really interesting. Having a woman as a bad person was welcome also. I give this one 2 thumbs up!
46 reviews
February 2, 2023
great read

Engaging and riveting. It is another of JA Johnstone fabulous reads. I enjoyed the book very much. It kept me entertained to the end
21 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2023
Another good one!!

I have been reading the Johnstone books for several months and find them very entertaining. All good clean stories and am looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Jay Wright.
1,849 reviews5 followers
July 25, 2016
My reading of westerns is diversionary reading. They are like potato chips. I cannot consume just one. This is a good recreational read and for those who like westerns it is good. Will it every be on the classic list? No, but you identify with the characters and there is an interesting evil woman involved.
Profile Image for Tori.
147 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2012
What an incredible book! Each of Johnstone's books gets better - better plot development, better character development - what a great writer! Leaves you hangin' to almost the last paragraph, all ends neatly tied at last, can't get over how masterful a writer he is!
Profile Image for Jeremy.
68 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2012
I had never read any of William Johnstone's writings and I loved it. I don't read many westerns but I can definitely read more of his.
2 reviews
February 17, 2013
I love the Sidewinders series. This is what westerns are all about for me. Reading this book and drinking a cup of coffee is how I love to relax.
Profile Image for Bo Everett.
77 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2022
This is Book#6 of Sidewinders Called Texas Bloodshed by William W Johnstone its is a Easy Read Full of Action. Love All of William W Johnstone Books
532 reviews5 followers
September 21, 2023
A great series

Now that I have fin8shedwith book six I'm looking forward to book seven. Scratch and Bo are great characters and the tales about them are fun reading.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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