Sorrel Moon

by Cotton Smith

" Ethan Kerry, blinded by a wild horse, continues to run his growing Texas ranch--with the help of his two brothers, Cole and Luther, and his strong wife, Claire. Notorious outlaw Glory Van Camp, posing as a fake Uvalde minister, and his brother, appearing to be a town bum, have their sights set on taking control of the massive Bar K. They are joined by their evil stepfather, Heredith Tiorgs, and stepsister, Jinette Six, and recruited gunmen. Their first target is Cole Kerry, the youngest brother and a gunfighter of note. As interim town marshal, Cole Kerry is shot down in a town crossfire and nearly dead, but is saved by two friends, an Irishman and a Chinaman. Unknown to anyone outside of the family, Ethan has regained his sight as the torn nerve endings in his eyes healed. The old courageous leader returns and leads his men in a smart counterattack. He figures out who is really behind the effort and has the fake minister arrested. The town is in an uproar until Ethan proves who he really is. Jinette Six surprises everyone and escapes with Glory Van Camp and her father. Ethan takes Cole's big sorrel, the horse that blinded him, to go after them alone"--

313 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2012

About the author

Cotton Smith was born in Kansas City, Missouri; some would say a century later than he should have. He grew up enjoying both adjoining states, Kansas and Missouri, living mostly in Kansas. His ancestors fought in the Civil War, mostly for the South, as regulars and guerillas. As a young man, he learned to ride horses from a grizzled wrangler he remembers fondly. He also learned how to roll a cigarette then, too! "Looking back on it, he taught me the right ways around a horse -- and he taught me some other things too. Like swinging into the saddle with the horse loping. And springing up from the rear, like the movie stars did. Never occurred to me then that I could get hurt. Guess no young person ever does."

Early in life, he was also exposed to the ways of the Plains Indian, to their sacred ceremonies, customs and traditions. His appreciation for their spiritual connection to the land and all that occupied it was heightened by involvement with Indian friends and backed by extensive research. Both touched him deeply and can be readily seen in his caring -- and accurate--portrayal of Indians in his novels. Throughout his stories, one finds intriguing glimpses of this insight, giving readers a sense of what really was and why.

Reviews

[Charles W Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!

4th Cotton Smith book I’ve read, they were all excellent, but this was maybe the best! Highly recommend to all western fans.

[AmsD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start. But the action picks up around Chapter Six or 57 pages into it.