Badlands

by Christopher Kenworthy

Tom Bligh thinks he is making a safe passage through Arizona to Maricopa Wells.

In fact he’s about to get involved in a whole lot of trouble.

When a highway robbery takes place on route, Bligh feels there is more to it then meets they eye.

He starts to investigate El Mexicano, an elusive but infamous bandit.

As he hunts for his man, Bligh is led further into the vast Arizona wilderness. And what he finds will shatter all of his expectations...

On the borders between by the US and Mexico, where the law seldom reaches, he pursues justice - and a hidden treasure.

But in these 'Badlands', the truth is not what it seems.

‘Bad Lands’ is an action packed Western full of intrigue, deception and revelations.

Christopher Kenworthy was a journalist and novelist. He is the author of the best-selling Westerns 'Apache Country' and 'Hired Gun'.

Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.

Genres: Westerns

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2012

Reviews

[Pioneering Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is published by Pioneering Press

[Bill Megenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very good!

It took quite a while to back up and restart and make my way out of the quagmire the author led me blindly into. But I made it! Thanks for a fun read, I had fun. Thanks.

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Here we go again, another hard working cowboy/cattle rancher on his way to Tucson via coach after selling his cattle for a good price. He's thinking as the coach bounces along what he was going to do with his gold coins. He hears gun shoots and the coach comes to an abrupt stop. All occupants of the stage are startled, but calm.
The robber's identity is hidden by a hood calls himself EL MEXICANO...oh boy here we go again..
His ethnicity is assumed Mexican, he robs the American side and then crosses the border to Mexico and robs them also. Both governments have put a BOUNTY on his head. Lots of good old fashion action, tracking, beautiful descriptions of the countryside made by the author. You can actually picture what the areas look like. Well there's this all out hunt for EL MEXICANO lots of questions and fewer answers, but they get their man. There's also a love angle..enjoyable reading.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed from beginning to end this fast-paced Western was gritty, pithy and a fun quick read. Tom Bligh is a man of action on his way back to his ranch after a cattle drive. He, along with others, is robbed while on the stagecoach and he wants his money back. As he is able to he heads out with Emilio Chavez to track “El Mexicano” in hopes of getting his money back. Frankie Lewis is the female interest in the story and a whole lot more than she appears to be when first met on the stage. And, El Mexicano has a few secrets of his own, too. I was intrigued by the rattlesnake incident – made me wonder if this was something that has happened in real life or something the author dreamed up – either way it was new to me and definitely caught my interest.

Thank you to Endeavour and Pioneering Press for the copy of this book to read and review.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novel is a fast moving, action packed adventure story set in the wild west. It tells the tale of Tom Bligh pursuing the outlaw El Mexicano who is a ruthless robber; at the same time Bligh is being stalked by El Mexicano in their game of cat and mouse and things get very fraught and dangerous. Other "goodies", mainly Chavez, help Bligh as he seeks to track down his quarry and there is also the female who may be on the side of good and justice, or perhaps she is working to her own not so honest motivations?

An exciting read that kept me interested throughout: action, danger, intrigue, good versus bad, blood and guts, narrow escapes, and a whiff of romance - good stuff!

[Cas H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christopher Kenworthy is a good author. I like his writing style and I like the detail he gives in his book. He gives just enough detail to make you intrigued, make you understand but he does not overload you. I do wish his books were longer though.
Tom Bligh was robbed and he must get his money back, only thing is, that means that he needs to go after a very elusive person El Mexicano.
I did think this book was written well enough for a decent read.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid western with all the ingredients you would expect. Tom Bligh finds that life becomes increasingly dangerous after a highway robbery and he sets out to right some wrongs. The characters could have been a bit more nuanced and some of the scenarios stretched my credulity a bit too far, but overall a fun read. Needs a bit of editing though – far too many typographical errors.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an action packed Western from start to finish. After the stage coach is held up and the money is stolen, Tom Bligh goes through hell trying to get it back. I really liked Frankie as a character. She is probably one of the toughest and smartest Western female characters that I’ve read about. The shooting scenes are great, and there is plenty of them. This is an enjoyable read.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting and characters in the book. A good story line with enough content to keep this fan of Calamity Jane happy! It was gritty and detailed and a fun read for Western fans. Bligh and Frankie made a good double act. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. I would recommend this book to everyone.