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Horse Trouble: Stone Cold Adventures
There was an underlying hum that seemed to blow in from the plains. A song that reached inside me to something primal, it spoke of beauty and death. Some melody I didn’t understand in the civilized part of my brain calling out to me. I just leaned on a hitching rail staring out over the open grasslands across the railroad tracks. I could feel it’s harmony deep inside my soul telling me a story I couldn’t hear fully, not yet. Offering me life and freedom so long as I learned its rules and abided by them. The soft hum resonated with me, waking a dormant wild piece that remained under the veneer of civilization. It connected to that feeling from years ago on the ship, a feeling of open wild expanses. An old man behind me spoke from where he sat, shaking me out of my reverie. “You hear it, don’tcha boy?” His voice was dry and hard, like a crackling fire trying to form words. “You can hear her singing.” “What is it?” I asked, lost in the subtle song. Knowing when he said her it fit, the hum was feminine, soft, and alluring. “It’s the land she’s trying to lure you in boy. She’s a trap in her way, just like the sea to sailors. Lure you in, an once she has you, at’s it. You’ll spend your life with her, short or long won’t matter none. She’ll always own a part of you.” The way he talked, he understood. There was a longing for something lost in his rough voice. “Sounds like home.” I said without thinking about my words. “Your doomed boy, she has you now. Lucky though, most folks never hear that song. They just live on top, never knowing she’s alive. Strip ya down ta show the world who ya is. Show you too I reckon, an then let’s ya out on the world like a twister! Ta rip an snort’n taking everything that comes at ya, giv’in it right back.”
His adventure started sailing across the ocean to New York at five years old. Learning from the sailors, later running the streets of the city. At ten he found his passion, the west. Luck gives him opportunities to learn from an old mountain man and the local People. Now at sixteen he finally sets out to pursue his dreams. His travels will take him to places of impossible beauty and his Colts will keep him alive. The problems start with a beautiful Appaloosa Mare, they will follow him from Dodge City to Red River Station. Haunting his steps. Becoming friends the Bar C crew and begining to understand what it means to ride for the brand. New friends and unseen enemies will make his choices, but in the end right and wrong force him into action.
His adventure started sailing across the ocean to New York at five years old. Learning from the sailors, later running the streets of the city. At ten he found his passion, the west. Luck gives him opportunities to learn from an old mountain man and the local People. Now at sixteen he finally sets out to pursue his dreams. His travels will take him to places of impossible beauty and his Colts will keep him alive. The problems start with a beautiful Appaloosa Mare, they will follow him from Dodge City to Red River Station. Haunting his steps. Becoming friends the Bar C crew and begining to understand what it means to ride for the brand. New friends and unseen enemies will make his choices, but in the end right and wrong force him into action.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2023
473 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 28, 2025
Horse Trouble
Very good story line without any boring pages. This is a good start to a new series. I’m looking forward to the next adventures of JC and the Bar C Ranch and it’s crew .
Very good story line without any boring pages. This is a good start to a new series. I’m looking forward to the next adventures of JC and the Bar C Ranch and it’s crew .
February 27, 2024
Where is the next book
Loved this one but where does it continue. Soon I hope as it has me hooked. Hope you all enjoy
Loved this one but where does it continue. Soon I hope as it has me hooked. Hope you all enjoy
April 21, 2024
Kindle unlimited reader
This is one of the best books that i have read this year, i read alot of books, this rates up with my top ten authors like C.J. Petit, R.O. Lane, Reg Quist, Duane Boehm, Ron Schwab, John Deacon, just to name a few. I will be anxious for the next one! Thanks!
This is one of the best books that i have read this year, i read alot of books, this rates up with my top ten authors like C.J. Petit, R.O. Lane, Reg Quist, Duane Boehm, Ron Schwab, John Deacon, just to name a few. I will be anxious for the next one! Thanks!
April 4, 2024
Good story
This was a good book. Hopefully Robert will write another. For a new author I was really impressed. Hope to see a sequel to this story.
This was a good book. Hopefully Robert will write another. For a new author I was really impressed. Hope to see a sequel to this story.
January 6, 2024
I enjoyed this. But, the grammar errors, spelling mistakes and a need for a little more editing drove me a bit crazy. Unfortunately many independently published books are like this, but with authors now having the ability to self publish and get their work out to the general public, readers will see more of it. The stories are there though and that is what matters.
This was a good Western, with engaging characters and great action scenes. At times the main character's waxing poetically and deep thoughts stalled the forward movement of the storyline. Again, a good editor may have cut some unnecessary scenes that were repeated...It kept me involved in the story and I am interested to see a follow up.
The author is a fantastic tattoo artist in Richmond VA and I'm proud to say I have a tattoo done by him and enjoyed my time in his chair chatting with him. So other than my love for a good Western I had reason to pick it up.
This was a good Western, with engaging characters and great action scenes. At times the main character's waxing poetically and deep thoughts stalled the forward movement of the storyline. Again, a good editor may have cut some unnecessary scenes that were repeated...It kept me involved in the story and I am interested to see a follow up.
The author is a fantastic tattoo artist in Richmond VA and I'm proud to say I have a tattoo done by him and enjoyed my time in his chair chatting with him. So other than my love for a good Western I had reason to pick it up.
February 27, 2025
Quite a story!
I really liked this story overall! It’s a bit unbelievable that a 16 year old could be so good at everything he does but that’s why it’s a fictional story. I’m anxious to read more about his adventures.
The biggest disappointment I found about this book is how many typos it contained. Whoever did the proofreading needs to be fired. I read a lot of books and I’ve never seen so many errors! I’d be glad to help with that! It was difficult at times to figure out what the author was saying because of the mistakes. I hope the next book in this series has a lot less errors.
I really liked this story overall! It’s a bit unbelievable that a 16 year old could be so good at everything he does but that’s why it’s a fictional story. I’m anxious to read more about his adventures.
The biggest disappointment I found about this book is how many typos it contained. Whoever did the proofreading needs to be fired. I read a lot of books and I’ve never seen so many errors! I’d be glad to help with that! It was difficult at times to figure out what the author was saying because of the mistakes. I hope the next book in this series has a lot less errors.
January 5, 2025
Fantastic Read!
For a first novel you catapulted your writing career to deserve recognition with the best writers in the western agenda. Character development is very well done. The protagonist will be a solid favorite for many more books. You have planted the seed for several new stories. Tying in with King and the characters study of the law offer solid platforms of interest for readers and this has still not a hint of a love interest. Get back on the key board there will always be s strong market for writers with your skills.
Don't ignore spellchecker!
For a first novel you catapulted your writing career to deserve recognition with the best writers in the western agenda. Character development is very well done. The protagonist will be a solid favorite for many more books. You have planted the seed for several new stories. Tying in with King and the characters study of the law offer solid platforms of interest for readers and this has still not a hint of a love interest. Get back on the key board there will always be s strong market for writers with your skills.
Don't ignore spellchecker!
April 12, 2025
Good read
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read with plenty of action and lots of twists. However the constant lack of a proper edit is very annoying. Were,we're, and where are not interchangeable. There, their and they're aren't interchangeable either.
I understand the author's use of non standard English when some of the the characters were talking in the first person, but it is distracting.
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read with plenty of action and lots of twists. However the constant lack of a proper edit is very annoying. Were,we're, and where are not interchangeable. There, their and they're aren't interchangeable either.
I understand the author's use of non standard English when some of the the characters were talking in the first person, but it is distracting.
November 14, 2025
My first poor review
I am a big fan of western novels. Reading two or three every month. I do know how to make this come across nicely. This book was one of the hardest reads I’ve ever had. The gross misspellings in almost every other sentence, terrible punctuation, and total lack of proofreading, produced one of the sloppiest written books I have ever read. Although the plot is good, the hard effort it takes to read it takes away all of the entertainment value.
I am a big fan of western novels. Reading two or three every month. I do know how to make this come across nicely. This book was one of the hardest reads I’ve ever had. The gross misspellings in almost every other sentence, terrible punctuation, and total lack of proofreading, produced one of the sloppiest written books I have ever read. Although the plot is good, the hard effort it takes to read it takes away all of the entertainment value.
November 17, 2024
good story
Two strikes against this story one was using the “F” bomb and 2 the abrupt ending. H the main character was good and there was lots of adventure and action. I normally do not like first person stories but this was done well. Just drop off using the f word and no abrupt endings. I am hoping there is a 2
Two strikes against this story one was using the “F” bomb and 2 the abrupt ending. H the main character was good and there was lots of adventure and action. I normally do not like first person stories but this was done well. Just drop off using the f word and no abrupt endings. I am hoping there is a 2
November 26, 2024
Very likeable character, plot, and story
The character development of the hero is laid out early and sets a fast pace for the story. High action and continuous self examination is done thoughtfully and brings the reader close to the story. Nothing mushy or quaint about it either!
The character development of the hero is laid out early and sets a fast pace for the story. High action and continuous self examination is done thoughtfully and brings the reader close to the story. Nothing mushy or quaint about it either!
April 26, 2025
Tried to enjoy it
This book had a great stoyr line and interesting characters but the spelling and grammar were atrocious. The author consistently used "where" for "were" and vice versa, forgot commas completely, and persistently wrote sentence fragments. It took self discipline to finish reading it.
This book had a great stoyr line and interesting characters but the spelling and grammar were atrocious. The author consistently used "where" for "were" and vice versa, forgot commas completely, and persistently wrote sentence fragments. It took self discipline to finish reading it.
May 6, 2025
Great book!
This is an excellent, unusual addition to the Western genre. JC Stone is a unique greenhorn. At 16 years of age, he has amassed tremendous and varied knowledge to support his long held desire to go West. Nevertheless the author has made him unassuming and has given him enough flaws to be human. Great book—I look forward to the rest of the series.
This is an excellent, unusual addition to the Western genre. JC Stone is a unique greenhorn. At 16 years of age, he has amassed tremendous and varied knowledge to support his long held desire to go West. Nevertheless the author has made him unassuming and has given him enough flaws to be human. Great book—I look forward to the rest of the series.
August 11, 2025
An excellent read! Hats off to the Author. I enjoyed this book and the writing style pulled me along wondering what would happen to the main character and what life lesson he would come upon and learn next. I already have the next book and will start it right after I finish this. I am looking forward to reading the entire series if it’s as good as this installment. Highly recommend this book.
August 12, 2025
Horse Trouble
This was a very unusual Book and one of the best that I have read in a really long time!! The Main Characters were each the very best Cowboys that Stone could ask for experience to survive and excellent in his 16 years so far!!
I can not wait to read many more Books in this exceptional Series..
This was a very unusual Book and one of the best that I have read in a really long time!! The Main Characters were each the very best Cowboys that Stone could ask for experience to survive and excellent in his 16 years so far!!
I can not wait to read many more Books in this exceptional Series..
September 1, 2025
Great Characters, a Lot of Wisdom, and Some Action
This book has a young hero who is a natural, eager to learn and gifted especially with common sense and a deep yearning for the West. He joins with some admirable men who grasp his talents and aid his development. One of the very best Western. Read it twice
This book has a young hero who is a natural, eager to learn and gifted especially with common sense and a deep yearning for the West. He joins with some admirable men who grasp his talents and aid his development. One of the very best Western. Read it twice
November 12, 2025
Awesome Story
I really loved your book! However, I just cannot give it 5 stars. I found the reading difficult. So, so many grammar and punctuation errors. I often had to reread sections to figure out the meaning. Incomplete sentences, no rhyme or reason to paragraphs.
As I said, excellent story. Truly a favorite. Difficult read.
I really loved your book! However, I just cannot give it 5 stars. I found the reading difficult. So, so many grammar and punctuation errors. I often had to reread sections to figure out the meaning. Incomplete sentences, no rhyme or reason to paragraphs.
As I said, excellent story. Truly a favorite. Difficult read.
November 12, 2025
Trashy language ruins the entire thing
I started enjoying this book until the author started usin
g filthy language. I have read many of these western books and seldom if ever found the F word used and never have found it used by the better authors. I don't know why this author decided to downgrade his work this way. No more of his work for me.
I started enjoying this book until the author started usin
g filthy language. I have read many of these western books and seldom if ever found the F word used and never have found it used by the better authors. I don't know why this author decided to downgrade his work this way. No more of his work for me.
January 14, 2026
One of the more interesting books I’ve read.
I was really surprised to find this was the authors first book. This book has great flow and all the characters were great. JC is a very mature 16 year old. The author gives a good description of the area the book takes place in and lays it out where it is understood. The book is well worth reading. Read and enjoy.
I was really surprised to find this was the authors first book. This book has great flow and all the characters were great. JC is a very mature 16 year old. The author gives a good description of the area the book takes place in and lays it out where it is understood. The book is well worth reading. Read and enjoy.
January 26, 2024
Very Good
I'll be watching anxiously for the next part of this series!! Every time I started to put it down to do my laundry, it was "just a few more pages..." Now that I've finished the book I guess that I can start on those clothes until the next book comes out!!!!
I'll be watching anxiously for the next part of this series!! Every time I started to put it down to do my laundry, it was "just a few more pages..." Now that I've finished the book I guess that I can start on those clothes until the next book comes out!!!!
February 11, 2024
An adventure worth taking.
I didn't expect to like this so much. The characters seem like someone I would hang with. Very easy to read and the story is easy to follow. Can't wait for more.
I didn't expect to like this so much. The characters seem like someone I would hang with. Very easy to read and the story is easy to follow. Can't wait for more.
November 2, 2024
He's 16!
This is a story that teenagers wish was their story - a 16 year old who is the best at everything!
It needs copy editing because there are several incorrect homonyms, some are repeated: reign/rein, shoot/chute, sight/site are examples.
This is a story that teenagers wish was their story - a 16 year old who is the best at everything!
It needs copy editing because there are several incorrect homonyms, some are repeated: reign/rein, shoot/chute, sight/site are examples.
November 21, 2024
Very good book!
This was my kind of western! Well written and rough and tumble! There was a lot of misspelled word's but it didn't take away from the book! Eagerly waiting for the next one!
This was my kind of western! Well written and rough and tumble! There was a lot of misspelled word's but it didn't take away from the book! Eagerly waiting for the next one!
February 16, 2025
Just READ it.......
I took a chance on this author and am glad that I did. I read every day and this is the best book I have read it years. I will now have a new author to follow. Reminds me of Johnstone but more in debt. Not just empty words to run up the word count.
I took a chance on this author and am glad that I did. I read every day and this is the best book I have read it years. I will now have a new author to follow. Reminds me of Johnstone but more in debt. Not just empty words to run up the word count.
March 22, 2025
Very special read
I was captivated by this story and the characters. I am looking forward to the next I'm the series. This would make a great tv series. Thank you for for a excellent and entertaining read..
I was captivated by this story and the characters. I am looking forward to the next I'm the series. This would make a great tv series. Thank you for for a excellent and entertaining read..
March 26, 2025
Good but need edit help
The story was interesting and the main character was likeable even though his continuing experiences were some what superhuman. The editing was the worst I've seen for spelling and tenses misuse. I would read more of the story.
The story was interesting and the main character was likeable even though his continuing experiences were some what superhuman. The editing was the worst I've seen for spelling and tenses misuse. I would read more of the story.
April 26, 2025
Best read in a long time
Clean story. Interesting writing, keeps my interest throughout.
Story is believable and you don’t get tired of the details. Can’t wait for more of his writings.
Clean story. Interesting writing, keeps my interest throughout.
Story is believable and you don’t get tired of the details. Can’t wait for more of his writings.
May 4, 2025
Really good story too much profanity.
I liked the story line and characters.
There was too much profanity. It took away from the enjoyment of the book. Authors do not need to use bad language to make characters seem believable.
I liked the story line and characters.
There was too much profanity. It took away from the enjoyment of the book. Authors do not need to use bad language to make characters seem believable.
July 24, 2025
Great plot, need proof reader
I thought that the story deserves a sequel. Very engaging. I saw many typos and grammatical errors, so you need a proof reader. Thank you for the entertainment!
I thought that the story deserves a sequel. Very engaging. I saw many typos and grammatical errors, so you need a proof reader. Thank you for the entertainment!
October 31, 2025
As good a Western, I've ever read.
This is an extremely well written story. It is very easy to read and has had me up hours past bedtimes for days. The story content depicts a bit of honest historical information. I'll look forward to reading more of Mr Knox's books.
This is an extremely well written story. It is very easy to read and has had me up hours past bedtimes for days. The story content depicts a bit of honest historical information. I'll look forward to reading more of Mr Knox's books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews