Ashes and Oaths: Harper's Justice Origins

Harper's Justice #0.25

by R.J. Sloane

Four siblings. An outlaw father. One purifying fire sparked their thirst for justice.

The Harper name once struck fear in honest folk across the Arizona Territory. Now it strikes terror in outlaws.

Galen Harper’s children escaped his brutal reign and forged a new legacy—as Pinkerton agents, U.S. Marshals, Rangers, and prosecutors. They hunt down men just like the one who raised them.

But how does a family transform from shame to honor? From survival to purpose?

Retired Arizona Ranger Shane Harper sits by the fire with his grandchildren and tells them the truth. Stories about Christmas Eve 1880, when he was thirteen and responsible for keeping his younger siblings alive. About the blood-soaked rescue that finally set them free.

And finally, about one night when four siblings chose justice that would echo through three generations.

This is the origin story of the Harper's Justice series—where you'll discover the oath that changed everything.

"When justice is executed, it is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers." —Proverbs 21:15

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2025

About the author

R.J. Sloane captures the raw spirit of the American frontier in action-packed westerns that don't shy away from the harsh realities of territorial justice. Drawing inspiration from modern classics like Longmire, Yellowstone, and Murdoch Mysteries, R.J.'s stories blend historical authenticity with the timeless struggle between law and lawlessness.

A passionate student of Southwest history, R.J. spends countless hours researching the legendary lawmen of the region—from the Arizona Rangers to the territorial marshals who tamed pivotal frontier towns like Phoenix, Tombstone, Prescott, and beyond. Growing up watching John Wayne, James Garner, and Clint Eastwood westerns with dad on lazy Sunday afternoons instilled a deep appreciation for authentic frontier storytelling. This combination of classic western influence and dedicated historical research brings depth and authenticity to every story.

The Harper Justice series follows a family of territorial lawmen as they navigate the dangerous transition from frontier chaos to civilized order, where doing what's right often means defying what's legal.

Reviews

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love westerns, you will love this story. The author definitely gives it his all in a story about the Harper's who gave it their all.

It's a story of survival, trust, reliance and belief told around the fire to the grandchildren. This is a story which sets the background for the Harpers - who they are and the legend they become because of their start in life. It will tear your heart out and slam it back through the tears you shed for the stories that are told.

This is a story of the Harpers which should be on your must-read list, and must read now.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes and Oaths by RJ Sloane
Harper’s Justice Series Origins
A very unique story written from Shane Harper’s view. At thirteen, Shane realized he was responsible for keeping his five siblings alive. Mom died. Dad was a no-good-for-nothing criminal who brought his gang home. Bad men. Shane had three sisters whom he had to protect from those men. Shane also had to keep them all fed; his three sisters and two brothers, the youngest only two years old.
Shane is telling this story to his grandchildren. Letting them know where they came from. Their grandpa and three of his siblings were protectors: a ranger, a marshal, a Pinkerton agent, and a lawyer, because they wanted to be the opposite of Galen. Protectors and justice seekers.
I’m enjoying the series, and this background story filled in some of the details of their past that made them who they were in the books.
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[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book, it is a very powerful story about six children surviving a cruel, uncaring father, ruthless men, and starvation. The story is told from the point of view of the oldest boy, 13 at the time of being abandoned, recounting everything that happened in his young years to his grandchildren in a cosy comfortable home, in front of the fire with his loving wife beside him. I could easily have given this book 5 stars - except that for me, the fact that it revolves around religion, prayer and faith to an extent that set my teeth on edge. Like book 1 in the series, the story is great, and a bit of religious faith would be understandable but it figures so much in these books they could be bible study stories or parables.