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The Blacksmith : A Classic Western Adventure
A classic western novel from Frank Wheeler with non-stop epic adventure and a blend of western romance
Five years ago Tobias “TJ” Jackman shot a corrupt marshal in self-defense.
He served five years for it, and now that he’s out, he’s never going back.
Once, he was a blacksmith.
Now, he’s a man trying to stay ahead of his own mistakes.
When he rides into San Carvo, all he wants is a fresh start and honest work. Instead, he finds Alyssa Welch. She’s sharp-minded, stubborn, and running a freight yard on the edge of ruin.
Alyssa hires him out of desperation, not trust. He stays for the same reason.
But the longer he’s there, the more he realizes something is wrong in San Carvo, and Alyssa is at the center of it.
Her brother’s been missing for months, and Elias Collins, the town’s richest man, is making threats against her business.
TJ’s starting to think those threats and her brother’s disappearance are related. The trouble is, he can’t prove anything, and people are too scared to talk.
Justice and revenge were once the same thing to him. Now he isn’t sure either exists.
How far can a man go to make things right before he becomes what he hates?
Each novel in the series is a standalone western which can be read out of order.
Five years ago Tobias “TJ” Jackman shot a corrupt marshal in self-defense.
He served five years for it, and now that he’s out, he’s never going back.
Once, he was a blacksmith.
Now, he’s a man trying to stay ahead of his own mistakes.
When he rides into San Carvo, all he wants is a fresh start and honest work. Instead, he finds Alyssa Welch. She’s sharp-minded, stubborn, and running a freight yard on the edge of ruin.
Alyssa hires him out of desperation, not trust. He stays for the same reason.
But the longer he’s there, the more he realizes something is wrong in San Carvo, and Alyssa is at the center of it.
Her brother’s been missing for months, and Elias Collins, the town’s richest man, is making threats against her business.
TJ’s starting to think those threats and her brother’s disappearance are related. The trouble is, he can’t prove anything, and people are too scared to talk.
Justice and revenge were once the same thing to him. Now he isn’t sure either exists.
How far can a man go to make things right before he becomes what he hates?
Each novel in the series is a standalone western which can be read out of order.
459 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2025
About the author
Frank Wheeler
96 books22 followersFrank Wheeler is an American novelist of Westerns.
Since childhood, he has always been fascinated with western history. Frank loves sharing his love of western history through his writing that will entertain readers, and has taken great joy in publishing his Westward Saga series.
He currently lives in Texas with his wife, and three children.
Since childhood, he has always been fascinated with western history. Frank loves sharing his love of western history through his writing that will entertain readers, and has taken great joy in publishing his Westward Saga series.
He currently lives in Texas with his wife, and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 26, 2026
Great Story - Poor Depictions of Human Nature
I liked the story but some things the main characters did were downright stupid. It seems that western authors do not understand true human nature and have the characters do things that prolong the story but would never happen in real life. An example is going into a fight situation, then turning in for only weapon when someone is held hostage. Men as bad as the villains would gun them down and then shoot the hostage in a heartbeat.
I liked the story but some things the main characters did were downright stupid. It seems that western authors do not understand true human nature and have the characters do things that prolong the story but would never happen in real life. An example is going into a fight situation, then turning in for only weapon when someone is held hostage. Men as bad as the villains would gun them down and then shoot the hostage in a heartbeat.
January 23, 2026
The Blacksmith
A classic western adventure by Frank Wheeler.
Mister Wheeler has written a lot of stories, and as always, this one is very entertaining. Doesn't have a dark and twisted plot, no arch villain with tons of gloating and backstory. It is about good and evil, and what happens to mix them both up.
Read it, enjoy it.
Thanks to the author for a bit of clarity on a cold and dreary day!
?
A classic western adventure by Frank Wheeler.
Mister Wheeler has written a lot of stories, and as always, this one is very entertaining. Doesn't have a dark and twisted plot, no arch villain with tons of gloating and backstory. It is about good and evil, and what happens to mix them both up.
Read it, enjoy it.
Thanks to the author for a bit of clarity on a cold and dreary day!
?
January 23, 2026
Smithy
A blacksmith named a killer. Went to prison on something he did not commit. When Tj got out he had to walk without anything but a few dollars. Then he got hired by a women whom ran a shipping business and worked on the wagons herself. Read what happens when a man with slot of money finds him. All the trouble he welds with money. Love does come in the picture.
A blacksmith named a killer. Went to prison on something he did not commit. When Tj got out he had to walk without anything but a few dollars. Then he got hired by a women whom ran a shipping business and worked on the wagons herself. Read what happens when a man with slot of money finds him. All the trouble he welds with money. Love does come in the picture.
February 25, 2026
Great Classic Western
I truly enjoy Frank Wheeler’s Westerns. He combines great action with family situations and romance to add some spice to the story. He likes to develop novels of people who have bad luck lives, and make something of themselves, while finding romance and family. I highly recommend this Western.
I truly enjoy Frank Wheeler’s Westerns. He combines great action with family situations and romance to add some spice to the story. He likes to develop novels of people who have bad luck lives, and make something of themselves, while finding romance and family. I highly recommend this Western.
January 5, 2026
Honest men win
The story was great. All the bad things that Collins did to so many people. So glad TJ and Alyssa fought to get all the man free of the mines. All the hard traveling that they had to do. I liked your writting style. Thank you for great read.
The story was great. All the bad things that Collins did to so many people. So glad TJ and Alyssa fought to get all the man free of the mines. All the hard traveling that they had to do. I liked your writting style. Thank you for great read.
February 19, 2026
Mr. Wheeler isn't slowing down; Great Read
This story has a freshness that drew me on to turning the pages. I liked the feeling of reality presented here. I could 'see' the events, as plain as day; their descriptions were terse, yet thorough. You won't regret reading this book.
This story has a freshness that drew me on to turning the pages. I liked the feeling of reality presented here. I could 'see' the events, as plain as day; their descriptions were terse, yet thorough. You won't regret reading this book.
January 13, 2026
okay read
It’s not a bad or good read, but I’d recommend it. I will say that it had a lot of action. Frank Wheeler’s books are pretty good.
It’s not a bad or good read, but I’d recommend it. I will say that it had a lot of action. Frank Wheeler’s books are pretty good.
January 26, 2026
Looking back
Great writing enjoyed every word. Made me see how good a life I have now. 😃😃😃😃😃 Good luck with your new books.
Great writing enjoyed every word. Made me see how good a life I have now. 😃😃😃😃😃 Good luck with your new books.
February 2, 2026
Very good!
I really enjoyed this book. I will continue to read this author. I appreciate a good story and the way it was written.
I really enjoyed this book. I will continue to read this author. I appreciate a good story and the way it was written.
February 18, 2026
A soft 4
March 1, 2026
Plenty of action .
This fast paced and action packed story. It makes for a fast read and makes the reader wonder what is going to happened next.
This fast paced and action packed story. It makes for a fast read and makes the reader wonder what is going to happened next.
March 29, 2026
Different
Something different from the usual run of the mill western type adventures.
Bit too soft and soppy in a few places but still not bad at all.
Something different from the usual run of the mill western type adventures.
Bit too soft and soppy in a few places but still not bad at all.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews