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Ranger #14

Black Mesa

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Turnbaugh gave a dark chuckle. ‘‘You lawdogs and your badges,’’ he said, ‘‘you’re worse than priests with their crosses.’’ He shook his head. ‘‘I never could understand why a little ornament like that makes such a difference to yas.’’

‘‘I don’t expect you would,’’ said Sam. He paused, took a breath and gave another glance at either end of the bar. Here goes, he said to himself, hoping he’d given Maria enough time to get into position near the empty window frame to back him up. But there was no time to wonder about it now. ‘‘I’m taking you to Fort Smith, Turnbaugh,’’ he said.

Turnbaugh gave another dark chuckle. ‘‘Are you now?’’ he said in a cocky tone, as if it were all a joke.

"Care to hear some numbers on how many two-bit lawmen like you has tried that same thing?’’

‘‘The numbers don’t matter,’’ said Sam, barely shaking his head.

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2005

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About the author

Ralph Cotton

116 books43 followers

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5 stars
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27 (36%)
3 stars
16 (21%)
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2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
1,249 reviews23 followers
December 27, 2016
"WHAT'S YOUR POISON"

Ranger Sam Burrack and Maria his partner have arrested a couple of train robbers and they R turning them over to Army stationed at Fort Collins. Every page lots of action, bushwackers, bondage houses and dope heads. Ranger Burrack and Maria are facing the unknown again, as they go searching for a thieves hide out called the black Mesa. We R introduced to an old lover from Sam's past, Pretty Ella Lange,whose known in the east as "Queen of the outlaws", who Sam still has feelings for..Maria is a bit intrigued by this revelation..so what now..modest alcoholics, or should I say demons show themselves with the usage of mescal laced with Mexican cocaine and peyote dust. This is another GREAT adventure explaining the lives and dark experiences lawmen faced in the old west.
Profile Image for Randy.
79 reviews3 followers
February 12, 2014
This book was OK and good enough to get me to the end, but not great. I enjoy good western writing and if you are just getting into the genre, I would recommend several authors other than Cotton. My favorite western writer is Elmer Kelton. Also very good are Louis L'Amour, Mike Blakely, Bruce Johnston, and a new writer, Tricia Fields.
I like to learn something when I read. Many western writers will give you an insight to an historical event by writing historical fiction. Others give a chance to become familiar with an area of the country or perhaps the customs of people or tribes no longer here. Cotton told a good story in this book, but none of the above elements were present. If you just enjoy pure western fiction, then Cotton will do!
Profile Image for Denise.
446 reviews
March 22, 2011
Pretty good story that shows the difference between the old Western stories and reality. The main protagonist was an admirable character, who treated others as they treated him, including a quick gun hand if that's what they showed him. I would read other books by this author and would recommend his writing for those who enjoy reading Western novels.
Profile Image for RJ.
2,044 reviews13 followers
January 1, 2017
A wonderful western tale about a gang of killers & robbers with Lovely Ella Lang who tags along. Arizona Ranger Sam Burrack is on their trail with the intentions of bringing them in on or over their saddle. Good western when I need a change of pace.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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