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Rustlers in the Sage: A Western Novella
Holt Kincannon has nothing left but his horse, his guns, and his pride. His years as a Texas rancher and lawman are behind him. His wife and son rest on a lonely hill overlooking the Llano River. Now, he rides through the rugged mountains and sagebrush covered valleys of Northern New Mexico, searching. He’s hoping for a new life, but will settle for a hot meal.
- GenresWesterns
99 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2018
1109 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Donald L. Robertson
30 books65 followersI am a retired Southwest Airlines pilot. My wife Paula and I, live with our Chihuahua, Gabe, in Mesa, Arizona in a 55+ Golf Resort even though we don't play golf. It affords my wife a very active lifestyle while I spend my time writing. As a child, I enjoyed going to the Saturday matinee and spending the day watching westerns and daydreaming about the old west. I shared a passion with one of my aunts and read every western I could get my hands on. John Wayne was my favorite actor and Louis L'Amour my favorite writer. I miss those days where the good guys win, they treat the ladies right, have honor and are trustworthy. So, in about 2014, I started writing my own westerns and became quite shocked that people enjoyed them. I am so thankful to those of you who read my books, take the time to write reviews and email me. John Wayne said it best when he said "without you, I wouldn't be here". Please accept my deepest appreciation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 14, 2021
This is another novella by Robertson. Not as good as Because of a Dog https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It is a straight-forward tale of a drifter, Holt Kincannon, who finds himself with a job at a ranch and then learns about a situation involving a lot of bad men, cattle rustling, etc. It features the author’s solid descriptions of the territory and some humor as set out below.
"If it’s all right with the other boys, you help us drive this little bunch of cows back to the ranch and you’ll be free to go.”
“You mean it?”
“I do, but if any of us ever find you even near a rustled cow, you’ll hang. Do you understand me?”
(His) head nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir, I sure do.”
He looked at Holt and Stony. “I promise. No more rustling. I may even take up sheep herding.”
Ike laughed and slapped the boy on his back. “No need to go that far, young feller. Why, I’d rather be caught rustling than wrangling sheep.”"
Other typical features -
Action:
"“They’ve still got that fire going. There’s no doors or windows on the sides or back of the house. I can ride Vern’s horse behind the house, stand on the saddle, and climb on the roof. I’ll drop a blanket over the chimney. They won’t be able to stay in there very long once it starts smoking up.”
“You’ll have to move fast. They hear your feet, they’ll be firing right through the roof.” “I’ll take my chances. I danged sure don’t want them coming out of that house after dark.”"
Pathos:
"Rifle ready, Holt stepped around the boulder to find (the cowboy) stretched out on his back. Blood was pouring from his mouth and the wound in his chest. Holt grabbed the rifle from the boy’s hand. (The cowboy) coughed twice, choking on his own blood. Holt looked down on him, no mercy in his eyes.
“You shot him in the back.”
“He was gonna shoot my brother. I couldn’t let that happen.” (He) coughed again.
Fear radiated from his eyes. He stared up at Holt. “Am I going to die?”
Holt stared back at him. “Yes.” “I don’t want to die.”
“You should have thought of that before you pulled that trigger.”
Tears flowed from the cowboy’s wide eyes as he gasped, choked, and died in the middle of a cough."
Conflict:
"He stepped from the saddle and removed the lead rope from Carolyn’s horse. Holt could see her hands were tied together. He felt a hot rage burning inside of him. How could anyone treat a woman that way, especially Carolyn?”
Holt is the focus of this story. He is just your typical Western hero, part-time cowboy, part-time deputy sheriff, former rancher. Nothing but his sense of honor and duty keep him going after his wife’s death. I was disappointed in how predictable it all was, from someone who can write very well. The descriptions of land and cowboy life were fine, but not enough to be a 3 star attraction.
2.5
It is a straight-forward tale of a drifter, Holt Kincannon, who finds himself with a job at a ranch and then learns about a situation involving a lot of bad men, cattle rustling, etc. It features the author’s solid descriptions of the territory and some humor as set out below.
"If it’s all right with the other boys, you help us drive this little bunch of cows back to the ranch and you’ll be free to go.”
“You mean it?”
“I do, but if any of us ever find you even near a rustled cow, you’ll hang. Do you understand me?”
(His) head nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir, I sure do.”
He looked at Holt and Stony. “I promise. No more rustling. I may even take up sheep herding.”
Ike laughed and slapped the boy on his back. “No need to go that far, young feller. Why, I’d rather be caught rustling than wrangling sheep.”"
Other typical features -
Action:
"“They’ve still got that fire going. There’s no doors or windows on the sides or back of the house. I can ride Vern’s horse behind the house, stand on the saddle, and climb on the roof. I’ll drop a blanket over the chimney. They won’t be able to stay in there very long once it starts smoking up.”
“You’ll have to move fast. They hear your feet, they’ll be firing right through the roof.” “I’ll take my chances. I danged sure don’t want them coming out of that house after dark.”"
Pathos:
"Rifle ready, Holt stepped around the boulder to find (the cowboy) stretched out on his back. Blood was pouring from his mouth and the wound in his chest. Holt grabbed the rifle from the boy’s hand. (The cowboy) coughed twice, choking on his own blood. Holt looked down on him, no mercy in his eyes.
“You shot him in the back.”
“He was gonna shoot my brother. I couldn’t let that happen.” (He) coughed again.
Fear radiated from his eyes. He stared up at Holt. “Am I going to die?”
Holt stared back at him. “Yes.” “I don’t want to die.”
“You should have thought of that before you pulled that trigger.”
Tears flowed from the cowboy’s wide eyes as he gasped, choked, and died in the middle of a cough."
Conflict:
"He stepped from the saddle and removed the lead rope from Carolyn’s horse. Holt could see her hands were tied together. He felt a hot rage burning inside of him. How could anyone treat a woman that way, especially Carolyn?”
Holt is the focus of this story. He is just your typical Western hero, part-time cowboy, part-time deputy sheriff, former rancher. Nothing but his sense of honor and duty keep him going after his wife’s death. I was disappointed in how predictable it all was, from someone who can write very well. The descriptions of land and cowboy life were fine, but not enough to be a 3 star attraction.
2.5
September 8, 2020
A pretty straight forward L'Amour-style story. Skilled gunfighter and cowboy with undisclosed past rides into an area, finds work at a ranch owned by a single woman, but also discovers the ranch is being ripped off by the foreman and some troublemakers.
The tale is told fairly well, although the characters are a bit flat and interchangable. Without any real reason everyone defers to the total newcomer main character, down to following orders that puts them in serious danger or death.
I'm hoping that a longer novel by this author fleshes things out better, with more reasonable pacing and characterization, short stories and novellas often don't have the space to allow it.
The tale is told fairly well, although the characters are a bit flat and interchangable. Without any real reason everyone defers to the total newcomer main character, down to following orders that puts them in serious danger or death.
I'm hoping that a longer novel by this author fleshes things out better, with more reasonable pacing and characterization, short stories and novellas often don't have the space to allow it.
January 22, 2023
very interesting
Short, well written and full of action and excitement. A must read if you are a western fan and like a good story with justice served.
Short, well written and full of action and excitement. A must read if you are a western fan and like a good story with justice served.
July 9, 2023
PURE AND TRUE TO THE WEST.
Excellent author and storyline.
Enjoyed the methodology as well as second person switching smoothly into first person linguistic forms and direction, flow , A d other forms of grammar.
Excellent author and storyline.
Enjoyed the methodology as well as second person switching smoothly into first person linguistic forms and direction, flow , A d other forms of grammar.
July 9, 2020
Too short
This is what a western should be. Brings back memories of the old Warner westerns and Louis Lamour stories of a better time
This is what a western should be. Brings back memories of the old Warner westerns and Louis Lamour stories of a better time
June 26, 2021
Cowboys
This was a very good group of Characters. The story was put together so well that the Old western writers would have been proud.
A Good Read.
Santa Mike
This was a very good group of Characters. The story was put together so well that the Old western writers would have been proud.
A Good Read.
Santa Mike
November 12, 2022
Great Read
Great short western. I absolutely loved it! Very great read, gotta find more of his books to read for sure! Must read.
Great short western. I absolutely loved it! Very great read, gotta find more of his books to read for sure! Must read.
January 12, 2023
love these Western books
I have now read all of Donald L Robertson’s books. I have enjoyed every one of them! I love his characters!
I have now read all of Donald L Robertson’s books. I have enjoyed every one of them! I love his characters!
October 25, 2018
This is my first adventure with Mr. Donald L. Robertson, but it assuredly is only the beginning of a long lasting relationship between he and I. The story is unbelievably fulfilling and the adventures never ceases to amaze me. Too, the author appears to live the parts of his very explicitly detailed group of characters.
Certainly worthy of the five stars awarded this outstanding western adventure and the characters were perfectly selected throughout the entire story. Very descriptive, and detailed, adventures from beginning to end. I most definitely, will be following this newfound author, whose impressive storytelling is definitely headed for excellence.
I love exciting detailed episodes of our old western folklore and this author creates a magnificent rendition of such successfully endeavors!
Most definitely recommend this book to all readers seeking excitement, which will definitely be found in this dramatic representation of our real old western adventures. Try it - you will love it!
Certainly worthy of the five stars awarded this outstanding western adventure and the characters were perfectly selected throughout the entire story. Very descriptive, and detailed, adventures from beginning to end. I most definitely, will be following this newfound author, whose impressive storytelling is definitely headed for excellence.
I love exciting detailed episodes of our old western folklore and this author creates a magnificent rendition of such successfully endeavors!
Most definitely recommend this book to all readers seeking excitement, which will definitely be found in this dramatic representation of our real old western adventures. Try it - you will love it!
March 25, 2019
With the completing of this Novella, I have now read all that Donald Robertson has written; and I can't wait for him to come out with something else. As I have said earlier, every western that I read is compared to Louis L'Amour, and all the heroes are compared to Tell Sackett. I think that Robertson compares favorably to L'Amour, and I don't know enough about Holt Kincannon to make a judgment (but I would like to read a full novel about his adventures). The only reason this short work did not receive a 5 star rating, is because it just ended too abruptly. I guess the short nature of the work was the reason, but I would like to have known just a little more. For anyone that likes reading westerns, I would highly recommend any of Donald Robertson's works!
October 24, 2018
Fast paced historical novel set in the west with lots of action and adventure with cattle rustlers, ranches, ranch hands and lots of travel by horseback. Very descriptive details of the mountains, the ruggedness of the area and the fighting and deaths that were part of the period.
Some depth to the characters but most were what you see is what you get. Story ended abruptly with a happily-ever-after but not as I expected.
A new to me author and I look forward to reading more of his books but hope for longer lengths to the stories.
Some depth to the characters but most were what you see is what you get. Story ended abruptly with a happily-ever-after but not as I expected.
A new to me author and I look forward to reading more of his books but hope for longer lengths to the stories.
April 25, 2021
Decent, but amateur and generic western
Not bad for a quick fix if you're looking for a western. Its pretty short and can be read in a single day, even a busy day. The plot, characters, setting, etc are all very basic and generic, but handled well enough. The writing is very amateur, but it sort of imparts the feel of the 50 and 60s pulp westerns. There is much better available, but this is ok. There is nothing new, original or creative, but if you are looking for a western then this is a decent choice.
Not bad for a quick fix if you're looking for a western. Its pretty short and can be read in a single day, even a busy day. The plot, characters, setting, etc are all very basic and generic, but handled well enough. The writing is very amateur, but it sort of imparts the feel of the 50 and 60s pulp westerns. There is much better available, but this is ok. There is nothing new, original or creative, but if you are looking for a western then this is a decent choice.
May 24, 2018
Cattle Rustling/Rustlers /Hanging/Gunfights/A Woman and a Ranch
DLR has penned a short story about an ex marshal that has been traveling until he came across rustled branding cattle. He hired around them and proceeds to the ranch and advised the female of the rustling. The last and the man proceed toward the rustlers, with riders from the ranch and stops the rustling. This is an excellent short story for the genre.....DEHS
DLR has penned a short story about an ex marshal that has been traveling until he came across rustled branding cattle. He hired around them and proceeds to the ranch and advised the female of the rustling. The last and the man proceed toward the rustlers, with riders from the ranch and stops the rustling. This is an excellent short story for the genre.....DEHS
June 20, 2019
This book is the second one of author Donald L Robertson's works that I have read. This author is as good at writing as Zane Gray or Max Brand , truly huh marks are deerved. The story and people come across a real. Fast moving and makes you not want to put it down! Looking forward to more of This author work.
I would recommend this book to anyone who really liked stories of the old west .
Truly enjoyable and realalistic.
I would recommend this book to anyone who really liked stories of the old west .
Truly enjoyable and realalistic.
May 8, 2022
Entertaining western listening 🎶🔰
Another will written western adventure thriller short story by Donald L. Robertson about a ranch with a woman 🚺 owner and a foreman that is a crook. A new hand ✋ uncovers rustling of cattle and rescues the owner and puts the rustlers out of business. I would recommend this novella to readers looking for something a little different. Enjoy the adventure of all kinds of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022
Another will written western adventure thriller short story by Donald L. Robertson about a ranch with a woman 🚺 owner and a foreman that is a crook. A new hand ✋ uncovers rustling of cattle and rescues the owner and puts the rustlers out of business. I would recommend this novella to readers looking for something a little different. Enjoy the adventure of all kinds of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022
March 14, 2024
A short story that could have had a little more.
Was Holt a character from a past book? I have read all of Robertson’s books and the Savage name sounded familiar. The book also acted like we knew about Holt and Savage from before. Miss Maser wants Holt for her new foreman—is that all? I guess we will never know. Too bad they believed in Vern and gave the young rustler his guns back.
Was Holt a character from a past book? I have read all of Robertson’s books and the Savage name sounded familiar. The book also acted like we knew about Holt and Savage from before. Miss Maser wants Holt for her new foreman—is that all? I guess we will never know. Too bad they believed in Vern and gave the young rustler his guns back.
April 22, 2018
Best action!
Robertson can write! Action in every page yet descriptions that have you seeing the land and smelling the campfire smoke. This is the fifth story/book of his I’ve read. Each solid stories that have burned themselves in my memory. Few authors have his grasp of the time period and feel of the characters. I highly recommend for all readers.
Robertson can write! Action in every page yet descriptions that have you seeing the land and smelling the campfire smoke. This is the fifth story/book of his I’ve read. Each solid stories that have burned themselves in my memory. Few authors have his grasp of the time period and feel of the characters. I highly recommend for all readers.
August 7, 2019
A great short read.
Another great western from one of the top authors, Donald L. Robertson. Having read almost all his books now I really hate that I'm running out of his books. I am hoping he has some more on the way. Much like Louis L'Amour, authentic westerns, lots of action and written for the whole family to read.
Another great western from one of the top authors, Donald L. Robertson. Having read almost all his books now I really hate that I'm running out of his books. I am hoping he has some more on the way. Much like Louis L'Amour, authentic westerns, lots of action and written for the whole family to read.
May 14, 2018
Very well done
It is a great pleasure to read a well thought out and well written western tale. As n editor I very much enjoyed the lack of grammatical and punctuation errors! Smooth reading is so much nicer.
It is a great pleasure to read a well thought out and well written western tale. As n editor I very much enjoyed the lack of grammatical and punctuation errors! Smooth reading is so much nicer.
May 20, 2018
THE LONELY DRIFTER
Bad men who don't want to work and make a living but try to scam upstanding do the right thing men out of their assets. Lots of action and insight into how the men and women lived their lives.
Bad men who don't want to work and make a living but try to scam upstanding do the right thing men out of their assets. Lots of action and insight into how the men and women lived their lives.
December 17, 2018
Western
This book is a traditional western. With the good guys, the bad guys, a ranch, pretty woman, and a crime. Typical white hat/black hat kind of thing. A quick read and enjoyable western.
This book is a traditional western. With the good guys, the bad guys, a ranch, pretty woman, and a crime. Typical white hat/black hat kind of thing. A quick read and enjoyable western.
March 29, 2019
Good reading
I really enjoyed this story. This book is clean and the good guys win. Robertson is an author that both my husband and I are enjoying since we discovered him a week or so ago. So far my favorite is The Old Ranger by Robertson. My husband's is about Callan.
I really enjoyed this story. This book is clean and the good guys win. Robertson is an author that both my husband and I are enjoying since we discovered him a week or so ago. So far my favorite is The Old Ranger by Robertson. My husband's is about Callan.
December 16, 2019
Intriguing
The Western tropes were all there, but warm and welcome. There was Kyle time for character development, but the characters were multi-dimensional. read more of Robertson's work.
The Western tropes were all there, but warm and welcome. There was Kyle time for character development, but the characters were multi-dimensional. read more of Robertson's work.
July 25, 2020
This was my first Western book. I’m not up on the lingo so a few words had me a little confused, detracted from the story and felt forced.
It was a quick, easy and predictable read. Perhaps this isn’t the genre for me.
It was a quick, easy and predictable read. Perhaps this isn’t the genre for me.
October 29, 2020
I read this yesterday and immediately added another book by this author to my library on Kindle. Well written, good characters and entertaining. I'd love to see another follow-up novel with the character Holt. Thank you!
April 16, 2021
Great story
Very well written book. Kept me interested though the entire story. I will it again. Even if a person wasn't interested in this type of story I think once they started reading it they would finish it.
Very well written book. Kept me interested though the entire story. I will it again. Even if a person wasn't interested in this type of story I think once they started reading it they would finish it.
June 3, 2021
Good, light and interesting
The story is not a cliffhanger and could be a series but not sure if it is. Good either way.
Nice descriptive language of surroundings.
Good dialogue too.
The story is not a cliffhanger and could be a series but not sure if it is. Good either way.
Nice descriptive language of surroundings.
Good dialogue too.
July 26, 2021
Exciting
I don't usually read westerns. Don't know what made me try this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. I got sucked in from the first page. Wished it was longer. I will definitely read more of this author's work.
I don't usually read westerns. Don't know what made me try this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. I got sucked in from the first page. Wished it was longer. I will definitely read more of this author's work.
February 24, 2022
Dad gum good story
This was a well-told and dad gum good story Mr Robertson is Good story teller a lot of people can write but only a few can tell a good story that you enjoy reading.
This was a well-told and dad gum good story Mr Robertson is Good story teller a lot of people can write but only a few can tell a good story that you enjoy reading.
January 25, 2024
Fast and fun
This is a quick and exciting book. I loved the character Holt. He was a man of integrity who had lost slot in his past as a deputy. But he never lost his moral compass.
This is a quick and exciting book. I loved the character Holt. He was a man of integrity who had lost slot in his past as a deputy. But he never lost his moral compass.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews