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Gunslinger #1

Gunslinger: Killer's Chance

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FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE FAST-PACED AVENGING ANGELS SERIES COMES A NEW KIND OF WESTERN HERO…

Fourteen-year-old Connor Mack dreams of a life of adventure while stuck plowing, doing all the chores, and being treated as a slave on the half barren family spread in East Texas. He plans to one day flee the beatings delivered by his hulking older brothers and lazy pa. But he knows if he does, he must take his twin sister Abby—who is not always right in the head—with him.

He gets his chance when River Hicks, a man wanted for the murder of a policeman in Fort Worth, rides in with a pack of bounty hunters on his trail. When the gun smoke clears, Connor has killed men for the first time, but he also knows this is his and Abby’s time to escape their life of abuse.

Knowing the law will soon be on their heels, they follow Hicks—an outlaw driven by his own demons, and by deep secrets which somehow involve the Mack twins.

Conner has a lot of learning and growing up to do...and he has to stay alive to do it.

620 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2019

427 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

A.W. Hart

42 books12 followers

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5 stars
291 (50%)
4 stars
202 (35%)
3 stars
55 (9%)
2 stars
18 (3%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
1,398 reviews13 followers
July 14, 2021
Conner, Abby and Hicks certainly know how to stir up trouble, as they work their way throughout the West! Conner, who doesn't put much conference in Hicks, but Abby definitely believes e is the answer to end all their troubles. Certainly a fast moving rendition of unending adventures and you need for excitement never wanes in this compassionately motivated story of unending adventures?

Definitely another five star masterpiece by Mr . Hart, as he leads his readers along a fast moving series of unending adventures in the worthy western folklore masterpiece! Hicks apparently is a man of many names and proves his worthiness many times over. Abby proves herself to bean adventurous young lady, who has no qualms in mixing things up at the drop of a hat! They all prove themselves to be worthy of your undivided attention from beginning to end!
Mr. Hart's never ending storylines successfully maintains your undivided attention from beginning to end, as Hicks definitely proves himself behind the scene more than once. Too, the perfectly selected characters were unsurpassed in their commanding assignments throughout this compelling old American western folklore adventures of one exciting gunfight after the other!
Definitely recommend this compassionately motivated story to everyone, but you old western folklore enthusiasts will definitely enjoy following these characters, as they continuously bring justice to those responsible for wrongful misdeeds! Even you non-western readers will find yourselves completely entertained from beginning to end!!!😃
Profile Image for Éric Kasprak.
529 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2021
Almost every time I read a series that switch from one author to another with each books, Mel Odom name pops up and his output ends up as being my favorite book(s) of the series. So when I started reading the first book in the gunslinger series I was delighted to experience another good output by Mel Odom, and believe me at 620 pages it had to be well written for me to tag along. This first book of the series is more like a complete first season of a TV series then a first episode. You really get to know the characters and the different dynamic that exists between them. All that "tedious" required introductionary phase is well handled by Mel Odom with short snappy chapters that help the pacing and to keep your attention for 600 pages plus. I still think that 620 pages is too long, but I'm glad that it was written by a very good writer that made enjoy it to the fullest.
Profile Image for Barry Jenkins.
332 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2023
Unimpressed

First, this book needs a good editing. There are literally hundreds of missing words, extra words, misspelled words, wrong words.....makes it difficult to read. The only reason I finished the book is that the storyline is basically pretty good.
Except for the unrealistic teenager who has never shot any kind of gun but is automatically a marksman....same for his sister,.....and most of his "adventures" are also unrealistic.
I really enjoyed Hart's series on Concho Ten Wolves....some of h isis actions were almost unreal also but he was part Indian and he was trained in Army special forces so he had experience.
I will NOT continue to read this series of the teenage wonders.
Edit the books before publishing.
Be a little more realistic.
** I will say this...I really appreciate the lack of profanity in some of his books.
Profile Image for Jan Mc.
735 reviews98 followers
September 1, 2024
I would classify this as a YA Western. A young man escapes a desperate home situation with his twin sister and must make his way in the violent world of early Southeast Texas.

The writing is not impressive; a good editor could really improve this story. There is quite a bit of repetition and a lot of telling instead of showing and too much exposition. The main character, Connor Mack, is unrealistically kind-hearted and generous, given his history. He has no previous experience and very little training, yet he's suddenly a great shot with all kinds of firearms. Also, some of the co-stars are too mysterious until the very end of the book, which, by the way, is not the end of the story.

Content warnings: Plenty of gun violence, no foul language, no sex.

Chris Abernathy does a very good job of narrating the audiobook.
994 reviews10 followers
June 2, 2020
5 STARS! FULL OF SHOOT OUTS & ADVENTURE

SPUNKY 5 STARS WESTERN FULL OF EXPLOSIVE ADVENTURES.!
My st read of an A.W.Hart book and found it to be full of great characters, mysterious travels & people, & for the 3 main characters some kind of strange bond that is just left a mystery to the next book in the series. Plenty of bullets flying with shoot-em up action of all types. Recommend.
66 reviews
July 19, 2021
Wrong protagonist!

Connor is a wimp and a wuss, thinking of nothing but keeping his sister safe while she's more capable, intuitive and intelligent. Just finished #2 of the Ranger series, preordered #3, and looked forward to reading this 8 book series. If the next one is ANYTHING like this, I'll not waste my time!
191 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2021
Gunslinger: Killer's Chance

This was an amazing story packed with tons of action and suspense. The only thing lacking was a great love story for the main characters. Hopefully the next book in this storyline series will have it.
Profile Image for LUAYNE.
1,952 reviews4 followers
June 17, 2021
Ok

This western contains lots of gun fighting, a mysteries man looking for answers, a couple of run away teenagers, and an extremely long book. The story will continue into the next book.
89 reviews
January 23, 2023
Engaging

Another wonderful yarn full of all the elements necessary to produce a first class western. Although lengthy, the storyline was rather fresh with regard to the multitude if westerns s already written.
122 reviews1 follower
Read
August 6, 2020
Outlaws

A four star read that keeps you wanting to finish the story. If you like western you will enjoy this story.
616 reviews3 followers
November 2, 2020
Good Fun Read

An excellent adventure. Fast paced and action packed western. Off to a great start and never let up. I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Joe.
495 reviews7 followers
February 15, 2021
It was a good quick read. I plan to read the rest of the series. Some of it it is like an old Western Dime novel.
26 reviews
August 15, 2021
Not one of my favorites

The main character didn't inspire me, it is unlikely that I'll be inclined to read the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews64 followers
October 16, 2019
AW Hart - Gunslinger - Killer’s Chance - Reviewed 10/15/19
From hard work and beatings to running for their lives….

After taking another beating from his spiteful pa and waiting for his vengeful brother to bring the bullwhip for more punishment. Fourteen-year-old Connor Mack’s twin sister, Abby tries to stop the whipping, that she knows could kill him… as they are struggling a stranger approaches the house. While words are exchanged his brothers spot more riders coming. The stranger tells everyone to seek safety and the bullets start flying. Conner acts instinctively and ends up killing a few of the bounty hunters after the stranger. With no choice, as their pa and brothers are sure to blame Conner for the dead bodies, they follow the outlaw, River Hicks. The outlaw has more than a few of his own devils and somehow they connect to Conner and Abby. Connor knows that he has to take care of Abby as she is troubled with her mind not always being on the right path. As the twins travel, Connor and Abby experience freedom for the first time as they were both treated like slaves doing all the work around the farm. Connor realizes that he has lots to learn and he will have to grow up fast to be able to keep Abby safe.

What did I like? Sometimes the most bizarre thing will give a person the break and the push to do what they were wanting to do but didn’t have the where with all to do it. For Conner and Abby, Hicks was that push and they knew there was no turning back because the deck was stacked against them. I have seen in my life several times situations similar to this, so this book really struck a chord with me.

What will you like? A well written and edited storyline that grows with each page as you advance into the problems the twins get themselves into, but mostly Conner is doing the getting! The secrets start from the first day and the author keeps you guessing all the time. The adventures just keep getting more involved, costing Conner with each one. Connor’s life lessons come at him hard and fast, but he just keeps plugging at them. His fears for Abby keep him on his toes. I like the way the author gives the details, and the descriptions so that I felt like I was right there next to the kids. There were some breath-holding going on with several of the more involved ones, but they were awesome. The author’s book two will be releasing later this month, Killer’s Fuse. Join me in another book that has opened up the wild west again.
Profile Image for Sandi Baker.
39 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2020
Action packed!

Who can take a pair of twins under his wings and be a new father figure? The gunslinger! Here's the one!
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,713 reviews10 followers
December 28, 2019
In the old west, probably many a young man had to grow up fast. Connor was such a one. Abused by his father, to the point of almost being beaten to death, his salvation comes in the form of an outlaw, River Hicks. Hicks is being followed by 9 men who are being paid well to kill him. Connor just wants to protect his twin sister, Abby. She is quite a hand full her own self and between the 3 of them, there weren't any bounty hunters left to follow them when they headed to Beaumont. Connor is one of those people with morals that just won't let him stay out of other people's affairs when they are in trouble. his would have gotten him killed on more than one occasion had it not been for Hicks. Hicks knows who sent the bounty hunters after him and figures Beaumont is where he will find the answer to his questions. This is without a doubt, the best book I have read all year.
3,198 reviews26 followers
November 9, 2019
A AWH. Texas Western Action Adventure (G) (KC)

AWH. has penned a Texas western action adventure, which begins with a passing gunman stopping to help a young man whose father appears ready to beat to death. The young man is forced to make a decision to protect his sister. The gunman, after the incident, takes the two with him to Beaumont and they discover that a criminal organization want the gunman dead because he is a businessman by another name. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
922 reviews11 followers
October 15, 2019
The Most Unusual and Enjoyable Western Ever!
In Hart's masterfully crafted western, hold-ups, cattle ranch bullies, bank robbers, etc. are missing; in their place are the most exciting, spellbinding action-packed scenes filled with lovable characters, as well as some of the most evil! Hart is a gifted story teller.
213 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2019
Excellent

Love western novels. Formats are pretty much the same, good guys/ bad guys , this book was different. Great story line, fascinating characters and a mystery thrown in. The writer wasn't rushed. I don't do reviews because I am bad at them. Read this book you will enjoy it.
Profile Image for Linda Mitchell.
9 reviews
October 29, 2019
This book had so many things that just wasn’t believable and with most books like this has another book to be continued. In my opinion of this story I won’t be reading the next one.

719 reviews4 followers
December 1, 2019
Gunslinger: Killer's Chance

This was a good read that has all the twists and turns as a good story should. The author has used all the characters in this book well and you don't want to put it down.
481 reviews4 followers
Read
October 15, 2019
Not a bad story. Siblings Conner and Abby are rescued by an apparent bad guy fleeing bounty hunters. they begin a journey with him that will forever change their lives for
rthe better.
295 reviews6 followers
October 16, 2019
Another great book by Mr. Hart. Great writing and the story flows. Good western.

I received an advance copy for an honest review.
862 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2019
Gilood Book!

Well—-Mel gave the Editor of this book a vacation! Its lack ofediting is distracting and apparent. It isa good story though!
Profile Image for Casey.
1,537 reviews6 followers
December 7, 2019
Enthralling

While our young hero fails to see his own stubborn wilfulness he does, in fact, continue to learn. Abby is a wonder...
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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