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Rusty's Redemption: A Classic Western Adventure
A family destroyed by murderous border ruffians...
A tortured soul on a quest for atonement...
... and a battle that became a turning point in history
As Rusty Bluntstone’s body struggled to fight for survival—floating in and out of fevered dreams—he saw six men riding toward their farmhouse. He didn’t hear his father speak, but he knew the words anyway.
“Get your sister to that old cave and hide until I come get you. Go!”
Rusty argued, but his father slapped him, hard. The shock of remembering caused Rusty to black out again.
Then, he saw his father galloping down the slope, trying to outrace the men headed for his home, his wife. His sister shrieked—she is only twelve, and himself just fifteen. His cheek still burns as he turns his horse, leading the way, to the cave. Behind them, he can hear shots firing…
Sheriff Micah Blackmore agrees to teach the boy to handle a gun because nothing else will soothe the horrors that plague Rusty’s mind. The sight of their farmhouse burned to the ground. The bullet-riddled body of his father. His mother’s body, naked, violated—murdered by the vicious Dobbs Gang who had come from up from Texas.
Micah had not expected to find the talent Rusty showed with a gun. Already, the kid could draw and fire nearly as quickly as Micah. And there were very few men who thought they were faster than Sheriff Blackmore. None, in fact, who were alive…
Rusty’s Redemption is the spellbinding first book from Travis McGraw. If you like fast-paced action, struggles between good and evil, and justice served, then you’ll love this gritty tale of loss, vengeance and redemption.
A tortured soul on a quest for atonement...
... and a battle that became a turning point in history
As Rusty Bluntstone’s body struggled to fight for survival—floating in and out of fevered dreams—he saw six men riding toward their farmhouse. He didn’t hear his father speak, but he knew the words anyway.
“Get your sister to that old cave and hide until I come get you. Go!”
Rusty argued, but his father slapped him, hard. The shock of remembering caused Rusty to black out again.
Then, he saw his father galloping down the slope, trying to outrace the men headed for his home, his wife. His sister shrieked—she is only twelve, and himself just fifteen. His cheek still burns as he turns his horse, leading the way, to the cave. Behind them, he can hear shots firing…
Sheriff Micah Blackmore agrees to teach the boy to handle a gun because nothing else will soothe the horrors that plague Rusty’s mind. The sight of their farmhouse burned to the ground. The bullet-riddled body of his father. His mother’s body, naked, violated—murdered by the vicious Dobbs Gang who had come from up from Texas.
Micah had not expected to find the talent Rusty showed with a gun. Already, the kid could draw and fire nearly as quickly as Micah. And there were very few men who thought they were faster than Sheriff Blackmore. None, in fact, who were alive…
Rusty’s Redemption is the spellbinding first book from Travis McGraw. If you like fast-paced action, struggles between good and evil, and justice served, then you’ll love this gritty tale of loss, vengeance and redemption.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2021
390 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Travis McGraw
20 books4 followersTravis is a massive fan of all that the western era has to offer. As a kid he couldn't get enough of the classic western TV series of the time and forever had his head buried in a western novel, taking him back to that magical time when your word was your bond and a man was measured by his loyalty to the brand and his courage during adversity.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 5, 2025
GOOD WITH A GUN IS JUST UNDERSTATING HOW GOOD RUSTY IS
☆☆☆☆☆
Rusty's Redemption: A Classic Western Adventure by Travis McGraw is a great story of a young man who his parents were killed in a small ranching community in southwestern Colorado by a notorious gang of ruthless killers from Texas who are praying on the settlers north who are siding with the Union States. Rusty and his sister Melissa hid out in a cave while their parents were brutally killed.
Rusty and his sister are taken in by his friend Gary's parents and raised as part of the family until Rusty and Gary head off to join the Colorado militia against the Rebel forces out of Texas who are attacking the Colorado settlers and battling the Union Army forces. During one of the last battles for the Colorado militia, Rusty charges the Rebels who are trying to desert and flee the battle. Upon returning to his friend Gary's side he finds out that he's dying of dysentery and that there is nothing the surgeons can do to help him. After the battle, most head home but Rusty doesn't have it in him.
He heads put on his own. After a while, he links up with a friend who takes him in to teach him to become a great bounty hunter. Together, they travel through the rough territories and states of the southwest bringing down numerous bad guys and ruthless gangs.
The one thing that really caught me off guard was that Travis mentioned that spectators were watching the battles take place during the Civil War. I find it strange and troublesome that families would spread out blankets on the hills above the battlefields having picnics watching the killing and destruction going on below them. I had to Google it and sure enough, that was a non-fiction statement in his fictional historical tale.
This is a tale of a young man faced with the loss of his parents, friends, and fellow soldiers who puts his training to work to bring justice to the region by bringing in the criminals dead or alive. Granted, he does this for the money but also for redemption for not being there when his parents were brutally murdered and for what's the right thing to do with the talents he has with his gun and his smarts he's learned along the way taught to him by those he calls friends and family.
This is a very good book and I really enjoyed it. I hope you too will find yourself enjoying this story.
Quotes:
When it comes to gunfights;
"Just remember. You can be right a thousand times. You can only be wrong once."
☆☆☆☆☆
Rusty's Redemption: A Classic Western Adventure by Travis McGraw is a great story of a young man who his parents were killed in a small ranching community in southwestern Colorado by a notorious gang of ruthless killers from Texas who are praying on the settlers north who are siding with the Union States. Rusty and his sister Melissa hid out in a cave while their parents were brutally killed.
Rusty and his sister are taken in by his friend Gary's parents and raised as part of the family until Rusty and Gary head off to join the Colorado militia against the Rebel forces out of Texas who are attacking the Colorado settlers and battling the Union Army forces. During one of the last battles for the Colorado militia, Rusty charges the Rebels who are trying to desert and flee the battle. Upon returning to his friend Gary's side he finds out that he's dying of dysentery and that there is nothing the surgeons can do to help him. After the battle, most head home but Rusty doesn't have it in him.
He heads put on his own. After a while, he links up with a friend who takes him in to teach him to become a great bounty hunter. Together, they travel through the rough territories and states of the southwest bringing down numerous bad guys and ruthless gangs.
The one thing that really caught me off guard was that Travis mentioned that spectators were watching the battles take place during the Civil War. I find it strange and troublesome that families would spread out blankets on the hills above the battlefields having picnics watching the killing and destruction going on below them. I had to Google it and sure enough, that was a non-fiction statement in his fictional historical tale.
This is a tale of a young man faced with the loss of his parents, friends, and fellow soldiers who puts his training to work to bring justice to the region by bringing in the criminals dead or alive. Granted, he does this for the money but also for redemption for not being there when his parents were brutally murdered and for what's the right thing to do with the talents he has with his gun and his smarts he's learned along the way taught to him by those he calls friends and family.
This is a very good book and I really enjoyed it. I hope you too will find yourself enjoying this story.
Quotes:
When it comes to gunfights;
"Just remember. You can be right a thousand times. You can only be wrong once."
April 16, 2021
A classic western of a lad seeking revenge for his parents death
A fast paced story with well-defined characters who struggle to do the right thing. Rusty learn his gunfighting skills from a friend ly sheriff who wants Rusty to let go of his revenge. In the Colorado militia, Rusty meets a Sergeant who becomes his mentor. Together, they hunt down the bad guys hoping to live long enough to retire.
A fast paced story with well-defined characters who struggle to do the right thing. Rusty learn his gunfighting skills from a friend ly sheriff who wants Rusty to let go of his revenge. In the Colorado militia, Rusty meets a Sergeant who becomes his mentor. Together, they hunt down the bad guys hoping to live long enough to retire.
May 20, 2021
Ride with Rusty
This is an outstanding story of the growth of a boy into manhood that spans two decades that includes the American Civil War and the turbulent times just following. Rusty becomes a skilled bounty hunter with admirable scruples and a strong desire to mete justice to a truly evil man.
This is an outstanding story of the growth of a boy into manhood that spans two decades that includes the American Civil War and the turbulent times just following. Rusty becomes a skilled bounty hunter with admirable scruples and a strong desire to mete justice to a truly evil man.
April 1, 2021
Rusty's redemption
This was a good read that showed what patience and perservirence can do. There's a lot of action and adventure in this story, not always pretty but seemingly factual.
This was a good read that showed what patience and perservirence can do. There's a lot of action and adventure in this story, not always pretty but seemingly factual.
April 11, 2021
Great western story. You have me hooked. Could not out the book down.
You did a masterful job of story telling and kept me involved through out this great western book. Keep writing and I'll keep reading. Thank you.
You did a masterful job of story telling and kept me involved through out this great western book. Keep writing and I'll keep reading. Thank you.
April 29, 2021
Great Yarn
I really enjoyed this Western. It traces the life of Rusty, who los3s his parents early on, but a kindly Sheriff takes him under his wing and makes him into a skilled shooter, and teaches him about survival. Great book, I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this Western. It traces the life of Rusty, who los3s his parents early on, but a kindly Sheriff takes him under his wing and makes him into a skilled shooter, and teaches him about survival. Great book, I highly recommend it.
April 30, 2021
Rusty's Revenge
This was a very well written story which was a combination civil war story and western. Lots of action and shootouts and typical western adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
This was a very well written story which was a combination civil war story and western. Lots of action and shootouts and typical western adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
May 30, 2021
Great book!
Started out sad but drew my interest. Moved fast and kept me interested. The end was good . Also could us eless of my Lord's name in vain. There is always better ways to get the message across. Second book read by this author and he tells a good story.
Started out sad but drew my interest. Moved fast and kept me interested. The end was good . Also could us eless of my Lord's name in vain. There is always better ways to get the message across. Second book read by this author and he tells a good story.
August 9, 2021
Both your western stories we're sensational, thank you for the great read.
Found your characters to be true to life I rarely lea 've reviews because they are to lengthy. Looking forward to more of your stories.
Found your characters to be true to life I rarely lea 've reviews because they are to lengthy. Looking forward to more of your stories.
September 5, 2023
A great story
Lots of action and adventure in this unusual tale of the old west. It is fast paced and has plenty of twists and turns tomkeep the pages turning. I will be watching for another story of Rusty's life.
Lots of action and adventure in this unusual tale of the old west. It is fast paced and has plenty of twists and turns tomkeep the pages turning. I will be watching for another story of Rusty's life.
February 11, 2021
The zMsn on a Mission
Nice little book about a boy who loses his parents to a gang of thugs and then spends years hunting them doem
Nice little book about a boy who loses his parents to a gang of thugs and then spends years hunting them doem
March 13, 2021
Needs a better epilogue!
I liked the story. The plot was fleshed out until the ending. I would have liked more details and a longer epilogue.
I liked the story. The plot was fleshed out until the ending. I would have liked more details and a longer epilogue.
May 1, 2021
A soul-satisfying read
The older I get the more I appreciate gentleness - and justice.
This book contains plenty of both.
I look forward to hearing more about Rusty.
The older I get the more I appreciate gentleness - and justice.
This book contains plenty of both.
I look forward to hearing more about Rusty.
April 8, 2022
Found me a good new storyteller!
McGraw know s about the West and it's citizns. He can spin a tale that keeps a man reading. Looking forward to more from him.
McGraw know s about the West and it's citizns. He can spin a tale that keeps a man reading. Looking forward to more from him.
July 20, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much!
June 9, 2025
Entertaining; lots of action; pretty good author.
July 18, 2025
Awesome story!
This was one of best western stories I've read in a long time! I like this author's writing and hope to read more books by him!
This was one of best western stories I've read in a long time! I like this author's writing and hope to read more books by him!
August 5, 2025
Too much profanity
June 30, 2022
Good read
Rusty needs his own series. He is a fast draw, honest, loyal man. Would like to read more about his family.
Rusty needs his own series. He is a fast draw, honest, loyal man. Would like to read more about his family.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews