Ride With the Devil

Hawke #1

by Robert Vaughan

A U.S. Civil War veteran hoping to forget his dark past must choose between wealth & power or saving a town from a corrupt lawman in this western. Mason Hawke emerged from war a scarred man, a man unable to return to a life of power and privilege. His only way out is to start his life anew, concealing his past from those he encounters. But things don't always go according to plan, which Mason finds out when he stops in a town where he knows the local sheriff, a man who has the town under his thumb. All Mason wants to do is settle down and pretend the past never happened. But now he must decide whether to live the easy life, forgetting his past, or to risk sacrificing himself, and help the town break free of the tyrannical lawman, at the risk of exposing something he’d wanted to keep buried.

Genres: Westerns

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Robert Vaughan is an American writer. He has also written a series of contemporary and historical romance novels under several pseudonyms including "Paula Moore" and "Paula Fairman". His father served in the military and Robert followed him in the 1950s, entering army aviation. He served until the Vietnam War and won numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with several oak-leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, and several other medals.
His early books reflected his military background: the first novel was about the US Army along the DMZ in Korea, followed by a trilogy set in Vietnam. There are more than 9 million of his books in print under various names. He was inducted into the Writers’ Hall of Fame in 1998.

Reviews

[D-Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great lead character and an excellent setup. I also enjoyed how fleshed out all of the side characters were. This is a good Western that has a sloppy third act. The author trys to wrap things up too quickly and the ending is messy and rushed. Ultimately I put the book down unsatisfied, which is a shame because 80% of the noved is actually quite good. I will check out book two to see if it's able to resolve the poor ending.

[Frank Fragguzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tight well-written story that moves right along. The hero is very atypical in that he's a concert pianist drifting through the Old West playing the piano in saloons - an unlikely plot - but it works. The author makes him into somewhat of a superhuman character whose dexterity and speed with a gun is attributed to his skills as a piano musician.

I like the way this guy writes because he keeps it moving - although he does have a tendency to detour with inconsequential facts that have nothing to do with the plot.

[Charles Castell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely another impressive episode of Hawke's impressive episodes of our old western adventures. Very thoroughly written by one of the better authors of great western strategy. I have been impressed with Mr. Vaughan's abilities since the very first book I read by him, and they only continue to get better. The Hawke series is probably his best series thus far, as his thorough descriptiveness of each episode is beyond belief.

Well worthy of the five stars I have awarded this book, as the storylines and the characters certainly were appropriately placed throughout the entire book.

I am certainly hooked on this series, having already purchased the full series, as I cannot begin to imagine what Hawke's next episode might bring. I certainly recommend this series to all of you lovers of really exciting western adventures, as I assure you, each episode gets better than great.

Don't miss the opportunity to follow Hawke's great adventures throughout his many exciting trips in the "real old western adventures!"

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many mistakes

Author needs a good dictionary:

"palate" and "palette" are 2 very different words,

as are "grizzly" and "grisly".

Then there are the many grammar and punctuation errors.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it to everyone.

[Jake M. luksenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading

I would highly recommend this book! Once u start reading it u can not put it down u must finish it, the author is just fantastic.

[Pete Byam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding story.

Hard to put Vaughn’s books down. I don’t know how many I have read but all spellbinding. Have a good ride.

[Tim Sarver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

Very good storyline. Lots of intrigue and action. Would recommend to anyone liking western themed stories. The ending did leave you hanging.

[Richard Boulanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the stories buy friends he meets along the way.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strikingly original plot powers this fast paced Western with unique and quite memorable good guys/bad guys and beautiful women!

[Bill Lents · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interlude for justice....

Feeling good after reading like a warm hug. The characters, the conflict, and the connections made, bring this story to life. Well done.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great book!

This was a really good story! I have to admit I was hoping he'd become the new sheriff. Can't wait to read the next book!

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Just after US Civil War. Vaughan has Hawke a standard lone cowboy that takes off without a word. But "dandy" 'finest dressed in saloons' attracts beauties to his bed. Gentleman to females.

However, a twist is his skill as classic pianist. Passing through. Best shot. Warns first. Does what he says. Honorable. Cool.

Villain Culpepper has deputies, led by crazy cruel Vox, who steps over the line of justice. Obvious climax. Shootout.

Thugs repeat crime that led to creation of their "Regulator" gang. Naive young cowboy Kendall is trope symbol sacrifice. More deaths throughout, relieved by romance. One prayer.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An RV Western WIth Hawke In A Range War

RV has penned a western about Hawke who is a traveler around numerous counties across the state of Texas. He rides into a range war where the daughter of a rancher bass done her best to combat night riders and rustlers. When Hawke joins the war the bodies begin to fly. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

[Jenna N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far this is a great book, I would reccomend it to people who like western books. My uncle reccomended it to me and I love it.