Between Hell and Texas

This 2nd book in the Crayton Dawson series begins where GUNMAN'S SONG leaves off. This along with THE LAW IN SOMOS SANTOS comprise the three books in this current, ongoing series from Ralph Cotton. This 2nd book moves along at a little slower pace than the others, and concentrates on Cray Dawson adjusting to his new found, unwanted status as 'gunman' or 'gunfighter'. Until chapter 11 in Between Hell and Texas, he doesn't want to see himself as others, but in this chapter he not only accepts the role of leader and fast gun, but begins now to act within that role. This book of plot and numerous sub plots will be nothing new to readers of Ralph's works, but for anyone coming to his writing for the first time an awareness of the writer's talent will soon be evident. Just the manner in which Cray's horse, Stony, has his place in the story so too does Mad Albert Ash (one reviewer calls him Mad Albert 'Roach' but that is incorrect). I have 15 of Ralph's westerns, and of all of them Mad Albert is one of the most unique, interesing characters I've had the pleasure encountering. A gunman who is both a realist and philosopher! While the main villain, Lematte is not as sane as he would appear, neither is Mad Albert as unhinged as he would want you believe. Along the way in this novel we also meet the DD ranch crew and several women of great strength and character, one of whom gives her life for Crayton Dawson. What can we say finally for this great read: firstly, I'm very surprised only two other reviews are listed here, and I'm very happy to recommend this book of the west to all readers. You will have a few hours entertainment by a very skilled writer. Semper Fi.

In Gunman's Song, cowboy Cray Dawson teams up with the famous gunslinger, Fast Larry Shaw, to track down and kill the men who killed the woman both of them loved. I flat out was plum crazy about Gunman's Song; thought it had all the elements of a fine western. In Between Hell and Texas, Cray Dawson is no longer with Fast Larry, instead he's on his own, headed back home to Texas to take up life where he left off. Cray doesn't want to be a gunman, has no interest in having a reputation, but now, because of what he did while with Fast Larry...he does have the reputation. All of a sudden everyone thinks he IS a top gun, a fast-drawing, straight-shooting, never-back-down big time gunman. And, of course, all the wanna be gunslingers, all of them wanting to build their reputations, they all want a piece of Cray Dawson...each one of them wants to be known as "the man who killed Cray Dawson." And so, life as he once knew it, has changed forever for Cray. Once home again, he gets involved with the sister of the dead girl, the sister of the woman he'd loved so much. The relationship between these two is as interesting as everything else in this terrific book. I've recently discovered the writing of Ralph Cotton, and have become a huge fan. I am a published writer myself, with five books in print, not westerns, but recently I started to write some westerns. In the process I began to read as many westerns as possible, by as many different writers as I could, to see what I could learn from the pros. I had long been a fan of Louis L'Amour, and have come to appreciate a number of other excellent new western writers, too. However, none of them has much of anything over Ralph Cotton. Cotton knows what he's doing, has a solid grasp of what it takes to create a western that is believable, full of action, one that moves fast, a book with characters you care about, and one that's satisfying and fun to read. If you've never read any Ralph Cotton, check him out, for sure. And do read Gunman's Song, and Between Hell and Texas...you won't be disappointed.

In "Gunman's Song" cowhand Cray Dawson joined up with his old friend, notorious gunfighter Lawrence "Fast Larry" Shaw in order to track down the outlaws who murdered his wife. He picked up an unwanted reputation as a shootist when all he wants to do is punch cattle like before. Here, he can't do it even after he returns to his hometown. Even worse, there's a new sheriff in Somos Santos, TX who's band of deputies are cheap thugs with badges. All the sheriff cares about is bringing the town to heel and turning it into a profitable den of vice. Cray finds himself unable to live down his reputation in these circumstances, plus he's dealing with his feelings for two women, and there's the problem with the aptly nicknamed gunman "Mad" Albert Roach being summoned to town. Black humor and existental crisies abound in this full on Western adventure.