STARPACKER by David Whitehead

This book is a 1990 edition from the Black Horse Western brand.

Tom Hunter has served just half of a 10 year sentence at Yuma for the theft of silver bullion and the murder of a stage driver and the guard.
As it comes clear Hunter was framed and his arrival in the town of Carver is no accident. They want a town marshall and he sees that as a way to bring the true criminal to justice. Only when the confrontation arrives does Hunter realise how naive he had been.
Trouble is that his adversary, Jason Birchell, not only has an interest in the local paper but is a powerful man around town. A man who will use any means possible to discredit and kill his nemesis.
David Whitehead weaves his web and keeps the reader hooked to the end.
For anyone looking to read their first western then this book would fit the bill.
Look out for the Judge and Dury series and the Heller novels from this writer, too.

RAWHIDE

Series 1 of the western tv series that shot Clint Eastwood onto the world stage is already available.

Series 2 will be released on Region 2 on the 4th April 2011

Series 3 will be released 11th July 2011

HOMEFRONT:THE VOICE OF FREEDOM by John Milius and Raymond Benson

Between them John Milius (Apocalypse Now) and Raymond Benson (James Bond novelisations) have created a frightening future.
The main storyline begins in 2025 and concerns a disillussioned journalist, Ben Walker, and a Korean 'sleeper' Yi Dae-Hyan aka Salmusa.
The USA has lost it's way. The recession and the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns have weakened the economy and the standing on the world stage has diminished.
The Middle East is in flames and the cost of oil has become prohibitive.
In Asia, there is a leadership change in Korea. The leader is charismatic enough to engineer a re-unification with South Korea. The Philipines, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam join in to become part of the Greater Korean Republic. Japan doesn't get the choice but that is just a step away from the ultimate plan.
Rich and powerful the GKR has the weakened America in it's sights.
In the US the man who will co-ordinate the invasion works as an electrician in San Francisco - but it is Salmusa who sends out the first wave as the metros in 12 cities are bombed simultaneously.
Ben Walker, the journalist, is tired. He is just a hack who covers celebrity lives. Certainly, not a hero. He knows what the world is like but as long as he can run his BSA motorbike and have a Jack Daniels he is happy.
Then the lights go out....and his journey to become The Voice Of Freedom begins.
Milius and Benson have written a captivating book. The build up is believable and Ben Walker is in the dark as to what is happening. In a world of chaos he meets up with the resistance. Of course, Salmusa is the man given the sole task of gagging the voice of freedom. The climax leaves the reader wanting more.

And this is only the beginning as John Milius has brought many of the characters from the book to a videogame 'Homefront' that is set in 2027.
All this has resulted in some controversy. It is said that the game from THQ and Kaos will not be available in South Korea. The Japanese version has no references to Korea or the leadership.
The premise isn't new I seem to recall back in the sixties that had the Chinese invading Britain. I can't remember the title as it was one of many at the time of similar ilk.
Still....Homefront 2: London is on the cards.

THE TRAIL RESUMES......

with a pic from the window of our new home.

GOING WALKABOUT

As things come together - so the wife and I are going to up sticks and move to healthier climes.
As soon as I stood at the window and saw the sea rushing in I knew that this was the place for me. Being a writer I could have written that sentence a touch better but you get the jist.
The view from the main bedroom window is just as good. So if I get a touch of insomnia then, maybe, the moon on the water will give me a Pink Floyd moment.
Unfortunately, the cost of all this luxury will be the snail like internet connection that comes with it. Seems that fibre-optic cable haven't reached these parts. I have a fibre optic Christmas tree but Virgin Media mentioned that it would not help with my problem.
Mind you Christmas Day looks rather fun as all the locals turn into lemmings and charge headlong into the sea. They do this despite the icy conditions and, somehow, seem to survive.
The best place to fish is from the beach. Good excuse to leave the house and spend time out doors reading a BHW while catching dinner.
Be assured that 'Broken Trails' will return.

RON WATKINS - 1930 to 2011

It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of fellow Black Horse Western writer Ron Watkins.

Ron began his writing career with detective novels the first being 'Death Draws The Curtain' in 1973.
Ron was born in 1930 and educated at Leominster Grammer school. He worked as a librarian with Rhondda Borough Council rising to the position of Deputy County Librarian with Mid-Glamorgan County Council. He was also a reader for a London publisher and President of the Bridgend Writers Circle.
His first Black Horse Western 'Lowry's Revenge' was published in 1993 and was the first of his novels that I read. The hero was an actor and began with a scene from Shakespeare's 'King Lear'.
With contributions to 'Writing Magazine' and the production of a play 'Sextet' Ron Watkins was always the versatile writer.

Broken Trails sends condolences to Ron's family. His talent is something that will be missed.

BOOK OF THE GAME

A while back I thought that the book of the game would be a good idea. Something along the lines of book of the movie sort of thing.
A visit to our local Waterstone's showed shelves lined with novels (not graphic novels though they are around too).
These novelisations are of some of the popular console games around like:
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood plus another couple of titles that precede this.
Gears Of War
Dragon Age
Halo
Dead Space

Rumour has it that there are more novelisations in the pipeline.