About Gunsmoke & Grit

A cowboy and horse silhouetted against a breathtaking sunset, highlighting the beauty of the evening sky.

Welcome to my blog, where we dive deep into the captivating world of Western fiction—a genre that, sadly, seems to be fading away. Here, I’ll be bringing you reviews of both timeless classics and contemporary gems, all in the hopes of reigniting interest in this thrilling genre for a new generation. Join me as we explore the rugged landscapes, unforgettable characters, and gripping tales that define the essence of the West!

⁓B.J. Burgess

'Hanging Justice': The Pulp Roots of the Adult Western

Hanging Justice Slocum, #2 by Jake Logan Playboy Press, 1975 ★★★★✰ BLOOD VENGEANCE —Slocum's way...When the Vanner brothers raped the sheriff's daughter and then shot the sheriff, Slocum couldn't have cared less, but when they went after his woman and murdered her, he was out for blood. Slocum would hunt them down one by one, even if it took him the rest of his life. Through the wild, brawling cattle towns, through the vast, sagebrushed deserts, through towering mountains and canyons, Slocum would track them down. He wanted them sorry they'd ever heard of the sheriff, the daughter, the whore, and especially Slocum. He wanted them to pay, every single one of them—his own special way. The Western genre was on its last legs when the 1970s rolled around. Sure, Louis L'Amour novels were still selling, but many believed the glory days were behind them. Then, with a cheeky twist, publishers decided to stir the pot by adding a little spice—enter the Adult Western genre. T...

The Friday 56: Sneak Peek into 'Valley of Death', The Trailsman #37

Every Friday, I have the pleasure of sharing a snippet or two from my reading adventures—whether it’s from a book I’m currently diving into, a future pick waiting on my shelf, or a delightful surprise from my library. I’ll link this post to The Friday 56 meme, hosted by My Head Full of Books . This week, I’m excited to give you a taste of a future read: Valley of Death , the 37th installment in The Trailsman series, written by the talented Jon Sharpe (the pen name of Jon Messmann, who wrote most of the first 200 books in this thrilling series), originally printed by Signet in 1985. Fargo watched the sheriff control his temper with an obvious effort, keeping the smile on his lips. "Just trying to give you some advice, Fargo. Those valley people aren't worth bothering yourself about. I'd forget about 'em and go my own way, if I were you. Nobody around here ever liked them." ╌page 56, The Trailsman: Valley of Death ⁓B.J. Burgess

The Sunday Post, Issue #1: A Wild Ride Through Western Classics

Happy Sunday, Everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the weekend. Let’s dive into some thrilling tales from the Wild West! This week, we have an incredible lineup of Western titles for your reading pleasure: Trailsman: Valley of the Death by John Sharpe, The Buckskin Line by Elmer Kelton, The Outcasts by Al Cody, Brimstone Trail by Marcus Galloway, Cherokee by Giles Tippette, A pache Laws: Showdown by Luke Adams, Slow Joe and The Jackson Trail by Max Brand, Yukon Justice by Dana Fuller Ross, Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry, Buffalo Soldiers by Tom Willard, Once Late with a .38 by Peter Brandvoid, Only Call Us Faithful by Marie Jakober, and the Collected Stories of Louis L'Amour, Volume One . This Past Week... Exciting news! Gunsmoke & Grits launched on April 25th with its very first post—a review of the second Slocum outing, Hanging Justice , penned by Raphael Hayes under the pseudonym Jake Logan. Alongside that, I had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts on The G...

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