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Patrick Dearen

    Patrick Dearen is a celebrated author who delves deeply into the history and culture of West Texas, particularly its frontier life and the stories of the Pecos and Devils rivers. Through his fourteen novels and ten non-fiction works, he brings to life authentic cowboy experiences and explores the complex relationships between people and the land. His writing is characterized by meticulous research and a passion for preserving fading traditions and narratives.

    Haunted Border
    Perseverance
    When the Sky Rained Dust
    The Big Drift
    Crossing Rio Pecos
    Saddling Up Anyway
    • 2024

      The Big Dry

      • 182 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Set against the harsh backdrop of the 1880s Texas drought, the story delves into complex race relations through the plight of Zeke Boles, a black cowhand wrongfully accused of murder. His friend Will Brite, burdened with his own legal troubles due to his marriage to a mixed-race woman, embarks on a perilous journey to clear Zeke's name. Alongside Arch Brannon, they navigate a treacherous cattle drive, facing both physical and societal challenges, in search of justice and hope amidst despair.

      The Big Dry
    • 2024

      Grizzly Moon

      • 220 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      The book features a compelling narrative crafted by a Spur Award-winning author, known for their exceptional storytelling in the Western genre. It delves into themes of adventure, resilience, and the complexities of frontier life, highlighting richly developed characters who navigate challenges in a rugged landscape. The author's expertise brings authenticity and depth to the setting, making it a captivating read for fans of historical fiction and Western tales.

      Grizzly Moon
    • 2023

      Comanche Peace Pipe

      The Old West Adventures of Fish Rawlings

      • 106 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      Set in 1867, the story follows eleven-year-old Fish Rawlings and his cousin as they navigate the perilous Texas frontier on a wagon train. Along their journey, they encounter a threatening Comanche war party, which includes Hunting Bear, also eleven, who is eager to prove himself on his first war trail. The narrative explores themes of bravery, survival, and the clash of cultures as both boys face the challenges of their respective paths.

      Comanche Peace Pipe
    • 2023

      The End of Nowhere

      • 228 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      Recognized as a finalist for prestigious awards, this book delves into themes of conflict and resolution within a western setting. It showcases compelling characters navigating the complexities of their environment, emphasizing the struggle for peace and understanding. The narrative intertwines historical context with rich storytelling, making it a significant contribution to the genre. Its accolades highlight the quality and impact of the work in contemporary western fiction.

      The End of Nowhere
    • 2023

      Starflight to Eternity

      • 210 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      Set against a backdrop of interstellar adventure, the narrative follows a crew on a perilous journey through space, facing both external threats and internal conflicts. The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own motivations and fears as they navigate the challenges of survival and exploration. Themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the quest for knowledge are interwoven throughout the story, creating a compelling tale that resonates with fans of science fiction and adventure.

      Starflight to Eternity
    • 2023

      On the Pecos Trail

      The Old West Adventures of Fish Rawlings

      • 112 pages
      • 4 hours of reading

      In the spring of 1868, eleven-year-old Fish Rawlings embarks on an adventurous journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a cowboy. Accompanying his uncle on a cattle drive across Texas, Fish is eager to prove himself. However, he soon discovers that the challenges of the trail are far greater than he anticipated, leading him to confront unexpected dangers and personal growth along the way. This coming-of-age story captures the spirit of the Wild West and the resilience required to navigate its trials.

      On the Pecos Trail
    • 2022

      Starflight to Destiny

      • 250 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      Spur Award-Winning Author A deep-space archaeological dig shrouded in mystery . . . Clues to the location of a legendary power in the reaches of the galaxy . . . A man and a woman, each holding half the answers, both defying a totalitarian government. Together, Blake Sharrel and Rhonda Gregory embark on a starship quest to find the Leijan, an enigma that holds the fate of the cosmos. It's an epic journey filled with peril: a crew of pirates ready to slit their throats, a planet where intruders are crucified upside down, and a chase across countless light years of unexplored space. From one planet's Valley of the Skull to another planet's City of the Skull, and on to a derelict spacecraft orbiting a black world, it will be a Starflight to Destiny. "A genuine thrilling and utterly entertaining read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic science fiction."-Shaun Raymond Hoadley, illustrator for books by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

      Starflight to Destiny
    • 2022

      The Illegal Man

      • 250 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      The book features a narrative crafted by a Spur Award-winning author, renowned for their exceptional storytelling in the Western genre. Readers can expect a compelling blend of rich characters and vivid landscapes, exploring themes of adventure, resilience, and the complexities of frontier life. The author's award-winning style promises an engaging and immersive experience that captures the essence of the American West.

      The Illegal Man
    • 2021

      2022 WINNER, ELMER KELTON AWARD, West Texas Historical Association"In 1870, Jake Graves faced a choice: let Comanches carry off his sister, or shoot her. Unwilling to fire, he has been tortured for decades by the brutal end that he could have spared her. The incident bred in him a hatred for Indians that persists to this day in 1917 on an isolated ranch on the Texas-Mexico border. Now Jake learns that his daughter Dru wants to marry Apache foreman Nub DeJarnett. Even before Jake can process the news, Mexican bandits kidnap Dru and her cousin Ruthie. The bandit leader may be a tlehuelpuchi, a shape-shifting agent of evil who needs the women's blood to survive. Through a mysterious desert, Jake and Nub must give chase in this novel based on actual events"--

      Haunted Border
    • 2019

      Apache Lament

      • 280 pages
      • 10 hours of reading
      3.9(12)Add rating

      Spur Award-Winning Author 2019 Elmer Kelton Award Winner Eight months have passed since Sam DeJarnett lost his wife and unborn child to Mescalero Apaches, and now he is one of ten Texas Rangers pursuing those very hostiles in 1881. He lives only for vengeance, and the fresh Mescalero trail in the snow is leading straight into the bitterly cold Sierra Diablo of Texas. In the Mescalero band is Nejeunee, a twenty-year-old woman with a baby. She has lost her husband to the Indaa, or white men, and she lives every moment in hatred. High in the Diablo snows, Sam the Apache hater and Nejeunee the Indaa hater are fated to meet, and what follows will test everything each of them has believed about the other's race. This novel is based on actual events.

      Apache Lament