Outlaw queen Belle Starr, lawman John Selman and cowboy brisket nachos

Sep 18, 2025 5:01 pm

September '25

Howdy pard,

You look like you’ve had a long week – come sit by the fire and take a load off. The coffee’s hot and the bacon’s fryin’.

Life just never seems to slow down, does it? Those westerns I found last month to share proved to be so popular I found some more – help yourself to whatever you’d like. I’ve got a tale to share of outlaw queen Belle Starr and her life of infamy, as well as facts about St Elmo’s Fire and that notorious lawman John Selman, the man who murdered gunslinger John Wesley Hardin. I’ve got a documentary about the life and times of Rough Rider (and former President) Teddy Roosevelt, as well as a recipe for one of America’s favorite bar foods, brisket nachos.

Oh, and I’m including one last entirely new exclusive taste of the next Sheriff Sol Redding western – the book is coming out next month! I’m real proud of this one, and I'm on the lookout for reviewers (see below).

Dang, hold out your mug and let me top you up. As my ol’ grandpa used to say, ‘Don’t squat with your spurs on’.

More free stories of the Old West

You’ve been asking for them, and here they are. Free westerns, that is … this collection of free Old West fiction will take you back to the American Frontier and the characters and adventures that forged a nation. Don’t forget, help yourself – they are all free!

Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:

The Riders, by Sarah Lamb
The Roaming Adventurer, by Karen Baney
Gold Mountain, by Linda Hughes
Brides Bound for Oregon, by Carena McGregor

Click here to get your free books!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/newsfrommywildwest/lv4a5k1cep

My next Sixgun Drifter western – it’s almost here!

I’m deep into editing the last draft of my next western, the second in the ‘Sheriff Sol Redding’ series. It’s a big rollicking adventure with lots of action, double crosses, bad hombres and gun play – and as my treasured newsletter family I’m proud to give you all one final exclusive snippet of the story as my way of saying thank you. This excerpt is from the final draft of the book – It will be published next month. I just couldn’t wait to give you a taste of what's coming...

I'm also looking for five daring cowpunchers who I can send an advance ebook copy (when it's ready) for the purposes of giving me an honest review of my new western before the publication date. Anyone game? Let me know by replying to this email!

The scene: Sol faces off against a local drunk who has stolen his pistol - and a close friend gets caught in the crossfire...

https://nickbrumbywesterns.com/september-2025-exclusive-subscriber-only-preview-of-the-next-sheriff-sol-redding-western/

Outlaw queen Belle Starr

She was known as the ‘Bandit Queen’ and the ‘Petticoat Terror of the Plains’. She married three different outlaws, spent time in jail for horse rustling, was friends with legendary outlaws Cole Younger and Frank and Jesse James, and was declared to be “a most desperate woman” by a newspaper at the time. By the time Belle Starr was shot to death in 1889, she had cemented herself a place in history as an Old West legend.

Find out more about Outlaw Queen Belle Starr here: https://nickbrumbywesterns.com/belle-starr-the-outlaw-queen/

‘Dust and gunpowder’

Thank you to everyone who has picked themselves up a copy of Redding’s Fandango – the reviews have been great:

“I have to say Redding's Fandango doesn't just tell a Western, it throws you headlong into a dust-and-gunpowder storm of vengeance and survival. The grit of the cattle trail, the corruption closing in, and the fight to clear his name make it a story that hits like a well-aimed shot.”

The book is also now available on major ebook retailers - or check out the extra-special edition containing exclusive content and a story epilogue not available from other retailers, delivered by Bookfunnel, and readable on any device.

You can find it here:

https://nickbrumbywesterns.com/reddings-fandango/

Western fiction

There’s nothing like a good western, and these quality stories of the Old West are just waiting for you to open page one! Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:

The Rustler Hunter, by RJ Sloane
The Gunslinger, by Sarah Lamb
Ghosts of Texas, by Tommie Wendall
Northern Wolf, by Daniel Greene

Click here to get your books!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/newsfrommywildwest2/gjshke6mbd

Pulp fiction

Detective stories. Westerns, action, adventure – it’s all pulp all the time. These fantastic free fiction titles are all about story and fun and are just waiting for you to start page one! Pick one, pick them all – it’s up to you. But don’t wait – they won’t last long!

Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:

The Badge and the Gun, by Johnny Two Kebabs
Thieves in Velvet, by Stella Sinclaire
The Templar Cypher, by Elsie Buck
Blood Tingling Tales, by Steve Hudgins

Click here to get your books!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/pulpfiction/xm10zkoyh9

Did you know?

St. Elmo’s Fire, or Foxfire, is a phosphorescent light often seen on the tips of cattle’s horns, and occasionally on a horse’s ears. It usually occurs on stormy nights or when there is electricity in the air. When the storm is fully charged, leaves, blades of grass, and even the horns of cattle glow at their tips.

More great reading

There’s nothing like a great story, and these free quality titles are just waiting for you to start page one! Pick one, pick them all – it’s up to you. But don’t wait – just like fireworks and apple pie, they are perfect for summer!

Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:

The Devils’ Angel, by Mike Donohue
The Girls in the Desert, by JR Cloice
Baxter K9 Hero, by Jodi Burnett
A Taste for Murder, by Daisy Bell

Click here to get your free books!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/thrillingfreebies-sep/51hq74f8by

Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense

A good book is a treasure – and these quality titles promise untold riches! Pick one, pick them all – it’s up to you. But don’t wait –they won’t last long.

Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:

The Girl from Moscow’s Edge, by Nadya Frank
Bogs, Brews and Banshees, by Rowan Dillon
Red Dragon, by Brian H Roberts
Resurrection, by Andre Gonzalez

Click here to get your books before they disappear!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mysthrillsus-sep/kkcl3ruusg

Documentary: Teddy Roosevelt and the Western Experience

President Theodore Roosevelt is one of America’ most loved presidents. He created five national parks and safeguarded millions of acres of wilderness for future generations, he facilitated the building of the Panama Canal, won a Nobel Peace Prize, led the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, known as the “Rough Riders” during the Spanish-American War, and had a deep and long-loved love of the American West.

Find out more about President Teddy Roosevelt in this great documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_lc4th0w7I

Another time

Historical fiction is like going back in time – it’s a whole different world at a much slower pace. These fantastic historical fiction titles are just waiting for you to start page one! Pick one, pick them all – it’s up to you. But don’t wait – ironically, time is short!

Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest:

Burning Oath, by Rowan Ashborne
Gunpowder, Magic and Lead, by Cleave Bourbon
Strange Detectives, by GW Thomas
Tales from Old Japan, by PDR Lindsay

Click here to get your free books!

https://storyoriginapp.com/to/j51Xqse

Did you know?

In 1895 Constable John Selman killed the notorious John Wesley Hardin by shooting him in the back of the head at the Acme Saloon in El Paso. However Selman himself was no angel, being at various times a soldier, vigilante, and vicious outlaw, as well as lawman. After deserting from the Confederate Army during the Civil War, he fell into cattle rustling with a corrupt sheriff in Fort Griffin, Texas. After avoiding capture and disappearing, he next turned up in New Mexico where he started another cattle rustling gang. He was arrested but escaped and hid until the charges were dropped. He then became a lawman, where he killed several men in the lead up to his notorious encounter with Hardin. While out on bond for that killing, he ran across a US Deputy Marshall who had been friends with another man Selman had killed. Gunplay soon flared up and Selman was shot down. He was buried in an unmarked grave, the location of which is unknown. What a life!

Brisket nachos

Brisket nachos are one of America’s favorite bar foods. This perfect mix of tender, juicy brisket and salty, crisp tortilla chips is be the perfect companion to an ice cold beer, and the tradition of the saloon can be found in every bite. Let Cowboy chef Kent Rollins show you how to make brisket nachos for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM0uRrsp5rs

More great reading

Scenic mysteries just never get old. You’ll find plenty here, and these quality titles won’t disappoint! Pick one, pick them all – it’s up to you. But don’t wait – time is ticking!

Here’s a couple of titles to whet your interest: