Howdy pard,

It’s great to see you again. Make yourself comfortable – friends are always welcome!

First up, a big thank you to everyone who wrote me back with their thoughts and encouragement for the snippet of Sol Redding’s next adventure I shared with you last month. I really appreciate your feedback – I promise you that I read every one, and have already made a few tweaks to my latest draft based on your suggestions. I’ll have more to share – as well as a big announcement – next month.

Have you read your exclusive subscriber-only copy of my first western Redding’s Maverick? If not, have no fear - click on the link to download your free and exclusive copy of Sheriff Sol Redding’s first adventure: https://BookHip.com/NGKAHW

If you don't get the emailed copy, don't forget to check your email browser's spam folder or your promotions tab. To avoid this you can whitelist my email address so that my emails go straight into your inbox. It’s easy – just click here and you’ll be finished in no time: https://nickbrumbywesterns.com/whitelist.html

Today I share with you two great collections of wonderful novels that will carry you to a simpler world from centuries past (which won’t cost you a cent), a eye-opening video interview with one of the original riders on the original Pony Express (seriously, see him for yourself), and a recipe for Rocky Mountain Oysters that showed the sacrifices those early pioneers had to make to build a better life.

Come inside, get your boots off, and share a glass with me!

Time for a good book

We all wish we could be a little younger, but sadly time marches on for everyone. However I’ve always been of the opinion that reading a good story set in the past is like travelling back in time. 

Now’s the time to out that theory to the test! I’ve found a stack of free (and excellent) novels for you to try, all set in the past, and all ready to download right now. From romantic journeys of discovery, to spy thrillers to medieval mysteries, wild west adventures and wartime escapades, these books won’t disappoint.

They all have something in common – they are all historical fiction – and they won’t cost you a cent. Pick one, pick ten, pick them all – it’s up to you.

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

•  Samurai’s Honor, by Walt Mussell
•  Duke’s Revenge, by Karen Sommers
•  His Silver City Gold, by Emilee Harris
• The Pharoah’s Revenge, by Audra Hershey

Don’t miss out, folks! Click here to get your free books:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/monicabarriehistoricals/recg40da7b

Rocky Mountain Oysters

Those hardy souls who began new lives in the Wild West were pretty resourceful, and it showed in the foods they ate. Early pioneers had no choice but to use what they had to survive - and they got pretty creative!

Life in the Old West was harsh, journeys were long, and settlers had no guarantees the food they packed on a wagon train would last until their final destination. Anything could end up in the cooking pot… wild game, calf's hooves, even rocky Mountain Oysters….

Find out more about genuine Old West viddles in this excellent short film I've found on that youtube thingamebob:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ysgixlh7pA

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.

Spring into history

They don’t make history like they used to… except for when It comes to historical fiction. You’re in for a real treat!

Here’s a collection of free novels and short stories in which the main character lives in an earlier, more romantic historical era. If you like your heroes in a Victorian-era romance, a Civil War-era crime escapade or even combat and valour from the Great War, then you should check this collection out.

With 25 different titles to choose from, you’re a great chance of finding a story in which the hero isn’t above the odd dirty trick.

There’s something historical here for everyone – WWI and WWII stories, Inspirational and Christian fiction, tales of suspense and mystery, historical romance, as well as action and adventure.

They all have something in common – a great story set in an earlier, less complicated age – and they won’t cost you a cent. Pick one, pick ten, pick them all – it’s up to you.

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

• The Hangman’s Tale, by A.E. Johnson
• Murder on the San Juan Express, by K.C. SIvils
• Of Gold and Blood, by Jenny Wheeler
• Cards and Kisses, by Jill Wallace

Don’t miss out, folks! Click here to get your free books:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/historicalfictionforspring/5ovpysx5is

I rode for the Pony Express

Here’s something I thought I’d never see – an real-life honest-to-goodness interview on film with an original rider from the fabled Pony Express!

That’s right – the actual Pony Express.

I’ve found some video of Richard Clarke, who was a United States frontiersman, armed forces member, and Pony Express rider.  During his career, Clarke also fought alongside George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn against the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples.

It’s a great little interview – enjoy!:

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

Happy trails,

Nick