Publisher's Synopsis
In the tradition of Ed Gorman's noir Westerns, Edward A. Grainger gives us Adventures of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles, Vol. II about a pair of unconventional Deputy U.S. Marshals in 1880's Wyoming. These eight adventures infuse the Western genre with a fresh perspective on topics like race relations and social justice while still delivering pulse-racing action in the style of classic television shows "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and "Gunsmoke."
"Just who the hell are you anyway?" a dying fugitive asks Cash Laramie in the opening story "Origin of White Deer," evoking memories in the Outlaw Marshal of his roots. Raised by the stern Arapaho chief, Lightning Cloud, and the hardships that followed with the death of his kindhearted, adoptive mother Elina, this novella-length tale reveals how the orphaned infant went from being known as White Deer in a small tribal community to a young man living in the city of Cheyenne with the name Cash Laramie.
Gideon Miles, Cash's colleague and only confidant, makes his own indelible mark in three pieces that bring to the forefront the challenges of a black lawman in the Old West, reminiscent of this character's real life inspiration, Bass Reeves. Despite insurmountable odds, Miles overcomes the obstacles using cunning and savoir-faire, bringing law and order to a ruthless land.
Together Cash and Miles create a formidable duo that's not to be missed.
Origin of White Deer (with Chuck Tyrell)
Maggie's Promise
Miles in Between
Cash Laramie and the Painted Ladies
Gun Justice (with Chuck Tyrell)
Cash Laramie and the Masked Devil
Reflections in a Glass of Maryland Rye
BONUS: Hell Town Shootout (A Gideon Miles novella not available in print anywhere else, and sold separately as a single shot e-book.)
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Praise for "Adventures of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles" ...
With ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES, Edward A. Grainger has given fans of traditional Westerns something new and exciting to sink their choppers into. Not a fan of Westerns? Been a while since you've tucked into one? Prefer crime stories? No worries, these stories are as much crime, action, and adventure tale as they are Western. But all that genre affiliation aside, these are damn fine stories.
--Matthew P. Mayo, Spur Award-winning author of "Tucker's Reckoning"
I confess, until I read Grainger's Cash and Miles stories, I always thought of Westerns as dusty, dated affairs. But Grainger proved me wrong. His blend of Westerns and crime fiction is pitch-perfect, bringing out the best in both genres.
--Chris F. Holm, Anthony Award nominee for "The Big Reap"
The writing is spare and impactful, the stories are imaginative. Even if you don't think you're a fan of "Westerns," do yourself a favor and check out this collection --- it just might prove to be the best 99 cents you ever spent.
--Wayne D. Dundee, author of the "Joe Hannibal PI" series
If you're a Western fan and haven't yet made the acquaintance of Cash and Gideon, you definitely should, and this volume is a perfect introduction.
--James Reasoner, author of "Texas Wind"
Plain and simple, Edward A. Grainger's, ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES, proves that there's not only life in the Western genre, but it's kicking butt and taking names. This is one of the most entertaining Westerns of the year.
--Larry D. Sweazy, Spur Award-winning author of "The Coyote Tracker"
These aren't just great Westerns; they're great stories. Mr. Grainger has put together one heck of a collection, featuring characters so full they call out for their own novels. Great work. And I look forward to what these characters do next.
--Steve Weddle, author of "Country Hardball"
