Tennessee Dave

You know, TD, I'm glad LL kept Bord the lead who didn't need any help; he could easily been overshadowed by the Sacketts, which LL clearly had no intention of letting happen. Nonetheless, I too was hoping for more of "a Sackett presence" in the story. Tell, Tyrell and Orrin (and maybe Nolan along?) loaded for bear, but staying out of the marshalls way. But, LL always knew what he was doing, and a good story.

P.S. Did everyone else suspect Lang almost from the git? He always popped up when something happened; way too eager to "help."

" The only time a man should be dancing is when other men are shooting at his feet. "

Tennessee Dave

What I meant by saying all of LL's characters were the same was this: he developed a formula that worked for him. His characters are usually over 6 feet tall, carry their weight in the arms and shoulders, have green eyes, are snake fast with a sixgun, are all good fistfighters and often fight "for the pure joy of it"---usually having as an opponent an enemy who is much larger, heavier and who have often "killed someone with their bare hands". LL's heroes are usually excellent woodsmen, always kill a deer (or elk) by "shooting it in the neck", they like grey pants, shirts, black string neck ties, black boots and perhaps a buckskin jacket in the style of the spanish men. They all can make a bow and arrows overnight and usually manage to kill a "nice buck" with it the next day (or a bighorn sheep).

Most all of LL's characters fit that description except for the women of course, and even then he tries to cast Emily Talon in a similar mold--(go read her description again).

I manage to keep the characters separate in my mind when I read of course, but they all beare a remarkable resemblance to each other.

By now I have read most all the western stories far more times than I can recall but I almost know some of the stories by heart--sort of like the old story about hobo jokes---(since everyone knew all the jokes, they just called a number and everyone laughed), I pick up a book, see the title and can recall the story quite vividly. LL is great escapism for me.

LRJ

Tennessee Dave

Tell seemed to think that he had a face so homely, only his mother could say it was attractive, and "she looked sorta doubtful when she said it". Oh, LL's heroes always had high cheekbones and a "wedge shaped face" as I recall, and they favored flat brimmed black hats.

Like I said, I have read and re-read his stories so many times I almost know them by heart. I looked in my box where I put my paperbacks when I have finished them, and since Christmas, I have read 31 of LL's stories, 11 by Daniel Silva, 4 by Randy Wayne White, 3 by Matt Braun and 4 more by other authors. From the local library I have read 14 full length books, including 4 by J.A. Jance---she is a very good female writer of mysteries. I read the Louisville Newspaper pretty completely every day and skim through the Indianapolis Star every day. I try to watch one major News show every evening but will not name the program except to say it is NOT Fox News LOL.

When you get older and are retired it is easy to do lots of reading if that is what you enjoy. I go to the YMCA every day for about an hour and a half, and I spend at least another hour doing something related to archery or guns (like reloading ammo, building arrows, making strings), and when weather permits, I am out shooting etc.

I am managing to stay busy, but I surely do miss my life partner. She put the finishing touches on a good life for me.

LRJ

North to the Rails is somewhat a sequel to Borden Chantry.

LD Pederson

If memory serves me right "Bord and Tye" and both in Son of a Wanted Man, but they were additions. In the original "Trail to Peach Meadow Canyon?" they were not there.

and yes, as far as Bord's life goes it'd be
Borden Chantry
Son of a Wanted Man
North to the Rails

Tennessee Dave

C