James J. Griffin

Sixth generation Texas Ranger James C. Blawcyzk has ruffled the feathers of his superiors at Company F one time too many. He's offered a choice: Either transfer to Company E, and an isolated post in far west Texas, resign, or be terminated. Knowing he'd be a better fit in the wild, wide-open spaces of the Big Bend anyway, Jim accepts the transfer. He and his family prepare to pack up and move west.

"If you miss the Golden Age of Western action books and films, you'll love James J. Griffin's novel, Desperate Ride. This gun-slinging thriller leaps from the page and gallops headlong into a series of adventures for veteran Texas Ranger Will Kirkpatrick, and his young Ranger recruit, Jonas Peterson.

Meet the young Deputy Sheriff who solves the mystery of the missing Muffin. Deputy Pete is at the blacksmith's shop having new horseshoes put on Charcoal, his big black horse. Pete's dog, Pepper, is with him. Pete thanks the blacksmith and rides into town, where he sees a little girl crying. Jenny is sad because her cat, Muffin, has disappeared. Deputy Pete and his pets help Jenny look for her lost cat. They encounter many strange animals in their search, including an armadillo, a horned toad, a Texas tortoise, a garter snake, and even three Texas spotted whiptail lizards. There is an exciting surprise when they find Muffin.The story introduces early readers to a law enforcement officer, to unusual animals, and to basic vocabulary related to the Western genre. It is an excellent and beautifully illustrated book for picture walks.

Cody Havlicek is back on the trail in another spellbinding Texas Ranger adventure. Once again, he says goodbye to his wife and children and heads out on a desperate journey to uphold the law and investigate crime. In RIDE FOR REDEMPTION: A Texas Ranger Cody Havlicek Story, we find Ranger Cody Havlicek on an assignment to pick up a convicted bank robber and escort him to the territorial prison. Even though the prisoner, John Harmon, never denies his part in the crime of which he is accused, it isn't long before Ranger Havlicek suspects the man is sacrificing happiness, freedom, and life with his family in order to protect someone or something. Havlicek doubts that Harmon is deserving of the harsh prison sentence he has been given and determines to find out what is so important that the man is willing to forfeit all that he loves. In his quest, the Ranger nearly freezes to death during a raging blizzard, faces a town full of ruthless killers, and suffers gunshot wounds. But, when Ranger Havlicek believes in a person or cause, he never gives up. RIDE FOR REDEMPTION is exciting reading for nearly all ages.

The annual Winchester Pickle Festival has been canceled. All the pickles and cucumbers have been stolen and everyone is sad, especially nine-year-old Libby and her younger brother Ben. When there doesn't seem to be any hope left for holding the event, the children's neighbor Deputy Pete, riding his horse Charcoal, comes home for a vacation. His dog Pepper is running alongside him. The children ask the deputy to help solve the mystery and get the pickles back in time to save the celebration. Another boy, ten-year-old Jose Benitez, joins the sleuths as they interview people, investigate crime scenes, look for clues, and even set up a trap for the thief. Deputy Pete and the Purloined Pickles Puzzle is an exciting mystery the young reader will not want to miss.