Steven Douglas Glover

Land west of the Mississippi in the late 1870's is tagged "Wild West" by eastern civilization. Law abiding travelers are accustomed to malicious road agents, thieves, and other scoundrels who make a living taking from hapless folks who can't defend themselves. Johanna Stockton rides the stagecoach from Bismarck, in the Dakota Territory toward the Colorado Territory when, without warning, the coach is attacked by a gang of outlaws. The driver and all passengers are robbed at gunpoint, then murdered. That is, except for Johanna who is held hostage as the band sets out for Mexico. Cole and Clay Stockton get wind of the situation. With one thought in their minds--"they have our mother." The lawmen set out in pursuit. A cavalry unit from Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory is on patrol when a few in the group kill their officer and other men before they desert and ride toward Montana and the gold strikes. They wreak havoc on innocent settlers as they pillage their way North. A troop of Cavalry along with U.S. Marshal Cole Stockton are on their trail. Doctor Carlin Simmons is kidnapped at gunpoint from his office by two hard men. He is taken deep into the Colorado Territory wilds to save several gunshot bank robbers from dying. The abductors threaten the doc with "them's kinfolk. They die, you die." The doctor closes his eyes in prayer that the ever-vigilant Cole Stockton reads the subtle signs in his office and links them to the robbery. Smokey Joe Walker, a friend of U.S. Marshal Cole Stockton is arrested and held in the Denver City Jail for breaking into the Wells Fargo and Company during the night. He is caught rummaging through files, but manages to telegraph Cole Stockton for help. When trail hardened outlaws escape local posses, a certain brand of lawman is summoned. These men know the territory that they ride and can read the trail signs. There is no place to hide from justice when the United States Marshal is on their trail.

The Stockton Saga continues. It is 1879 and lands west of the Mississippi are still the Wild West and rife with lawlessness. Colorado, within the infancy of statehood, is alive with gold discoveries, open range for cattle, and new settlers. Wealthy, powerful men are looking to take over and control the state their own way. Gangs of outlaws harass settlers, stagecoaches are being robbed, and range disputes need settled. Standing against these unsavory factions are a federal judge and his small hand-picked group of U.S. Marshals bent on delivering swift and decisive justice to the spoilers. Early on a cold January morning, Federal Judge Joshua B. Wilkerson is charged with conspiracy and arrested in his home by Special Agents from Washington D.C. He is paraded in handcuffs to his own Denver Jail. In desperation, the judge's wife Marie, turns to the one person she knows can help her husband, U.S. Marshal Cole Stockton. In mid-spring, Clay Stockton, U.S. Marshal for the Dakota Territory in Bismarck is ambushed at night from a dark alley. Although severely wounded, he kills the two men who laid in wait for him. Clay's deputy, Sandy Merrick sends for Cole Stockton. Cole enlists the assistance of their mother, Johanna Stockton, and his lady friend, Laura Sumner. The trio travel to Bismarck post haste. Cole unravels the whys and wherefores of the vicious attack on his brother. The perpetrators are about to experience Cole Stockton's brand of law and justice. A novel of the Old West packed with the drama and suspense of interpersonal relationships, outlaws handled with determination, and six-gun justice as well as personal hardship, humor, and adventure.

1880 Paris, Texas sat on the edge of one of the most dangerous territories of the Old West.As a young girl, Lydia Forsyth loses her best friend when their family is robbed and murdered by three vicious men. After committing outrages against the family, the trio escapes to safety into the Indian Territory.Comforted by her loving parents, Lydia vows to learn the gun for protection. Following the loss of her mother, she travels the Indian Territory with her mercantile sales representative father. She becomes familiar with Choctaw culture as well as gaining an understanding of the dangers of camping in the wilds of the Territory.Later, Lydia boards at a finishing school in Dallas. Upon graduation, she returns to Paris, Texas where she seeks to become a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Southern Indian Territory. The attractive, skilled horsewoman is an expert marksman who always rides with Colt Revolver on her hip and a Winchester on the saddle.This historical novel of the Old West is brimming with suspense, humor, and the personal relationships of a passionate young woman who becomes one of the select few women to wear the Star of a Deputy U.S. Marshal and ride the Indian Territory serving justice.