People of the West: A short story timeline

By D.M. McGowan

A collection of 9 short stories (along with some back-ground) and 14 poems available on several sites

1793 Marker of Stone, 1867 Lucky, 1888 Into the Mountains, 1914 Stealing Janet’s Cattle, 1936 A Voice from Beyond,

Just Feeling Good, The Reason for the Season, An Old Rancher’s Christmas

1940 Deacon,

Native Sons in World War I, Inclusion, Education

1942 Invasion

The Road That Couldn’t Be Done, Hiking Mountain Ranges

1963 Sure, I can do that! , 1966 Blizzard!

What if justice wasn't always about rules but about results?

David M. McGowan’s Boundaries is a captivating and richly woven tale that transports readers to 19th-century British Columbia, a land marked by untamed wilderness, shifting alliances, and the unyielding spirit of those who call it home. With its vivid depiction of frontier life and a nuanced exploration of morality, identity, and resilience, Boundaries is a standout in the realm of historical fiction.

This book is a bold, gritty, and incredibly absorbing read.

Fast-paced, unpredictable, and layered with moments that keep you thinking long after the chapter ends. The author has crafted a character-driven narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Call him a bounty hunter, a rangeland detective, an actor, a chameleon, a puzzle solver; whatever title you choose, Bob Morgan will find a way to reshape depravity, corruption and destruction into the manageable and acceptable. All that is necessary is to not expect too much, appreciate whatever improvement may be realized, and don’t look too closely at Morgan’s past.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Sully Wheeler doesn’t care why his cattle are disappearing.

He doesn’t care why but it has to stop. Perhaps it’s part of the cost of hiding from his past, but who would steal from a one-time gunfighter? The NW Mounted Policeman that Sully contacted appeared more intent on stopping vigilante action than in stopping theft. If that proves to be the case, Sully will recover his own property, even if it takes gunfire to do it. Who is this Mountie, anyway? Is he a cop or something else entirely? Is he working to support the crown, leave the crown or actually do something for the settlers? And while we’re talking about that Mountie, isn’t he spending too much time with that newspaper lady?

AUDIO / EBOOK / PRINT

Tom Brash is educated, traveled, trained and for 1866 well aged

Frank Clement is uncouth, unsophisticated, uneducated and young.

Tom believes young Frank who has no idea where they are and is completely unaware of the dangers they face will not survive traveling alone.

Frank thinks the “old man” will get himself killed with his fancy talk and fancy guns.

Can they work together to fend off the renegades trying to kill them out on the plains in Canada’s Western Wilderness? Will their differences make it impossible to work together at all?

Ride along with these men who find renegades, Blackfeet, the most feared people on the northern plains, US Cavalry, gold miners, policemen, thieves and killers.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Hank James and riding partner Harry Gilmore ride the rails east to look for the woman Hank thought would be his mate for life. They unload their horses and gear at Canmore and immediately make an enemy.

Riding on into Calgary they find Sharon but Hank is suddenly not sure if she is who he thought she was. He does decide to stay around long enough to see if she is.

Or isn’t.

If they are staying around for awhile anyway, Hank and Harry become homesteaders. When they met Portis Martin east of Canmore he did not think they showed him proper respect but as homesteaders they became threatening enemies.

Hank and Harry’s new enemy is manager of a very big cattle ranch. He has the money, the livestock and the manpower. He does not have time for saddle tramps. He also doesn’t have a conscience that will interfere with getting them out of the way.

By any means possible – including attacking this woman that seems to interest them.

From the same vault that holds the work of William Johnstone, Matt Braun, Max Brand, and Louis L’Amour.

Hank James is trying to make his fortune panning gold but it isn’t exactly working that way. However, with the help of an “inside source” he does well betting on a prize fight.

With his winnings Hank invests in a new business hauling freight to build the new railroad. With luck, hard work and good help he does well. Then his “inside source” from the days of the prize fight expects help when the BC Provincial Police face off against the North West Mounted Police.

While the police forces fight each other who is watching the criminals? If Hank is identified as helping the law, will they try to make him pay for his interference? And while the police forces are fighting each other and ignoring the thieves steeling Hank’s horses, how can he be expected to keep his freight business working?

And while all the thievery, shooting, killing, arrests and trials are going on, what happened to Hank’s new girl?

In digital / print / audio