the Johnstone Family blog

December Giveaway Winners!

2010-12-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

Facebook: "CONGRATULATIONS to the three winners of our December drawing! Danny Green from Benton, TN, Steve Littlefield from Topsham, ME and Jim McMullen from Yuma, AZ. They have won A YEAR'S WORTH OF JOHNSTONE - one new release a month for the next 12 months! They will also receive a special signed poster of Bill!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T08:27:00.001-08:00

To all of our family and friends, we are truly thankful for all that you do for us every day, and all of the blessings and joy that you bring to our lives. We hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY!

2010-11-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the winners of our November Giveaway!

Michael Schultz, Carol Calaway, Ray Segraves, Alan Gangloff, Emerson Rice, Stephen Ensor, James Cole, Janis May, Duane Czapiewski, Christian Ogawa, Gunny Braun, Tom Howard, Randy Smith, Richard Dollarhide, Marla Myers, Bill Garwood, Sidd Mukherjee, Corky Katakis, Stephen Littlefield, TSGT Clough, Michael McKittrick, Roy Slater Jr., Richard Pawling, Ronald Almasy, Harry Copeland, John White, Bob McClellan, Karen Collier, Dave Shilling, Nelda Harris Hendrick, Marvin Dick, Jose Castillo, E.J. Todd, and Michael Caldwell.

We had to use a ten gallon hat for all of the entries, so it turned out to be a little more than ten each of Shootout of the Mountain Man and Home Invasion.

Thanks again to everyone who entered! We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Coming in November at Graphic Audio!

2010-10-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Vengeance of the Mountain Man

Some people don't know when to leave bad enough alone. Just when it seemed that Smoke Jensen's life had settled down to something resembling normal, he'd all but forgotten the vicious young gunfighter who called himself Sundance. Smoke had hoped to teach that twisted kid a lesson by shooting off his ear. But the lesson didn't take. Now, after years on the run, Sundance's hunger for revenge has pushed him over the edge. He's gathered a gang of the worst robbing, pillaging, raping scum from the Texas-Mexico border and is heading for the Sugarloaf with the fool idea of nailing Smoke Jensen's hide to the wall. Didn't anyone tell the kid that an old lobo like Smoke Jensen could run bloody rings around him and his reivers in those mountains? Doesn't he realize that Smoke Jensen doesn't give out second chances?

Approximate Run Time: 5 hours

Release Date: November 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59950-710-1

Savage Guns & The Bounty Killers!

2010-09-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

Check out this month's releases - Savage Guns, the third in the Blood Valley Series and The Bounty Killers, number seven in The Loner series by J.A. Johnstone. Keep an eye in stores for the recently reprinted Guns of the Mountain Man in October as well!

'Happy 4th of July from the William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone Website'

2010-07-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

'Happy 4th of July from the William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone Website'

'June News from the William W. Johnstone & J.A. Johnstone Website'

2010-06-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

'June News from the William W. Johnstone & J.A. Johnstone Website'

Coming Soon on Graphic Audio: Power of the Mountain Man

2010-06-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

In the depth of a cruel High Lonesome winter comes a cryptic message for Smoke Jensen. The letter tells of skullduggery by gold barons, railroad magnates and Chinese tongs in San Francisco. Smoke knows only one person in the city by the bay: the well-rounded, open-natured Francie, mistress of one of the town's most notorious pleasure palaces.

Smoke once rescued her from raiding Cheyenne, but now Madame Francie is mysteriously dead...and Smoke's arrival in San Francisco is less than welcoming. Then, on the waterfront, he learns of a plot by the wealthy, the mighty, and the deadly to expand their stronghold over the region's gold-rich lands. Beating a trail into the High Sierras, Smoke recruits a band of angry prospectors, ranchers and farmers for a final showdown that could be the end of Smoke Jensen...

Approximate Run Time: 6 hours

Release Date: July 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59950-676-0

Ashes Series now on E-Book!

2010-05-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

You've been waiting for it and now it's here - the entire Ashes series is now available on E-book through E-Reads.com.

Check out the link HERE.

The Loner - Now in Stores

2010-04-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

The first three books in the Loner series are now available in stores. We are also offering it on our website! Check it out here. J.A. Johnstone's The Loner Series.

Thanks for your comments!

2010-04-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who commented on our last post! If you were one of the five, please email us at bookstore@williamjohnstone.net with your name and address to claim your free book!

New Book Giveaway!! Blood Bond: Moonshine Massacre

2010-03-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the arrival of the latest installment of the Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves story, we'll be giving away FIVE free copies of the book to the first five commenters on this entry! So don't wait, comment now and get your free copy of Blood Bond: Moonshine Massacre!

The Last Gunfighter: Winter Kill

2010-03-05T08:39:00.000-08:00

The twenty first book in the Last Gunfighter series is now available!

The Last Gunfighter: Winter Kill

"It was a favour to a dead friend: Frank Morgan is shepherding a group of mail-order brides to a brawling Alaska boomtown called Skagway. A bushwhacking, a storm-racked sea voyage, and an anything-but-friendly reception isn't enough to stop Morgan and his blushing brides. But a beautiful woman has a lucrative plot on her mind - in the wild, wild north where men are mad with greed and loneliness. Now the last gunfighter will need skills he didn't know he had - plus a few he knows he does. Because this Alaska winter has turned into a death trap. And only the brave, the fierce and the lucky will be alive to see the winter thaw..."

Snake River Slaughter at #71 on USA Today Best seller list!

2010-02-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

Check it out HERE!

Thanks to all of our fantastic readers for making this month's release so successful!

Savagery of The Mountain Man Ebook @ Diesel

2010-02-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

Savagery of The Mountain Man ebook download William W. Johnstone:

"Savagery of The Mountain Man

Where There's Fire. . . There's Smoke. . ..

Santa Clara, Colorado, is 24 hours by train from the land where Smoke Jensen found peace and prosperity on his Sugarloaf Ranch. But somehow, Smoke can't stay away from Santa Clara--and from an evil cattle baron hiding a murderous past.

And Where There's Smoke--There's Justice. . .

For Smoke, it starts at a high-class auction for a pureblood Hereford bull. Smoke wins the bidding--and earns the hatred of Pogue Quentin, Santa Clara's leading citizen and a man living on bloodshed and lies. Then Smoke's friend Pearlie drifts to Santa Clara. And when Pearlie runs afoul of Quentin, all hell will break loose. Now Smoke Jensen is heading to Santa Clara to face a man who already wants him dead--but Pogue Quentin never met anything like the fire of a mountain man. . ."

Now Available on GraphicAudio

2010-02-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

"The Mountain Man 12 - Fury of the Mountain Man

Smoke Jensen was the last Mountain Man and the fastest gun in the west. But this time, Smoke is going to put his reputation to the test in the southern reaches of Mexico. When two Mexican Gunfighters, and old friends of Smoke Jensen, send a letter asking Smoke for help, he can't possibly say no. He quickly straps on his hog legs and heads down into the middle of a war. A crazy Mexican Bandito, that fancies himself the resurrection of Montezuma, has formed a vast and unstoppable army, and he marches across the land. Anywhere he goes, death and pestilence follow. It will be up to Smoke and his two Gunfighter friends to try and stop the evil that has spread across the land. But even Smoke Jensen will be put to the test when he goes up against the legendary Jaguar warriors of times long since past."

Available at GraphicAudio.Net

Now Available on Graphic Audio!

2010-02-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

"The First Mountain Man 16 - Preacher's Fire

A big city like St Louis is the last place where a mountain man like Preacher would pick a fight. But how else will he get at the ruthless power broker who is using fear and bloodshed to take over the Western fur trade? Shaving his beard and posing as a farmer from Ohio, Preacher comes face-to-face with Shad Beaumont, and insinuates himself into his organization--as Beaumont's own personal bodyguard. But before Preacher can take down the sadistic leader, innocents--and not-so-innocents--are drawn into Beaumont's intricate web, and Preacher finds the stakes of the game have become alarmingly high."

Available at GraphicAudio.Net

Preacher's Fire on NYT Best Seller's List!

2010-01-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

That's right, Preacher's Fire has just made the New York Times' Best Selling Paperback List at #35. Thanks to everyone who has gone out and purchased the book and spread the word. Our readers are the greatest!

Going around.

2010-01-26T09:24:00.000-08:00

Seems that the Johnstone Family and website office has caught this season's latest stomach bug. We'll be closed for the rest of today and hopefully things will be back to better tomorrow - just in time for the big snowstorm.

Take care, everyone!

Prayers for a friend

2010-01-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

We've just been made aware that a dear friend and reader, Rick Mueller, has been in ICU since Christmas having suffered a massive coronary dysfunction. If you could all send prayers for him and his family, it would greatly appreciated.

Jo~

Savagery of the Mountain Man

2009-12-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

Check out our new book trailer for Savagery of the Mountain Man! You can find it here on YouTube!

Graphic Audio - New Release!

2009-11-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Eagles 14 - Bloodshed of Eagles

Falcon MacCallister never thought he’d wear army brass. But Colorado is about to join the Union-and the would-be state has just made him Lt. Colonel in its Home Guard. Then, before his military career can tak-e off, Falcon loses one of his men and two deadly new Gatling guns to a murderous ambush. Falcon is going to get those Gatling guns back--before they kill the wrong people.

Tracing the missing guns to Eastern Montana, Falcon teams up with a scout named Isaiah Dorman. Falcon and Dorman are spearheading a battle against the Sioux--in the shadow of the disastrous Little Big Horn slaughter. For the two men, survival along the Little Bighorn is going to mean breaking rules, standing strong, standing together--and holding off a deadly onslaught with only a few guns against many...

Now available HERE at GraphicAudio.

Books for Troops

2009-11-03T14:30:00.001-08:00

I have been so overwhelmed with the open hearts and generosity of all of you this year in sending books or even monetary donations to us to help get books overseas to the troops.

Thank you again for all that you have done for us and all that you continue to do to share the wealth of reading with those serving our country and insuring our freedoms.

GraphicAudio - New Release!

2009-10-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

GraphicAudio - 9: Pursuit of the Mountain Man

The trouble with being the fastest gun alive was having to prove it to all the trigger-happy gunmen who scoured the West itching for a challenge. Some travelled even further - Count Frederick von Hausen sailed across the Atlantic from German to hunt the most dangerous game of all - Smoke Jensen.

Gathering a hunting part of the toughest, most ruthless hard cases in the West, von Hausen shadowed Smoke into Wyoming's high Rockies - the odds were worse than 50 to 1. But Smoke Jensen was the last mountain man and he knew the country like the back of his hand.

As he thumbed back the hammer of his Colt .45, Smoke reflected that these back trailers couldn't have picked a prettier place to be buried.

New GraphicAudio Release - Code of the Mountain Man

2009-09-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Man 8 - Code of the Mountain Man

He was raised by the mountain man called Preacher, and he was said to be the fastest gun alive. Until he hung up his gunbelts to raise a family. Smoke Jensen was the last mountain man and a force of nature.

But Lee Slater and his gang of low life desperadoes didn't know that. Stirring up a motherlode of trouble for the retired gunslinger was Slater's first mistake. Shooting Smoke Jensen’s wife Sally was his second.

He wasn’t going to live to make a third.

MADE AVAILABLE HERE AT GraphicAudio.

Chaos in the Ashes and Sudden Fury now available!

2009-09-18T11:16:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! Just in time for the weekend - Chaos in the Ashes and The Last Gunfighter: Sudden Fury are now available for purchase through our website. Click the links to visit!

Dead Man's Gold - In Stores Now!

2009-09-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Imagine our surprise to get your emails and discover that The Loner: Dead Man's Gold is already on the shelves at Wal Mart! Thank you all for keeping in touch with us and we hope you enjoy the latest installment in the Kid Morgan series!

Announcement: Dead Man's Gold

2009-08-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Just a brief note to let everyone know that we've recently been advised that the third book in The Loner series, Dead Man's Gold, will not be released until November of this year. We apologize for the misinformation and hope you've enjoyed the series so far!

Coming in September to Graphic Audio!

2009-07-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Deadly Road To Yuma
A madman and a killer, Preacher Joshua Shade is on a long journey to Yuma Prison and a date with the hangman. But Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves doubt that Shade will ever keep that date. The outlaw has a legion of fanatical, bloodthirsty followers. Matt and Sam are shadowing Shade's convoy—just in case...

When the time comes, Shade is sprung, a beautiful young woman is taken with him, and it's up to Matt and Sam to hunt them to a heavily guarded hideout. But they don't know that the case of Joshua Shade reaches into the highest level of the federal government...

MADE AVAILABLE HERE AT GraphicAudio.

Graphic Audio New Release!

2009-07-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

SIDEWINDERS 2 - MASSACRE AT WHISKEY FLATS

In the west, there’s always work for the kind of men willing to get their hands dirty--from rounding stray cattle to stringing barbed wire. Bo Creel and Scratch Morton are just such men. Now they’ve been hired for the one job they’ve never tried: wearing badges--in a little stain of a town called Whiskey Flats.

What Bo and Scratch don’t know is that a gang of outlaws is bent on burning down the town the Sidewinders have been hired to protect. With only a passing acquaintance of the law, a keen sense of self-preservation, and a range-war gathering round them, Bo and Scratch need a good plan or it’s a one-way ticket to Boot Hill. They’ll also need a little luck, a whole mess of bullets, and the courage to stand tall--and shoot true...

NOW AVAILABLE HERE AT GraphicAudio.

May & June Contest Winners

2009-07-13T13:18:00.001-07:00

As promised in our last newsletter, I'd like to take a moment to congratulate the winners of our last two review contests! G. Woodworth and N. Grimmett will be the proud owners of an autographed copy of the second book in the first solo series by J.A. Johnstone, The Loner: The Devil's Badland.

Their reviews will be posted on our site along with all our previous winners here at williamjohnstone.net.

Want to be entered to win? Simply send your book reviews/comments to: julycontest@williamjohnstone.net and you will be automatically put in the drawing to receive this month's prize!

As always, thanks to everyone who submitted their reviews - we always look forward to hearing from you!

AudioFile Earphones Awards!

2009-07-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

Two of our audio books have won the Earphones Award over at AudioFile Magazine!

The Last Gunfighter #8 - The Burning

Aging gunslinger Frank Morgan finds himself drawn back into the line of fire in this gritty tale of the Wild West by series creator Johnstone. The production is narrated by a full cast of talented actors, each as hard-nosed, lock-jawed, and trigger happy as the last. Listening to this adventure story unfold is like watching an episode of LONESOME DOVE with your eyes closed. Unfolding at a breakneck pace, the story combines all the elements that go into a soap opera—cheesy background music, over-the-top actors with grainy voices and heavy accents, and sound effects—to create a fun and memorable listening experience. A deep-voiced omniscient narrator guides listeners through the tale. L.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

The First Mountain Man #14 - Preacher's Showdown

Graphic Audio's full cast re-creates the many violent and charming characters in Johnstone's classic Western. Creative voices, music, and digital sound effects enhance the gunfights, horse-and-wagon travel, and Indian attacks that are part of the journey to the Shining Mountains. The cast members, especially those who portray precocious Jake and the powerful Preacher, give skillful performances, and the battles are exciting and frightening. The small band of travelers is divided by secrets, passions, and hatred, but Preacher holds them together and keeps them safe. At the end of each CD, listeners are told to "reload," and this adds a quirky authenticity to the moving experience of the Old West. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

New! The Loner book trailer!

2009-06-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the wonderful people over at Book Candy Studios, there's now a trailer online for The Loner. Check it out here!

New on Graphic Audio - Law of the Mountain Man

2009-06-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Man 6 - Law of the Mountain Man

Smoke Jensen sat in a cave and boiled the last of his coffee. He figured he was in Idaho--somewhere south of Montpelier--but he was certain about only two things: he was cold and he was being hunted by a small army of men. Smoke knew why he was cold--it was winter. He just didn't have a clear idea of why anyone was after him.

He was soon to find out that he'd unwittingly ridden into the middle of the fiercest range war in years. Now he had to either choose sides or return home tied across the back of a horse. Smoke had never taken kindly to being bullied...so when Jud Vale and his cutthroat gang started pushing him around, Smoke Jensen just pushed right back. That's when the bullets began to fly...

Now Available in MP3 Download from GraphicAudio!

Six Ways From Sunday - Review by Bob Davis

2009-06-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Six Ways From Sunday
William W. Johnstone with J.A. Johnstone
Pinnacle Books, Kensington Publishing Corporation
©2009

Review by Bob Davis, Owner of Bob Davis Editing and Member National Book Critic’s Circle

Fans of William Johnstone westerns, get ready for something unique. Six Ways From Sunday is not your typical Johnstone western adventure. Oh, sure, it has a well-told story with a hero, beautiful women, nasty villians, and a great hardheaded horse named Critter. But Cotton Pickens (and yes he’s well aware of the parody aspect of his name) is definitely not your typical Johnstone hero.

We can only assume he’s good with a gun because he seems to have a reputation for it, but the only gunfight he actually gets into involves more luck than skill. In fact, he has his gun taken from him on several occasions. And he’s definitely not the strong, silent type whose also good with his fists. Rather, he gets the stuffing beaten out of him more than once. But in many ways that’s what makes Cotton such a great hero. He’s the everyman, your average Joe who tries his best to avoid trouble, but tends to find himself right in the thick of it. And while he may be flawed, Cotton clearly tries to do what’s right, even if it means getting shot at, beaten up, or just plain stomped before he triumphs in the end. The man doesn’t know when to quit and that’s why he’s a hero.

Six Ways From Sunday is also unique in the telling. This is the first Johnstone book I’ve come across that’s written in the first person narrative. Cotton tells usthe story in his own words and as he describes the events for us we get a real insiders view of both the hero and the story. We get to see first hand his reaction to the beautiful Amanda Trouville, a gorgeous blonde who makes Cotton weak in the knees. She works with another parody of a name, Carter Scruples, a man who has everything but scruples. And somehow Cotton finds himself conned into working for Scruples and Amanda, but as one might expect everything is not what it seems.

Scruples wants to overtake every mine and glory hole in the Swamp Creek mining district, by whatever means necessary, so he can sell it off as a package. Cotton soon realizes not all Scruples methods are legal and people are getting killed, so despite having a number of run-ins with the miners, Cotton takes their side. In doing so he meets the beautiful Celia, the 16-year old widow of the owner of the biggest mine. He also meets up with Cletus Carboy, the rather sneaky owner of the second biggest mine. And as they join up to try to overcome Scruples, Cotton learns that Amanda didn’t really know what Scruples planned and she pays the price for trying to get out of their arrangement..

Six Ways From Sunday may not have your typical gunfights or fistfights with the hero winning, but it has a story of intrigue and mystery with just enough action to keep things moving and draw the reader in. And while Cotton Pickens is no Smoke Jensen or Preacher or Matt Bodine, he’s a very likable hero. So much so that after reading this book I find myself wanting to go back and read of his earlier adventures in Blood Valley.

Violent Sunday released on Graphic Audio!

2009-06-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Last Gunfighter 11 - Violent Sunday

When iron clears leather, anything can happen. In Frank Morgan's case, a sudden duel with an assassin has left an innocent woman with a bullet in her back - and a friendship between Frank and a young Texas Ranger in tatters. Wanting to make up for his part in the tragedy, Frank rides to central Texas to help Ranger Tyler Beaumont put down the so-called Fence-Cutting War. But as big ranchers battle small ones, an outlaw gang has hellish plans of its own. Now, as an innocent town is threatened with annihilation, Frank must make his final stand on a hot Sunday in Texas - when the dying will say their final prayers...

Now Available in MP3 Download from GraphicAudio.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Graphic Audio releases and News from AAFES.com!

2009-06-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Military customers with their validated Military ID card will now be able to shop for William W. Johnstone GraphicAudio titles through The Exchange Mall at AAFES.COM. You are able to use your Military Star Card through The Exchange Mall at AAFES.COM to purchase all of our GraphicAudio titles. This is one way we can honor those who serve our country.

This month's new releases include Blood Bond, The Eagles Series, First Mountain Man, Jackknife, The Last Gunfighter, Smoke Jensen: The First Mountain Man, and Sidewinders. Available for MP3 download from GraphicAudio!

June Review Contest!

2009-06-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

We had such a tremendous response to the May review contest that we are still reading through everyone's reviews - expect a winner to be announced by the end of this week!

And if you're interested in submitting a review for the June contest, email it to: junecontest@williamjohnstone.net - we'll be looking forward to hearing from you!

Cutthroat Canyon E-book now available!

2009-05-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

Check out Diesel E-Books for the latest release of Cutthroat Canyon!

Available here - Sidewinders #3 - Cutthroat Canyon

Journey of the Mountain Man at Graphic Audio!

2009-05-20T14:39:00.001-07:00

#5 - Journey of the Mountain Man now available at Graphic Audio!

Smoke Jensen couldn't have cared less about a range war that had erupted in far-off Montana. But when his cousin Fae is stuck right in the middle of the hundred-gun showdown that's exploding in bullets and blood, he rides to intercede in the name of family. He's joined on his mission by the Moab Kid and legendary gunfighters Charlie Starr and Pistol Le Roux.

Born Again American

2009-05-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share this with everyone. A great video - hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

http://www.bornagainamerican.org/

Just a reminder to you all that you can also follow me on MySpace and Facebook!

Welcome friends!

2009-05-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is our newest adventure - branching out into undiscovered blog territory here and hoping you all join us! We wanted a place where we could share news with you on a more frequent basis and keep you updated with the goings on with the site and William W. Johnstone's releases as well as J.A's new series. It will probably take some time to get used to, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

We hope you've been enjoying the updates we've been making to the site to make it easier and more accessible for you - we've certainly been excited to receive your comments and letters about the new books we've had coming out and those planned for later this year.

The storms are pushing through here in Tennessee so that's all from me for now. Be safe and keep your powder dry.

Jo~