Monday, February 11, 2013

BLACK HISTORY MONTH




The Nations

Many people may not make a connection with a Western Novel and Black History Month, but Authors Buck Stienke and Ken Farmer's best selling, top rated historical fiction western, The Nations, have done that with the lead character Bass Reeves

Did you know that Bass Reeves was the first black Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi. A former slave, he was appointed to the US Marshals service in 1875 first as a tracker then as a full-fledged Deputy US Marshal under Judge Issac C. Parker of the 9th District Court of Western Arkansas—also known as the 'Hanging Judge'. 

Bass, along with some 200 other white, black and Indian deputies and local Indian Police called Lighthorse, were charged with administering law and order in the eastern portion of what is now  Oklahoma—known then as  Indian Territory or The Nations. It was also known as "Robber's Roost" and "No-Man's Land" and was regarded in the latter part of the 19th century as the bloodiest and most dangerous place in the world. Sixty-five of those courageous marshals would give their lives in the line of duty during the twenty-one year span under Judge Parker, 1875 to 1896. 

Bass Reeves was one of the survivors. During his 32 year career as a Deputy Marshal, he would serve over 3,000 felony warrants and kill 14 men in the line of duty—twice as many as Marshal Wild Bill Hickok. He is regarded to this day as one of the greatest marshals in the long and storied history of the US Marshals Service. A larger than life size statue depicting Bass was recently erected next to the site of the US Marshals Museum in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

 

Bass Reeves was a true American hero and is so depicted in the novel, The Nations, now available where ever good books are sold in print or E versions. Bass will again star in the sequel to The Nations, entitled, Haunted Falls, due out this summer. Watch for it.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Local Author Recognized in National Book Contest



The 2012 Stars and Flags Book Award Program announces that author Warren Martin of St. Louis, Mo, was recently awarded a finalist medal in the Historical Fiction category, for his book, Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden 

Forgotten Soldiers is a Cold War mystery about Air Force Captain Jacob Walden shot down over Vietnam in 1970 and the unknown story of why he never returned home. Forty years later, Journalist Ted Pratt investigates what may be the sudden reappearance of Jacob Walden. Ted Pratt follows the trail to find Walden and encounters Charlie Smith, a secretive and seasoned operative who may have answers to the question about "What Happened to Jacob Walden," and why Jake never returned home.

A veteran of the Cold War and Green Beret, Warren Martin served 21 years in the U.S. Army. He was born in Maryland and then moved to Ireland with his mother when he was young, but returned to the U.S. in 1967. Martin earned a BA degree from the University of New York, an MBA from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business and Organizational Leadership. He currently lives in St. Louis, Mo with his wife Debbie.

A national contest, the Stars and Flags Book Awards program, was established five years ago with the purpose of promoting books which have a connection to the military. Many of the judges are veterans themselves, and others include historians, teachers, and avid readers. The program is facilitated by Nancy Smith of Reeds Spring, Mo., owner of starsandflags.com, whose main goal is to support and promote our veterans. Smith is also an active member of the Military Writers Society of America, a graphic designer, and is soon to start writing her first book about veterans. The book awards program runs from Feb. through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Anyone interested in the program can find more information at http://www.starsandflags.com or by email at nancysentertainment@yahoo.com