The Friday 56: 'A Colorado Christmas'

Hello, my fellow Friday 56ers! 

This week, I've chosen A Colorado Christmas by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone—though let’s be honest, it’s hard to tell which ghostwriter is behind the curtain these days. This book was published in 2016 and belongs to that curious niche of holiday-themed Westerns—yes, you heard it right. Nothing quite like a festive shootout under the snow-laden pines, right? I’ll begin reading the book tonight, and if the holiday spirit—or perhaps my caffeine intake—strikes me right, I plan to whip up a review by tomorrow. If I get overwhelmed by the snowfall of tasks, though, you'll see it next Saturday.

From the blurb on the back, the plot centers on Smoke and Luke Jensen, alongside their ever-colorful crew, including the formidable Preacher. Now, Preacher’s returning home for the holidays, blissfully unaware that a storm brews—no, not just the meteorological kind, but a load of trouble trailing him. We're talking a revenge-seeking old trapper, a vicious gang of freshly freed criminals with a serious grudge, and of course, a classic deadly snowstorm that sets the stage for chaos.

Now, here's a sneak peek at page 56:

"Aye, for what it's worth. It's not like this fellow is Jesse James come back from the grave! If ye want rewards, Rinehart, ye'd do better to go after some o' them Western desperados."

— Johnstone, William W. Johnstone, J.A. A Colorado Christmas, Pinnacle, 2016, p. 56.

〜B.J. Burgess