Benton's Books

 Silently Beats the Drum is in the final stages of proofing and I'll be searching for a publisher soon.  I enjoyed writing this book and had a lot of fun with it.  Over 320 pages of real western adventure.

Jeb Patton leaves his childhood sweetheart Nancy behind and joins the Confederate Army at the start of the Civil War.  Near the end of the bloody confict he is severely wounded and loses his right leg at the knee.  After months of living in a leaking hospital tent he is released from the army and told to go back home to Missouri.  The only way back is to walk.

During his long and difficult walk home he meets and befriends two runaway slaves, one an old man (Moses) and the other a young girl of sixteen (Faye).  Taking them under his wing as he heads north the three of them have a hell of a time due to their colors and harassment by Southern troops.

At the same time the book explains what is going on in Nancy's life as both her father and mother are killed by Union troops and she heads north to Missiouri to live with her uncle.  Falling in love with the man (Caleb) who is taking her north and giving herself to him, Nancy is soon shocked to learn she might be pregnant.  Torn between the words of love and promises she has given Jeb and the real love she has discovered with Caleb, Nancy must decide which man she wants.

Soon after returning home Jeb becomes angry with Nancy and heads west for the shinning mountains with Faye and Moses at his side.  Then the real adventure begins.