Benton's Books

I have been discussing with the Thompson Gale firm (an agent) about a new series titled, "Ty Fisher the Mountain Man Series" and it looks good so far.  I have three other Ty Fisher books in my 'puter, so all I need to do is dust 'em off a mite, edit them a little and see what happens.  They've seen the manusript of "Santa Fe Sunset" and asked if I'd like to do more with the same character.  Of course I am interested!

Of my books and characters, I think I like Jarel Wade and Ty Fisher the most, because they are good examples of the types of men who settled our great nation.  The chance to turn Ty into a series if very exciting for me and I hope my discussions with the agency work out to the best.  While it is difficult to write a book, very hard to find a publisher, it is almost impossible to find an agent to represent Western fiction...though I have tried for a long time perhaps I've finally found one.

I'll let y'all know what happens with the agent and I hope my next posting will be good news, though publishers and agents are slow to respond...like pouring molasses from a jar at fifty below zero...LOL.

Take care and stay safe!

It looks like the Drum Series will be published by Saga Books and I am excited about a multibook project.  I have taken the characters through a great deal in the first three books and I am currently doing the draft of the fourth book.

Not really sure where all of the characters will end up in the fourth book, but there will be some unexpected deaths of main players, some serious injuries, and perhaps even a major shift of characters.  I am considering inserting a few twists in this book and maybe even starting feud of some sort...maybe Jeb's family/friends back in Missouri will be a part of it all.  Not sure yet and still working on the outline.   But, while I will most likely keep Jeb Patton, I am considering bringing in some other characters from my other books....maybe Ty Fisher, Jarel Wade, Old man Butterfield, or some others.

I have a new site up too...Mountian Men and it is a nice looking site.  You can visit it by clicking here or visit by western fiction site by clicking here.

And, finally, from the Benton clan to yours...we hope your Holiday Season is one to remember. 

I often think back about when I was growing up and how times change.   I grew up in the Missouri Ozarks and our home lacked a great deal....we had a dirt floor, no running water, no electrical power, and other creature comforts I take for granted today.  But, ya know, we had a strong family with a deep sense of love that you could feel each day and NOT just during the holidays.  

All of us boys were working by the age of 12 or so, hauling hay, cutting fire wood, mending fences, or what ever it took to make a dollar.  I am glad I was taught to do an honest days work for a days pay and any job taken was to be completed at the best of my ability.  Or, I'd never start the task.

Often now, when my family gets together we joke about where we came from and how poor we were...but, we never considered ourselves poor at the time.  If I wanted something, I got off of my butt, worked, saved the money and then bought it.  While I could not pass this on to my own children, I wish I could have (I spent 26 years in the military, so my kids do not know the meaning of "without").  

As your family gathers with you during the Holidays, remember the good things you've share....the happiness and the fun, while you let go of any anger or resentments you may be holding inside (and we all do).  Take the time to love your family and friends again.  Make an effort by reaching out to tough someone in that special way.   Relax, and get the spirit of the Holiday....the spirit of Love, Understanding, and Togetherness.

I guess I am rambling once again.  See, I writer can't usually write good morning without turning it into a 10,000 short story...LOL.  And, any spelling or grammer problems on here are fine, I refuse to proof my blog.

Best Wishes During the Holidays,

Gary and Joann

Author:  Gary L. Benton

Publisher:  Emerald Ink

Reviewer: Bill McDonald - MWSA President

A Straight-forward Must Have Survival Book!

Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant and survival expert Gary Benton has written the best outdoor guide for families – bar none, that I have read! “Simple Survival – A Family Outdoors Guide” is more than a book – it is an outdoor resource bible that every family should have a copy of.  This is one of those books that you should have in your camping bag along with the tent and other equipment.  However, reading it at home before you go off on some outdoor adventure would be a great help when potential situations happen.

This book is more than just a camper’s manual as it deals with surviving terrorism as well as how to handle bears, snakes and a host of other events and situations.  One chapter which I found to be good sound (and yet simple) advice is called “Ten Rules You Can Survive By!”

Benton has written many articles on survival that have appeared in magazines and on web pages across the globe – in this book he has taken all of his best advice that he has gathered over the years and put it altogether in one handy format.

There is one chapter that deals with the greatest fears that all parents have – having your child get lost in the woods.  This is a must read for parents.  This information needs to be shared with all their children so they know what to do in the event of getting lost or separated from their parents or the campsite.  This is the kind of information that you hope you never need to put into use – but if the situation does happen you will have increased the chances of a more positive outcome if everyone follows the suggestions for survival as outlined in that chapter.

It is evident that Gary Benton knows what he is talking about. When you check on his training records you will find that he has graduated from some of the military’s best classes that included surviving in the Artic, water (Sea and Ocean), mountain, and jungle environments.  He is the expert and you can trust your life on that!

The MWSA book review committee found that this was the best book on survival skills and advice that they have reviewed.  It is in a league of its own! I give this the MWSA’s highest recommendation and rating.  A MUST BUY FOR ALL AGE GROUPS!

Click here to Visit the MWSA

Books By W.R. Benton

* In the Shadow of the Mountain (ISBN 1-4137-7056-8) had been released in hard back by Publish America (July 2005). Price is $16.95 Jeb and Mule are trading whiskey to the Indians for beaver pews when they are asked by the US army to attempt to stop a possible war with the Sioux by returning two women captives to them. Unknown to the two moutain men, the women are the wife and daughter of the Sioux war chief, Buffalo Bull, a man known to hate all white eyes. Click here to read an excerpt. Purchase my book online at click here to order the book.  Click here to visit the publisher.

* Ty Fisher and the Blood of the Mountain Men, (ISBN 1-59682-023-3) the story of a Missouri man who heads to the mountains to forget the horrible deaths of his whole family. He soon discovers no release from horror as a fellow trapper (Bull) turns killer and goes on a spree of not only killing trappers, but women as well. Ty, along with Crazy Wayne, trail Bull to avenge the deaths and to see justice done. Price is $17.95 Click here to read an excerpt, or click here to order the book.

Death On the Mountain (ISBN ISBN 1-894936-44-2) has just been assigned to a publisher (Saga Books) and will be released the second week in November 2005. Price: $16.95

Jarel Wade is hired by an old miner to help bring six mules loaded with gold ore out of the high mountain country. As the old man lies dieing following an Indian attack, Jarel gives his word to the miner that he will see both the gold and the miner's beautiful daughter to safety. Unknown to the young trapper, a large group of vicious white men want all of the gold for themselves and the Sioux have threatened to kill Jarel on sight for violating their sacred mountains. Since Jarel had given his word to the old miner he knows he has no alternative but to bring both the girl and the gold out, or die in the attempt. Enlisting help from two of his mountain friends, along with the assistance of an ancient runaway slave, and an old Mexican sheepherder, Jarel finally turns to face the group of vicious thieves and murderers on his back trail. It was time to start the dance. Click here to order the book.

Missouri in Flames, I Rode with Jess James, has just been assigned to a publisher (Saga Books) and it is expected to be published in 2006.  Price: $16.95

Jim Light joins Quantrill's Raiders just two weeks before they destroy the town of Lawrence , Kansas . Shocked by the horror of the raid, as well as other battles fought under the black flag, Jim leaves the group after less than a year. He returns to his native Missouri Ozark Mountains in an effort to live the life of a simple farmer, only that is not to be. The farm is visited one day shortly after the close of the war by Federal troops looking for men who once rode with Quantrill and Jim's best friend is murdered. It is the death of his friend, the burning of his farm, and the loss of a woman, that causes Jim Light to join Jesse James in an effort to seek revenge on the Yankees. Riding with the James Gang, Jim sees action in Northfield , Minnesota , and even participates in the first train robbery in history. It all ends at a small white house on a hill in Saint Joseph , Missouri , when Jesse James is killed by Bob and Robert Ford. Click here to read an excerpt

Survival

* Simple Survival, A Family Outdoors Guide, is finished with the editing and should be available with in 30 days. Over 250 pages of Wilderness Survival Information for you and your family. Visit the publishers Site now, click here. Price will be $14.95

Southern (Redneck) Humor

* Bubba's Dawg Might be a Redneck has been published in book format (ISBN 1-59682-045-4 ) with 316 Pages of Redneck Humor and over 60 cartoons! Visit the Southern Humor Site Now click here. Click here to read an excerpt or click here to order the book. Price is $21.99

I have sent three new books to the publishers and we are discussing a new series of books called the Drum Series. 

The series will feature a regular group of men and women as they attempt to make a life in the shinning mountains.  The time period is at the end of the Civil War, the last few months.

The first book in the Drum Series, Volume 1, with be "Silently Beats the Drum".

THE DRUM SERIES

The exciting saga of men and women strong enough live their dreams and to settle a wild land.

Jeb Patton—While fighting for the Southern cause during the bloody Civil War, he loses his right leg.  When he returns home he quickly discovers he has lost his love as well.  Angry at the world, he heads west toward the shinning mountains.

Moses—A runaway slave with just one desire, to remain free.  Moses is an old black man with a lifetime of severe beatings, poor food, and frustration behind him.   He is just the person to help Jeb overcome his losses as they head to the mountains together with little but dreams.

Faye—A young black girl who joins Jeb and Moses as she runs from her fathers killers—members of the Union army.  Pretty, shapely, and intelligent, she will do what she must to survive.  While she loves Jeb and knows  color will keep them apart, she continues to ride by his side.

Nancy—She was to wait for Jeb, but when another man enters her life when her parents are killed things change quickly.  A beautiful women with a strong mind, full of determination.  She doesn’t wait for Jeb and becomes pregnant, her life is suddenly filled of problems.

Dusty—An old wiley mountain man who is deathly afraid of water and totally dedicated to his isolated and  rough lifestyle.  Can he continue to live the only life he has known for over thirty years, or must he give in to the flood of outsiders entering his mountains?

Buffalo Hump—The war chief of the Sioux people.  Can he remain friends with the white eyes, yet keep them from stealing his lands?  A strong and intelligent man, he knows he must and will do what is required to protect his peoples way of life.

 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.

I was just sent the cover for Death on the Mountain and I must say I am impressed.  The cover art was painted by western artist, Joe Valazquez (http://www.earthpaint.com/index.html ) and I love his work.  You should visit his site and see some of his Native American and trapper paintings.  I feel this cover adds a great deal to my work and I am thankful Joe did the art for me.

Additionally, I suspect this book will be released within the month (it is going to the printers early next week).  It is a good tale of a young mountain man (Jarel Wade) who agrees to take an old miner and his daughter out of the mountains with six mules full of gold.  Little does he know that he is being followed and when the miner is killed he continues to take the gold and the man's daughter out.    The Sioux want to kill him for violating their sacred mountains and a large group of white men want to kill him for the gold.  When Jarel finally has enough, he turns toward the white men and starts the dance.

The cover for "Missouri in Flames, I Rode with Jesse James" has been done in layout.  I like the colors and think the book looks very good.

The cover photo was done by Ingvar Grimsmo and I'll have his site URL loaded on here very soon ( http://www.ingvargrimsmo.com/ ).  His work is beautiful and he has a wide variety of photos on the site.

You can expect this  book to be released in about six months to the public.  It is still being edited and proofed by the publisher and that takes a lot of time.  The making of a book is a very long and slow process.

Gary

Simple Survival has been released to general retailers!  I just got my copy of the book in the mail and it looks great.

We found an error, photo overlap on the text on page 146, but it has been fixed.  The photo was overlapping the section of text that explains how to make a survival vest and it could not be read.  I contacted Chris and fixed the problem.

If you are not a retailer you'll have to wait until Feb 06 to get the book at book stores or other sources, unless you go to http://www.emeraldink.com/survivalguide.htm 

The book can be bought at that link now.  The price is $14.95.