I have been writing Lucas Hallam stories for over thirty years. I'm a big fan of old westerns and I was amazed at the stunts of stuntman Yakima Canutt. One day I had the idea of writing mysteries about an older stuntman/riding extra who was once a legend of the west. I was so excited, I even called my husband at work to tell him. I remember his words to this day. "Livia, that's a great idea, but you'll never sell it." I didn't let it stop me. Now 3 awards, 3 novels, and many stories later I am still writing about Lucas Hallam. PANHANDLE FREIGHT is one of his early adventures.
A bitter winter storm was blowing fiercely when Lucas Hallam rode up to the isolated railroad station. It wasn’t a fit night for man or beast to be out, but Hallam found himself joined by a number of other pilgrims waiting for a train – and one of them just might be a killer. But the big man has a secret of his own . . .
A bitter winter storm was blowing fiercely when Lucas Hallam rode up to the isolated railroad station. It wasn’t a fit night for man or beast to be out, but Hallam found himself joined by a number of other pilgrims waiting for a train – and one of them just might be a killer. But the big man has a secret of his own . . .
PANHANDLE FREIGHT was a finalist for
the Peacemaker Award in the category of Best Short Fiction in 2012, and now
it’s finally available as an individual e-book. Full of mystery and action,
it’s another fine adventure of Lucas Hallam, author L.J. Washburn’s iconic
gunfighter detective.
EXCERPT
“Close the damn door!” the station agent yelled at Lucas Hallam.
“You’re lettin’ all the warm air out!”
And all the cold air in, Hallam thought as he shoved the depot’s front door closed behind him. People sometimes said there was nothing between the Canadian River and the North Pole except a barbed wire fence, and on a night like tonight, when a blue norther swept down over the plains, it sure felt like that old saying was right.
Hallam was a big, rugged man in a sheepskin coat, with his hat pulled down tight on his head so the wind wouldn’t blow it off. He tugged his gloves from his hands and stuck them in a coat pocket as he crossed the spacious waiting room toward the ticket window.
“I hope you ain’t here to buy a ticket,” the agent said from the other side of the counter. “No passenger trains comin’ through tonight, only a freight that’s due in about an hour.”
“No, I don’t need a ticket,” Hallam told the man, who looked like he wanted to just close up and go home for the night. “I’m here because of that freight.”
He unbuttoned the coat and slipped a hand inside it.
Make sure you leave a comment for a chance to win a free ecopy of Panhandle Freight.
Looks like an exciting story and a great series to follow. I look forward to reading it. Best wishes for success.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the kind words. Lucas has taken me for a fine ride through history.
DeleteWesterns are a favorite as are mysteries. Now I can have both! Time to get started on a 'new' hero. Thanks! Doris/Angela
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way Doris. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteLivia I really admire you for being able to keep writing about a character like you have Lucas Hallam. I don't have that gift of keeping stories going around a central character. I love how you wrote about him all this time and then included his daughter in your stories later on. That's a great way to keep him alive and let her be involved in his life, too! Congratulations on your release of PANHANDLE FREIGHT as a single-sell story! Love those beautiful brown eyes of his, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl. Lucas is an old friend, and it's fun discovering new adventures for him to experience.
DeleteSounds like a good story. I like it when the weather comes into play in a story. Best of luck on it.
ReplyDeleteWeather is so important in life, as it should be in stories. Yesterday that tire would have been much easier to replace if it hadn't been so warm and muggy.
DeleteHow did I miss these stories?
ReplyDeleteAlisa, you won the free copy. I messaged the information about it to you on FB.
DeleteExcellent. I am a fan of early movies and this sounds just up my street.
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing era. Thanks for stopping by Keith.
DeleteI love Lucas Hallam, Olivia!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Pete. My first agent tried to get me to make him weaker since he was an older gentleman at that point. That agent just didn't get it. Glad I ignored him. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteLivia, So sorry to be running behind, but just had to say how much I envy authors who can run with a character over and over in an ongoing series and keep the readers wanting more. And Lucas Hallam sounds very intriguing. I look forward to reading his stories.
ReplyDeleteBeverly, I appreciate you stopping by. There were so many changes from the 1880's to the 1930's. Lucas has been a gunman, cowboy, Pinkerton, Texas Ranger, PI, and a riding extra in Hollywood. He keeps me entertained
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