Eighteen-year-old scout
Calvin 'Choctaw' Taylor believes he can handle whatever life throws his way.
He’s been on his own for several years, and he only wants to make his mark
in the world. When he is asked to guide peace emissary Sean Brennan and his
adopted Apache daughter, Nahlin, into a Chiricahua Apache stronghold, he
agrees—but then has second thoughts. He’s heard plenty about the many ways the
Apache can kill a man.
But Mr. Brennan sways
him, and they begin the long journey to find Cochise—and to try to forge a
peace and an end to the Indian Wars that have raged for so long. During the
journey, Choctaw begins to understand that there are some things about himself
he doesn’t like—but he’s not sure what to do about it. Falling in love with
Nahlin is something he never expected—and finds hard to live with.
The death and violence, love for Nahlin and respect for both
Cochise and Mr. Brennan, have a gradual effect on Choctaw that change him. But
is that change for the better? Can he live with the things he’s done to survive
in the name of peace?
EXCERPT
He used the glasses again, scanning nearer ground, the white sands. He saw nothing.
And then two black specks were there suddenly, framed against the dazzling white. They might have dropped from the sky.
They grew bigger. Two horsebackers coming this way, walking their mounts. As he watched they spurted into rapid movement, whipping their ponies into a hard run towards him.
The specks swelled to the size of horses and men. Men in faded smocks maybe once of bright colour, their long hair bound by rags at the temple. They had rifles in their hands.
Breath caught in Choctaw’s throat. Fear made him dizzy. His arms started to tremble. He knew who was coming at him so fast.
Apaches.
And you killed them or they killed you.
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Andrew, I thoroughly enjoyed THE PEACEMAKER! Kept me wondering "what is going to happen next?" and I love that kind of a story. Congratulations on your release!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl. Thanks for your great support. Andrew McBride
DeleteWhat a great excerpt! My mouth is watering, wanting more of the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky. If you enjoyed the excerpt, there's 70,000 more words where that came from. I hope you enjoy those too!
DeleteI like a quest for good and this one seems mighty interesting. Gosh 18 seems so young to me, just a kid.
ReplyDeleteI want to wish you great success with this new release, Andrew.
All good things to your corner of the universe.
Thanks very much for your kind comments, Sarah. I hope things are good in your corner of the universe too.
DeleteSounds like a great story, a complex balance to be maintained in difficult circumstances. Sounds like something I'd very much enjoy reading. Best wishes on the success of your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your very thoughtful comments, Robyn. And CONGRATULATIONS! You've won an e.book of THE PEACEMAKER. Let me have your contact details and I'll send you the Smashwords coupon code so you can claim your free e.book, which I do hope you enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrew. Please contact me at robynechols AT gmail DOT com. I look forward to reading the book.
Delete