Margins
Blood Bond book cover 1
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Blood Bond
Series · 16
books · 1989-2012

Books in series

Blood Bond book cover
#1

Blood Bond

1989

Two friends—one white and one Cheyenne—must choose sides as frontier tensions built to the Battle of Little Bighorn in this historical Western. Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher’s son saved the Native American boy’s life. Beneath the Montana sky, Matt learned the ways of the Cheyenne from his friend. And as years passed, a legend grew of the Indian and the white man who rode together—and who could draw killing iron with the best of them . . . Now tensions are high in the territory thanks to Lone Dog and his renegades scalping settlers by the dozen. Meanwhile, greedy rancher Tom Thomas is recruiting an army of gunhawks to steal Indian land. And with General Custer and his men riding toward the Little Big Horn River, it seems Bodine and Two Wolves will have to choose sides. Because there will only be two kinds of folk in the battle that’s the kind that kill and the kind that die.
Brotherhood of the Gun book cover
#2

Brotherhood of the Gun

1990

The blood brothers take to the badlands in a gun-blazing Western adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Preacher novels. Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher’s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. And as years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Brotherhood of the Gun The blood brothers ride into the blistering heat and wind of the Arizona badlands. They’re hard on a trail that leads deep into Apache territory toward the Mexican border, where a gang of desperados are running guns to the Apache and white-slaving kidnapped children. Along the way, Matt and Sam hook up with two a prideful mountain man who lost his granddaughter in a raid, and a young woman in search of her brother. Now, with outlaws ahead of them and warring Apaches on every side, it’s time for some hard-case frontier justice along a trail blazed by bullets—and lined with bodies . . . Live Free. Read Hard. Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Gunsight Crossing book cover
#3

Gunsight Crossing

1991

No one wants to be in the sights of these blood brothers. Rip-roaring Western adventure from the bestselling author of Brotherhood of the Gun . Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher ’ s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. And as years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Gunsight Crossing Wise in the ways of a lawless land, the blood brothers deal out their own brand of frontier justice. And when they ride a hot and dusty trail into Texas looking for some excitement, they find it in spades. Big John Lee owns the biggest spread west of the Pecos, but he’s hired a crowd of tough gunners to claim more than his legal share. Bodine and Sam Two Wolves decide to throw their lot in with the men of the Circle S, who were next on John Lee’s land-grabbing list. It certainly won’t be the first time they use their Colts to deal out death sentences in burning powder and hot lead—but if they’re not careful, it might well be their last . . . Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Gunsmoke and Gold book cover
#4

Gunsmoke and Gold

1992

Gunslingers and greed make dangerous bedfellows in this hoof-pounding Western adventure from the USA Today bestselling author of Gunsight Crossing . Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher ’ s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. And as years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Gunsmoke and Gold In Dale, Colorado, any cowboy with good sense knows better than to step through the batwings of the Plowshare Saloon—and any sheep-herder crazy enough to belly up to the bar at the Red Dog is ordering the last taste of whiskey he’ll ever lift to his lips. The town of Dale is heading for an all-out war that will pit father against son, and brother against brother. Bodine and Two Wolves try to make both sides see reason, but that fails when a bunch of hired night riders start scouring the countryside and putting notches on their six-guns. The blood brothers soon figure the cause of the trouble goes a hell of a lot deeper than the grass everyone’s fighting over. A battle’s coming, and they’re about to be caught in the thick of it—and in a storm of red-hot lead . . . Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Devil Creek Crossfire book cover
#5

Devil Creek Crossfire

1992

There’s no rest for the blood brothers in a town at war with itself. Hard-charging Western adventure from the bestselling author of Gunsmoke and Gold . Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher’s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Devil Creek Crossfire When the brothers head into the small cowtown of Crossville, close by Devil Creek, all they want is to stock up on supplies and rest their weary horses. Instead, they find themselves in the middle of a bloody range war that’s literally split the town down the middle. The warring factions have set up camp on either side of Main Street, and the newcomers ride in on a deserted strip of no man’s land where anything—and nothing good—is liable to happen. The feud seems it isn’t over land or water or cattle rustling, but something much darker . . . and deadlier. Bodine and Two Wolves figure the best course would be to leave—that is, until both sides order them out. Big mistake. Because the blood brothers don’t take orders from anyone . . . Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Shootout at Gold Creek book cover
#6

Shootout at Gold Creek

1993

Lead will fly if these blood brothers have their say. A whirlwind of Old West adventure from the bestselling author of Devil Creek Crossfire . Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher ’ s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. And as years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Shootout at Gold Creek Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves don’t look for trouble—it’s usually there when they wake up in the morning. When they ride into the little gold mining town of Jordanville, high in the Colorado Rockies, all they want is a hot meal and something cold to wash it down. When they see an unarmed man getting brutally beaten by a hard case with a bullwhip, their plans suddenly change. Before they can spit, the blood brothers find themselves in the middle of a violent land war and up to their noses in claim jumpers and hired guns itching to open fire. Bodine and Two Wolves have never run from a fight in their lives—and they sure as hell don’t intend to start now . . . Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
San Angelo Showdown book cover
#7

San Angelo Showdown

1994

Johnstone Country. Patriots Welcome. Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher’s son saved the halfbreed’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the breed and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them… SAN ANGELO SHOWDOWN Trigger-happy outlaws are giving the Texas Rangers a lot more trouble lately than they can handle, leaving most of Texas in a heap of trouble. So when Bodine and Two Wolves drift into the sleepy cattle town of San Angelo, Ranger Josiah Finch—knowing their reputation with the killing iron—convinces them to pin on badges and put their talents to work for his side of the law. But the Rangers are caught off guard when a ruthless band of cattle thieves levels the town with dynamite. The thieves a big mistake, though, when they run for the Mexican border because now it’s Sam and Matt’s kind of fight, and they’re going to see to it that the outlaws get what they’re due . . . on this side of the Rio Grande. Live Free. Read Hard.
Death in Snake Creek book cover
#8

Death in Snake Creek

1994

Texas royalty doesn’t stand a chance against the blood brothers in a lawless Western adventure from the bestselling author of San Angelo Showdown . Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher’s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Death in Snake Creek Snake Creek is a shabby little Texas town ruled by a mean-tempered outlaw who fancies himself a king—King Petty. He and his gang do what they want, when they want, and right now what Petty wants is the pretty wife of a farmer he just shot in cold blood. But Sam Two Wolves just can’t stand by and watch as this King Petty drags the widow down the street, and before long he and Matt find themselves in the fight of their lives. It’s a fight they never meant to start—but they sure as hell are going to finish it. Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Slaughter Trail book cover
#9

Slaughter Trail

2006

Matt Bodine, while dallying with Wyatt Earp's woman, comes to the rescue of his bloodbrother Sam Two Wolves when he is captured by a bloodthirsty human slaver. Original.
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#10

The Hanging Road

2007

Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher s son saved the halfbreed's life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the breed and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them... Matt and Sam never could refuse a damsel in distress, so a whole coach load of lovelies, lead by the fetching Charity McKenzie, seems like a gift from heaven. But if it looks too good to be true, it usually is—and in short order the blood will start to flow. Matt and Sam rush in anyway and faster than you can say "soiled doves", they're up to their necks in trouble. Soon it's an all-out war that nearly levels a frontier town, where Bodine and Two Wolves face new enemies and run into an old foe they never thought they'd see again. And the sweet, lovely Charity McKenzie is the busiest—and deadliest—bee in the hornet's nest.
Texas Gundown book cover
#11

Texas Gundown

2008

Johnstone Country. Frontier spirit lives here. Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher’s son saved the halfbreed’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the breed and the white man who rode together—and pulled iron faster than anyone in the West… Sweet Apple, Texas, is the deadliest town west of the Mississippi—where getting killed is as easy as ordering a beer. Which is why East Coast big shot Cornelius Standish sends his lily-livered nephew, Seymour, to Sweet Apple. With Seymour out of the way, Cornelius will own the company that rightfully belongs to his nephew. His plan backfires, though, when Seymour is dubbed “The Most Cowardly Man in the West” by a newspaper and the hardcases of Sweet Apple are too proud to kill him. Soon Seymour thinks he’s bulletproof—until an outlaw gang, some Mexican revolutionaries, a train full of army rifles and a team of hired gunfighters all head to Sweet Apple at the same time. Now, Seymour and his border town are sure to get blown off the map. But blood brothers Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves are about to get there first—and they’re setting off some fireworks of their own… Live Free. Read Hard.
Ride for Vengeance book cover
#12

Ride for Vengeance

2008

Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher's son saved the halfbreed's life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the breed and the white man who rode together—and pulled iron faster than anyone in the West. . . Having saved Sweet Apple, Texas, from disaster, Matt and Sam decide to stay and help the new marshal break in his spurs—not to mention squeeze in a well-deserved vacation with the help of the lovely, spirited daughters of two feuding cattlemen.
Deadly Road to Yuma book cover
#13

Deadly Road to Yuma

2009

He promises heaven and delivers hell—until two blood brothers answer the prayers of the just. Rip-roaring adventure from the bestselling Western authors. Young Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher ’ s son saved the warrior’s life, forging a bond no one could ever break. And as years passed, a legend grew of the Cheyenne and the white man who rode together—and who could jerk killing iron with the best of them . . . Deadly Road to Yuma Preacher Joshua Shade has a date with a hangman at Yuma Prison. But Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves have a feeling that the madman and killer won’t stick to the schedule. Sure enough, Shade is sprung—and takes a beautiful young woman hostage. With a gang of fanatical followers, Shade is sure to have his hideout heavily guarded. But Matt and Sam have danced with the devil before—and know that even the coolest outlaw is no match for hot lead. Even when they discover that the federal government has their hands in this case, Matt and Sam are going to make sure that Shade never again sees the light of day . . . Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”— Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”— Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
Moonshine Massacre book cover
#14

Moonshine Massacre

2010

A half-breed and a white man. For years their legend has grown, but few know how far they will go for one another or the roots of their blood bond. Now, that bond will be put to the most deadly test yet. . . When Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves came to Kansas, they didn't know the Governor had just made the state liquor-free. But it doesn't take Matt long to find a place to drink and a family of enterprising moonshiners with one stunningly beautiful daughter. Trouble is, while Matt is falling hard, Sam is being recruited by a sheriff who happens to have a lovely daughter of his own. . . What happens when you mix 200-proof corn liquor with intoxicating women and two friends on opposite sides of the law? Big trouble. And more is bearing down on the town of Cottonwood is a murderous bootlegger, hired gunmen and a gambler with a plan of his own. As a killing storm crashes over Cottonwood, the odds favor the man who is stone cold sober, good with a red hot gun—and backed by unbreakable bonds of blood. . .
Arizona Ambush book cover
#15

Arizona Ambush

1989

The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st CenturyYoung Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves became blood brothers on the day the rancher's son saved the half breed's life, forging a bond no one could ever break. As years passed, a legend grew of the half breed and the white man who rode together—and when the situation demands, kill together. In Arizona Territory, you can't keep trouble from coming, but when it does, you don't have to offer it a chair. And trouble always comes. When Matt and Sam are ambushed by a violent gang led by the scurrilous Zack Jardine, who has his own reasons for wanting the blood brothers dead, Matt is badly wounded. After leaving Matt in a Navajo village to get patched up, Sam rides off hot on the trail of the Jardine Gang. Sam finds the cutthroats selling guns to the Indians, a move that will likely explode into an all-out tribal war. Outnumbered and outgunned, the blood brothers aim to settle Zack Jardine's hash once and for all—with a little luck, a lot of bullets, and the courage to shoot true.
A Hundred Ways to Kill book cover
#16

A Hundred Ways to Kill

2012

The Greatest Western Writers Of The 21st CenturyYoung Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves. One is a rancher's son. The other a Half Breed outcast. To kill one you'd have to kill them both. And that would take an army—and a whole lot of luck... A Hundred Ways To Kill. . .And Twice As Many Ways To Die Heading west to San Diego some honest pilgrims paid ten men good money to keep their wagon train safe. Soon word comes to Tombstone, where Matt Bodine and Sam Two Wolves are wearing out their welcome gambling with Wyatt Earp. The wagon train's guards turned against their charges and headed off to Mexico with six young pioneer girls captive. Everyone knows the tortures of the damned that await the girls in the hellholes south of the border. But only Matt and Sam will do something about it. But it's going to take more than their bravery and shooting skills to rescue those girls from the merciless white slavers. On the way to Mexico Matt and Sam ride into a war party of Apaches. They'll be facing outlaws and furious Apaches at the same time. For two blood brothers, the idea is to rescue those girls and blast their way North to freedom—no matter how many bullets it takes, or how many guns are shooting back...

Author

William W. Johnstone
William W. Johnstone
Author · 500 books

William Wallace Johnstone was a prolific American author, mostly of western, horror and survivalist novels. Born and raised in southern Missouri, Johnstone was the youngest of four children. His father was a minister and his mother a school teacher. He quit school when he was fifteen and worked in a carnival and as a deputy sheriff. He later served in the Army and, upon returning to civilian life, worked in radio broadcasting for 16 years. Johnstone started his writing career in 1970, but did not have any works published until 1979 (The Devil's Kiss) and became a full-time writer in 1980. He wrote close to two hundred books in numerous genres, including suspense and horror. His main publication series were Mountain Man, The First Mountain Man, Ashes and Eagles and his own personal favorite novel was The Last of the Dog Team (1980). He also authored two novels under the pseudonym William Mason. Johnstone had lived for many years in Shreveport, Louisiana, yet died in Knoxville, TN, at the age of 65. J. A. Johnstone is continuing William W. Johnstone's series.

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