Once Upon a Time in the West

A gritty, unflinching collection of award-winning short stories that will enthrall historical fiction and weird western fans. This collection captures the spirit of individualism set against the darker side of life in the American West. From Colorado gold-camps where all that glittered was not gold, to the wide-open empty of Wyoming's range and reaching through the vast expanse of Montana, this collection captures a raw West in stark contrast to civilized society. Readers will discover untold stories about strong, independent women who simply did not back down. The Devil's Rope - A woman's personal fight in the aftermath of Ella Watson's (Cattle Kate) lynching during Wyoming's Range War. Starred Library Journal Review. Death and Singular Obligations - The question of whether or not to do the right thing despite past grievances, or to let a woman die on her own. Vampires of State Street - At her own peril, a dancehall girl in rollicking Leadville seeks an easier existence by taking up with one of the legendary "vampires" who plied their trade along notorious Tiger Alley and State Street. The Rough Side of Town - A Clairvoyant, a mining swindle, and a fresh start. Maude Montgomery, abandoned by her husband in Nebraska, heads west to take up fortune telling in Cripple Creek - a chancy proposition at the best of times. Too Much Dancing Going On - a novella about a woman's quest for books and reading as she undertakes hazardous journeys through Montana's early settlement. Will Rogers Medallion Finalist.