Friday, December 3, 2010

Cash Laramie at Dark Valentine Magazine

The Macy men studied Cash who stood in the center of Mill Street, feet spread shoulder-wide, hands hanging naturally at his sides. The cold blue eyes staring from under the brim of a black Stetson pulled low. A flint arrowhead hanging from a leather thong around his neck. Square jaw. Thin cheroot that no longer smoked. Colt Peacemaker at the ready.

"Spread out,” Mike said, holding his voice to a loud whisper.
Cash Laramie returns in "Justice Served" (written under my Edward A. Grainger pseudonym). I hope everyone gets a chance to drop over to Dark Valentine Magazine and let me know what you think. The tale is a pithy one but when The Adventures of Cash Laramie & Gideon Miles is eventually released many years from now, Cash's actions in "Justice Served" will be a turning point for my oddly named anti-hero.

Special thanks to Katherine Tomlinson and all the superb talent at DV for making my story look so good.

33 comments:

Cullen Gallagher said...

Can't wait to read this! Glad the series is continuing.

David Cranmer said...

I have a few more that will pop up here and there in 2011.

Reb said...

I've bookmarked it for reading after work. Can hardly wait.

David Cranmer said...

You should leave work early, Reb. Let your boss know Cash Laramie is back!

Anonymous said...

A classic showdown with a hero that has taken enough bs. Hard, hard, hard Cash Laramie. Bad ass, Dave. James Marple

Chris said...

Great stuff! Good to see Patti Abbott in there too.

Mike Wilkerson said...

I could use a good western. I'll check it out this weekend.

Cheers.

David Cranmer said...

Gracias, James. Glad you liked it.

Chris, Patti always shines. Talented writer that one.

Thanks, Mike. Let me know what you think. Good or bad is appreciated.

Matthew P. Mayo said...

Nicely done, Mr. Grainger. A grim nugget rendered in classic fashion.

Une autre, s'il vous plait!

dMix said...

I like the direction you are taking this character. I'm looking forward to the next adventure my real life hero writes.

David Barber said...

I'll check it out over the weekend, David. I'll be back with another comment.

Have a great weekend, mate!

David Cranmer said...

Matt, Thank you, sir.

Otro uno está por el camino!

dMix, Te amo, mi corazon! (Geez, I hope I'm getting this Spanish right!

Gracias, Dave. (That one should be correct.)

Matthew P. Mayo said...

Eccellente, rendono così, colleghi!



... and I'm spent.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is wow! Cash Laramie will soon achieve legendary status... must reading!
Don B.

Evan Lewis said...

Great news. The legend grows.

David Cranmer said...

Matt, You can do no more, kind sir. Take a siesta.

Don B, Much appreciated, amigo.

Evan, I have another Cash Laramie co-written with Sandra Seamans. Now to figure where to submit that one.

Ron Scheer said...

Nicely done, bro. Brought to mind the cool blue eyes of Paul Newman in HOMBRE. He'd have done a fine Cash Laramie. Keep 'em comin'.

Alan Griffiths said...

Just downloaded DV and read Justice Served, David and thoroughly enjoyed it; many congrats. Cash is a great character.

My copy of BTAP Round One has recently arrived and looks absolutely terrific. I'm really looking forward to The Wind Scorpion and all the other super stories.

Kind regards.

David Cranmer said...

Ron, I haven't seen HOMBRE in awhile. I just may have to do the Amazon Video On Demand this week and see if they have it. Thanks for taking the time, sir.

Alan, The Wind Scorpion was the second or third Cash Laramie I wrote and I think it turned out quite well. I appreciate you buying Round One and I hope you enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

A brutal little chronicle of vengeance that I fully endorse.

Geoff

David Cranmer said...

Ha. Thanks, Geoff. Tell Anne I said hello.

AC said...

Exciting story. Lean, mean and to the point.

G. B. Miller said...

As promised, I done did mosey over to Dark Valentine to read that there story by that "interesting" guy called Edward Grainger.

My opinion?

"Interesting".

:D

However, Pooh Bear (don't ask, very long story) told me the following, for which I will happily pass on for him.

"I agree with your assessment that Cash Laramie is the proverbial anti-hero.

While the showdown itself was a bit anti-climatic, it does make you think about whether or not if you were in the same position (lawman 19th century), would you do the same thing in order to avenge the death of a very close friend, knowing that you can get away with it if you did do it?

Overall, a very good read. And one that I'll probably keep stashed away somewhere for future use."

Or so says Pooh Bear. I just tagged along for the ride.

Don Christie said...

The choreography of the classic quick draw was outstanding. Most of these Old West duels were over in seconds and your realism was rousing and truthfully portrayed here. The fact that Cash has no problem living with what he’s done signifies a calculating coolness that will be appealing to see where you take this character in the future. The ending with Misun being revealed as a blood brother was a nice touch.

I am pleased you sent me over to read it.

Sincerely,

Don Christie

Alan Griffiths said...

David, I read The Wind Scorpion last night and, you did a great job. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was nice to read a bit of romance in a Cash adventure tale.

Kind regards.

David Cranmer said...

AC, Thanks for taking a few moments to read. I like the spare approach but it may have worked a little against me in this one. Perhaps, a couple more lines of tension building could have improved the shoot-out. Folks have Hollywood expectations that need to be fulfilled, right? But I am for the most part contented the way this oater went down.

G, I will ignore the Pooh comments that are freaking me out. (Ha)

I’m glad you enjoyed the main thrust of the story which is do you consider Cash’s action as being immoral. Would more citizens in the 1880s NOT have a problem with it compared to today. Or do modern folks long for the solution of gun justice. I’m always reminded that DIRTY HARRY was a very popular movie on the heels of the flower power generation.

Thanks, G.

Don, May I quote (and add) that Edward A. Grainger is a choreography master of the classic quick draw? :) Anyway, your words did the heart good, my friend. I hope you and Jill are having a top weekend.

Alan, Big smile from me here this morning. I haven’t received a lot of feedback for "The Wind Scorpion" and I was wondering how it was doing. I enjoyed writing the character of Mary Katherine Alton (my wife came up with that name) almost as much as Cash Laramie.

Ian said...

The way you present Native Americans (in your other stories as well) is honourable without stooping to a ridiculous modern pc playbook.

David Cranmer said...

That means a lot, Ian. I'm far from an authority but have a deep respect for their culture and want to do my best in representing them.

Laurie Powers said...

Great, David - I'll go over and check it out.

Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin said...

Hey man - here's a challenge. How about a new Cash story for the next Wild West Monday on the Archive? First Monday in Jan 2011. I know you can do it.

David Cranmer said...

Thanks, Laurie. I appreciate you taking the time and I hope you enjoy it. If not, at least its short.

Gary, Cash Laramie is on his way to Wild West Monday. Very cool that you asked, amigo. Gracias.

EJ Hickey said...

DC, absolutely love the CL stories. Another great one. You continue to be my favorite author to read.

David Cranmer said...

Your support is much appreciated, sir.

ps I say we get together for a ten year Thanksgiving reunion. Berger will cook.