William Johnstone's Blood Bounty of the Mountain Man, from the Smoke Jensen series, starts with the usual--Smoke Jensen rescuing a damsel in distress--but in this case, his fortunes change. After charging into the middle of a stagecoach robbery, Smoke is shot and left for dead by the thieves. When they realize who he is, they steal is name and set out on a series of crimes under the guise of his good reputation. But he isn't dead, is nursed back to health by the woman on the stagecoach. Though his physical wounds heal, he has amnesia and doesn't remember his personal history. All that remains of his past life is his incomparable shootist skills, an unwavering sense of justice, and a refusal to let evil stand if he can knock it down. Though Smoke is eager to find out who he is, the woman's hometown is being over-taken by a power hungry man intent on destroying the people and their businesses. Smoke can't leave until he has helped these people who saved his life.

This is another excellent book in the Jensen family Universe. It never slows, always has me guessing what will happen next. Highly recommended for those who love the quick action of classic westerns.

There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.

I was pleasantly surprised by Blood Bounty of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. It almost felt like Smoke was back although without a memory who he is. It was an entertaining western and I do like westerns but still the authors doesn't reach all the way. Still I had fun for a few hours and that is the point. I must thank Netgalley and Kensington books along with Pinnacle for supplying me with this advance copy.