Showing results by author "Douglas Hirt" in All Categories

In the golden age of the Mississippi, men and women from all walks of life climbed aboard the mighty riverboats and forged a nation's destiny. Dexter McKay, the gambler, had a heavenly way with a deck of cards, and a devilish bag of tricks when his luck ran out. Clifton Stewart, land owner, was heir to a cotton and sugar empire. But his hard head for business was betrayed by his soft heart for a pretty woman. Mystie Waters, the chambermaid, caught the eyes of every man on board.

Jeffrey Quicksall has finally put the past behind him. He’s worked hard for his outfitter’s license, enjoys guiding off-worlders on safari to hunt dinos, and generally looks forward to spending downtime either at the Safari Club bar in Elstadar City, or camping with his daughter, Kar, who lives at the local boarding school. Until the day dragons attack his mistrigger in legal hunting territory! Suddenly Magistrate Stemoplisen threatens to confiscate his outfitter’s license.

Jack MacLaren and his partner, Charlie Longbough, set out from the Rocky Mountains, bound for New Orleans, with a season's worth of beaver pelts and high expectations of the wealth they will bring. But, unbeknownst to them, a war is brewing with England, and the British had blockaded the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River, halting all commerce in or out of the river. Jack's and Charlie's furs are nearly worthless, and their visions of wealth evaporate.

Five hundred quiet years had passed, and then for only the second time within the collected memory of man, the earth shook. Footsteps froze and eyes went wide while birds exploded from treetops and filled the sky in frenzied flight.

Campaigning for the presidency of the United States, Senator Stephen Douglas is the target of assassins who hope to benefit from a war between the states. His trip on the Tempest Queen offers a golden opportunity for the charming but deadly Genevieve St. James, the assassin. Meanwhile, Clifton Stewart is still searching for his lost love, Mystie Waters. He finds the ruins of the riverboat she last served on and can only conclude that she was one of many casualties of a tragic explosion.

Howie Blake and Dobie Tinkerman are two friends not expecting too much out of life. All they want is to make a living, and to have a good town to earn it in. When they met Waldo Fritz it looked like they might have at least found a paying job - armed robbery. Waldo tries hard to teach them the way of the outlaw, but the results are less than spectacular. Their hearts just aren't in it.