Wagon Mound to Santa Fe – The Search for Sarah is the first book of the Wagon Mound Western Series by Chris G. Derrick

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“Without thinking he instinctively took hold of the body’s forearm, to steady it while he cut the rope which held the wrist onto the wheel. With a sensation which made Emmett feel physically ill the charred flesh moved under the pressure from his fingers. It slipped up the bone of the forearm and exposed the still slightly pink flesh remaining underneath. Emmett swallowed hard, then caught the first sickly smell of burnt flesh – and immediately felt the bile begin to rapidly rise in his throat. He let the forearm go, as if it remained hot to the touch, and grabbed the reassuringly solid spoke of the wheel. For a second there Emmett felt an overwhelming sweating and swimming sensation, as if he was going to faint. The feeling of the hard burnt wood was a pleasantly firm sensation to his fingers after what they’d been holding.”

Jake Base – the Texas town sheriff makes another appearance within the pages of this novel.
Here though the story is not about Jake, his family or his life.

The leading character is a new name – Alex Sawicki.

Young Alex’s family suffer terribly at the hands of the Apache while returning from a family visit.
Both parents are killed and his younger sister, Sarah, is taken captive.
He’s supported throughout the ordeal by his two young cousins and a similarly aged Comanche they give the name of Fingers.

Further west a group of men, unaware of the rather unique background of one of their band, head out into the wilderness of New Mexico to dig for their fortune.

In Santa Fe there’s a well respected wagon master with failing eyesight – recruiting for another trip up the Trail to Missouri.

Unbeknown to each of them the hand of fate is ready to play a major part in all their lives.
Together they will meet and unite with a single common goal.

To bring Sarah safely home once again!

A Word from the Author

So…..eventually after the previous two books were ‘out there’ I was left with a pretty much complete book 3. It took a little while to create a suitable ending. One which didn’t appear contrived in as much as it fits in nicely with the preceding story. It also happens to give me a great start when I begin to write the follow-up novel. I was surprised when I received the first printed copy to see the number of pages – 575! Wow…..I found the figure rather impressive I have to admit! The downside of course comes every time the editing process gets underway. There’re just so many words to work through!
This book was published in January 2016. I’d hoped to make it happen before Christmas, but decided at the beginning of December to take my time and not too rush the work. So January it was.
As I’ve mentioned previously Jake appears once again within these pages – but not as the main character. That privilege rests with a new name – Alex Sawicki.
This story has several distinct themes running through it. The new characters are charged with developing this particular story from their own viewpoints and experiences.
I’m really looking forward to sitting down later in the year and writing the next episode in Alex Sawicki’s life – and seeing where it leads!

(Chris G. Derrick, 29th April 2016)

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