Return to Canyon Creek
Some towns are worth dying for.
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A ruthless land baron, a dead marshal, and a town under siege. Danner and Payne must make their final stand with a new breed of heroes in this award-winning Western thriller.
About the Book
In this explosive third installment of John Layne's award-winning Luxton Danner series, a peaceful town's survival hangs by a trigger pull. When merciless land baron Gilford Knox sets his sights on transforming Canyon Creek into his personal empire, his brutal tactics leave the community reeling from their marshal's death and facing an uncertain future.
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As Knox's iron grip tightens around Canyon Creek—with his saloons, brothels, and strongarm tactics threatening to destroy everything the townspeople have built—they turn to their last hope: legendary lawmen Luxton Danner and Wes Payne. But this time, the famous duo isn't riding alone. Backed by an unlikely alliance of four former Buffalo Soldiers, a sharpshooting farm girl, and a mysterious young gunfighter, they're ready to make their final stand against Knox and his band of renegades.
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With more at stake than ever before, Danner and Payne must prove that even in the changing West, justice still speaks through gunsmoke. This critically acclaimed novel showcases Layne's masterful ability to blend historical detail with heart-pounding action, earning multiple prestigious honors including the Firebird Book Award for both Western Fiction and Action-Adventure.
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Book Three of the Luxton Danner Series​
Order the Book
Ebook (Paperback Coming Soon)
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Awards
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Winner, Firebird Book Awards - Western Fiction and Action-Adventure
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Finalist, Next Generation Independent Publishers - Historical Fiction Pre-1900
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Finalist, Book Excellence Award - Western Fiction
Reviews & Praise
BOOKLIFE
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Layne honors the tried-and-true archetypes of the Western genre while breathing fresh life into the rich conflicts that emerge when wilderness, civilization, and commerce all meet–and he doesn’t skimp on action and humor. The introduction of the Buffalo Soldiers, the all-Black regiment formed as a peacekeeping regiment by Congress during the 1860s, adds welcome diversity and interest to the story, and Layne challenges expectations in other ways, as well: While Westerns have a reputation for damsels in distress, the women here are anything but helpless and in need of rescuing. Still, Return to Canyon Creek’s scenes of gunslingers and confrontations–like the confrontation with a horse thief that re-introduces Danner–play out like favorite movie moments, with the dustups and showdowns crisply described, right down to sound effects and dialogue: “‘I told you I wasn’t done with you yet!’ he snarled before a lightning bolt of pain shot through his skull.” In fact, the dust has little time to settle between the big moments, though Layne layers in welcome mystery, subterfuge, and romance. Layne has penned a polished tale that celebrates the legacy of the Western, checking all the boxes but adding some special touches. Takeaway: This rousing western offers spirited shootouts, dustups, and storytelling. Great for fans of Cameron Judd, A.W. Hart.
JANE LITTLE BOTKIN, AUTHOR AND TWO-TIME WESTERN WRITERS OF AMERICA SPUR AWARD WINNER
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Return to Canyon Creek is a page-turner! Layne places the reader into fiery action from the get-go and leaves him breathless for more at its conclusion. Entertaining in the classic mode, reading John Layne makes me reminisce for my father's Louis L'Amours.
WEST GILBREATH, AUTHOR OF DEATH ON THE GALLOWS AND THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LEGAL HANGINGS IN TEXAS
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John Layne brings another great western book to life with a clear understanding of the dangers and the harsh life a person faced in 1878 Texas. As you read this captivating story of good vs greed, you will begin to anticipate the unavoidable gun battle that is brewing. Although shots have been fired, and threats made, you wonder what will be the final match that will light the powder keg, and who will ultimately prevail.
READERS' FAVORITE
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"5 Stars! Return to Canyon Creek by John Layne is riveting from start to finish. The scenes are painted with candor and the characters jump off the page with vibrancy and authenticity. This book is a masterpiece of Western fiction. Each line he writes rings true to the time and place and the plot’s many layers make this book a page-turner. Danner rises up as a reluctant hero in this tale and the supporting cast of characters from Wes to Rachel and even the rambunctious Shelley create an environment that is fun, unexpected, and delightful. The reader will find themselves engrossed in the story, the satisfying ending, and the enticement of another installment in the Danner adventures!
KEITH R. REES, AMAZON BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
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In Return to Canyon Creek, John Layne uses lavish descriptions and intriguing characters that put the reader right in the time-period as well as capturing the rugged, yet natural beauty of the Texas Old West.
INDIEREADER
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John Layne's prose in Return to Canyon Creek is clear and unadorned, and perfectly suited for this sort of old-school Western with a streamlined plot that offers genre fans plenty of action.
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
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Frontier events, from murders to mayhem, come to life under John Layne's hand. His vivid descriptions of standoffs, showdowns, legal and social clashes, and the various special interests of a truly wild—and steadily evolving—Western town make for an engrossing story replete in not just confrontation but new realizations about the price of growth and change at all costs. Layne paints vivid scenes throughout the course of these events. The novel's non-stop action, realistic sense of the times and its people, and strong characterization capture the rugged times and the forces that clash over different visions of opportunities and lifestyles in the West. Fans of Louis L'Amour and other classic Western writers well know the compelling feel of an authentically portrayed world and Return to Canyon Creek mirrors this powerful approach as it adds to a trilogy about the making and breaking of Texas. Libraries should consider it a fine addition to any traditional Western fiction collection looking for contemporary writers that capture the passion and fire of yesterday's West.
READERS' FAVORITE
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Enthusiasts of historical fiction novels with a touch of romance and thrilling action will love Return to Canyon Creek. With a unique style of writing, John Layne whisks readers away from reality. He forges an intriguing plot with ingenious plot twists. His choice of words gives his scenes a perfect glimpse of the nineteenth century. Coupled with his vivid depictions of his scenes and characters, this made reading the book feel like watching a well-plotted movie. He aligns his ideas consistently, giving his storyline a beautiful flow. I relished the action, adventure, suspense, humor, and tension in the story. John Layne harnesses remarkable sentiment in his words. I felt the rage, despair, satisfaction, joy, agony, and sadness, among other emotions of his characters. The characters were wonderfully developed, with each of them having their traits boldly brought out. Lux Danner is an intelligent, strong-willed, and uncompromising man. Return to Canyon Creek is a great piece of work.
READERS' FAVORITE
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5 Stars! Return to Canyon Creek by John Layne is everything you could want in a Western story. The good guys are there taking on the bad guys in a do-or-die way and the bad guys will disregard all the rules to get what they want. I am a big fan of Western stories and I have to say that Return to Canyon Creek is one of the best that I have read in a very, very long time. John Layne has included all the elements that kept me reading long into the night. There are gunfights, horse stealing, brawls, a hint of romance, and oh so much more. If you like the Western genre, then I strongly urge you to put Return to Canyon Creek on the very top of your reading list. It will not disappoint!