Which eccentric cowboy in Stockton County branded Evan Sting on Shotner Hill, murdering the young man? This is what private eye Joe Boxford asks himself when he's hired by Evan's father Benny to find the murderer. Joe needs some help, and enlists the services of Tal Linear, owner of The Linear Bar. But sparks begin to fly between the two. As romance heats up between them, they attempt to solve the branding crime. As the suspects start to pile up and weird relationships unfold in West Stockton, Joe and Tal begin to unravel a heinous crime. That is, until Tal vanishes and Joe thinks his sleuth buddy is going to be the killer's next victim. Does Joe have the skills needed to be a hero and save Tal from the killer's secret agenda and solve the crime? Or will Joe fall flat on his face and lose his reputation as a private investigator as well as his new lover, Tal Linear?

Stockton County Cowboys Book

“I wouldn’t call it work. It was more like a fling, which got me into a lot of trouble.”


He poured himself a glass of iced water, took a sip, placed it on the bar in front of him, and said, “Dunny wanted me. He made it quite clear that he was into my body. I found him attractive and went with it. Why not?”


I knew the story of his past all too well, just as others had in West Stockton, and half the county. Dunny Sting, Benny’s younger brother, hired Tal for a summer to work as a hand on his cattle ranch. He had a fondness for Tal and flirted with him numerous times. Just as the two were going to become intimate in a hayloft, Benny caught them. He flipped out on Tal and threatened to kill him. Tal hadn’t been back to the ranch since.


Chapter 3