Tired and dusty from the trail back east, Tom Cooper stops in a Texas saloon for a quiet drink. When a loud-mouthed drunk challenges him, the gun play results in the stranger's death and the sheriff advises Cooper to leave quickly. The dead man's family, the Landis's, who are the local bullies, set after him.

While fleeing the Landis gang, Cooper is attacked by a giant black panther, but manages to escape the ferocious beast. Eventually, he stumbles on the land of Shane and Martha Peters. They help the injured man and a bond is formed between Cooper and their daughter, Belle. Cooper finds peace with the Peters and friendship or "taysha" with their Hasinai Caddo neighbor, Sam Waters. However, the Landis gang discover his whereabouts and they are determined to kill anyone who gets intheir way. Will they succeed in their deadly mission?

Joe Burkett was a native East Texan of Jasper, Texas. Being born with Muscular Atrophy made life and everything he did a challenge. Despite his physical handicap, he graduated from high school and from the Writer's Digest School with God's help.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. His love of books, nature, and history helped him with his five novels which have been published on audiotape. Joe died on December 22, 1998 at the age of 23. He wanted people to enjoy his stories. Like his mentor, Louis L'Amour, he would like to be remembered as a good storyteller.

Avalon Westerns by Joe Burkett:
COOPER'S REVENGE
TAYSHAS