Concern about the whereabouts of his absent brother-in-law brings Jake Lockridge to the Arizona town of Piedmont. Upon arriving in Piedmont, he realizes his concern was well-founded. Miguel has been framed for the murder of the son of a powerful rancher named Thurston and is condemned to hang. Jake breaks Miguel out of jail and the two of them head for the mountains, where they’re pursued by the rancher, his sons, and a crooked sheriff.

Along the way they find allies in an old friend named Decker and a rancher named Gebhardt. Jake is determined to expose Wade Thurston’s real killer, but first he has to survive.

After a confrontation that ends in Miguel’s capture, Jake is left for dead. He rallies and goes on the offensive. Back in Piedmont, he confronts his enemies in order to save Miguel, once more, from the hangman’s noose.

S.J. Stewart grew up in Kansas and was introduced to the Southwest when she spent four years in New Mexico. She returns often and spends time in Arizona as well. She loves the vastness and beauty of this area where one of the most exciting periods of history unfolded.

She now lives in the Ozarks with her husband, Lanny, and is a member of the Western Writers of America.

Gambler’s Instinct is her seventh book for AVALON.

Avalon Westerns by S.J. Stewart:
GAMBLER'S INSTINCT
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE
BLOOD DEBT
BEYOND THE VERDE RIVER
OUTLAW'S QUARRY
SHADOW OF THE GALLOWS