Red River Reunion - The Novel
From the author of Gunslingers: A Story of the Old West comes a second novel about freedom and justice on the American Frontier and the Old West.
Red River Reunion is a classic Western Fiction novel set in 1877 that traces the lives of U.S. Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne during their latest Texas adventures, where they risk everything to defend the meek, uphold frontier law, and satisfy their pursuit of doing what no other men can.
Tragic circumstances, lawlessness, and villainy, mark life in the Old West as settlers and law enforcement band together to survive and thrive and create a safe and prosperous future for all. Fans of Layne’s distinctive style will enjoy his rich characters and period details that bring the Old West back to life.
Named a 2021 Eric Hoffer Award Honorable Mention Historical Fiction category and a 2021 American Book Fest International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Western category, and a 2021 American Fiction Award Finalist Adventure: Historical and Western categories.
Book 2 in the series. A Luxton Danner Novel.
Red River Reunion - Screenplay
Genres: Old West, Action
Logline: In the Old West, a gunslinging U.S. Marshall plagued by a cryptic past reunites with a weathered Texas Ranger on a perilous mission to defend a Texas border town from ruthless outlaws.
RED RIVER REUNION is a classic Old West/adventure feature film script set in 1877 that traces the lives of U.S. Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne during their latest Texas adventures, where they risk everything to defend the meek, uphold frontier law, and satisfy their pursuit of doing what no other men can.
In the Old West, the thriving Red River border town of Range, Texas falls victim to renegade outlaw attacks. With these outlaws now wreaking havoc on Range and the other settlements scattered along Texas’ northern border, United States Deputy Marshal Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne are dispatched to deal with the problem from opposite sides of the territory.
Unbeknownst to each other, the gunslingers will meet in Range, where their reunion presents the ultimate challenge.
Deputy Marshal Danner discovers the illicit activities of Jared Barry, a wealthy business owner from nearby Red River City who may be connected to the violent raids along the Red River. Danner’s mission is complicated when Barry’s daughter flees her father’s controlling grasp by secretly following him on his assignment.
When Deputy Marshall Danner and Ranger Payne finally arrive in Range, they learn of a plethora of trouble involving vicious bandits, an abducted nun, and an impending sizeable monetary cattle drive transaction with no bank in town to properly protect the cash.
Despite insurmountable odds, the severely outnumbered lawmen honor their oaths to uphold the law and protect the citizens of Range at any cost. Their “hell bent for leather” heroics lead to an epic gun battle between good and evil that may ultimately destroy the town they are sworn to protect.
Based on the internationally acclaimed novel Red River Reunion by John Layne (Labrador Publishing 2020).
"Having grown up a dedicated fan of Westerns, writing Red River Reunion was a natural progression for me.. The story flowed like one of the hundreds of western movies I’d watched over the years. The landscapes, characters, and dialogue came so inherently, that my writing swept me away like I hope it will my readers."
- John Layne
Book Reviews
HONORABLE MENTION 2021 ERIC HOFFER AWARD - HISTORICAL FICTION
This is an epic story set in the old West. Set in a simpler time, the citizens of Red River have a Marshall and Texas Ranger keeping them safe from a world of outlaws. Layne's vivid writing draws a clear and believable picture of the time and place. He does an excellent job portraying the 19th century American West in a way that feels authentic. The story starts with an attention-grabbing opening and holds the reader’s attention with a slew of believable characters, fast-paced action, and skillful writing—suspenseful and entertaining.
