Category: Family
Stories that focus on the entire family
Through the Years (by Wrangler)
Summary: Ben gets word that Joe is lying wounded in Sand Dust after being chased through the desert by a psychopath and hurries to find him while reflecting on the lives of all his sons. Inspired by “The Hunter.”
Rating T, WC 28,821
The Trouble Magnet #2 (by Wrangler)
Summary: Little Joe proves again that he’s his own worst enemy and a trouble magnet when he causes so much mayhem at the ranch that it leaves Pa stunned.
Rating T, WC 13,489
Part 2 of The Trouble Magnet Series, links included within
Who Would Miss Me (by BettyHT)
Summary: Adam left home to pursue a dream but it didn’t work out. Returning wasn’t an option so he chose a different course that eventually brought him home during a crisis. Adam and Candy are the most prominently featured characters.
Rating: PG Word count: 15,594
Home is the Sailor #12 – No-body’s Hero… (by Krystyna)
Summary: A continuation of the Home is the Sailor Series
Rating: PG (164,925 words)
Links to the earlier stories contained within.
The Unforgettable Day (by mo1427)
Summary: A Spring community picnic, a young girl, and a Cartwright. All make for an Unforgettable Day.
Rating: G, Word Count: 913
Every Storm Runs Out of Rain (by Wrangler)
Summary: The “Beautiful in My Eyes” series concludes, Little Joe can no longer cope with the horrendous scar on his face nor his hatred of Marie; the capture of Francois grows imminent. Rating T, WC 30648
Links to stories are included within.
The Road to Hell (by Cheaux)
Summary: Despite good intentions, a good deed turns deadly and the Cartwrights must grapple with the outcome.
Rating: T Word Count: 4,632
No Night So Long (by Wrangler)
Summary: The sequel to “Beautiful in My Eyes”, Little Joe struggles with the scar Francois left on his face, the Cartwrights search for the attacker and Hop Sing has a plan.
Rating T, WC 29,525
Links to stories in the series are included within.
She Was Hot (by BettyHT)
Summary: This is a sequel to “I Was Hot” and is Marie’s response to her toddler son’s interruption of what had been planned as her grand party. However, a suggestion that she take the story and own it becomes her plan and this is the story of her execution of that plan.
Rating: PG Word count: 1747
“I Was Hot” (by BettyHT)
Summary: This is a prequel in which Marie’s grand gala for the ladies of the area is interrupted by a son in a most shocking way as two other sons cavort elsewhere. The family has to pull together to fix this mess.
Rating: PG Word count: 1470
Beautiful in My Eyes (by Wrangler)
Summary: Francois Balantaire, a spurned suitor of Marie Cartwright’s, travels two thousand miles and twenty years to seek vengeance on her by scarring her son, Little Joe. Rating T, WC 24,425 Links to stories in the series are included within.
Ringing in the Changes (by Glenandme)
Summary: The boys let off a bit too much steam in town before New Year’s Eve causing Ben to demand changes in their behavior. Perhaps he should be careful of what he wishes for.
Rating: G, Word Count: 1671
The Meaning of Christmas (by PatD in PA)
Summary: An explanation of Christmas, between brothers.
Rating: G (120 words)
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
I Will (by Wrangler)
Summary: Little Joe is consumed with guilt when his best friend is accidently shot and killed. Unable to forgive himself, Joe heads down a dangerous self-destructive path.
Rating T, WC 21,861
Mr. Adam and Them Boys (by DJK)
Summary: Adam loses a bet and must take Little Joe and four friends hunting in the high country. His fears of catastrophe come true in an unexpected way. This prequel was written for the Chaps and Spurs Quarter Four Challenge. The five mandated words were: percolate, earthquake, pipeline, surgeon, amendment. Rating: teen Word count: 7373