Summary:  17 year-old Adam has been in his first gunfight and although his wound seemed minor, it worsened as he continued to work, until he lost so much blood that he was near death. We now find out what happerned that night and who helps to heal a family wrought with sadness, guilt and decisions.  there is no need to read the previous stories to enjoy this one. A young Abigail Jones makes her first appearance and Hop Sing makes a friend.  

Rated: K+  15,000

It’s Only a Year Series, links to all the stories within the series included.

Summary:  17 year old Adam has proven himself to the Ponderosa ranch hands after a summer of hazing, and is finally enjoying his his last year home before leaving for school. But his life takes a dramatic turn when he is menaced by a new addition to the crew, and must decide whether the man is serious in his sinister intent, or it’s just another attempt to test his mettle. Once Adam decides which it is, he makes choices that  bring him into conflict with his father and lead to the worst of consequences.

Rated: K+  WC  16,000

It’s Only a Year Series, links to all the stories within the series included.

Summary:  Ben stands vigil as thirteen-year-old Adam lies near death with a raging fever. The father blames himself and questions his ability as a parent while offering a prayer to give his own life to spare his son’s. A stranger helps Ben face his fears and understand that parenthood takes courage and help from unexpected places.  

Rated: K+ WC  4600

Summary: Just a very short story about what one brother would do for the other one.

Rating:  PG for violence (1,650 words)

Summary:  17-year-old Adam is learning some hard life lessons. He returns home from a cattle drive where he’s been forced to subsist on beans and endure hazing by the hired hands intent on making him prove his worth, to find his father away, Hoss ill and Little Joe in a state of panic. The results involves some very bad decisions, a dose of castor oil given in an all-out battle of wills, and hurt feelings. This story takes a serious turn when Hoss’ attempt to give his brother a “taste of his own medicine” goes horribly wrong.  

Rated: K+  WC  11,300

It’s Only a Year Series, links to all the stories within the series included.

Summary:  This is the last story in the Circle of Family saga, but enjoying this one is not dependent on having read the others. Adam has been in Boston for a year and all his careful planning has done him well…until an accident while staying with Abel puts him flat on his back for a few days. It is during this time of infirmity that Marie’s Bible arrives along with letters from home. After reading them, Adam makes a heart-rending decision that leaves his grandfather reeling. This story has its comedic moments along with some sweet takes on Adam’s relationship with Abel and the family he left behind.  

Rated: K+  WC  11,400

A Circle of Family Series, links to all the stories within the series included.

Rating: K

Word Count=2666

Summary: At six years old, Hoss finds himself to be the middle child instead of the baby. Not quite old enough to be responsible but not quite young enough to be thought of as a baby anymore.

Summary:  It’s almost Christmas Day, but ten year old Little Joe can’t wait and is desperate to find out what big brother Adam has bought him.  However, when he goes looking he finds a lot more than he bargained for.  

Rated: K+ (3,160 words)

Rating: K+

Word Count=7920

Summary: Sometimes traditions bring back memories and sometimes memories are created with new traditions.

Summary: Joe receives a very special gift and learns to follow his dreams, with some surprises along the way.  

Rated: K  (3,110 words)

Summary: Did Amy Bishop know of Joe’s love affair with Julia Bulette? If she did, what did she think of it? How did she come to terms with it once she herself was in a relationship with him?  Written in response to the ‘Missing Scenes’ challenge here on BB, and inspired by a question posed on another site.

Rated: K+ WC 7900

Summary: This is the third of the four stories revolving around Adam’s Bible (the Bible Elizabeth had used when she was young.) The Bible was thought ruined in The Book of Joseph, but was restored in The Book of Ben, and is now ready to be sent to Adam in Boston. Ben tells his middle son that he should write Adam a letter to enclose along with the Bible. But after Hoss has a particularly miserable day tending his sick brother and father, he pens a letter to Adam letting him know exactly how he feels.

It is not necessary to read the other stories to enjoy this one. Each book provides a look at love and lessons learned in the young Cartwright family. Thank you for reading.

Rating: K  (6,565 words)

A Circle of Family series, links to all the stories within the series included.

Summary:  A glimpse of life with the Cartwrights as seen by an injured bird. A prequel.  

Rated: K  WC 1400

ummary:  This is the second story in the A Circle of Family saga. Adam’s Bible, nearly destroyed in The Book of Joseph, has been returned in better shape than thought possible. After an thoughtful conversation with Hoss, Ben opens the Bible to the story of David and Goliath and relives a memory from a Sunday in the past when a reenactment of that story went awry. We see a young David (Hoss) smite the powerful Goliath (Adam) with a heavy wooden sword, leading to an interesting exchange between Marie and Ben as they decide how to patch the mighty Philistene’s gaping lip.

Rated: K  WC  8300

A Circle of Family Series, links to all the stories within the series included.

Summary:  Thunderstorms can be scary things. . .unless one has a big brother to make it better. A prequel.  

Rated: K  (1,100 words)