Category: Chaps and Spurs
A writing challenge from the Bonanza Brand Forums.
Catamount (by SydneyFate)
Summary: The Cartwrights’ new friend, Black Bear, encounters a wild cat, and they catch the tail end of the adventure.
This story was written for the Chaps & Spurs 2025 1st Quarter Challenge.”
Rating: T (2,350 words)
Seven to One (by LillianMontane)
Summary: The only one not captured, Joe must figure out how to rescue his brothers from a gang of outlaws who invade their home.
Rating: T 9,647 words)
Just a Prank (by DJK)
It was just a boy’s prank, so why did it cause such a rift between brothers. This story was written for the Chaps and Spurs 2025 First Quater challenge.
Rating: K+ word count: 5279
How Sweet the Moonlight (by Pat D in PA)
Summary: The vastness of the heavens speak to the poetry in a young man’s soul, offering comfort during the lonely times. Created for the First Quarter 2025 Chaps and Spurs Challenge. My deep gratitude for Cheaux’s willingness to beta read; the story is better because of it. (1,462 words)
The Mysterious Crystal Cup (by wx4rmk)
Summary: Strange and spooky events begin to happen to the Cartwrights after Ben receives an unexpected gift. Written for October 2019 Chaps & Spurs and Spooktacular Challenge.
Rating: K+ / Word Count: 3911
Blue Mist Hauntings (by AC1830)
Summary – Recovering from a terrifying stagecoach accident, Adam tries to discover why he is haunted by ghostly images. My entry for the October Spooktacular and October Chaps and Spurs double challenge.
Word count – 3980
Rating – K
A Stray Named Muffin (by wx4rmk)
Summary: A simple trip into town turns into something that will change the Cartwright’s lives forever. Written for August 2019 Chaps & Spurs.
Rating: K+ / Word Count: 1821
The Autumn Race (by wx4rmk)
Summary: The cross country race for the Virginia City fall festival brings some unexpected challenges for Little Joe and his new horse, Penny. Prequel. Written for May 2019 Chaps & Spurs.
Rating: K+ / Word Count: 3244
Lady Justice (byBettyHT)
SUMMARY: This is my Chaps and Spurs entry for April. The topic is temporary insanity which was introduced in that era and tried out as a defense at a fictional trial in Virginia City. The jury is going to have to deal with a complex issue so the call goes out for better educated citizens, and guess who gets tapped for jury duty?
Rating: PG Word count = 1678
Mother Nature’s Blessing (by wx4rmk)
Summary: Prequel. Written for March 2019 Chaps & Spurs.
Rated: K+ WC 1700
My Name Is Moses Lincoln (by BettyHT)
Summary: This is my March 2019 Chaps and Spurs entry. The words to be used are massacre, reconstruction, sewing, citizen, and oversight. A new hand at the Ponderosa stirs Joe’s suspicions but what he learns is not what he expected and is far more profound and life-changing too.
Rating: PG Word Count: 4934
A Brother Lost (by AC1830)
Summary: One brother has gone astray and the other two brothers have come to take him home.
Rating – G, Word Count – 1015
A Hot Day, a Cold Lake, and a Bare Brother (by DJK)
Summary: Little Joe recounts the tale of his encounter at the lake with a not so proper lady.
Rating: Teen for adult insinuations Word count: 1598
You Have To Ask the Right Man (by BettyHT)
Summary: New hands play practical jokes that become increasingly a problem and their justification doesn’t sit well with Joe after Adam gets hurt. Response to October Chaps and Spurs challenge.
rating = T WC = 2870
The Strawberry Roan (by sandspur)
Summary: a cowboy who returns to the Ponderosa after a long absence discovers a new horse trainer…with an unwelcome training method.
Rating: T (mild language). 4316 words.
The Lilies Series, links to stories within the series are included.
