Tina Harker is a typical teenager. She loves hanging with her friends at the malls, shoes, and manicures. More than that, she loves horses. Life is everything she wants it to be, until her father packs their family up and drags them across the world to Arizona. Does he really think she’ll be happy living in a ghost town in the middle of the desert? It’s a million miles to the nearest shopping center, not even a real mall. Her only hope for survival is finding a new horse.
Tina is no quitter. She prepares herself for western saddles, rattlesnakes, the horrible desert heat, and limited shopping. However, nothing can prepare her for Wild West bandits, cattle thieves, and a really cute cowboy. Maybe things won’t be so bad—or will they?
#1 Westward, Yo!
Trying to make the best of her horrible situation, Tina agrees to go on her first cattle drive. When one of the calves wanders off, Tina, in true cowgirl fashion and looking for excitement, rides off to rescue the poor little thing and gets a lot more adventure than she ever expected. A cowboy she’s never met accuses her of stealing cows, bandits kidnap her, and that’s not even the exciting part.
~~~
“This book is a wonderful adventure that is like a long kiss goodbye. It leaves you hungry for more.” – Sally Wolf, book reviewer.
#2 Range Feud
Tina Harker loves malls, manicures, fun clothes, and horses. She has everything she wants until her dad moves the entire family to Arizona. She’s trying to adapt to the tiny town, serious lack of a mall, and the strangeness of the desert, not to mention the rattlesnakes. There’s no one in Golton her age and no reason to wear any of her fun makeup. The only thing keeping her going is the horse she rides and the cool things she’s learning on the Taggarts’ cattle ranch.
Anxious for more adventure, Tina agrees to inspect the fence line for the Taggarts like a real cowgirl. She gets more than she wished for. This time she has to rescue the cute cowboy. Along the way, she finds out people will kill over water. Especially in the desert. Tina is determined to help her cowboy, but she has no idea how, or if, a Jersey girl can stand up to real gunslingers.
~~~
OmniLit
#3 Silver Rush
Tina is finally starting to adjust to Arizona. Being a cowgirl in training is hard work and it keeps her busy. She still wishes she were home in Jersey, and going to Prom with her friends, but at least she has something fun to do. Then her parents decide to take her to a youth group. Things go bad right away. The other teens make fun of her and exclude her from the activities, and even though she manages to find a new friend, the day leaves her sad and missing home, and her cowboy.
On the upside, her cowgirl training is paying off. When the Taggarts have an emergency with some of their pregnant mares, they turn to Tina for help. She also starts learning to drive. In the city it was too dangerous for her to learn, but in Golton, being able to drive is a necessity and Tina is excited to learn. Then Tina discovers some information that might be vital to her cowboy’s survival. She’s been forbidden to see him again, but if she doesn’t, the whole future could change.
~~~
OmniLit
#4 Desert Dreams
After her dreams about the uncertain survival of the Taggarts’ ranch, Tina travels back in time and gets lost in the desert. After being rescued by the ancestors of her Medicine Man friend, she finds her infamous cowboy friend, Rowe, again. The duo end up another adventure in the Wild West, facing horse thieves and the unpredictable elements as they search for a legendary silver mine. Tina knows where the mine is, but without a map, and without the interstate to guide her, she and Rowe have to rely on the local Navajo to help them.
When Tina finally makes it home, she has to face the consequences of her time-traveling adventures. Her family and friends all think she’s gone missing.
~~~
#5 Sagebrush Song
Rowe truly believes that Tina can help, but before she can go back with him they need a plan. With Medicine Man Eli and his apprentice’s help, they convince Tina’s parents to let her go on a desert survival camping trip. That allows them to travel back in time to the Old West Flagstaff to find help for the Taggarts.
With all the differences, Tina gets a real appreciation for her era. Life in the old west isn’t easy, especially if you have to ride a horse in a dress. But Tina is up for the challenge and takes it all in stride. After all, it’s part of being a cowgirl in training. And having a cute cowboy for a boyfriend makes everything fun.
~~~
#6 Westward, Home!
Still not too sure about riding in a dress, Tina and the gang have to escape from Matherson’s men. Twice. Despite her attempts, Tina failed to convince the Sheriff to help with the water feud, but the Markie brothers and their gang agree to assist for a cut of the silver from the mine. First, they must defeat Matherson, and they’re still outgunned. Tina has learned to love the desert, but will a New Jersey teen be able to beat impossible odds and time itself to save the ranch and keep the cowboy she loves?
Press Release
“J. A. Campbell, an Eaton, Colorado resident and author of the much anticipated Arabian Dreams has just signed a second contract with Echelon Press. Ms. Campbell will be one of twelve authors from around the world to participate in the exciting new Electric Shorts division. Written specifically for young readers, the Electric Shorts are high impact stories presented in a venue similar to that of popular television series. Electric Shorts will publish one story/episode each month in eBook. An Electric Shorts season will last six months. J.A. Campbell’s first episode [Westward, Yo!] in the “Into the West” series will debut on March 8, 2011.
Electric Shorts are written for readers between the ages of seven and seventeen with fast-paced and intense storylines. J. A. Campbell’s series, “Into the West,” is a modern paranormal western geared toward horse loving teens ages thirteen to seventeen.“
For advance review copies and requests for interviews and author events for any of the participating authors, contact Karen L. Syed at Echelon Press echelonpress@gmail.com.
This website and its content is copyright of Julie Campbell-© Julie Campbell, all rights reserved.
Congrats. It’s not my cup of tea (I’m really picky about my westerns. I pretty much only read steampunk or fantasy westerns); but I may pick it up anyway. It’s a good pitch.
*scribbles in her TBR notebook*
Please tell me I will be able to get this in Canada too? **crosses fingers hops up and down**
I’m pretty sure you will be able too
I’ll make sure you get it one way or another!
Julie
yes! This is something I think my niece would love to read, so really I’m just trialing it for her first….really. It’s not because I love horses, or cowboys, or arse kicking gals who appreciate a pedi. Really. **so lying**
LOL it’s ok to like Young Adult as an Adult… trust me
Julie
Congratulations! This sounds great!
Lisa
Like Tammy, I’d love to purchase a copy!
My 12 yr old is sitting here with me and she’d like to read it too.
Sweet! March 8th! Thanks for dropping in.
Julie
Congratulations!! I really do follow all your successes, I’m just ridiculously bad at actually leaving comments. Way to go! So exciting!
WOOT! Thanks Rita! You have an excuse being a senior in vet school and all… lol.
Thanks!
Julie
Congratulations. Good luck. Reggie
Thanks!!!
I read it! What a fun read. Aunts and Moms everywhere should be buying this for their nieces and daughters….it’s good.
Thanks so much!!!
Where is Range Feud? I looked for it this morning and couldn’t find it – maybe I had the title wrong again?
ahh, loyal fan indeed! I was wrong on the release date. The date is the 12th, so she’s releasing them every tuesday.
Oo, number 2 releases on my birthday, just like The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong!
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday Indeed!!! Very cool
I loved the 2 novellas! Please, tell me there are more to come
Sophie, six total! I’m so glad you liked them
Loving it and anxiously awaiting the release of ‘Silver Rush’ on OmniLit so that I can leave a good review
My willpower is fading somewhat though. I might have to buy it twice 
Me too!!
Silver Rush leaves you hanging! Can’t wait for number 4!
Soon!