[Crossed Arrows 03] • Gaelic Vengeance

During the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, many Irish soldiers in the U.S. Army deserted to join their Catholic brothers fighting for Mexico. The Mexican Army assigned them to el Batallón de San Patricio—the Saint Patrick’s Battalion. After the American victory, the deserters were rounded up, court-martialed and shot. Now the sons and grandsons of those Irishmen and their Mexican wives are avenging the executions by launching hit-and-run attacks across the border into Texas towns. Captain Mack Hawkins and his Kiowa-Comanche Scout Detachment are sent to the area to put a stop to the raids. The captain and his second-in-command, Lieutenant Ludlow Dooley, quickly discover that the mixture of Irish and Mexican blood produces ferocious and incredibly brave fighting men. It’s a sure bet there’ll be hell to pay before the last bullet is fired.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patrick E. Andrews was born in Oklahoma in 1936 into a family of pioneers who participated in its growth from the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory to statehood. His father's family were homesteaders and his mother's cattle ranchers. Consequently, he is among the last generation of American writers who had contacts with those people from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Patrick's wife Julie says he both speaks and writes with an Oklahoma accent. He is an ex-paratrooper, having served in the 82nd Airborne Division in the active army and the 12th Special Forces Group in the army reserves. Patrick began his writing career after leaving the army. He and his better half presently reside in southern California. He has a son Bill, who is an ex-paratrooper and a probation officer, and two grandchildren. Over the next few months/years, we will be issuing Patrick's entire western output, including cavalry stories, stories set in Texas (TEXAS TRAILS), stories set in Oklahoma (INDIAN TERRITORY) and more! Patrick's stand-alone westerns will also appear in our new series of PICCADILLY PUBLISHING WESTERNS, in which we hope to recreate the feel of the classic Gold Medal paperbacks, and bring you the very best in western entertainment!