Journal Notes

According to the folks at Hallmark Films “we may be able to get this one (Thunder Over the Prairie) set up this fall!!!” I certainly hope that’s the case. People don’t always mean what they say. What a blessing it would be though. Howard and I were guests this morning on a radio program out of Sacramento called Insight and spoke quite extensively about the four lawmen in the new book. I’ve got another signing coming up this weekend and will be talking to book buyers about the title then too. I’m doing everything I can think of to keep the momentum going for this tome. I really like the book, but the window of time needed to get everyone else to like it is very short. Soon, very soon, it will be old news. It’s moments like these that make me wish I had gone into some other line of work. Maybe I should have been a lawyer. Not a dishonest, grotesquely rapacious pimp like the one who let my brother go down, but a good lawyer motivated by compassion and concern. I didn’t always have such low opinions of lawyers. The word “lawyer” used to conjure up images of an upstanding, tireless advocate for the little guy. An Atticus Finch or Clarence Darrow, who was passionately dedicated to truth and justice. I think the law has been bastardized by a band of hucksters (like the dishonest, grotesquely rapacious pimp and his staff who let my brother go down) who have made it so cryptic, so utterly puzzling and arcane that Moses and Judge Judy working around the clock for twenty years could not understand it. The average person walking into a courtroom (like my parents and I) have long abandoned any expectation of justice. Because the American legal system has been turned into nothing more than a baroque multitiered Vulcan chess game where the rules have become too intricate for the average citizen to play and where the loser is no longer the guilty party but rather the least clever of the two. Okay, maybe I don’t want to be a lawyer and it’s too late to change careers now anyway. So, it’s back to writing and the struggles inherit with that. By the way, did I mention Thunder Over the Prairie is in book stores everywhere?

Nellie Bly was an American journalist, author, industrialist, and charity worker. She is most famous for an undercover expose in which she faked insanity to study a mental institution from within. Lucy Stone was a prominent American abolitionist, suffragist, and reporter for the newspaper The Liberator. Both women are subjects in the new book I’m working on entitled Front Page: Women Journalist of the Old West. Both women have admirable qualities, but I respect Nellie more than Lucy. She never made her gender an issue. She did what she knew she could do based on her skill and talent alone. She didn’t hide behind a cause. She acted and in so doing opened the door for many investigative journalists to follow. I think we trivialize women’s issues in this country by fixating on the insignificant and ignoring the consequential. With all the serious inequities heaped on womanhood: the fact that we don’t get paid equally; the fact that we’re often brutalized by incomplete males. What do we focus on? The freak show, giving women sports caster’s access to football locker rooms, young girls being allowed to join the Boy Scouts. I’m aware that I have benefited greatly from the women who made sure I had a right to vote and could attend school to become a doctor or a minister, etc. and I’m grateful. But things have changed since Nellie and Lucy broke onto the scene. Women don’t just want their rights anymore, they want more. As a proponent of father’s rights I have seen the way women have brutalized men. I have seen women in the so-called justice system rape men and terrorize them in ways they never would a female. Because I’ve witnessed such blatant acts personally I have a general distrust of women. I don’t think I’d feel that way if I knew more women like Nellie Bly. From the research I’ve done for this new book I believe women like her would have exposed injustice regardless of gender. I wish I’d known Nellie. I could have introduced her to my brother. Maybe she could have saved him from the succubus he married. It’s interesting how all stories seem to lead back to the same hurt.

Some days it feels like I’ve got just one hopeful thing going on. Today it’s Thunder Over the Prairie. I’ve included a few reviews from the book on Amazon.com as a reminder to myself of how grateful I am to have had a chance to write about some of my heroes. I’m pleased people like the book and would like to ask other readers if they feel favorable towards the material if they would post their comments on Amazon. I’m working on a new book now about women journalists of the Old West. I’ll be adding some interesting stories on the site in the days ahead. And now, on with the reviews…. This author is always a pleasure to read!, June 10, 2009 Cynthia Martin: Once again, history is made fun and easy to read. The story grips you from the very first page. The author always seems to strive to bring you that little know fact you might not have known. Familiar historical names are brought to life in the pages of Chris Enss’ book. An incredible true story that reads like a classic Western movie, May 28, 2009 Michael L. Thomas “radio talk show host” Any fan of the Western genre, fact or fiction, will love this book. An easy read full of everything a great Hollywood western would contain…a spoiled brat rich villain…four young lawmen looking to right a wrong…a beautiful victim…but this is all true. Chris Enss and Howard Kazanjian have managed to transport readers back to one of the most important years and sites in the history of the old West…Dodge City, 1878. Absolutely awesome, May 24, 2009 Denise Fink I could not put the book down. I am involved in a Bible Study and I actually neglected to complete my Bible Study to finish the book, because of the way the author draws you in and I just felt the emotions of the characters. From the death of Dora to the posse hunt for the killer, it kept me on my toes. I also love the fact that the book told about each of the characters lives. So wonderful to read. Can’t wait for more

Many books get bad reviews. I’ve had more than my share of bad reviews and although I do not think there is any up side to reading them I wouldn’t deny a critics right to express his opinion. Over the last few years however it seems that reviewers have gone beyond critiquing the work and ventured into personal attacks. One reviewer suggested I should “consider a career change and become a mortician.” One said “she should stick to comedy writing.” Author Brendan Behan once wrote, “Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it’s done, they’ve seen it done every day, but they’re unable to do it themselves.” All that being said, I don’t mind the good reviews. I eagerly lap up a glowing response. Lord Byron told his editor to “send him no more reviews of any kind.” “I will read no more of evil or good in that line.” I’d like to be able to do that, but I know I can’t. I take praise like a greedy boy takes an apple and I’ll keep coming back for more. Over the last few days I’ve been smacked around quite a bit verbally by people who haven’t even read Thunder Over the Prairie. The shots have been hurtful, inaccurate, and unfair. But if I dismiss the bad mannered, egotistical ramblings of the self-proclaimed Old West historians who believe great legendary men like Wyatt Earp need the likes of them to dismiss actual newspaper accounts of his actions – I’d have to throw out the nice comments the work has received from people who enjoyed the read and I’m not going to that.

It’s good to be home again, but what a time I had on the book tour. I met some wonderful people in every town I visited. Larry Bowen at Readers Corner Book Store in Rolla, Missouri, Steve Meyer in Richmond, Sue Lightfoot in Carrollton, and Mary Kay Speaks at Barnes and Noble in Independence were gracious and fun to work with. I laughed more at Larry’s store than at any other signing I’ve ever done. Bowen and his staff like authors and are very supportive. Larry’s Bowen book store is to Missouri what Larry McMurtry’s book store is to Texas. I got to see my niece while I was in Rolla too. Nickol is stunning and kind. More grownup than any 22 year old has the right to be and full of promise. I’m proud of the person she has become. I knew I loved her, but I wasn’t prepared for just how deep that emotion would go. The launch in Dodge City turned out very well. Jim Sherer and Cathy Reeves went out of their way to make sure the celebrations were classy and inviting. The events were well attended and I’ll never forget it as long as I live. The highlight of my time in Dodge was when I got to hold Bill Tilghman and Bat Masterson’s gun. Tilghman is my hero and I’m glad Brent gave me the chance to handle the firearm. His gun was light and I couldn’t help imagine how many bad guys he brought down with it. What a moment. If only Val Kilmer had been there it would have been perfect!

So many of the visitors to this site over the last few months have been teachers, school librarians, and home school educators. School officials from Manchester, Massachusetts to Everett, Washington and points in between have dropped by to check out the books and ultimately added a few to their collection. I’ve had a lot of parents purchase the “Go West” series of books for their daughters and granddaughters and the feedback has been encouraging. My goal was to write material that would appeal to younger readers as well as the mature history buff. I had a wonderful high school history teacher and she made learning fun. Hope the “Go West” series is entertaining as well as educational. In the not too distant future a special section will be added to the site specifically for teachers and the like. It will provide more information about the titles and the great women who made their mark on the west. I’m heading to the plains tomorrow to launch Thunder Over the Prairie. I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience. As usual, no matter what good thing is on the horizon, I see my brother in my side view mirror. The situation that occurred to the male lead in the movie Doubt is reminiscent of what happened to Rick. In spite of Flynn’s insistence that he had not raped a child Sister Aloysius vigorously claimed he did. “You haven’t the slightest proof of anything,” Flynn tells her. “But I have my certainty?,” Sister Aloysius sneered. That’s all it took for Flynn to go down – all it took for me to lose my brother. Like Sister Aloysius I pray the mother and daughter who caused this tragedy are haunted daily by doubt. I miss my brother. I’ll be thinking of him when I’m at the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge. I’ll be thinking of Bat, Charlie, Bill, and Wyatt too. I’ll be back next month.

Although Thunder Over the Prairie doesn’t official debut in book stores until June 2, some readers have received advanced copies. The first review is great and I wanted to share. I pray the book gets more reviews like this one. “5.0 out of 5 stars A truly gripping story, May 21, 2009 by Christopher L. Frank “boater flier” (Penn Valley, CA United States) This true story reads like a thriller! From the first page I was hooked.I had been unaware of the potential odds against the posse before this book. The author brings to life the heros and villian of a real WILD WEST story. I missed an important call in order to finish a chapter, I was so engaged in the action. Take the time to start this book and you wont put it down.”

For all those planning to participate in the launch at Dodge City, I thought I’d include a schedule of events. Guests that made prior arrangements will be staying at the Dodge City Hotel and Convention Center. The address is 2408 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. and the phone number for the hotel is 620/225-5012.
On Friday, June 5th the following events take place: Launch of book at the Dodge City Public Library from 5 -7 p.m.. Refreshments will be provided. News interviews will be conducted by local media both during and after the launch. Mayor Jim Sherer will be doing the introductions and will say a few words about the book before giving us a chance to share our experiences and sign copies of the book for guests. The bulk of the attendees will be local and regional politicians. The city of Dodge will be taking us to dinner at the Cowtown Steakhouse once the event ends at 7 p.m.. On Saturday, June 6th the following events take place: At 9:30 a.m. a trolley will pick all the guests up from the hotel and they will be given a personal tour of the town. The tour will end on Front Street where a special presentation will be made to Howard Kazanjian. The city officials will name him Honorary Marshal. The BIG launch of the book will take place in front of the Long Branch Saloon at 5 p.m. and continue for one hour. Guests will be treated to buffalo wings and the like, sarsaparilla or lemonade. Immediately following the launch, dinner will be served at the Boot Hill Museum for all invited guests.
If you need a ride from the airport for any reason please let me know and I will make those arrangements. The people of Dodge are very excited about our being there and have gone out of their way to make this special for us. I’m very excited about the event. Please let me know if you have any questions. In two weeks I’m going to be sitting in the same room Wyatt Earp, Bill Tilghman, Bat Masterson and Charlie Bassett put together the “most intrepid posse of the Old West.” That will be a moment I’ll never forget.

Since getting my license as a private investigator I’ve been able to delve a bit more deeply into the case involving my brother. Some well meaning people in my life have suggested that I just let it go, but I am wholly unable to do that. After all, it’s my fault he took a plea in the first place. He wanted to keep fighting, but I was scared. Computer pornography is such a complex issue and next to impossible to fully explain to a jury. One of the things the DA’s office accused my brother of was possession of child pornography. They said he had more than 2000 images. My brother was a police officer working on several child pornography cases for the local prosecuting attorney’s office. The former P-A has written a letter attesting to that fact and I will be picking it next month. The letter is great, but I wanted to keep digging. I hired a forensic computer specialist to further look into the images and the results I got back today were staggering. The majority of these awful sites require that a fee be paid to view. The fee ranges in cost from $19.95 to $35.00. If a person only viewed half of these paid sites at the low end of $19.95 a site, the cost would total more than $19,000. That was more than my brother earned in an entire year as a cop. Sites like that don’t take cash – just credit cards. Yet the DA’s office had no credit card records. This small portion of the case is only one that doesn’t track with any sense. I found out yesterday that one of the main instigators in all this sells adult sex toys and has made frequent visits to the sites they accused my brother of visiting. I’m going to deliver all this information to the media. Writing about my intentions is the only thing I can think of to force the cockroaches out of hiding and show themselves. I may lose my life in the process, but I’m going to keep digging into this until I prove my brother was set up.

I received five advanced copies of Thunder Over the Prairie and I’m eager to share the new book. If you’d like a copy send me an email with your name and address and I’ll make sure you get it. Globe Pequot Press did a wonderful job laying out the material. I can’t wait for everyone to see it!