I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The infamous hero of the west returns to deliver justice to those in need in author Bob Brill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Los Angeles Affair”.

The Synopsis

The Los Angeles Affair is the second in the Lancer; Hero of the West series of western novels by Bob Brill. Lancer is a mysterious good-guy gunslinger who hires out to those in need of his services. He solves crimes first by using his wits, the his fists and then and only then, his gun. An excellent marksman, Lancer doesn’t lose when the gun is used. Based in Tombstone in the 1880’s, Lancer came from the East, a former Union officer. He comes from money so while his fees are high they are not important to him. Justice is. A respecter of women and children and a man “of the law” he is not a lawman.

Lancer is a compilation of the western television heroes of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Combined with award winning writer Bob Brill’s own ideas of what a man of justice of the 1880’s should be, Lancer is a man everyone would like to call friend. Women would like to call him more than a friend and they often do.

Lancer, a world traveler, likes the finer things in life but he’s not afraid to get down and dirty. Well bred and well read, he often quotes Shakespeare or the great poets and philosophers.

A man of the people, Lancer is someone you’d love to meet and you are certainly glad he’s on your side. He has a sweet tooth as well, always carrying in his saddle bags a small box of Turkish Delight.

His great horse Lincoln is a mighty steed and named after the Great American President, Lincoln is as trusted as it gets. A song about Lancer; Hero of the West, written by Oscar and Grammy winners (Al Kasha and Ron Dante) and performed by Dante, can be found on YouTube.

The Review

This is a fantastic sequel to a creative and engaging Western series. The author did a marvelous job blending international intrigue and mystery into the classic Western setting. The exploration of Los Angeles as a setting during this era before it became the metropolis that the city is known for today was thought-provoking, as it allowed readers to see what this land was like while being occupied by various representatives of different nations. 

The action and the wealth of character development made this story shine. The dynamics between Lancer and this cast of characters are stellar, with the intrigue of new romances, government mystery, and villainy with a powerful family running about. The hero is an icon, standing up for what’s right even in the face of a world that tells him he’s wrong and proving that even gunslingers and heroes of the West have what it takes to make a difference through masterful imagery in the author’s writing style.

The Verdict

Remarkable, entertaining, and thoughtful, author Bob Brill’s “Lancer: Hero of the West: The Los Angeles Affair “ is a must-read western. The shocking twists and turns in the narrative, from a political wedding gone wrong to a tragic death leading to a hunt for a mystery “Russian,” made this a compelling story that readers will be eager to get back into with a third book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

A native of Pittsburgh, PA and a hardcore Pirates and Steelers fan, Bob began in radio career in 1972 and worked all over the western US, several times in the L-A market. He’s currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio.

Bob has won multiple broadcast awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award (among others) for anchoring KNX’s storm coverage in 2011.

A baseball historian, Bob writes the very popular weekly column found at http://www.baseballinthe1960s.com. He also is a podcaster who has teamed with former NFL Quarterback Erik Kramer for a weekly Fantasy Football Podcast called Kramer and Brill, which can be found where ever you get your podcasts or at their website www.kramerandbrill.com. Both are always posted on Facebook as well as Twitter.

Bob made his mark with the UPI Radio Network when a gunman went crazy in a San Diego fast food restaurant and Bob covered the story. It was his first big break. He later became a UPI National Correspondent and Bureau Chief. He has interviewed presidents, covered Super Bowl games and Hollywood as well as major news stories.

He lives in L-A. He has survived earthquakes and a beating during the 1992 L-A riots while covering the story, which was recorded on audio tape.

Bob is considered to have an excellent voice and has not only done many voice overs and radio spots, he’s starred in television commercials. Bob authored “Fan Letters to a Stripper: A Patti Waggin Tale” from Schiffer Publishing and “NO BARRIER: How the Internet Destroyed the World Economy.” His third book “Al Kabul; Home Grown Terrorist” is sure to be a controversial novel as well as a great read. “Lancer; Hero of the West – The Prescott Affair” is the first in a series of western novels set in the 1880’s, centering on the central figure; Lancer. Lancer is a gun for hire, good guy, who works the West out of Tombstone.

http://www.lancerheroofthewest.blogspot.com/