The Ranch Next Door and Other Stories

A collection of Western short stories that go beyond the standard action and adventure of the genre to focus on character and conflict. In the award-winning “Disturbing the Peace,” honorable mention in the 2010 Rope and Wire short story competition, a sheriff experiences a revelation about himself and his relationship with the people of his town, while in “The Outlaw’s Wife,” a country doctor worries that his young friend is falling for a married woman whose husband is rumored to be a wanted criminal. From the suspenseful “Cross My Heart” to the comedic romp of “A Rangeland Renaissance,” to a Western twist on star-crossed romance in the title story, “The Ranch Next Door,” these stories will appeal to a variety of readers, as well as established fans of the traditional Western. These seven stories total approximately 40,330 words or 160 book pages.

"Descriptions of both people and settings are superbly done and dialogue is believable. I can honestly say there isn’t a weak story to be found here...I believe that all western fans will find something to enjoy in this collection." - Western Fiction Review

"Foley has a firm, intelligent grasp on the storytelling style she brings to her subject matter. The tone and mastery of language is consistent throughout. After a couple stories, you just know you're in competent hands." - Ron Scheer, author of "How the West Was Written"

Praise for “Disturbing the Peace”:

This is an extremely well-written, engrossing character study of the main protagonist…It starts out almost as a standard western short story…but quickly becomes much more than that. ~ James J. Griffin, Western Author & Storyteller

An awakening for the Sheriff. A young man who has been a friend to all finds that friendship returned when he is down. The story is a good study of two men…well written with a classic moral woven all through. ~ Dave P. Fisher, award-winning Western Author, Cowboy Poet & Western Humorist