Diane M. Cece Releases TRAILS SOUTHWEST

A young man lost his family during a raid by rustlers in the 1870's. His father died from a shot through the stomach with a rifle. His mother and sister were already overcome by heat and smoke. In a matter of minutes, his whole family was taken. Heartbroken and lonely, he blindly went to work burying his family on the hillside behind the house. Left alone to fend for himself, he sells his father's farm and becomes a drifter and so called saddle tramp.

"Trails Southwest," a Western fictional novel written by author Diane M. Cece tells the story of 19-year-old Tom Lacey and all about the roadblocks in his way as well as the hardships he suffers in order to meet his goals. His desperate pursuit for survival led him to become involved with a band of desperados. He learns a fast draw, gains a reputation and flees with Smokey, a cowboy and drifter he befriends. Smokey and Tom had a lot of respect for each other, and they had become true comrades. Since riding trail together, they had been through thickets and thorns and could just about read what the other was thinking. But then again, Tom got tired of running and wants to leave the gang to move on to someplace else.

Tom was the best friend Smokey had in a long time, and he didn't want to risk losing that friendship now. Besides, with Tom's new reputation, somebody had to ride trail with him. No one but Smokey himself would be loyal enough to handle such a tough job so he decided to go with him. He ends up in jail, however, because he does not have 100 dollars to pay for the damages he caused to the faro table in Silver's Gaming Hall, and he is to stand trial for murder of a woman. Tom bailed him out on the damages and helps him escape. A hot pursuit ensues and the two found themselves on the ranch of John O' Connor. They would use this ranch as a cover from the law and hold honest jobs as cow hands as long as they could. If they could escape the law entirely, they could get away free. No more running; no more wandering the back trails. They could settle down and be honest men and hard workers from now on and, hopefully, forever. However, Tom finds himself falling in love with a female who carried enough evidence against him to get him hanged.

Then there is also Buck who is John O'Connor's ranch foreman. A tough disciplinarian who made the ranch hands toe the line. He took a dislike to the young new hire he thought was a no count farm boy. It was his job to straighten out the trouble maker and turn him into a worthy ranch hand.

Action-packed and highly entertaining, "Trails Southwest" is an exhilarating read set amidst the backdrop of the American Old West frontier. It captures the spirit of freedom, individualism and adventure readers will sure to enjoy.

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About the Author
Diane M. Cece was born and raised in a small New Jersey town and was descended from a large Italian family that originated in San Potito Ultra, Avellino, Italy. After retiring from 25 years of federal service, her interests turned to her love for history and writing. She started a second career at small Waterloo Village in northern New Jersey and became a historical interpreter and continued on as a historic eighteenth-century seamstress, designing and manufacturing custom period clothing. Joining a Civil War reenactment group, 27th New Jersey Volunteers, "Bailey's Boys" she moved on to living history interpretation, playing the role of Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective. Her love for the Old West continued on throughout her life's spectrum.. She was a fan of country music her whole life and was an unpublished songwriter and member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. She also did Texas round dancing for 20 years and, for a short time, taught the two-step line and couple dances in her home state. She is a member of the NRA and two gun clubs in New Jersey, which satisfies her strong feelings for patriotism and American conservative values. Her other interests include archery, shooting sports, and game fishing of which she has done them all.

Trails Southwest * by Diane M. Cece
Book 1 in the Southwest Series
Publication Date: December 9, 2013
Trade Paperback; $15.99; 95 pages; 978-1-4931-4878-3
Trade Hardback; $24.99; 95 pages; 978-1-4931-4879-0
e-book; $3.99; 978-1-4931-4880-6

Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (812) 355-4079 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. For more information on self-publishing or marketing with Xlibris, visit http://www.Xlibris.com. To receive a free publishing guide, please call (888) 795-4274.

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