By award-winning author Chad Strong…The dusty streets of Victoria are abuzz with whispers of Curt Prescott's legendary skills with cards, his name known to more than just those who frequent the smoky saloons. But for Curt, poker is more than just a game - it had been his ticket out of the poverty that had consumed his childhood. And with his beautiful girlfriend Del by his side, he feels unstoppable.Until a new preacher and his zealous wife arrive in town, he determined to redeem lost souls and she to purge Victoria of those who refused to abandon their wickedness. As the townsfolk turn against Curt and his way of life, he finds himself at odds with the law and forced to make an unlikely alliance with a notorious criminal. But things only get more complicated when Del, consumed by her own jealousy, pushes Curt to publicly shame the preacher's idealistic daughter, Mary, to discredit the whole family.Caught in a dangerous game with the highest stakes, Curt soon realizes that there's more to Mary than meets the eye. And as his feelings for her grow, Del's bitterness threatens to tear them all apart. With everything he holds dear hanging in the balance, Curt must use all his cunning and skill to outplay his opponents and come out on top.For fans of westerns and historical romance, "High Stakes" is a must-read tale of love, betrayal, and high stakes action.Don't miss out, grab your copy now! Chad Strong is a Canadian author to whom the "Three R's" means: Readin', Writin', and Ridin'- his greatest passions.Please also check out his eco-horror zombie novelette, "The Guardians", published by Black Hare Press at this link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1587466Chad discovered the power of books at a young age, immersing himself in their stories and gaining knowledge from the written word. His major interests span across various genres, including westerns, fantasy, history, mythology, and literary classics. Just like his reading preferences, Chad's writing is not limited to one genre. The stories that pester him, relentlessly begging to be written, encompass a diverse array of genres such as western, fantasy, supernatural, suspense, young adult, historical, and contemporary.High Stakes, Chad's first novel, garnered recognition as a finalist for not just one, but two esteemed awards: the Peacemaker Award for Best First Western Novel and the RONE Award in the American Historical category by InD'Tale Magazine.High Stakes captivates both men and women with its rugged Western setting, intriguing historical backdrop, and captivating romance. Set in Victoria, BC of 1877, the novel has been met with favourable reviews, including high praise from esteemed Victoria historian, Norman K. Archer.A dedicated horseman as well, Chad's time and energy have always been divided by his two greatest passions – horses and books. If there wasn't a pair of reins or a manure fork in his hands, there'd likely be a novel, or a pen and notebook.Accomplishments to Date:HIGH STAKES (Western Novel)1) FINALIST - The Peacemaker Award for Best First Western Novel by the Western Fictioneers2) FINALIST - The RONE Awards in the American Historical category, by InD'Tale Magazine.3) 5-STAR REVIEW - Silver Badge - The Reader's Favorite Book Reviews!Also, a few short stories were chosen as Reader's Favorites:1) THE CAMAS FAIRY - Voted Best Short Story in the January 2012 issue of Bards & Sages Quarterly2) THE TRACKER - Voted Best Short Story in the May 2014 issue of Frontier Tales3) THE CHURCHYARD INCIDENT - Voted Best Short Story in the October 2014 issue of Bards & Sages QuarterlyEight of Chad's previously published short stories are gathered into a single volume called "Mixed Grazing - A Collection of Short Stories". He plans to release a seco...
