The Rustler Hunter: Read an Excerpt + Enter to Win

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Rustler Hunter by R.J. Sloane, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Rustler Hunter
Series: Harper's Justice #1
Author: R.J. Sloane
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: September 23, 2025 
Genre: Western Action & Adventure, Christian Western, Western Romance

When forty-one successful manhunts make you a legend, there’s only one way left to go—down. 

J.J. Westin, the infamous Rustler Hunter, goes undercover at Arizona Territory's largest cattle ranch to expose the rustlers bleeding it dry. The thieves aren't just stealing cattle. They're trusted cowboys operating from inside the bunkhouse. 

What he doesn't expect is Hayley Harper, the tough-as-nails cook with secrets of her own. She's a Pinkerton agent working the same case and the daughter of notorious outlaw Galen Harper. 

When their covers are blown, they uncover something far deadlier than rustling. A corruption network spanning three territories. With enemies closing in and bullets flying, the legendary manhunter and the outlaw's daughter must survive the badlands of 1898 Arizona, where trust is deadly and justice comes at gunpoint.  

In the shadow of Canyon Diablo, where the historic Aztec Land & Cattle Company's Hashknife outfit controlled over a million acres of the Arizona Territory's most lawless land. 

 PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Desert Life Media | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Book Excerpt

The beans were burning.

I'd been so focused on the hushed conversation outside the bunkhouse that I hadn't noticed the acrid scent rising from the cast-iron pot until dark smoke began curling up from the stove. Carter and Mac had been discussing something about "moving the stock" and "adjusting the count" in voices meant not to carry.

My wooden spoon scraped against the bottom of the pot, trying to salvage what I could of tonight's supper, but the damage was already done. I prided myself on my cooking—it was one of the few advantages I had in maintaining my cover—and letting a simple pot of beans burn felt like a failure.

"Problems, Miss Hayley?"

Hutch's voice carried a familiar edge of authority mixed with something darker. He sat at the large wooden table, arms crossed, watching me with the calculating stare of a man who missed nothing. Everything about him reminded me of my father. And that wasn’t a good thing. The way he commanded a room without raising his voice, the cold intelligence behind his eyes.

"Nothing I can't handle," I replied, dumping the burned beans into the slop bucket and reaching for the spare pot I always kept ready. Years of cooking for demanding men had taught me to plan for disasters. "Supper might be a few minutes late, that's all."

"Funny thing about problems, Miss Hayley," Hutch continued. "They have a way of showing a person's true character."

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About the Author

R.J. Sloane writes gritty western adventures where justice rides hard across the untamed Southwest. Inspired by shows like Longmire and Yellowstone, plus a childhood spent watching classic westerns with dad, R.J. brings authentic frontier spirit to every page. When not crafting tales of territorial lawmen, you'll find R.J. researching the legendary lawmen of the Southwest and the founding of pivotal frontier towns.

Connect with R.J. Sloane by visiting rjsloanewesterns.com to follow on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will each receive a signed copy of The Rustler Hunter!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 24, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 1, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!