Charles G. West is a well-known author who specializes in historical westerns. He made his debut in the world of westerns in 1998 with the release of his first novel, Stone Hand. West has always been fascinated with the pioneers who braved the Wild American frontier, and this fascination is reflected in his writing. He is a former Spur Award winner, which is a testament to the quality of his work.
West's writing career began in earnest in 1998 with the publication of Stone Hand by Penguin under their Signet imprint. This book was the first of a three-book series featuring Jason Coles, a master tracker. The public response to these first three books was overwhelming, and as a result, Signet has published forty-five of his western fiction novels as of January 2014. West's writing is characterized by his diligent research into the people, places, and events of the American West. He weaves his fiction into the fabric of actual places and events, ensuring that his stories are true to the times and the people. His protagonists are not typically heroes, but ordinary people who are called upon to perform heroic deeds.
West insists that his protagonists must be instilled with a sense of fairness in addition to courage. Many of the characters in his books are patterned after his two sons, both of whom are graduates of the University of Montana. His love for the Big Sky Country began in his youth, and he has strived to write with honesty about the hardships and dangers faced by the men and women who forged our western frontier. West currently resides in Ocala, Florida, with his wife, Ronda, whose name is found on the dedication page of every West novel.