Stories by jfclover

Stories are listed alphabetically. To view them chronologically, click here …

Newest to oldest

  • A Better Man

    What could possibly go wrong at a spring picnic? Rated: G Word Count: 3500

  • A BOOnanza Tall Tale

    A simple trip to town to pick up supplies turns into something unexpected for Joe and Hoss. Written: 10-2019 Rated: G Word Count: 3930

  • A Cartwright Christmas Story

    Joe finds himself miles from home on Christmas Eve. Written: 2021 for the Just Just A Cartwright Christmas Challenge. Rated: G Word Count: 1300

  • A Christmas Story

    As the holidays approach, Joe has a difficult time. Rated: G Word Count: 1200

  • A Cowboy and His Pinto

    A night on the town causes trouble for the youngest Cartwright. Rated: PG. Word Count: 9300

  • A Different Life

    A stage mishap. Is a son lost to his family forever? This story contains excerpts from the Season 1 episode, The Paiute War. Rated: PG Word Count: 33,700

  • A Fall From Grace

    ROUND ROBIN – One man’s obsession could be another’s funeral. Written for the 2025 Spring Challenge Round Robin. Word count: 16,165 Rating: PG

  • A Flock of Geese

    CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE STORY – Ben struggles with a son who can’t face the approaching holiday. Rating: G Word Count: 1900

  • A Grown Man

    AGM – A falling out between Hoss and Joe leads to a crisis level that may never be rectified. Rated: R Word Count 23,000

  • A House Divided

    WHI – Adam tries to set Joe straight on Frederick Kyle’s intentions by bringing up events that happened twelve years earlier when Ben was away from the ranch after Marie’s death. Rated: PG Word Count: 8760

  • A Rio Grande for Christmas

    CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE STORY – Joe and Hoss set out to find Christmas dinner although things don’t go as planned. Written for Just Joe Rated: PG. Word Count: 5900

  • A Stake in the Future

    Will longtime friendships be severed for one reason or another? Rated G WC 14,600

  • A Young Man’s Journey #1

    AYMJ – Seventeen-year-old Joe is out to prove to his family that he’s a man, not a boy. Rated: R. Word Count: 41,000

  • A Young Man’s Journey #2

    THE DEBT – A sequel to A Young Man’s Journey.  Joe contemplates a long journey to help a friend, knowing he may be her last hope. Rated:  R Word Count:  17,000

  • Anna

    ADULT STORY – If sex and drugs would never enter Joe Cartwright’s life, please don’t read further. If you think this is a possibility, you might enjoy the story. RATED: M WORD COUNT: 32,200

  • Because We’re Brothers #1

    A LESSON LEARNED ~ Thinking he’s become quite accomplished at the game of poker, Joe learns a lesson the hard way. Rated:  PG – Word Count:  25,400  

  • Because We’re Brothers #2

    A CHANGE OF PLANS ~ Life takes an unexpected turn for Joe Cartwright. He deals with his circumstances the best he knows how. Rated: M – Word Count: 66,000

  • Because We’re Brothers #3

    A NEW BEGINNING ~ Now living in San Francisco, Adam is faced with a crisis and in need of help from his family.  In turn, he can return the favor, helping Joe through a crisis of his own. Rated: M – Word Count: 49,300

  • Because We’re Brothers #4

    A TRAGIC TURN ~ Ben talks Joe into traveling to San Francisco to surprise Adam on his 45th birthday.  Events happen that will alter all their lives. Rated: M – Word Count:  17,000

  • Because We’re Brothers #5

    DREAMS OF REVENGE – Ben continues his recovery while Joe struggles to keep the Ponderosa running strong.  Adam’s relationship with Kate takes a step forward before returning to the Ponderosa after discovering Joe is missing and presumed dead.  The final story of this series. Rated: M – Word Count: 25,000

  • Belle

    What kind of effect can a young lady have on a man’s life? Joe’s willing to tell you the story. Written for Helga’s birthday: 2023 Rated: R. Word Count: 11,900

  • Betrayal #1

    BETRAYAL – Eighteen-year-old Little Joe finds more trouble than he can handle. Will he ask his family for help? Will they be able to protect him from a man who seeks revenge from Ben Cartwright? Word Count 32,400 Rated: M

  • Betrayal #2

    CHAOS – Years ago, Wrangler wrote a fanfic story, featuring Joe and his addiction to Morphine. I don’t mean to take anything away from her brilliant story. This is my version of what may have transpired under different circumstances but with the same addictive drug. Rated: M Word Count: 18,600

  • Betrayal #3

    A MATTER OF TRUST – Joe and Ben have serious issues with each other when Joe returns home after his weekend with Adam at the line shack. Certain information brings on an unexpected breakdown while uncertain consequences may bring on healing between father and son. Rated: M Word Count: 15,000

  • Betrayal #4

    A TIME OF UNCERTAINTIES – The final story of the series. Rated: M Word Count: 24,000

  • Blind Faith

    Joe goes to Placerville to buy a bull. Rated: PG Word Count: 75,000

  • Casa Blanca

    Joe fears for his life, and does what he thinks he must to stay alive. Rated: PG Word Count: 34,500

  • Eight Years

    Ben has a surprise for his young sons, but will the boys be as excited as their father? Rated: R Word Count: 16,200

  • Fables and Truths

    A coming-of-age story. Rated: PG Word Count: 7430

  • Generations

    An AU story told by the youngest Cartwright. Rated: G Word Count: 1400

  • In God’s Hands

    Due to life-changing events, Adam’s faith is tested at an early age. He discovers the welfare of his young brother is suffering more harm than good by his father’s heartfelt beliefs. Written in 2015 Rated: PG Word Count: 18,650

  • Lost Soul

    A Joe and his fiancée are brutally attacked by renegade Paiutes. Written: 7-2017 Rating: PG Word Count: 6,800

  • Luck was on our Side

    A telegram—A madman—And three determined Cartwrights. Let the adventure begin. Rated: PG Word Count: 9500

  • Luckier Than Most

    Joe’s extended vacation doesn’t go as planned. Written for the 2024 Just Joe Summer Challenge. Rated: PG. Word Count: 6000

  • Lucy

    Joe is caught off guard when he steps up to help a longtime friend in a serious situation, but his good intentions don’t go as smoothly as he anticipated. Rated: PG Word Count: 15,800

  • Molly #1

    BOOK 1 – After a fall from Cochise, Joe is rescued by an old man and his granddaughter. Secrets are unveiled and a tricky situation becomes a family affair for the Cartwrights. Rated: Mature/Sexual content Word Count: 32,000

  • Molly #2

    BOOK 2 – Molly finds a new family. Word Count: 29,000

  • Mule’s Crossing #1

    BOOK 1 – A story in more than one voice. A simple horse-buying trip leads to unexpected events. Can two brothers find the strength to survive an unbalanced man in a desolate land when hope for a future is lost? Rated: PG Word Count: 33,000

  • Mule’s Crossing #2

    BOOK 2 – A story in three voices. Homecoming. Rated: PG 13 Word Count:

  • No Regrets

    A rumor spreads like wildfire through Virginia City, and it’s up to the Enterprise’s hot new reporter to find out the truth. Written: 12-2015 Rated: G Word Count: 7900

  • Private Affairs

    Two bull-headed brothers, a horse race, and an unexpected outcome lead the Cartwrights searching for answers before one of Ben’s sons is taken to the gallows. Written: 2015 Rated: PG Word Count: 15,500

  • Promises to Keep

    Ben Cartwright was an intelligent man. He was generally able to pinpoint the source of the problem and come up with a sensible resolution. Could a concerned father’s decisions alienate one of his own? Rated: M WC: 49,500

  • Saturday at Noon

    When Joe’s life takes an unexpected turn, Adam Cartwright – detective searches for answers. Written 4-2017 Rated: R Word Count: 12,100

  • Sex on the Beach

    This is a missing scene from Season 10’s Emily, written for the “dirty word” challenge for Brand’s 10th anniversary. Warning: sexually explicit! Written 2016 Rated: MA Word Count: 2100

  • Surviving the Wilderness

    At the young age of fifteen, disturbing events leave Joe struggling to move on with his life. Rated: R ~*~ Word Count: 13,600

  • Thanksgiving Miracle

    Joe’s reckless mistake leads to tragic events that take everyone by surprise. Will the family rally together for a better outcome or is Joe’s fate in the hands of strangers? Rated: PG Word Count: 19,900

  • That’s What We Do Best

    A WHI for Season 10’s Emily. What if Adam had still be around? There are men who are easily broken and destroyed. Can Joe finish the dance and survive with his head held high? Written: 2017. Rated: PG. Word Count: 11,800

  • The Boy Toy

    The nightmare Joe would rather forget. Word Count: 11,600. Rated: M

  • The Farm #1

    TAKEN – Disaster strikes when Joe and Adam go on a horse buying trip. Rated: R Word Count: 13.300

  • The Farm #2

    THE RETURN – Joe’s return to the Ponderosa proves difficult. Adjustments are made and truths are told. Rated: R Word Count: 10,070

  • The Farm #3

    TAKING FLIGHT – Life on the Ponderosa has its ups and downs.  Joe and Andy have decisions to make. Rated: R Word Count:  9680

  • The Farm #4

    THE HORSE OPERATION – Joe learns a valuable lesson after trying to do things on his own. Rated R Word Count:  8100

  • The Farm #5

    THE WEDDING – The Cartwrights head to Placerville for a wedding, but things don’t always go as planned. Rated: R Word Count:  11,000

  • The Farm #6

    THE MAJOR’S DAUGHTER – This is the FINAL Book of the series.  Delivering new mounts to the major doesn’t go as planned. Rated: R Word Count:  8400

  • The Grand Prize

    An election in Virginia City proves dangerous for Ben Cartwright’s sons. Rated: R Word Count 14,300

  • The Gunman

    Written for Just Joe 2022 Spring on the Ponderosa Challenge using the following prompt: Adam and Hoss are sent to Placerville to secure a timber contract. Ben and Joe are left home alone when the unthinkable happens. Word Count: 4900 Rated: PG

  • The Journal

    Joe receives an odd but heartfelt gift from his eldest brother, Adam. At first, he questions its value but within time, he finds the small leather book becomes more a part of his life than he’d ever dreamed possible. Rated: PG Word Count: 15,000

  • The One Left Behind

    Joe and his two best friends head out on a weekend hunting trip, but things go terribly wrong. Will Ben and Adam and Hoss give up hope of ever seeing Joe alive again? Written: 2-2011 Word Count: 49,800 Rated: R

  • The Perfect Tree

    Joe and Hoss head out to find the perfect tree, but an unpleasant discovery interrupts their journey. Written for the Just Joe Christmas Challenge – 2023 Rated: G. Word Count: 3000

  • The Rumor and the Raven

    When a rumor gets started, it runs through Virginia City like wildfire, and Joe is caught in the middle. Written for the 2024 Just Joe Halloween Challenge. Rated: PG. Word Count: 3600

  • The Saloon Girl

    Ben sends Hoss to collect his young brother for Christmas. Though Hoss isn’t crazy about the prospect, he doesn’t intend to disappoint his father. Written: Dec 2022 Just Joe Christmas Challenge. Rated: PG Word Count: 4900

  • The Shooting

    The aftermath of becoming a weekend sheriff shatters Joe’s world. Written: 2023 Just Joe SJS Challenge Rated: PG Word Count: 13,875

  • The Southern Gentleman

    NEW AU story.  Joe finds himself living a life he never expected. Rated:  M. Word Count:  37,600

  • The Story of Jenny and Joe

    A story of love and loss. This is the first story I posted. It’s a bit rough and a bit long, but if you have enough courage to read it, I hope you enjoy! Rated: R Word Count: 96,400

  • The Virgin of Orenville

    Joe makes a date with a new gal in town, but things don’t always go as planned. Rated: PG. Word count: 4100 Written for: 2023 Just Joe Halloween Challenge

  • The Whore Nextdoor

    Young Joe Cartwright finds more trouble than a boy his age needs Rated: R Word Count: 11,000

  • To Slay the Dragon

    Friendship is one of the greatest gifts of all, a mutual affection that dwells outside one’s family. Some men are born natural loners, but in Joe Cartwright’s case, he depended greatly on those he considered true friends. Could a friendship remain strong following events that were beyond his control? Rated: R Word Count: 58,500

  • Too Young to Die #1

    BOOK 1 – A WHN for Season 8 Justice. After Joe’s wedding plans end, more trouble comes his way. Rated: PG. Word Count: 18,600

  • Too Young to Die #2

    BOOK 2 – Ben’s graveside confession turns Joe’s world upside down, and he feels both would benefit if he made changes in his life. A WHN for S8 Justice Rated: PG Word Count: 11,700

  • Welcome to Our Fair City

    After a long, cold winter, it’s a perfect time for new adventures, and Joe is ready to spring into action. Written for the Just Joe 2024 Spring Challenge. Rated: PG Word Count: 8765

  • Wings of Eagles

    Ben’s youngest son and five other children are taken during a school outing in May of ’56. Can he accept the changes and survive the ordeal without his Pa and his brothers by his side? Rated: R Word Count: 47,000