I enjoyed this story last year and was surprised to find a disturbingly similar story, "Painted Skins" by wootutoo, posted this month. You might want to skim it and perhaps alert the admins.

Wow! I really didn't expect that when I started reading that story!
When I read the summary, Castle & Beckett in the Far West, I was surprised and thought it was a strange idea, but since I always love your fanfics, I thought I'd give it try. And well I'm glad I did, this story was fantastic, and seriously addictive (I read it in one shot, even though I was supposed to work, I just couldn't stop myself and had to read it till the end). The way the story and characters are like the ones in the show but also quite different, brilliant!
And knowing that there are 3 sequels just add to my pleasure. I wish I could read them all today, but well now I really need to work...
Thank you for this story.

I have to admit I had reservations about this one, but as usual you surpassed my expectations. This was clever and funny and everything Caskett should be. Now on to City Slickers. 8)

This is an awesome piece of work - well done!

loved the story. cant wait to read the next one!

Not a fan of westerns but man I love this story! It had all the same banter just with a different setting! Thank God for a three day weekend. I'll try to squeeze as much reading as I can on to Cit Slickers!

Just started reading this series. I'm REALLY enjoying it...thanks!

This reminds me a bit of The Blue Butterfly. Not the genre but more like the feel of it. When I read adult novels (I've been transitioning lately) as opposed to teen/young adult fiction, the feel is different. For example, when I read The Bone Collector, it seemed...gritty. That's how I can best describe it. And watching Castle is different than watching NCIS.
I've just been thinking about that more lately, and it interests me, how genres can be sub-divided, and those sub-divisions sub-divided again.

Yes, yes! Sequel! :) The awesome thing about reading this now is knowing that the sequel is already done and I can just keep on reading!
This was a sweet ending! Truly sad what Kate had to go through but he got what he deserved and by her hands! Loved the sweet small kiss, an the gift he sent her! :)
This was really fun! I love a good AU and this was certainly different than any I've read for Castle before.

He punched Josh, OMG yesss! That was immensely satisfying! Lol. My heart broke for Kate; so much heartbreak and sadness she has to handle... I love that castle found her, took care of her. And then she asked him to stay... Sigh! He won't go without kissing her, right? You won't let him go without a good kiss? Pretty please? :)

Here you go making me sniffly now... He can't leave! Can he? Sigh. Love that Kate was teaching Alexis how to be kick-ass (I'd love to see that on the show, actually!) And it's so sweet how Castle takes care of Kate, and that she falls asleep on him.

Oh oh, I'm on the edge of my (non-existent) seat here! (sitting on the floor as I haven't moved my couch yet, lol). I do love my kick-ass Beckett, taking charge! How terrible that more of this guilt was just piled on her, oh my. Poor Kate. :/

OMG no! They kidnapped Alexis? Aaargh! But nevertheless, I do love seeing Beckett and Castle in action together! And the way they communicate with each other, silent but knowing; how he's the one able to keep her calmer, reined in. So interesting!

How terrible. Breaks my heart that Kate couldn't keep them safe. That'll be tough for her to live with, all those people having died, *and* feeling like she disappointed her mother. This is such a great story and equally heartbreaking when we know that this truly happened, that so many were ruthlessly killed.

No no no, ALWAYS WITH THE INTERRUPTIONS! Lol! Really great background story, Very realistic to happen for her character and the times. I thought earlier from a previous comment that she may have been pregnant/had a child before and I was wondering how that'd come into play. I love that Lanie sent him to check on her, and that he went and was just there for her, wanting to take care of her.