The Texas-Mexico border, the winter of 1886—The Great Die Up. A raw rift separates Mexicans and Anglos. A loner cowpoke and a mute Mexican girl fight man and nature to reunite.
Out of work cowpoke Bud Eugen comes across Marta, a mute sixteen-year old Mexican girl whose family has been killed by Indians. Bud reluctantly takes her along, even though he’s never had to accommodate another person in … another person in his simple life. He’s unable to find anyone willing to take her. In spite of his prejudices, Bud grows to like the spunky girl (and her excellent cooking).
Eventually, they both find work on a border ranch. Here, the relationship between the girl and the young cowboy hesitantly grows. But banditos raid the ranch, kidnapping the rancher’s daughters and Marta. Bud, with twelve other men, pursue the banditos into the most desolate reaches of Mexico. Ambushes and battles with banditos, Rurales, and traitors are constant, and the brutal weather is as much a threat as the man-made perils. Life and death choices are made at every turn as one side gains the advantage, then the other.
The rancher’s daughters are rescued, and the exhausted party turns back. But Bud presses on alone, against insurmountable odds – determined to fulfill an unspoken promise to Marta.
Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel 2014 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award Finalist for Best First Western Novel 2014 Western Writers of America Spur Award Finalist for Best Traditional Western Novel for 2013
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Over all a wonderful story, I fell in love with Marta right away. !!
If you have the background knowledge of hardcore cowboy language, this is for you. I quit after 3 pages.
Couldn’t put it down.
It’s an unusual historical western with a romantic twist. It’s more like Louis Lamour than Linda Lael Miller.
This was a free book, so I down loaded. Didn’t think I would really enjoy a Western themed story. I loved this book. What a page turner. The author gives a bit of history along with good characterization and action packed scenes. It was well worth down loading.
great book it shows a true character of the old west
Very good read. A little different than most westerns
great story with historical and geographical accuracy
A great book of how the old west really for the less fortunate. Excellent read for both male or female
Unless you have a squeamish stomach, this story is very absorbing! A lot of death in it but that was a result of the actions of the villians! This author has a follower now!
Rates right up there as a very good Western read.
Interesting characters and story. Kept moving. Quick read – wanted to keep reading.
My kind of book
enjoyed my read
Good old time western, with modern flair. Fast read!
I really enjoyed this story and the two main characters. You rarely find such an action packed plot and believable love story in the same book. It gets a ten from me!
Great read.
good but too long
Very good with great characters and fast paced.
quite violent