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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They lived to tell about it. It is always better when the lead characters do not die at, or near, the end. Grungy and grubby, supposedly like real life in some ways in the old western era.
Could not put it down
Loved this book and the bravery and tenacity of the two main characters. A testament of the strength of the human spirit.
All of the storms and rain were excessive.
Loved it.
I really loved this book. The only problem with the book is that I want to read more about the characters and what happens to them after the end of the book!
wow
Parts of the story are too wild to be true
While many of the characters are somewhat stereotypical, and the depiction of Native Americans is horrific, the author does create a main character who is sympathetic, and the romantic attachment he develops for the girl he rescues is interestingly different.
I got this book for my husband and he loved it.
It kept my attention. Characters were realistic.Good Read.
I enjoyed the historical background. The original viewpoint and the sincerity of the main protagonist.
Good read
I loved this book. Well defined characters that you could relate to… Did not want to stop reading to do anything else… Great read!!!
Interesting and action packed book.
Reminiscent of Zane Gray
Every entertaining. Hard to put down
very very good
Good read. Keeps your interest. Ready for he next book in the series.
Very enjoyable read, couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next.