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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although not usually drawn to westerns I found this book very good because of the well drawn characters and the underlying message of caring.
Well written book in the tradition of True Grit.
excellent story, well written, I’m a fan of Gordon L Rottman
Wrongs are righted when people put others needs above their own
I didn’t especially expect to like The Hardest Ride, but I did. One of the main characters is mute, which makes for an interesting change, and the main character is young, heroic, and sweetly sentimental. I don’t read Westerns often, but this one was worth the time.
This is one of those books that you can’t put down, my husband and I really enjoyed reading it. He is hooked and will be reading more of this author’s
books!
Too violent towards the end.
A little different kind of western. Enjoyed reading it. Will read it again.
I think the characterization is wonderful. Maybe life really was like this back then. very believable and interesting.
Excellent, kept me captivated first to last page.
I loved this book it was quietly compelling. I found myself thinking of it long after finishing the last page.
This is a great story. i thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want to read a good book, this is it. Enjoy.
i just didn’t know what was going to happen next. I really liked it.
This story is earthy, violent, and not PC, but true to the setting. The bits of obscene language are not gratuitous; instead, the rare raunchy cowboy talk seems true to the characters. Having now warned the squeamish, let me say that this is the strongest page-turner I’ve ever found on Book Bub. If you love stories about the wild west, appreciate both the faux pas and triumphs of cross cultural relationships, and like character development as much as you like heart-pounding action, you’ll love this book.
Loved it!! Bought the sequel
Tremendously Interesting Read
Really enjoyed this story. it’s a got to read.
“The Longest Ride” does not pull any punches. Its characters are believable and engaging, and the arduous ride is one you want to see to its end. A really good read.
GREAT western ! Had trouble putting it down! Lots of action. Loved the characters.
All I can really say if you like western cowboy books this is it !
Quit after Chapter 1. The constant Spanish words made reading difficult and distracting. Too hick for even this lifelong Texan. Disappointed.