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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Wow, what a story! I enjoy a good Western once in a while and this one is good. It covers all the emotions from tragic events to justice, to faithfulness, determination, grit, and strong strength of character in all of the people in this tale. The preview of the next installment looks to be equally entertaining.
I really enjoyed the story – realistic plot, well written
This book is on a par with Lonesome Dove.
If you like wildwest/cowboy stories this is one for you. The characters are great and there is lots of action. I can’t wait to read the next one.
It was very interesting, detailed the history of ranching along the Texas-Mexico border from the point of view of the cowboy.
I loved this book and could not put it down once I started it.
Just a good time reading western novel.
Good old western with twists and turns.
This is one of those “can’t put it down” books. I’m not even a huge western fan which amplifies the point even more.
I like westerns, and this was a good story….kept my interest. It seemed to be factual, staged in western Texas and on into Old Mexico.
If you have never read a Western – this is for you. Being from Texas and hearing stories from my Grandmother about the History of West Texas made me curious of just how badly the author would mess the geography or history up….in fact it was a learning experience. Very well put together, great characters, not all fluffy and pretty and nice. Real – true and the way it was. I also enjoyed the next book!
I was not sure what to expect when I started reading this book however I was soon engrossed in the story and couldn’t wait to see how it would all end. The characters were original and I enjoyed the diversity.
Finally! A new xcellent western saga, new plot, extremely well written, hope for more from this great writer!
This is a great read. The author was so consistent with his characters sstyle kf speech it reminded me o f huckleberry finn. What an interesting story.
I totally enjoyed reading this book. I could actually picture this being based on a true story. Will look into more books by this author.
A very realistic view of what the old West was really like
What a great informative read. You can learn a lot about the west that was with all the chapters. Read away.
Is has an interesting story line. A romance but not a steamy one. A real ‘wild west’ novel with lots of blood & guts and rough language which would have normal for that time & place I guess.
The characters were so engaging in this rough and hard time in the American West. The author gave us insight into the developing relationship between this unlikely couple. The horrendous journey they took trying to survive kept this reader totally entertained right to the end.
I enjoyed this book. I live in Austin so live near the area that is location of the story. The main characters are so likable and seem realistic. Violence was a way of life, and that part is difficult. The story is good though otherwise.