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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I grabbed this title because of a cheap Bookbub deal. I expected another trite western filled with overused plot lines and purple sunsets. Wrong. This is gutsy, action packed, and not for the faint-hearted. I will be reading the author again.
A lot of interesting twists and turns.
A good story about an honorable man and his desire to protect a woman he falls in love with. A believable story of the Texas frontier.
Great book!
Fantastic book. I loved reading this book.
I loved this book! It put the reader back into the historical setting of the book with realism and sympathy for the characters and situation. The story was well-told with care and skill. Great story!
I really enjoyed this portrayal of the real Wild West. I really sympathized with the main characters. No holds barred with descriptions of the hardships and dangers that presented themselves. A good read. Very different than the genres that I am used to reading.
Great book
This would have five stars if it had not been for all the typos! That was distracting. But I couldn’t put it down, and read late into the night.
This book was a surprise! But once I started it I could not put it down. I even stayed up all night reading it. I have read westerns before and I can take or leave them. The title got me. Just what made this so deserving of being the “hardest” ride? The book is full of blood and guts and the language is rough but it comes off as being real for that time and age. I would say that if you like those “cozy” afternoon reads than don’t read this book! But if you want a “man” s book this is yours . This would make a good movie too. -H. H. Beavers – Roanoke, VA
not at all what I expected
Great book to read having no expectations prior to reading. Good, realistic character development
I loved this book. I’m not a big fan of westerns, but this one really got to me. The characters were realistic, and they had realistic goals. A really good read!
This book grabbed me from the first page and reminded me of Lonesome Dove. Hard-scrabble characters come to life on an epic journey.
A fun read
What a terrific story! Quite a western frontier tale for men or women who like good male humor and action.
I liked this book for the action and sense of place – not so much for the writing or character development. It is definitely fast paced and easy to digest. I would liken it to a good television western: fun and entertaining but little to remember or think back on.
Unique characters and well written dialogue. This was a fun read.
Different from what I usually read, but held my attention and was very interesting. Had me wanting to know the ending.
A story with a hero – several heroes actually; and triumphs, and tragedies. You will want to read the subsequent book!