Ride to Raton
Marsha Ward
Fiction—Western Action Adventure
ISBN: 0-595-30169-X
Trade Paperback
Publication Date: November 2003
Price: $15.95 Size: 6" x 9" 210 pages
Cover Art by JK Dooley
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Will a journey to Santa Fe for a young man and his unintended bride end in marital bliss or disaster?
After losing the heart of his fiancée to his brother, James Owen leaves home to make a new life for himself. The turbulent world of post-Civil War Colorado Territory is fraught with danger and prejudice that increase his bitter loneliness as personal setbacks threaten to break him. Then James's journey brings him into contact with another wayfarer, beautiful young *Amparo Garcés, who has come from Santa Fe to Colorado to marry a stranger. Through a twist of fate, both their futures are changed forever when their lives are merged in a marriage of convenience. James and Amparo undertake a hazardous horseback trek over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, battling their personal demons, a challenging language barrier, and winter's raging storms. Will their journey end in life or death?
*Ahm - par - o Gar - sess
Praise from Reviewers
"Marsha Ward has one foot in the 21st century and one in the 19th. Her characters hew closely to those wild days, portraying their lives and times. Readers love her for that. Other writers marvel at her use of the most modern of means to present her stories."—Gary Svee, two-time Spur Award Winner, and author of The Peacemaker's Vengeance.
"Western Writers Newsletter," September 2003 issue
"Marsha Ward has the ability to grab readers by the lapels, yank them into her stories, and make them care deeply about her characters. In her newest novel, she combines joy and pathos with revenge and redemption, adding enough satisfying action and surprises to keep readers breathlessly looking forward to the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed Ride to Raton."
—Phyllis Dugan, President of Wyoming Writers, Inc.
"Westward News," September 2003 issue
Review of Ride to Raton
" When James Owen's fiancee up and marries his brother, James's rage drives him from his home. He sets out for [Northern] Colorado, looking to work in the mines. He makes the mistake, however, of stopping in Pueblo City where trouble finds him. Set upon, shot, then jailed, he is bailed out by an old family 'friend.' The help is not free, and James must work himself clear of these entanglements." On his way over the mountains at last, he finds the body of a wealthy Mexican. A letter explains that the dead man was going to Leones to claim a bride. James has found an expensive bride gift on the body and determines he must take it, along with an explanation, to the woman.
" At the same time, events have sent Amparo Garces y Martinez on a journey from Santa Fe into Colorado where an arranged marriage awaits her. Arriving at the mission, she waits there for her husband to claim her. However, it is James Owen who arrives. In a moment of chivalry, James marries the girl with the intention of taking her back to Santa Fe. Naturally, his plans go awry. First, although he fights his feelings, he falls in love with her. Second, Amparo willingly, joyously, returns his love, and somewhere between here and there, James decides they should go home to his family.
" ...upon reaching Trinidad, they are swept up in a fight between Mexican and white warring factions. Barricaded in the mercantile, they hope to avoid the trouble, but trouble comes to them....
" Ride to Raton is the action packed story of a conflicted man who strives always to do the right thing. It will catch at your heart and stay with you long after you put the book down. Highly recommended."
Carol Crigger, author of Liar's Trail, The Prince's Cousin, and The Gunsmith Series
"Western Writers Newsletter," November 2003 issue
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A Note from Marsha WardMessages posted to my guestbook or sent to my email addresses may be considered for inclusion on my Fan Mail Letters page. Permission to use your letters and notes will be assumed unless you specifically request that they not be used. Thank you.~~Marsha | ||
I am an award-winning writer and editor who has published over 900 pieces of work. I'm a member of Western Writers of America, Superstition Mountain Scribes, and American Night Writers Association. Arizona is my home, and my fans can email me at marshaw@marshaward.com. My main website is at MarshaWard.com Also, take a look at the website of my first novel, The Man from Shenandoah