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Ratham Creek
Ratham Creek, a woman-in-jeopardy thriller.
Arianne Hollis figures tossing a rose in her husband's grave is the worst of all endings. Then reality sets in when she is forced to sell their home and use all her savings to clear his debts. To escape and come to terms with her future, she moves into an isolated cabin along Ratham Creek. In the quiet Montana setting and with a new job in the nearby small town, Arianne begins to recover. She meets Ross Ferrell, a handsome lonely member of the clannish mountain people. He slowly wins her love, but a deadly family feud erupts among rival groups living along the creek. Arianne can’t understand the violence that runs deep in Ross and his family. He cannot abandon them. Then Arianne becomes a target. Can she avoid the same vengeance that’s corrupting the clan? Can she save him and their relationship?
Arianne Hollis figures tossing a rose in her husband's grave is the worst of all endings. Then reality sets in when she is forced to sell their home and use all her savings to clear his debts. To escape and come to terms with her future, she moves into an isolated cabin along Ratham Creek. In the quiet Montana setting and with a new job in the nearby small town, Arianne begins to recover. She meets Ross Ferrell, a handsome lonely member of the clannish mountain people. He slowly wins her love, but a deadly family feud erupts among rival groups living along the creek. Arianne can’t understand the violence that runs deep in Ross and his family. He cannot abandon them. Then Arianne becomes a target. Can she avoid the same vengeance that’s corrupting the clan? Can she save him and their relationship?
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2014
186 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Marie F. Martin
8 books30 followersMarie F. Martin is the author of an intense vow in MATERAL HARBOR, surprising twists of a family’s past in HARBORED SECRETS, a grizzly attack and lover’s spat in RATHAM CREEK. Together her four thriller, mystery, or suspense novels have over 500,000 Kindle downloads and over 700 five star reviews.
Marie lives in a fertile valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains. She enjoys a quiet life where laughter comes easy, love easier. She invites you to join in her rich, rural memories on her website where she has posted a memoir of her early childhood and raising her own family of four children.
www.mariefmartin.com
Marie lives in a fertile valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains. She enjoys a quiet life where laughter comes easy, love easier. She invites you to join in her rich, rural memories on her website where she has posted a memoir of her early childhood and raising her own family of four children.
www.mariefmartin.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 3, 2019
Mystery/romance (clean not cozy), Christian (pleasantly so), intensely plotted with rests enough to catch one’s breath. Steadily moves forward for a good reading experience. Highly recommended.
I read another of this author’s works and she is intriguing and not prone to formulas.
I read another of this author’s works and she is intriguing and not prone to formulas.
Want to read
May 1, 2015Free 05-01-15
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February 18, 2015
Ratham Creek by Marie F. Martin is a drama filled book with some romance thrown in. The book focuses around Arianne Hollis, a widower, who tries to find peace living in the mountains of Montana. There she meets mountain man Ross Ferrell, whom she may have a second chance at love with as long as he can escape his overbearing family's ways. This romance is trying to happen as a blood feud between the Hoffman’s,another mountain clan, and the Ferrell’s is occurring.
Ratham Creek is the second book I have read by Martin, the first being Harbored Secrets. Martin does not disappoint and once again has surprised me with all the secrets. Just when you think Martin has revealed them all another secret pops up. Granny the matriarch of the Ferrell clan reminded me of the Godfather calling all he shots in the family. She does not trust outsiders and the whole family looked to her for guidance. I loved how close the Ferrell clan was. It made me want to move to their mountain and beg for them to adopt me. The book really takes off towards the middle when a lot begins to happen all at once. This is where readers will have a hard time putting the book down. The ending was something I did not expect and I wish it would have ended differently. No matter, it is still a good book.
I liked this book. Mountain people have always had a reputation of being hillbillies and inbreds. Martin shows that just because it is a rumor does not mean it is true. You should take the time to get to know people before passing judgment. I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance and drama. I also look forward to reading Martin's other novel, Maternal Harbor.
Ratham Creek is the second book I have read by Martin, the first being Harbored Secrets. Martin does not disappoint and once again has surprised me with all the secrets. Just when you think Martin has revealed them all another secret pops up. Granny the matriarch of the Ferrell clan reminded me of the Godfather calling all he shots in the family. She does not trust outsiders and the whole family looked to her for guidance. I loved how close the Ferrell clan was. It made me want to move to their mountain and beg for them to adopt me. The book really takes off towards the middle when a lot begins to happen all at once. This is where readers will have a hard time putting the book down. The ending was something I did not expect and I wish it would have ended differently. No matter, it is still a good book.
I liked this book. Mountain people have always had a reputation of being hillbillies and inbreds. Martin shows that just because it is a rumor does not mean it is true. You should take the time to get to know people before passing judgment. I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance and drama. I also look forward to reading Martin's other novel, Maternal Harbor.
March 11, 2015
Well written and engaging. Since I was raised in Tennessee, I can identify with these folks. I'm not a true 'mountain folk' person, never having actually lived up in the mountains like the people in this book, but I have seen and understand the clan and family loyalty. To some people it may seem extreme, and it can be, but there are other clannish groups of people so it's really not that 'out there'.
I was a little surprised and disappointed at the ending, not going to do a spoiler here, but I guess you'll just have to read it for yourself and see what you think.
I was a little surprised and disappointed at the ending, not going to do a spoiler here, but I guess you'll just have to read it for yourself and see what you think.
June 24, 2018
Very good story , kept me wanting to keep reading non-stop. Reminds me of the Hinkle and McCoy fighting between family type of story. Small mountain town involved two family who always blamed the other family when something happened to any of them. Family members getting hurt non-stop thru out the whole story till family members ended up fighting family members due to secrets from long ago. Only thing is the ending kind of ended abruptly I think, could have stretched it just abit to explain the ending.
November 24, 2014
Ratham Creek is both a love story and a story of misguided revenge set against the rural mountains of Montana. Marie F. Martin deftly explores the grief and memories of a family unraveling and a community divided. Under such ominous circumstances, Ross and Arianne meet and dare to navigate the dangerous complexities of their lives in search of lasting peace and true love. With surprising twists and turns, Ratham Creek will keep readers turning the pages
May 13, 2015
This was like driving by a car accident and not being able to look away. The characters were riveting and the story so twisted that you had to keep reading to see how it could ever be fixed (at least, I had to). With beautiful scenery and the terrifying side of human nature - WOW!
August 22, 2015
Hatred and grudges can last for generations.
The mountains and backwoods can make or break families. Outsiders are not easily accepted. Suspense filled plot when one tries to move onto a mountain of families.
The mountains and backwoods can make or break families. Outsiders are not easily accepted. Suspense filled plot when one tries to move onto a mountain of families.
October 28, 2015
Nicely written with a real sense of place. I loved the setting and felt I was given a real insight into the characters' way of life. This is the second book I've read by this author and would always be happy to try more- they make a lovely escape.
February 15, 2016
An excellent read
The author shows us a deep understanding of her characters and there are surprising twists and turns along the way. Highly recommend.
The author shows us a deep understanding of her characters and there are surprising twists and turns along the way. Highly recommend.
March 11, 2016
Exciting
This was a fast moving story. It didn't drag on...enjoyed the story and the scenery. Well.written, it grabs you from the start.
This was a fast moving story. It didn't drag on...enjoyed the story and the scenery. Well.written, it grabs you from the start.
August 1, 2016
Very good book for being a kindle freebie.
April 1, 2016
Good
This was a really good read. I enjoyed the characters and the settings the scenery that was described so I could see it plainly as if I were there.
This was a really good read. I enjoyed the characters and the settings the scenery that was described so I could see it plainly as if I were there.
June 26, 2018
Nathan Creek
A really intriguing story of feuding families in the mountains of Montana. A love story and the ins and outs of these families!
A really intriguing story of feuding families in the mountains of Montana. A love story and the ins and outs of these families!
October 20, 2019
Good Nostalgic Read
This book tells the story of generations of mountain men and their families. The strong family bonds were heartwarming, while their fierce need for revenge resulted in generations of feuds. I recommend this book to adults only because of some language and violence; not explicit but for adults only..
This book tells the story of generations of mountain men and their families. The strong family bonds were heartwarming, while their fierce need for revenge resulted in generations of feuds. I recommend this book to adults only because of some language and violence; not explicit but for adults only..
October 30, 2020
Family
An absolutely wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. So realistic totally believable that things like that could and is happening in todays world. I would and will recommend this book to anyone.
An absolutely wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. So realistic totally believable that things like that could and is happening in todays world. I would and will recommend this book to anyone.
May 29, 2015
Not great but okay
It is a book of negativity, even in the calm parts, vengeance was always present. Just when I thought it would come full circle and show compassion it suddenly just ended. Maybe it's going to grow into book 2 but I won't be reading it.
It is a book of negativity, even in the calm parts, vengeance was always present. Just when I thought it would come full circle and show compassion it suddenly just ended. Maybe it's going to grow into book 2 but I won't be reading it.
June 8, 2018
A love story
A great story of love and the loss of loved ones and how a family knows only hate for their neighbor. I give it give stars because there is slot of truth to iy
A great story of love and the loss of loved ones and how a family knows only hate for their neighbor. I give it give stars because there is slot of truth to iy
April 3, 2019
Hmmmm
I kept reading this book hoping it gets better. I understand it was taking place in the 1980's. I have lived in the Appalachian area since 1975. My Dad were born there in the 20's. He was of Scottish decent. I am sorry, but I have never, ever heard such nonsense I just read in this book. How they talked MAY have occurred during the late 1800's but even in isolated areas..... comparing it to the Hatfield and McCoys.....that is stretching things.
That is one thing. Another is it jumps from person to another location to conversations from paragraph to paragraph. I had to keep rereading to 'catch up'. Lastly, come on. I am originally from California (rural, mountain) and how she portrayed them in this book (with the exception of the daughter) .
I did not particularly enjoy the book. Totally unbelievable, unrealistic and silly. I am hitting 3 stars but really 2.5.
I kept reading this book hoping it gets better. I understand it was taking place in the 1980's. I have lived in the Appalachian area since 1975. My Dad were born there in the 20's. He was of Scottish decent. I am sorry, but I have never, ever heard such nonsense I just read in this book. How they talked MAY have occurred during the late 1800's but even in isolated areas..... comparing it to the Hatfield and McCoys.....that is stretching things.
That is one thing. Another is it jumps from person to another location to conversations from paragraph to paragraph. I had to keep rereading to 'catch up'. Lastly, come on. I am originally from California (rural, mountain) and how she portrayed them in this book (with the exception of the daughter) .
I did not particularly enjoy the book. Totally unbelievable, unrealistic and silly. I am hitting 3 stars but really 2.5.
June 30, 2020
I’ve tried numerous times to read this book (audiobook), but I just can’t get into it. The narrator uses the same thick accent for every character, which often makes it difficult to distinguish between who is actually talking. The audiobook is almost ten hours long and it feels like every second of it.
The book is about a family feud among ignorant hill people. An outsider comes in and get entangled in the feud, all while falling in love. It was just too much for me to believe.
The book is about a family feud among ignorant hill people. An outsider comes in and get entangled in the feud, all while falling in love. It was just too much for me to believe.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews