Rampage

by Leslie Ernenwein

A Spur Award-winning Author The wild Colorado was Ben Roman's ancient enemy, a foe he fought and hated and deeply respected. He had to tame the river, before civilization could come to this dry desert land. To Slim Lacey, the town girl who wanted him, Ben Roman was as wild and unpredictable as the river itself. It was a strange triangle - the man, the river, and the girl. Two hung breathless on the violent, willful mood of the third. Available only in Wheeler Western 6.

277 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2004

Reviews

[Elaine Nickolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every now and then I pick up a Western, just to clear my head from my normal go-to genres. I am also beginning this years challenge to read a book with only a one word for a title, one for each letter of the alphabet. I happened to see this book, Rampage, in the Western section and figured it would serve a dual purpose.
In this story, by LeslieErnenwein, the challenge is to divert a river so that the water can be used to help the new settlers in the area grow crops and build up the new town. However, the river they are attempting to harness and divert is the Colorado River, which the workers call the Red Bull.
Ben is a drifter who has signed on to the company attempting this project, but as soon as it is done, he plans on moving on, as he has done all his life. Things take some unexpected turns, and this rough and tough drifter finds himself backed into a position of management and must somehow get the unthinkable done.
This was an interesting story highlighting the grit and determination that was needed as settlers began moving westward and the hardships they faced.
The "R" book slot has now been filled and I am refreshed and ready to jump back into some mystery and mayhem.