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The Owen Family Saga #4
Ride to Raton
Book 4 of The Owen Family Saga
Furious and broken by a betrayal that leads to losing his fiancée to his brother, James Owen leaves the family homestead in Colorado Territoryto strike out on his own.
Beautiful young Amparo Garcés bargainswith God for her father's well-being as she mourns his death. Herstep-mother takes advantage of Amparo's faith and manipulates the girlinto agreeing to marry a far-away stranger.
Dogged by heartacheand danger, the parallel journeys of James and Amparo lead them to afateful encounter in the village church of Leones. A marriage ofconvenience changes their futures forever.
But fate isn't finished with the newlyweds yet.
Writer Phyllis Dugan says, "Marsha Ward has the ability to grab readersby the lapels, yank them into her stories, and make them care deeplyabout her characters. In her newest novel, she combines joy and pathoswith revenge and redemption, adding enough satisfying action andsurprises to keep readers breathlessly looking forward to the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed Ride to Raton. "
"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." - Gary Svee, two-time Spur Award Winner
Furious and broken by a betrayal that leads to losing his fiancée to his brother, James Owen leaves the family homestead in Colorado Territoryto strike out on his own.
Beautiful young Amparo Garcés bargainswith God for her father's well-being as she mourns his death. Herstep-mother takes advantage of Amparo's faith and manipulates the girlinto agreeing to marry a far-away stranger.
Dogged by heartacheand danger, the parallel journeys of James and Amparo lead them to afateful encounter in the village church of Leones. A marriage ofconvenience changes their futures forever.
But fate isn't finished with the newlyweds yet.
Writer Phyllis Dugan says, "Marsha Ward has the ability to grab readersby the lapels, yank them into her stories, and make them care deeplyabout her characters. In her newest novel, she combines joy and pathoswith revenge and redemption, adding enough satisfying action andsurprises to keep readers breathlessly looking forward to the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed Ride to Raton. "
"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." - Gary Svee, two-time Spur Award Winner
- GenresLds Fiction
222 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2003
5 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Marsha Ward
42 books60 followersMarsha Ward is the author of the American Civil War era novels that make up "The Owen Family Saga:" Gone for a Soldier (which takes place during the Civil War), The Man from Shenandoah, Spinster's Folly, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms. Marsha also is an accomplished poet, a mentor, conference presenter, and the founder of American Night Writers Association, Inc. (ANWA). She lives in the heart of the Old West in Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 22, 2012
The second installment of The Owen Family Saga, Ride to Raton picks up where The Man From Shenandoah left off. It follows jilted James Owen as he storms away from the wedding of his brother and Ellen, the women to whom he had been betrothed, albeit an arrangement between parents. Not quite out of his teens, hostile and belligerent James shakes the dust from his feet as he leaves his family behind him.
His professed intent the gold fields north of Denver, James narrowly escapes not only death and marriage in Pueblo, scarcely a day's ride from his home. He then heads south in search of work and is again waylaid by a corpse and a promise. He finds one put upon young Latina patiently awaiting the opportunity to sacrifice herself to an arranged marriage, standing in the way of fulfillment of that vow.
James' desperate need for a purpose latches on to the plight of the beautiful Amparo who refuses to go anywhere without first throwing her wifely duty upon the altar of matrimony. James vows to wed in name only. Neither speaks the other's language. Heavy breathing ensues.
Here I must compare Ride to Raton to the 1969 New York Mets who, running in last place for most of the season, made a miraculous comeback to win the World Series in a most dramatic fashion. (And, I only know this because I've seen Men in Black III). Ride to Raton had wound down to three stars by the last quarter when Ms. Ward finally hit her stride and redeemed the entire book.
In the first half of the book, the pacing is as slow-going as James' progress through the southwestern Colorado territory. He spends a great deal of time getting shot and otherwise roughed up and, ironically, recovering with speed bordering on the miraculous before he goes of to get injured again. His trip south to Santa Fe with Amparo drags on with bad weather, miscommunication, language lessons, and James inevitable spiritual healing. However, I'm still disappointed that Ms. Ward failed to explore the complexity between the two brothers that could have developed in The Man From Shenandoah. Instead, she allowed the conflict to simply fade away.
It is not until the couple again head north that this book comes alive and truly engages the reader. Here not only does the pacing pick up and the action become compelling, but the sensibilities ring true, as do their motivations. The characters grow more complex and of deeper dimension. Here the reader engages with the story so profoundly, the last 25% of the book makes up from the tepid beginning. When the reader reaches the last page, the outcome really matters.
Despite Ms. Ward's enthusiastic taking to similes like a pig to a wallow, stumbling over her particular gift, the turn of phrase, continues to delight. Consider "It was nearly noon, with the November sun pouting on the breast of a hazy sky." Or, my particular favorite:
Sunset encroached upon daylight like a powder burst from the mouth of a crimson cannon—orange and gold ribbons shot forth to wage a battle against the clouds. The western horizon was obscured by a glow like a living thing.
How many sunsets have I seen exactly like that and haven't been able to find the words to describe it?
Bottom line: Despite the uneven pacing, Ms. Ward's perceptive and intelligent writing continues to engage the reader and compel her stories forward. In addition to the perils which the pair suffer, the relationship which evolves between her two protagonists and the intricacies of their characters make Ride to Raton well worth the personal investment. The reader will find themselves reaching for the sequel, Trail of Storms, scarcely before the last page is turned.
His professed intent the gold fields north of Denver, James narrowly escapes not only death and marriage in Pueblo, scarcely a day's ride from his home. He then heads south in search of work and is again waylaid by a corpse and a promise. He finds one put upon young Latina patiently awaiting the opportunity to sacrifice herself to an arranged marriage, standing in the way of fulfillment of that vow.
James' desperate need for a purpose latches on to the plight of the beautiful Amparo who refuses to go anywhere without first throwing her wifely duty upon the altar of matrimony. James vows to wed in name only. Neither speaks the other's language. Heavy breathing ensues.
Here I must compare Ride to Raton to the 1969 New York Mets who, running in last place for most of the season, made a miraculous comeback to win the World Series in a most dramatic fashion. (And, I only know this because I've seen Men in Black III). Ride to Raton had wound down to three stars by the last quarter when Ms. Ward finally hit her stride and redeemed the entire book.
In the first half of the book, the pacing is as slow-going as James' progress through the southwestern Colorado territory. He spends a great deal of time getting shot and otherwise roughed up and, ironically, recovering with speed bordering on the miraculous before he goes of to get injured again. His trip south to Santa Fe with Amparo drags on with bad weather, miscommunication, language lessons, and James inevitable spiritual healing. However, I'm still disappointed that Ms. Ward failed to explore the complexity between the two brothers that could have developed in The Man From Shenandoah. Instead, she allowed the conflict to simply fade away.
It is not until the couple again head north that this book comes alive and truly engages the reader. Here not only does the pacing pick up and the action become compelling, but the sensibilities ring true, as do their motivations. The characters grow more complex and of deeper dimension. Here the reader engages with the story so profoundly, the last 25% of the book makes up from the tepid beginning. When the reader reaches the last page, the outcome really matters.
Despite Ms. Ward's enthusiastic taking to similes like a pig to a wallow, stumbling over her particular gift, the turn of phrase, continues to delight. Consider "It was nearly noon, with the November sun pouting on the breast of a hazy sky." Or, my particular favorite:
Sunset encroached upon daylight like a powder burst from the mouth of a crimson cannon—orange and gold ribbons shot forth to wage a battle against the clouds. The western horizon was obscured by a glow like a living thing.
How many sunsets have I seen exactly like that and haven't been able to find the words to describe it?
Bottom line: Despite the uneven pacing, Ms. Ward's perceptive and intelligent writing continues to engage the reader and compel her stories forward. In addition to the perils which the pair suffer, the relationship which evolves between her two protagonists and the intricacies of their characters make Ride to Raton well worth the personal investment. The reader will find themselves reaching for the sequel, Trail of Storms, scarcely before the last page is turned.
June 20, 2009
Ride To Raton by Marsha Ward
This second installment of Marsha's post Civil War Saga has James Owens bittered over his brother Carl marrying his promised Ellen. James leaves the family homestead to find his way and winds up with more trouble than he bargained for. He meets a beautiful, but frightened Mexican girl, Amparo Garces, who comes from Santa Fe to Colorado to marry a stranger. James helps, even with their language barrier, to get Amparo back home. By some twist of fate, their lives are forever changed when a marriage of convenience is arranged. They undertake a hazardous horseback trek over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, battling personal demons, language issues, and winter's raging fury. The action is non-stop, as James and Amparo battle outlaws and the elements. I highly recommend this action-packed Western series.
Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook
Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
Pub. Date: November 2003
ISBN-13: 9780595301690
222pp
This second installment of Marsha's post Civil War Saga has James Owens bittered over his brother Carl marrying his promised Ellen. James leaves the family homestead to find his way and winds up with more trouble than he bargained for. He meets a beautiful, but frightened Mexican girl, Amparo Garces, who comes from Santa Fe to Colorado to marry a stranger. James helps, even with their language barrier, to get Amparo back home. By some twist of fate, their lives are forever changed when a marriage of convenience is arranged. They undertake a hazardous horseback trek over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, battling personal demons, language issues, and winter's raging fury. The action is non-stop, as James and Amparo battle outlaws and the elements. I highly recommend this action-packed Western series.
Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook
Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
Pub. Date: November 2003
ISBN-13: 9780595301690
222pp
May 26, 2009
This is the 2nd book in the Owen series and it follows James.
I didn't like this book as much as I liked the first one. But....and let me put a big BUT in there(sorry for the visual- lol)...it's because I got mad at the outcome...
So that doesn't make a book bad - at all. (for I was really angry at the end of Hunger Games and that was a great book). In fact I think sometimes it's a great benefit to upset the reader- keeps it interesting...and Ride to Raton was very entertaining and held my attention.
I really enjoy Marsha's writing style. I don't usually go for "westerns" but I really like her books.
I always like a happy ending...and well, this wasn't an unhappy ending...it was a cliffhanger!
So I'm excited to say I'm off to read the 3rd book "Trail of Storms." (Thank goodness I don't have to wait till it comes out!) Yeah!
It better have a happy ending....
:-)
Great Book Marsha!
I didn't like this book as much as I liked the first one. But....and let me put a big BUT in there(sorry for the visual- lol)...it's because I got mad at the outcome...
So that doesn't make a book bad - at all. (for I was really angry at the end of Hunger Games and that was a great book). In fact I think sometimes it's a great benefit to upset the reader- keeps it interesting...and Ride to Raton was very entertaining and held my attention.
I really enjoy Marsha's writing style. I don't usually go for "westerns" but I really like her books.
I always like a happy ending...and well, this wasn't an unhappy ending...it was a cliffhanger!
So I'm excited to say I'm off to read the 3rd book "Trail of Storms." (Thank goodness I don't have to wait till it comes out!) Yeah!
It better have a happy ending....
:-)
Great Book Marsha!
December 2, 2010
I'm not sure why but I am a sucker for a good western. I really do love them. Maybe it's because I love the west. It's home. Maybe it's because I love a good, tough and rough, handsome male character. Marsha Ward has written a great story here, including the tough ways of the west, love and loss. Then ending was so sad. Poor James. Can't he catch a break?! Well, maybe in the next book? I won this ebook in a contest and I'm so glad I did. Thanks to Marsha Ward and Joyce DiPastena. :)
January 26, 2010
This is the second in a 3-part series by Marsha Ward, focusing on the second Owen brother, James, in his search for himself, as well as love and belonging. It takes an intriguing look at the changing relationship between whites and Mexicans in a part of the country that, for some time, had been controlled by Mexico.
March 5, 2010
Marsha Ward's western novel of love, honor and survival is an exciting ride from beginning to end. From watching his brother marry his fiance to rescuing a Mexican bride when her intended is killed, the story kept me reading with good conflict and plenty of action. Just when I thought things were going a little too smoothly, Marsha throws in an unexpected twist. I recommend Ride to Raton.
June 5, 2011
This was book 2 of the Owen Family saga. A brother leaves the family homestead in Colorado in anger over a problem with one of his brother's. You can feel his pain and suffering and joys in this story. Another well written story that makes you feel like you are there.
January 21, 2011
Heart wrenching story, but great read. I look forward to the next one!
April 29, 2015
I was hooked by the first couple pages! Historical fiction after the Civil War! Clean reads! Check the rest in this great series.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews