The Hardest Ride

By: Gordon Rottman

Narrated by: James Simenc

Chosen as a Finalist in the Western Writers of America's Spur Award.

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 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.

©2013 Gordon L. Rottman (P)2014 Taliesin Publishing

couldn't give 5 stars

story good, narrative just horrible. could have been more exciting if the story had been told without that terribly e
irritating narratitor he sounded so horrible. Would have loved to hear Marta's side of the story she was such an important part of the story.

Great' I Would recommend it everyone!

Loved it! This is a great written love story with a strong western background! It was well worth the time.

Great story with great action.

Where does The Hardest Ride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listen to many books on tape and this one was truly great.

What did you like best about this story?

I could not stop the tape when I got home or at work. I wanted to hear more and more.

Which character – as performed by James Simenc – was your favorite?

Both main characters were well described and quite unique.

Any additional comments?

Well worth the time if you like western stories.

Worth listening to, very entertaining

The story line has a good western feel. Keeps you engaged from the beginning to the end.

The Hardest Ride by Gordon L. Rottman

Great book. Mr Rottman describes the land, the storms, the guns in detail. You feel like you are in the rain and brush with them. Loved it. Just starting Ride Harder and like it very much.

Enjoyable read

I'm basically a mystery and thriller reader with a few science fiction novels thrown in. This book sounded like a good read and I wasn't disappointed. The story line had me hooked from the first chapter. I usually listen to audio books when I drive or when I work around the house. Bottom line, my wife got more work out of me the last few days than she has for a month. I'll be waiting for Mr. Rottman's next book.

Great story

This is the first book I listened to by this author and narrator. Very glad I did story was great and never a dull moment. Narrator did a great job of getting the right fell for the time and place of the story. I will listen to more stories by these two.

The Hardest Review

It was a good story. The voice started off a little flat to me but it kind of became thiis character. It was good, I enjoyed it.

this book is a great read and or listen

this is the Best Western I have read since Lonesome Dove the characters are well-developed the language is authentic you feel as though you are in the Old West a book both brutal and tender at the same time

Excellent all round

This author and reader make an amazing duo. I wish there were other books available.