The sequel to THE MAN FROM SHENANDOAH features James Owen, the younger brother.  In the last book, his fiancée, Ellen, married his brother, Carl.  He first had to give up his girl when they left the Shenandoah Valley; now he has to endure his girl marrying his brother.  So, because he is hurting and angry, James feels he must leave and find his own path. 

Along the way to work his uncle’s mine, James stops at a town where he is targeted for being southern.  Finding himself in jail, he’s bailed out by some old friends; the Hilbrands.  The same family whose daughter, Ida, had jilted Carl, thereby making him marry his Ellen, who then fell for his brother.! 

It isn’t until James is saddled with taking a beautiful, young Mexican girl back to Santa Fe, that James realizes what true love is.  He and Amparo marry; James tells himself it is just until he can get her back to her family.  As they ride from Raton to Santa Fe, there are men out there who will try and make James pay with his life - or that of his young bride. 

RIDE TO RATON is a pure western, complete with bad guys and broken hearts and even a dog.  Marsha Ward writes a fantastic romance against a vivid southwestern backdrop.  James begins this book as a hurt, young man, but by the end of the book, I really could see him grow up and become a man.  Made tougher by circumstances he has no control over, James realizes that the love he thought he had lost was nothing compared to what Amparo shows him.

Amparo is a young Mexican lady, forced to leave her home in Santa Fe, to marry a stranger in Colorado.  She bravely faces her uncertain future, relying on her faith to get her through.  She is sweet, loving and she provides a great contrast to James’ rough exterior.  With an ending that surprised even me, RIDE TO RATON is not your usual romance.  However, I do recommend it for western lovers - even the cover is wonderful!  Marsha Ward once again shows us her gift for old fashioned storytelling!