Publisher's Synopsis
This intriguing high drama love story begins on a unique horse farm in Manassas, VA, where mares that have foaled are lovingly taken care of. Booming cannons can be heard. Suddenly, a contingency of battle-weary confederate troops swarm into this families barnyard. They have a letter from the President of the confederacy stating that these soldiers can confiscate the recently foaled mares in order to replace those lost in the ongoing battle. Martha and her parents find themselves in the middle of an intense situation and are faced with losing all their recently foaled mares. Her parents die unexpectedly and Martha is left with the farm and a farmhand. He attempts to rape Martha in order to gain control of the farm. During the attempt, Martha accidentally kills the farmhand, and realizes that she will be accused of murder. She decides to take the wagon that her father left for her, and to go to Missouri to join up with a wagon train headed for Oregon. One by one, five other women that are running away from toxic and life-threatening situations join Martha. As the story unfolds, the past pernicious actions of murderous men are revealed evenings as they bravely divulge their disparaging pasts while situated around nightly campfires. Six Courageous Women West envelopes the reader with the passion and emotions of a plethora of dangerous situations and challenging love scenarios that confront these women at every turn. A classical love story that surpasses the complexities and high emotions previously found only in immensely passionate epics such as "Gone with the Wind". Here are a few scene clips.***** Ma ran into the kitchen screaming. She grabbed me and held tightly as cannon fire shook the house. Pa ran in, shouting, "Get to the cellar, Martha! Get to the storm cellar. Go! Go! Hurry!" He grabbed Ma's arm and began pulling her along. "Holy Mother of Jesus," he muttered. Ma pleaded with Pa to stay with us.****""Don't be tellin' me what to do, bitch. Your pa's dead, and you have to marry me. I'm gonna make sure of it right now." He laughed and grabbed my arm, dragging me toward him and ripping my sleeve. "No man will want you. You won't be so high and mighty when I'm through ridin' you. "I pulled to free myself, and he slapped my face hard. "Damn you!" I yelled, and punched him with a hard right in the nose. "Bitch!" he screamed and grabbed his face as blood streamed between his fingers. He staggered and then came at me. His fist glanced off my head. I brought my knee up and hit him in the groin. He moaned and doubled over. I pushed him to the ground, somehow grabbing a pitchfork. I shoved it hard against his chest, holding his eyes with a determined stare. "I told you to stay away from me."***My hands tightened on the pitchfork. "You bastard! You don't touch me!" Overcome with rage, resentment, hurt, despair, and hate, I plunged the pitchfork at him again, going deep in his chest. His eyes widened in surprise, and his mouth dropped open. His body twitched, and the front of his shirt turned red. Then he was still. Blood trickled out the corner of his mouth. "Oh, my God, what have I done?" Martha fears she will be blamed for his death, and be hung. She needs to get away, and she outfits a wagon and joins a wagon train bound for Oregon. She is joined by 5 other women who are escaping perilous situations. During the challenging journey they fight off desperadoes and are attacked by Indians. Are they capable of killing while defending themselves and will they ever be capable of loving and being open to finding true love?
