Raton Pass

Following the Frontier

By: Tom. W. Blackburn

Narrated by: Jack de Golia

HE LET A WOMAN STEAL THE BIGGEST RANCH IN NEW MEXICO—AND THEN HE HEADED FOR THE BADLANDS!

Marc Challon had both money and power. His father and mother had built the majestic XO cattle ranch, a hundred-acre empire of waist-high grassland. And he had inherited it. But money and power spawn greed—and greed creates schemers.

With all the responsibilities of running the XO, Marc didn’t need any more problems. But slowly he discovered he had married one: Marcy Bennett, a land-hungry temptress whose very existence threatened to tear the heart out of his family and their empire.

Then Marc did two things that astounded his family, friends, and all the ranchers of Raton Pass.

First, he gave Marcy the deed to the XO!

What kind of man would do that? To Marc Challon life itself was the biggest gamble. That’s what made living fun. Better to let the stakes go now; it would be exciting to gather them back later, when the last hand was played.

Second, Marc lit out for El Malpais (the badlands)—a thirty-mile maze of lava flows and a haven for the lawless—including his wife’s hired guns.

How Marc Challon lost and regained the XO is a thrilling, swift-moving story Western listeners will not want to miss.

©1950, 1978 Tom W. Blackburn (P)2025 Wordwooze Publishing

Critic reviews

"Never a dull moment." - The Los Angeles Times

“Action! Adventure! Suspense!” —Ashland Gazette

“The exciting story of the fight for the hundred-thousand-acre XO brand ranch in New Mexico, near Raton Pass, paints a real Southwest ablaze with color. Blackburn was born on a big ranch (the TO) near Raton Pass—authentic background.” —Chicago Tribune

Western

Raton Pass by Tom. W. Blackburn is an excellent Wild Western. Jack de Golia did an amazing job with the narration. The story is entertaining, interesting, engaging, exciting, action packed and more. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.