All Or Nothing


Romance - Historical
308 Pages
Reviewed on 06/28/2009
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

After the loss  of her husband RuthAnne Newcomb  had nothing left for  her  in Alabama. With the responsibility of her sister to take care of, they head out  on a journey to Arizona. Where employment  awaits her as a seamstress for the army, she is sure that  later  on she will be able to open her own business and provide a living for her and her sister.

The last leg of their journey is by stagecoach, on a narrow mountain road. An accident, the stage  over the side,  the horses and driver  at the bottom of the canyon floor. Mara and Ruth narrowly escaping death, but their only possessions they own at the bottom also.The accident is a cover up in order to rob the stage coach by the notorious robber El Tejano. As they are  shot and left for dead, Army Captain Bowen Shepherd rescues them and  takes them to the mission.

Mara  is all RuthAnne has now. Will she survive  the  gunshot wounds. Will they get their life back together. Will RuthAnne’s strong faith in God and her talents as a seamstress  help them to survive.

Working with the Captain can the two of them bring El Tejano  to justice. As the only witness alive to identify him will they get him before he gets RuthAnne. Will RuthAnne  find love again in the Captain?

This is a very well written  tender love story, with  suspense and intrigue dispensed throughout the story line. From the details of the magnificent scenery in the Arizona territory .If you are one that lives in Arizona then you will understand  how the author has so visualized your landscape in this  book. This was a very inspirational read and one that I will re read again. Ms. Ludwig is a very outstanding author and  the inspiration flows through her  book.

Michelle L. Stuckerwik

I don't even know how to express the way this book moved me. It is the most inspiring tale I have ever read. It sends you back in time so far that you feel like you are present and walking amongst the Bowen, Ruthanne, Dolly, Ross, Whit....oh I could just go on! I am amazed by the detail and the story of how the West was, what they went thru, how they lived....I shared small details as I read with my husband, a Tucson native, and he told me about Fort Lowell just before I read which Fort. I was shocked about the accuracy and beauty of the words. Time stood still as I read. I was amazed by the detail and how she brought me to love the desert. This book actually helps you see the beauty that we live in here in Tucson. The beauty and the awe I took for granted. This book is the perfect Memorial day read. The Soliders and their duty back then. I feel awe struck and amazed at the way God's love and direction is real as can be. Ashley Ludwig has a amazing talent and I truly look forward to her next book. Until then I will read this book over and over. It is precious and very hard to put down!

B Nault

back in time to experience what it was like to live in the desert, walk and ride past saguaros, listen to the coyotes and feel for yourself how the first settlers struggled to exist in the untamed West. Ludwig's expertise of the area, her well-researched and spectacular descriptions of the ecology, architecture, clothing, land and people, as well as a compelling story, make this a book you can't put down until the satisifying end.

Laurean Brooks

In "All or Nothing," Ashley Ludwig has created a riveting and descriptive story that captures the era of wild west. The heroine RuthAnne is a strong, but gentle woman who is innovative, and determined to survive the blows inflicted on her and her younger sister.

By faith and sheer determination RuthAnne and Mara flee from a vicious bandit who is responsible for their stage tumbling to the bottom of a ravine. El Tejano will not rest until he sees the only two survivors from the wreckage dead. But the bandit meets his match in Captain Bowen Shepherd, who always appears in the nick of time to rescue the beautiful RuthAnne.

Life at the fort is rough, but RuthAnne endures her grueling job as a laundress, washing dirty clothes for the soldiers, to provide for her sister and to save enough money for their new start.

The chemistry between RuthAnne and Bowen grows with each encounter, though Bowen is determined not to commit. Bowen is a man you can easily fall for. Protective yet gentle. Strong without being chauvenistic.

The characters come to life in this page turner. "All or Nothing" isn't one of those books you take to bed to put you to sleep. It's one you can't put down. You have to know what will happen next! I put the book down and turned off the light several nights, only to have my curiosity piqued to the point that I flicked the lamp back on. I had to know how RuthAnne was going to get out of her current jam.

The Arizona desert was brought to life. I could feel the thorns tearing at me. I could see the glorious sunsets. Ms. Ludwig has a way of writing description that most of us can only wish for.

With "All or Nothing" there is never a dull moment. The plot gets thicker with each chapter, and you are kept guessing if the slippery El Tejano will ever be caught. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys tender romance, drama, action, suspense, and the wild west. This books contains it all.

Teri A. Wilson

Ashley Ludwig introduced me to a place I'd never been before in her debut historical romance, All Or Nothing. I normally don't read historicals, so I wasn't sure if this book would be something I would enjoy. But my doubts were put to rest within the first few pages. This book took me to another world!!! The grace and compassion of the heroine drew me in, as well as the quiet strength of the hero. I especially loved how the heroine took care of the soldiers who were her laundry clients. Well done Ashley! And I look forward to your next book!

A. Rathsack

All or Nothing was a quick and entertaining read. Ashley Ludwig does a wonderful job setting the scene and describing life at Fort Lowell years after the Civil War. Let's not forget her beautiful descriptions of the southern Arizona desert and mountain territory. With a little bit of romance, suspense, and a surprise twist, Ashley Rather has demonstrated her talent for story telling.

D. Harmer

Ms. Ludwig weaves a beautiful love story full of intrigue. In this historical fiction novel she takes you straight to the Arizona desert of 1876, where RuthAnne and Bowen are tied together in the common goal of finding El Tejano and bringing him to justice. They discover love in the midst of trial. This was one of my very favorite reads!