A Colton Brothers Saga

It's 1860 southern New Mexico. Border Ambush exposes the American Southwest for what it really was—rough, tough, and brutal.

Stranded in the rugged Sonoran Desert, stagecoach drivers James Colton and older brother, Trace, are captured by warring Apaches. Tortured and driven to the breaking point, James is used as a bargaining chip by the great Apache Chief, Cochise. James will die if Trace can't win freedom for Cochise's brother, imprisoned by the Army. Trace rushes to negotiate a trade, but the Army has other plans—attack Cochise and his warriors at Apache Pass.

It's Arizona Territory, 1861. Rage explodes across the Sonoran Desert, and blood stains the sand. Will the Colton brothers survive?

Sonoran Rage is the second book in Melody Grove's Colton Brothers Saga series. 

"Melody Groves takes readers on a memorable adventure into the Sonoran Desert. Unexpected plot twists, realistic descriptions and vivid writing keep you on edge—and turning the pages—as young stagecoach drivers James and Trace Colton face Cochise and his Apaches in a life-changing challenge for survival."—Cotton Smith, author of Western novels, including Blood of Bass Tillman

First Apaches, then Confederate Texans. The Colton brothers—James, Trace, and now Andy—must face not only their enemies, but their own personal demons. Driven to near madness by Apache brutality, nearly killing the sheriff, James chooses joining the Union Army over prison. Andy, the youngest brother, also joins, but only to keep James out of trouble. Trace, the oldest Colton, finds himself imprisoned by a sadistic Confederate officer and left alone to die.

It's Arizona Territory at the start of the Civil War, and the Coltons are caught in the middle of it. In the end, it's all up to James to save Union troops from an Apache attack—if he can summon the courage to face his old torturers and their leader, Cochise.

"Melody Groves writes about the Southwestern frontier with real authority; a scholar's grasp of history, a keen sense of the land, and a well-honed edge for action that'll get your blood boiling. Historical fiction at its best."—Johnny Boggs, author of thirty books

Luke’s three brothers, parents, and his wife think slavery and states’ rights are wrong. They side with the Union. Here in Kansas, Luke chooses to ride with the leader of Quantrill’s Raiders, a ruthless group of border ruffians. He hides his decision from his family.

James Colton, Luke’s older brother, a victim of Apache capture and torture, visits from New Mexico and displays what slavery looks like, explains what it costs. Unconvinced, Luke continues to ride with Quantrill by burning houses, raiding, looting, and assaulting men, until he realizes his family is right. But how to get out of the Confederate guerrilla’s clutches?

Upon learning of Quantrill’s plans to burn Lawrence, Kansas, Luke’s hometown, the Colton brothers rush to save everyone. But, no one listens . . .

Andy claims a spot along the stream and pans for gold. Unsuccessful, by first snowfall he’s ready to go home, try again when it’s warmer. However, friend Thomas O’Malley convinces Andy to join him—head farther into the Range to the mining berg of Mogollon.

Andy encounters Apaches and is wounded, O’Malley killed. Andy stumbles into Mogollon, which has already been raided. He locates the single cabin occupied by a runaway slave, Dawson, who saves his life.

Dawson forces Andy to work, and then hides him when Andy’s older brothers come looking. Dawson convinces the Apache to buy Andy, but the Apache keep Dawson and Andy as slaves. The Apache leader uses Andy as a lure for Andy’s brothers. The leader’s only objective: revenge for his brother’s death at the hands of James Colton.

Still looking for Andy, the Colton brothers ride into Birchville, raided by the Apache. Andy and Dawson are used as bait and the Coltons take it. Everyone fights for their lives.