Todos Santos

About the Book

Scotland, 1850 Beset by the potato famine and land clearances, the Park and Ridgeway families emigrate to the new stateof Texas. Their lives are altered again by tragedy during the sea voyage, and they are thrust into the cattle business in South Texas. Survivors of Indian raids and Civil War battles then struggle against cattle thieves and bushwhackers to find opportunity and romance in the emerging trail driving industry.

About the Author

Biography A lifelong interest in history and a family mystery inspired Ed to research the material for this book. Trips to Scotland, recorded conversations with pioneer Texans, an interest in stories of forgotten South Texas incidents, and many years of research, all went into the writing of the story. Ed, from a multi-generational Laredo family and a pioneer Zavala County ranch family, spent much of his growing years at his grandparent’s ranch where tales of the cattle business held a fascination for him. Relatives are still involved with ranching in the area. Growing up in Laredo, influenced by the Mexican culture and speaking Spanish, Ed developed an interest in the stories of that area. He received a BSEE from Texas A&M, and served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Korean Crisis. A registered professional engineer, Ed spent thirty five years in the electrical business, then an additional two years as a consultant in Mexico Shirley, born in Des Moines Iowa, was responsible for development of many of the characters as well as editing the final version of the book. The couple now lives in Coppell, Texas near two of their four children.