Local author pens award-winning Western odyssey

By John Gleason

Set against the backdrop of the untamed wilderness of west Texas in the 1870s, Colorado author Peter A. Ritzer has written a novel of struggle, faith and the search for home.

The book, “Seven Ox Seven: Escondido Bound,” is the first in a trilogy that tells the story of seven people who risk all they have on a gamble; to find a mysterious canyon, which may not even exist, in order to start a new life.  The book, now in its second printing, is the result of an idea that began 16 years ago.

“A lot of research and a lot of traveling went into this story,” Ritzer said.  “These characters are seeking something; the promise of a better life.  And all of it is based on what could turn out to be a legend.”

The story begins with the meeting of two cowboys in Dodge City at the end of a cattle drive.  A friendship begins that leads the two, and others, south out of Kansas for the canyon region in Texas called Llano Estacado.  Traveling across the rolling prairies through notorious frontier settlements; encountering buffalo slaughter, the pioneers are tested at every turn.

“It’s always been a story of faith,” Ritzer said. “But even I didn’t realize just how big this was going to be.”

Beginning in 1992, Ritzer began work on the story.  In 1995 he quit his job, bought a tent and a laptop computer and drove across the plains to do research. He studied everything from cattle drives to the lifestyles of those who drove into unexplored regions to create a home.  Some would call that an adventure, others would describe it as scary.

“I had encouragement from family and friends. Here I am for all intents and purposes stepping off the edge of the earth for the sake of a book,” he said. “But at the same time, I felt I was being called to do this.  I’ve always said that if you spend time in prayer and reflection, God will direct your heart.”

Facts and figures about the West weren’t all that Ritzer gathered.  While doing research in Lubbock, Texas, he met the woman he eventually would marry.

“I was meant to do this for a lot of reasons,” he said.

By 1999 Ritzer realized that the tale was going to be too much for one book and broke it down into a trilogy. The first installment was published last year.  “Seven Ox Seven” has won several literary awards and is now in its second printing.  There is no publishing date for volume two, which is in the revision stage, and the third installment is still in rough draft form.  It’s a lot of material for someone who admits he was never a fan of Western novels.

“I did read a few Louis L’Amour books when I was young but was never that much into the genre,” Ritzer said. “I consider this to be historical fiction that takes place in the old West.  There is something about the setting, about exploring Americanism that brings the characters to life.  I hope people enjoy it.”

Ritzer will hold a book signing at noon Oct. 25 at Barnes & Noble in the Southlands Town Center, 6300 S. Main St., Aurora. More information can be found online at sevenoxseven.com under “Events.”