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Bill J. Scott
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The Rail Queen Kindle Edition

by B J Scott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
Montana, 1884: It was a time of vanishing cultures and rising empires. A time of much that could be done—much that needed to be done. And in the end, it didn't matter who did it.
Seventeen-year old schoolgirl Ryka Sundstrom dreams of doing what no girl ever has—build a railroad. Fleeing her home and an arranged marriage, pursued across four states by a vengeful father bound by tradition, Ryka unites with a childhood sweetheart in Kansas, only to suffer his later betrayal. Surrounded by people who tell her girls don't build railroads, Ryka refuses to give up. Near defeat In the face of overwhelming odds, she offers herself to a potential backer. Will her new partner in business be her partner in love as well, or will he too turn against her? The truth will be told when ambition and boldness lead Ryka to a showdown with the feared Empire Builder of the Great Northern Railway—James J. Hill.

THE RAIL QUEEN weaves through the awakening of the American railroad as it knits together the strands of empire from Atlantic to Pacific—even as every mile of new track speeds the vanishing of the American frontier, and of the brief age when anything was possible—even for a young schoolgirl with an extraordinary dream.

THE RAIL QUEEN is the fifth in the Tales of Strong Women series of historical novels by award-winning author B J Scott (Winner, 2011 WILLA Literary Award, Best Original Softcover Fiction, from Women Writing the West)
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  1. Print length
    328 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    December 4, 2014
  5. Grade level
    12 and up
  6. File size
    2.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00QMLW3LU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Createspace
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 4, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 12 and up
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

About the author

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Bill J. Scott

Bill J. Scott

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Please note that I have changed my pen name from B J Scott to JAMES SCOTT. This was done partly to avoid confusion with other authors who used B J Scott as their pen name.

I call my series of historical novels "Tales of Strong Women", and a common thread running through all of my books is that the stories are built around strong, courageous women—women who, in the words of one reviewer, "want men in their lives but don't need them to succeed". If you like stories of women who back down from no one, who are bold but sometimes hot-tempered, prone to attracting trouble but ultimately triumphant, these books are for you.

I'm an author who likes to both entertain and educate. I've had great fun over the years learning about westward expansion, mining, sailing ships, locomotives, and B-17 bombers. The feedback I get from my readers tells me they've enjoyed it too. I write from small ideas that grow organically into big ones. Plot ideas form barely in advance of my "pen", making the creative process an exciting discovery. Sometimes I have only a faint idea of what the next page will bring. But it works! The comment I hear most often from readers is, "I couldn't put it down!" I hope you'll take a trip into high adventure with my books soon.

I hold Bachelor's degrees from Washington State University and Brooks Institute of Photography. And I'm proud of my Irish, Scottish, and Scandinavian ancestry!

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
12 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Barbara C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and entertaining!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Another home run by Mr. Scott!! Once you start reading, it’s hard to put down... and... as usual what a surprise ending!! Especially liked the parts of history added to the story and the information in the back of the book. Easy read. Would make a good movie... it’s a “get it”!!!!
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  • avidreader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another "can't put it down" book of B.J. Scott.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Written, as always, the only way B.J. Scott can tell a story. Another can't put it down book and I already wish there was a sequel. In fact I am
    going to write to Bill and suggest the next stories should include her first boy friend and the Indian that saved her life. I'm not going to say
    more here, cause I want you to buy the book (and while your at it his Angel series) enjoyable reading from start to finish.
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  • JF
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you like history and human interest added in you will enjoy this book. In this book Ryka shows that females have always had plum and courage for most part throughout history.
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  • Seattle Carol
    5.0 out of 5 stars BJ Scott is the master of old west tales!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Rail Queen was the fourth BJ Scott book I've read. He captures the glory and pain of the old west in such detail. The characters come alive and you feel like you are living their struggles and triumphs with them.
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  • Mary E. Trimble
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping, well-told story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2015
    Ryka Sundstrom, seventeen, is at odds with her father, a man tormented by the death of his son. His future for Ryka is to bear him grandchildren to carry on the family name. Swedish immigrants, Ryka parents have found the late 1800's “new world” difficult.

    Ryka’s dream lies with the railroad. She can’t get enough of the great iron locomotives flashing over the rails. She wants to know everything about trains—what the men do to make them go, how the equipment works. Despite her father forbidding her to do it, Ryka sneaks to the rail yards to watch from a distance.

    When the situation at home becomes intolerable, Ryka runs away from Montana to Kansas and, after rigorous training, becomes a Harvey Girl, working for a high-class chain of restaurants known as the Harvey House Restaurants that serve travelers on the Santa Fe Railroad lines. At least it’s close to the railroad and Ryka can pursue her railroad interests with impunity.

    When just being in close proximity isn’t satisfying Ryka’s thirst for railroads, she delves into the business of railroading on a small scale. Little by little she builds her dream of a railroad empire, but not without struggle and sacrifice.

    The Rail Queen is a gripping, well-told story and authentically based. The author’s impeccable research is obvious. When referring to actual historical figures, such as Jim Hill, “The Empire Builder,” the author stays within known characteristics. When the west was opened up by the rail lines, it was tough, dangerous work, and the book portrays those hardships realistically.
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  • Anne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ride with the Rail Queen
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2017
    BJ Scott has given his fans another award-winning novels set in the American West of the 19th century, with a strong woman protagonist. A most unlikely Rail Queen, Ryka Sundstrom is a hero that we love from her first sassy appearance. The story is told in an omniscient POV that gives weight to minor characters and makes the story full and complete. Scott uses literary techniques, research and emotion to create situations told with honesty and accuracy. No "perils of Pauline," the protagonist, Ryka Sundstrom, is a fictional character whose story is threaded into a believable story weighted with historical events such as the oil booms, the start up of the rails and Harvey Houses of the Santa Fe Railroads. A serious historical novel for readers interested in learning about a fascinating era of American history.
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  • Larry mattingly
    5.0 out of 5 stars easy reading storyline
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2014
    Well written, easy reading storyline, fiction that fit well with known history.
    Now I just need to get the others in the Trilogy. J Larry M
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