A man bent on revengeA woman determined to surviveA land that knows no mercyMeet the Men of the Outlaw TrailWhen Kate Winters is left stranded and defenseless in outlaw country, she knows there’s little chance she’ll make it out alive…until she stumbles across a ruthless gang hanging a cowboy for his cattle. She waits until the outlaws are gone, desperate enough to claim the dead man’s horse to … enough to claim the dead man’s horse to make her escape—only to realize he’s not dead after all.
Those outlaws should have made damn sure Luke Bowden was good and gone. Now he vows he’ll have his revenge no matter the cost. But they’re miles away from the nearest town, and the woman who saved his hide won’t survive the ride back. He owes her his life—he owes her everything—and it doesn’t take long before he’s faced with a terrible choice: stand by Kate…or claim his revenge?
The Outlaw Trail Series:
Ride the High Lonesome (Book 1)
Praise for Bestselling Historical Western Romances by Rosanne Bittner:
“A hero to set feminine hearts aflutter…western romance readers will thoroughly enjoy this.”—Library Journal
“Fans of such authors as Jodi Thomas and Georgina Gentry will enjoy Bittner’s thrilling tale of crime and love in the Old West.” —Booklist Online
“One of the most powerful voices in western romance.” —RT Book Reviews
“This is a tale of tragedy and triumph and the undying power of family to overcome all odds. Bittner at the top of her form.”—RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars TOP PICK!
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Ride the High Lonesome is the first book in Rosanne Bittner’s Outlaw Trail series. I just adore starting a new series. I have read some of Ms. Bittner’s work previously and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read this one.
Kate Winters is the sole survivor of an attack on a wagon train that was making its way to Oregon. Stranded in Wyoming, she comes across a gang hanging a man. She hides until they leave, then makes her way to the man. She needs supplies, and he won’t need them any longer. However, when she approaches him, she realizes he’s still alive; she cuts him down and cares for him. Luke Bowden wants his revenge and won’t let anything get in his way of hunting down the men who did this to him. However, he vows to protect Kate and they head toward the outlaw town of Lander. Thus commences a story of traveling through the “high lonesome”, outlaws, shootouts, hardship, friendship and love.
This story worked better as a western than a love story for me. I actually found the romance between Kate and Luke to be a bit annoying. Kate came across as needy, whiny and concerned about her reputation. Luke seemed to care more about his revenge, and he had an odd idea of how to decide if he loved Kate or not. I believe a bit more backstory for these two characters was needed. However, I still found this story highly enjoyable, mostly for the way Ms. Bittner writes about the Wyoming Territory. She really brings the area to life; you can almost feel the beating sun, then the stinging snow of a blizzard. She excels at showing the beauty of the land. I will definitely read the next installment of this series; I just hope for a better romance.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Another great western romance full of old west outlaws and settlers and the strong women who love them. Full of beautiful scenic descriptions and plot twists, I felt like I was riding alongside throughout the vast desolate Wyoming countryside. Look forward to reading more in the series. And, gotta say, I was thrilled to see a cameo appearance by the legend Jake Harkner!
Being a huge fan of Rosanne Bittner’s works, when I heard she was starting a series that takes place on the Outlaw Trail, I bought this book as soon as it came out. It took me a while to dig my way to Ride the High Lonesome in my TBR pile, but I finally had a chance to read this wonderful novel.
As always, Rosanne’s characters are sympathetic people trying their best to survive in a wild country.
I can’t think of any female lead Rosanne has written that I didn’t admire and like. Kate Winters is no exception. She shows her hidden inner-strength at the beginning of the novel when she survives an attack on her wagon train and meanders through the outlaw trail for a few days on her own before she comes across four men attempting to hang Luke Bowden. She shows more strength and much compassion when she cuts Luke from the noose where the men have left him to die.
You can read more here: https://maggieblackbird.com/2020/06/28/rosanne-bitter-ride-the-high-lonesome/#more-15544
I loved this book. Another great one from an Awesome lady..
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ride The High Lonesome
By: Roseanne Bittner
*REVIEW*
Ride The High Lonesome is a story of survival. The West, for all that we have romanticized it, was actually a brutal inhospitable land. The heroine, Kate, is struggling to survive after an attack on the wagon train left her destitute and alone. She happens upon a hanging, and approaching the victim, Kate finds him still alive. She saves the life of this man, Luke. He is very much alive and bent on revenge. Kate and Luke make an agreement to help each other. Along the way, these virtual strangers begin to mean something more to one another. What will happen as they journey through this hardscrabble unforgiving land? Will Kate reach her destination and Luke exact his revenge? It is a story of epic adventure, thrills and drama. Kate and Luke are excellent characters, and I enjoyed reading their transformative experiences. Any fan of the era will enjoy this historical fiction read.
Kate was a woman alone after the wagon train she was on was was attacked and she had hidden. Walking lost out in a vast country, not knowing if she would find help, food or anyone to help her. Can you just imagine?
Luke Bowden had been attacked by outlaws, who ended up stealing his cattle and trying to hang him. By a miracle, Kate came upon him and saved his life.
Two strangers, both with a hard past come together unexpectedly. Kate a widow whose husband had been killed in the war. Luke back from serving in the war to find his girl married to his brother..
Could these two help each other and find a little bit of happiness for themselves?
Such a well written story which painted a picture of life in the west and what it took to survive. It was not easy and reminds us that the men and women who were brave enough to venture west, were truly amazing.. Just a wonderful story!
For me, this was like finding a lost friend. I had read books by Roseanne Bittner a long time ago and remember enjoying them. And the enjoyment is still there.
True to form, this was a book of life heading west, with loss and love along the way. This was not an easy time in our history. But, this story about resilience and perseverance, revenge and lust will leave you wanting for more.
I look forward to backtracking now and reading more from Roseanne Bittner.
Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Review Copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Ride the High Lonesome is a western historical romance that is mostly set in the wild country. Being stranded without a way to get around and food/water in this type of place means you are left for dead. The main characters are Kate Winters who is left stranded and defenseless in this outlaw country, and Luke who is being hanged after having his cattle stolen. Kate sees an opportunity to take this dead man’s horse and supplies, but when she gets close she sees that the man hanging from the rope isn’t dead yet. She does what I hope any person would do in this scenario, and cuts him down. I absolutely loved the development in their relationship. Obviously Kate is hesitant to fully trust this stranger, but she needs him if she wants to survive. I really loved that they were both taking care of each other. Kate is a very strong woman and took care of herself when needed. Luke is a proud and loyal man, but has been hurt in the past and doesn’t want to open up his heart again.
“Letting herself feel too deeply for Luke would be to toy with the heart, and both of them had hearts that had already been broken by the war.”
The western historical romance subgenre is one that always feels more than just a romance. Everything around it keeps me entertained and intrigued. There is always hints of suspense and action that elevates the story, and that was also the case for this book. In this wild country all you have is human interaction and it is impossible not to get to know someone very intimately. Which is important, because you are miles apart from civilization and knowing someones intentions is a matter of life and death. The development of the trust that was built between the characters was paced perfectly. It felt very natural. This was also the case for the love that development between them. Both Kate and Luke had their heart broken, but I was happy to see them find each other and heal. I would’ve wanted a longer epilogue that was set further in the future, but overall I am happy with the ending. I look forward to reading more books in the Outlaw Trail series. Also I can’t finish this review without mentioning that I love the cover.
Raw and poignant, Ride the High Lonesome seizes your attention from the start and keeps you spellbound until the end.
Fate intertwines Kate with Luke, at first simply for survival, and then as time goes on, as a peaceful solace to their hearts. In a time and place where surviving was a constant challenge, they provided motivation and strength to each other, quickly becoming the ideal match for each other. While both had a past that created mental wounds in desperate need of healing, that vulnerability left them open to the beauty they could find together. The trials encountered built the solid foundation and trust needed to heal and move forward, claiming the good out of life they both needed and desired.
I adored being there as Kate found her strength again, let go of her loneliness and fears, and settled into the love and security Luke provided. I think she’s alot like most women out there – stronger and braver than she realized, and just needed the right encouragement and time to claim that for herself. I loved Luke’s deep sense of honor, respect, protectiveness, and determination. He carried a heavy burden and had some dark demons messing with him, but he dug deep and didn’t allow them to destroy the good he found in his Kate. Luke had his moments of larger-than-life virility, but it was perfectly woven in with moments of vulnerability and a touch of [make you wanna growl at him], keeping him real-to-life.
This story quickly became one of my top favorite Rosanne Bittner tales, with the emotional impact, epic story-telling, and the charm of an captivating love story. Bringing the wild vastness of Wyoming to life around me, I felt transported back in time and became lost in a different reality. I took my time reading this book just because I wanted to soak up every moment spent with Luke and Kate and didn’t want it to end. And when it was over, after I took a few moments to soak it all in, I jumped back in to reread favorite parts… and I can’t wait to revisit them again and again!
An unforgiving, destitute land as far as the eye could see was all Kate Winter’s had to her name.
She was alive, panicked, but still alive, after the horrific attack.
Hanging, barely breathing with a little kick, was all the life that remained in Luke Bowden, until an Angel found him.
Two stranger’s brought together by fate in this wild, lawless land by a common bond.. Survival!
Rosanne Bittner is a master at creating lasting storylines, picturesque sceneries, and heroic couples who envelope her reader’s heart and soul, forever.
Ride the High Lonesome by Roseanne Bittner
Outlaw Trail #1
This story grabbed me at the beginning as Kate is watching the lynching of Luke. Would she be able to save him or just grab his things and maybe find salvation in civilization? There was so much potential for Kate and Luke as they both seemed to be survivors, smart, mature and with enough of a backstory (maybe) to make them interesting. I mean, they booth had lived through the Civil War and experienced loss and changes from those losses that made them grow and change. At some point I began to feel that Kate was too wrapped up in the idea that she might be raped or someone might see her body parts or something else that would be improper. Sure, there were some rather scary things that happened to her and some wicked outlaws that nearly got her but still…she seemed to spend a lot of time in her head thinking about what might happen, whether or not Luke might really like her, would Luke come back for her, could he love her, etc. And Luke, he seemed the strong stalwart wise one but they he was derailed into a revenge seeking killer that also could not trust a woman because of…well…because of a woman that did him wrong. So, I have mixed feelings. It was a good book but it could have been a great book if both characters had stayed truer to the strong character I saw in both of them and hadn’t begun to wallow in the angst and push pull of the relationship that developed instead.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes…for the most part
Would I read more in this series? I would try another book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
One of my favorite authors ever Rosanne Bittner has once again done it again and in breathtakingly beautiful Rosanne Bittner style. I have loved Mrs Bittner books for 30 yrs now and I have never grown tired of her work. I Have read books by her untold multiple times. I could not put this book down until I finished it. Ride the High Lonesome was just as epic to me today as my first book I ever read by her was. I absolutely love this author’s writing. Rosanne Bittner is definitely oh so definitely Blessed from the Throne of God in her storytelling ability. Luke and Kate’s story now burrows in my heart along side so many other couples she has written. I cannot say or write enough good things or sing Rosanne Bittner’s praises high enough a book by her leaves my heart in a high and a low a high because it’s such a Wonderful Wonderful story but a low because I have to now wait on her next book. Oh I wish I could convey the pure joy her books bring me if I could bottle the feeling when I finish a Rosanne Bittner book and sell it she and I both would be multimillionaires.
An action filled adventure story with a mildly steamy romance. This is my first book by this author and I found her descriptive prose about the country made me feel like I was there. The vast expanse of terrain, the Wild West lawlessness, the solitude of the unpopulated high country although the romantic couple managed to find more unsavory characters in the open terrain than in the nearest town.
I had a difficult time with the romantic aspect as I didn’t really connect with Kate or Luke. I found Kate’s continuous self-doubt dragging. And although I could understand Luke’s motivation, I thought his behavior to Kate just before their HEA, unkind.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.