Gunslinger by Cynthia Breeding

This was a fun twist on the usual gunslinger stories. Mixing a bit of insta-connection/attraction with slow burn, and a bit of mystery with intrigue, the Gunslinger provides a light-hearted but attention grabbing story.

I enjoyed getting to be in both Luke and Abigail's heads at they tried to figure the other out, keep secrets hidden, fight their attraction, and find their new place in life. Luke, while having a pretty tragic event in his past, didn't seem overly wounded or hardened (which is what you kinda expect for a gunslinger, or maybe what I've been conditioned to expect) - in fact, he proved himself to be quite put together and teasingly charming. I loved the moments where his protective instincts overflowed and he didn't back down - and the other moments where he refused to give in and kept pursuing what he (and Abigail) needed. Abigail was endearing in her street-smarts, her determination to leave her past and turn over a new leaf, and her sweet (but at times surprisingly confident) innocence despite her past. There was a moment of deja vu in the story, and I loved how the actions played out organically provided the confirmation Luke and Abigail needed in their relationship.

If you're looking for a easy to read story that provides some spice and mystery with a sweet love story, this would work!

Fast Lane by Kristen Ashley

This story stuck with me and gave me quite the hangover, to where I needed some time to process it.

I loved the way it felt like I was watching a VH1 behind-the-music documentary, and how it made me believe the band was really REAL and this wasn't a fictional story I was reading. I enjoyed seeing the story unfold through Jesse's pov/interviews mostly (even if I kinda do wish we'd have gotten to hear more about some of Jesse's personal journey and kinda feel jipped we didn't). Fast Lane kept with KA's usual format, where it was not just a couple's love story, but the band's story and a love story of friends/brothers-of-the-heart. While I do kinda wish we had gotten some more time either interviewing Preacher or getting the story from his pov, I'm not sure if I could have handled always being in Lyla or Preacher's head with some things that happened - so after I got into the rhythm of the story, it totally worked for me hearing it mostly from Jesse.

I hurt (horrifically badly) with some moments, choices, and some aspects of the story (but I'll admit, a few threads did "fit" with the rock'n'roll band part of the story, even if they're things I try to avoid exposure to), to where while I deeply enjoyed the story overall, not sure if I can reread this book (after all my initial rereads the day after I finished just to help process the hangover). Just me personally. :)

I also wish that we've have gotten some lyrics to the songs that the band wrote (although I see that KA has a website for readers to submit lyrics, so... (shrug)) - just felt like that was missing. Not even the entire song, but a few lines would have been a sweet touch. And sometimes I felt kinda overwhelmed with the music choices included... idk.

Another reviewer mentioned it was nice that there was more story and not so much intimate time detailed out (after some of the extremes of several recent releases), and I have to agree, I appreciated that as well. I have pointed out to several people before that some of my favorite KA intimate times ended up being 3-5 lines of innocent words that because of the build up before almost became hotter than the 2-3 pages of details (but there were alot of good longer moments mixed in there too).

Otherwise, Preacher rocked (well, except for a couple of choices/words/events that just.....), Lyla was adorable, Jesse was awesome, and this was quite the book to fall into and experience.

Wildest Dreams by Rosanne Bittner

Oct 2019 reread

It's been a few years since I last visited Wildest Dreams, and what started as a "read a few favorite scenes to get over a Rosanne Bittner hangover from reading Ride the High Lonesome" idea quickly changed to where I was lost in the story and had to keep going till the end. I had forgotten so much to where in some ways it felt like a new to me read, but at the same time, I felt the comfort of a long-lost friend.

Luke and Lettie's story remains high on my favorite shelf. There's just something about reading a couple's story where they fall in love and start building a family together from early on in the book and we get to experience their life together -- raising their family, surviving the tragedies, rejoicing in the triumphs, dreaming, pursuing, changing, growing.... living. There's such beauty in watching the bond deepen between Luke and Lettie through the decades and how that flows down to their children.

This family saga delivers what feels like a several book series into one volume - we get plenty of details and focused attention on events, but are also able to move forward through time smoothly and not feeling like anything was left out.

Wildest Dreams is an epic story that will sweep you away and consume your thoughts.

~~~
2013 review

I'm loving that Rosanne Bittner is starting to put her older novels out in kindle format - and I hope she continues because she writes some of the best historical romance novels I've found! I only read a couple of her books way back when and it wasn't until this year that I rediscovered her and was thrilled to read Wildest Dreams!

One reviewer mentioned that this wasn't much of a romance novel - and I'd have to disagree. Yes, it isn't the typical story where most of the book is dedicated to the falling in love part and ends at the wedding with an epilogue glimpse into the future. You do get to experience the falling-in-love part, however, this book spends most of the time focusing on their lives from the wedding on - and the romance and how their love grows through the years. Trust me, the romance is there and honestly, I enjoy experiencing books where the story continues way past the wedding. That's where true love is forged in steel and where romance blooms to it's fullest. Luke and Lettie are two of my favorite RB characters and this book will always remain on my keeper shelf! How they work together to build their family and cattle-empire and what they face to make those dreams come true will keep you enthralled from the first sentence to the last page!

Ride the High Lonesome by Rosanne Bittner

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!

Sioux Splendor by Rosanne Bittner

It's interesting how a almost 30yr old story read 6 years after the first initial reading resonates so differently. Interesting how life experiences draw you to certain stories again and feed your readers heart with a whole new understanding.

I intimately experienced Cynthia and Red Wolf's soul deep attraction and connection and felt their pain at being ripped apart and trying to just keep surviving each day. And then the joyous REUNION where they discovered just how much they desperately needed the other.... Swept me away.

Loved this book now more than I did before.

It may be an older story, but it still captures attention yet today.



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2013 review
Cynthia and Red Wolf had much to overcome before they could get their hea. Loved how they finally connected - my heart broke when they were torn apart, and I loved watching them finally make it back to each other's arms. Another Native American story that I just loved!

In All Innocence by C.A. Asbrey

Buckle up and brace, because CA Asbrey’s IN ALL INNOCENCE is going to take you on a train ride turned rollercoaster and leave you gobsmacked.

The Quinn family is looking to settle down someplace and leave their past in the past, but of course, somehow manage to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when a murderer becomes cornered on the train with them.  Knowing they need to stay under the radar, the whole family - Abi, Nat, and Jake - focuses on identifying the murderer and protecting their fellow passengers - and themselves - before the law shows up and starts digging around, potentially ending their fresh start.   When the dust settles, they take off again to take possession of their new future, Jake veering off path from the others attempt to reclaim a piece of his past that continues to haunt his every waking and sleeping moment.

With altering points of view, I experienced the adventures Nat and Abi encountered and dove further into Jake’s heart-wrenching past. Moments of light-hearted intrigue are mixed with agonizing revelations, which propelled me through the story at an incredible pace and left me aching for more.

As with the three previous books, Nat, Abi, and Jake continue to capture my attention, drawing me into their story as if I were there experiencing the journey with them.  What did seem different in this story was a more intimate view into their personal lives - almost a tangible connection to the characters.  I have a feeling as their stories continue to unfold, that intimacy will continue to deepen.  I love seeing the bond they have with one another and the protective instincts displayed.

CA Asbrey proves herself to be a masterful storyteller with how she layers and weaves a mystery and throws out just enough hints to keep her readers guessing and off track.  She also knows how to deliver some hilarious moments in the midst of intensity, providing both a welcome relief and a pausing distraction.  My ebook is highlighted all over the place with eye popping and hair raising moments of “wait…. did that just happen?” and laugh-out-loud undercover humor.

If you love mystery and adventure, a generous helping of mirth, a charming bit of romance, and a continuing family saga, The Innocents series is one to open the covers and fall into, with In All Innocence being an amazing piece of the tale.  Just be prepared, because this part of Nat, Abi, and Jake’s journey isn’t going to end how one might expect - there’s more of their story to be told... and that might just leave you speechless.

Her Passionate Hero by Caitlyn O'Leary

Completely blown away by Hunter and Aliana's story! I knew it sounded good and I'd most likely enjoy it from the blurb and the fact I usually enjoy this author's stories, but I was unprepared for how much this unrealized young love/second chance as adults romantic suspense story grabbed me and made me fall in love with both Hunter and Aliana.

Hunter is the best kind of protective, take charge and get his hands dirty, bossy, gentle and powerful alpha. He knew what he wanted and needed and what Aliana needed to see and pursued it with passion.

Aliana is the best kind of heroine for Hunter - being the strong kind who gives as good as she gets, but yet is still soft and vulnerable, appealing to Hunter's protective needs.

They gave each other exactly what they needed both as kids in school and then as adults years later - keeping up being each other's saving grace.

I absolutely loved this story, and have it tucked away on my favorites shelf to revisit often.

Jack & Sadie by J.B. Salsbury

Emotionally heart-wrecking and heart-warming, Jack & Sadie's story pulls beauty out of pain and gifts a well-earned happily ever after.

Jack was a hard one for me at first because who he ended up growing up to be and some of the decisions he made was unexpected, and it took me a little bit to drop my preconceived ideas. Although when I dug deeper under the surface, Jack is still the Jack I expected - Blake Daniel's son who is a fighter, who has drive and determination, and doesn't give in easily, even as much as he had a few growing-up mistakes thrown in there. But in the end, he proved himself to be worthy of his Sadie's love and got himself back on track to chase down their forever dream together. I loved how much once Jack figured out Sadie had slipped through his fingers, he went all out to get her back in his arms (even as much as some things made me cringe and drove my anxiety through the roof).

Sadie is mine.
She always has been and she always will be.
Nothing will change that.
I won’t let it.

Sadie. That girl. Her side of the story broke my heart over and over again. But despite her feeling broken and lost, there was still an intense inner strength to her that gave her exactly what she needed to survive the storms and make her way through to the good stuff. I understood the choices she made and the ones she felt she had no choice but to go with, but man, I sure wanted to wrap her up tight in a hug and protect her (or allow her to allow others to lol) from the pain that accompanied them. But her strength also gave her exactly what she needed in the end.

I always feel safe with you, Jack.

When his hands are on me, I feel safe, cherished, and like I'm the only woman he's ever seen.

There was so much beauty in Jack and Sadie reconnecting as adults and figuring out just exactly what it was in life that was worthy of pursuit. And even through the pain dished out, the resulting beauty made it mean that much more.

Loved getting to see a few glimpses of Jonah and Raven, Blake and Layla, and I adore the love they showed for their kids, whether tough love or soft love. I wanted to revisit their stories as soon as I finished reading this book just so I didn't have to say goodbye quite yet (as their stories are some of my most favs from the Fighting series and it's been a while since I've visited them).

I wonder, did you and my dad go to the same school for overprotective and bossy men?

This book felt like the pretty bow to wrap up an adored gift (Jonah and Blake's stories) and is definitely one fans will not want to pass up.