Rosanne Bittner

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
The Outlaw Hearts has always been a personal favorite of mine. I haven't been able to find a couple that can even come close to compare to Jake and Miranda. The way that we have seen their relationship grow over the decades is beautiful and simply majestic. Rosanne Bittner has crafted a masterpiece with this series. And when she announced that she would be doing another Jake and Randy novel, I was more than thrilled. Don't get me wrong, I want some Lloyd and grandson Jake and get their books, but I don't think I will be ever ready to say goodbye to this couple. They will live on rent free in my mind forever. If you are a fan of the series, than Shadow Trail is going to be a delight to read. We see more happening with the Harkner family. A woman from Jake's past comes and throw a hurdle in the way of our couple but we see how Jake and Randy come together in such unity along with their children and their families and seeing the ways in which they overcome the conflicts ahead of them and come out stronger in the end.

First Line
There it was. Something Miranda had not seen in years. The look in his eyes was pure outlaw Jake, that one side of him she had never been able to control.

Summary
Jake and Randy Harkner have been settling into their ranch life in the lovely mountains in Colorado. They are surrounded by their children and grandchildren, and learning to adjust to the changes of the turn of the century. Its now 1902, and life is very different from when they were first married. Their son Lloyd is struggling with his marriage as they lost a child and his wife is struggling with post partum depression. Then we have a woman that comes from Jake's past, a past that he never revealed to his wife, Randy. A woman who betrayed him in the worst way but she comes bearing secrets that Jake never imagined. But his greatest fear, is losing Randy to these secrets that he never revealed. But as Jake and Randy take on this conflict with courage and strength, they along with their family are tested in ways that will only bring them closer than ever before....but will the danger that is looming ahead be one that they can survive and conquer in the end?

What I Loved
I wish that I could say just EVERYTHING and just leave it at that. haha but I definitely want to get a more in depth look at this story for you all. I know this series can be intimidating. But trust me when I say that its completely worth the reading of. From the first moment I first read this couple in "Do Not Forsake Me" I knew that I would be hooked forever. And with each book, this author has delivered on so much complexity and depths to their relationship and seeing them grow so dearly together is such a wonderful thing to witness as a reader. What I really respect about how this author has written this couple is that their connection is so intimate and deeply intrenched and also seeing how their relationship reflects so positively on their family. And seeing their family grow is a beautiful sight to see. This series also testifies about the beauty of "FAMILY" and how important it is and seeing it portrayed so well in a historical romance is reflective in such a relative way.

Shadow Trail will deliver in so much depth, adventure, and intimacy. We have the secrets from Jake past and I thought Miranda had known everything by now, but....apparently not. And there are scenes in this book where we see Jake at the edge of a cliff, emotionally and mentally. This secret is a burden that he has been carrying for decades, and the way in which it connects to Miranda, BRILLLIANTLY WRITTEN! I was so easily swept away in their story and their vibrant connection to each other. And I just want to do a beautiful shout out to Miranda in this book. She never ceases to amaze me and truly inspire me. Her character, is a heroine that makes me want to be a better human being. These special moments where she is able to dig deep with Jake and make him see hope and love when he is so lost in despair is a miracle to see. The strength and fortitude she has to stand by his side and really showcases unconditional love. I also think if you want a relationship that you can relate to in real life, this is the couple you need to read and devour.

Shadow Trail takes a story of dark hidden secrets and brings together romantic love with family love in the best of combinations. The way this family comes together for Jake will humble every reader that reads these books. Seeing another adventure happen with danger and intense emotions that are played out through the story was such a poignant experience. I absolutely loved how Jake and Miranda go on their adventure together to bring back a member of their family and get justice for wrongs done. The plot of this story kept me on edge all the way through and I had such a blast with these characters and seeing the conflict that they overcome. It was everything that I could have hoped for and more. I definitely took my time reading this one because I didn't want it to end but I am also eager to see what the author plans next for this couple and their family. Bring on Lloyd and Grandson Jake!!

What I Struggled With
The only aspect I wish could have been a bit more spread out is the ending. It felt a bit rushed. It definitely had a satisfying HEA feel to it. But I kinda wish it had been stretched out a bit more. But that's just me wanting more of this family. I swear this book could have been 1000 pages and it wouldn't have been enough.

Overall View
Shadow Trail is a tale of devotion, strength and unconditional love that will capture hearts and souls with rich emotion, vibrant storytelling and endearing characters and I guarantee you will fall deeply in love with Jake and Randy just as I have!

Favorite Quote(s)
“Who do you belong to?” he asked softly as he nibbled her ear. So many times he’d asked the question since the first time they did this in the back of a covered wagon ... so many years ago ... somewhere on the high plains ... young and achingly in love. “Jake Harkner, now and forever,” she always answered. “You bet,” he answered. “And we are going to keep doing this as long as we still have breath in our bodies. Tu eres, mi vida, mi querida esposa.”

“All I’ve ever needed to be happy is you beside me. You are my safe place.”.

“Woman, you have always been in charge, even that first time we met in that supply store. I took one look at you and knew I’d been roped and tied.”

“You are my peace,” he told her. “You always have been. When I am with you it’s like riding out of hot, rocky, barren land into a meadow of lush green grass and rippling water and shade trees.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, American West
Character Types: Cowboy/Rancher, Teacher, Married Pairing, Tortured Hero, Alpha Male
Themes: Western, Family Sage, Kids/Children Involved, Danger
Tropes: Epic Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
The Rest of Our Life by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes! You must read these in order. Although if you have to read it by itself, the author does good on background information.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.… (mais)

I had such a great time with this novel! This is the fourth book in the Outlaw Hearts series and I would recommend reading the series in order since the series features the same main characters throughout the series. In this book, Jake is in his 60s while Miranda is in her 50s and I really appreciated the fact that this romance was about a couple that has been married for 30 years. This book was probably my favorite of the series so far.

After the events from the previous installment, Miranda is in a bad place at the start of this book. She has lost most of her confidence and doesn’t want Jake out of her sight. Jake has been very patient and wants to see her get better. While they are in town, Miranda finds herself in danger and Jake does what he must. Over the course of this story, Jake will find himself in danger several more times. The story was really exciting and it is obvious just how strong the bond is between the pair. I really loved the romantic aspects of this established couple that has been through a lot together over the years.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. I had such a good time with this book that I hated to set it aside. Jake, Miranda, their children, and grandchildren all play important roles in this book and the series as a whole. I almost feel like these characters have become a part of my family and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca.… (mais)

I enjoyed this book! Now that I am a little bit older, I do appreciate it when a book features a more mature couple. Jake and Miranda have been together for thirty years and have been through a lot in those years. Their children are grown with children of their own and the whole family plays a prominent role in this story. This is the third book in the Outlaw Hearts series, which should be read in order if at all possible, and the story picks up shortly after the events of the previous installment.

Jake and Miranda, along with the rest of their family, are now living on their ranch in Colorado wanting a quieter and more peaceful life. Of course, trouble seems to find this family, and Jake is soon forced to protect his land, his cattle, and Miranda. This family has been through a lot and they have proved to be resilient if nothing else. Things look really dire at a couple of points in this story and I was eager to see how things would work out for them. This story had no shortage of exciting scenes which were nicely balanced with the more heartfelt moments.

I would recommend this book to others. This is a really emotional story with characters that feel near and dear to my heart. I love how each member of the family plays a big role in the story, including the grandchildren. My only complaint is that the story felt a little too long. I can’t wait to read the next book in this wonderful series.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca.… (mais)