This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
About The Book
Abandoning everything she had ever known, Abigail Trent left her family and chose her fate–to ride with Zeke Monroe, half-Cheyenne scout, into the unexplored west. Together they faced peril, until Zeke found his mother’s people and became Lone Eagle, turning his back on the white man’s world. To stay with him, Abigail must become Cheyenne too–even if it means death and warfare.
“You are my peace and my refuge, Abbie girl. You are the most pleasing thing that has ever happened to me.”
My Review
First Impressions
This story continues pretty much one year after the ending of book one and I was so fascinated by how the author would move forward with Zeke and Abbie and see their story unfold. I was super excited to delve into this book and yes I just had to jump right into this after the first book. There was something so captivating about the ending of book one and I just had to see what was next for Zeke and Abbie. I was more than happy with this installment which I enjoyed even more than book one, There was a unique flavor that spiced up this story and added so much depth and unique storytelling. I was beyond thrilled to get more Zeke and Abbie and see them begin their happily ever after together, but as this is Rosanne Bittner, I also knew going into this one, there would be struggles and trial that our couple would need to face but there was also plenty of joy and character growth that comes from the struggle that we see here.
But if you get times when you don’t feel so brave, then you just let me be your courage, and I’ll do the same. Sometimes you’ll be the strong one. That’s what husbands and wives are for, Abbie, if they really love each other.”
Summary
Zeke and Abbie are reunited after being separated for a year when Abbie was injured and Zeke had to finish guiding the wagon train to Oregon. Now he has returned to his wife and they are journeying towards his home and his family where they will find the Cheyenne encampment Zeke and Abbie will be facing some trials, but also their marriage will grow stronger than ever. They both will have to learn how to adjust to their new life. Zeke and Abbie while home with their family, the reunion isn’t all peaceful, Abbie is still an outsider and it will take determination and love to find their way together with the Cheyenne people. But as Abbie and Zeke move forward in their relationship, they will also discover a beautiful strength in the love that they have for each other, and be blessed in ways they can’t begin to imagine.
What I Loved
Ride the Free Wind was a beautiful start to the beginning of the marriage between Zeke and Abbie. I was so happy to see how this boo evolved, and while it did have some trials, it wasn’t quite as heartbreaking as what we see in book one. I was so thrilled that we got to see our pairing here really grow in their relationship and also grow on an individual level as well. I really loved the way we see Abbie mature in this book, and her growth was beyond amazing within this one. I was cheering her on in this one, and I also loved the relationships she builds with Zeke’s family and makes her own friends among the Cheyenne women. We also see what she has to face with and without Zeke and there was a sense of purpose in her journey into finding her Cheyenne heart. The relationship between Zeke and Abbie was beyond beautiful and I just wanted more of these two, Their romance just grew in such depths and I loved what they learn together. We also get to see their family grow in ways that are expected and in moments that you least expect. There is also some historical events that are intertwined here, and the author did a beautiful job in capitalizing on it while also being respectful and sincere of historical events and those that suffered surrounding those events. I am eager to continue on with Zeke and Abbie’s story.
It was as Swift Arrow had said. Always it would be Zeke and Abbie, Abbie and Zeke, forever.
What I Struggled With
There wasn’t too much that I struggled with to be honest, I am not sure what keeps it from a five-star, I think I would have liked more page time with Zeke and Abbie. There is a big chunk of the book where they are separated but I understand why it was needed, but I do prefer more couple time on the page than less.
Overall View
I found Ride the Free Wind to be a story of growth, change, and love that deepens with time, it shows the joys in learning and growing amongst the trials of life. Its a story of sacrifice and abiding love!
Title: Ride The Free Wind
Author: Rosanne Bittner
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Format: eBook
Source: Library (Libby App)
Length: 445 Pages
Book Links
Amazon| Barnes and Noble| Kobo| Goodreads| LibraryThing| StoryGraph| Literal Club
Book Evaluation
Storytelling Quality: 4.5
Story Itself: 4.25
Character Development: 4.5
Writing Style: 4
World Building 4.25
Feels + The Romantic Heart 4
Pacing 5
Plot 4
Cover Art 3.5
Ending 4
Book Ratings
Overall Rating of the Book
Steam Level
Simmering—soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warm- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Trigger Warning
Violence, Bullying, Whipping, Animal Death, Death
Series Order
Savage Destiny
Sweet Prairie Passion-Pub 1983 #1 in the Series
Ride the Free Wind-Pub 1984 #2 in the Series
River of Love-Pub 1984 #3 in the Series
Embrace the Wild Land-Pub 1984 #4 in the Series
Climb the Highest Mountain-Pub 1985 #5 in the Series
Meet the New Dawn-Pub 1986 #6 in the Series
Eagles Song-Pub 1996 #7 in the Series
About Rosanne
I am a USA-TODAY best-selling author with 40 years, 75 books, and numerous writing awards behind me. I have always written for standard publishers but am now writing strictly for Amazon so I have more freedom to write real history. My most recent publication is JOURNEY TO HIGH LONESOME. It’s the third book in my “Men of the Outlaw Trail” series (each book is an independent story). RIDE THE HIGH LONESOME and LAWMAN IN THE HIGH LONESOME are the first two, and more books are planned. My best sellers are my SAVAGE DESTINY series (7 books) and my OUTLAW HEARTS series (now working on #6 – BLAZE OF GLORY – coming November 2021). See my website (www.rosannebittner.com) for details on all my books – most available for Kindle and in print. I am known for great love stories filled with real history and high emotion. I have also written many Native American stories, all based on real history.
I love American history. For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800s and feature vividly described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I have also written about the Civil War, the American Revolution, the war with Mexico (the Alamo), and the war of 1812.
National magazine ROMANTIC TIMES has called me the “Queen of Western Romance” and an “emotional powerhouse.” My husband and I have traveled the west for nearly 40 years and I have visited just about every location mentioned in my books.
I really need to get to her backlist particularly the ones I have on my shelves. I might have some of this series. Glad the second book was even better for you. 🙂
This sounds like another great series. I am really enjoying Bittner’s writing so I have a feeling that this series would work for me. I will keep it in mind for when I get caught up with Jake and Miranda’s series.
Yes I am really enjoying it and she does representation well and does good research and this series is like the Outlaw Hearts series as it features one couple. And one of her most well loved series as well. So I would be curious to see what you think of it.
I love Rosanne Bittner’s books and reading your review reminds me it’s been too long since I’ve read one of her books