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Book Review-Do Not Forsake Me

by | Jul 9, 2015 | Book Reviews | 1 comment

Book Review-Do Not Forsake Me

I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review-Do Not Forsake MeDo Not Forsake Me by Rosanne Bittner
Also in this series: Outlaw Hearts, Love's Sweet Revenge, The Last Outlaw, Blaze of Glory
Series: Outlaw Hearts #2
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on July 7th 2015
Genres: American West, Favorites, Historical Romance
Pages: 480
Format: eBook
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 9781492612858
Goodreads
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five-stars

Experience the epic, sweeping story of Jake and Miranda Harkner from Bittner's beloved Outlaw Hearts, called by New York Times bestseller Heather Graham "a wonderful, absorbing read, with characters to capture the heart and the imagination".
Fate brought them together. His past may tear them apart.
Miranda Hayes' life was changed the day she faced down infamous gunslinger Jake Harkner...and walked away with his heart. Their fates have been intertwined ever since. Hunted by the law, fleeing across a savage land, their desperate love flourished despite countless sorrows. Now, twenty-six years later, their family has finally found some measure of peace...balanced on the knife's edge of danger.
Jake has spent his years as a U.S. Marshal atoning for sins, bringing law to the land he once terrorized. But no matter how hard he fights the demons of his brutal past, the old darkness still threatens to consume him. Only Miranda keeps the shadows at bay. But when outlaws looking for revenge strike a fatal blow, Jake risks losing the one woman who saw past his hard exterior and to the man inside.
He always knew there'd be the devil to pay. He just never realized he might not be the one to bear the ultimate price.

My Review

 

Summary

Its been twenty six years since Miranda and Jake’s life changed and their lives became intertwined with one another. They have raised two children, been hunted by the law and gangs, and their bond has only strengthened despite the tough challenges that sought to break them apart. Jake and Miranda are living in peace for the first time since they met, Jake is working for the government as a U.S. Marshall, for the past two years, both of their children reside in the same town with them, they have made strong friendships and trusts. But there is a new danger heading their way, a band of outlaws want revenge and will use Jake and his family to get it. Jake is determined to take them down, and with his strong son at his side, he believes he can face whatever lies ahead. But nothing prepares him for what the outlaws have planned, and soon it will be  race against time, Jake will have to use every weapon he has at his disposal to save those he loves the most, but he realizes that he will need to face his inner demons first in order to save his family.

Plot and Story Line

Do Not Forsake Me continues off two years after “Outlaw Hearts” we have seen in the previous story this beautiful epic love that Jake and Miranda have built and strengthened. But their challenges are not over in Do Not Forsake Me . They will be faced with new challenges. Jake is a U.S. Marshall along with his son, Miranda is keeping a secret about her health from Jake, Jake and Miranda’s daughter and her husband’s lives are about to be tested, we meet more of the ‘grandkids’ (and boy were they all entertaining, so lively and they have both Jake and Miranda in them, we see Jake struggle with his past once again, and see him struggle more in this story than the last one. We also get the same amount of emotional display as we saw in Outlaw Hearts and did this one put me through the ringer, in fact probably more so than the first book –which is saying quite a bit. There are many moments in this book that just broke me down in tears, and I don’t want to reveal too much, but I will say that they are powerfully moving and make you think about what is really important in life. This story gives us insights into our own beliefs and desires for life and love. We see how love truly can heal us even from the deepest of wounds, wounds most people never see unless we let them see. I found myself constantly moved by Jake and Miranda’s love for each other, even their children’s relationships with their spouses were deeply motivating. Now I do want to mention one aspect, you can read this as a stand alone, the author gives enough background information you won’t get lost, however I highly recommend you read the first book before this one. And I have my reason for saying that, because there are some things you won’t fully understand unless you read the first book, and this story won’t make as much of a impact unless you get the full story behind Jake and Miranda and what makes them so special. I will say this, if I had to choose one couple, these two would win hands down…NO CONTEST!! They won my heart from the beginning, and after Do Not Forsake Me I was shown how strong their bond is to each other, and there are times when they are separated and that doesn’t keep them from growing together, it actually proves them in a way that magnifies what they have. So if you love historical romance, or a passionate love story this one is a must for you!!

The Cover

I just love this pose these two have, its full of passion and power. Her dress is just gorgeous, and boy is that man gorgeous or what??!!! And that little bit of grey at his temples is a beautiful touch.

Overall View

Do Not Forsake Me is a sensually woven love story, action packed, emotionally driven in ways you can’t comprehend, and utterly stimulating!! This powerful saga romance continues…

About Rosanne Bittner

For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800's 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 must be doing something right, because more and more men are writing to tell me how much they enjoy my westerns, too. Louis L'Amour has always been one of my favorite writers, and I am very flattered that my male readers compare my books favorably with his!

As many of you already know, I was selected as the September 2013 Spotlight Author on fellow romance- writer Winnie Griggs' website, "Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace." Winnie writes inspirational historicals for Love Inspired, and she conducted a very extensive interview with me about my life and my writing. If you missed it, you can still read the interview here!

Recently we lost an icon of TV westerns, James Arness, better known as Matt Dillon of the longest-running TV western ever, GUNSMOKE. I was very saddened to hear this, partly because Matt Dillon was my hero in my teens, and also because there are so few TV heroes left — actually, none that I can think of. TV sets no good examples of a strong line between "good" and "bad" any more. The old westerns did that. Cheesy sometimes, but kids understood that if you did something "bad" you had to pay for it. Respect, honor, manners — very little of any of that on TV any more. GUNSMOKE survived as long as it did because it had several characters with whom one could identify and empathize — like Doc Adams, Chester Good, Festus, and Matt Dillon's long-time "girlfriend" Kitty. The only western hero left as far as I can see is Clint Eastwood. When he is gone it will be a HUGE loss for quality movies as well as another icon of western movies and also TV (remember Rowdy Yates of RAWHIDE?). I always wanted to be able to meet James Arness in person, but now that will never happen. Still, he remains "alive" to me through continued re-runs of GUNSMOKE, which I watch every evening.

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1 Comment

  1. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    I seriously loved this book and am so with you on the little spot of grey on his temples. I so thought the same on that. lol

    I really need to go back for book one now. I’m trying to motor thorugh my review pile so I can have that fun read 😀

    Reply

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