Name: Lover of Romance 's review of Shadow Trail by Rosanne Bittner
Item: Shadow Trail
Rating: 5
Author: Lover of Romance

Rosanne Bittner

A man whose tortured past won’t let go. A woman whose love goes beyond forgiveness. Jake Harkner is scarred on the inside from his tortured childhood and scarred on the outside from cruel beatings and too many gunfights. Years ago, a chance encounter with Miranda Hayes struck his heart like lightening and struck hers like thunder. Their ensuing storm-filled love match often threatened their years of marriage. OUTLAW HEARTS is the ultimate romantic saga, told through realistic history and events that settled the American West and tested a man and woman’s love beyond what most can handle. Now, thinking that the storms are finally over, the dark cloud of a woman from Jake's past appears on the horizon, creating an emotional twister that threatens to tear him from the woman he loves. Not only does Dallas Blackburn's visit force Jake to reveal a deep dark secret to his wife and family, but Jake is forced to break a promise he made to his wife of never strapping on his .44’s again. Only this time, Miranda vows she will not be left behind to wait and worry while Jake rides into danger. Come hell or high water, she intends to ride beside her husband into outlaw country. A bad man with a good heart, Jake Harkner is a classic hero Bittner’s readers fell in love with. You will, too, after reading SHADOW TRAIL. Follow Jake and Miranda's journey from their sprawling ranch in Colorado to northern Wyoming's Outlaw Trail for a final confrontation with Jake’s past of good and evil that could finally clear the storm clouds that have followed him all his life.

Shadow Trail 

Lover of Romance 

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

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂

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.

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.

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?

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!!

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.

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!

“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.”

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

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.

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Shadow Trail by Rosanne Bittner

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