Amanda Porterfield longs to experience real adventure. So when she's offered a position in bustling Tucson, she leaps at the chance despite unknown dangers—dangers like the mysterious Seth Grover. As an undercover detective working to stop a gang of outlaws, Seth can't afford the distractions a woman like Amanda inspires. Yet when the fiercely intelligent beauty is thrust into the middle of a heist gone wrong, Seth will fight for a future that may never be theirs...even if it means risking everything he holds dear.
This was a great adventure. It’s another one where there’s a whole story and the romance is the second story, which doesn’t bother me at all. I liked both characters very much and was happy that they eventually got their HEA. I look forward to reading more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

The Outlaw is an entertaining novel that was filled with exciting adventure; the kind of adventure that Amanda Portefield longed for to escape the monotony of her days. The writing style made it easy for me to be sucked into the author’s imaginary world filled with relatable characters and unpredictable plot threads. I thoroughly enjoyed being captivated from the start of the book all the way to the end. The pace was consistent and thrilling which kept me continuously turning the pages.

Amanda Portefield was a strong willed, spirited leading lady who had the misfortune to find herself in a few sticky situations. Some of those situations made me laugh while others made me grimace. It was to Amanda’s great fortune that the hero, Seth, possessed the uncanny ability to be nearby to rescue her, most of the time. Seth was greatly distracted by her intelligence and beauty and she couldn’t hide her interest in his mysterious persona. I mean, seriously, who could resist an undercover detective working to stop a gang of outlaws. I can’t deny that I found Seth to be more than enticing for me. I could feel the romantic tension when they were together.

While this is the third book in a series it can be read on its own. The fact that the plot threads were all tied up with a happily ever after at the end of this book made The Outlaw the ideal romance book for me. I would strongly encourage my family and friends to read this delightful, engaging and well written love story.

Heading for the Arizona Territory was Amanda’s chance for adventure. Sure, teaching a couple of youngsters wasn’t the height of adventure, but still she was here in this new, untamed land and she was going to enjoy herself. If the family she was working for was a… bit off. She kept her head down, minded her own business (for the most part) and took in all that this frontier had to offer. Which included the handsome, reclusive and more than a bit dangerous Seth who was also staying at the boarding house.

Seth has been working undercover long enough to fall into the “might be an outlaw” persona with relative ease. He better make it seem his natural self for there was a lot at stake on this job. Which was exactly why he couldn’t risk getting involved with the lovely newest member of the boarding house. If his thoughts turned to Amanda a bit too often, well he was a man and she was one fine woman. But he had to stay in character at all times, and that also meant keeping her safe… and away from the danger that always lurked around him. He hadn’t counted on the mutual attraction that was growing between them – or the fact that she was right in the middle of a snake pile and if she’s not careful she’s going to get more than bit, she could get dead.

I enjoyed Last Chance Cowboys: The Outlaw so much. If you’re in the mood for a bit of mystery, some rough and tumble history, and a romance that was meant to be – then this story and this series is one that should be on your reading radar. Seth and Amanda worked. The “will they, won’t they” push and pull of this couple was both fun and frustrating (in the good kind of way). I liked them, they felt realistic and just enough conflicted to make their romance believable. I’d recommend this story to any Historical or Western Romance reader. I’m betting that you’ll head back to the beginning (if you aren’t following the series) and find out what came before this story in the series. I had fun with this one, and that’s why I read Romance of any genre.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

The Outlaw is a story of intrigue, danger, and romance all in one. Anna Schmidt has written a historical western romance in which she takes me back in time to the Arizona Territory, where things are very much limited for a woman who wants adventure in her life. Amanda Porterfield wants more than her life on the ranch and is given a chance when she goes to Tucson to be a tutor for 2 children. On her own she has to figure out how to get her students engaged to learn and to stay clear of the handsome man who is staying in the room across from hers. She is intrigued by Sam Grover and somewhat attracted to him but knows he’s really not right for her. Somehow she gets tangled up in his investigation and he ends up saving her more times than he wants, and she begins to care for his safety. Falling in love was the last thing on both their minds but there is no denying that there is something there between Amanda and Sam.

Discovering Anna Schmidt has been one of the best finds when it comes to reading historical westerns. She is a gifted storyteller and writes about family, struggles and finding love in the old west. The Last Chance Cowboys series has been a sweeping saga and totally engaging for this fan. The Outlaw had me enthralled from beginning to end and was very hard to put down at bedtime. The author had the right mixture to weave multiple characters and storylines together with a few twists to make this a wonderful story. If you are a fan of westerns grab yourself a copy of The Outlaw.

Don’t worry about jumping into a series because this one can be read as a stand-alone.

This book was okay, nothing spectacular. I liked the characters but found the plot pretty boring. I enjoyed the writer's writing style though, and will look for other books by her, hoping to find the story more engaging.

Amanda Porterfield wants to live an independent life on her own away from her parents so she accepts a position to be a governess in Tucson for two teens. She meets the overbearing, widowed father of the two teens and begins to feel uneasy about the position. The father has paid for her to live in a boarding house in Tucson and she is determined to try out this new position regardless of her worried feelings. Seth Grover is a handsome, undercover detective, investigating a band of outlaws while living in the boarding house. He immediately notices the beautiful red-headed Amanda and tries to ignore his feelings. He must keep his mind on his job and not be distracted. This appealing story is so pleasing to read. I found the characters to be likable and realistic and the plot was engaging and animated. I love historical fiction and this story was a great example of romantic "cowboy historical fiction". I would definitely recommend this book to all!

Last Chance Cowboys: The Outlaw by Anna Schmidt will be available July 4, 2017 by Sourcebooks Casablanca. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Story showcases the changes life throws at you and how it changes us. Amanda longs for adventure and Seth's life us full of it... with danger as its main component. At times the story lags and the author doesn't fully develop the characters enough so that the reader feels empathy for them.

a good read, best one yet in the series.