First off let me say Rosanne Bittner is my second favorite author, so her works of art line my library shelves with honor . I was beyond excited to get my hands upon this new novel of hers .
This historical romance takes place not too far after the civil war. Luke Bowden meets Kate Winters by divine intervention and his good luck ! He becomes beholden to her immediately after she saves his life from a hanging . 
There comes a point in the first half of the book when a guest appearance from a male hero from one of Bittners other books plays a small role . This character has such a strong masculine presence I felt from thence forth it broke down Luke Bowden's own masculinity for me.Though I love this other male character, I wish Miss Bittner had kept him in his own story so he wouldn't had unwittingly overshadowed Luke.
This is the only book of Bittners I just couldn't finish past half of the story. I felt both Kate's character and Luke's were lacking their back stories. I just wanted to know more beyond the death of her husband and father in the war and then with Luke all I knew was his intended married his brother while he was off in the civil war. I found myself in the middle of the book and also found Luke and Kate in the same place they were at almost the very start also , in not just the physical sense but emotionally too. We're they ever going to truly FALL FOR ONE ANOTHER ? Guess I'll never know.

Western Romance: 1869, Wyoming Territory
Kate Winters is the sole survivor of an attack on a wagon train going west. Wandering lost she spies a gang of men stealing cattle from a man they are hanging. When they leave she is able to cut him down and saves his life.

Luke knows he owes Kate his life so he brings her along on his journey to a town called Landers. There are many trials for both of them on the trip and it just keeps bringing them closer. But Luke can’t allow himself to believe it is true.

Can Luke work out his feelings? Can there be an end to the violence and a place for Kate to settle?

The plot flows along and even though it is not a unique storyline the author gives the characters real lives and emotions and the plot is satisfying. There is a small amount of sexy.

I recommend this book to my patrons.

Bitter certainly deserves the moniker Queen of Western Romances. The woman does know how to write a captivating story. The reckless west was not for the weak. Kate has faced her challenges whole Luke still battles inner demons. Yet he protects her after she saves his neck, literally. Inwardly they know they're made for each other, but it takes longer to convince him, of course. Bittners book has it all, love, lust, gun fights, hearts of gold in sour people. I love reading her books because that era will never be again.

In the unforgiving historical west, being the only survivor of a massacre is a death sentence but Kate is not the kind of woman to give up. She's almost out of water as she stumbles upon a hanging and is able to save the man, Luke, who in turn protects her from the outlaws and elements. Their path is not easy but they learn to thrive together. I enjoyed this western romance from well-known author Rosanne Bittner.

An action filled adventure story with a mildly steamy romance. This is my first book by this author and I found her descriptive prose about the country made me feel like I was there. The vast expanse of terrain, the Wild West lawlessness, the solitude of the unpopulated high country although the romantic couple managed to find more unsavory characters in the open terrain than in the nearest town.

I had a difficult time with the romantic aspect as I didn’t really connect with Kate or Luke. I found Kate’s continuous self-doubt dragging. And although I could understand Luke’s motivation, I thought his behavior to Kate just before their HEA, unkind.

Can you imagine being a female that lost her husband and father in the civil war and you head out West to join the only family you have left only to have your wagon train get ambushed. Everyone but you is killed and the outlaws burn everything that they do not take. This is Kate Winters reality. She's alone with only the clothes on her back with only barren land as far as you can see. Then you happen upon a group of men hanging a man. The vigilantes leave behind the mans horse with his supplies so you've got to see this opportunity or you'll never survive. As Kate approaches the hanging man she discovers he's still alive.

Luke Bowden owes Kate his life and he vows to keep her safe and get her to Oregon to her family but first he's out for revenge.

Rosanne Bittner has written yet another epic novel about the wild untamed west. This book will grab your attention in the first few pages and keep you needing to know more. You'll be cheering for Luke and Kate to find a happily-ever-after to make up for their trouble pasts. You'll have to read this page turner to find out if their happily-ever-after's are together and if they ever make it to Oregon.

An unforgiving, destitute land as far as the eye could see was all Kate Winter’s had to her name.
She was alive, panicked, but still alive, after the horrific attack.
Hanging, barely breathing with a little kick, was all the life that remained in Luke Bowden, until an Angel found him.

Two stranger’s brought together by fate in this wild, lawless land by a common bond.. Survival!

Rosanne Bittner is a master at creating lasting storylines, picturesque sceneries, and heroic couples who envelope her reader’s heart and soul, forever.

This book was given to me from netgalley for an honest review.