In this richly described historical, Bittner (the Outlaw Hearts series) unites a former Union soldier and a widow in the wilds of 19th-century Wyoming Territory. Kate Winters is traveling alone after surviving an attack on the wagon train she was in. She sees a man being hanged from a tree, and after his would-be killers leave him to die, Kate cuts him down. The man, Luke Bolden, tells Kate that his attackers stole his cattle after wrongly accusing him of being a thief. Determined to recover his cattle and protect the woman who saved his life, Luke takes Kate with him as he travels toward the town of Lander, where he believes he will find the thieves. After recovering the cattle, Luke and Kate encounter deadly outlaws and enjoy passionate moments, but Luke emotionally distances himself from Kate, as being jilted by his fiancée has left him wary of women. Touching, passionate romance between two wounded souls amid the beautiful landscapes of the West make this a page-turner sure to please fans of western historicals. Agent: Maura Kye-Casella, Don Congdon Assoc. (Nov.)

Bestselling Bittner kicks off a new historical western romance series. Kate Winters is left stranded and alone after outlaws slaughter her wagon party as they were heading West. Reaching the point of desperation, she stumbles upon thieves stringing up a man and stealing his cattle. She resolves to wait for the gang to leave so she can take the unfortunate man's supplies. But she quickly realizes that the hanged man is still alive and mighty angry. Luke Bowden is hell-bent on revenge on the outlaws who stole everything he had and left him for dead, and he is deeply indebted to the beautiful woman who rescued him. Now Luke must figure out how he and Kate can survive with the few supplies he still possesses. As a plan forms in his mind, his attachment to beautiful Kate grows stronger. How can he leave her alone in this treacherous land? This slow-burn romance is true to Bittner's signature focus on the emotional connection between the hero and heroine.--Patricia Smith Copyright 2010 Booklist