What drives men into evil, and having done evil deeds, can he truly change? These questions were at the heart of this book, which I call a romance with some small reservation. It was romantic — but if you go into it expecting the simple, straightforward HEA structure, you’re in for a shock. This books takes a different approach, one that watched love grow, deepen, get tested, and survive over a quarter century of life, and covering two generations of men.
Miranda first meets Jake in a store in Kansas City, where she shoots the outlaw wanted for bank robbery, murder, and rape. Through a strange twist of fate, she ends up nursing him back to health, in both body and spirit. He tells her things about his past he had never told anyone, and he earns the precious gift of her forgiveness.
But Jake is a wanted man, and life isn’t easy. I don’t want to spoil this journey by talking about all the twists and turns it takes, though I will say that I struggled through parts in the middle, when the story almost seemed over, but wasn’t. I would say that there are three definite parts to this story, and each kind of slows down at first before rising again to a new climax. This could almost have been three books, but even though, at the time, I found the structure a little strange, in retrospect, I think it was wonderful because it told a different type of love story — one more meaningful and lasting.
I highly recommend this novel to romantics at heart. This is an older title that you may need to find through inter-library loan or find used, but it’s worth it!
Title: Outlaw Hearts
Author: F. Rosanne Bittner
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0553298070
Publication Date: February 1, 1993
Wonderful review. I think the formula can get hold sometimes so I look forward to a read like this one. If I can find it, I will read it. Thanks!