Review Of The Last Renegade By Jo Goodman-5*

Title: The Last Renegade

Series: Bitter Springs #1

Author: Jo Goodman

Genre: Western Romance Suspense

Rating: * * * * *

Publishers: Berkley

(Sept 4, 2012)

Paperback: 384  pages

ISBN: 978-0425250969 

A stunning western historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Jo Goodman, one of today's “premier western romance writers.”*

SHE HIRED HIM TO PROTECT HER TOWN

As the owner of the Pennyroyal Saloon and Hotel, Lorraine Berry is privy to almost everything that goes on in Bitter Springs, Wyoming—including the bloodshed plaguing its citizens. With all of the good men dying at the hands of a local rancher and his three sons, Raine hires a shootist to be the town’s protector. But her handsome new employee is more than a hired hand; he’s a man who keeps his guns close and his secrets closer. 

BUT NOTHING COULD PROTECT HER HEART
 
After a chance encounter on a train, Kellen Coltrane travels to the Pennyroyal to carry out a dying man’s last wish. But once he meets the hotel’s fiery-haired proprietor, Coltrane finds himself assuming the role of the shootist’s accomplice and agrees to protect Bitter Springs. And as he learns more about Raine’s own tragedy, Coltrane can’t deny his growing desire for the courageous widow, or the urge to protect her from the threat that draws near…

I don't know if it's because I recently watched the last season of Longmire, but I've read oodles of western romance  books lately. I absolutely adored this first book in Goodman's Bitter Springs series. I love a good western romance and when you throw in a good mystery to boot, it ramps up my enjoyment 50%. 

You go into this story and after about 50 pages or so you think you know what's going on but let me tell you, you'll be wrong. Yes, I figured out a few of the minor mysteries but right up to the end Goodman keeps you guessing all while you are enjoying a wonderful romance. Luckily, I do have the other two books in this series and intend starting the second one shortly even though it's already past midnight. Ah, the joys of being retired and getting to read as long as I can keep my eyes open.

Bitter Springs
1. The Last Renegade (2012)
2. True to the Law (2013)
3. In Want of a Wife (2014)