The infamous Jake Harkner has met his match. After being shot by Miranda Hayes, their lives take a twist and they end up holding each other's heart forever. Despite Jake being tracked across the country by the law, their love only grows stronger. Eventually the law catches up with Jake and he spends time in prison. When he finally gets out, it's with the condition he becomes a U.S. Marshall to carry the rest of his punishment for five more years in Guthrie, Oklahoma, some of the country where his own crimes were committed.

The 1800's are ruthless years with hazards at every corner and outlaws pushing the limits. After twenty-six years Jake and Randy have produced a son Lloyd, so like his father, and a beautiful softhearted daughter, Evie. Lloyd is a widower with a son and Evie is married to a doctor with a young son. Lloyd's demeanor is dynamite compared to Jake's nitroglycerin. Jake's fierce reputation precedes him and no man is willing to go against him, only those foolish enough to want to gain notoriety for the one that "kills Jake Harkner". About the time Jeff Trubridge arrives in town to write a book about the famous outlaw, Jake and his beloved family are threatened and Jake is again on the warpath and in a rage. All at once all the old wounds of his childhood and past evils are brought to the surface and Jake stands to lose not only his family, but his life as well.

As I sat down to begin DO NOT FORSAKE ME, I had no idea I would be compelled to keep reading until that last page was turned. This tale so filled with excitement, mystery, suspense, and a total commitment of love, has been one of the best and most fulfilling stories I have read. I instantly fell in love with Randy and Jake.

DO NOT FORSAKE ME is a fantastic story and part of the Outlaw Hearts series. If this story doesn't worm its way into your heart, nothing will. I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Roseanne Bitner's stories before, but I am very anxiously awaiting the sequel to this one. Bitner is one very talented author who knows exactly how to keep the reader part of the tumultuous journey. I absolutely loved DO NOT FORSAKE ME. I challenge anyone to put this book down once it's started.

Book Summary

Experience the epic, sweeping story of Jake and Miranda Harkner from Bittner's beloved OUTLAW HEARTS, called by New York Times bestseller Heather Graham "a wonderful, absorbing read, with characters to capture the heart and the imagination".

Fate brought them together. His past may tear them apart.

Miranda Hayes' life was changed the day she faced down infamous gunslinger Jake Harkner...and walked away with his heart. Their fates have been intertwined ever since. Hunted by the law, fleeing across a savage land, their desperate love flourished despite countless sorrows. Now, twenty-six years later, their family has finally found some measure of peace...balanced on the knife's edge of danger.

Jake has spent his years as a U.S. Marshal atoning for sins, bringing law to the land he once terrorized. But no matter how hard he fights the demons of his brutal past, the old darkness still threatens to consume him. Only Miranda keeps the shadows at bay. But when outlaws looking for revenge strike a fatal blow, Jake risks losing the one woman who saw past his hard exterior and to the man inside.

He always knew there'd be the devil to pay. He just never realized he might not be the one to bear the ultimate price.