Bitterroot Crossing

by Tess Oliver

**Newly edited version with brand new bonus prologue**     A love triangle that crosses centuries . . .     For Nick Crush, the only thing cool about his town, Bitterroot Crossing, is the gang of outlaw ghosts that rise occasionally from the town's swamp. But when he finds himself competing with the most notorious spirit and his own ancestor, Zedekiah Crush, for the affections of Jessie Sterling, suddenly the whole ghost thing isn't so cool.     Jessie Sterling inherited her great-great-grandma's shorter left leg and incredible beauty, a beauty that a century and a half earlier sparked a love triangle that ended in tragedy. Now Jessie leaves the safety of her grandma's farm to attend high school in town . . . and Bitterroot Crossing will never be the same.**Contains some strong language**     The uneven buzz of a motorcycle grew closer. The sound of it helped to lift my mind from the blackness surrounding it. I turned. Nick Crush stood straddling his dirt bike, his long hair blowing in the ghostly breeze, and his dark blue eyes staring in disbelief at his ancestor. Then his gaze moved to me. "Are you O.K, Jessie?"     His question stunned me at first. Had he come up here to help me? The thought of it lifted the bleakness that had crept inside even more. The sky seemed to brighten as if he'd brought some of his own light with him.      "I'm fine."     "Who are you, boy?" Zedekiah's voice had deepened to a menacing growl.     "I'm Nick Crush, your great-great-grandson."     "I have no descendants. I gave my only son away."     "Well, pops, I've got news for you. Even if you gave him away, you still ended up with descendants. And I'm one of them."     Zedekiah's fluid expression morphed between puzzled and angered.     I glanced over toward Nick. "Your great-great-grandfather doesn't have a terrific knowledge of science. The descendant idea seems to be somewhat confusing to him."     "Enough!" The roar of Zedekiah's voice shattered the grayness above and a steamy mist fell in heavy droplets around us. Suddenly Nick and his bike flew off the ground. He hovered at least ten feet up in the air.      Nick clung to the handlebars. "What the hell are you doing?" The warm droplets clung to his hair and bike. I could taste their acidity on my lips.     "I'm keeping you away from her," Zedekiah answered then glanced at me. "I don't like the way you look at her."     "Me? The way you're gawking at her is not exactly innocent." The bike lifted higher.      He floated precariously a good twelve feet above ground but he showed no fear.     "Please be careful, Nick." I yelled up to him. I wasn't sure how to reason with Zedekiah, but it occurred to me that the thick-headed ghost still believed me to be Rebecca. I used my firmest tone. "Zedekiah Crush, you put that boy down instantly." Again, I should have chosen my words more carefully. The bike came down fast. Obviously deciding mid fall to distance himself from his bike, Nick pushed it out of his path and smacked the grassy ground with his body, several feet from his bike.      I ran to him. "I'm so sorry. That was my fault.

Genres: Young Adult, Ghosts, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, High School, Paranormal Romance

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2011

About the author

Tess Oliver is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Custom Culture series and a large collection of other romances. She is well known for her relatable characters who "become your friends" as you journey with them and for intriguing stories that will have you "devouring her books in just one day". Tess has been featured on USA Today's 'Happy Ever After' site, and in publications including Glamour UK and Elle UK magazines.

Reviews

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me explain the Sapp-o-Meter Reader, before I get on to my review. These are all books that involve romance and when romance is done correctly, without being overdone, it gets a zero, hence Angelfall. Now, when a book has overdone the romance to the highest possible extent it gets a ten, so there we have Hereafter.

In my opinion a book should never, and I mean NEVER, have to go above a zero, but sometimes, it happens, and we live with it. This book, scored a 4.5 on my Sapp-o-Meter because of it's over-dramatics and world revolving love.

In overall ranking I would give this book a solid 2.5 My reason for this is because it was better than okay, but it wasn't something I would be out there demanding people to read it because I liked it. That is too strong of a word. It was by far an enjoyable book to read, and I read it all in one afternoon.

Jessie, one of our main characters, is an innocent girl who has been home schooled all her life, and never so much as stepped a foot towards the small town of Bitterroot Crossing. When social services has come after her mother died, demanding that she goes to public school, her grandmother is terrified.

You see, Bitterroot Crossing is a ghost town. 150 years ago Zedekiah Crush, and his Crush gang were hung. Zedekiah Crush was in love with Jessie's great-great-great grandmother, Rebecca, and in a stand off with the towns lawman, over more things than the law. They were both in love with Rebecca, who was said to have the most beautiful face that ever graced the earth. Well, that and one leg shorter than the other. The day Zedekiah was hung, he was in a draw with the lawman, and after Zedekiah pulled the trigger, Rebecca jumped in front of the bullet, he killed her instead of him. After that he willingly took death by hanging. The lawman took care of him and his whole gang, and left the bodies there, over the land, to someday be consumed by the swamp, and to haunt the townspeople forever.

Now, her grandmother is terrified because Jessie looks exactly like Rebecca, at least in all the pictures, she has even inherited her great-great-great grandmothers short leg. So now her Nana is worried that the Crush Gang and Zedekiah will rise from their swamp and start to wreak havoc on her granddaughter.

Jessie is beautiful, innocent, and she walks with a bit of a limp. How much trouble could she cause? Well in the small town of haunted Bitterroot Crossing, a lot. On her first day of school she meets Nick Crush, oh yeah, Zedekiah Crush's great-great-great grandson.

Nick is immediately drawn to Jessie's beauty, but so is Zedekiah's ghost. This is a love triangle, that can survive across the centuries. With both Nick and Zedekiah going head to head against one another for Jessie's love.

Now, the reason why this book doesn't get completely thrown out the window, is because the stories concept was actually exciting, and the action started immediately. There was no waiting around we just jumped right in.

The reason why this book does not get a topnotch rating from me is because this story is told in alternating perspectives, and while that rocks, I absolutely love alternating pov's, the characters started to completely mesh together towards the end. I would forget who is who towards the end and their voices were exactly the same. Plus, there is the sapp-o-meter rating of 4.5, this book is pure, what a woman wants to hear kind of thing. No realistic qualities to the story, even besides the stuff with the ghosts, it just wasn't real, and the solution was found way to easy.

In all I say this is an excellent fluff read for those bored and lonely days. Just curl up by the fireplace, get a cozy blanket, grab your comfort food and buckle in for a few hours of sappy love entertainment.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really liked camille by Tess Oliver but these last 2 books, which are more modern day stories are just filled with terrible language.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

*WARNING: Review may contain minor spoilers.*

Due to the fact that my Amazon gift card turned out to be not nearly as endless as my Kindle wish list this is another book that I found myself borrowing from one of book lending sites for Kindle. I did not purchase this book nor was it gifted to me by the publisher/author.

I'll admit that the whole love triangle thing has been a bit overdone as of late but Tess Oliver managed to write one of the ones that I enjoy. The kind where you love both of the guys for different reasons [the same reason why I love Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel]. I mean come on, Zed brought Jessie a kitten. A KITTEN. This big bad outlaw loved her great-great grandmother, and now her, so much he saved a kitten from a falcon/hawk just to bring it to her. It's sweet and so...not outlaw like. Yet there's times where is totally ruthless. And than there's Nick who is the modern day bad boy. Both of them have their perks and their faults which makes this the perfect kind of love triangle. You can actually see why Jessie would be torn between the two of them. Unfortunately the characters themselves do not exactly treat it as a love triangle, all of them deep down seem to know exactly who belongs with whom which takes a little away from it in my opinion.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story and the way in which they interacted with one another, particularly the relationship between Zedekiah Crush and his great-great-grandson and the one between Zedekiah and Jessie. Noticing a trend here? I won't admit to having chosen a team for this particular stories but you may notice I have certain...leanings. You'll have to read the story to see who Jessie chooses as her own true love. And remember, if Meg Cabot has taught us anything, don't discount the ghost.

I'm giving Bitterroot Crossing by Tess Oliver a three point five out of five. It was a good story but it just didn't quite have that extra oomph for me to solidly land it in to the four category. I will tell you that despite exhaustion hitting in last night from having a four o'clock morning I found myself having to get through the last thirty percent of this novel to find out how it ended. So it is a GOOD read. You will find yourself getting caught up in this story. It’s worth every penny of it’s ninety-nine cent cost on Amazon (for the Kindle edition). And remember, Kindle books do not have to be read on the Kindle they can be read on computers/smart-phones/tablets/laptops. Happy reading!

[Kirsty & Erin Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a couple of reasons that I chose this book as my next from Tess Oliver's back list. Firstly, I had fallen in love with Tess's writing in her book Freefall so I decided that I would choose something a bit different - and this certainly fit the bill and secondly, the dude on the front caught my eye when Tess posted the new cover on twitter.

The story is about the town of Bitterroot Crossing and the legends living on through descendants of the original families but also the ghosts of a notorious gang that caused mayhem for the town a hundred years ago. Nick, descendant of Zedekiah Crush, has a second name that has his whole town drawing preconceptions of him. Jessie, descendant of Rachel, Zedekiah's only love is going to the local high school for the first time. Her adventure down the mountain from her Grandmother's farm has her encountering both members of the Crush family, alive and semi-alive. She has to deal with misplaced affections from Zedekiah and stirring feelings for Nick. All the while, her sudden presence in the town has caused the other ghostly members of the Crush gang to step up their game and bring even more mayhem than usual for the town.

This is the first ghost story I have read. And while it does have its own gang of ghosts, it is primarily a love story. The story is told from both Jessie and Nick's perspective which is something that I also really enjoyed about Freefall. I think it really helps to build the male character more as usually books are written from the female perspective of the hero. I also thought it was really useful here as there were more than one love interest for Jessie here and it was good to see her conflicting emotions for the two characters.

As I said already I chose this specifically because it was way at the other end of the scale genre-wise from Freefall but also because it was a ghost story. If you had read the blurb and had been put off by the fact that there are ghosts in the story then don't let it. It wasn't cheesy ghosts wearing bed sheets with slits cut out for eyes. It was really easy to imagine Zedekiah as a real person, or rather how he would have been in his earlier life.

This is a fun, romantic YA read with a bit of a twist. Tess Oliver

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book! First let me say that I love a good ghost story when there is a twist. Bitterroot Crossing is all of that and more. I was so intrigued with the storyline that I finished the book in one setting.

Back in the 1800's a bandit named Zedekiah Crush and his men were hanged in the town of Bitterroot for terrorizing the citizens and the accidental murder of Zedekiah true love Rebecca. After their deaths their bodies were paraded around town and eventually thrown carelessly into the swamp causing their souls to return to reek havoc on the town's residents.

The great-great granddaughter of Rebecca, Jessie Sterling has been keeping a low profile by being home schooled by her mother. However, when her mother passes away, she is forced to attend high school for the first time. Rumors have been flying about Jessie being a horribly disfigured freak when in fact she has a slight limp, one of the most beautiful souls and faces anyone could wish for. On her first day at school her beauty does not go unnoticed by bad boy, Nick Crush, great-great-grandson of the infamous Zedekiah. He is instantly intrigued by her as well as his bitch weasel girlfriend, her fan club and not to mention the ghost of Zedekiah and his gang.

The pairing of Nick and Jessie will cause more calamities and problems than the townspeople of Bitterroot Crossing could ever dream of. I jeered at the vile bad guys, laughed at the dialogues, and marveled at the purity of spirit found within Jessie. She puts a new meaning on the adage catching flies with honey. I love a good story where the underdog comes out on top and this book provides that in spades.

To be fair, I am a staunch fan of Tess Oliver; however, I think she would even say that I am objective in my reviews. So with that being said, pick up this book because it is truly amazing.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an off-beat one for me, it's a ghost story, flat out. It's told in a shifting pov between the male and female mc's, who struggle with some malevolent ghosts, and the great-great grandfather of the boy, who's back and competing with him for the affections of the girl. This was a fun read, with some moments of real emotion, but mostly just kind of wacky for me. I kept expecting Scooby and the gang to show up, it was that kind of omg ghosts are chasing us around, what's really going on, how can we stop them. The writing is lovely, the descriptions of the mountain where Jessie and her grandmother live are poetic and sweet, as is the character of Jessie herself. Honestly, I loved A Little Less Girl so much, and it's pretty much a contemp romantic drama without any paranormal activity, that my expectations for Tess Oliver are out of sync. Every one of her books (only read 3, I guess, but still) are so different from the other. I bet she had fun writing this, I had sure fun reading it.

[Amee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if I set my expectations too high because I just finished (and loved) Safe Landing, but Bitterroot Crossing fell a bit short for me. I liked the idea of a love triangle between Jessie, Nick and the ghost of his great great granddad Zedekiah, whose been dead for quite some time now. Even the tragic backstory of Zed and Rebecca's love was a draw, but the whole Crush gang terrorizing the citizens... Didn't care much for those parts.

Tess Oliver's writing was consistent with the two previous books I've read by her and I really enjoy her style and pacing. Will def continue to be a fan of hers!

[Megan Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rates somewhere between a 2 and a 3. I'll go with a 3 based mainly on the inclusion of multiple characters with disability and the exploration of themes like prejudice and inclusion vs. othering. Points for "scenic" creativity; minus points for predictability. Both books by this author that I've read seem perfect for middle grade readers, though very concerned with "true love", which may or may not be the best reading material to promote to the impressionable...

[Revati Ragini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, it's just too unbelievable. To think that there are ghosts haunting a town and the whole world takes no interest? And they are so supposedly dangerous, yet they never seem to hurt anybody, just occasionally cause some damage. I think you either need to build a new world or come up with a reason that the rest of the world isn't noticing, like haunting only a few members of the town. But seriously, the town has a ghost alarm?

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story takes place in a small town where long ago a love triangle turned horribly wrong and caused several lives to end. Now in the present day these ghosts haunt the town causing trouble. Most of the story is about the descendants following in the foot steps of their family. It has romance, action, and humor. A good read!

[Azra tariq · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time round reading the blurb, the story didn't really appeal to me as it had a historical presence in it. But then reading the views for it just pretty much made up my mind. Must say I loved every curious moment of it. A story Totally filled with anticipation and love and hate towards the ghosts.

[Pipin Kurniawati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is the first ghost story i have read. To be precise about Zed, who happened to be back from his swamp and competing with his great-great grandson for affection of a girl named Jessie. This is fun read with some moments that left me smiling and giggling. And i enjoy it that the story is told from both Nick and Jessie's pov. Plus zed and nick is great haha

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall story. I really liked Tess's other book Camille so I decided to give this one a try. Unfortunately it had teen swearing and talk of sex. So that kind of hurt the book for me. The story was fun to read but nothing too different from a lot of the other teen reads lately.

[Hmr28 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, very neat idea. It could have used more world building. Is this a world where ghosts wandering about is normal? Is it only in this town? The movement to the climax was a little slow as well, but otherwise a well thought out well written book.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this author wrote that last book I read and there was a two chapter teaser at the end of the book for Bitterroot Crossing. It caught my interest. Easy, entertaining, quick read. A little bit of language, there are some punk high school kids.

[Emily Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique....bone chilling....awesome....love story for the ages!! This book was wonderful! I couldn't put it down. I bought it on Amazon.com this afternoon and just finished it. It is definate MUST READ!!!!

[Shawna LeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to read this book, not because it was long, it was actually pretty short. I just could not get really into it. It was an okay story line but nothing really popped out to me. It also ended pretty fast.

[Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! This is the first story I ever read by Tess Oliver and has proven not to be my last. It reading this story makes me smile and laugh. It makes my day brighter. The love between th ose of the love triangle are sweet and funny. This is a story you wont soon stop thinking about.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because it was so cheap on my Kindle and I ended up really liking it. The story was fun and the dialogue between characters was engaging. It had a lot of unexpected twists and turns and I couldn't put it down. Great, fast, fun read!

[Alise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this might be better than Camille even though it's by the same author. It was worse. Camille was more realistic than this and Camille was about WEREWOLVES. Anyway. I'll be avoiding Oliver in the future.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Ghosts usually do not interest me, but I loved it. I could relate on how Jessie felt about being different, and how Nick had an instant pull to protect her. Overall you should take the time and read this!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was funny, really it was, despite the "ghosts trying to destroy the town thing" i mean it was GREAT i laughed and was tense and then it was all good cuz the ghost-ies all got de-ghostified and the good ghost got his rest! yay! plus Nick is great haha

[Jennifer Polys fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie and nick fight for their feelings for eachother and their lives against a ghost gang. whom have come back to wreck havoch around town but its not that it seems to be the gang doesnt work together as once believed.

[Rabin Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bitterroot crossing is fun, easy and a nice read. The story is sweet and the writing is beautiful.. The only thing that i didn't like that the story was short and there is no sequel.. But nonetheless it was great.

[Ashley Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess Oliver writes great fast-paced love stories that are awesome when you're looking for a quick read! Plus, you can't beat $.99 for the kindle! I love all of her books!

[Stacey Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable YA book. Could be more to it--I'd read more about the characters.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable story. It was fast paced and unique. Definitely worth the 99 cents on kindle.

[Mare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute love story with ghosts. A quick read.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitterroot Crossing was a great read! Enjoyed all 4 hours of reading it!