Warriors and dreamers, pathfinders and rebels, the Monroes are a family divided between their Indian heritage and their white blood. At their head is the indomitable Abigail Trent Monroe, whose love for Cheyenne warrior Lone Eagle became a legend. Now, as the clan gathers for a long-awaited reunion on their sprawling Colorado ranch, old hatreds and new passions explode ... in heartbreaking tragedy for eldest son, Wolf's Blood; in a forbidden love affair between Abigail's wild grandson Zeke and a rancher's headstrong daughter; and in an agonizing choice Wolf's Blood's young son must make -- a choice that could seal his father's fate.
I am a USA-TODAY best-selling author with 41 years, 76 books, and numerous writing awards behind me. My major genre is historical romance. I have always written for standard publishers but am now writing strictly for Amazon so I have more freedom to write real history. My most recent publication is SHADOW TRAIL, the 6th book in my Outlaw Hearts series. I also wrote and published my first full-length contemporary story, DANCING BENEATH YOU, in September 2022, a romance involving mystery and a depiction of reservation life in the Badlands of South Dakota. My best sellers are my SAVAGE DESTINY series (7 books) and my OUTLAW HEARTS series. See my website (www.rosannebittner.com) for details on all my books - most available for Kindle and in print. I am known for great love stories filled with real history and high emotion. I have also written many Native American stories, all based on real history.
I love American history. For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800s and feature vividly described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I have also written about the French & Indian wars, American Revolution, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico (the Alamo), and the Civil War.
National magazine ROMANTIC TIMES has called me the "Queen of Western Romance" and an "emotional powerhouse." My husband and I have traveled the west for nearly 40 years and I have visited just about every location mentioned in my books.
Visit my website at www.rosannebittner.com and my Facebook Author page. And be sure to join Rosanne Bittner's Heart of the West Street Team! Happy reading!
Look, I've read books out of sequence before. In the hands of a good author you can still get the gist of what has come before while also falling into the new story. Author Rosanne Bittner buries me under an avalanche of characters and crushes me with the weight of their recap. So many characters are thrown at me, and most of them turn out to not be all that important to the story. The first part of this book is retelling everything that has happened in the previous six books. Don't be afraid you'll miss something important as there will be a retelling of the retelling. It isn't until a quarter of the way in that the story of Eagle's Song actually gets started.
I'm not going to file this on my historical romance shelf as there really isn't much romance going on here. This reads more like one of those generational sagas. If there is a main character to follow I would have to say it is Abbie Monroe and her dead husband, Zeke. Everyone goes on and on about Dead Zeke. If there is a main plot I guess it would be racism. Now lets look at the characters.
The male characters (so many characters!) are hard to distinguish from one another. (Except for Dead Zeke, because he's dead.) They all have the same voice, the same motivations. I was always struggling to remember is this the husband? The son? The grandson? The second cousin twice removed? They were all interchangeable.
The female characters are a mixed bag. On the one hand they are all set pieces. They are just there to support their man and have babies. Yet on the other hand it is with the the females that I found my one and only favorite character. Georgeanne Temple goes against her privileged upbringing and dares to fall in love with a man of mixed heritage. The young couple is torn apart by her racist father, leaving Georgeanne no other alternative but to go to college and become a professional geologist. Her skills will aide her in prospecting for gold up in them thar hills, and with the resulting fortune Georgeanne is able to exact revenge for the untimely death of her mother.
The 7th book to the Savage Destiny Series will definitely take your breath away at times. You will cry, get angry, be comforted, and be happy at times. The family reunion is a blessing to Abbie and the spirit of Zeke is with this family. True to Rosanne Bittner, tragedy is right around the corner. This family definitely lives in two different worlds. At times the Cheyenne versus White world brings about huge struggles and at others it shows such beauty. Zeke and Abbie have a wonderful legacy and a beautiful family. Abigail Monroe is a very strong woman and a true pioneer of the West. It just amazes me when I think about Abbie being a 15 year old girl that headed west with her family on a wagon train and lost all of that family. She falls in love with the half breed scout, Zeke Monroe, on that train West and they go on and have 7 children. These 7 children, one lost so young, the others struggle to find their Destiny in the world. Some of them find their way more in the Indian way of life, others more in the white world. All in all its definitely been, a Savage Destiny.
Really, you MUST get all 7 books in the Savage Destiny series and fall in love with Zeke and his Abbie!!! My heart felt every emotion possible with these two - I cried, laughed, stressed, rejoiced, cheered, worried along with them. When a book/series can do that, you *know* they're the best! If I could only keep one set of fiction books, this would be it, hands down, no hesitation!
While I always enjoy reading how a couple gets together, I *love love LOVE* the romance and story that follows the HEA/wedding. I think that's another reason why I so enjoy this series - it didn't just stop at the wedding - we get to experience all their joys and struggles through their married life - but yet how much stronger their love grows over time.
I was relieved to finally get to this book. My heart had been so involved with the Monroes that I was glad to have a final conclusion to their story. I loved that the final chapter in their saga ended years beyond the wedding and we got to see a glimpse into their family's future through the grandkid's lives. I was saddened with all the struggles and tragedies that still were prevalent in this family, but yet the strength of their love-bond proved unbreakable. I loved that there was several new happily-ever-afters for many. I just wish that it didn't take so long for Abbie to be reunited with Zeke at the end, but hey, I've noticed that RB tends to do that to my fav characters - make 'em wait for what they really want! :)
I finished reading this series this last spring and am looking forward to starting to read through this series again and again! Although, with as much as my heart tends to be involved with Zeke and his Abbie, I'll need to take extended breaks between visits.
These books take you on an emotional roller coaster ride! You'll laugh, you'll cry...and you, too, will fall in love with Abbie and Zeke Monroe and their growing family.
These books were so well-written...so descriptive. They take you back to a time in American History that is romantic, scary, tragic, rugged - the expansion into the American West in the mid-1800s. These books offer a spectacular historical account of what those years of settlement were like, both for Whites and American Indians. The author did a fabulous job of bringing this period of American History to life.
I almost feel like a part of me has died now that I've finished reading this Savage Destiny series by Rosanne Bittner. I literally feel like I was a part of the Monroe family. I have never read a love story like this and I will be hard-pressed to find one like this again. I'm glad I bought them all, so that I can re-read them whenever I want. And I will re-read them, again and again!
This review is of “Eagle’s Song”, the 7th and final book in the “Savage Destiny” series by Rosanne Bittner.
The Story: Abigail Trent Monroe is planning a reunion for all of her family members-children, grandchildren and various family branches-to the ranch her family owns in Colorado. While this is a happy occasion in many ways-including the return of Abbie’s estranged son Jeremy-it’s also the beginning of more trouble for the family as two of Abbie’s grandsons, Hawk and Zeke, are falling in love with white women. Hawk is in love with Arianne Wilder, whose brother is an agent on the reservation his family lives on. Zeke is in love with Georgeanne Temple, whose father, Carson Temple, is a hateful, bigoted man who wants the ranch Abbie owns and to keep his daughter from involvement with the multiracial Zeke.
More trouble soon follows. One of Abbie’s sons, Wolf’s Blood, loses his wife, Jennifer, to a shooting; he later kills the men who killed her and goes into hiding. Temple brutally assaults Zeke for daring to see Georgeanne, who later marry and have children.
As the years advance,love and loss, triumph and tragedy occurs for the Monroes and their descendants, but through it all, love remains.
Upside: As usual, Mrs. Bittner’s writing style is emotional and deep, touching every emotion on the wheel. I have never read an author who makes me feel, both good and bad, the way Mrs. Bittner does. Mrs. Bittner’s writing makes me think, feel, broadens my horizons and takes me places I never go in any other books I read.
Downside: The only downside for me is this is the end of the series. I would have dearly loved for Mrs. Bittner to carry this series all the way through history to the present day.
Sex: Mrs. Bittner is not known to me for her love scenes. They are fairly standard and only mildly exciting, focusing more on the emotions of the act than the esoterics.
Violence: “Eagle’s Song” is less violent than Mrs. Bittner’s previous books in the “Savage Destiny” series, but there are still assault, battery and murder scenes here. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: It is not hyperbole to say that “Eagle’s Song” is one of my all-time favorite books I’ve read.
Where do I start? Lord this is the most amazing book I have read. Rosanne is an amazing writer. I fell in love with this series and hate to see it end. I can only imagine the hardship of our native Americans. I have felt so many emotions reading and living thru this story. I'm so lost with Abbie's passing but she is where she wanted to be, back with her love Zeke. I name my two baby horses after Abbie and Zeke. I will keep Zeke as a stallion to replace my stallion Zip. He is so missed but his baby is as sweet as him. I sure hope Rosanne decides to write another book to add to this wonderful series.
This is the final book in the Zeke and Abby saga. This is the first series I've ever read that allows us the reader to follow the same H&H through out their entire lives. God how I cried at so many points in the series as well as smiled. I really enjoyed how well Bittner wrapped everything up. I was so sad for it all to end but this is definitely a series I will always love and treasure.
Where to start,,,I liked this series mainly because it didn't end with the women getting pregnant or even giving birth . Rosanne wnt so much further in her second book be having the growing children becoming a part of the story. At that point I realized that it was a series. I was so happy a actually jumped up and down. I bought thru remaining books to this series. I'm do glad I did because you can't put it down. It me 5 days to read them. If I didn't have kids a would have finished it sooner. Rosanne took us from the beginning to the very sad ending. I felt like I was living in their time I felt as if I knew them all. I'm not going to give away any spoilers except to say that Abbys and Seeks marriage was one of a kind. I hope for that in my own like some day. You will find yourself going thru the emotions with this set. Laughter, sorrow, anger, and manny tears. So keep the tissues with you. I also want to tell you I have been a fan of Rosanne for over thirty years. She has written some wonderful American Indian stories , but nothing like this one. She really just ended herself with this one wring from beginning to end. This is now favorite book this year. Thank you Rosann keep more of these commim......
This is the second time I have read through the entire 7 book series. Each time I was completely overwhelmed by Annie's story and the hardships she endured and conquered in her life story. But most of all the deep love and shared with the Love of her life, Cheyenne Zeke Monroe. Together they faced many hardships, racism, and cruelty from the invasion of settlers and soldiers, who killed many of their friends and loved ones, but not their enduring love for each other, their children, and the Indian people. Each time I reached the deaths of loved ones I literally sobbed many tears for their losses. A truly epic series of Love for all time. And history continues to repeat the disregard and prejudice toward the Indian nations and all people of different ethnic backgrounds. Why is Love for others so hard to obtain in this society? Thank you for this wonderful story of Love and compassion!
I have read all 7 of these books and they are wonderful, I loved each one they have so much history, love and sorrow .The author did such a amazing job you not only read them you live them ! I will be reading much more of Rosanne Bittners books they are so good. Buy Buy Buy !
Overall a great educational series. Did not like the way Wolfblood set up his son to be with his wife but the end was good. Glad she had the reunion at the beginning. Felt you were part of the family the entire series. Glad they finally have a Mexican part of the family. Ultimate melting pot.
I just finished book 7 of the Savage Destiny series. And I must say all the books were hard to put down. I love learning the history of our nation. These are so well written. The love stories of Abbie and Zeke and their family was beautiful. Thank you
Rosanne writes another beautiful series. Really hated to see this end. Have read almost everything she had written and will keep on reading her works as long as she writes. Felt like i was a part of the Monroe's et al.
Eagle's Song, book 7 in Rosanne Bittner's Savage Destiny series is exceptional, very emotional, and yet comforting. The Love Zeke and Abbie girl shared lasted only 30 years together here in this Land, but it never died. Now the entire family along with spouses, grandchildren, & great-grandchildren all are gathered to reunite one last time at Abbie's request. Who knew that in 1845 a young 15 year old Tennessee girl heading West with her family, would lose everyone one she loved and still find her true destiny in such a vast and unforgiving land, when the half-breed, Cheyenne Zeke walked into her fathers campfire and she offered him a cup of coffee. The Cheyenne were Beautiful People, but I believe Zeke and Abbie Monroe made them forever lasting with their love, courage, & legacy. Truly Savage Destiny.
Characters Abbie and Zeke Monroe. Roam the land, saw life brutal racism, Indians massacred. Even theirs own family deaths were brutal. Stuck to there beliefs. Reunited with his brother's. Many times Zeke away from home. Abbie with her 7 children. Reunited again there children grown. Some denied their Indian and white blood. Tear jerker many strong characters. Wolf Blood and Zeke die with honor. So heart breaking. Monroe family grandchildren becomes prosperous, doctors,lawyers,reporters and grandson Zeke Brown discovers gold. Hawk son Wolf Blood and Zeke true Indians. Abbie lives to nineteen hundreds. The mandolin that left. Worth 7 books to read. Great stories
The final book in the Savage Destiny series! The book nicely wrapped up the entire series. It was refreshing to follow Abby from a 15 year old girl to an old woman. This book touched me with the realization of time. So much happens in our lifetime and so many opportunities can be missed. This series was an incredible love story to the North American Indians that suffered as well as the Pioneers who braved the west. Everyone who likes Historical Fiction Romance and Indians should read this series. I feel I am a better person for reading it, and not many authors can have that kind of effect on their readers. Rosanne Bittner Rules!
I've read this series many times over the years and it never fails that I cry through many points of this book. What an ending to a saga that was epic for Me, it made me believe in true love and that sometimes the circumstances may not be what we pray for or want, but we can still draw strength from them. RoseAnne Bittner is a favorite author of mine and in the end of Abbie's destiny without Zeke, she has truly woven together a masterpiece worthy of every possible good thing, I or anyone else could say about it.
I enjoyed every word of this story, at timesI my eyes were so full of tears I could hardly see. What a strong, proud people, and how unfairly they were treated. I thank Rosanne Bittner for telling their story with truth, fairness, respect and love.
The Savage Destiny seven book series made me smile often and cry heartbreaking tears a few times. Rosanne Bittner always tells her stories so that I not only feel the emotions but I also have a perfect picture of the moments. I love reading all of her books.
This final book In the series was as good reading as the previous 6 books. What an interesting and joyful read they all turned out to be. If you love history, romance, and excitement then Roasanne Bittner books are for you. Enjoy!
I did enjoy this book, just not nearly as much as the others in the series. I do recommend you read it. Your heart was broken (maybe more than once) in the previous books and it may be mended by this final book. I will admit this was the only book in the series that I was not absolutely wild about. This felt like more of an afterthought, a "clean-up," to me. I feel like every character ever mentioned in the Savage Destiny series makes an appearance in this book (in some fashion or another) and it felt too busy. I suppose life with many grown children, grown grandchildren, and all the memories of the past will be messy though.