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Gone Outlaw
Dinah Hance can’t forget the day her best friend was murdered. All she wants is for the nightmares to go away. But when infamous outlaw Sal Valentin returns ten years later and kills her father in cold blood, moving on becomes impossible.
Devastated and desperate to be free of her haunted past, Dinah knows she can’t rest until she gets her revenge. She insists on joining the posse pursuing the Valentin Gang and leaves behind the only home she’s ever known. Determined not to be a burden, she makes every effort to show her mettle, but being a young unmarried woman traveling with eight men proves lonely and daunting.
When a reckless chase separates her from the posse, Dinah falls headlong into mortal danger, and gang member Joseph Gray saves her life. Seeing the good in him complicates her feelings, and Joseph finds himself torn between the gang that is his family and his attraction to Dinah. Now in the fight of their lives, strained loyalties and a dark secret will put Joseph’s courage and Dinah’s faith to the ultimate test. Can love cover a multitude of sins?
Gone Outlaw is a poignant and heartfelt novel by author Madison K. Thames. If you like classic Western adventures with rip-roaring action and a dash of romance, you’ll love this inspiring story of hope, healing, and beauty from ashes.
"Gone Outlaw is an incredible journey that had me captivated from the very beginning."
— Rob Wiethoff, Red Dead Redemption actor
"A gripping story with a deft and evocative narrative style authentically inhabiting the American frontier. A real pleasure to read, the pages fly by as danger and romance interweave the fates of two believable protagonists from opposite sides of the law... An exciting debut."
— Warren Fahy, New York Times bestselling author of Fragment
"There is lots of action in this one to satisfy the reader who likes shoot 'em ups and enough tender moments to satisfy the romance lover. There is also the element of faith. The characters are well portrayed, the writing good... I recommend it."
— Regan Walker, award-winning author of romantic historical fiction
"Madison Thames was born to write. Her characters live large on the page and the imagination."
— Adam Bray, author of Star Wars and Marvel books for DK
Devastated and desperate to be free of her haunted past, Dinah knows she can’t rest until she gets her revenge. She insists on joining the posse pursuing the Valentin Gang and leaves behind the only home she’s ever known. Determined not to be a burden, she makes every effort to show her mettle, but being a young unmarried woman traveling with eight men proves lonely and daunting.
When a reckless chase separates her from the posse, Dinah falls headlong into mortal danger, and gang member Joseph Gray saves her life. Seeing the good in him complicates her feelings, and Joseph finds himself torn between the gang that is his family and his attraction to Dinah. Now in the fight of their lives, strained loyalties and a dark secret will put Joseph’s courage and Dinah’s faith to the ultimate test. Can love cover a multitude of sins?
Gone Outlaw is a poignant and heartfelt novel by author Madison K. Thames. If you like classic Western adventures with rip-roaring action and a dash of romance, you’ll love this inspiring story of hope, healing, and beauty from ashes.
"Gone Outlaw is an incredible journey that had me captivated from the very beginning."
— Rob Wiethoff, Red Dead Redemption actor
"A gripping story with a deft and evocative narrative style authentically inhabiting the American frontier. A real pleasure to read, the pages fly by as danger and romance interweave the fates of two believable protagonists from opposite sides of the law... An exciting debut."
— Warren Fahy, New York Times bestselling author of Fragment
"There is lots of action in this one to satisfy the reader who likes shoot 'em ups and enough tender moments to satisfy the romance lover. There is also the element of faith. The characters are well portrayed, the writing good... I recommend it."
— Regan Walker, award-winning author of romantic historical fiction
"Madison Thames was born to write. Her characters live large on the page and the imagination."
— Adam Bray, author of Star Wars and Marvel books for DK
- GenresWesterns
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2023
23 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Madison Thames
1 book10 followersLifelong artist, writer, and cowgirl Madison K. Thames grew up riding horses and dreaming up stories in "Sweet Home" Alabama. After graduating from Auburn University in 2018, she launched her career as a professional artist, creating a wide variety of commissions for clients and selling her work at comic book conventions. Madison paints pictures with words as vividly and skillfully as she paints on a canvas. A lover of history and epic romance, she writes classic Western novels about rugged outlaws and spirited women who find faith, love, and adventure on the American frontier.
Madison is also a YouTuber, gamer, sci-fi/fantasy geek, and soundtrack enthusiast. When she's not writing or working on her latest art piece, you can find her out riding the trails or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
Madison is also a YouTuber, gamer, sci-fi/fantasy geek, and soundtrack enthusiast. When she's not writing or working on her latest art piece, you can find her out riding the trails or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 4, 2024
3.75 rounded up
Here is a western romcomers who enjoy fantasy epics will enjoy. If they can handle swordplay then they can handle such gunplay as the author brings into her tale.
An outlaw band wreak havoc in a small town and on a small farm. A young woman, Dinah Hance, sets out for revenge. Instead she winds up being captured by the gang. In time she falls for Joseph, one of its leaders.
But. Nothing comes easy.
Heartfelt and lots of fun with a tough, brave, good-looking cowgirl front and center from beginning to end.
Here is a western romcomers who enjoy fantasy epics will enjoy. If they can handle swordplay then they can handle such gunplay as the author brings into her tale.
An outlaw band wreak havoc in a small town and on a small farm. A young woman, Dinah Hance, sets out for revenge. Instead she winds up being captured by the gang. In time she falls for Joseph, one of its leaders.
But. Nothing comes easy.
Heartfelt and lots of fun with a tough, brave, good-looking cowgirl front and center from beginning to end.
December 13, 2023
Wow. Okay. Let’s talk about this 5 star rating of mine. Have I given a 5 star rating to a Western novel before this - y’know, like, to Monte Walsh, to Warlock, Deadwood, Appaloosa, The Bounty Hunters, Track of the Cat, The Furies…? But this…this I give 5 stars to…?
Yes, I do.
There’s this guy. I only know him from a distance, because he’s a BookTuber - a guy who makes YouTube videos discussing books. Reviews are a part of many BookTuber content - but anyway, this guy, he’s plugged in, so to speak; he’s networked and connected, meaning he gets sent a lot of books from self-published authors, or even small presses, because they want him to read his book. Of course! There’s a lot of BookTubers like him…but this one fellow is very specific about how he deals with disliking a book by a self-published author or aspiring novelist who just needs some kind of positive attention for their book. But when this guy doesn’t like the book, he has explained that he contacts the writer and has a private chat about the fact that he just can’t give that positive review of this poor person’s fiction. But at the same time, he soft-soaps his review, so it’s not all that scathing; he has feelings for the self-published writer - and from what I can tell, still tries to rate the book at 3 Stars, not less. And this BookTuber has explained this; he defaults to being kind, rather than being completely honest.
Hm. Since he’s admitted all this, it does make me think about his credibility, when reviewing books. But on the other hand, he’s explained that this is how he handles reviewing books from self-published authors that he has formed a bit of an acquaintance with, and so is not willing to hurt interest in a very unknown book. And I know, now, when one of his reviews fits this unfortunate profile. So I can read between the lines. And he does not give anywhere near 5 stars to any book like that.
Fortunately, now that I have taken a chance on Gone Outlaw, by Madison Thames, all my fears that I would have to use some kind of similar approach - with this Western Romance featuring Christian themes - bumping up enthusiasm to eke out a barely positive review for a book I know I would normally blast in a review…all my concerns about having to be nice so a not to hurt feelings or sales have been washed away by how wonderful a time I had with this book.
I only know Madison Thames as someone who does ‘reaction videos’ to movies, including Westerns. She started promoting her book a bit, it wasn’t too aggressive, I don’t pursue self-published stuff much but I decided I would take a chance this time because it is nice to show some support every now and then for this type of writer…and now I have to talk about Western films for a second, to bring this full circle.
McCabe & Mrs Miller is my favourite Western film, by a wide margin. It’s my second favourite film of all, any type of film. It is not altogether sensible for anyone to pick McCabe & Mrs Miller as their favourite Western…because it is an anti-Western. Not a spoof - an anti-Western. It exists to deconstruct Western motifs and trappings, to turn the expectations upside-down, while still somehow not insulting the genre it is part of but also pulling apart. So picking it as a favourite is weird, partly because it gives the opposite of what the genre normally succeeds at, and also because it relies on the success of the archetypes and motifs to exist. You can’t have an anti-Western without traditional Westerns. My favourite Western rejects what makes Shane, The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Red River, what have you. Picking the de-constructionist mutant of the pack is odd, but I guess this means that after 50 “traditional” Westerns, I’m appreciative, but I love when we go off formula. I can’t help it.
Now, I’ve been talking about McCabe & Mrs Miller the film, specifically. It was based on a novel. Loving the movie, I looked into ordering the original book. It’s rare. It would cost me a fortune. It does happen that I have been unloading some serious bank for some Fredric Brown books…but this is a different situation. I don’t need the novel McCabe & Mrs Miller, or rather I don’t need to spend a fortune to acquire it and can take a pass…because apparently it is nothing like the film. Robert Altman took a traditional, formulaic minor Western novel and turned it inside-out and gave us his masterpiece. And it turns out, when I’m in the mood for a fabulous, action-packed, endlessly entertaining Western novel, why spend crazy money when I can get ahold of something like Gone Outlaw?
Gone Outlaw is not McCabe & Mrs Miller (the film). It didn’t give me that. I never really expected it. What this book DOES give is a great and gripping trad Western experience. I cannot find anything to pick-the-nit with. Even the character of Daniel, where I was initially thinking “okay, well now, here we can start attacking, a bit - we don’t need the brother to show up and do zilch, we have Dinah’s mother present already to pressure Dinah to forsake her home and start anew, and we have the mom handy for the bad guys to threaten (sadly)…”. Well, you know what? Daniel gets his moment, later. It has to do with how he relates to Dinah, and a little surprise he tells her - so he’s kind of there to change Dinah, change our understanding of Dinah, but that’s cool. Everyone gets their moment, that expansion of their character: Jill, Lawrence, Tupper. I know I love a book when the action and pace are non-stop, but characters continue to unfold before our very eyes. All that is very well put together. As for Romance, and Christian themes - okay, not the reasons I would want to read a book…but from my viewpoint, nothing thematic, spiritually, and nothing lovey-dovey took over this book and smothered the story I loved. I mean, yes, the Romance is key, but if Dinah and Joseph felt they had time for any of that, and the latest cool twist in the plot didn’t get either of them killed, who am I to say neigh.
So, if it’s not the McCabe & Mrs Miller film, what film that I love is this like? You know what? - it can’t be Shane, or Liberty Valance, or High Noon, because they are not hidden gems. Gone Outlaw is the hidden gem of Westerns you should look into, instead of - or maybe in addition to - all kinds of much more famous books. But movies…? Hmm.
Forty Guns! This is Forty Guns! Well, okay, it’s not Forty Guns, it’s not that it copies Forty Guns in actuality - but yeah, this is like watching Forty Guns, the emotional twists and the tragedy, and the action and drama, revenge, betrayal, stand-offs, Barbara Stanwyck not taking crap and falling in love at the same time, the great Dean Jagger just falling from grace not being able to handle it as his world collapses. Oh if we could just grab Dean Jagger and put him, as Tupper, or that dude who gives Joseph the cross…
I can’t say I “couldn’t put it down”. Credibility…I’ve hinted it’s important to me. I did put this book down, about 5 times. On the other hand, I got no putdowns. It was so much fun, a perfect Western romp, and easy to recommend to anyone looking for a hidden treasure in the genre.
Yes, I do.
There’s this guy. I only know him from a distance, because he’s a BookTuber - a guy who makes YouTube videos discussing books. Reviews are a part of many BookTuber content - but anyway, this guy, he’s plugged in, so to speak; he’s networked and connected, meaning he gets sent a lot of books from self-published authors, or even small presses, because they want him to read his book. Of course! There’s a lot of BookTubers like him…but this one fellow is very specific about how he deals with disliking a book by a self-published author or aspiring novelist who just needs some kind of positive attention for their book. But when this guy doesn’t like the book, he has explained that he contacts the writer and has a private chat about the fact that he just can’t give that positive review of this poor person’s fiction. But at the same time, he soft-soaps his review, so it’s not all that scathing; he has feelings for the self-published writer - and from what I can tell, still tries to rate the book at 3 Stars, not less. And this BookTuber has explained this; he defaults to being kind, rather than being completely honest.
Hm. Since he’s admitted all this, it does make me think about his credibility, when reviewing books. But on the other hand, he’s explained that this is how he handles reviewing books from self-published authors that he has formed a bit of an acquaintance with, and so is not willing to hurt interest in a very unknown book. And I know, now, when one of his reviews fits this unfortunate profile. So I can read between the lines. And he does not give anywhere near 5 stars to any book like that.
Fortunately, now that I have taken a chance on Gone Outlaw, by Madison Thames, all my fears that I would have to use some kind of similar approach - with this Western Romance featuring Christian themes - bumping up enthusiasm to eke out a barely positive review for a book I know I would normally blast in a review…all my concerns about having to be nice so a not to hurt feelings or sales have been washed away by how wonderful a time I had with this book.
I only know Madison Thames as someone who does ‘reaction videos’ to movies, including Westerns. She started promoting her book a bit, it wasn’t too aggressive, I don’t pursue self-published stuff much but I decided I would take a chance this time because it is nice to show some support every now and then for this type of writer…and now I have to talk about Western films for a second, to bring this full circle.
McCabe & Mrs Miller is my favourite Western film, by a wide margin. It’s my second favourite film of all, any type of film. It is not altogether sensible for anyone to pick McCabe & Mrs Miller as their favourite Western…because it is an anti-Western. Not a spoof - an anti-Western. It exists to deconstruct Western motifs and trappings, to turn the expectations upside-down, while still somehow not insulting the genre it is part of but also pulling apart. So picking it as a favourite is weird, partly because it gives the opposite of what the genre normally succeeds at, and also because it relies on the success of the archetypes and motifs to exist. You can’t have an anti-Western without traditional Westerns. My favourite Western rejects what makes Shane, The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Red River, what have you. Picking the de-constructionist mutant of the pack is odd, but I guess this means that after 50 “traditional” Westerns, I’m appreciative, but I love when we go off formula. I can’t help it.
Now, I’ve been talking about McCabe & Mrs Miller the film, specifically. It was based on a novel. Loving the movie, I looked into ordering the original book. It’s rare. It would cost me a fortune. It does happen that I have been unloading some serious bank for some Fredric Brown books…but this is a different situation. I don’t need the novel McCabe & Mrs Miller, or rather I don’t need to spend a fortune to acquire it and can take a pass…because apparently it is nothing like the film. Robert Altman took a traditional, formulaic minor Western novel and turned it inside-out and gave us his masterpiece. And it turns out, when I’m in the mood for a fabulous, action-packed, endlessly entertaining Western novel, why spend crazy money when I can get ahold of something like Gone Outlaw?
Gone Outlaw is not McCabe & Mrs Miller (the film). It didn’t give me that. I never really expected it. What this book DOES give is a great and gripping trad Western experience. I cannot find anything to pick-the-nit with. Even the character of Daniel, where I was initially thinking “okay, well now, here we can start attacking, a bit - we don’t need the brother to show up and do zilch, we have Dinah’s mother present already to pressure Dinah to forsake her home and start anew, and we have the mom handy for the bad guys to threaten (sadly)…”. Well, you know what? Daniel gets his moment, later. It has to do with how he relates to Dinah, and a little surprise he tells her - so he’s kind of there to change Dinah, change our understanding of Dinah, but that’s cool. Everyone gets their moment, that expansion of their character: Jill, Lawrence, Tupper. I know I love a book when the action and pace are non-stop, but characters continue to unfold before our very eyes. All that is very well put together. As for Romance, and Christian themes - okay, not the reasons I would want to read a book…but from my viewpoint, nothing thematic, spiritually, and nothing lovey-dovey took over this book and smothered the story I loved. I mean, yes, the Romance is key, but if Dinah and Joseph felt they had time for any of that, and the latest cool twist in the plot didn’t get either of them killed, who am I to say neigh.
So, if it’s not the McCabe & Mrs Miller film, what film that I love is this like? You know what? - it can’t be Shane, or Liberty Valance, or High Noon, because they are not hidden gems. Gone Outlaw is the hidden gem of Westerns you should look into, instead of - or maybe in addition to - all kinds of much more famous books. But movies…? Hmm.
Forty Guns! This is Forty Guns! Well, okay, it’s not Forty Guns, it’s not that it copies Forty Guns in actuality - but yeah, this is like watching Forty Guns, the emotional twists and the tragedy, and the action and drama, revenge, betrayal, stand-offs, Barbara Stanwyck not taking crap and falling in love at the same time, the great Dean Jagger just falling from grace not being able to handle it as his world collapses. Oh if we could just grab Dean Jagger and put him, as Tupper, or that dude who gives Joseph the cross…
I can’t say I “couldn’t put it down”. Credibility…I’ve hinted it’s important to me. I did put this book down, about 5 times. On the other hand, I got no putdowns. It was so much fun, a perfect Western romp, and easy to recommend to anyone looking for a hidden treasure in the genre.
August 1, 2023
4 and 1/2 Stars - A First Book from a Talented Writer, a Story from the Old West
Set in 1883, this is the story of Dinah Hance, who lost a girlhood friend and part of her family to outlaws who plagued her town. Dinah vows revenge for the murders and insists on joining the posse pursuing the gang. But before she does, she has an encounter with one gang member who seems unlike the others. Joseph Gray has been with the outlaw leader since he was a boy, looking to him as a father figure after the Great War robbed him of his parents. Torn between the gang that is his family and his attraction to Dinah, he’s forced to consider what he really wants in life.
There is lots of action in this one to satisfy the reader who likes shoot ‘em ups and enough tender moments to satisfy the romance lover. There is also the element of faith. Dinah’s faith is crumbling in the face of tragedy and Joseph’s faith is only now coming to the fore. The characters are well portrayed, the writing good and the ending sweet. I recommend it.
Set in 1883, this is the story of Dinah Hance, who lost a girlhood friend and part of her family to outlaws who plagued her town. Dinah vows revenge for the murders and insists on joining the posse pursuing the gang. But before she does, she has an encounter with one gang member who seems unlike the others. Joseph Gray has been with the outlaw leader since he was a boy, looking to him as a father figure after the Great War robbed him of his parents. Torn between the gang that is his family and his attraction to Dinah, he’s forced to consider what he really wants in life.
There is lots of action in this one to satisfy the reader who likes shoot ‘em ups and enough tender moments to satisfy the romance lover. There is also the element of faith. Dinah’s faith is crumbling in the face of tragedy and Joseph’s faith is only now coming to the fore. The characters are well portrayed, the writing good and the ending sweet. I recommend it.
June 11, 2024
This is one of the best "Westerns" I've ever read, and I've read more than most people can count. I almost didn't buy it because I thought it would be "sweet" or get bogged down in "Christian" overtones. But as it turned out, I would have paid ten times the price...it was that good!
The romance aspect was satisfying but not overdone. The action was riveting!
As I neared the end of the book, it struck me that the story was about the heart and soul inside a person: the thing each of us search for and question until the second comes when it leaves flesh behind...to live wherever souls live after that.
Kudos to the author. I'm looking forward to her next book. In the meantime, I encourage any reader whose had doubts to take a chance. You. Will. Not. Regret. It.
The romance aspect was satisfying but not overdone. The action was riveting!
As I neared the end of the book, it struck me that the story was about the heart and soul inside a person: the thing each of us search for and question until the second comes when it leaves flesh behind...to live wherever souls live after that.
Kudos to the author. I'm looking forward to her next book. In the meantime, I encourage any reader whose had doubts to take a chance. You. Will. Not. Regret. It.
January 15, 2025
This book was so good!! It was a beautifully written story, with vivid descriptions, action, romance, and a wonderful Christian message of forgiveness. As well as that it's never too late to ask God for forgiveness and start a fresh and new life.
Parents guide: There was some western violence in it, but nothing too graphic. A few uses of "hell" and a couple of "damn", as well as a bad guy calling a girl "slut". One deep kiss but nothing else. Overall, a clean read.
Parents guide: There was some western violence in it, but nothing too graphic. A few uses of "hell" and a couple of "damn", as well as a bad guy calling a girl "slut". One deep kiss but nothing else. Overall, a clean read.
February 22, 2024
Within a few pages I was hooked, which was surprising since I am an occasional reader of Westerns, even more occasional reader of Christian fiction and never read Romance! But Madison K Thames’ first novel caught my attention and I got drawn into it.
What did this? A well-constructed narrative, interesting and appealing characters and a story that weaves into the action a deep interest in religious questions of sin and forgiveness, love and mercy. All the while, to the author’s credit, this dimension does not overwhelm the story or distract readers with a less theological leaning.
I do not want to reveal anything of the plot beyond that it takes a classical revenge trope common in many great western novels and movies and subverts it. Where does vengeance end and justice begin. Can someone who is apparently evil really change? And what’s the cost of seeking out justice?
Thames’ heroine is a very appealing character, a young woman of deep faith who has to struggle with her sense of moral outrage, balancing hatred and revenge with a sense of justice. In short, avoiding losing her soul in the pursuit of justice. Her challenge faces many people: can one do evil for the sake of good?
My favourite character is the antihero. His role in the events of the novel and his relationship with the heroine highlights not just the romantic dilemma but the religious overtones and undertones of the story. It’s a battle not just over doing the right thing, winning or losing her love, but for his soul.
What Ms Thames does very well is sketch out morally complex characters, not simply the hero and heroine, but also many of the supporting characters. Even the villains, with one exception, come across as less than wholly evil. The main villain is an exception - I read him as an empty, cynical and manipulative figure. A satanic figure, in short…reminiscent of the bland banality of the character Safin in the James Bond movie No Time to Die. (This the author should take as a compliment- I am of the minority view that Safin is an excellent villain simply because of his blandness and self-absorption).
On a technical level, this is very much a first novel. While the story moves at an excellent pace, occasionally the prose turns a bit purple, and feels as if the author is trying too hard to echo the great western writers of the past. But on balance this is a minor quibble.
In the end, the question is: would I read this again? Yes.
Do I want to read more about these characters? Yes.
Should readers get this book and read it? Yes.
What did this? A well-constructed narrative, interesting and appealing characters and a story that weaves into the action a deep interest in religious questions of sin and forgiveness, love and mercy. All the while, to the author’s credit, this dimension does not overwhelm the story or distract readers with a less theological leaning.
I do not want to reveal anything of the plot beyond that it takes a classical revenge trope common in many great western novels and movies and subverts it. Where does vengeance end and justice begin. Can someone who is apparently evil really change? And what’s the cost of seeking out justice?
Thames’ heroine is a very appealing character, a young woman of deep faith who has to struggle with her sense of moral outrage, balancing hatred and revenge with a sense of justice. In short, avoiding losing her soul in the pursuit of justice. Her challenge faces many people: can one do evil for the sake of good?
My favourite character is the antihero. His role in the events of the novel and his relationship with the heroine highlights not just the romantic dilemma but the religious overtones and undertones of the story. It’s a battle not just over doing the right thing, winning or losing her love, but for his soul.
What Ms Thames does very well is sketch out morally complex characters, not simply the hero and heroine, but also many of the supporting characters. Even the villains, with one exception, come across as less than wholly evil. The main villain is an exception - I read him as an empty, cynical and manipulative figure. A satanic figure, in short…reminiscent of the bland banality of the character Safin in the James Bond movie No Time to Die. (This the author should take as a compliment- I am of the minority view that Safin is an excellent villain simply because of his blandness and self-absorption).
On a technical level, this is very much a first novel. While the story moves at an excellent pace, occasionally the prose turns a bit purple, and feels as if the author is trying too hard to echo the great western writers of the past. But on balance this is a minor quibble.
In the end, the question is: would I read this again? Yes.
Do I want to read more about these characters? Yes.
Should readers get this book and read it? Yes.
July 7, 2023
“A fork of lightning ignited the horizon, outlining a man sitting astride a horse some hundred yards ahead. No sooner had he appeared than he vanished with a clap of thunder. Dinah swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.
Had she imagined him?”
Dinah Hance is trapped in a loop of anger and grief. She yearns for adventure and exploration, even as she’s tied down to her family’s failing homestead. Joseph Gray is surprisingly honest and loyal: no lies and family first, even when that family is an outlaw gang. It’s nothing short of a whirlwind as their paths collide. Madison Thames weaves a a vivid and poignant tale of bitterness, forgiveness, love, and finding your way under the Old West skies.
Had she imagined him?”
Dinah Hance is trapped in a loop of anger and grief. She yearns for adventure and exploration, even as she’s tied down to her family’s failing homestead. Joseph Gray is surprisingly honest and loyal: no lies and family first, even when that family is an outlaw gang. It’s nothing short of a whirlwind as their paths collide. Madison Thames weaves a a vivid and poignant tale of bitterness, forgiveness, love, and finding your way under the Old West skies.
September 14, 2024
This is one of the best "Westerns" I've ever read, and I've read more than most people can count. I almost didn't buy it because I thought it would be "sweet" or get bogged down in "Christian" overtones. But as it turned out, I would have paid ten times the price...it was that good!
The romance aspect was satisfying but not overdone. The action was riveting!
As I neared the end of the book, it struck me that the story was about the heart and soul inside a person: the thing each of us search for and question until the second comes when it leaves flesh behind...to live wherever souls live after that.
Kudos to the author. I'm looking forward to her next book. In the meantime, I encourage any reader whose had doubts to take a chance. You. Will. Not. Regret. It.
The romance aspect was satisfying but not overdone. The action was riveting!
As I neared the end of the book, it struck me that the story was about the heart and soul inside a person: the thing each of us search for and question until the second comes when it leaves flesh behind...to live wherever souls live after that.
Kudos to the author. I'm looking forward to her next book. In the meantime, I encourage any reader whose had doubts to take a chance. You. Will. Not. Regret. It.
August 18, 2023
Gone Outlaw has everything I'm looking for in a good western yarn. An excellent setting, multi dimensional characters that are believable, and great action and adventure. The pacing of the story kept me riveted throughout. You care about the main woman character as soon as she's introduced. The romance was handled beautifully and never fell into sentimentality. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I'm looking forward to Madison Thames' next novel!
July 21, 2023
Well written stoey.
Overall, the story moved along, the characters were well done. The author put much thought into each, revealing more of them as the story progressed. There were similarities to other stories, but they never took over. There some religious parts that "I" thought were not needed, but didn't take anything away from the story.
Overall, the story moved along, the characters were well done. The author put much thought into each, revealing more of them as the story progressed. There were similarities to other stories, but they never took over. There some religious parts that "I" thought were not needed, but didn't take anything away from the story.
August 23, 2023
A Real Page Turner
I just love a book that's hard to put down. This story had me hooked from the beginning to the end. So many twists and turns, it was a great read. I don't want to give anything away but the people in the book seemed so real. Madison Thames is a wonderful author. I look forward to reading another one of her stories.
I just love a book that's hard to put down. This story had me hooked from the beginning to the end. So many twists and turns, it was a great read. I don't want to give anything away but the people in the book seemed so real. Madison Thames is a wonderful author. I look forward to reading another one of her stories.
May 2, 2023
If you love Westerns and all the fun thrills and action, this is the book for you! Gone Outlaw has terrific, conflicted characters and a tough and determined female protagonist. It's a book you'll read in one sitting, barreling to the end, with a challenging romance that is 100% believable. Enjoy!
May 17, 2023
Deeply moving, cinematic, redemptive and romantic. “Gone Outlaw” is a captivating story that truly has it all! Once I reached the last page, I wanted to turn around and start reading it again from the beginning.
October 9, 2023
Fantastic
I couldn't put this book down.I get lost in my books.and become part of them.This book has so many elements to it.The characters are strong and some scary. A fantastic love story.I can't find book two.
I couldn't put this book down.I get lost in my books.and become part of them.This book has so many elements to it.The characters are strong and some scary. A fantastic love story.I can't find book two.
May 2, 2023
Terrific Western, exciting action, and a torturous romance that keeps you turning pages. Don't miss this!
September 12, 2025
Excellent book, wish there were a second book to follow up.
September 24, 2023
It took me entirely too long to read this for how good it was. It’s got a great pace, the story is great, and the characters are written very well. For a first time author, Madison really does a fantastic job in keeping you invested in the story. If you like enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, western romance, or western in general I genuinely think you’ll enjoy this book. I can’t wait for her to write more. And the best part, at least in my opinion, is that it’s a clean romance, so younger readers can get into to it as well.
September 24, 2023
It took me entirely too long to read this for how good it was. It’s got a great pace, the story is great, and the characters are written very well. For a first time author, Madison really does a fantastic job in keeping you invested in the story. If you like enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, western romance, or western in general I genuinely think you’ll enjoy this book. I can’t wait for her to write more. And the best part, at least in my opinion, is that it’s a clean romance, so younger readers can get into to it as well.
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