What do you think?
Rate this book
Westward America #2
Into the Valley: The Settlers
Into the Valley is the moving story of one woman torn between two brothers who have drastically different visions of the future of their country.
In 1780, during the turbulent days of the American Revolution, Annie Barnes is engaged to stable, loving Luke Wilde, an Ohio Valley farmer who is satisfied with his life and not at all sure that it's right or advisable to fight the British crown. But because of a life-changing experience in her childhood, Annie also has strong feelings for his brother, Jeremiah Wilde, a wanderer who becomes deeply involved in the patriot cause and ends up bringing the war a little too close to Annie and Luke's settled life. As the brothers become dangerously embroiled in the fighting, Annie's relationships with both of them are twisted, tried, and tangled beyond recognition. As Luke and Jeremiah face unimaginable dangers, Annie must confront her feelings about the future-both of the land she adores and the brothers she can't live without.
The second novel in Bittner's ambitious Westward America series, chronicling the history of the settling of America through the stories of its brave pioneers, Into the Valley is a story of war's unexpected effects on the lives of ordinary citizens, and of the courage of the early patriots showed in gaining America's independence.
In 1780, during the turbulent days of the American Revolution, Annie Barnes is engaged to stable, loving Luke Wilde, an Ohio Valley farmer who is satisfied with his life and not at all sure that it's right or advisable to fight the British crown. But because of a life-changing experience in her childhood, Annie also has strong feelings for his brother, Jeremiah Wilde, a wanderer who becomes deeply involved in the patriot cause and ends up bringing the war a little too close to Annie and Luke's settled life. As the brothers become dangerously embroiled in the fighting, Annie's relationships with both of them are twisted, tried, and tangled beyond recognition. As Luke and Jeremiah face unimaginable dangers, Annie must confront her feelings about the future-both of the land she adores and the brothers she can't live without.
The second novel in Bittner's ambitious Westward America series, chronicling the history of the settling of America through the stories of its brave pioneers, Into the Valley is a story of war's unexpected effects on the lives of ordinary citizens, and of the courage of the early patriots showed in gaining America's independence.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2003
21 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Rosanne Bittner
85 books623 followersI 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!
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!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 12, 2022
THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS SERIES WAS GREAT, BUT THE SECOND BOOK MUST HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY ANOTHER AUTHOR...VERY DULL, SILLY. AND UNDERDEVELOPED CHACTERS, WHO ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE SAYING SORRY. I THINK THE FIRST BOOK SHOULD BE A STAND ALONE.
August 19, 2014
Jeeerrrriiiiiimmmiiiaaahhhh!!!
Ok, this is not the worst book I've ever read. Not even close. But it was...oh man, I don't even know what to say.
Sloppy, I guess is the best word.
First, it's not a historical novel even though the author claims it is. This is a Harlequin-caliber romance. Kind of odd because the heroine is completely in love with both heroes (brothers)--throughout.
But back to the sloppy part. Setting is Revolutionary War Ohio. And anachronisms abound. Here are a few examples.
"But what if we have to...you know...pee?"--c. 1875-80
"I'd go nuts."--1914
Those in search of steamy sex will not be disappointed. Male manhoods are on liberal display during the frequent "mating"[s]. But I don't know, I just find it a little implausible that Jeremiah would be so insensitive as to enter Annie with such a "hard, hot thrust" when he was trying to "erase" the memory of her gang rape.
The phraseology is awkward at best. Reading it made me realize how mediocre my own writing is.
"Everything happened so quickly that Annie wasn't even sure at first of every event." Huh? I had to read that line 3 times to understand what the author was saying.
"slide down off the horse" Just slide off the horse, for Pete's sake! The direction is pretty much implied.
I'm sure the author is prolific. She's written 50 novels. But maybe she should have done a little more revision. Her prose could have been much stronger and clearer. A body of work of only 43 novels would still be impressive.
All that said, this was a quick, easy and engaging read and I'll probably give the author another try.
Ok, this is not the worst book I've ever read. Not even close. But it was...oh man, I don't even know what to say.
Sloppy, I guess is the best word.
First, it's not a historical novel even though the author claims it is. This is a Harlequin-caliber romance. Kind of odd because the heroine is completely in love with both heroes (brothers)--throughout.
But back to the sloppy part. Setting is Revolutionary War Ohio. And anachronisms abound. Here are a few examples.
"But what if we have to...you know...pee?"--c. 1875-80
"I'd go nuts."--1914
Those in search of steamy sex will not be disappointed. Male manhoods are on liberal display during the frequent "mating"[s]. But I don't know, I just find it a little implausible that Jeremiah would be so insensitive as to enter Annie with such a "hard, hot thrust" when he was trying to "erase" the memory of her gang rape.
The phraseology is awkward at best. Reading it made me realize how mediocre my own writing is.
"Everything happened so quickly that Annie wasn't even sure at first of every event." Huh? I had to read that line 3 times to understand what the author was saying.
"slide down off the horse" Just slide off the horse, for Pete's sake! The direction is pretty much implied.
I'm sure the author is prolific. She's written 50 novels. But maybe she should have done a little more revision. Her prose could have been much stronger and clearer. A body of work of only 43 novels would still be impressive.
All that said, this was a quick, easy and engaging read and I'll probably give the author another try.
September 18, 2011
The second book of the series. I was disappointed that the characters from the first book were not in the second book. They were, however, briefly mentioned. Luke and Jeremiah are the sons of the main characters of the previous book. This book was just as good as the first one. I did find the premise a little flimsy, and the conflict is just tooo easily resolved. Annie is drawn to two brothers. She slept with one brother(Jeremiah) who then left the next day without a word to her. Years later, Annie is engaged to the other brother (Luke) when Jeremiah returns, bringing the Redcoats in hot pursuit. Annie cannot decide which brother she loves. She feels she cannot disappoint Luke, but she feels that Jeremiah is her first love. Jeremiah tells her that he isn't good husband material and tells her to marry Luke, even though he will love her forever. But life isn't that simple.
October 3, 2013
I've read and loved so many of her books and I just can't figure this one out.
It's written at maybe a 6th grade level (not usual for her) so I thought it was young adult, but the sex talk and graphic scenes don't match that.
I think it's sort of Christian fiction as there are a lot of references to God. It's especially the end which makes me think that - although I won't say any more about the end except that I didn't like it much. But the heroine does some morally questionable things and doesn't seem too worried about it, so maybe not Christian? I have no idea.
I like my romances well written and complex and this one was mediocre and simple minded. I have trouble even believing she wrote this.
It's written at maybe a 6th grade level (not usual for her) so I thought it was young adult, but the sex talk and graphic scenes don't match that.
I think it's sort of Christian fiction as there are a lot of references to God. It's especially the end which makes me think that - although I won't say any more about the end except that I didn't like it much. But the heroine does some morally questionable things and doesn't seem too worried about it, so maybe not Christian? I have no idea.
I like my romances well written and complex and this one was mediocre and simple minded. I have trouble even believing she wrote this.
September 6, 2016
Rosanne Bittner's books truly embrace American history like no other author I've read.
Into The Valley was exciting, devastating, & inspirational. Two brothers who love one woman. One woman who loves them both for different reasons. The war of American Independence changed all they had built, sacrificed, & knew, nothing will ever be the same. But faith, hope, & love remain. Wonderful book.
Into The Valley was exciting, devastating, & inspirational. Two brothers who love one woman. One woman who loves them both for different reasons. The war of American Independence changed all they had built, sacrificed, & knew, nothing will ever be the same. But faith, hope, & love remain. Wonderful book.
March 20, 2008
2nd book in the three-part series by Rosanne Bittner. Was just as good as the first book - Into the Wilderness. Loved all three books......
August 1, 2019
Too much talk of "making love". Could have been just as good of a story without it.
September 14, 2013
This is really more of a romance series than a historical fiction series so I won't go out of my way to read any more of these.
March 22, 2014
Absolutely a must read!
December 12, 2015
Too much happens way too fast.
April 12, 2016
Hardly any mention of previous characters..continuity of one novel into another is vague. Disappointed
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews