What do you think?
Rate this book
Westward America #1
Into the Wilderness: The Long Hunters
Rosanne Bittner launches a new romantic/historical series, Westward America!, which will look at the settling of the United States, with each book moving progressively west into a new location and era.
Into The Wilderness depicts the life of those who settled in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. The term "long hunters" refers to "Daniel Boone" type men who hunted for settlements and forts, sometimes leaving for months at a time. Florence ("Flo") Matthews is sixteen, and has her world turned upside down when a mysterious long hunter, Clete Barnes, saves her from a bear attack in the middle of the night outside her parents' cabin. Unable to stop thinking about her soft-spoken savior, Flo eventually tells her parents of her wish to marry Clete, but is warned by her mother that long hunters, with their travelling ways, are never truly able to settle down. Flo and Clete persist and are soon married, but true to form, Clete soon feels that he must go on another hunt if he is to keep sane. While he is gone, Flo and their young son are taken captive by Iroquois, and Flo's life is irrevoably changed. Clete eventually finds his wife and son, but whether she will take him back—and whether the Iroquois man whose son she has borne will let her go—remains to be seen.
Into The Wilderness depicts the life of those who settled in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. The term "long hunters" refers to "Daniel Boone" type men who hunted for settlements and forts, sometimes leaving for months at a time. Florence ("Flo") Matthews is sixteen, and has her world turned upside down when a mysterious long hunter, Clete Barnes, saves her from a bear attack in the middle of the night outside her parents' cabin. Unable to stop thinking about her soft-spoken savior, Flo eventually tells her parents of her wish to marry Clete, but is warned by her mother that long hunters, with their travelling ways, are never truly able to settle down. Flo and Clete persist and are soon married, but true to form, Clete soon feels that he must go on another hunt if he is to keep sane. While he is gone, Flo and their young son are taken captive by Iroquois, and Flo's life is irrevoably changed. Clete eventually finds his wife and son, but whether she will take him back—and whether the Iroquois man whose son she has borne will let her go—remains to be seen.
279 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
15 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Rosanne Bittner
84 books622 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 7, 2010
Into the Wilderness is the first installment in Rosanne Bittner's American West series. This first story begins in the midst of the French and Indian war, and features Noah Wilde, Long Hunter and spy, fighting along side the French and reporting back to the English. On his way back to Virginia to deliver news of a French victory and massacre, Noah comes upon Jessica Matthews in the forest as a group of Native Americans attack her. Noah and Jess save each other's lives and begin a difficult romance.
I enjoy historical fiction, but haven't read any historical romance in awhile. I picked this one up based on a description at NoveList, but ended up torn on my rating. The details of this bloody time in American history are well-researched and chilling. Bittner paints a fascinating scene of colonial life, with portrayals of Native Americans that are fully-formed and three dimensional - these are no mere cigar store Indians. The Native Americans in Bittner's novel are a proud, fierce and untamed people, with motives and loyalties that are as fundamental as those of the colonists.
Bittner also introduces the reader to many notable characters from American history, such as Virginia's Governor Dinwiddie, a young George Washington scouting for the British, and the Ottawa Chief Pontiac. Including these characters gives Into the Wilderness depth and showcases the deeds of these men, for good and sometimes evil.
The only real problem I had with Into the Wilderness was the romance. The main characters fell in love unbelievably quickly and with no real exposition, and the rest of their story was rushed. I also had some problems with the narration and dialog. For example, Jess says, "You're bad wounded mister." to Noah on page 28, then on page 77 she's say, "I know with all my being that he would be a loyal, caring, protective husband." when talking to her mother - only a couple of days have passed but Jess seems to have acquired better diction seemingly overnight. It's subtle, I know, but it bugged me.
Into the Wilderness is a good story overall and I'll probably pick up the other books in the series eventually, but I'm in no hurry. The historical aspects of the novel were first rate and interesting, I just wish the author had taken more time with her main characters to build a more realistic relationship.
I enjoy historical fiction, but haven't read any historical romance in awhile. I picked this one up based on a description at NoveList, but ended up torn on my rating. The details of this bloody time in American history are well-researched and chilling. Bittner paints a fascinating scene of colonial life, with portrayals of Native Americans that are fully-formed and three dimensional - these are no mere cigar store Indians. The Native Americans in Bittner's novel are a proud, fierce and untamed people, with motives and loyalties that are as fundamental as those of the colonists.
Bittner also introduces the reader to many notable characters from American history, such as Virginia's Governor Dinwiddie, a young George Washington scouting for the British, and the Ottawa Chief Pontiac. Including these characters gives Into the Wilderness depth and showcases the deeds of these men, for good and sometimes evil.
The only real problem I had with Into the Wilderness was the romance. The main characters fell in love unbelievably quickly and with no real exposition, and the rest of their story was rushed. I also had some problems with the narration and dialog. For example, Jess says, "You're bad wounded mister." to Noah on page 28, then on page 77 she's say, "I know with all my being that he would be a loyal, caring, protective husband." when talking to her mother - only a couple of days have passed but Jess seems to have acquired better diction seemingly overnight. It's subtle, I know, but it bugged me.
Into the Wilderness is a good story overall and I'll probably pick up the other books in the series eventually, but I'm in no hurry. The historical aspects of the novel were first rate and interesting, I just wish the author had taken more time with her main characters to build a more realistic relationship.
October 25, 2017
Started reading as I thought it was rec'd by Diana Gabaldon...was confused as the vocabulary and wording read at a grade school level but then there are sex scenes?
Update- Apparently there is another novel of the same name written by Sara Donati- I am guessing that is the one for which I was looking.
Update2- Diana has a blurb on Sara's front cover so indeed I had the wrong book. Whew. I'm not one to question Herself but this had me doubting her sanity.
Update- Apparently there is another novel of the same name written by Sara Donati- I am guessing that is the one for which I was looking.
Update2- Diana has a blurb on Sara's front cover so indeed I had the wrong book. Whew. I'm not one to question Herself but this had me doubting her sanity.
January 13, 2018
This book was dry compared to her other novels. The history was intriguing, but it seems the human aspect was neglected in some way.
May 11, 2018
expected to be reading about Flo Matthews & Clete Barnes. instead this was about Noah Wilde & Jessica Matthews. do not understand why book jacket & goodreads summary is misleading.
May 19, 2022
I enjoyed this book very much. There were two inappropriate sexual scenes that I skipped.
March 27, 2024
Maybe a 3 because she certainly did her research. Like a super condensed Last of the Mohicans which is a very difficult thing to be compared with.
January 31, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
September 27, 2021
Not really sure what book the description is for but it isn’t this one.
That being said, if you’ve enjoyed the western American colonization stories you’ve read in the Outlander series, you’ll like the interaction with the Iroquois in this book. The indigenous characters have more depth than portrayed by many authors.
In a nutshell…1750’s Pennsylvania teen Jessica marries former trapper/trader/spy Noah. Tragedy befalls. Girl and boy are separated. Boy searches for girl. Boy risks life. Adventure ensues.
Great book.
That being said, if you’ve enjoyed the western American colonization stories you’ve read in the Outlander series, you’ll like the interaction with the Iroquois in this book. The indigenous characters have more depth than portrayed by many authors.
In a nutshell…1750’s Pennsylvania teen Jessica marries former trapper/trader/spy Noah. Tragedy befalls. Girl and boy are separated. Boy searches for girl. Boy risks life. Adventure ensues.
Great book.
April 17, 2017
(the above provided book description is wrong)
Off of Rosanne Bittner's website:
http://www.rosannebittner.com/america...
Publisher's Weekly gave INTO THE WILDERNESS, the first book in the new Westward America series, such a wonderful review that I would like to share it with you in its entirety:
"Popular historical romance writer Bittner is off to a solid start with the first of her Westward America! series, which will examine the settling of America, moving progressively westward with each novel. Her tale begins in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains in the 1750's against the backdrop of the French and Indian War. The author's extensive research into 18th century Native American life as well as the dire circumstances faced by the New World's early settlers add zip to the budding romance between 16-year-old Jessica Matthews and heroic hunter Noah Wilde, who saves Jess's life during an Indian attack. Noah is a spy for the English; he's on top of French strategy and also knows which tribes favor the French or English in their territorial conflict. Bittner ably captures early colonial life, portraying - among other historical figures - a young George Washington, appearing as a scout for the British and guided by the able Noah. The drama peaks when most of the Matthews family is massacred during an Indian raid; Jess is kidnapped by a group of young warriors while other Indians take her toddler brother. The author's clever juxtaposition of fierce warrior behavior with touching acts of tribal kindness result in a three-dimensional picture of Native Americans. The powerful dual portrait of Jess, a remarkable survivor, and Noah, an experienced hunter and canny diplomat, gets this series off to an auspicious start." -- Publishers Weekly
Although Noah and Jessica are fictitious characters, INTO THE WILDERNESS is filled with real history, characters, and adventures that depict the courage and determination necessary for the birth and growth of the United States of America.
I love Rosanne Bittner's stories and have had this series on my TBR pile for a while.
I enjoyed this story for the history lessons, however the romance part of it didn't fully click for me. I know that RB has often separated her characters for long periods of time, but usually they are short in the book. In this story, most of the book was more about the history and Noah and Jess spent a good part of the book apart. Maybe if I felt a stronger connection between the two of them when they first met it wouldn't have been as noticeable.
Also, the book description was different than what the book actually was about, so I was expecting a certain storyline and didn't get it. That may have affected some of my enjoyment because I was looking for and expecting certain events that never occurred.
Overall, I did really enjoy the story. Looking forward to more journeys back in history with Rosanne Bittner.
Off of Rosanne Bittner's website:
http://www.rosannebittner.com/america...
Publisher's Weekly gave INTO THE WILDERNESS, the first book in the new Westward America series, such a wonderful review that I would like to share it with you in its entirety:
"Popular historical romance writer Bittner is off to a solid start with the first of her Westward America! series, which will examine the settling of America, moving progressively westward with each novel. Her tale begins in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains in the 1750's against the backdrop of the French and Indian War. The author's extensive research into 18th century Native American life as well as the dire circumstances faced by the New World's early settlers add zip to the budding romance between 16-year-old Jessica Matthews and heroic hunter Noah Wilde, who saves Jess's life during an Indian attack. Noah is a spy for the English; he's on top of French strategy and also knows which tribes favor the French or English in their territorial conflict. Bittner ably captures early colonial life, portraying - among other historical figures - a young George Washington, appearing as a scout for the British and guided by the able Noah. The drama peaks when most of the Matthews family is massacred during an Indian raid; Jess is kidnapped by a group of young warriors while other Indians take her toddler brother. The author's clever juxtaposition of fierce warrior behavior with touching acts of tribal kindness result in a three-dimensional picture of Native Americans. The powerful dual portrait of Jess, a remarkable survivor, and Noah, an experienced hunter and canny diplomat, gets this series off to an auspicious start." -- Publishers Weekly
Although Noah and Jessica are fictitious characters, INTO THE WILDERNESS is filled with real history, characters, and adventures that depict the courage and determination necessary for the birth and growth of the United States of America.
I love Rosanne Bittner's stories and have had this series on my TBR pile for a while.
I enjoyed this story for the history lessons, however the romance part of it didn't fully click for me. I know that RB has often separated her characters for long periods of time, but usually they are short in the book. In this story, most of the book was more about the history and Noah and Jess spent a good part of the book apart. Maybe if I felt a stronger connection between the two of them when they first met it wouldn't have been as noticeable.
Also, the book description was different than what the book actually was about, so I was expecting a certain storyline and didn't get it. That may have affected some of my enjoyment because I was looking for and expecting certain events that never occurred.
Overall, I did really enjoy the story. Looking forward to more journeys back in history with Rosanne Bittner.
July 14, 2016
This was a very exciting historical romance. It is set at the beginning of the French & Indian War against the British. Along with the Indians against the settlers, the British are being attacked by the French trying to push the British settlers back to the coast in hopes of taking the colonies for France.
Noah Wilde's wife and unborn child were killed by the French and their allies the Iroquois and his farm burned. He becomes a spy for the British and the French. He's playing a deadly game. Returning from a mission he sees a young girl being attacked by Indians. He intervenes and save her. He is severely wounded so she tries to carry him to her home and get him help. Her Father and older Brother find her and help get him to the farm house.
From there is more attacks. Missions, imprisonments, Indian captives. Corrupt governments
It is a very exciting and I recommend to anyone who likes historical romance. It is also 1st in series.
Noah Wilde's wife and unborn child were killed by the French and their allies the Iroquois and his farm burned. He becomes a spy for the British and the French. He's playing a deadly game. Returning from a mission he sees a young girl being attacked by Indians. He intervenes and save her. He is severely wounded so she tries to carry him to her home and get him help. Her Father and older Brother find her and help get him to the farm house.
From there is more attacks. Missions, imprisonments, Indian captives. Corrupt governments
It is a very exciting and I recommend to anyone who likes historical romance. It is also 1st in series.
August 15, 2009
Since 2003 I have determined to read at least one book set during the French and Indian War, my "favorite" war, each year. This was the first title in that initiative, set in the early days of the war on the Pennsylvania frontier. It was a light read - more of a romance than straight historical fiction with many rather cliche situations but pleasant enough. The book ended with some loose ends that would hopefully be picked up in later books in Bittner's Westward America series although I have not read any of them yet.
September 6, 2011
I really liked this book and intend to read the next one on the series. It's historical fiction set during the French and Indian War. I got caught up in the trials of Jessica Matthews and her husband-to-be. I hope the series becomes a saga of their family. Jessica was kidnapped by the Iroquois Indians who also killed the rest of her family. Noah tracks her down and saves her from being married to the man who kidnapped her.
February 22, 2012
Nothing would keep them from the love they shared. A true frontier love story! Giving incite into the hardships and fears of a life on the frontier. Also, showing the ignorance of those living the life of pleasantries and yet trying to doane the air of leadership over the life they had no knowlegde of first hand.
May 15, 2014
I just loved this book. It is very graphic in the Indians ways of capture, but well worth reading. The love between Noah & Jessica is strong and faithful. Before our country was settled, the colonist went through many hard times. This is a really good look into our country prior to winning the French/ English war.
Read
December 3, 2012This title combines romance, adventure, and history in a way you might find appealing. It is the first of a series that follows the settling of America, and involves both Native American and white settler storylines.
March 20, 2008
The 1st of the three part series written by Rosanne Bittner. Loved the book and had a hard time putting it down........
September 14, 2013
It was ok. I'll probably continue reading this series for historical background and I do tend to get hooked on historical fiction done in series.
March 1, 2014
Beautifully written. What a wonderful book. Book takes place back in the 1800's. Noah Wilde saves a kidnapped Jess from the Indians. They married in the end. An extremely romantic novel.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews