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Trail Blazers #7
Outlaw Bride
Breaking him out of prison was the easy part...Bridget Callaghan was willing to do anything to save her family, stranded in the Cascade Mountains. The only man who could attempt such a treacherous rescue mission was Cole Ellis, but he was behind bars—and condemned to hang!
Bridget's boldness in breaking him out of jail was the jolt Cole needed to give his life purpose again. But with a posse at their heels and the mountain looming, she couldn't help but wonder if putting her trust in this tough, life-hardened man wasn't the biggest danger of all....
Bridget's boldness in breaking him out of jail was the jolt Cole needed to give his life purpose again. But with a posse at their heels and the mountain looming, she couldn't help but wonder if putting her trust in this tough, life-hardened man wasn't the biggest danger of all....
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
69 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Kernan
123 books394 followersThank you for finding me on GoodReads.
Find my social media links here: https://linktr.ee/jennakernan
Here's a bit more about me...
Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.
Jenna offers a FREE BOOK as a welcome gift to new VIP Readers. Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/jennakernan/grippi...
Visit Jenna at www.jennakernan.com
Follow Jenna here ...
BookBub: jenna-kernan
Twitter: @jennakernan
Instagram: jenna-kernan
Facebook: AuthorJennaKernan or join her newsletter at www.jennakernan.com
Find my social media links here: https://linktr.ee/jennakernan
Here's a bit more about me...
Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.
Jenna offers a FREE BOOK as a welcome gift to new VIP Readers. Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/jennakernan/grippi...
Visit Jenna at www.jennakernan.com
Follow Jenna here ...
BookBub: jenna-kernan
Twitter: @jennakernan
Instagram: jenna-kernan
Facebook: AuthorJennaKernan or join her newsletter at www.jennakernan.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 16, 2010
Loved loved loved this book!
I'm a huge fan of "survival" type books, where the hero and heroine have to brave the elements and somesuch, so this book was right up my ally.
The romance between the two of them was believable and their chemistry was amazing.
I adored Bridget. That girl had some major spunk :D And Cole was delicious in so many ways. I admit, I didn't realize just how young he was until there was a comment about living twenty-four years without a specific experience *cough*. I kept thinking he was in his thirties, probably because he'd been through so much it just seemed to age the poor man.
This one is definitely going on my All-Time-Favorites shelf.
5 Stars.
I'm a huge fan of "survival" type books, where the hero and heroine have to brave the elements and somesuch, so this book was right up my ally.
The romance between the two of them was believable and their chemistry was amazing.
I adored Bridget. That girl had some major spunk :D And Cole was delicious in so many ways. I admit, I didn't realize just how young he was until there was a comment about living twenty-four years without a specific experience *cough*. I kept thinking he was in his thirties, probably because he'd been through so much it just seemed to age the poor man.
This one is definitely going on my All-Time-Favorites shelf.
5 Stars.
August 25, 2024
It’s a few days shy of April, and we’ve had two days of heavy snow. So this was a perfect winter time story.
I would say this story was heavier on the adventure, than the romance. But the rescue adventure up and down the mountain kept me captivated the whole way thru. The hero and heroine were strong mentally and physically, for the good of family love.
There were aspects of the story that although they made the story authentic, I could have done without. Like the grief and many deaths talked about over and over, the process of starving to death and how one lady’s gums were bleeding and her teeth all became loosened… how the hero was telling the heroine his story about surviving his first rescue mission up the mountain (takes place before our story starts) and he talks about how some of his crew were so hungry they wanted to partake in cannibalism. Yuk. I know you must feel desperate when starving to death, but not fun to read and imagine.
When the hero and heroine finally became intimate, I wasn’t interested at all. I actually disliked the heroine by this point. She was a little too rough around the edges, would kick your ass if you looked at her incorrectly, etc. Which made sense given her history. The writing and storytelling were great, just not my fav type of heroine.
Lastly, she withholds a secret from the hero for wayyyy too long. The hero already figures out the truth and gets hurt that she’s not being honest, prompts her to fess up, yet she refuses.
I stopped reading once they got back down the mountain (about 80%) and it was jail time, lawyer and court time…. I just didn’t care anymore about their relationship once I knew how the mountain adventure wraps up.
I would say this story was heavier on the adventure, than the romance. But the rescue adventure up and down the mountain kept me captivated the whole way thru. The hero and heroine were strong mentally and physically, for the good of family love.
There were aspects of the story that although they made the story authentic, I could have done without. Like the grief and many deaths talked about over and over, the process of starving to death and how one lady’s gums were bleeding and her teeth all became loosened… how the hero was telling the heroine his story about surviving his first rescue mission up the mountain (takes place before our story starts) and he talks about how some of his crew were so hungry they wanted to partake in cannibalism. Yuk. I know you must feel desperate when starving to death, but not fun to read and imagine.
When the hero and heroine finally became intimate, I wasn’t interested at all. I actually disliked the heroine by this point. She was a little too rough around the edges, would kick your ass if you looked at her incorrectly, etc. Which made sense given her history. The writing and storytelling were great, just not my fav type of heroine.
Lastly, she withholds a secret from the hero for wayyyy too long. The hero already figures out the truth and gets hurt that she’s not being honest, prompts her to fess up, yet she refuses.
I stopped reading once they got back down the mountain (about 80%) and it was jail time, lawyer and court time…. I just didn’t care anymore about their relationship once I knew how the mountain adventure wraps up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2016
Fast-moving, well written story. It reeled me in from the very start. The adventure part really added spice to what could have easily been a plain old romance. I wasn't too carried away with the post-mountain drama but the story did end OK.
December 3, 2016
Fresh breeze of air. Different and unique style of author was intriguing.
May 16, 2020
This review is going to be a little different than normal for me = almost zero plot synopsis or summary. This is going to be a review of adjectives.
This book is powerful, emotionally charged, awe-inspiring, believable, brilliant, captivating, heartbreaking, haunting, tear-jerking, tragic, triumphant, and at times controversial and dark. This book grabbed my attention and emotions from page one and held it all the way to the last word on the last page. With the mix of a jailbreak, racing against time to save three lives, falling in love, and passionate love scenes, this book has it all. I cannot recommend it enough and highly suggest you read it for for yourself.
This book is powerful, emotionally charged, awe-inspiring, believable, brilliant, captivating, heartbreaking, haunting, tear-jerking, tragic, triumphant, and at times controversial and dark. This book grabbed my attention and emotions from page one and held it all the way to the last word on the last page. With the mix of a jailbreak, racing against time to save three lives, falling in love, and passionate love scenes, this book has it all. I cannot recommend it enough and highly suggest you read it for for yourself.
July 20, 2021
BRIDGET was desperate to find someone to help rescue her family caught in the terrible weather of the pass in the Cascades. She feared they would starve if not freeze to death. She broke Cole out of Prison. Cole was the only one who could brave the the weather of that mountain pass, and had the knowledge to do so. Bridget and Cole both had secrets that affected their decisions, but when they began having feelings for each other would those secrets harm them? Great story of Adventure, Family, and Love.
July 16, 2020
Enjoyable gold rush era book with likable characters and an adventurous plot line. The Cascade range in the winter is the setting for a daring rescue where romance blooms along the way.
May 5, 2024
Must Read
I can't express how the books in Jenna Kernan series are great. I can't stop reading. Love each story and love the characters. I highly recommend this authors books.
I can't express how the books in Jenna Kernan series are great. I can't stop reading. Love each story and love the characters. I highly recommend this authors books.
January 23, 2020
Oops. It's a 3 not a 5.
June 25, 2011
This book caught my eye whilst searching for another book with the same title. The blurb sounded promising enough and within minutes I was engrossed in this tale that tells the story of how 2 people survive against all odds until rescue comes calling.
22 year old Bridget Rose Callahan is a woman who is determined that she would brave the harsh conditions of the brutal winter weather up in the Cascades mountain to save the last of her family members, no matter what it is that she has to do to achieve it. At her wits end, Bridget seeks the help of 26 year old Cole Ellis who is on death row, awaiting the hangman's noose almost as if in anticipation.
What Cole wants more than anything else is to forget his past, his failures and to say goodbye to a world that has dealt him nothing but one blow after the other until he is ready to kneel down and admit defeat. When Bridget seeks him out, Cole doesn't have a clue as to just to what lenghs Bridget is ready to go through to rescue her family.
Breaking Cole out of prison seems to be the easy part of the rescue attempt as the authorities turn out a full fledged search for the only man who is capable helping Bridget out. There are a lot of hardships that these two go through and added to the story are the accounts of how those that are left behind in the mountains barely make it through. Added to this potent mix is the heady desire that both Cole and Bridget start to feel for each other, Cole a man who has sworn off women and Bridget a woman who swears that no man would get the better of her ever again.
The culmination of the horrific journey towards safety doesn't mean a victory for everyone as Cole who suddenly very much wants to live again finds himself back in custody and it is Bridget's bravery that yet again serves as the catalyst that brings them all the happily ever after which they so rightfully deserve.
For me, the best thing about this novel was Bridget whose unwavering faith and courage were what pulled everyone through the tight spots within the story. This is not your average boy meets girl and falls in love Harlequin but rather a story that tells the tale of immense courage with a mix of pretty emotion wrangling material that makes for a good read.
Rating= 3.75/5
Original review posted at MBR's Realm of Romance
22 year old Bridget Rose Callahan is a woman who is determined that she would brave the harsh conditions of the brutal winter weather up in the Cascades mountain to save the last of her family members, no matter what it is that she has to do to achieve it. At her wits end, Bridget seeks the help of 26 year old Cole Ellis who is on death row, awaiting the hangman's noose almost as if in anticipation.
What Cole wants more than anything else is to forget his past, his failures and to say goodbye to a world that has dealt him nothing but one blow after the other until he is ready to kneel down and admit defeat. When Bridget seeks him out, Cole doesn't have a clue as to just to what lenghs Bridget is ready to go through to rescue her family.
Breaking Cole out of prison seems to be the easy part of the rescue attempt as the authorities turn out a full fledged search for the only man who is capable helping Bridget out. There are a lot of hardships that these two go through and added to the story are the accounts of how those that are left behind in the mountains barely make it through. Added to this potent mix is the heady desire that both Cole and Bridget start to feel for each other, Cole a man who has sworn off women and Bridget a woman who swears that no man would get the better of her ever again.
The culmination of the horrific journey towards safety doesn't mean a victory for everyone as Cole who suddenly very much wants to live again finds himself back in custody and it is Bridget's bravery that yet again serves as the catalyst that brings them all the happily ever after which they so rightfully deserve.
For me, the best thing about this novel was Bridget whose unwavering faith and courage were what pulled everyone through the tight spots within the story. This is not your average boy meets girl and falls in love Harlequin but rather a story that tells the tale of immense courage with a mix of pretty emotion wrangling material that makes for a good read.
Rating= 3.75/5
Original review posted at MBR's Realm of Romance
January 7, 2016
I was in the mood for a "man against nature" story with lots of snow when I tried this book, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Bridget's family tried crossing the Cascade's too late in the year and were stranded at the top of a notorious pass by the snow. She managed to survive and make it into Sacramento, but she can't convince anyone to go back to rescue her sister, brother-in-law, and young niece. No one, that is, except Cole Ellis, who is about to be hung for stealing the mayor's horse.
This historical adventure story story worked best for me when Bridget and Cole were on the trail trying to save the stranded family. Since that's most of the story, I was happy. I didn't care quite as much for the events after they returned. Though I can believe public opinion would favor Cole, I had some other problems.
This historical adventure story story worked best for me when Bridget and Cole were on the trail trying to save the stranded family. Since that's most of the story, I was happy. I didn't care quite as much for the events after they returned. Though I can believe public opinion would favor Cole, I had some other problems.
October 11, 2011
Captivating story set in the California Cascades 1850. It seemed like I was right along with them on their treacherous winter journey through the mountains. Bridget needed help saving her family stranded in the mountains and Cole, in jail waiting to hang, was the only man who could attempt a rescue.
September 25, 2009
Western
June 11, 2013
Lost for words
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews