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A Bounty of Shadows #1
Ride a Dark Trail
Will her life philosophy, “Do right, fear no man,” get her killed?
A string of bad luck has left former Army helicopter pilot Dot Ybarra with a serious case of wrecked nerves and a need for peace and solace at her family’s Idaho ranch. Instead, she encounters a desperate mother who stumbles onto their land, begging Dot to rescue her kidnapped daughter.
There’s a bounty on the kidnapper’s head, and fugitive recovery agent T.J. Roman is not about to let that paycheck slip through his fingers. Together, he and Dot rescue the child.
But their actions set off an explosion of secrets in Euskadi. The sheriff is slinking around with a new shady sidekick, Dot’s friends are stabbed, and armed mercenaries attack her ranch, forcing her to use her hunting and archery skills to defend her family. Cornered by the unknown enemy’s three-pronged attack, Dot and her charges retreat deep into the Payette National Forest. Isolated in the mountainous forest, separated from T.J. and any help, Dot must make a hard fight or walk away?
Will her first recovery job be her last?
Ride a Dark Trail is a pulse-pounding mystery thriller where every path leads to betrayal, and survival means breaking the rules.
A string of bad luck has left former Army helicopter pilot Dot Ybarra with a serious case of wrecked nerves and a need for peace and solace at her family’s Idaho ranch. Instead, she encounters a desperate mother who stumbles onto their land, begging Dot to rescue her kidnapped daughter.
There’s a bounty on the kidnapper’s head, and fugitive recovery agent T.J. Roman is not about to let that paycheck slip through his fingers. Together, he and Dot rescue the child.
But their actions set off an explosion of secrets in Euskadi. The sheriff is slinking around with a new shady sidekick, Dot’s friends are stabbed, and armed mercenaries attack her ranch, forcing her to use her hunting and archery skills to defend her family. Cornered by the unknown enemy’s three-pronged attack, Dot and her charges retreat deep into the Payette National Forest. Isolated in the mountainous forest, separated from T.J. and any help, Dot must make a hard fight or walk away?
Will her first recovery job be her last?
Ride a Dark Trail is a pulse-pounding mystery thriller where every path leads to betrayal, and survival means breaking the rules.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2025
About the author
Winter Austin
26 books268 followersAs a Note, I do not use AI in any way to write my books. Lots a sweat equity goes into my writing, not computer generated.
Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope.” Having returned to her hometown, Winter has stepped into the chaotic world of a full-time wife, mom, author, and employee.
A lifelong Mid-West gal, Winter rediscovered her love of her beloved Iowa with its hot summers and snowy winters. She grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around the table or a campfire. Since becoming a published author, she learned a mindset of a glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller author. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic thrillers. Combining her love of all things rural, agricultural, and military, she’s turned her small town life upside down.
Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope.” Having returned to her hometown, Winter has stepped into the chaotic world of a full-time wife, mom, author, and employee.
A lifelong Mid-West gal, Winter rediscovered her love of her beloved Iowa with its hot summers and snowy winters. She grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around the table or a campfire. Since becoming a published author, she learned a mindset of a glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller author. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic thrillers. Combining her love of all things rural, agricultural, and military, she’s turned her small town life upside down.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 2, 2025
5 stars
Winter Austin is an exceptional storyteller. Having read many of her books, I can confidently say that none have been less than a five-star read.
Ride a Dark Trail presents a compelling and twisted web filled with multi-layered thrills, tension, mystery, and suspense. You can't help but be drawn into the intrigue and action, feeling a strong desire to help in any way you can.
Dot is the perfect heroine, with her mother following closely behind. Dot is a fierce, merciless force of nature who is proud of her heritage and will stop at nothing to protect those in need. Alongside TJ, she forms an unforgiving and dynamic pair as they race against time to save everyone.
While the story is fantastic, I believe a bit more romance would have enhanced it further — and that's no small compliment given how good it is!
As I’ve mentioned with Winter Austin's other works, this tale also keeps you on the edge of your seat. You won’t know whether to sit still or run and hide as the cleverly concealed plot unravels. Ride a Dark Trail is an engrossing, gritty narrative that offers a mix of murder, mystery, pain, suffering, and so much more.
Winter Austin is an exceptional storyteller. Having read many of her books, I can confidently say that none have been less than a five-star read.
Ride a Dark Trail presents a compelling and twisted web filled with multi-layered thrills, tension, mystery, and suspense. You can't help but be drawn into the intrigue and action, feeling a strong desire to help in any way you can.
Dot is the perfect heroine, with her mother following closely behind. Dot is a fierce, merciless force of nature who is proud of her heritage and will stop at nothing to protect those in need. Alongside TJ, she forms an unforgiving and dynamic pair as they race against time to save everyone.
While the story is fantastic, I believe a bit more romance would have enhanced it further — and that's no small compliment given how good it is!
As I’ve mentioned with Winter Austin's other works, this tale also keeps you on the edge of your seat. You won’t know whether to sit still or run and hide as the cleverly concealed plot unravels. Ride a Dark Trail is an engrossing, gritty narrative that offers a mix of murder, mystery, pain, suffering, and so much more.
October 6, 2025
Dot Ybarra is at her families ranch, hopefully temporarily, when she comes across Ashley who is in need of help finding her young daughter. A tangled web ensues and a reconnection with a former colleague T.J. Roman who has his own reasons for finding Ashley.
What should have been routine for T.J. turns into a whirlwind of action and his time with Dot does not disappoint. She is just as tenacious as he remembers and as the heat gets more intense, they both find themselves in a precarious situation they may not come out of.
I thought this was fantastic. Edge of your seat suspense and Dot's character blew me away. She is a hard woman but there is a charm to her that is there with her snappish dialogue and determination to do what is right. I also was fascinated with T.J. and his background with Dot, wonderful addition to the book. Amazingly done.
What should have been routine for T.J. turns into a whirlwind of action and his time with Dot does not disappoint. She is just as tenacious as he remembers and as the heat gets more intense, they both find themselves in a precarious situation they may not come out of.
I thought this was fantastic. Edge of your seat suspense and Dot's character blew me away. She is a hard woman but there is a charm to her that is there with her snappish dialogue and determination to do what is right. I also was fascinated with T.J. and his background with Dot, wonderful addition to the book. Amazingly done.
September 26, 2025
Ride A Dark Trail by Winter Austin is book number 1 in a new series, entitled A Bounty of Shadows. Our MC is named Dot, who is an injured former military pilot. She has gone back to living on a ranch with her mother in Idaho and running tours into the mountains for tourists who visit the ranch. Dot meets Ashley one day on the ranch and learns that Ashley's daughter is missing and was taken by Ashley's ex. TJ, a friend of Dot's arrives to help look for Ashley's husband, as he is a bounty hunter. There is a lot to the story of Ashley that is tragic and also interesting to her as a character, in this book. I also love that Dot really connects with Ashley and wants to help find her daughter and help the woman also. That made me want to keep reading this book. These characters really stand out to the reader and are well written overall. I also think that the fact that TJ and Dot have a history of working and more together will come back in one of the next books, well at least I can hope;) I highly recommend this one to fans of thrillers that you can't out down and keep you guessing and interested to the very end!
October 8, 2025
Ride a Dark Trail is a wonderfully written survival thriller. Dot is an independent ex army helicopter pilot woman recovering from mental and physical issues. Her ideals and moral compass are strict and straight forward towards what is right not necessarily what is legal. T.J. is a sexy ex special operations army ranger who is from Dot’s past and he appears when things really get going cause Ashley appears from the mountains asking for help getting her kidnapped daughter back.
January 27, 2026
This book was SO good! It's the1st book in a new series and I'm super excited to read more!
Dot Ybarra, a former Army helicopter pilot, has returned to her home in Idaho to be with her mother on their ranch. She has accepted a position with the forest service, as their property borders Payette National Forest. Following an accident, she is currently taking some time off and assisting her mother with her outfitting business. Dot anticipates a period of relaxation, but when a distressed mother arrives at their ranch, seeking assistance in locating her kidnapped daughter, matters become intricate. This situation is further complicated by the arrival of TJ Roman, a bounty hunter and former Army Ranger, who is seeking to collect a bounty on the kidnapper. He and Dot share a past. They collaborate to find the child, but their efforts do not conclude there. There are individuals pursuing the mother and child, and they will resort to any means necessary. Secrets begin to surface, and it appears that the local law enforcement may be involved. Can they protect mother and child and eachother?
I seriously felt like this book was written just for me! It had everything I look for in a thriller: adventure, nature, tons of action, a compelling mystery, edge-of-the-seat suspense, and one bada$$ FMC! The twists were mindblowing and story was just SO good I couldn't put this book down! I absolutely loved Dot and her mother Angela, both so strong, independent, and fearless against danger. I also loved TJ. I loved the setting of the ranch in a small Idaho town on the outskirts of the national forest and learning about the Basque people (which I did Google). As you can tell I absolutely loved this book and would HIGHLY recommend adding it to your TBR🩷
Dot Ybarra, a former Army helicopter pilot, has returned to her home in Idaho to be with her mother on their ranch. She has accepted a position with the forest service, as their property borders Payette National Forest. Following an accident, she is currently taking some time off and assisting her mother with her outfitting business. Dot anticipates a period of relaxation, but when a distressed mother arrives at their ranch, seeking assistance in locating her kidnapped daughter, matters become intricate. This situation is further complicated by the arrival of TJ Roman, a bounty hunter and former Army Ranger, who is seeking to collect a bounty on the kidnapper. He and Dot share a past. They collaborate to find the child, but their efforts do not conclude there. There are individuals pursuing the mother and child, and they will resort to any means necessary. Secrets begin to surface, and it appears that the local law enforcement may be involved. Can they protect mother and child and eachother?
I seriously felt like this book was written just for me! It had everything I look for in a thriller: adventure, nature, tons of action, a compelling mystery, edge-of-the-seat suspense, and one bada$$ FMC! The twists were mindblowing and story was just SO good I couldn't put this book down! I absolutely loved Dot and her mother Angela, both so strong, independent, and fearless against danger. I also loved TJ. I loved the setting of the ranch in a small Idaho town on the outskirts of the national forest and learning about the Basque people (which I did Google). As you can tell I absolutely loved this book and would HIGHLY recommend adding it to your TBR🩷
September 24, 2025
Intrigue and menace abound in the foothills of the Payette National Forest.
Ride a Dark Trail is the first book in author Winter Austin’s thrilling new series, Bounty of Shadows, and features an emotionally scarred former Army helicopter pilot recuperating from injuries sustained in a crash. Dorothy "Dot" Ybarra returned home to her mother’s Idaho ranch after her service in Afghanistan to fly for the forest service, but an accident during a forest fire crashed her helicopter and put her in the hospital for several weeks. Still not cleared to fly and return to work, Dot keeps busy helping her mother run the hunting and guiding business she operates out of her former sheep farm. Her days were pretty much the same until a young woman, bruised and bleeding, stumbles out of the forest and onto the ranch, claiming her ex had taken their six-year-old daughter as a hostage and was on the run, not only from law enforcement, but from some truly dangerous people also on his trail.
I loved Dot Ybarra! She’s a strong woman carrying a load of baggage and bad luck, but no matter what gets thrown her way, she always pushes forward. She’s a female accustomed to commanding in male-dominated fields and maintains her status and control without coming across as unnaturally macho, unlike many other characters with similar backstories who are often portrayed as such. She acts authentically and sounds genuine.T.J. Roman is a capable and talented bounty hunter whose past with Dot means more to him than he lets himself believe. I loved watching them reconnect. Coincidentally, Sloane Cross, T.J.’s business partner, is Dot’s best friend from high school, and these relationships create the perfect opportunity for the three to join forces to find out who is after Ashley Cooper and her young daughter.
The plot is well-paced, suspenseful, and fraught with mystery, as several key pieces of the puzzle remain hidden until much later in the story. Sloane and T.J. also have other cases they’re working on that slowly begin to crossover into what’s going on with the Coopers. Keeping things real is Dot’s mother, Angela, who is naturally anxious for her daughter’s safety, both physical and emotional.The Idaho setting is rural and wild, with the action extending into the Payette National Forest. The author also incorporates local Basque culture and language, through Dot’s family, into the story, adding an informative and unique touch.
I highly recommend RIDE A DARK TRAIL to readers of thrillers, action and adventure stories, mysteries, and romantic suspense.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
October 3, 2025
Talk about intense. This mystery thriller kept me focused and feeling anxious to know how the characters could overcome so much adversity and survive to live another day.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of which can slow down the reading experience. It didn’t slow down mine. It ramped it up. I wanted to know how they all crossed paths and what their roles were, good or bad.
There are many engaging characters. Dot stood out the most. I like a strong, heroic female protagonist who’s also got some chinks in her armor. Leaving the military and giving up her role as a helicopter pilot had to set her back. But when a stranger pleads for her help in finding her daughter, she can’t ignore a call to action. When things got tough, Dot got tougher and once again trusted her instincts. And when I got to know her mother, I knew where she got her mojo from.
There’s also an opportunity for romance when a man from Dot’s past shows up. TJ is also working the young mother’s case, but from a different angle. Dot and TJ decide two heads are better than one and work together to find the missing child. This is where they start to connect romantically. I liked them together but was glad the romance was downplayed and not a main part of the story.
For mystery and thriller fans, this is a must read. There’s a whole lot of bread crumbs to follow and conspiracy and danger rear their ugly heads. Sure did keep me turning the pages.
It’s always a good thing for me to try a new author and series and enjoy the writing and the story. This was a good choice.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of which can slow down the reading experience. It didn’t slow down mine. It ramped it up. I wanted to know how they all crossed paths and what their roles were, good or bad.
There are many engaging characters. Dot stood out the most. I like a strong, heroic female protagonist who’s also got some chinks in her armor. Leaving the military and giving up her role as a helicopter pilot had to set her back. But when a stranger pleads for her help in finding her daughter, she can’t ignore a call to action. When things got tough, Dot got tougher and once again trusted her instincts. And when I got to know her mother, I knew where she got her mojo from.
There’s also an opportunity for romance when a man from Dot’s past shows up. TJ is also working the young mother’s case, but from a different angle. Dot and TJ decide two heads are better than one and work together to find the missing child. This is where they start to connect romantically. I liked them together but was glad the romance was downplayed and not a main part of the story.
For mystery and thriller fans, this is a must read. There’s a whole lot of bread crumbs to follow and conspiracy and danger rear their ugly heads. Sure did keep me turning the pages.
It’s always a good thing for me to try a new author and series and enjoy the writing and the story. This was a good choice.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
September 30, 2025
Ride a Dark Trail kicks off the "A Bounty of Shadows" Series. It jumps right into the action and keeps the pace hot and heavy. Winter Austin excels at building tension and excitement all the way through. Shocking twists and thrills pop up often, especially toward the end.
Dot Ybarra once flew helicopters in the Army. Now she's back in Idaho on her family's ranch to help her mom. She took a job with the forest service since their land touches Payette National Forest. Dot stands tall, shows courage, and pushes forward, even with nightmares from the past haunting her day and night. One person in the story calls her a female Rambo. She grabs the reins in every clash with the bad guys.
Dot and her mother, Angela, face chaos when a beaten young woman arrives at the ranch. This woman's little girl was taken by her cruel, drug-using husband. Dot steps in to track down the child. Yet darker schemes lurk nearby from every direction with heart-stopping action. Her old Army buddy, TJ Roman, a private investigator now, arrives chasing the same man. They join forces to rescue Bethany and catch her dad. The book weaves many plot threads, but they all tie up neatly at the end. You will have to read this novel to find what other forces are in motion to cause mayhem, dealing with a cult.
A spark of romance brews between Dot and TJ, tied to their shared history. Their teamwork is amazing, and I enjoyed their back-and-forth. Things might heat up more in the next book.
Ride a Dark Trail makes a top-notch mystery. It packs the suspense, steady action, hidden family secrets, and a story that pulls you in. I hated to set it down, but it made me excited for the next book in the series.
Dot Ybarra once flew helicopters in the Army. Now she's back in Idaho on her family's ranch to help her mom. She took a job with the forest service since their land touches Payette National Forest. Dot stands tall, shows courage, and pushes forward, even with nightmares from the past haunting her day and night. One person in the story calls her a female Rambo. She grabs the reins in every clash with the bad guys.
Dot and her mother, Angela, face chaos when a beaten young woman arrives at the ranch. This woman's little girl was taken by her cruel, drug-using husband. Dot steps in to track down the child. Yet darker schemes lurk nearby from every direction with heart-stopping action. Her old Army buddy, TJ Roman, a private investigator now, arrives chasing the same man. They join forces to rescue Bethany and catch her dad. The book weaves many plot threads, but they all tie up neatly at the end. You will have to read this novel to find what other forces are in motion to cause mayhem, dealing with a cult.
A spark of romance brews between Dot and TJ, tied to their shared history. Their teamwork is amazing, and I enjoyed their back-and-forth. Things might heat up more in the next book.
Ride a Dark Trail makes a top-notch mystery. It packs the suspense, steady action, hidden family secrets, and a story that pulls you in. I hated to set it down, but it made me excited for the next book in the series.
October 15, 2025
What an introduction to a new series! I was hesitant at first but intrigued at the same time. And you know what the author sucked me right into Ride A Dark Trail. Introducing us to lots of characters but also focusing on the ones this series will be about.
Dot gets pulled into a life altering situation when a girl bloody and bruised turns up in her field. That same girl also leads some people back into her life. Sloane her childhood friend and TJ Roman a man she knew from her military time. They have a business and a few of their current cases are linked to this girl.
The whole situation is off. They are being followed. People they don’t recognize are lingering around that shouldn’t be there. The local law enforcement is insistent upon Dot bringing the girl and her daughter in to make a statement. However Dot and TJ know better than to do that. They want this woman for more reasons than one. She’s in danger and she’s officially put a target on all their backs.
A story about intimidation, drugs, scandal, anything you can think of you could link it to this book. The author wrote it in a way you aren’t going to want to put it down. I just kept turning the page. Some things I figured out and others kept me guessing, but that’s what kept me in deep.
Readers beware there could be some things that could be a trigger for you, but know this despite all that it’s well worth the read. And I can’t wait to jump into the next book. So while I’m doing that you should jump into this one, happy reading!
Dot gets pulled into a life altering situation when a girl bloody and bruised turns up in her field. That same girl also leads some people back into her life. Sloane her childhood friend and TJ Roman a man she knew from her military time. They have a business and a few of their current cases are linked to this girl.
The whole situation is off. They are being followed. People they don’t recognize are lingering around that shouldn’t be there. The local law enforcement is insistent upon Dot bringing the girl and her daughter in to make a statement. However Dot and TJ know better than to do that. They want this woman for more reasons than one. She’s in danger and she’s officially put a target on all their backs.
A story about intimidation, drugs, scandal, anything you can think of you could link it to this book. The author wrote it in a way you aren’t going to want to put it down. I just kept turning the page. Some things I figured out and others kept me guessing, but that’s what kept me in deep.
Readers beware there could be some things that could be a trigger for you, but know this despite all that it’s well worth the read. And I can’t wait to jump into the next book. So while I’m doing that you should jump into this one, happy reading!
October 23, 2025
Ride a Dark Trail by Winter AustinMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ride a Dark Trail is the first book I've had the privilege to read by the author Winter Austin. I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Dorothy "Dot" Ybarra is a badass, retired military helicopter pilot living back on her family's land in the Idaho mountains.
She crosses paths again with a soldier from her past " T.J." when he shows up on her property in search of a person of interest in a bail bond.
Dot and T.J. work together to uncover the twisted secrets of a small town Sheriff department, Sheriff Ford himself and a new deputy that is very obviously up to no good.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a strong female main character, twists and turns that keep you turning the page! I look forward to checking out more books authored by Winter!
View all my reviews
October 8, 2025
This really is a “pulse-pounding mystery thriller”, which kept me gripped throughout. Former Army helicopter pilot Dot has a serious case of wrecked nerves, and needing peace and solace she heads to her family’s Idaho ranch. However, when a desperate mother stumbles onto the ranch begging Dot to rescue her kidnapped daughter, she can’t say no. With a bounty on the kidnapper’s head fugitive recovery agent T.J. wants his payment for catching him, and so the pair work together to rescue the child. When Dot’s friends are stabbed and armed mercenaries attack her family’s ranch things become personal and Dot uses her skills to defend her family.
Having been separated from T.J. Dot and her charges are cornered by an unknown enemy and must retreat deep into the mountainous Payette National Forest. Here, Dot whose life’s philosophy is “Do right, fear no man,” must make a choice, either fight or walk away. I thought Dot was a realistic and relatable character who I was instantly engaged with. The exciting storyline and plot twists and turns kept me happily turning the pages. The descriptive narrative brought the different settings vividly to life, helping me feel fully immersed in the story. The suspense built chapter by chapter and I was hooked. This fast paced, action packed story had me reading late into the night, unable to put the book down!
Having been separated from T.J. Dot and her charges are cornered by an unknown enemy and must retreat deep into the mountainous Payette National Forest. Here, Dot whose life’s philosophy is “Do right, fear no man,” must make a choice, either fight or walk away. I thought Dot was a realistic and relatable character who I was instantly engaged with. The exciting storyline and plot twists and turns kept me happily turning the pages. The descriptive narrative brought the different settings vividly to life, helping me feel fully immersed in the story. The suspense built chapter by chapter and I was hooked. This fast paced, action packed story had me reading late into the night, unable to put the book down!
October 27, 2025
Having read other books from this author I thought I knew what to expect but I got so much more !
So Dot is an Army helicopter pilot and I think she saw alit and had to deal with a lot and she need to find peace and what better place to find peace than at home so she heads to her mom and the ranch in Idaho but it’s not just peace she’s after she needs to heal after the accident and hospitalisation .
Dot seems to be taking life at a slower pace till a woman comes out the forest and she’s in bad shape and she’s in a state because her daughter has been kidnapped and they’re on the run not just from authorities but some rather unsavoury and dangerous characters 🙈
How does Dir not help this mother find her child ?! There’s not a scared hair on her head but she’s also got to keep her wits about herself to keep not only herself safe but also her mum , the ranch and find this little girl ….
Add a bounty hunter and the plot thickens but TJ and Dot share history but they team up with a shared goal but I’d like to see what develops between them 😉
Dot’s mom , Angela is just climbed into my heart and sometimes it felt like she was the voice of reason but isn’t that what moms do 😉
This really was one of those reads you couldn’t put down because you just had to know what’s going to happen and it keeps you thinking 🤔.
So Dot is an Army helicopter pilot and I think she saw alit and had to deal with a lot and she need to find peace and what better place to find peace than at home so she heads to her mom and the ranch in Idaho but it’s not just peace she’s after she needs to heal after the accident and hospitalisation .
Dot seems to be taking life at a slower pace till a woman comes out the forest and she’s in bad shape and she’s in a state because her daughter has been kidnapped and they’re on the run not just from authorities but some rather unsavoury and dangerous characters 🙈
How does Dir not help this mother find her child ?! There’s not a scared hair on her head but she’s also got to keep her wits about herself to keep not only herself safe but also her mum , the ranch and find this little girl ….
Add a bounty hunter and the plot thickens but TJ and Dot share history but they team up with a shared goal but I’d like to see what develops between them 😉
Dot’s mom , Angela is just climbed into my heart and sometimes it felt like she was the voice of reason but isn’t that what moms do 😉
This really was one of those reads you couldn’t put down because you just had to know what’s going to happen and it keeps you thinking 🤔.
December 1, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway for my honest opinion. I loved this author and this book. I want to thank the author for the autograph copy and all the bookmarks and stickers I received. This book was well written and full of action. I can't wait for the second installment of this series. It's on my want to read list. Along with several of her other books. It was a real page turner and left me on the edge of my seat wanting to see what happens next. A definite must read. The characters Dot and T.J. make for a good chemistry. Both retired from the Army. T.J. is a bounty hunter, Dot is currently recovering from a helicopter crash that should have killed her. When the two reconnect total mayhem occurs while trying to protect a mother and her daughter from a psychotic fundamentalist group trying to kidnap them. It's the two of them mostly against a Cult group, one that makes the mistake of kidnapping her mother as well. Who wins the battle? Read and find out.
October 28, 2025
As a former helicopter pilot in the Army I'm sure Dot saw a lot of things. In search of peace and solace she goes home to the family ranch in Idaho. She seems to be getting her frazzled nerves under control until a young woman comes to her home asking for help to save her kidnapped daughter. She team's up with an old buddy, T. J. Roman, to rescue the child which sets off several events which are all bad. Will she be able to keep the girl safe? Will she be able to protect her home and family? Moreover will she ever get the peace and solace she has been searching for? Ride a Dark Trail was a great start to a new series. I read a different series by this author that was good so I was excited to start this one. There is a lot of action and a lot of mystery so if you are looking for one or both of those you are in for a treat.
July 27, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Tule Publishing via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
“Ride a Dark Trail”, by Winter Austin, is an enjoyable read, a compelling mystery thriller featuring a no nonsense Rambo type heroine, Dot Ybarra.
The story if full of secrets, adventures, conspiracy, treachery, and chasing in Payette National Forest, and involves some of Dot’s friends, relatives and former fellow soldiers.
I liked the heroine, a fircely protective woman, proud of her Basque heritage and identity and using every skill, even ancient ones, to defend vulnerable people.
I also liked the romantic dimension, although I would have liked it to be more developed (perhaps it will happen in book 2 of the series).
I appreciated the easy relationship between Dot, T.J. and the secondary characters.
Sometimes I had some problems keeping track of the different characters and felt the story dragged at moments.
3.5 stars.
“Ride a Dark Trail”, by Winter Austin, is an enjoyable read, a compelling mystery thriller featuring a no nonsense Rambo type heroine, Dot Ybarra.
The story if full of secrets, adventures, conspiracy, treachery, and chasing in Payette National Forest, and involves some of Dot’s friends, relatives and former fellow soldiers.
I liked the heroine, a fircely protective woman, proud of her Basque heritage and identity and using every skill, even ancient ones, to defend vulnerable people.
I also liked the romantic dimension, although I would have liked it to be more developed (perhaps it will happen in book 2 of the series).
I appreciated the easy relationship between Dot, T.J. and the secondary characters.
Sometimes I had some problems keeping track of the different characters and felt the story dragged at moments.
August 19, 2025
Loved this book!!!!! What a great character Dot is. She’s strong, fierce, intelligent, well trained and brave and at the same time vulnerable and wounded. Loved her mom too what a fierce warrior she is! This is a non stop action packed ride with tons of twists and surprises. Just when you think you know what’s what another twist comes your way. It’s a fabulous start to a series and I can’t wait for more!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 27, 2025
Ride a Dark Trail by Winter Austin is book 1 in A Bounty of Shadows series. This is a great book that sucks you into Dot’s world and has you wondering what is going to happen next. Dot has had some bad luck in her life and is ready for some peace and quiet at her family’s ranch. What she gets is a woman in desperate need of her help to save her daughter and protect her. Things get messy and it’s an all-out fight to stay alive where Dot has to use her army training and survival skills to keep them alive. This is a great adventure book that keeps you on your toes.
October 20, 2025
Dot heads to her family's Idaho ranch for some recovery...and maybe a little peace. But, when a mother (Ashley) comes to her and pleads for her to help find her abducted daughter...Dot is compelled to help. But, when her and TJ (who is also helping to find Ashley's daughter) find who they are looking for...they seem to have uncovered more secrets than they were bargaining for.
I found this story really hard to put down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. This if my first book form this author...but it definitely won't be my last. The characters were entertaining and the story had quite a few twists and turns.
I found this story really hard to put down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. This if my first book form this author...but it definitely won't be my last. The characters were entertaining and the story had quite a few twists and turns.
February 4, 2026
Ride A Dark Trail is a fast-paced, action-packed ride from the start. This is the first book I've read from this author and I was impressed with her writing style, characters, setting and flow from chapter to chapter. Dot Ybarra is a kick butt female heroine that one doesn't mess with and her partner T.J Roman is tough in his own right. Together they make a great team. This is the first in the, A Bounty of Shadows, series and I will certainly read the next installment. A Good, solid start to a series. 4 1/2 stars.
April 28, 2026
I stumbled across this book whilst shopping online, I thought this sounds good let's give it a go. And I was not disappointed.
A really good plot with a fantasticly strong female lead in Dot Ybarra,who has a great back story. The dynamic between all the characters is really well written and I was drawn to all the main characters in the story.
I also loved the setting and the descriptions of the ranch and its surroundings in the mid West of America really made the book come alive. Im looking forward to book two and the continuing series. Winter Austin great storyteller! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
A really good plot with a fantasticly strong female lead in Dot Ybarra,who has a great back story. The dynamic between all the characters is really well written and I was drawn to all the main characters in the story.
I also loved the setting and the descriptions of the ranch and its surroundings in the mid West of America really made the book come alive. Im looking forward to book two and the continuing series. Winter Austin great storyteller! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
September 27, 2025
This is a new series and one to be excited about, especially after reading this first book!
Dot is a former Army helicopter pilot who's trying to calm down on her family's ranch. Rest is for the weary and soon Dot and her recovery specialist friend T.J. are out on the hunt for a kidnapper. Along the way, they face many scary situations, some very dangerous that put them in harms way.
This is a page turner and will have you anxiously awaiting book 2 like I am!
Dot is a former Army helicopter pilot who's trying to calm down on her family's ranch. Rest is for the weary and soon Dot and her recovery specialist friend T.J. are out on the hunt for a kidnapper. Along the way, they face many scary situations, some very dangerous that put them in harms way.
This is a page turner and will have you anxiously awaiting book 2 like I am!
October 23, 2025
LOVED THIS! The storyline, the characters and the twist and turns were amazingly done! Then there is the action that is pretty much nonstop! I was hesitant to read this because I felt the woman (Dot) would come off weird being she is, as a fellow character put it, a woman Rambo. But it actually worked well because of the way she grew up, her beliefs and her heart.
I really enjoyed meeting all these characters and look forward to more in the future in this series!
I really enjoyed meeting all these characters and look forward to more in the future in this series!
December 28, 2025
Ride a Dark Trial introduces us to Dot, a strong female protagonist. She suffers from PSTD from her time in the armed forces flying helicopters so living in her family’s secluded ranch fits her well. When a woman and child show up in trouble all Dot wants to do is help them.
The plot of this book is very interesting. Bounty hunters and PI’s, sketchy police, strong willed characters all make for a great mix. This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last!
The plot of this book is very interesting. Bounty hunters and PI’s, sketchy police, strong willed characters all make for a great mix. This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last!
December 8, 2025
This is my first time reading a book by this author and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I started this book after getting kids to bed and ended up reading all through the night. Such an excellent read that grabs you and doesn’t let you go.
Read
November 3, 2025This is an action-packed launch of a new mystery series from a fellow Tule author - so no official rating. That being said, Winter offers a masterclass on character development followed by an exhibition on how to showcase action and adventure. Looking forward to more Dot Rambo, err Ybarra.
March 22, 2026
Modern day western taking place in Idaho national forest. Cast of western type characters. Complex plot. Good descriptions. Some adult language.
Read
August 12, 2025“I wish I could go back and read it again for the first time.
It’s that good.”
Full review on The Mystery Review Crew
It’s that good.”
Full review on The Mystery Review Crew
August 21, 2025
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Ride a Dark Trail begins the A Bounty of Shadows series, with a suspense-filled introduction into a world filled with connections, danger, and twists you won’t see coming.
Dot is a former military pilot, now working with her mother at her ranch. Dot discovers a frightened woman on the ranch, claiming that her criminal and abusive husband has kidnapped her daughter. Dot agrees to search for the missing girl and soon discovers that T.J., also a former colleague in the military, is now a private investigator who is looking for the husband as a bail jumper.
That is the basic setup of Ride a Dark Trail. The rest, well, that’s best discovered firsthand, especially as this is a mystery/thriller novel. I’m comfortable saying (without giving away spoilers) that Dot’s and T.J.’s search for a missing girl and the man who kidnapped her will put them in danger, with several twists and turns to keep you a bit off-kilter throughout the story. It’s a well-written, tense, and suspenseful story that had me on edge throughout. I enjoyed myself in this world, and look forward to more stories in this series. If you love a good mystery, then Ride a Dark Trail by Winter Austin would be a perfect fit for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Ride a Dark Trail begins the A Bounty of Shadows series, with a suspense-filled introduction into a world filled with connections, danger, and twists you won’t see coming.
Dot is a former military pilot, now working with her mother at her ranch. Dot discovers a frightened woman on the ranch, claiming that her criminal and abusive husband has kidnapped her daughter. Dot agrees to search for the missing girl and soon discovers that T.J., also a former colleague in the military, is now a private investigator who is looking for the husband as a bail jumper.
That is the basic setup of Ride a Dark Trail. The rest, well, that’s best discovered firsthand, especially as this is a mystery/thriller novel. I’m comfortable saying (without giving away spoilers) that Dot’s and T.J.’s search for a missing girl and the man who kidnapped her will put them in danger, with several twists and turns to keep you a bit off-kilter throughout the story. It’s a well-written, tense, and suspenseful story that had me on edge throughout. I enjoyed myself in this world, and look forward to more stories in this series. If you love a good mystery, then Ride a Dark Trail by Winter Austin would be a perfect fit for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
September 26, 2025
4 - 4.5 Stars
Ride a Dark Trail is the first book in the Bounty of Shadows series by Winter Austin. I have read most of Ms. Austin’s books now, so I was excited to see she has started a new series and happily snapped up a copy to see what she had in store for us.
This turned out to be a gripping thriller that masterfully blends mystery, action, and emotion. Right off the bat, I was drawn into the suspenseful adventure with Dot Ybarra, a former Army pilot who returns to her family’s Idaho ranch for some much-needed rest and reflection, only to find herself entangled in a web of secrets, betrayal, and danger.
As expected from Ms. Austin, the story is packed with twists and turns, keeping me guessing as Dot navigated a world where survival often means breaking the rules. The pacing is on point, but Ms. Austin also explores the emotional stakes, making the characters’ struggles feel authentic- which made it easy to invest in them and the outcome of the story.
‘Ride a Dark Trail’ is more than just a thriller - it’s a story about resilience, family, and the shadows of the past. Recommended for fans of strong female leads, gritty mysteries, and romantic suspense. Winter Austin has set the stage for an exciting series, and I am eager to see what comes in future installments.
Happy Reading…
Ride a Dark Trail is the first book in the Bounty of Shadows series by Winter Austin. I have read most of Ms. Austin’s books now, so I was excited to see she has started a new series and happily snapped up a copy to see what she had in store for us.
This turned out to be a gripping thriller that masterfully blends mystery, action, and emotion. Right off the bat, I was drawn into the suspenseful adventure with Dot Ybarra, a former Army pilot who returns to her family’s Idaho ranch for some much-needed rest and reflection, only to find herself entangled in a web of secrets, betrayal, and danger.
As expected from Ms. Austin, the story is packed with twists and turns, keeping me guessing as Dot navigated a world where survival often means breaking the rules. The pacing is on point, but Ms. Austin also explores the emotional stakes, making the characters’ struggles feel authentic- which made it easy to invest in them and the outcome of the story.
‘Ride a Dark Trail’ is more than just a thriller - it’s a story about resilience, family, and the shadows of the past. Recommended for fans of strong female leads, gritty mysteries, and romantic suspense. Winter Austin has set the stage for an exciting series, and I am eager to see what comes in future installments.
Happy Reading…
October 28, 2025
Dot Ybarra is a woman who has experienced a lot, from being a helicopter pilot in the army, to doing the same with the forest service, however, after a crash left her hospitalised, all she wants is some peace and quiet on the family ranch, at least until she has to take a group of hunters out on the trail, that is until one day when a young woman stumbled into her life, covered in blood and desperately searching for help to recover her kidnapped daughter.
As she is trying to decide what to do, a blast from the past saunters back into her life, T.J. Roman, a bounty hunter she knows from back in the army and he is on the tail of the person who kidnapped her child, so between them, they go out on the trail and set off to find the child and bring her back to safety. They manage to do this successfully, however, the man with the bounty on his head is killed and T.J. is not best pleased.
Something, however doesn't feel right, and as Dot decides to go investigating on her own, she smells a rat within the local Sheriffs office, he is meeting with mystery men in suits and there are some things which are being swept under the carpet, but how does this all connect and why are people now coming after her home and her friends? This is a mystery which is full of twists and turns where shady actions turn into violent deeds and secrets are unearthed, in this fast paced tale.
As she is trying to decide what to do, a blast from the past saunters back into her life, T.J. Roman, a bounty hunter she knows from back in the army and he is on the tail of the person who kidnapped her child, so between them, they go out on the trail and set off to find the child and bring her back to safety. They manage to do this successfully, however, the man with the bounty on his head is killed and T.J. is not best pleased.
Something, however doesn't feel right, and as Dot decides to go investigating on her own, she smells a rat within the local Sheriffs office, he is meeting with mystery men in suits and there are some things which are being swept under the carpet, but how does this all connect and why are people now coming after her home and her friends? This is a mystery which is full of twists and turns where shady actions turn into violent deeds and secrets are unearthed, in this fast paced tale.
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