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A Bounty of Shadows #2
Bait the Devil
In bounty hunting, clean jobs are a myth. Dot knows—she’s seen the blood.
Dot Ybarra doesn’t bluff. Fresh into her bounty hunting career, she’s already earning a reputation for results. But when a “routine” rogue bounty—taken as a favor to her lawyer cousin—turns lethal, she’s staring down a case with international reach, bodies in its wake, and the stench of power.
Her business partner, T.J. Roman, is hiding a secret. If Dot finds out … well, she can’t find out. It would end the effective partnership they’ve built. But the trail won’t wait. What should have been a clean pickup of a fellow military veteran spirals into a hunt through the shadows, where one wrong move could see them both buried in an unmarked grave.
To stop the predators at the center of a violent trafficking ring, they’ll have to go straight into its core—and make themselves the bait. Every step makes them vulnerable to each other as well.
The devil’s coming for them.
Dot plans to be the one still standing after he bites.
Dot Ybarra doesn’t bluff. Fresh into her bounty hunting career, she’s already earning a reputation for results. But when a “routine” rogue bounty—taken as a favor to her lawyer cousin—turns lethal, she’s staring down a case with international reach, bodies in its wake, and the stench of power.
Her business partner, T.J. Roman, is hiding a secret. If Dot finds out … well, she can’t find out. It would end the effective partnership they’ve built. But the trail won’t wait. What should have been a clean pickup of a fellow military veteran spirals into a hunt through the shadows, where one wrong move could see them both buried in an unmarked grave.
To stop the predators at the center of a violent trafficking ring, they’ll have to go straight into its core—and make themselves the bait. Every step makes them vulnerable to each other as well.
The devil’s coming for them.
Dot plans to be the one still standing after he bites.
334 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2026
3 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 14, 2026
A bounty hunting team gets offered a new skip and its not long before the skip turns into something bigger, badder, and they’re in way over their head in no time. Winter Austin is a new to me author as is the Bounty of Shadows series, but I wasn’t even off the first page when I knew I was going to struggle to put the book down.
Bait the Devil is the second book in the series, but I jumped in here without too much trouble. Do I feel I missed a lot? Yes! I’ll be going back to the beginning as soon as I can, but this does have a standalone thriller plot with the ongoing character and relationships’ development.
Bait the Devil begins with Dot Ybarra and bounty hunting partner, TJ Roman finishing off a successful bounty and ready to go home for good food and rest. Then Dot’s lawyer cousin calls and offers them a new bounty. They aren’t too keen, but the bounty is a fellow military vet who had a rough war and now, a rougher peace. Dot was a former army copter pilot who used to fly the Army Ranger mission groups, like TJ’s on the classified stuff and both of them want to do what they can for this Marine vet.
But, they come across a situation that doesn’t add up. Cade’s situation just blew up exponentially when multiple bodies are left in his wake, someone goes after Dot, TJ, and Dot’s cousin Vivian. They’ve been warned off and to let the big law enforcement guns handle it, but the dark trail after their fellow vet has pulled them into organized crime and human trafficking making them feel they have no choice, but to put themselves in the line of fire once again. Aptly named, Bait the Devil, and that’s exactly what they do.
When a book has darker themes like human trafficking and a bloody trail of multiple murders, it can be heavy reading, but Winter Austin added a balancing agent in the bantering dialogue and partnership of Dot and TJ, even Viv and Cassius aren’t a bad second pair.
The characters and relationship building side of the story were superb. Dot’s a six foot, solidly built fierce woman of Basque-roots and her mom runs the family ranch in rural Idaho. Dot’s military experience and doggedness make her a match for the tough-bitten TJ who trains her in bounty work so she can take on more of that side while he works both bounty and PI work. The trust they share that they have each other’s backs and work well as a team and even on a personal level made them just as fascinating reading as the thrilling bounty case they were working. They have a heart for a fellow wounded warrior and the trauma from war, physical wounds and PTSD they see in others and themselves is all handled with sensitivity on the writer’s part.
Bait the Devil falls in that category I call unputdownable because I never wanted to set the book aside and I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. It was exciting, engaging, and even had some introspective moments. So, if one wants gritty, adrenaline rushes with former military leads working bounties and more, let me tempt you to Bait the Devil.
I rec'd a finished print copy from the author and Partners in Crime Tours to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 3.4.26
Bait the Devil is the second book in the series, but I jumped in here without too much trouble. Do I feel I missed a lot? Yes! I’ll be going back to the beginning as soon as I can, but this does have a standalone thriller plot with the ongoing character and relationships’ development.
Bait the Devil begins with Dot Ybarra and bounty hunting partner, TJ Roman finishing off a successful bounty and ready to go home for good food and rest. Then Dot’s lawyer cousin calls and offers them a new bounty. They aren’t too keen, but the bounty is a fellow military vet who had a rough war and now, a rougher peace. Dot was a former army copter pilot who used to fly the Army Ranger mission groups, like TJ’s on the classified stuff and both of them want to do what they can for this Marine vet.
But, they come across a situation that doesn’t add up. Cade’s situation just blew up exponentially when multiple bodies are left in his wake, someone goes after Dot, TJ, and Dot’s cousin Vivian. They’ve been warned off and to let the big law enforcement guns handle it, but the dark trail after their fellow vet has pulled them into organized crime and human trafficking making them feel they have no choice, but to put themselves in the line of fire once again. Aptly named, Bait the Devil, and that’s exactly what they do.
When a book has darker themes like human trafficking and a bloody trail of multiple murders, it can be heavy reading, but Winter Austin added a balancing agent in the bantering dialogue and partnership of Dot and TJ, even Viv and Cassius aren’t a bad second pair.
The characters and relationship building side of the story were superb. Dot’s a six foot, solidly built fierce woman of Basque-roots and her mom runs the family ranch in rural Idaho. Dot’s military experience and doggedness make her a match for the tough-bitten TJ who trains her in bounty work so she can take on more of that side while he works both bounty and PI work. The trust they share that they have each other’s backs and work well as a team and even on a personal level made them just as fascinating reading as the thrilling bounty case they were working. They have a heart for a fellow wounded warrior and the trauma from war, physical wounds and PTSD they see in others and themselves is all handled with sensitivity on the writer’s part.
Bait the Devil falls in that category I call unputdownable because I never wanted to set the book aside and I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. It was exciting, engaging, and even had some introspective moments. So, if one wants gritty, adrenaline rushes with former military leads working bounties and more, let me tempt you to Bait the Devil.
I rec'd a finished print copy from the author and Partners in Crime Tours to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 3.4.26
December 28, 2025
Bait the Devil is the second book in a series and I enjoyed the first book so much that I dove right into this one. The opening scene tells you everything you need to know about this book. Dot, now a bounty hunter, is chasing a man who refuses to give up. Dot won’t give up either and when she catches the guy and knocks him out, her partner is trailing behind.
Vivian is Dot’s cousin and asks for her help finding a client that failed to appear in court. This starts a fantastic book. I enjoyed the veteran storyline and bringing attention to how some soldiers struggle coming back to their normal lives. This is told with sensitivity and mixes in with the plot very well. Once I picked up this book I read it in one day because I couldn’t put it down. It has a few parallel stories going at once so you get to see a lot of the story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Vivian is Dot’s cousin and asks for her help finding a client that failed to appear in court. This starts a fantastic book. I enjoyed the veteran storyline and bringing attention to how some soldiers struggle coming back to their normal lives. This is told with sensitivity and mixes in with the plot very well. Once I picked up this book I read it in one day because I couldn’t put it down. It has a few parallel stories going at once so you get to see a lot of the story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
March 7, 2026
This book is so good! The mystery is timely, the characters are interesting, and the writing kept me turning the pages faster and faster because I needed to know how the story ends. It is book two in the series but I read and enjoyed it as a standalone and can’t wait to read more of this series!
The mystery has them chasing a fugitive for Dot’s lawyer cousin Vivian which leads them to stumble onto something so much worse. As T.J. and Dot unravel all the threads it puts them and Dot’s family into danger and has me questioning if Caleb, the fugitive, is a good guy or a bad guy. As I was reading I had a reaction similar to Dot’s, I just wish I was able to handle things like she does!
The setting ranges from the isolation and beauty of ranches in Idaho to the glittering lights and wealth of Las Vegas. Dot’s family ranch provides the perfect backdrop for a haven. The sense of family, home, and safety of Dot’s family ranch is welcome after the danger. The animals, especially Pineapple, add to this feeling.
The characters are so well written and interesting. I like that they know each other well and trust them with their life. It makes for a great partnership between T.J. and Dot and a compelling story with the inclusion of family members and trusted friends. T.J. and Dot have a shared military past and both still carry demons from it that influence their actions. Dot is my favorite. She is capable, determined, and such a strong character. Her family gives her strength, keeps her grounded and reminds her what she is fighting for. The side characters, especially Vivian and Larabee, add depth to the story and form a team of people that are trusted.
All in all this is a book that is immersive and engaging and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Partners in Crime Tours for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The mystery has them chasing a fugitive for Dot’s lawyer cousin Vivian which leads them to stumble onto something so much worse. As T.J. and Dot unravel all the threads it puts them and Dot’s family into danger and has me questioning if Caleb, the fugitive, is a good guy or a bad guy. As I was reading I had a reaction similar to Dot’s, I just wish I was able to handle things like she does!
The setting ranges from the isolation and beauty of ranches in Idaho to the glittering lights and wealth of Las Vegas. Dot’s family ranch provides the perfect backdrop for a haven. The sense of family, home, and safety of Dot’s family ranch is welcome after the danger. The animals, especially Pineapple, add to this feeling.
The characters are so well written and interesting. I like that they know each other well and trust them with their life. It makes for a great partnership between T.J. and Dot and a compelling story with the inclusion of family members and trusted friends. T.J. and Dot have a shared military past and both still carry demons from it that influence their actions. Dot is my favorite. She is capable, determined, and such a strong character. Her family gives her strength, keeps her grounded and reminds her what she is fighting for. The side characters, especially Vivian and Larabee, add depth to the story and form a team of people that are trusted.
All in all this is a book that is immersive and engaging and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Partners in Crime Tours for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 6, 2026
I really liked the lead female character in this novel, Dot, one tough as nails gal. She smokes cigars and is an accomplished helicopter pilot, having been one in the army. She knows how to shoot and is every bit as tough as her bounty hunting partner, TJ. He suffers from PTSD with crippling memories from his tour in Afghanistan. I like how the two are able to work together. Add in Dot's cousin, Vivian, and there are actually two strong women involved.
The plot is a gritty one involving the horror of human trafficking. There is lots of action and suspense and a high body count. There is a major twist about half way through deepening the danger. Austin's writing style is good, keeping me reading.
This is the second novel in a short series and the first I have read. I did enjoy it and it can be read on its own. There are several characters from the first novel that have an effect on this one, however, so it should be read to fully enjoy this thriller.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The plot is a gritty one involving the horror of human trafficking. There is lots of action and suspense and a high body count. There is a major twist about half way through deepening the danger. Austin's writing style is good, keeping me reading.
This is the second novel in a short series and the first I have read. I did enjoy it and it can be read on its own. There are several characters from the first novel that have an effect on this one, however, so it should be read to fully enjoy this thriller.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 2, 2026
This is the 2nd book in the author's Bounty of Shadows series and was one of my most anticipated reads this year. The 1st book RIDE A DARK TRAIL made my top 15 of 2025!
Dot Ybarra is back! She's joined TJ Roman's bounty hunting business in Boise and has already started making a name for herself. When her cousin, Vivian who is a lawyer, asks them for a simple favor to try and find a "routine" bounty, they think nothing of it. The bounty is a Marine veteran who suffers from PTSD, so they instantly feel a connection with him. But soon that favor pulls them into a very dark international world of chaos that includes human trafficking. These despicable men have already left a high body count in their wake. Will they be able to find their guy without adding to that number? Will they be able to put an end to the madness using themselves as bait and make it out alive?
This is another action-packed, on the edge of your seat suspense thrill ride with an intriguing mystery. It's fast-paced and totally unputdownable! Told in multiple POVs, I just had to read this in one sitting. Dot is one of my very favorite FMCs, and I love her partnership with TJ. They even went down to the ranch in Euskadi for a bit, so I got to revisit Angela, Dot's mother, and other characters from the last book. It's compelling, captivating, and totally gripping! I HIGHLY recommend this book and series! It's definitely become one of my favorites🩷
Dot Ybarra is back! She's joined TJ Roman's bounty hunting business in Boise and has already started making a name for herself. When her cousin, Vivian who is a lawyer, asks them for a simple favor to try and find a "routine" bounty, they think nothing of it. The bounty is a Marine veteran who suffers from PTSD, so they instantly feel a connection with him. But soon that favor pulls them into a very dark international world of chaos that includes human trafficking. These despicable men have already left a high body count in their wake. Will they be able to find their guy without adding to that number? Will they be able to put an end to the madness using themselves as bait and make it out alive?
This is another action-packed, on the edge of your seat suspense thrill ride with an intriguing mystery. It's fast-paced and totally unputdownable! Told in multiple POVs, I just had to read this in one sitting. Dot is one of my very favorite FMCs, and I love her partnership with TJ. They even went down to the ranch in Euskadi for a bit, so I got to revisit Angela, Dot's mother, and other characters from the last book. It's compelling, captivating, and totally gripping! I HIGHLY recommend this book and series! It's definitely become one of my favorites🩷
March 3, 2026
A simple job to corral a "Failure To Appear" turns complex and deadly.
Bait the Devil is the second book in author Winter Austin's outstanding Bounty of Shadows mystery series, and it absolutely hits the ground running and never lets up as Dot Ybarra and her partner, T.J. Roman, track down a defendant as a favor for attorney and Dot's cousin, Vivian Montgomery. However, the marine veteran they're after doesn't want to be 'retrieved,' and he's got the special skills needed to avoid collection. But as the body count in his wake increases, so does Dot, T.J., and Vivian's determination to find him, and they don't give up.
What a great new adventure for Dot and company! This time around, the action moves from Dot's home territory in the Idaho mountains to Boise, where she's living and working to become a certified bounty hunter, and beyond, as they track a fellow veteran who's on his own personal mission. I loved seeing that Dot is in a better headspace since recuperating from the events of the debut novel; the truths she learned then and her successes have started to pay off. She seems even more confident and settled than ever. I enjoyed seeing her get to use some of her own special skills as a helicopter pilot, marksman, and horsewoman to exciting effect. While Dot is carefully working through her past experiences, the same cannot be said of T.J., who is struggling with PTSD associated with his Army service.With the case they're working on marked "Confidential" and rife with redacted government reports, TJ, Dot, and Vivian operate in the dark for much of the book's beginning, but bit by bit, the secrets come out. A good twist later on, and this book became impossible to set down. Besides the engaging main characters and the mysterious, compelling plot, the author's writing style draws readers in and makes them forget there's anything else outside their story.
I recommend BAIT THE DEVIL to readers of crime fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and suspense.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
February 20, 2026
Bait The Devil by Winter Austin is a book in the A Bounty of Shadows Series by the author. It is the second book in the series. Our MC is named Dot Ybarra, Dot is a bounty hunter and catches the bad guys. She doesn't give up easily as is in her character. Dot is a very tough woman who was in the army and is a partner to TJ who is her partner. TJ was also in the military and this is why these two get along so well. The story is about human trafficking, which is a really bad crime and needs to be more up front with people since unfortunately it happens all over the world at this time. Dot is asked to investigate and find a regular bounty, but it turns out to be much more. There is a lot of action in this book which is great as it keeps the plot moving and doesn't stagnate for the readers. There are also bodies that keep piling up in this one folks! You will like this one if you are a fan of ex-military characters and also a great thrilling mystery!
December 9, 2025
I’ve clearly developed a problem. I read both the books of this series so far in a matter of two days. If you’re looking for a good read that keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat this is definitely the series for that. This isn’t your average bounty hunter series, it’s loaded with action, strong military and family themes and is incredible. Absolutely adored this book and I’m going to have to go add this authors other books to my TBR shelf while I await the next book in this series.
March 27, 2026
This was one heck of an intense story. I loved the action and danger in this. The chaos and mystery was on par. This is one that pulled me in immediately and had me turning the pages waiting for what was doing to come next. The suspense had me glued to my seat. The twists and turns. I was feeling it. My heart was pounding. I couldn’t get enough of this. Very well written. The depth was amazing. I was invested from beginning to end. A must read.
April 8, 2026
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Bait the Devil is the second title in the A Bounty of Shadows series, as Dot and T.J. face another difficult case. I fell in love with this series with the first story, Ride a Dark Trail, and the second one pulled me back into that world easily, with an even more dangerous, intense mystery to solve. I’m enjoying the growing circle of friends and family we are introduced to, and the ever-changing relationship between Dot and T.J. Their dynamic as friends/partners is a solid foundation for the series, and watching them develop and grow is just as entertaining as the case they’re attempting to solve.
After solving one difficult case, Dot and T.J. are looking forward to arriving home for some R & R, but before that can happen, Dot is contacted by her cousin, Vivian, with another important case… a soldier skipped out on his court date, and Vivian is convinced he’s in trouble, not just running. What follows is riveting, intense, and shows not only a former soldier’s empathy for another soldier’s situation but also exposes a darker side of humanity, one that is vile and dangerous. To be frank, I wasn’t certain for a time whether this soldier was a good guy caught up in something bad or a bad guy trying to hide from the consequences of his actions. That uncertainty helped build the tensions within this story for me.
Since this is a mystery/thriller, I’m being very vague with details… but I can say that this is a book you will not easily put down, as you’ll be drawn into the danger that Dot and T.J. face quite easily. I enjoyed watching the story play out, and also the growing circle of friends/family who are also invested in Dot and T.J.’s work. Their story is full of danger, it’s intense, complicated, and the ending is so satisfying. I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for more in this series. If you love putting puzzle pieces together, if solving a mystery before the reveal is your kind of book enjoyment, then you’re going to love Bait the Devil.
*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.*
Bait the Devil is the second title in the A Bounty of Shadows series, as Dot and T.J. face another difficult case. I fell in love with this series with the first story, Ride a Dark Trail, and the second one pulled me back into that world easily, with an even more dangerous, intense mystery to solve. I’m enjoying the growing circle of friends and family we are introduced to, and the ever-changing relationship between Dot and T.J. Their dynamic as friends/partners is a solid foundation for the series, and watching them develop and grow is just as entertaining as the case they’re attempting to solve.
After solving one difficult case, Dot and T.J. are looking forward to arriving home for some R & R, but before that can happen, Dot is contacted by her cousin, Vivian, with another important case… a soldier skipped out on his court date, and Vivian is convinced he’s in trouble, not just running. What follows is riveting, intense, and shows not only a former soldier’s empathy for another soldier’s situation but also exposes a darker side of humanity, one that is vile and dangerous. To be frank, I wasn’t certain for a time whether this soldier was a good guy caught up in something bad or a bad guy trying to hide from the consequences of his actions. That uncertainty helped build the tensions within this story for me.
Since this is a mystery/thriller, I’m being very vague with details… but I can say that this is a book you will not easily put down, as you’ll be drawn into the danger that Dot and T.J. face quite easily. I enjoyed watching the story play out, and also the growing circle of friends/family who are also invested in Dot and T.J.’s work. Their story is full of danger, it’s intense, complicated, and the ending is so satisfying. I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for more in this series. If you love putting puzzle pieces together, if solving a mystery before the reveal is your kind of book enjoyment, then you’re going to love Bait the Devil.
*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.*
January 20, 2026
Bait the Devil is the second book in Winter Austin’s exciting series, A Bounty of Shadows. The book is set in Idaho and features Dot Ybarra and T.J. Roman. The two are business partners working as bounty hunters. After T.J.’s previous partner was badly injured, Dot took her position. Dot’s cousin, Vivian, is a lawyer and she gave them a job to bring in a guy for one of her partner’s cases. In looking for the guy, they realize things are off. When they arrive at the ranch where he works, they find dead bodies and a big mess. They learn he is a vet as they are, but he is messed up.
As Dot and TJ start looking into the owner of the ranch and the missing guy, they discover many hidden secrets and an international crime syndicate. The other attorneys have found themselves in trouble as well. The couple realize they have people after them as well as Vivian. They travel to Las Vegas and discover the syndicate is dealing with more than just drugs and are killing people to protect their interests. Dot’s mom has a ranch outside Euskadi and they would go there to lay low and see her family. There are many suspenseful moments in the story and there’s lots of tense situations.
The book is very well written. I am enjoying the series, having read both books. The characters are down to earth and very interesting. Dot is extremely loyal and genuine. Together with T.J., they make a great team. The area in Idaho sounds fascinating and the author provides very detailed descriptions of the area surrounding the Ybarra ranch. The plot is well laid out and all of the details make for a thrilling and entertaining read. This is a five star book I’m happy to recommend.
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
As Dot and TJ start looking into the owner of the ranch and the missing guy, they discover many hidden secrets and an international crime syndicate. The other attorneys have found themselves in trouble as well. The couple realize they have people after them as well as Vivian. They travel to Las Vegas and discover the syndicate is dealing with more than just drugs and are killing people to protect their interests. Dot’s mom has a ranch outside Euskadi and they would go there to lay low and see her family. There are many suspenseful moments in the story and there’s lots of tense situations.
The book is very well written. I am enjoying the series, having read both books. The characters are down to earth and very interesting. Dot is extremely loyal and genuine. Together with T.J., they make a great team. The area in Idaho sounds fascinating and the author provides very detailed descriptions of the area surrounding the Ybarra ranch. The plot is well laid out and all of the details make for a thrilling and entertaining read. This is a five star book I’m happy to recommend.
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2026
In Bait the Devil, bounty hunter Dot Ybarra takes what should be a straightforward job tracking down a bounty, but the hunt quickly spirals into something far darker. Alongside her partner T.J. Roman, Dot finds herself chasing a target with a military background that mirrors their own, and what begins as routine work exposes a dangerous trafficking operation far bigger than either expected. As the stakes climb and the bodies mount, Dot must navigate betrayal, buried secrets, and a truth about T.J. that tests the one thing she refuses to compromise on: trust. Relentless in her pursuit of justice, feisty and unapologetically fierce, Dot becomes both hunter and bait in a deadly game where survival depends on how far she’s willing to go.While this story can stand on its own, the A Bounty of Shadows series is absolutely one worth committing to, and Dot Ybarra is a female main character readers should be paying serious attention to. Her evolving dynamic with T.J. Roman keeps you constantly guessing, especially as their layered backstories unfold piece by piece, creating characters who feel fully lived-in and deeply human. The pacing is bingeable and relentless, balanced with sharp banter, sass, and moments of humor that cut through the darkness. Both Dot and T.J.’s military histories add depth and authenticity to the story, and you can feel the careful research and passion behind the writing which is something Winter Austin clearly pours into her work. With its fierce heroine, emotional tension, and high-stakes suspense, this is a series that pulls you in fast and makes you want to stay for the long haul.
January 19, 2026
Bait the Devil is the second book in the A Bounty of Shadows series. It read fairly well as a standalone, but it did leave me wondering at some of the character connections. It was an enjoyable read that touched on serious and difficult situations, but did so with touches of humor to lighten the load.
Dot and TJ are ex-military members who have become a bounty hunting team. When a mission goes wrong, they drag in Dot’s cousin Vivian. Vivian is a lawyer with a high powered law firm, and she winds up in the middle of a very dangerous situation. There’s also a section of the story that follows an ex-Marine who was severely injured in Afghanistan. He’s working with one of the alphabet agencies to help bring down a child trafficker.
I liked the relationship between Dot and TJ, but I really wanted to see more of Vivian and Larabee. Vivian’s portion of this book came across as far more realistic and believable than Dot and TJ’s. I liked Dot’s mother and thought she added a nice touch to the story.
Be warned: there are lots of dead bodies at nearly every turn in this story. I found it unlikely that bounty hunters would be involved in such situations. Then, again, my experience with bounty hunters lies mostly with Stephanie Plum. This is no Stephanie Plum story.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank them for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Dot and TJ are ex-military members who have become a bounty hunting team. When a mission goes wrong, they drag in Dot’s cousin Vivian. Vivian is a lawyer with a high powered law firm, and she winds up in the middle of a very dangerous situation. There’s also a section of the story that follows an ex-Marine who was severely injured in Afghanistan. He’s working with one of the alphabet agencies to help bring down a child trafficker.
I liked the relationship between Dot and TJ, but I really wanted to see more of Vivian and Larabee. Vivian’s portion of this book came across as far more realistic and believable than Dot and TJ’s. I liked Dot’s mother and thought she added a nice touch to the story.
Be warned: there are lots of dead bodies at nearly every turn in this story. I found it unlikely that bounty hunters would be involved in such situations. Then, again, my experience with bounty hunters lies mostly with Stephanie Plum. This is no Stephanie Plum story.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank them for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
March 12, 2026
I had the opportunity to ‘meet’ Dorothy (Dot) and T.J. for the first time. Dot and T.J. have more than just a bounty hunter partnership, but this particular case puts them at odds with each other as T.J. has not been totally honest about the characters involved.
Dot … she’s a character that I enjoyed. She has a ‘look’ that she gives T.J. and when he gets that look from her, he just knows he needs to back off and give Dot space and time. This makes her a very relatable, very likable character to me. She also takes no guff off of anyone. She seeks the truth and goes after it like a dog with a bone. She also has an incredibly different habit that you’ll have to read about. It’s a different kind of habit for a female.
T.J. … I kind of had to feel sorry for him when he received a couple of scathing looks from Dot. He just knew he had messed up so far as Dot was concerned. T.J. also seems to want to seek out justice for those involved, especially this time since a military fellow was involved, T.J. having been in the military himself. Well, Dot had as well (another interesting career choice for a female in the military, I thought), but T.J. was not 100 percent honest with Dot (as noted above).
There are so many different relationships throughout these pages with quite a few ins and outs that kept the pages turning. Dot and T.J. uncovered something more than what they were bargaining for and certainly not what I was expecting. I suspect that Dot and T.J. have some more adventures in their future.
Dot … she’s a character that I enjoyed. She has a ‘look’ that she gives T.J. and when he gets that look from her, he just knows he needs to back off and give Dot space and time. This makes her a very relatable, very likable character to me. She also takes no guff off of anyone. She seeks the truth and goes after it like a dog with a bone. She also has an incredibly different habit that you’ll have to read about. It’s a different kind of habit for a female.
T.J. … I kind of had to feel sorry for him when he received a couple of scathing looks from Dot. He just knew he had messed up so far as Dot was concerned. T.J. also seems to want to seek out justice for those involved, especially this time since a military fellow was involved, T.J. having been in the military himself. Well, Dot had as well (another interesting career choice for a female in the military, I thought), but T.J. was not 100 percent honest with Dot (as noted above).
There are so many different relationships throughout these pages with quite a few ins and outs that kept the pages turning. Dot and T.J. uncovered something more than what they were bargaining for and certainly not what I was expecting. I suspect that Dot and T.J. have some more adventures in their future.
February 4, 2026
MY THOUGHTS
Bait the Devil is book two in the Bounty of Shadows Series that is written by Winter Austin. I was so excited to get my hands on book two that it went to the TOP of my TBR pile. This book is set in Idaho and we get to see main characters, Dot Ybarra and T.J. Roman.
The two of them are now business partners and bounty hunters. Dot’s cousin, Vivian wants their assistance in looking into a case. A guy fails to show up to court, and Dot and TJ are tasked with attempting to find him. When they start to dig deep, things go awry. They get to the ranch where he works, they find a bunch of bodies and a big mess.
One thing that I feel like I need to mention, is that TJ and Dot are both former military. This book does deal with some PTSD due to war/military service. The author has done a wonderful job with weaving it Into the story. The “target”/missing man deals with PTSD. What they don’t count on is uncovering international reach of crime.
This book is well written, and Winter Austin is creeping to the top of my favorite suspense authors. If you have not read book one, you can read them out of order, but it really helps to know the background of Dot and TJ. This book is action packed, and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Partner in Crime Book Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.
Bait the Devil is book two in the Bounty of Shadows Series that is written by Winter Austin. I was so excited to get my hands on book two that it went to the TOP of my TBR pile. This book is set in Idaho and we get to see main characters, Dot Ybarra and T.J. Roman.
The two of them are now business partners and bounty hunters. Dot’s cousin, Vivian wants their assistance in looking into a case. A guy fails to show up to court, and Dot and TJ are tasked with attempting to find him. When they start to dig deep, things go awry. They get to the ranch where he works, they find a bunch of bodies and a big mess.
One thing that I feel like I need to mention, is that TJ and Dot are both former military. This book does deal with some PTSD due to war/military service. The author has done a wonderful job with weaving it Into the story. The “target”/missing man deals with PTSD. What they don’t count on is uncovering international reach of crime.
This book is well written, and Winter Austin is creeping to the top of my favorite suspense authors. If you have not read book one, you can read them out of order, but it really helps to know the background of Dot and TJ. This book is action packed, and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Partner in Crime Book Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.
February 17, 2026
Bait the Devil by Winter Austin is about a badass training to be a fugitive recovery agent, which I think is a bounty hunter as well. Named Dot, a mountain woman born & raised in Payette National Forest, she is a badass that wouldn’t be caught ever in a skirt, even if it was military issued. She knows how to fly a plane & can take down a man twice her size. From her horse-wrangling skills to her ability to land a helicopter with precision while on one of their hunts. There’s not much that feisty & respected Dot can’t do. TJ, her partner, who relied pretty heavily on her instincts while on their bounty hunts, was one of her fellow soldiers in the military in these hunting expeditions. He also was, at many points in her life, a romantic partner. TJ was a recovering alcoholic who used alcohol to deal with his PTSD from his experiences in the military. They had a mission to find a guy named Cade Porter, which led them on a crazy wild goose chase where bodies with the same tattoo kept popping up. This was a good book; this Dot character seems pretty freaking amazing—there isn’t anything she cannot do. Joining them on this crazy mission to track down this horrible man is highly recommended!
Received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
Received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
November 10, 2025
This book 2 in a series of which I have not read the first. While it is possible to read this as a stand alone, I felt I would have benefited from reading the first book.
One big hinderance for me was there are no descriptions of the characters so I can visualize them. The information that is provided describes Dot as a tall, 210lb woman (with all her gear on) with long hair and strong family ties. Being a bounty hunter means she is extremely fit. TJ Roman is her mentor and business partner and sometimes lover. Apparently he is also big but maybe not as fit as Dot given he was wheezing during a chase. Not even enough of a description to give to for a police report!
I really enjoyed the story but the story telling felt frenetic and uneven. Maybe this is a writing style that I struggle with. However, I love books with strong FMCs so will definitely look for the next in this series.
I received a free copy from Booksprout. This is my unbiased review.
One big hinderance for me was there are no descriptions of the characters so I can visualize them. The information that is provided describes Dot as a tall, 210lb woman (with all her gear on) with long hair and strong family ties. Being a bounty hunter means she is extremely fit. TJ Roman is her mentor and business partner and sometimes lover. Apparently he is also big but maybe not as fit as Dot given he was wheezing during a chase. Not even enough of a description to give to for a police report!
I really enjoyed the story but the story telling felt frenetic and uneven. Maybe this is a writing style that I struggle with. However, I love books with strong FMCs so will definitely look for the next in this series.
I received a free copy from Booksprout. This is my unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bait the Devil by Winter Austin is the second book in the tough woman series titled Bounty of Shadows. While this series has strong women in it like the first series, Benoit & Dayne I read by her, this one is different. Edgier, grittier and more thriller than police procedural. Military veteran, Dot Ybarra is a no nonsense, woman of few words and fearless when in action. With business partner, T.J. Roman by her side, they make un unstoppable team.
This story is straight out of the real-world news which deals with women and the plight in which many they find themselves through no fault of their own. I was surprised at the amount of bad language, so I was in total agreement with little Bethany pushing Dot and T.J. to pay up to the swear jar. Still the story is hard to put down which is why I was reading until early morning. For an action-packed where the good guys do not pull any punches you will want to read Bait the Devil. 4.5 Stars
This story is straight out of the real-world news which deals with women and the plight in which many they find themselves through no fault of their own. I was surprised at the amount of bad language, so I was in total agreement with little Bethany pushing Dot and T.J. to pay up to the swear jar. Still the story is hard to put down which is why I was reading until early morning. For an action-packed where the good guys do not pull any punches you will want to read Bait the Devil. 4.5 Stars
December 1, 2025
Bait the Devil (A Bounty of Shadows #2) by Winter Austin:
Book Review: Bait the Devil by Winter Austin
Bait the Devil is a fantastic mystery packed with intrigue, suspense, and murder. Winter Austin delivers a well-crafted story with sharp writing, compelling twists, and a strong narrative that kept me fully engaged from beginning to end.
The characters are especially well-developed, and bounty hunters Dot and TJ shine at the centre of the chaos. Their dynamic, grit, and determination pull you straight into the danger they face as they find themselves once again in the thick of a gripping and high-stakes investigation.
Overall, Bait the Devil is a thrilling addition to the Bounty of Shadows series—fast-paced, atmospheric, and thoroughly enjoyable for fans of mystery and suspense.
Book Review: Bait the Devil by Winter Austin
Bait the Devil is a fantastic mystery packed with intrigue, suspense, and murder. Winter Austin delivers a well-crafted story with sharp writing, compelling twists, and a strong narrative that kept me fully engaged from beginning to end.
The characters are especially well-developed, and bounty hunters Dot and TJ shine at the centre of the chaos. Their dynamic, grit, and determination pull you straight into the danger they face as they find themselves once again in the thick of a gripping and high-stakes investigation.
Overall, Bait the Devil is a thrilling addition to the Bounty of Shadows series—fast-paced, atmospheric, and thoroughly enjoyable for fans of mystery and suspense.
March 14, 2026
Bait the Devil Book 2 of A Bounty of Shadows by Winter Austin
Story starts out with Dot and she's on a mission to catch the bounty for her and the group.
She's not a PI yet but others are and they get leads on the bounty and who they need to be capturing.
Love the step by step process and how they are able to track the culprits down and get them.
Love the team and what they mean to one another and how well they work as a team.
Lots of action, mystery, and adventure.
Like how the missions go on target then things go haywiere and then it even gets worse. Super love the ending, didn't see that happening! Can't wait to read more form the author.
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion.
Story starts out with Dot and she's on a mission to catch the bounty for her and the group.
She's not a PI yet but others are and they get leads on the bounty and who they need to be capturing.
Love the step by step process and how they are able to track the culprits down and get them.
Love the team and what they mean to one another and how well they work as a team.
Lots of action, mystery, and adventure.
Like how the missions go on target then things go haywiere and then it even gets worse. Super love the ending, didn't see that happening! Can't wait to read more form the author.
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion.
March 21, 2026
Book two of "A Bounty of Shadows" is an excellent crime thriller. Retrieval agents Dot Ybarra and T.J. Roman are used to dicey conditions. Both former military, they have honed instincts that should keep them out of dangerous situations. The operative word is of course, is "should" but they've ended up in the middle of a hornet's nest they might not survive. The more they delve the deeper the layers go and T.J.'s secrets could complicate everything including their partnership. A darn fine book !!!
March 27, 2026
Dot and T.J. are once again caught up in more than they bargained for. This time her cousin Vivian is also in the mix. Can they find their bounty before it’s too late. Once again this was an action packed story. I found it very enjoyable. I only wish I didn’t have to keep looking up the translator the Basque language used throughout. A glossary would have been nice as the kindle doesn’t offer Basque in its translation capabilities. I had the same issue with the first book. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
December 4, 2025
This book is the 2nd in the Bounty of Shadows series and it's just a great as the first one. Dot Ybarra is having great success as a bounty hunter. Dot takes on a new case as a favor to her cousin and it goes south really quick. This case has international intentions with dead bodies everywhere. Dot has to work fast to stop a trafficking ring and find out what secrets her business partner is keeping also. Action packed to the very end.
January 25, 2026
This is book two in a Bounty of Shadows series-it can be read as a stand alone but I was confused by all the character's connections at times and wonder if I read book one I would have a better understanding of some of the aspects of the story. That being said I loved the strong female characters. Dot is the main one and although she is a strong minded tough former Army helicopter she is not infallible. TJ her partner in their bounty hunting business is the perfect complement. This is a multi layered suspense-who to trust? what exactly is going on? Secrets are uncovered but who will get out alive. The Idaho scenes and the Basque culture round out this gripping story. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 2, 2025
I enjoyed this story. The characters were interesting, and I liked how the author introduced the main character, Dot. She was introduced during an action scene. This made it an exciting start to the story, and I was hooked to it. I think that this was a unique storyline.
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.
December 7, 2025
Wow intense edge of your seat reading with this book that has so many twists it's hard to put down. Love the strong female lead character who is smart and knows what she's doing. But there is some secrets that can't be revealed. Trying to hide the secret makes for compelling reading. Good read.
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.
December 1, 2025
One job for the bounty hunters and more then a dozen people are dead, there is so much action. Dot didn't want to take this job but she won't back down. I thought the characters were pretty exciting and dangerous.
December 2, 2025
Good characters. I was pulled right in from the start and couldn't stop reading. Gripping twists and turns. I recommend this book.
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.
February 5, 2026
"Readers who love plenty of action, suspense, and explosions are in for a butt-kicking good read.”
—The Mystery Review Crew
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