Kat's Law

Sawtooth Range #1

by Samantha St. Claire

Two Irresistible Callings and One Undeniable DestinyKat’s never backed down from a fight, not from schoolyard bullies nor medical school classmates biased against her gender. So, when the local lawman fails to protect her hometown from escalating violence, she’ll need to take up her Browning rifle to meet the threat alone unless the ex-Texas ranger can shake off his haunted past and stand with her.READERS' FAVORITE FIVE STAR REVIEWIND’TALE CROWNED HEARTDREAMS OF AN EDUCATED WOMANKat Meriwether left her hometown of Snowberry in Idaho Territory as a tomboy with a saucy reputation as a fighter of bullies, but she returns as an educated woman polished by four years in Boston. Throughout those years she's kept her mind focused on her studies, avoiding romantic entanglements that might hinder her from achieving her goals.NIGHTMARES OF AN EX-TEXAS RANGERJonathan Winthrop is a haunted man, running from his personal demons. Idaho Territory offers him a chance to start over, but lawless men are transforming the once peaceful town, and innocents will die without a defender.Together, they will find not only their unmistakable callings, but an undeniable love.If you like western historical fiction led by strong women and the men attracted to them, then ride out with KAT’S LAW.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

265 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2020

About the author

Samantha St. Claire lives with her husband, two horses and three cats in the Pacific Northwest at the edge of the Salish Sea.

Reviews

[Maria11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not my cup of tea. The story didn’t pull me in like I thought it would. Kat was interesting, but so blah. I got annoyed that her father was referred to by his first name. I would read his name and say to myself “Who is that again?” I really didn’t feel a pull between her and Jonathan. They didn’t give off that spark. She didn’t like the town but she came back and seemed to regret it with every page. The writing was good, but I just couldn’t get into it and stay involved.

Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a suspenseful romance set in 1888 in the Idaho Territory. The historical details about the area and medical knowledge were woven into the story. The main characters quickly suspect who's behind the robberies and killings (which is further confirmed when those men threaten them), but how can they prove it? The hero was a lawman, but a misjudgment cost an innocent girl her life. He can't help but protect the beautiful doctor despite the guilt her carries. Dr. Kat has always stood up for justice, but no one is standing up to the men suspected of bringing violence and crime to their peaceful town. While capable with a gun, she is just one woman...

The main characters were nice, engaging, and reacted realistically to events. The romantic couple supported each other and brought out the best in each other. They shared interests despite their differences. The underlying Christian theme was that maybe some things can't be explained except by believing in a god. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat's Law is book two from The Sawtooth Range series. I liked it and I would give it four stars. Recommended.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

1888, Snowberry (Idaho territory). Dr. Kathryn “Kat” Meriwether was attending to Jeremy Halverson (9, William’s brother) who had been kicked by his horse.
Gabe brought Zack Clark (wagon driver, Silver Fields) to see Dr. Nathaniel “Nathan” Meriwether (father, surgeon in the war) & Dr. Kat Meriwether . The coach had been robbed & he had been shot & left to die.

Jonathan “Jon” Winthrop (former Texas Ranger) & Kat met while in town.
Tom (wagon guard) was brought from Bear Rock, & attended to by both Dr.’s Meriwether. He didn’t make it.
Jon had become friends with Timothy Hindricks (father, rancher, school teacher) & his son
Adam Hindricks (13).
Timothy had just bought the plot of land; Schmidt's Valley (Lost Eden) homestead & was planning on becoming a rancher. He asked for Jon’s help.

Timothy also offered to give Jon his own plot of land.
Liam Brewster (Kat’s childhood enemy), Gilford Hall (father, lawman), Ethan Hall (son, lawman), & Noah were having a not-so-good meeting.
Kat went to see Josie (Kat’s BFF, 3 children). She checked to see how the pregnancy was progressing.
Kat was invited to the Strawberry Picnic Committee hosted by Mrs. Victoria Townsend.
Mrs. Forester had appointed Kat to be the chairman of the food contest.
It was finally Strawberry Picnic day. Let the fun & contests begin.

Crime & robberies had increased in the small town.

What awaits Kat in San Francisco?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction Western Romance (novella) book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great 19th. Century historical fiction Western Romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Riversend Books; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Kat’s Law. It reminded me of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Kat is one of the very first doctors in the 1800s. This is the time around the gold rush out west. Her dad had been a doctor and she worked with him all growing up. She's a little bit different than most girls which I happen to love. The author created some touching scenes and the reader could really relate to. For example when she comes home and revisit some of the places she had special memories of as a child. Some of those places are no longer the same but others are just as she remembers them. Jonathan is an ex-Texas ranger who is still having nightmares from his past. Kat and Jonathan are a beautiful sweet romance. Kat is a character that any girl or woman is going to love and admire. I plan to recommend this book for my niece who is also a fan of Dr Quinn.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat's Law opens in the small town of Snowberry in the Idaho Territory in 1888. After being gone for six years, Kat Meriwether has returned home. She is now a physician and for the time being, she will assist her father who is also a physician. She struggles with difficult decisions regarding her career. In addition, her beloved town bears troubling changes and she is uneasy. She is not the only one with concerns. Former Texas Ranger, Jonathan Winthrop, has come to Idaho Territory temporarily. Haunted by painful memories, he has issues, too. Even so, his senses are still sharp and he sees the signs of danger brewing around Snowberry and is worried about Kat's safety. Can he protect her?

This is a well told story with believable characters. The author's vivid descriptions of the setting immerses readers into the story. There is just the right amount of romance and danger to make this an engrossing story. Highly recommended.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat's Law by Samantha St. Claire is book one of the series, The Sawtooth range. It covers the topic of woman doctors in the 1880's. This topic has interested me mew since I was little. It covers the problems and the up side of being a female doctor in Idaho territory. It has adventure, a hint of mystery and romance. The lady doctor wants justice and a ex-Texas ranger who feels that he let innocence people die so he turned in his bade. It is a sweet historical western which is well written. I had trouble being it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book.I was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own in this review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS is a western romance to sink your teeth into

Yes it's a romance set in the old west. And I bet the author read more than one or two books by Louis Lamour. She did research. Good research. But she can tell a tale. You genuinely like the people in this story. And the evil ones. The mean ones. You don't like for good reason. The author paints scenes with her words. A couple of minor grammar issues and a misused word or two did not pull this one out of the five star category.

If you like reading a romance, you'll like this book. And if you like reading a western book, you'll like this book. AND if you like a clean romance, this book shows you don't have to have sex to have a great read. Loved it.

Now. What's the next book in this series. It appears I have found an author.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

Set in a mining town just as Idaho is on the verge of becoming a state, "Kat's Law" is a wonderful example of modern values clashing with old fashioned ones.

Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a good storyline that is compelling, interesting, and pleasurable. The characters are intriguing, delightful, and well developed. I liked reading this book.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was quite an experience reading this book, the challenges were well written and the plot was good as well written scenes make it all come together.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a few Westerns/ historical fiction books set in the late 19th/early 20th century, so I was eager to read this book. I read a lot of history, but don't read a ton of American history/historical fiction in general, so I was doubly excited - especially to read a "clean" romance. I'm not a big fan of romance novels but do enjoy the occasional, well written historical romance.

Unfortunately I was disappointed. The storyline / plot / characters were all well developed, but the research in this book was lacking. The average, casual reader probably wouldn't even have picked up on things, but I did. The first few chapters were fine - or perhaps I didn't notice anything - but once I started picking up on little historical errors, I couldn't stop, and it really took away from the plot to the point where I just didn't really enjoy the book. I also really had a hard time liking any of the characters - none of them seemed very real to me, none of them felt very fleshed out characters.

So let me explain in more detail, some of the historical issues I spotted, and this is by no means a conclusive / exhaustive list:

* multiple instances of grown women being referred to as "girls" - both by other women & men.
*referring to Texas as civilization, and being more civilized than Idaho territory, where Kat was currently living, and referring to Texas as being equally settled as Boston was where Kat received her medical degree
* speaking of which, her father was a poor country farmer, where he would have been paid in chicken, eggs, and other produce IF at all... how did he afford to send her to college back East?
* Everyone seems VERY rich - at least three different people refer to their books, when books were incredibly expensive and relatively rare out west. I can see Kat & her father owning a few medical books but the average person would only own a few books in their entire life, and it would be a big deal to make the time to read - a real treat. Not mentioned casually as this is normal, every day business
* Kat not knowing how to sew or cook. She certainly would have known how to sew and she definitely would have known how to cook. She might not have been skilled at either one, but she certainly would have been capable of doing basic cooking and sewing.
* My biggest issue in the entire book - there's a scene where Kat & her father are doing target practice, shooting at tin cans with a gun that was invented two years prior. OK... sure, they could've owned that gun ... but they were shooting at soup & bean cans. In Idaho territory in 1888. Sure, tin cans were around then & they were easily available & even relatively affordable in the East... but tinned soup wasn't around for another 20 years & tinned food would have been incredible expensive out West, especially when dried beans were so cheap. And again, how would her father have afforded such an expensive food when he would have gotten paid by the barter system? Sure, maybe a patient paid him with a tin can of food... but it wouldn't have been beans.

And then I had other issues with the plot that had nothing to do with historical inaccuracies - such as her father's friend giving her stitches when she was a young girl -- WHAT? Her FATHER is a doctor, yet HE doesn't give her stitches? A simple additional one sentence could explain why this occurred - perhaps he was helping someone hurting worse than Kat? But there's no explanation, just a quick mention of her father's friend giving her stitches as a child. That just doesn't make sense, and there's little details like that that happens repeatedly.

Again, most of my issues with the book most people wouldn't even pick up on. If you read more romance than me, you'd probably really enjoy the story because it is a sweet romance (hence the three stars, which for me means it's a fair-to-good book).

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat’s Law is a clean romance novel set in the west back when the west was still being settled. Kat Meriwether is just returning from Boston after being gone for several years at medical school. She comes home to Snowberry. She’s not prepared for the boom that the town has gone through while she was away. But the size of the town isn’t the only thing that has changed. There are more less than desirable characters around, and this causes violence to spring up. A new comer has arrived over the years and declared himself sheriff, but is there something more to his agenda? Jonathan, a former Texas Ranger, lives with the dark memory of a failed situation. It eats at him, and he feels a deep shame for not being able to protect an innocent. He doesn’t intend to stay in Snowberry, but maybe love will whisper to him to stay.
Kat’s Law by Samantha St. Claire is the first book that I have read by this author, but it is a story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I like Kat very much. She is a strong willed and focused young woman. She went to Boston and stayed focused to achieve what it was that she wanted to achieve. She’s family oriented and this shines brightly through her character. She wants more for her life, but she’s still dedicated to her father as well. Kat has an amusing side as well. She is hesitant to allow romance into her life, and her ways to stay focused definitely seem to work for her. I can’t say that many women back in those days would have been willing to put their education first, and love second.
Jonathon is an interesting character as well. I like his quiet strength. He’s left being a law man but he’s still a lawman deep down inside. He’s always watching and observing everything around him. It truly breaks my heart at how broken he is behind a mistake. He honestly shocks me in a couple moments in this story, but I love how human he is. The author does such a fantastic job with the characters, that you will honestly believe that they are real.
There isn’t much that I don’t like about this book. The author has done such a fantastic job with this story and the research that she has done. There is only one noticeable error that I can speak of concerning this story. When Kat returns to the barn with Jonathan and is putting up her horse. It seems the author gets mildly distracted here. Instead of saying “her” in relation to the horse the author says “he.” It’s a mild error but one that caught my attention, because I worried that it would happen with the two characters being together in that particular situation.
All in all, I love how this story comes together. The romance is not rushed. It grows and blooms in its time. Kat is not wilting flower. She’s strong and able to do what she must. The title is reflected in the story, it’s not until the end, but I like that it is reflected nonetheless. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. This is truly an enjoyable novel. If you are a fan of western novels, with clean romance then this absolutely a story for you to check out.

[Kelly Tyree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat's Law was a well written western historical book. It features romance, suspense and plenty of action to keep the reader engaged. The characters are likable and some are not so likable, but nonetheless they are easy to follow and watch them develop.

Kat Meriwether left her home four years ago to become a doctor like her father. She has now returned home and is helping her father in his practice temporarily. In 1888 it is hard to get a territory to accept Kat is now a doctor and fully capable of performing medical duties. But the Idaho territory has changed in the four years Kat has been gone. There is a rise in crime and folks are scared. A man has come and has declared himself the law in their town. The problem is Kat suspects he is anything but law abiding.

Jonathan Winthrop if a former Texas ranger that is haunted by a crime that he made the wrong decision about. He has come to help his friend get his ranch started. When he meets Kat, the attraction between him and her is felt by both. But Jonathan does not need a romance to distract him. When things get more and more dangerous and Kat and her father are threatened, Jonathan knows he needs to be protector of the innocent. Can he protect Kat and the town when he needs to or will he make the wrong decision again?

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It was so much fun to read! I have to tell you, this historical western is exactly the type of book I love to read. Set in times when the west is being settled, Kat Meriwether is a female doctor come back to the small town where she grew up and her father is the only medical doctor around. Of course, it's hard for folks to believe she could be competent as a doctor, being as she's a woman...we've come a long ways, nowadays.

Anyway, the setting is similar to Little House on the Prairie times when there are people settling in new places and the law is few and far between. This is an eventful story, as a man and his son and their cohorts set themselves up as sheriff and lawmen in this rural town. When a lot of robberies start happening, Dr. Kat looks at the new rancher, Jonathan Winthrop, for much needed help, since he used to be a ranger, and the lawmen of the town can't seem to stop the crimes being committed. I think it's an appealing story with the sweet romance that blossoms between Kat and Jonathan. Much happens, and you will be on the edge of your seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Kat's Law, and I highly recommend it.

[Carol Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kat left the Idaho territory in the early 1880s to attend school in the East her hometown was a typical safe, small town. Now she finds that it is no longer small nor safe. The silver and gold mines have led to growth and lots of crime. With an open offer to practice medicine in San Francisco, she must decide between following her dreams or staying to help her father who is having a hard time treating all the patients by himself.

Then there’s Jonathan. He complicates things further. No amount of ear pinching seems to alter the strong feelings she has for him.

This is a very good read. It has a lot of action for a romance, and thus quite a bit of violence. The romance is clean and sweet with kissing only. The language is also very clean.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance and the time of the Wild West.

[E Oygard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dislike reading a story only to discover the need to buy a second for completion

Kat Merriweather has returned home a qualified doctor. Her father, also a doctor, believes she is back for good and doesn't know she has been offered a job in San Francisco.
Jonathan Winthrop is an ex Texas Ranger, working for Timothy Hendricks who is setting up a ranch. Robberies have been occurring more frequently and Kat and her father know who they suspect, which may put them in danger.
I was disappointed with this story. The plot was thin and the reasoning behind action and decision poorly executed in my opinion. It started extremely slowly and did not pick up until approximately 70% of the way through and then quickly wrapped up but seemingly unfinished. Then I realised there was to be a second book continuing the story of Kat and Jonathan, which is my pet hate.

[marzimarzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing her medical studies, Kat is back in town. At first appearance not much has changed but she then learns that the town is no longer a safe one as someone is stealing from people and she suspects that someone is the self-appointed sheriff. The bully-fighting girl won';t stand by and let injustice be in her hometown. Fortunately, a former ranger is in town and she seeks his help in bringing down the "bullies". In the process, the doctor who fought any attraction for many years, can't resist falling for him.
A very nice read with well-researched writings about the era taking you back in time and drawing you into the short yet packed story.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Irene S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that Kat has finished medical school, Kat has returned to Snowberry in the Idaho Territory. When Kat and her father treat a dying guard from the silver mine, their lives might be in danger. Though Jonathan, a former Texas ranger, sees the growing danger in the town, he doesn't think that he is the right man to stop it. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I enjoyed reading this book. It's a combination of romance, suspense, and an old western. Kat is a very strong minded and independent woman. Jonathan is a man who struggling with memories and guilt from his last case in Texas. Their romance is sweet and believable.

[Shirley Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a realistic historical western. It has believable characters both good and bad. Kat comes back to her hometown after she becomes a doctor. She works with her father, who is the town doctor.The town has changed since she has been gone and not for the better. Jonathan left his job as a Texas Ranger and while traveling met up with a father and furniture that were starting a new ranch. He agreed to help them for awhile. When Kat is threatened he is determined to keep her safe. This is a great story with wonderful characters. I would definitely recommend this book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Kat's Law to be a wonderfully sweet read with just enough of everything, suspense, adventure and romance, that I think everyone will find something to love about the story. Kat is a very good lead female character to follow and I enjoyed that she was in fact strong in everything that she did. Jonathan the ex-Texas Ranger was also an interesting character that really pulled the story along as he suffered from his own past mistakes that continued to haunt him. The was a realistic, interesting and very entertaining story that I fully enjoyed.

A truly fantastic western romance that everyone will enjoy!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly an amazing storyline that completely drew me in what a wonderful and engaging western. This is the first book of Ms. St Claire’s I have read and she has a surprisingly perfect way with words that help place you right there with the characters. There are first-rate challenges for all the main characters, a solid love story with an excellent ending. If you like westerns this is a great book to have in your collection. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Penny Ellgass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat returns home, a brand new Dr. Her father hopes she will stay and practice with him in Snowberry. Jonathan a former Texas Ranger is there helping a friend an his son start a ranch. Jonathan is haunted by the loss of a young girl he tried to save but was unable to.
Neither is willing to accept the attraction they have to the other. But trouble in the town makes Jonathan afraid for Kat and her father'said life.
Read to find out date happens in Snowberry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1888 and Dr. Kat Merryweather returns to her hometown with a new degree as a medical doctor. As if having to fight the stereotypes for women would not be enough, she takes on the fight against ruthless men, who try to terrorise the town and ridicule the law. By her side a man who in age could almost be her father .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. The book is an interesting mix of frontier adventure and a sweet love story. Characters are well defined and described, so it is easy to identify with them when reading...

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a doctor and he is an ex lawman. They are both looking for justice so they try to do it together. He failed to protect the innocent so returned his badge. Can she help him? The town is under siege from the ones who do bad things and they need him to help them. See if he can. Will love flower between the? Only one way to find out
I received an advanced copy and I enjoyed it so much that I want to review

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams of an educated woman
Nightmares of an Ex-Texas Ranger
Love can alter them all

I absolutely loved this book! Starting with the first page, I couldn't put it down. The story moved along, no slow parts. Great editing. The descriptions by the author of the Idaho Territory in 1888 are beautiful and breathtaking. I loved Kat -- and her father, Dr. Meriwether And the quiet but strong hero, Jonathan. A good man. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a clean and sweet romance. I can't wait to read Book 2.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story. The perfect blend of historical grit mixed with sweet romance. I author was truly an artist with this story. Marvelous storyline with well defined characters. The leading lady reminded me of the 90s show "Medicine Woman" or something close to that. She is a very strong, knowledgeable female during a male dominated time. I read this book almost nonstop, I just couldn't put it down. Highly recommended read!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written story of life in the Idaho Territory in the 1880's, about Kat a strong-willed woman who has become a doctor and an ex-Texas Ranger Jonathan Winthrop. There is drama, danger, suspense, villains a story that kept my interest until the end. This is the first book by this Author that I have read and I will be looking for more by her. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I enjoyed reading this well-written story of a strong, capable woman in a fast growing town near new gold mines. Kat struggles to be recognized as the professional she is, not the tomboy she was growing up. At the same time, she must make choices about her future. Great plot dealing with a town that comes under the grip of unscrupulous people. Also, a very sweet romance tops things off. Definitely one to read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful and sweet historical western romance! I really enjoyed this story. The doctor and the Texas Ranger, what a match! This is a captivating, well written and truly wonderful story. I loved that characters! This was a wonderful mix: suspense and romance. I loved how the story developed!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.*