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Savage Destiny #5
Climb The Highest Mountain
Ever since her gaze locked with Lone Eagle's over a crimson campfire, young Abigail Trent knew her fate lay with the virile Cheyenne scout. She had married him, borne him children, and endured all the hardships of the rugged frontier. But even though so many years had passed, each night found the white squaw melded to her Indian mate, burning with the need to prove their passion again and again.
Now new troubles rose to challenge them: Homesteaders poured into the unmapped territory, determined to wrest the land from the forbidden lovers and their "heathen" people. Abbie and Lone Eagle had conquered greater threats than this, surviving bandits and outlaws, fevers and wounds. They would overcome this danger, too, as together they struggled for their own way of life and fiercely embraced their savage destiny.
Now new troubles rose to challenge them: Homesteaders poured into the unmapped territory, determined to wrest the land from the forbidden lovers and their "heathen" people. Abbie and Lone Eagle had conquered greater threats than this, surviving bandits and outlaws, fevers and wounds. They would overcome this danger, too, as together they struggled for their own way of life and fiercely embraced their savage destiny.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
41 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Rosanne Bittner
85 books623 followersI am a USA-TODAY best-selling author with 41 years, 76 books, and numerous writing awards behind me. My major genre is historical romance. I have always written for standard publishers but am now writing strictly for Amazon so I have more freedom to write real history. My most recent publication is SHADOW TRAIL, the 6th book in my Outlaw Hearts series. I also wrote and published my first full-length contemporary story, DANCING BENEATH YOU, in September 2022, a romance involving mystery and a depiction of reservation life in the Badlands of South Dakota. My best sellers are my SAVAGE DESTINY series (7 books) and my OUTLAW HEARTS series. See my website (www.rosannebittner.com) for details on all my books - most available for Kindle and in print. I am known for great love stories filled with real history and high emotion. I have also written many Native American stories, all based on real history.
I love American history. For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800s and feature vividly described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I have also written about the French & Indian wars, American Revolution, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico (the Alamo), and the Civil War.
National magazine ROMANTIC TIMES has called me the "Queen of Western Romance" and an "emotional powerhouse." My husband and I have traveled the west for nearly 40 years and I have visited just about every location mentioned in my books.
Visit my website at www.rosannebittner.com and my Facebook Author page. And be sure to join Rosanne Bittner's Heart of the West Street Team! Happy reading!
I love American history. For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800s and feature vividly described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I have also written about the French & Indian wars, American Revolution, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico (the Alamo), and the Civil War.
National magazine ROMANTIC TIMES has called me the "Queen of Western Romance" and an "emotional powerhouse." My husband and I have traveled the west for nearly 40 years and I have visited just about every location mentioned in my books.
Visit my website at www.rosannebittner.com and my Facebook Author page. And be sure to join Rosanne Bittner's Heart of the West Street Team! Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 23, 2023
Истинска сапунка, като тук е ред на децата да преживеят гадната ситуация да са по-тъмни или по-светли от очакваното, заради упорството на родителите си да плюят на расовите правила. Това почти довежда до край на брака на Зеке и Аби, което - в съчетание с третирането на индианците и смесените тогава - е доста логично. Добре, че на героя му увря главата накрая. А индианците - ами, не са имали право да притежават никаква земя, не са били считани за граждани на САЩ, не са имали право на образование… В сюжета семейството успява да задържи ранчото по документи и децата да учат единствено, защото Аби е бяла. Колко успокоителна и ласкателна за печелившите от нея е дискриминацията…
3,5⭐️
3,5⭐️
January 6, 2017
This review is of “Climb the Highest Mountain”, book #5 in the “Savage Destiny” series by Rosanne Bittner.
The Story: The year is 1864. The Civil War is coming to an end, and more white migration west is going to soon affect Abigail Trent Monroe, her husband “Cheyenne” Zeke Monroe, and their seven children. The more immediate threat to the Monroes comes in the form of Englishman Sir Edwin Tynes, their new neighbor.
While that is going on,:
The Monroe children’s lives take major turns: Wolf’s Blood, the Monroe’s oldest son, is seriously injured at the massacre at Sand Creek, becomes embittered and joins his uncle, Swift Arrow, and the Sioux in fighting against white encroachment.
Daughter LeeAnn is kidnapped by Comanches and Zeke goes to rescue her.
Meanwhile, back in Colorado, eldest Monroe daughter Margaret becomes sexually involved with one of Tynes’ cowboys, who refuses to marry her. After this, Margaret tries to disavow her Indian heritage and becomes a prostitute. Margaret later marries a man, Morgan Brown, a mulatto, who buys into the Monroe ranch to help the family get back on their feet financially.
On an even sadder note, youngest daughter Lillian, whose health has always been fragile, passes away. These events drive a major wedge between Zeke and Abbie.
Zeke’s white half-brother, Dan, is back in the West and in the Army, but without his wife, Emily, and daughter, Jennifer, he’s starting to become attracted to Bonnie Beaker Lewis, whose husband was killed by Indians. Later, Emily dies, giving Dan and Bonnie an opening to act on their feelings. Dan and Bonnie later marry.
Zeke sleeps with Anna Gale, former prostitute now boarding house owner, while he is debating whether to leave Abbie and his family due to all they have endured. However, he and Abbie reconcile and they become a family again. For now…
Upside: I’m repeating myself, but Ms. Bittner is exceptional at digging deep into the soft underbelly of her characters emotions, both good and bad. It’s an emotional roller coaster, but Ms. Bittner’s fans-of which I am one-know it’s worth it.
Downside: Not much. I’d love to see the Monroes be happy, but I doubt that will happen.
Sex: Ms. Bittner’s love scenes are typically unimaginative.
Violence: One thing Ms. Bittner’s readers come to expect from her books is plenty of violence, and “Climb the Highest Mountain” certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Assault, rape, shootings, killings, they’re all here.
Bottom Line: Frequent readers of Ms. Bittner’s books know what they’re getting from her work. Exceptional emotionalism, and rawness. It’s not always happy, but it’s great nonetheless.
The Story: The year is 1864. The Civil War is coming to an end, and more white migration west is going to soon affect Abigail Trent Monroe, her husband “Cheyenne” Zeke Monroe, and their seven children. The more immediate threat to the Monroes comes in the form of Englishman Sir Edwin Tynes, their new neighbor.
While that is going on,:
The Monroe children’s lives take major turns: Wolf’s Blood, the Monroe’s oldest son, is seriously injured at the massacre at Sand Creek, becomes embittered and joins his uncle, Swift Arrow, and the Sioux in fighting against white encroachment.
Daughter LeeAnn is kidnapped by Comanches and Zeke goes to rescue her.
Meanwhile, back in Colorado, eldest Monroe daughter Margaret becomes sexually involved with one of Tynes’ cowboys, who refuses to marry her. After this, Margaret tries to disavow her Indian heritage and becomes a prostitute. Margaret later marries a man, Morgan Brown, a mulatto, who buys into the Monroe ranch to help the family get back on their feet financially.
On an even sadder note, youngest daughter Lillian, whose health has always been fragile, passes away. These events drive a major wedge between Zeke and Abbie.
Zeke’s white half-brother, Dan, is back in the West and in the Army, but without his wife, Emily, and daughter, Jennifer, he’s starting to become attracted to Bonnie Beaker Lewis, whose husband was killed by Indians. Later, Emily dies, giving Dan and Bonnie an opening to act on their feelings. Dan and Bonnie later marry.
Zeke sleeps with Anna Gale, former prostitute now boarding house owner, while he is debating whether to leave Abbie and his family due to all they have endured. However, he and Abbie reconcile and they become a family again. For now…
Upside: I’m repeating myself, but Ms. Bittner is exceptional at digging deep into the soft underbelly of her characters emotions, both good and bad. It’s an emotional roller coaster, but Ms. Bittner’s fans-of which I am one-know it’s worth it.
Downside: Not much. I’d love to see the Monroes be happy, but I doubt that will happen.
Sex: Ms. Bittner’s love scenes are typically unimaginative.
Violence: One thing Ms. Bittner’s readers come to expect from her books is plenty of violence, and “Climb the Highest Mountain” certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Assault, rape, shootings, killings, they’re all here.
Bottom Line: Frequent readers of Ms. Bittner’s books know what they’re getting from her work. Exceptional emotionalism, and rawness. It’s not always happy, but it’s great nonetheless.
February 6, 2017
This book in the series, Savage Destiny, has the most trying times for the Monroes yet! Does it end with Zeke and Abbie's love carrying on to the next book? I won't tell. You have to see what all is packed into this one! Many more tragedies, surprises, historical events, new love and gut wrenching events. This is one of the best series I have ever read. I have learned more history of the American Indian than I ever did in school. You will fall in love with the American Indians reading these books and will become a sympathizer of how they suffered after the white men landed on this continent and stole all the land and killed off their way of life. Another great read by Bittner, you won't be disappointed. This series is not for the faint at heart though. Nail biting.
June 14, 2024
This was a fantastic installation of the series. I was in tears a few times, reader beware of you struggle with history's violent atrocities. There were some twists and turns that deviated from the norm thus far and kept me very engaged. I enjoyed reading the stories starting to unfold for their eldest children. I even love all the supporting characters.
March 1, 2015
Really, you MUST get all 7 books in the Savage Destiny series and fall in love with Zeke and his Abbie!!! My heart felt every emotion possible with these two - I cried, laughed, stressed, rejoiced, cheered, worried along with them. When a book/series can do that, you *know* they're the best! If I could only keep one set of fiction books, this would be it, hands down, no hesitation!
While I always enjoy reading how a couple gets together, I *love love LOVE* the romance and story that follows the HEA/wedding. I think that's another reason why I so enjoy this series - it didn't just stop at the wedding - we get to experience all their joys and struggles through their married life - but yet how much stronger their love grows over time.
While there were parts of this story I loved, this was one of my least favorite parts of Zeke and Abbie's story. More often than not I was wanting to reach through the pages of the book and knock Zeke around! GRRR! I mean, I get what he was thinking, but UGH! Did he *have* to be that stubborn about things??? Although the last chapter of the book won me back over before I just wanted to chuck it across the room! And all the problems with the kids - oye! My heart cried for all of them - I mean really, going through all that in that short amount of time would definitely break a person and their relationships.
While I always enjoy reading how a couple gets together, I *love love LOVE* the romance and story that follows the HEA/wedding. I think that's another reason why I so enjoy this series - it didn't just stop at the wedding - we get to experience all their joys and struggles through their married life - but yet how much stronger their love grows over time.
While there were parts of this story I loved, this was one of my least favorite parts of Zeke and Abbie's story. More often than not I was wanting to reach through the pages of the book and knock Zeke around! GRRR! I mean, I get what he was thinking, but UGH! Did he *have* to be that stubborn about things??? Although the last chapter of the book won me back over before I just wanted to chuck it across the room! And all the problems with the kids - oye! My heart cried for all of them - I mean really, going through all that in that short amount of time would definitely break a person and their relationships.
October 23, 2020
Climb the highest mountain book 5 of Rosanne Bittner's epic Savage Destiny Series is a heart wrenching book that will have you cringing for the love that Zeke and Abbie share. Their love and life together is being tested. Their children are in dire need of their help. There is so much suffering for the Cheyenne and the Monroe's from elements all around them. Will the Monroe's survive all that they must face? Rosanne can tell a story that will leave you in total and complete Awe. Climb the highest mountain will test your faith in survival, so hang on for the ride.
March 27, 2014
I wish Anna was dead and Zeke cut off his hand. Poor faithful Abbie. Least favorite of these books because of Zekes cheating ass.
Want to read
December 11, 2022I'm livid!! I'm done with this series now.
I would have dropped it if I knew zeke was just going to f*ck other women all the time after they got married. The first time was bad enough but I never thought he'd do it with Anna again after the first time, so I begrudgingly forgave him.
This is a dnf for me and I'm signing off.
This feels like a huge betrayel in the story for me, even in other old school bodice rippers the men don't cheat multiple times. I'm still upset by the way he paraded that girl around in the first book.
I bought her entire backlog of books a few years ago, I hope to God I didn't waste my money because these are good kind of depressing westerns but not to my personal taste. I read western romance not straight realistic westerns about how horrible the times back then were.
What happens to characters in this is straight up depressing even when I look past the cheating aspect that made me drop this series.
Zeke is a terrible character he acts honorable but never keeps his vows. I prefer character that admit they're bad instead of a hypocrite that pretends to have morals.
I absolutely hate cheaters in stories!!
I also, don't like the way he gets upset with Abby after he cheated on her first that she might of had an affair of her own. She should have done it to that cheater!!
This novel feels like I just wasted my time, I hope rosanne didn't do this in her other series because I will dnf it so hard instead of giving it a chance like I did for this series.
She's a good writer but I just can't tolerate this in the books.
This trope is why I never read the series for ten years and sadly it ended up having cheating in it like I always dreaded would be in it.
I would have dropped it if I knew zeke was just going to f*ck other women all the time after they got married. The first time was bad enough but I never thought he'd do it with Anna again after the first time, so I begrudgingly forgave him.
This is a dnf for me and I'm signing off.
This feels like a huge betrayel in the story for me, even in other old school bodice rippers the men don't cheat multiple times. I'm still upset by the way he paraded that girl around in the first book.
I bought her entire backlog of books a few years ago, I hope to God I didn't waste my money because these are good kind of depressing westerns but not to my personal taste. I read western romance not straight realistic westerns about how horrible the times back then were.
What happens to characters in this is straight up depressing even when I look past the cheating aspect that made me drop this series.
Zeke is a terrible character he acts honorable but never keeps his vows. I prefer character that admit they're bad instead of a hypocrite that pretends to have morals.
I absolutely hate cheaters in stories!!
I also, don't like the way he gets upset with Abby after he cheated on her first that she might of had an affair of her own. She should have done it to that cheater!!
This novel feels like I just wasted my time, I hope rosanne didn't do this in her other series because I will dnf it so hard instead of giving it a chance like I did for this series.
She's a good writer but I just can't tolerate this in the books.
This trope is why I never read the series for ten years and sadly it ended up having cheating in it like I always dreaded would be in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
Even though this book had some good storyline and good history, probably my least favorite because it became too much of a love story and dragged on way too much. Every man and every woman will give their souls to be with Abby and Zeke. The author was really making the women soft and I’ve noticed there has not been any good Mexicans. Good ending but I thought ridiculous how it got there.
May 16, 2017
Another wonderful book
I have read reviews that said this series should've ended at 4. I couldn't disagree more. I am excited that I still have more to go. I'm so glad I ran into this series. One of my favorites by far. Can't wait to read what happens next. Going to start now. Lol
I have read reviews that said this series should've ended at 4. I couldn't disagree more. I am excited that I still have more to go. I'm so glad I ran into this series. One of my favorites by far. Can't wait to read what happens next. Going to start now. Lol
September 28, 2019
Spacing
I would like to see some spacing when you go from location or party like when you are talking about Zeke and the next paragraph you have gone to the rich neighbor. Thank you. Excellent book.
I would like to see some spacing when you go from location or party like when you are talking about Zeke and the next paragraph you have gone to the rich neighbor. Thank you. Excellent book.
October 31, 2021
Love This Series
Rosanne can certainly tell a story. I have read most of her books and have enjoyed them all. I will hate to see this series come to an end as you can't help feeling like these are your people.
Rosanne can certainly tell a story. I have read most of her books and have enjoyed them all. I will hate to see this series come to an end as you can't help feeling like these are your people.
July 28, 2022
Amazing
I have read this series twice, Both times I could hardly put it down. I laughed and I cried , I worried, I felt like I was there. I just love this story!
I have read this series twice, Both times I could hardly put it down. I laughed and I cried , I worried, I felt like I was there. I just love this story!
November 3, 2025
Climb The Highest Mountain by Rossanne Bittner
Excellent. Moving, kept me interesting every minute as I read another one of Bittner's amazing books. She writes of history and fact.
Excellent. Moving, kept me interesting every minute as I read another one of Bittner's amazing books. She writes of history and fact.
April 23, 2020
Maybe I had just read these too quickly in succession, but I feel like there is a ton of repetition, and the conflicts just remind me of things I thought we’d cleared up in previous books. I am excited to read more about Abbie and Zeke’s children as they’re all getting older. I will be continuing on with the series, but I think I need to take a little break.
March 25, 2013
I have said this in all of my other reviews of this series LOVE IT!! This was the most emotional of the series I think. There were times I felt I had to put the book down and walk away because I was that emotionally involved. To me that's the truest sign of a great author. I will actually be so sad to see this saga end.
May 2, 2016
This saga keeps entertaining!
As with the 4 previous books of the lives of Zeke and Abigail this 5th delivers as much as can be expected. Just downloaded the 6th book in the Savage Destiny series and I only hope there are more to follow. Bittn er keeps the entertainment coming and the reader lusting for more Zeke and Abbie. Love this series!
As with the 4 previous books of the lives of Zeke and Abigail this 5th delivers as much as can be expected. Just downloaded the 6th book in the Savage Destiny series and I only hope there are more to follow. Bittn er keeps the entertainment coming and the reader lusting for more Zeke and Abbie. Love this series!
April 2, 2022
Love these books. I just don't think I'll be able to read the last 2 right now. I'll cry through them.
March 12, 2016
This is the best series ever!
June 17, 2013
Another excellent read!
May 12, 2015
So good! So sad! Absolutely love this series. Not at all boring. Leaves you wanting more.
April 22, 2017
As always with Bittner's Savage Destiny series my heart is captivated by the Monroe's. Also, as always, there is some repatriation, but overall this book is just as powerful as the others that have come before it. My heart breaks for Abbie in this book, and I was happy to see even more of Wolf's Blood as a man. You'll never regret reading the Savage Destiny series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews