High Hunt

by Susie Drougas, Katherine Ballasiotes Rowley (Illustrator), April Laine Oostwal (Editor)

This is a present-day western adventure set in the high country ofWashington State. Dusty Rose is a lawyer torn between the family professionof practicing law and his true passion -- packing horses in the mountains.Dusty runs into Cassie Martin, an attractive attorney in a Seattle courtroom,and later on a high mountain trail. He longs to pursue a relationship with her,but struggles to reconcile his past issues of commitment and freedom.Shortly after arriving at his Uncle Bob’s hunting camp, Dusty sensessomebody is watching him. When two of the dudes request a guided trip to thePasayten airstrip, Dusty’s worst fears culminate into reality.A walloping page-turner, this adventure story is set in the wildernesstrails of the Pacific Northwest. It offers exciting adventure, and promises a fewsleepless nights

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2015

About the author

I was born in Tacoma, Washington. I bought my first horse was I was 14 years old. Growing up in the suburbs made it difficult to ride my horse in the mountains, but I succeeded. My first pack trip was in the Olympic Mountains, with an outfitter, when I was 16 years old.
I attended the University of Washington in Seattle, taking mainly English classes. After two years, I left and entered a Court Reporting program in Fall of 1976 at Green River Community College. I began Court Reporting in October 1980. I got my next horse in 1982 and have never been without one since.
One day I saw a newspaper ad for the Back Country Horsemen. It said, “Have you ever wanted to ride and learn to pack your horse in the mountains?” I was so excited! I went to the next meeting. I have remained a member, and not only have I learned to pack and ride – but I have met life-long friends, and my husband. All who are riders and packers.
Over the years I have been published several times in the Back Country Horsemen of Washington’s state newsletter, The Trailhead News.
Seeing less of our youth riding horses in the high country, I felt compelled to write about it. I wanted to bring readers into the mountains on the back of a horse. My trails are real, you can ride them today. My characters are loosely based on people I’ve met, and who knows, if you sit around a campfire with Back Country Horsemen members, you’ll probably meet them, too.
I published my first book in the Dusty Rose series in March of 2014, Pack Saddles and Gunpowder. My second book Mountain Cowboys, February 28, 2015 and my third book, High Hunt on December 5, 2015. My fourth, The Blues, was published January 5, 2017.
Get a cup of coffee and enjoy the ride!

Susie Drougas

Reviews

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 3rd offering from this author and it is GREAT ! I could almost feel the cold as the characters were braving the snow to get their horses to safety. I believe that even someone who is not a horse person could understand what is happening since it is explained so well, and for the horse owner it makes you want to saddle up and head to the mountains. Waiting for the next on in this series will not be fun but I am sure it will be worth it.

[Mary E Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attorney Dusty Rose takes a break from his law practice to work as a hunting guide for his Uncle Bob, leading pack-horse trips into the Pasayten Wilderness at the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Dusty looks forward to his backcoutry vacation, but what should be an ideal get-away turns into a dangerous, deadly ordeal.

Cassie Martin, also a lawyer, is on Dusty’s mind as he manages his chores hosting hunters and tending stock. His worst fears become reality, and it looks likely that this could be his last wilderness adventure, and that what he had hoped to have with Cassie will never be.

Author Susie Drougas brings the reader into a wintery wilderness in this captivating novel. We view the rugged Pasayten country from the saddle. A guide’s job not only entails expert riding skills, but also tending to clients’ safety and comfort. Life slows down on the trail. Preparing a meal includes collecting wood for a campfire, patiently waiting for water to boil before making camp coffee, meanwhile fashioning an oven in the coals. We learn from experts the special care trail horses and pack animals need.

High Hunt is the third in the Dusty Rose Series. The first two, Pack Saddles & Gunpowder and Mountain Cowboys, also include wilderness pack trips.

Susie Drougas is a long-time active member of Back Country Horsemen of Washington and shares the work and struggles of that group to keep the wilderness available to everyone. To learn more about the author and her love of riding and writing, visit http://www.susiedrougas.com/

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting anxiously for the next book. Really enjoy this series. Makes a great cruise read.

[Richard Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good I can't wait for the next one.

I really like the Dusty Rose series.
I wonder what book four will be about.
What will become of Dusty and Cassie

[Gloria Kruszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures continue with Dusty, Mike and Cassie continuing packing into new areas. There is an ongoing mystery line in the first few books the keeps your attention snd keeps you rooting for them. Great fun and good outdoor adventure. Keep'em coming, Susie!