What do you think?
Rate this book
Daring Western Heart Series #2
Bittersweet Promises
Heiress Declares Gun-Toting Southern Gentleman Mannerless in Bittersweet Promises, by Trana Mae Simmons
February 13, 1866, Liberty, Missouri and Missouri Ozarks
Cody Garret likes everything in its his horse in the corral, his six-gun in his holster, and his money in the bank. There's no way on earth he can tolerate a woman like Shanna Van Alstyne. With a spirit as fiery as the blazing sun, she has a temper to match.
Unfortunately, southern manners dictate he save her life, but then she's on her own—until a daring robbery throws the infuriating woman back into his arms, again.
"Tender, humorous, and poignant read." ~Gail Collins, Romantic Times Magazine
The DARING WESTERN HEARTS SERIES, in order
Montana Surrender
Bittersweet Promises
Mountain Magic
MEET TRANA MAE SIMMONS
Trana Mae Simmons talks to unseen people, loses herself in other lives for hours, and writes down her imaginative journeys for others to enjoy. Residing in historical East Texas with her family and pets, Trana loves to explore the paths less traveled.
February 13, 1866, Liberty, Missouri and Missouri Ozarks
Cody Garret likes everything in its his horse in the corral, his six-gun in his holster, and his money in the bank. There's no way on earth he can tolerate a woman like Shanna Van Alstyne. With a spirit as fiery as the blazing sun, she has a temper to match.
Unfortunately, southern manners dictate he save her life, but then she's on her own—until a daring robbery throws the infuriating woman back into his arms, again.
"Tender, humorous, and poignant read." ~Gail Collins, Romantic Times Magazine
The DARING WESTERN HEARTS SERIES, in order
Montana Surrender
Bittersweet Promises
Mountain Magic
MEET TRANA MAE SIMMONS
Trana Mae Simmons talks to unseen people, loses herself in other lives for hours, and writes down her imaginative journeys for others to enjoy. Residing in historical East Texas with her family and pets, Trana loves to explore the paths less traveled.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
209 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Trana Mae Simmons
19 books5 followersTrana Mae Simmons also writes paranormal mysteries as T.M. Simmons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 22, 2018
This is sweet western romance full of action ,adventure, intrigue, thrill .romance ...the story is about Cody Garret & Shanna Van Alstyne/Allen whois on the run as she has to protect her young brother Toby, she must keep her iddentity and reasons a secret.....her brothers life depends on it.
At the start of d book only i was hooked ...the Bank robbery taking place ...Cody saving Shanna ...the situation was so captivating ...also humorous at times & the author Trana presented it so well dat i could literally visualize d scenes enacting...
Cody is a man of integrity and a gentleman through and through, always trying to do the right thing even if it meant losing the woman he loved, Shanna is a woman set on protecting her young brother, and she won’t back down no matter what. This was a fantastic fast paced story it had all the elements intriguing and entertaining with villains and bank robbers...
The love story which developes around dis 2 people is sotouching & beautiful ... a very well written & scripted book ...not at all boring ...well done Trana
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
At the start of d book only i was hooked ...the Bank robbery taking place ...Cody saving Shanna ...the situation was so captivating ...also humorous at times & the author Trana presented it so well dat i could literally visualize d scenes enacting...
Cody is a man of integrity and a gentleman through and through, always trying to do the right thing even if it meant losing the woman he loved, Shanna is a woman set on protecting her young brother, and she won’t back down no matter what. This was a fantastic fast paced story it had all the elements intriguing and entertaining with villains and bank robbers...
The love story which developes around dis 2 people is sotouching & beautiful ... a very well written & scripted book ...not at all boring ...well done Trana
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
April 30, 2020
Boring, dumb and never ending. A dnf at 698 pages.
January 16, 2018
After the war life is not the same in Liberty Missouri, especially for Cody Garret.
After his wife was killed he’s left caring for his young daughter with help from his aunt Bessie.
Shanna Van Alstyne/Allen is on the run she has to protect her young brother Toby, she must keep her iddentity and reasons a secret.....her brothers life depends on it.
Things get off on the wrong foot as soon as she steps off the coach right smack in the middle of a bank robbery.
For Shanna things get only worse for her, trying to thwart her father and protect her brother at the same time trying to safeguard her heart from Cody.
Shanna and Cody can not escape the attraction they feel for each other but can they defy the odds and have a love that is everlasting!
I loved both Cody and Shanna Cody is a man of integrity and a gentleman through and through, always trying to do the right thing even if it meant losing the woman he loved, Shanna is a woman set on protecting her young brother, and she won’t back down no matter what. She’s daring and fierce not the type of woman Cody can picture him self with! This was a fantastic fast paced story it had all the angst of a love that can’t be, intriguing and entertaining with villains and bank robbers!
I received a complimentary copy from ebook Discovery, I voluntarily read and reviewed. This is my honest unbiased review.
August 11, 2022
Shanna Van Alstyne has had her life uprooted by family secrets and she leaves New York and ends up in Liberty, Mississippi. Cody Garret is a war hero who just wants to live a simple life on his farm and take care of his family. On Shanna’s first day in town a bank robbery happens and throws her into Cody’s life much to his chagrin. The story goes on to show us all of the secrets and on a crazy adventure.
I just saw that this book is part of a series but it looks like it is a standalone book so there is not any information to catch up from the previous book and was easily read by itself. I liked Cody except his original thoughts that women were better quiet but hey no one is perfect even in a book world. I liked Shanna, despite being a naïve city girl she did eventually try her best to learn what she needed to in her situation. Of course her dad is easily disliked. I enjoyed this book and really only put it down when I had to. Many of the descriptions made it easy to picture the scenery and what was going on.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I just saw that this book is part of a series but it looks like it is a standalone book so there is not any information to catch up from the previous book and was easily read by itself. I liked Cody except his original thoughts that women were better quiet but hey no one is perfect even in a book world. I liked Shanna, despite being a naïve city girl she did eventually try her best to learn what she needed to in her situation. Of course her dad is easily disliked. I enjoyed this book and really only put it down when I had to. Many of the descriptions made it easy to picture the scenery and what was going on.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
August 19, 2022
Bittersweet promises indeed. When Shana takes her young brother away from her father to save him and keep the two of them together she never imagined the adventure they’d have. From city girl to country lady Shana and Toby adjust well to their new life and the family that has taken them in. Shana agrees to teach the young ones in the area and soon the two are accepted as part of the town. But Shana has a mission that she needs to accomplish, a secret that she discovered after her mother’s passing. And yet she is torn because if she does accomplish that she can never get her heart’s desire.
Absolutely wonderful story! I loved the setting and the real life outlaws that make an appearance. The camaraderie of the townsfolk and their willingness to help each other and band together no matter what is heartwarming. Shana’s spunk and fearlessness is amazing especially for a woman of the time and the place that she travels to. Sweet romance, a little heat and a hea. Can’t ask for anything more.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Absolutely wonderful story! I loved the setting and the real life outlaws that make an appearance. The camaraderie of the townsfolk and their willingness to help each other and band together no matter what is heartwarming. Shana’s spunk and fearlessness is amazing especially for a woman of the time and the place that she travels to. Sweet romance, a little heat and a hea. Can’t ask for anything more.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
January 28, 2018
A western Romance with all the trimmings
This is a slowly enfolding Western Romance with a lot of the best Western tropes covered: bank raid, heroes with issues after the Civil War, small-town community spirit, Southern courtesy… you even get one of the all-time real life baddies in a supporting act. Part of me was waiting for the John Wayne character.
However, the story is very well written and the longer length gives the storyline time to unfold. If you like old school romance novels, you are going to like this, even though it is not a sweet novel.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review
This is a slowly enfolding Western Romance with a lot of the best Western tropes covered: bank raid, heroes with issues after the Civil War, small-town community spirit, Southern courtesy… you even get one of the all-time real life baddies in a supporting act. Part of me was waiting for the John Wayne character.
However, the story is very well written and the longer length gives the storyline time to unfold. If you like old school romance novels, you are going to like this, even though it is not a sweet novel.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review
October 13, 2019
Exciting Adventures
Wonderful story about holding onto love, even when it's not in the plan! Loved all the history and a glimpse at the James brothers. Glad the author didn't turn them into heroic characters that were misunderstood! Great read!
Wonderful story about holding onto love, even when it's not in the plan! Loved all the history and a glimpse at the James brothers. Glad the author didn't turn them into heroic characters that were misunderstood! Great read!
June 3, 2021
A Western Winner
Not my usual read but I really enjoyed the story and characters portrayed. The interplay with children Toby and Melinda was an added dimension too. If you like clean Western romance then I think you’ll find this a winner.
Not my usual read but I really enjoyed the story and characters portrayed. The interplay with children Toby and Melinda was an added dimension too. If you like clean Western romance then I think you’ll find this a winner.
June 4, 2021
A sister's sacrifice
Great story wonderful characters Great story line, one sister love for her little brother ,to protect him, causes her to take him and run, searching for his biological father,
And she finds a love of her own.
Thank you ❤
Great story wonderful characters Great story line, one sister love for her little brother ,to protect him, causes her to take him and run, searching for his biological father,
And she finds a love of her own.
Thank you ❤
May 15, 2023
Bitter Sweet
Great book .Well written.Great story.Miss Simmons is a great writer.I am glad to have found her books to read.A story that keep you going.Not wanting to put the book down.Another time in life.I amend this book about another time in the west.
Great book .Well written.Great story.Miss Simmons is a great writer.I am glad to have found her books to read.A story that keep you going.Not wanting to put the book down.Another time in life.I amend this book about another time in the west.
October 8, 2019
Enchanting
I have to say that I found this story very unpredictable and kept me interested from the beginning to the end
A very pleasant surprise
I have to say that I found this story very unpredictable and kept me interested from the beginning to the end
A very pleasant surprise
October 13, 2019
What a journey
I loved the book. You brought the characters to life. Twists and turns., well written I could not put it down. Can wait to get to the next book. Great read.
I loved the book. You brought the characters to life. Twists and turns., well written I could not put it down. Can wait to get to the next book. Great read.
January 21, 2020
Adventure
This book was filled with adventure,secrets, ,comebacks, justice and history in the West.I would recommend book for a reading adventure.
This book was filled with adventure,secrets, ,comebacks, justice and history in the West.I would recommend book for a reading adventure.
March 28, 2020
Another excellent read!
This was such a good story, I couldn't put it down. I so enjoyed the characters in this book, the story line and detail. Can't wait to start the next book.
This was such a good story, I couldn't put it down. I so enjoyed the characters in this book, the story line and detail. Can't wait to start the next book.
May 14, 2020
Great book
July 22, 2022
Set in the small town of Liberty, Missouri, life is hard after a dreadful war that robbed people of their wealth, family, and security. Shanna, a New York city girl is less than impressed when she and Toby alight the coach in Liberty as the town is nothing like she expected and people's manners are very different from what she is used to. Her introduction to Cody is less than stellar and she expresses her annoyance towards him until she realizes that she and Toby are in the middle of a bank robbery. Things go downhill for Shanna from then on, but Cody's Aunt Bessie steps up and finds a solution to both Shanna and Cody's problems. Cody had no intention of falling for the city girl with an attitude, but when they start having to become dependent on one another, the picture changes. I found it interesting that the author managed to keep the suspense riding all the way through the book, even though the subject of the suspense morphed from one situation to the next. The negative attraction between Shanna and Cody turned positive, only for them to come to the conclusion that their dreams couldn't be realized after all. I found I could relate to the characters in the book and had empathy towards them. The romance that evolved between Shanna and Cody had all the angst and tension one would expect in a relationship such as theirs. This book is extremely well written, with a complex plot that keeps the reader's attention all the way through. Although it is part of a series, it is nevertheless a stand-alone and has a very satisfactory ending.I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews