Bounty (Colorado Mountain, #7)

by Kristen Ashley

Justice Lonesome has enjoyed a life of bounty.

Even so, she’s inherited the curse of the Lonesome. A poet’s soul. Which means she’s still searching for something. Searching for peace. Searching for the less…that’s more.

And when the foundation of her life is pulled out from under her, grieving, she goes to the mountains to find her oasis. She hits Carnal, Colorado and decides to stay.

Deke Hightower lost everything at the age of two. He lost it again at fifteen. His life has not been about bounty. It’s been about learning to live with less, because there’s no way to get more.

Deke’s also watched all his friends go down to the women who gave them what they needed. He wants that for himself. But he knows that search isn’t going to be easy because he’s a rider. His home is the road. That’s the only place he can breathe. And the woman who takes her place at his side has to do it sitting on the back of his bike.

When Deke meets Justice, he knows she’s not that woman. She’s cute. She’s sweet. And she’s into him, but she’s got it all and Deke knows he won’t fit into that. So he holds her at arm’s length. Establishes boundaries. And Justice will take it because she wants Deke any way he’ll let her have him.

But when Justice finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game, Deke makes a decision.

When he does, he has no idea he’s just opened himself up to bounty.

• ISBN10: 0692630384
• ISBN13: 9780692630389
• Publish Date: 7 April 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Kristen Ashley
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 516
• Language: English

Reviews

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Bounty proved that there is more to life than fame and money, and while Justice had all that, she had so much more!



Justice and Deke were the bomb together, and I loved that they had a connection in the past. Bounty was such a great title for their story, too, because they were both very aware to be thankful for what they had. Justice being a music star, and someone Deke thought would be high maintenance made him quite distant with her, though, and she never understood why. As he was working on renovating her house with her already living in it, they saw each other every day, and there was both hot chemistry and a strong connection between them.

As always, Ashley put her magic to use in Bounty, and I was so utterly captivated with the characters from start to finish I wanted to cry when the book was over. These Colorado Mountain men are swoon-worthy because they are strong alpha-men with big hearts. They are loyal and they are open-minded - at least most of the time.

Between the mystery of someone seemingly stalking Justice and Deke going all out to protect her, and the strong feelings they evoked in each other made it impossible to put the book down. Not that I would have wanted to, but I had a very short night in order to read the whole story in as little time as possible. The pages almost turned on their own, my kindle got as hot and bothered as I did!

Written in dual points of views, Justice had more chapters than Deke, but I had already met Deke before so that was OK. Past tense was perfect for their story, and I loved how they fell for each other without wanting to fully admit it. Only when things became truly dangerous did they understand that it would be a waste not to grab that ultimate bounty with both hands in order to share a future with love and friendship. My feels were fully invested, and I can't recommend this whole series enough. I think a trip to Colorado is in my future just so I can experience some of the nature for real.



By sitting in that bar in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming, twenty-seven-years-old, it was hitting me that the buzz of life wasn't vibrating as forcefully as it used to. In fact, it was beginning to seem a chore to pack up, head out, settle in (this being dropping my suitcases in whatever hotel room, cabin, boat, ship, treehouse, wherever we were staying) and rushing out to face the next adventure.

Having the feelings I was having, sitting at that bar, it made me feel ungrateful.

She dropped a hand to her belly, looking down at it, and saying, "What if I fuck this up?"
"You sitting alone in your car, my guess, tough as nails, yet worried to the point of tears, I'm not thinking that's gonna be a problem."
She looked again to me but didn't move her hand from her belly.

[stacey_is_sassy]

A narrator can make all the difference

I had originally given Bounty 4.5 stars. After listening to the audio, I've given the half star back. I really enjoyed listening to this one and found it hard to turn it off. The narrator does an awesome job, I loved the characters and I think I was needing a KA fix.

I'm tempted to go on a bit of a KA marathon and Wildest Dreams & The Golden Dynasty is calling my name.

**********

Things don’t always go to plan..

Well…the plan was - champagne, chocolates and 24-48 hours non-stop KA Party Night. What I got was…Bounty downloaded…parent/teacher night, rugby league training for little one, rugby union training for the big one, kids coming home from school and THEIR WORLD IS ENDING!! Homework to be supervised, hubby’s needing to chat about something or other and plain old real life SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF MY PARTY!!

You know what? I still made time for my party. Yes, it wasn’t an endless party like back in the olden days (12 months ago) but it was still kids sitting at the end of my bed asking what this KA was all about. Hubby is still being a sweetheart and delivering me nachos so I could eat and read. My family is smiling, smirking and then laughing at me because I laughed out loud, and cried with tears pouring out my eyes. My party is, knowing that for a little while I’m in my happy place, living in KA world and visiting my mates in Carnal, Chantelle, and Gnaw Bone.

So…we’re back in the Colorado Mountains and we’ve got a famous singer moving in. Justice Lonesome’s family are superstars in the music world. Her Grandad was a famous singer, his son was even more famous and Justice is left to carry on that legacy. To the outside world, she had it all, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. She’s bought a shell of a house to do up and live in because it was time for her to plant some roots. A few months back, Justice’s very much loved dad passed, she was going through a few family and friend issues and she really just needed a refuge. She’s not really complaining, as Justice has had an awesome life and knows not many people are given the same opportunities as she’s had.

There was one time, seven years ago that something happened that left a profound effect on her. Justice saw a man, she was attracted to that man, he inspired musical poetry and he left a mark on her. Unfortunately, at that time, the promise wasn’t realised. He set a date…that he didn’t meet…he gave her hope…that he didn’t fulfil…and he inspired a song…that he never heard.

Deke Hightower is a Colorado Mountain Man. We know him a little bit but have mostly seen him back up his friends and been the silent observer in the bumpy rides to love for his mates. In Bounty we now get his history, where’s he’s from and what made him into the man he has become. Life has thrown him some very hard lessons, but he has always stayed true to himself. His dad died when he was two and his mum struggled all of her life to make sure that Deke was looked after. From the lessons he learns, Deke is very wary of - women with money and dreaming unrealistic dreams. Deke meets a woman who catches his attention, brings brightness to his day and makes him want. But life…got in the way.

Now, seven years later and Justice and Deke are living in the same town. Justice has changed a lot since the first time she met Deke, but she didn’t think it was a change that would make her completely unforgettable. Deke is extremely attracted to Justice, but he wouldn’t dream someone as beautiful, sexy and rich would want him. When the two are forced to spend time together Justice realises that Deke is still someone she wants, but he pushes her away because of his need to avoid her type. Their journey to each other is bumpy and definitely not plain sailing.

I get sucked in every time I start a new Kristen Ashley story. Not all of them are masterpieces, but they all have the ability to make me feel. I get the blood rushing high from an instant attraction, the blood gurgling anger when someone does my hero or heroine wrong and the tingling feeling when things start falling into place. Bounty is full of the words that show love, the hugs to give strength and the actions to show loyalty and support.

For me, Bounty was nearly everything I wanted. It was a little long, but that could have been more about my real life intruding on my reading time. I also got a little distracted with terms that I’m uncertain of and names that can easily get mixed up…looking at you Deke, Deacon, and Decker. I absolutely loved the songs selected to showcase emotions and feelings. Going online and seeing the Goo Goo Dolls and Hozier’s YouTube clips made me feel even closer to the characters. Lots of description of clothing, furniture, and renovations, but none of those things annoys me. I absorb what I need to get the image KA is trying to put across.

Bounty took me back to visit some friends and meet some new ones too. I get a kick out of meeting up with the Colorado Men and their loved ones, but I also love when the Rock Chicks get mentioned and the Unfinished Heroes have a new path we hear about. Kristen Ashley is still one of my all-time favourite authors and I’m glad that I can still chuck a party every time she has a new release.

I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -