Bounty by Kristen Ashley

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.

Reviewed by stacey_is_sassy on

5 of 5 stars

Share
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 -


Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 April, 2016: Finished reading
  • 20 April, 2016: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 20 April, 2016: Reviewed