Customer Reviews

Hawk's Pledge (Leisure Historical Romance)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whit Hawk was the eldest of four children abandoned in an El Paso orphanage. Their mother had run off with another man, their father in desperation gambled away his fortune then left to search another. As soon as he was old enough Whit left to search for his father. By the time he returned for his siblings it was to discover his two youngest sisters had been killed in a fire and now he was desperately searching for his brother. What he found instead was Jacqueline Douglas, a spunky beautiful rancher too proud to ask for help, whom he knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she must be his. He would also meet a man whose hatred for him and his family would be a mystery to be solved.

*** With HAWK'SA PLEDGE, O'Banyon writes a full-bodied tale featuring Whit Hawk and the beginning of the "Hawk's Crest Saga". This saga is part of a quartet of novels in which she and author Elaine Barbieri will each write two books. In this first book Whit is shown to be a gambler as a means to an end in being able to pick up and go in order to follow any lead in locating the last remaining member of his family. Whit doesn't have any inclination to form attachments as he is driven by guilt over the deaths of his two sisters in a fire he feels could have been prevented if he'd never left them in the orphanage. He is hard but honorable and he is driven until he comes upon the sight of a beautiful woman dancing barefoot in a meadow.

Jackie Douglas is driven. She's lost her mother, father, brother and is now about to lose La Posada the ranch that has been in her family for generations. She's mortgaged the ranch and the note is due, so her dance was more of a tribute to the good memories of a lost way of life. Jacquie hadn't noticed Whit but when she did, like him it was a `knowing' feeling that her life belonged with him, in spite of the fact he was a complete stranger and she should have been leery of strangers.

Also introduced into the saga is one very bad, nasty piece of work, Simon Gault, who is going to do everything he can to destroy Whit and his family. Not only a central character in this book, but seen as being woven into future offerings feeding on his hatred for the Hawk siblings with the intention to destroy them all to cover his own guilt. The reason for his hatred, unbeknownst to Whit is fully explained in this first volume.

This is a captivating well-written beginning to a promising new series I'm looking forward to and recommend for your genuine reading pleasure.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
Courtesy of The Mystic Castle

In 1866 Texas, despondent Whit Hawk gives up at least for now his quest to find his father and returns to the orphanage where he and his sisters and brother grew up. To his shock the place has been burned to the ground; he learns that his brother Drew still lives and searches for him, but his other siblings are probably dead.

Whit begins a search for Drew, which take the depressed man to Jacqueline "Jackie" Douglas' ranch. While his horse heals from a leg injury, Whit helps Jackie with her spread. However, he learns her ranch is up for bid so he decides to use his card playing skills to earn the money to win the place at auction. He does to the ire of Jackie until he tells her he loves her and gives her outright ownership of half the spread.

HAWK'S PLEDGE is a well written western romance with a mystery subplot (what happened to his parents and siblings) that starts off slowly setting the theme for this tale and the subsequent other miniseries titles. Once the background is established and Whit and Jackie are clearly attracted to one another, Constance O'Banyon's fine Reconstruction Era Texas tale accelerates into hyperspeed. The likable lead couple makes for a fine pairing as he has a quest to complete, which means he must choose between his love of Jackie or that of his "living" sibling.

Harriet Klausner

This story was so sweet and enchanting that I actually cried several times while reading it! And, I am not the type who regularily cries while reading romance novels! (In fact, often, I'm rolling my eyes.) I actually put this book in my "one of the best" category. This means that I will actually save it on the book shelf and re-read it. (There are only 4 other romance novels on my booshelf, and I've been reading them for 20+ years!) The characters in this story are very real and the reader finds herself truly caring about them. Whit and Jackie's love is unexpected for both of them. Also, both have suffered hardships in their lives. The author describes their unfolding love in a sweet way. It really made me cry at times! This is the first book in a series of 4, about 4 siblings seperated as children, with a common (and unknown to them) enemy. I've only read the first 3 books so far. This one was the best, but they are all good and definately worth reading.

Whitford Hawk is looking for his brother, Drew who is just a year younger than he. Whit carries the crested ring that his father made for the boys and tied the girls in with a pendant.

Ah, but Simon Gault stole Harold Hawk's ring and his journal when he eliminated the man. Gault is determined to have a life of riches and influence, and moves to Galveston, Texas.

In the progression of time Whit stumbled onto La Posada and Jacqueline Douglas and her gram, Nada. The ranch used to be very prosperous before the war but was now down to the help of two men, Mort and Ortega.
Whit decided to stay a day or two and help with repairs to pay for borrowing Jackie's Arabian gelding so that he could ride onto Galveston.

I will let you read on how Jackie's and Whit's attraction for each other progresses.

When Hawk lands in Galveston he heads for the fancy bordello run by Chantalle Beauchamp. She has one nasty gal, Angie who works for her and is ready to tell all that she learns, for money. Angie has an unhealthy liason with Gault, but she would like to have the distinction of getting Hawk up to her room.

Jackie has trouble with a wandering bull - a hungry mountain lion and her hormones, which she doesn't understand. She also tends to be bull-headed.

Hawk has stirred up a hornet's nest around Galveston before he decides to horn in on Hutch Steiner, who wants Jackie and her ranch [well his father does].

Oh yes, don't forget to keep an eye on Bruce Carlton, the little weasel - he works for Simon.

Excellent plot - great characters - a gal who thinks she can take care of herself [don't they all] - a masculine hero who carries a threatening presence until he bumps into the female pheramones that scramble his brains.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- might be a keeper set!

While I love a series since it allows the author(s) more time to develop a character, I will have to wait until later this year for the final books in the series. I'll list the titles in the order they should be read for future readers: 1) Hawk's Pledge, 2) Hawk's Passion and 3) Hawk's Pursuit and 4)? Unknown at this time.

This is a well written book that developed the base of future stories to come. While I felt the characters fell in love a little too quickly, they didn't act on their lust immediately. I liked Jackie's honesty--no coy answers to Whit and I appreciated Whit's ability to curb his lust until he 'properly wedded Jackie. It seemed the right course of events for these two.

I'm reading Hawk's Passion and am enjoying it as well and look forward to all the books in this series.

At first I thought the book was off to a slow start until I realized it was the beginning of a four book series, and O'banyon had to set the stage for all three books. When Whip met Jackie, the book took off and I went with it. Jackie is about to lose her ranch, until whip comes alone and lends a hand, as only a good looking, gun-toteing Texan can. I can't to read about the other Hawk family memebers. I love this book.

I bought this novel in good faith. I even enjoy how the author writes, but I really don't enjoy a story that exspects you to buy several related books to complete the story. I kept thinking I jumped over some pages by accident until I got to the Epilogue which should tell you some nice closing bits to the story, but this one jump back to another character in the story, and the villian at that. It also leaves you wondering if Whit, who was in search of his brother ever found him. Very disapointing Ms. O'Banyon! I'll not buy another of your books. If I read a novel I want it to end on the last page of the book. I'm only giving it 2 stars because I did like the story until it forgot to end the story and I've read books with connecting characters, but were able to stand on there own such as some by Carolyn Davidson.

The book I ordered, Hawk's Pledge was in great condition, and I received it in a few days. It was wrapped well. I would definitely buy from this seller again.

The book started out good, then quickly changed and I was losing interest. I made myself continue the book since it is the first of 4. Then it got better and held my interest more.
Wasn't very pleased with Whit and Jackie, Too soon into meeting each other, on the first day they meet, they fall in Love, I don't think so. Whit seemed to be this big tough guy, I liked that, then he meets Jackie and he acts like a young boy.
Try it for yourself, but be prepared to be disappointed.