4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hawk's Way "Whitelaw Brats"...The Next Generation...#'s 6,7, and 8 In The series, February 5, 2007
If you've been following the romantic/modern day westerns in the Hawk's Way series by Joan Johnston, these three novellas are #'s 6, 7, and 8 in the series. "The Unforgiving Bride", "The Headstrong Bride", and "The Disobedient Bride" follow the stories of Garth and Candy Whitelaw's children, known as 'The Whitelaw Brats", now all in their 30's. Although, the stories all seem to follow a theme; marrying for the wrong reasons, and are somewhat formulized, Johnston manages to keep each story enjoyable, fresh, and the characters unique from the others. Also, these stories stand on their own from the last generation of Whitelaws in the first 5 books, but it is nice to know the background(which we get a little of in these stories as well). The first 5 if you are interested in all the Hawk's Way stories(they are all a pretty nice way to get lost for a while) are:"Honey and the Hired Hand","The Rancher and The Runaway Bride",""the Cowboy and the Princess","The Wrangler and The Rich Girl"(this one is the story of the parents of the Hawk's way Brides trio), and 'The Cowboy Takes a Wife".
So here are the next generation of Whitelaw love stories:
"The Unforgiving Bride"...This is middle sibling Falcon's story. Falcon runs into an old high school chum, Grant Ainsworth, on the street. Grant has with him, the most beautiful woman Falcon has ever laid his eyes on,Mara, his wife. He has thoughts about this woman that he shouldn't have about his friend's wife, but she has an effect on him, no other woman has ever had. They also have with them their little daughter Susannah. They are the picture of the perfect family. But all is not as it seems. Grant is a bit of a playboy and also an alcoholic., When the two friends meet for a drink, Falcon leaves Grant who wants to drink on his own. When tragedy strikes, Mara blames Falcon. She has as deep hatred for him. But in a twist of fate, when Susannah is diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, she must turn to Falcon for help. His money can help the child. Falcon feeling guilty about the circumstances agrees reluctantly to help. But of course, the tension between the two turns to passion, and letting go of the past is not an easy thing to do. Their marriage may be doomed, and Susannah's life is what matters most.
"The Headstrong Bride"...Youngest sister Callen Whitelaw has been engaged twice. Both times to men her father disapproved of. Each time, she was determined to marry despite her father's disapproval, but both times, she came around and saw the men for who they really were and broke it off. But this third time, really has Garth, and her older brother Zach protesting. She is about to marry her father's enemy, Sam Longstreet. Sam is the most caring man she has ever met and is determined to make her life with him, despite her family's possible estrangement. Sam Whitelaw, may not be the man she thinks he is either, and has ulterior motives for his new bride..revenge on the Whitelaws! The passion between them is great, but Sam can never say 'I love You", knowing that when his mission is accomplished he will dump her. Can Callen tame this lone stallion, and will the Whitelaws and Longstreets be able to live in peace?
"The Disobedient Bride"...Although I think the term "disobedient bride", does not quite fit the story of oldest brother Zach's marriage to the wife he actually advertised for(she is more of a woman with her own mind), it was my favorite of the three. Zach has some deep rooted emotional problems when it comes to love. His first love died in an airplane crash two days before they were to be married. But that was 7 years earlier, and there is more to that story that Zach lets on. He just can't seem to get past it. But he wants heirs to his ranch "Hawk's Pride", land given to him by his father. When Rebecca Littlewolf sees the ad, she knows it was meant to be. After all, she lived on the ranch as a child while her father worked for Zach, and has been in love with him to this day. But Zach makes it clear right from the get-go that he only wants a mother for his children, and Rebecca lets him know that all she wants from him in return is to open a camp for children in remission of Cancer.Their passion heats up the pages while trying for a child, but Zach has given Rebecca 1 year to get pregnant. Can he keep from getting emotionally involved with this woman who heart is opened to everybody that needs a helping hand? Their story is a good one to get totally involved in.
These stories are also sold individually, and almost all the novellas are also sold in 2 in 1, or 3 in one books. some of them include 'Hawk's Way Grooms', and "Hawk's Way Rogues". Some of the books have a family tree in the beginning, so you can keep up with the family and also see the order of the books. Johnston has several other series to get involved with. One of my favorites was the 'Sisters of the Lone Star" series. Full length novels of romance and adventure in the old west, with a bit of history in each one. They are 'Frontier Woman", "Comanche Woman", and "Texas Woman". All great adventures, and sizzling romances.
Get lost in a romance for a while and enjoy the read....Laurie
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
