Customer Reviews

Hawk's Way: Carter & Falcon: The Cowboy Takes A Wife\The Unforgiving Bride

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

 

 

This book kept me interested. I finished it in 2 days. It had everything any romance reader likes. Fun, excitement, sadness, romance, everything. I couldn't put it down. Every romance lover needs to read this. You will love it. Was very rivoting and page turning.

The Hawk's Way series continues with the stories The Cowboy Takes a Wife and The Unforgiving Bride.

In The Cowboy Takes a Wife, Desiree Parrish is desperate to find a man to marry to protect her from an abusive ex that is being released from jail and she remembers Carter's kindness when they were children. For his part, Carter is looking to settle down and stake some roots.

In The Unforgiving Bride, Mara Ainsworth is forced to come looking to Falcon Whiltelaw to help her out after she is widowed. The night of her husband's death, he was out with Falcon and Mara has blamed Falcon ever since. When her daughter becomes ill, she has nowhere else to turn besides to the man who once offered her help.

Both of these stories were quick reads, a little better than some others in this series have been with a bit more plot. Still not quite my cup of tea, but the writing has improved somewhat. These seem to be beloved novels, so I'm still working my way through them, but have yet to be taken into a story.

For those following the 'Hawk's Way ' Series by Joan Johnston, The Cowboy Takes A Wife is # 5 in the line up, and it is the first one that branches out to family members other then the core Whitelaw siblings. It also should not be confused with another romance by the same title by Lois Faye Dyer. If you have been following the series, you may remember briefly meeting Carter Prescott, as Faron Whitelaw's half brother in 3rd in the series, "The Cowboy and the Princess". Ms Johnston, gives enough background and interaction with the Whitelaw's, so that this book stand on it's own, however if you would like to start the series from the beginning, the 1st in the series is "Honey and the Hired Hand", followed by "The Rancher and the Runaway Bride", "Cowboy and the Princess", and "The Wrangler and the Rich Girl".

Joan Johnston is amazing as she always matches up two wonderful characters, that seem made for each other, while still keeping the plot interesting and fresh. In this one Desiree Parrish and her little daughter Nicole are in danger. Carter Prescott is looking for a place to set down roots and call his own.Desiree owns a ranch and needs a husband for protection. She carries the scars, physically and mentally of an abusive relationship and has no hopes for a future relationship. Offering Carter a place to call his own,in desperation she proposes to him, a man she met once in her childhood and hardly knows. So hardly knowing each other, but each with their own reasons, and each with the scars and secrets of the past,they marry. Desiree who never thought she could let another man touch her, or make a man happy in the bedroom discovers new feelings with this man who treats her so tenderly. Carter too, starts to fall for Desiree, can hardly keep from spending every waking minute with her, and also learns to care for Nicole as well. These two strangers learn about each other's past and the marriage becomes one much more than one of convenience.There's danger brewing though, in the form of Desiree's maniac of an ex-husband.

There is much to overcome and Johnston keeps the reader turning the pages, as this multi-faceted story unfolds at a great pace in this romantic and suspenseful novella. A very good entry and something a little different from the rest in the Hawk's Way series.

"The Unforgiving Bride" - #6 in the series is also included here.This one begins the stories of the next generation of Whitelaws with the children of Garth and Candy Whitelaw, known as 'The Whitelaw Brats", now all in their 30's. Although, this and the next two novellas all seem to follow a theme; marrying for the wrong reasons, and although 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). This one("The Unforgiving Bride") will be followed by "The Headstrong Bride" and "The Disobediant Bride".

"The Unforgiving Bride" 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 story of the little girl's cancer(Johnston seems to have done her homework here) running along side of the romance makes for an empathetic and more of a multi-faceted read.

These stories are also sold individually, but almost all the novellas are also sold in 2 in 1, or 3 in 1 books.I have created a Listmania("The Joan Johnston Romance/Adventure Novels")to help you discover other of her books - including her full length historical novels-
and a So You'd Like To Guide("Read Joan Johnston's Western Romance By Series")to help sort through the order of the series. Please see either for more info on them.

These romantic adventures are great reads to take you away to someplace else for just a little while. The romances are sweet and more often then not, pretty steamy, but always have some other storyline to get caught up in as well.

Enjoy the read......Laurie

Great Book I love Joan Johnston Books. Recommend to all. Plan to get more of her books and so far all that i have ordered have been as detailed

Joan Johnston has a way with Western-themed romances. This book has two good stories in one volume. Of course, love triumphs, but the road to happiness is loaded with human complications. Temptation, forgiveness, and redemption are featured in both tales. If you love sexy cowboys with big hearts and charm that won't quit, you won't be disappointed.

Loved it....love all of her books, and especially the Hawks Way Series...Cant even pick which is my favorite.... love them all...

In The Cowboy Takes A Wife, Desiree Parrish is desperately seeking a man to protect her from her abusive first spouse. Big Carter Prescott must find a way into her heart through gentleness and understanding, but will he come to care for Desiree enough before the nightmare of abuse returns?

Falcon Whitelaw desired Mara Ainsworth the moment he saw her - but she was already wed to another man. Unfortunately, Mara blames Falcon for her drunken husband's death, but circumstances throw them together again. Susannah, Mara's little daughter, is very ill. It will take a lot of money, time and care to see Susannah well again and Mara can think of only one man capable of saving them both. The Unforgiving Bride was inspiring and a lesson for us all to treasure the ones we love every moment of every single day.

I'm new to this writers stories, but have enjoyed what I have read so far. I have purchased several that I have yet to read and am looking forward to it.