Silhouette Desire #842: The Cowboy Takes a Wife

For those following the 'Hawk's Way ' Series by Joan Johnston, this 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. Next up is "The Unforgiving Bride", which looks like it might be the start of the next generation of Whitelaw kids' stories. There are many more of the Hawk's Way series stories to come, and sometimes they may be purchased in 3-in-1 or sometimes 2-in-1 books. This one, "The Cowboy Takes a Wife", may also be purchased in the 3 novella book - "Hawk's Way Rouges" which also includes the 1st in the series(Honey), and 9th "The Temporary Groom". Book #'s 2, 3 and 4(mentioned above), make up the "Hawk's Way Bachelors" 3 in 1 book. 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

In this Hawk's Way book the Whitelaws branch out. This is the story of Faron Whitelaw's step brother Carter. We were introduced to Carter in 'The Wrangler and the Rich Girl' when he was interested in purchasing his fathers estate. This story picks up on the exact night that he came to town. Desiree was also first intorduced in the previous book when she came to Faron and Belindas party, she was the young woman that had a scar on her face.Desiree asks Carter to be her husband and in return she will sign over half of her estate. Carter is looking for somewhere to put down roots and since he can not have his fathers estate he thinks Desiree's offer sounds good. Desiree and Carter get married a week later. Carter does not consider that he will now have to be a father to Desiree's daughter Nicky. Carter has a hard time with the little girl because of his own secret past. Carter also wants to see if Desiree can love him for who he is and does not tell her that he is rich. Desiree also has secrets of her own. She has not told Carter about the abusive ex husband that gave her the scars on her face and body, or that he is getting out of prison and that is why she wanted to get married. Desiree figures that her ex will leave her alone if Carter is there, but she turns out to be really wrong. Despite there pasts they have to try to decide if they want to open there hearts to each other. They also have to deal with all of the secrets between them. This is a great edition to the Hawk's Way series.