HAWK'S PRIZE

Author: Elaine Barbieri ISBN: 0843956380 11/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: DORCHESTER/LEISURE
Time Period: 1866 Texas

Drew... He was the last of the four siblings to return to Galveston, the first to admit he was in over his head. Stranded in a high-priced bordello because of a wounded leg, Drew found himself being nursed by a woman of mystery. Sensual lady of the night or innocent angel of mercy, she keeps her identity secret. But as he was reunited with his brother and sisters, and the wrongs of the past were righted, one thing became clear: Tricia Lee Shepherd was the other half of his soul, the only person who could make his future shine bright.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

The last book in the Hawk family saga, HAWK'S PRIZE, is written by Elaine Barbieri. I regret not being able to have read the previous three books, but this book explained the back stories rather well. HAWK'S PRIZE tells the story of Drew Hawk and his emotional and physical battles after the war between the North and the South.

I really, really wanted to like this story. It pains me to say that I was a bit disappointed. Not in the writing—Elaine Barbieri is a talented author—but it felt as if some of the story was rushed while other parts were just dragged out too long. I didn't feel the emotional connection between Drew and Tricia; their relationship just didn't have that special spark!

As I'm somewhat reluctant to recommend HAWK'S PRIZE, I do think it's important to finish reading a series. Barbieri pens this final book, and although it's not the best I've read lately, it's worth reading to see how she wraps up all the stories.

Julie Kornhausl