THE MARSH HAWK

Author: Dawn MacTavish ISBN: 0843959347 7/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: DORCHESTER
Time Period: 1812 England

It was to be a gala three-day event at Moorhaven Manor, the rambling country estate of Lady Jenna Hollingsworth's betrothed, Viscount Rupert Marner. To be attended by half the Cornish nobility, not to mention a host of peers from London, it would be a diversion of picnicking, riding, archery, and shooting. It would end in Jenna marrying another. But was her new husband the same man who had killed her father? After one night of passion, she began to wonder. The jarring aroma of leather, tobacco and recently drunk wine drifting toward her on the breeze—she remembered it so well, as well as the tall, muscular shape beneath the multi-caped greatcoat, and those eyes of blue fire through the holes in his mask. Oh yes, she remembered the man with whom she shared a secret past. He was the highwayman known as...The Marsh Hawk...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Dawn MacTavish's debut novel, THE MARSH HAWK, is a wonderfully written historical romance that stays with you long after you read the story. Although Dawn MacTavish may be a new name to the romance industry, I'm sure you're familiar with her alter ego, Dawn Thompson, whose books include BLOOD MOON and THE FALCON'S BRIDE.

I loved THE MARSH HAWK right from the beginning! Lady Jenna Hollingsworth goes undercover to avenge her father's death by killing his murderer, the bandit known as the Marsh Hawk, or so she thought. Months later, Jenna finds herself in a loveless relationship and in attendance at her weekend long engagement party. It's there that she encounters the handsome Simon Rutherford, Earl of Kevernwood. After an unintentional moonlight rendevouz between the two of them, a dangerous attraction develops that will leave Jenna breaking her engagement and marrying Simon, instead.

Simon is quite the hero and it was too easy to fall in love him! Unfortunately, he has a really big secret that he's keeping from Jenna and this secret could end their relationship. There are a lot of secrets between Simon and Jenna, and in order for them to be happy, they must form a strong trust together. But you know that that scenario isn't going to happen right away and that's the real drama behind THE MARSH HAWK. I'll admit that a good part of this book was a bit predictable, but it didn't bother me in the least. The writing is superb and the characters are so believable and, better yet, so likable!

I read this book in one day, it's just that good! The blend of romance, drama and action was perfect. THE MARSH HAWK is a great read and already has a spot on my bookshelf.

Julie Kornhausl