Although, the story is a good romance and has good character layout, I think Seth's daughter, Patch stole the center stage! I was more interested in learning about Patch and Ethan - The Outlaw, then the main characters. I think I'll pick up The Outlaw's Bride and find out what happens between the two...wink.

Michelle Harris, Author of Moonlight Midnight Glory, ISBN: 0595000355

This is one of my favorite of Joan's books, and i have read many. I'm definately in love with her Hawk's Way series and can't wait for more. This was the first historical of hers that i read and i absolutely loved it. I am a big fan of historical novels and but this one was one of the best. I love the western themes and i thought the family situation in this novel was great i laughed so much i was in tears. Patch was definately a favorite character and i loved the novel about her also. I wish i could give such high recomendations about some of joan's other historicals but i can't stand the ones about Earls and Dukes, i guess they're just not my thing. But this book is great for anyone who loves historicals, the old west,or joan johnston, or all of the above, Happy reading

This was my first western by Joan Johnston. It was good reading. The characters were so real. You could not help but feel Patches pain at the new family. She was a great charcter I can not wait for pay day so I can buy her story. Joan is now one of my top five authors.

It was good reading. It also makes you hope that she will write something in the future relating to the three remaining bachelor brothers.

I really enjoyed this book. Both stories were great but I especially loved the story of Corrigan and Dorie. I really hope Diana Palmer writes the story of the remaining brothers.

Sloan Stewart is the eldest of Rip Stewart's daughters. She is his heir, his rock. She's the overseer on his plantation. She lives for the land, because past heartbreak has taught her that land is all that one can count on. She was always considered unusual by the town's standards. Now she's has had a son out of wedlock by her first love, a traitor, and she's made a secret deal with his brother, Cruz. Cruz has loved her for years, but Sloan is too afraid to love him. When a secret part of Rip's life comes to light, Sloan is furious and unwillingly turns to Cruz. The author manages to keep the romance and action going without sacrificing the heroine's independent spirit, even when it inconveniences the hero. She adds intrigue with Cruz's secret occupation, Cruz's mother and ties up loose ends with Sloan's son, whom she gave to Cruz to raise because she was afraid to love him. The secondary love story with Luke was a nice touch, too. All in all, the story was well-written and I was sorry to see the Sisters of the Lone Star end. I hope Joan Johnson will eventually do some sequels about their children. I'd like to see how the next generation of Lone Star children handle their adventures.

The third volume of Sister of the Lone Star is very well worth reading, as are the previous two. Had hoped Johnston would write the story of Luke.

I've enjoyed all of this author's books that I've read but, wasn't too jazzed about this one. The plot idea was good but I too figured out who the culprit was about half way through the book.

The characters were not well-developed. Because of the fact that we didn't get enough background, it was not easy to figure out their motivations for the things they did.

Jack's attitude toward Maggie was arrogant & self-centered. She was good enough for him to have sex with, but not good enough to have anything more with because she was an alcoholic. Who by the way hadn't had a drink in almost ten years and during that time gone to law school and had a thriving practice. I realize his mother was an alcoholic but his mother NEVER stopped drinking! And it's not like he was perfect!

Maggie is a sober alcoholic hauling around a decade's worth of guilt. Jack is a Texas Ranger who can't let go of a murder he failed to prevent. Lisa is a beautiful attorney who won't believe the man she loves can behave any differently than her long-absent father. Roman is a brilliant surgeon whose workaholic habits have blunted his ability to perceive and express love. Porter is a Texas aristocrat who pontificates over a powerful law firm and protects his own while extracting more than a pound of flesh as repayment. Victoria is a Texas Tiger Lily with ice in her veins. Who's killing hopelessly ill children in Texas hospitals? Will love triumph over neurosis? Read Joan Johnston's book to find out.

I found myself reading compulsively till the end, although about two thirds of the way through, I'd figured out who done it - the tension in the plot doesn't let up until the last chapter. My only criticism was the pace of the book - it actually covers only a few days, so I suppose the fact that it sometimes seemed to move too fast, is understandable. I would have rated it 5 stars if there had been a little more character development to contribute to the romance - maybe a few more flashbacks to flesh out the roots of these characters' angst, rather than simple explanation passages in the narrative. Still, a fairly good read, with an original twist and nicely flawed (human) characters - even if the Texas characters are somewhat stereotyped!

Because of the comprehensive reviews given I will keep this one very short. The story is excellent for good reading material. You won't lose out in reading it.
Lisa and Maggie are talking -- Is Maggie going to let Jack get away? Lisa assumes that Maggie is in love with Jack. Her comment - "I've seen the way Jack looks at you." Maggie replies "That's lust!" Lisa insists that Maggie is not the type of woman that men lust after. Maggie laughs - not insulted "Oh? What type am I?"

Lisa says, "Wholesome. The one-man-one-woman-till-death-so-us-part type." -------- "Well, phooey!" [from Maggie] --- "What's the matter." [Lisa] ------ "I think Jack's the love-'em-and-leave-'em type."
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and others by Joan Johnsten, especially the Captive series [4 books] plus

First of all, please ignore the hokey cover of this book. The publishing house tried to have their cake and eat it too -- they wanted the "thrill of abduction" on the cover, thus the woman being carried off -- but they also couldn't make it seem "scary" or realistic so the lady and her pretty-boy abductor are grinning like fools at each other. It just comes off as a bit forced and surreal.

Once you get inside, you will see there are three selections in this book: "Redbird" by Diana Palmer, "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" by Joan Johnston, and "The Bounty" by Rebecca Brandewyne.

I enjoyed "Redbird" the most because the characters and the situation they found themselves in were believable. The author did not gloss over the possible consequences of the kidnapping, and instead worked with it. I also believed that the two would actually want to be together and make their marriage work by the end. Finally, I really liked the hero, a must for me to truly enjoy a romance story. While he could be rash, he is really a big lovable bear, with the nice twist of not being a ladykiller in his behavior. He is a good mix of Alpha and Beta characteristics.

"The Bluest Eyes in Texas" was OK, but it was over-the-top cliched with Ranger Burr Covington being obsessed with the social-economic differences between him and the governor's daughter, Lindsey Major, and especially with her blue eyes. I realize it's the title, but Johnston relied on the "blue eyes" theme to the point of annoyance. Considering the abruptness of the ending and the fact that I didn't believe for one minute Covington would have really proposed that soon, she could have deleted half of the references to "blue eyes" and saved the words for more character development and a better ending.

I liked "Bounty" the least. While it has the hottest sex scenes, I simply did not like Rafer Starr. He is a cliched Alpha-bad boy character. He sees "strong" Hayley Harper and immediately wants to "tame" her down, like some sort of house pet. This story also relied far too heavily on sexual chemistry and simply did not make me believe the characters were compatible for anything more than a roll in the hay by the time the story ended.

I felt that Palmer ("Redbird") did the best with the short format the authors were restricted to, and made the most of the space she had to create a more realistic romance. "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" would have benefited from more space to make the story less one-dimensional and allow for a richer, fuller maturation of the characters' relationship and especially a better ending. "The Bounty" would have not been any better with more space, just longer. Rafer Starr is simply not a likable character. His attitude is, "Sure honey, we can have a partnership. As long as I'm always in charge and you let me take care of you!"

The Bluest Eyes in Texas leaves a lot to be desired - Too much repetition about the lavender eyes.
The characters of Burr Covington and fellons were great and Lindsay Major was not too bad but......
The plot of the story is not too bad but then again not enough.
Is not one of her better stories -- would not care to read again.
Alright to read once. Ho, hum, back to bed hopping!

The Bounty is a great story about strong characters.
Haley Harper is a stong woman, except when it comes to her hormones. She is after the bounty.
Rafer Starr, of Shooting Starr, Incorporated, is a renowned bounty hunter. Admired even by Haley's dad, a bounty hunter in his own right.

The bounty on Dolan Pike is 25,000 dollars. Haley needs this bounty to keep her one woman organization going. She certainly is not going to brook any interference from Starr.

Except, wouldn't you know, Starr turns the tables on her and abducts her. Therein lies a great short story. Haley is not given much choice except to work with Starr. Of course, the hormones kick in and the attraction escalates.

If she is pushing 40, how many kids does she think she can have?
Both want children but whoa, they sure better hurry up.
Any chance of finding out in a later story??????????

Definitely recommended if you like kick butt action.

Another great book by Joan Johnston! I just loved Colt to pieces! I was so glad to read about Jenny and Colt. Thank heavens, after all those years, she ended up with the right guy! You ached for Colt and his feelings for Jenny. It was hard to put this book down. The various characters in the book reach out and grab you too. Easy to see that books can follow about Jenny's brother, Randy with Faith and Colt's big brother Jack and Hope! At least we HOPE so. The Whitelaw's are such an exceptional family, by reading the books, you can be a part of the family, at least for awhile. And, Joan usually brings in some imperfection which is unusual, but more normal than the drop-dead gorgeous heroine! This is a reality check that many readers can relate to. Thanks Joan for entertaining us so well with another great read!

The story line was very good and have always enjoyed the Whitelaw's stories. It shows that live is not always easy and happy, but when two people really love each other, they can face anything. I am anxious for the next storries of Randy, Faith, Hope and Jake.

Another great book in her Hawk's Way series. Go out and find the others. You won't regret it. :)

This was the first book by Joan Johnston that I had read that wasn't in the Silhouette or Harlequin line and I was pleasently surprised. An interesting premise and I loved Charlotte. She was headstrong and not afraid of doing what she wanted. I also enjoyed the other small stories that Ms. Johnston incorporates into her books. Go out and find the others in this line. You won't be dissapointed.

This book was a good read. True, you could usually figure out the plot, but so what. Do we ever really not know how the romance novel will end? If you're looking for suspense read a mystery. If your looking to be swept away into a world of Sexy excitment, humor and true love, You'll like this one. Also try Anything, My Love" by Cynthia Simmons. A real page turner and a hero you won't forget.

This book was delightful. I fully enjoyed Charlotte's outspoken frankness and her views on equalality among everyone. She helped the Earl of Denbigh shed his much too stuffy attitude. And she helped heal his heart from a disasterious courtship from an unfortunate victim. I do so hope that the rest in this quartet series are as enjoyable as this one.

This book begins okay, and it's interesting to meet the characters from the previous books in the series, but about halfway through I began to get really bored. The hero is far too indecisive, the plot comes undone very quickly and the ending is so abrupt and contrived it left me shaking my head in disbelief. Ms. Johnston appears to have a hard time writing about characters who really have a dark side to them - Carlisle could have been much better constructed, but his angst seems weak. Its also very difficult to make the hero from one book the apparant villain in the next (Blackthorne), and we never do understand Cedric Ambleside's motives in this story. Too contrived, particularly the ending, and not enough real characterization.

This book was just what I need to take me away from the everyday world.

Its entertaining, romantic and easy read. I think the author knows her material and knows how to make her characters interesting and exciting. She makes you want to be back there to share in their world. I have read several other books by Ms. Johnston and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

"The Bridegroom" hooked me from the first page and never let me down. I stayed up all night reading it and was sorry to see it end. The twins, especially Reggie, who delighted us in the earlier Captive Heart books, take the reader on a whirlwind ride. Ms. Johnston has provided the reader with a sensual, thrilling, exciting read to conclude the Captive Heart series. Its no wonder "The Bridegroom" has been on the bestseller lists since its debut. Ms. Johnston's books keep getting better and better. She never lets her readers down.

This is the first book I have read by Joan Johnston, and I will read more! I love Westerns, be it books or movies and not since Calamity Jane have I seen such heroism in a woman depicted in this genre.
Creighton "Cricket" Stewart,a free spirit, at 17 is the youngest of Rip Stewart's three daughters. Rip is a wealthy cotton plantation owner in Texas at the time it was still a young Republic. Rip taught his daughter's all special skills of survival. In Cricket's case thanks to her father, she was so self reliant that she thought she didn't need any man, ever!She could handle whatever came along, Hostile Indians, Mexican Bandidos, she even had wolves for pets.
Enter Jarrett Creed, a handsome Texas Ranger on a secret goverment mission, to expose traitors to Texas, during this time that the republic was under siege from both Mexiacan armies, and Indians alike. Jarrett, who has lived with an Indian tribe is able to save Cricket from a fix she manages to get herself into with the Comanches ... They both infuriate each other as they travel together to uncover a conspiracy, that also unwittingly has Cricket's sister involved. Together they face danger, adventures, and unexpected romantic situations, which get pretty steamy at times.
And just when you think the story is over, Ms. Johnston gives us a sneak preview of "Texas Woman" and "Commanche Woman" (The stories of her sisters) leaving us wanting more.
I read this book while sitting in hospital waiting rooms, thank you Joan Johnston for taking my mind to another time and place. Laurie

Cricket Stewart is the youngest of Rip's daughters, the rebel. She's opinionated, dresses and fights like a man. Jared Creed, a Texas Ranger who spent many years as a Comanche brave, is her match in every way. From him, Cricket learns to accept and love her femininity, and still retain her fiery spirit. This book was the first in a series to feature three daughters who are unusual for their time, when women were considered inferior. I found myself encouraging Cricket to let go of her fears of being a woman and Jared for being the man to do it.

Creighton "Cricket" Stewart is a woman of many means, a woman of strength, a woman who would rather live as a man, until Jarrett Creed. Jarrett Creed, a Texas Ranger, who also, like Cricket, is a loner, until he meets Cricket Stewart. The two meet during a time of Comanche raids and the Wild West, before it was won.

Their story takes them across Texas and into New Orleans and back again, all to save Cricket's sister, Sloan and the Texas frontier. The last thing the two expect is to fall in love...

*****Another five stars from me. This book I approached apprehensively, (I'm not really into these types of novels) but I found that I could not put it down! This novel was wonderful, full of character and humor. I was reading it on my breaks and people were staring at me because I was laughing so hard. This is definitely a good read, and now I'm looking forward the rest of this series called Bitter Creek. *****

Reviewed by Kim Blair

I was going to write a lengthy review explaining all the ways in which this book, in its plot and execution, fell short of my expectations and desires, but I see that the reader from Bethesda who wrote the review of 16 March has done all that, very well indeed. Great review, and very accurate in its detailing of this book's shortcomings!

There are other grating inaccuracies and impossibilities which also irritated me: for instance, Marcus travelling with his twin nieces without a maid or governess in sight?! No way. Absolutely would that not have happened. These are daughters of a duke. They would be protected and chaperoned at every turn. Marcus may have been a relative, but he was still a man; he would not have been alone with them.

And then later in the book, Marcus sends someone to ride from Kent to London, to see his solicitor and a vicar and arrange for a special licence and dispensation to be married after dark, then visit Eliza's friends and get them to Kent for the wedding. All in the same 24-hour period! No chance; that's a complete impossibility. Sure, a rider on a speedy horse could get to London within a day, but do all this and get back again??? And, if I'm not mistaken, a special licence could only be obtained *in person* from the man about to be married, and only from a bishop.

I do find it irritating when writers clearly haven't bothered to do the most basic research.

Johnston doesn't take care with her language, either: her characters are supposed to be English, and English aristocracy at that, and yet a lot of the time they talk like Americans. Simply omitting contractions doesn't cut it, Ms Johnston. For instance, no young lady of the aristocracy - or even any English person - would talk about 'fixing' hair. One 'arranges', or - for that period and class - 'dresses' hair. That's just one example of several irritating Americanisms which leapt out at me. And Ms Johnston or her editor really needed to pay a little more attention to grammar, especially punctuation.

Some of this wouldn't have mattered so much - as with the inaccuracies in Edith Layton's early books - if at any time the characters had engaged my emotions. They did not, in any way. I found them flat and one-dimensional. And when I think of what someone like Mary Balogh or Mary Jo Putney could have done with a premise like this, I feel bitterly disappointed. This premise, in the hands of a Balogh or a Kelly, would have been a tear-jerker. Johnston's book has simply left me bored.

The story, once you get over the errors and the inaccuracies, is not all that bad. I found the relationship between Julian and Eliza touching and their friendship very real and down to earth. The first part of the book is quite enchanting.

The relationship between Eliza and Marcus is odd to say the least. Why would a person who is so badly scarred emotionally and physically force a woman to marry him? Why resist her so much if he wants her that badly? Why does she agree to it all? What is the secret she is hiding?

There are many things wrong with this book, but it does compel you to finish it! Despite the inaccuracies that will frustrate and irritate you... You still find yourself turning page after page, so... there must be something in it to merit a good rating!!

I didn't want to put this book down! The whole story was fun--before the kiss and after. Marcus and Eliza were likeable characters. I found the secondary characters interesting too and want to read more about them.