Book Description
It is 1967 and two Viennese university students want to liberate the Vienna Zoo, as was done after World War II. But their good intentions have both comic and gruesome consequences, in this first novel written by a twenty-five year old John Irving, already a master storyteller.
From the Paperback edition.
Customer Reviews:
an introduction.......2007-07-07
A local boy, who went to school and returned as a teacher and book store part owner clued me into this book when I was in grade 10 (he was my Geography teacher, more was more interested in novels). I read it and along with Irving Stone's Passions of the Mind,(John Irving Stone I thought would be a heck of a writer)I flipped about Vienna.
Later on, reading a Nervous Splendor and finally visiting Vienna, I became convinced that re-incarnation may be somewhat factual, ....
or was it Setting Free the Bears?
A good story, well crafted by a young writer...
Hard to read - for true Irving fans only.......2006-04-25
I've never before been pretentious enough to think I could see an author developing through their work but I think I'm starting to with John Irving. This is his first book I believe and has some strong characters and an interesting plot but it very hard to read. Obsenities in the story are weakened into something unintelligable and the whole thing is hard to get through.
I read his second book, 'The Water Method Man', right after this, and it is similar in style but a nicer story and easier to read (a bit).
If you are just starting out with John Irving, don't start here! 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' and 'The World According to Garp' are delightful - start there!
From the beginning, a novelist of the first rank.......2006-03-02
I really can't understand the head-up-the-assedness of many of these reviews. I loved this book when I first read it and I still love it now, having just finished it again.
If John Irving believes that Setting Free the Bears would not be published as a first novel today, then that is more an indictment of the publishing industry than any reflection on the book.
This multi-layered story is involving, illuminating, touching and shocking. Perhaps it is not as rich and polished as his later novels, but since those later works must rank as some of the best ever written in the English language, I think we can cut the guy a little slack. As a first novel, it is simply outstanding.
So yes, contrary to a rather bizarre opinion found here, I did finish it.
early John Irving material confuses, bores..........2004-07-18
'Setting Free the Bears' is an early work by John Irving that would have been normally out of print, and deservedly so, if it were not for his later fame from 'The World According to Garp'. In some ways the book is similar to 'The New Hotel Hampshire', a book I actually didn't care for, but lacks the humor or the huggable characters (or the curious incest sub-plot, thank goodness). So what exactly is wrong with 'Setting Free the Bears'?
Well the plot itself is rather strange and somewhat incomprehensible. A young Austrian college student bumps into a very quirky fellow, and together the tour Austria on motorcycle. Just when you think the book will turn into a funny road story with an Austrian twist the author decides to split the story in two, with the a narrative of the main character camped out at a zoo and his strange friend narrating his (pre-war) family history. Very disappointing, and very dull. The ending concludes in comical fashion back at the zoo. But this fun ending is too little, too late.
Bottom line: a very amateurish effort by the often outstanding John Irving. A definite miss.
The rest of you are lying; you couldn't finish it........2004-01-09
There's no John Irving novel I don't love, except this one. Most of them, I have re-read about five times. Even "The Water-Method Man", one of his weaker novels, I read twice.
I couldn't finish this one, not in THREE separate attempts, at three very different times in my life, three different frames of mind. There's nothing wrong with my reading skills. I'm forced to conclude the rest of you are lying.
Siggy and Hannes are simply not characters one can care about, and the actual writing is wretched.
Average customer rating:
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John Irving: Three Complete Novels: Setting Free The Bears, The Water-Method Man, The 158-Pound marriage
John Irving
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Until I Find You: A Novel
ASIN: 0517146541
Release Date: 1995-05-21 |
catalog copy and individual title synopsis
This collection features the first three novels of this highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author. Compassionate, satirical, deeply insightful and humorous, these compelling novels have gained him millions of fans.
Setting Free the Bears: Siggy and Hannes were disenchanted students and fellow conspirators. Astride a 700cc royal Enfield motorcycle, they roamed the Austrian countryside. When Gallen, a lovely hitchhiker, joined them, they zeroed in on the Vienna Zoo--and Siggy's dream: setting free the bears!
The Water-Method Man: The acclaimed second novel by the author of the #1 international bestseller, A Prayer for Owen Meany. Fred "Bogus" Trumper is a wayward knight-errant in the battle of the sexes, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, he stubbornly clings to the notion he'll make something of his life.
The 158 Pound Marriage: Sometimes they looked at each other, aroused half out of their minds by the thought that each had just been making love with another, and it would be enough to make them want to do it--together--all over again. Well, almost enough.
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
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SETTING FREE THE BEARS
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GQHYYI |
Average customer rating:
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Setting Free the Bears.
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000I36T9A |
Product Description
Boxed set of 4 John Irving novels.
Book Description
A true master of Western romance, Joan Johnston has lassoed readers with her delightful Hawk's Way series. Now three best-loved favorites from the popular family saga -- The Unforgiving Bride, The Headstrong Bride and The Disobedient Bride -- are available in this limited edition hardcover.
She's unforgiving, headstrong and disobedient . . . she's a Whitelaw bride!
These three ladies of Hawk's Way are about to come face-to-face with something as rare as a friendly armadillo: three Texan men who are their equals! Watch the sparks fly -- and love unite -- at these unforgettable Whitelaw weddings!
Falcon Whitelaw offered his services -- as husband and stand-in father to a damsel in distress and her darling daughter.
The Unforgiving Bride was skittish about love, but this Whitelaw man could be very convincing . . .
Callen Whitelaw had one surefire way to soften up a rugged rancher out for revenge against her beloved clan.
The Headstrong Bride would marry him!
Zach Whitelaw chose his convenient wife for one reason only -- to provide him with a brood of little Whitelaws. But no matter how many long, lazy days they spent in their marriage bed,
The Disobedient Bride refused to get pregnant!
Customer Reviews:
Hawk's Way "Whitelaw Brats"...The Next Generation...#'s 6,7, and 8 In The series.......2007-02-06
If you've been following the romantic/modern day westerns in the Hawk's Way series by Joan Johnston, these three novellas are #'s 6, 7, and 8 in the series. "The Unforgiving Bride", "The Headstrong Bride", and "The Disobedient Bride" follow the stories of Garth and Candy Whitelaw's children, known as 'The Whitelaw Brats", now all in their 30's. Although, the stories all seem to follow a theme; marrying for the wrong reasons, and 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). The first 5 if you are interested in all the Hawk's Way stories(they are all a pretty nice way to get lost for a while) are:"Honey and the Hired Hand","The Rancher and The Runaway Bride",""the Cowboy and the Princess","The Wrangler and The Rich Girl"(this one is the story of the parents of the Hawk's way Brides trio), and 'The Cowboy Takes a Wife".
So here are the next generation of Whitelaw love stories:
"The Unforgiving Bride"...This 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 Headstrong Bride"...Youngest sister Callen Whitelaw has been engaged twice. Both times to men her father disapproved of. Each time, she was determined to marry despite her father's disapproval, but both times, she came around and saw the men for who they really were and broke it off. But this third time, really has Garth, and her older brother Zach protesting. She is about to marry her father's enemy, Sam Longstreet. Sam is the most caring man she has ever met and is determined to make her life with him, despite her family's possible estrangement. Sam Whitelaw, may not be the man she thinks he is either, and has ulterior motives for his new bride..revenge on the Whitelaws! The passion between them is great, but Sam can never say 'I love You", knowing that when his mission is accomplished he will dump her. Can Callen tame this lone stallion, and will the Whitelaws and Longstreets be able to live in peace?
"The Disobedient Bride"...Although I think the term "disobedient bride", does not quite fit the story of oldest brother Zach's marriage to the wife he actually advertised for(she is more of a woman with her own mind), it was my favorite of the three. Zach has some deep rooted emotional problems when it comes to love. His first love died in an airplane crash two days before they were to be married. But that was 7 years earlier, and there is more to that story that Zach lets on. He just can't seem to get past it. But he wants heirs to his ranch "Hawk's Pride", land given to him by his father. When Rebecca Littlewolf sees the ad, she knows it was meant to be. After all, she lived on the ranch as a child while her father worked for Zach, and has been in love with him to this day. But Zach makes it clear right from the get-go that he only wants a mother for his children, and Rebecca lets him know that all she wants from him in return is to open a camp for children in remission of Cancer.Their passion heats up the pages while trying for a child, but Zach has given Rebecca 1 year to get pregnant. Can he keep from getting emotionally involved with this woman who heart is opened to everybody that needs a helping hand? Their story is a good one to get totally involved in.
These stories are also sold individually, and almost all the novellas are also sold in 2 in 1, or 3 in one books. some of them include 'Hawk's Way Grooms', and "Hawk's Way Rogues". Some of the books have a family tree in the beginning, so you can keep up with the family and also see the order of the books. Johnston has several other series to get involved with. One of my favorites was the 'Sisters of the Lone Star" series. Full length novels of romance and adventure in the old west, with a bit of history in each one. They are 'Frontier Woman", "Comanche Woman", and "Texas Woman". All great adventures, and sizzling romances.
Get lost in a romance for a while and enjoy the read....Laurie
Hawk's Way Series #'s 6, 7, and 8...The Next Generation.......2007-02-06
If you've been following the romantic/modern day westerns in the Hawk's Way series by Joan Johnston, these three novellas are #'s 6, 7, and 8 in the series. "The Unforgiving Bride", "The Headstrong Bride", and "The Disobedient Bride" follow the stories of Garth and Candy Whitelaw's children, known as 'The Whitelaw Brats", now all in their 30's. Although, the stories all seem to follow a theme; marrying for the wrong reasons, and 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). The first 5 if you are interested in all the Hawk's Way stories(they are all a pretty nice way to get lost for a while) are:"Honey and the Hired Hand","The Rancher and The Runaway Bride",""the Cowboy and the Princess","The Wrangler and The Rich Girl"(this one is the story of the parents of the Hawk's way Brides trio), and 'The Cowboy Takes a Wife".
So here are the next generation of Whitelaw love stories:
"The Unforgiving Bride"...This 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 Headstrong Bride"...Youngest sister Callen Whitelaw has been engaged twice. Both times to men her father disapproved of. Each time, she was determined to marry despite her father's disapproval, but both times, she came around and saw the men for who they really were and broke it off. But this third time, really has Garth, and her older brother Zach protesting. She is about to marry her father's enemy, Sam Longstreet. Sam is the most caring man she has ever met and is determined to make her life with him, despite her family's possible estrangement. Sam Whitelaw, may not be the man she thinks he is either, and has ulterior motives for his new bride..revenge on the Whitelaws! The passion between them is great, but Sam can never say 'I love You", knowing that when his mission is accomplished he will dump her. Can Callen tame this lone stallion, and will the Whitelaws and Longstreets be able to live in peace?
"The Disobedient Bride"...Although I think the term "disobedient bride", does not quite fit the story of oldest brother Zach's marriage to the wife he actually advertised for(she is more of a woman with her own mind), it was my favorite of the three. Zach has some deep rooted emotional problems when it comes to love. His first love died in an airplane crash two days before they were to be married. But that was 7 years earlier, and there is more to that story that Zach lets on. He just can't seem to get past it. But he wants heirs to his ranch "Hawk's Pride", land given to him by his father. When Rebecca Littlewolf sees the ad, she knows it was meant to be. After all, she lived on the ranch as a child while her father worked for Zach, and has been in love with him to this day. But Zach makes it clear right from the get-go that he only wants a mother for his children, and Rebecca lets him know that all she wants from him in return is to open a camp for children in remission of Cancer.Their passion heats up the pages while trying for a child, but Zach has given Rebecca 1 year to get pregnant. Can he keep from getting emotionally involved with this woman who heart is opened to everybody that needs a helping hand? Their story is a good one to get totally involved in.
These stories are also sold individually, and almost all the novellas are also sold in 2 in 1, or 3 in one books. some of them include 'Hawk's Way Grooms', and "Hawk's Way Rogues". The books usually have a family tree in the beginning, so you can keep up with the family and also see the order of the books. Johnston has several other series to get involved with. One of my favorites was the 'Sisters of the Lone Star" series. Full length novels of romance and adventure in the old west, with a bit of history in each one. They are 'Frontier Woman", "Comanche Woman", and "Texas Woman". All great adventures, and sizzling romances.
Get lost in a romance for a while and enjoy the read....Laurie
More like 2 1/2 stars. Weak when compared to her full-length novels.......2006-09-01
From the back cover:
She's unforgiving, headstrong and disobedient...she's a Whitelaw bride!
These three ladies of Hawk's Way are about to come face-to-face with something as rare as a friendly armadillo: three Texan men who are their equals! Each of these arrogant, opinionated, incredibly sexy ranchers is just itching to tangle with a passionate little spitfire in a lady's Stetson...and these women are all too happy to kick and scratch--and kiss--right back. Watch sparks fly--and love unite--at these unforgettable Whitelaw weddings!
Marriage...Whitelaw style...
Falcon Whitelaw offered his services--as husband and stand-in father--to a damsel in distress and her darling daughter. THE UNFORGIVING BRIDE was skittish about love, but this Whitelaw man could be very convincing...
Callen Whitelaw had one surefire way to soften up a rugged rancher out for revenge against her beloved father...THE HEADSTRONG BRIDE would marry him!
Zach Whitelaw chose his "convenient" wife for one reason only--to provice him with a brook of little Whitelaws. But no matter how many long, lazy days they spent in the marriage bed, THE DISOBEDIENT BRIDE refused to get pregnant...
And my review:
I've read and enjoyed almost every one of Joan Johnston's books. But this collection falls short of what this author is capable of. Of course, given the very short format of these catagory romances, that is to be expected, but it is still a bit of a let-down. I found that at least one character in each of these stories was either abrasive, or had very unbelievable reasons for making the decisions that they did.
In THE UNFORGIVING BRIDE, Mara, the heroine, blames Falcon, the hero, for her first husband's (Grant) death. But I didn't see how she could possibly blame him. Grant died because he drove while drunk, after he had met in a bar with Falcon. Only, Falcon left after the first drink, and had no idea that his friend would do something so irresponsible. It was just so stupid. He wasn't there. He didn't see his drunk friend get into a car and not try to stop him. Then it would have been his fault. I was left wondering why Mara didn't blame the bartender for serving Grant drinks, or the car manufacturers for not making a better airbag. It took her too long to admit that the only person responsible for Grant's death was...Grant! This was very annoying and detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
What did save THE UNFORGIVING BRIDE was the daughter, Susannah, who was fighting leukemia. She was so adorable that I would dare any reader not to love her. My heart would break for her suffering.
In THE HEADSTRONG BRIDE, it was the hero who was the annoying one. Again, he blamed someone for his father's death who had nothing to do with it. His claim was that this father had made some bad investments (supposedly on the advice of the heroine's father, Garth) that had been scams. When he had lost all his money, he had killed himself. The hero never even bothered to find out the facts (he was totally mistaken), just went down a twisted path of vengence where he decides to steal Garth's daughter from him back making her fall in love with him and then forcing her to choose. How twisted and sick. I wanted to shove his head into a pile of horse manure. (Well, that might have been difficult to do considering that his head was jammed way up his...well...a certain lower body orifice.) I felt that the heroine was waaaaay too good for him, and he didn't grovel nearly enough to satisfy me.
THE DISOBEDIENT BRIDE was a story that I didn't even finish. This time, it was the heroine who bothered me. I really hated the way she kept selling herself short. She marries Zach, knowing that he will never love her, even though she is secretly in love with him. I thought that to go into such a lopsided and unfair situation knowingly was idiotic. Plus, considering that the hero is 13 years older than her made it rather icky, especially when he kept calling her "kid" all the time. It was creepy instead of being cute.
So far, I haven't found any of the stories in the Hawk's Way series to be very satisfying, with perhaps the exception of THE COWBOY TAKES A WIFE, found in the Hawk's Way Rogues collection. If you want to read something good by Joan Johnston, I recommend THE INHERITANCE, THE COWBOY, THE TEXAN, the sisters trilogy (which includes TEXAS WOMAN, COMANCHE WOMAN and FRONTIER WOMAN) or THE CHRISTMAS BABY, a novella found in the A CHRISTMAS TOGETHER collection from Avon books. I wouldn't bother with HAWK'S WAY BRIDES unless you can find it in the library.
Hawk's Way Brides.......2002-03-20
If the book is by Joan Johnston they are all good . Just hope she don't go Modern. All the good writers change from what they are good at. The Western History Romance are the best...If You haven't read the 3 sisters books (some of her first) you are missing out . JOAN JOHNSTON IS SUPER ALWAYS.
Par for the course.......2002-02-28
Not up to Johnstons usual standards. In each story there did not seem to be any depth to the relationship then BAM, they're in love. I found myself skipping pages and moving on to the story. The book was ok, nothing great.
Customer Reviews:
#6 In Joan Johnston's Hawk's Way Series...Start Of The Next Generation.......2007-02-12
If you've been following the romantic/modern day westerns in the Hawk's Way series by Joan Johnston, this is #6 in the series. "The Unforgiving Bride". This 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 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). The first 5 if you are interested in all the Hawk's Way stories(they are all a pretty nice way to get lost for a while) are:"Honey and the Hired Hand","The Rancher and The Runaway Bride",""the Cowboy and the Princess","The Wrangler and The Rich Girl"(this one is the story of the parents of the next 3 stories up, the Hawk's Way Brides trilogy), and 'The Cowboy Takes a Wife". This one("The Unforgiving Bride") will be followed by "The Headstrong Bride" and "The Disobediant Bride".
"The Unforgiving Bride"...This 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 one books.You'll find this one along with #'s 7 and 8 mentioned above in the
Hawk's Way Brides, 3 in 1 book. A much better deal, and you only have to pay shipping once. Other combo books include 'Hawk's Way Grooms', and "Hawk's Way Rogues". Some of the books have a family tree in the beginning, so you can keep up with the family and also see the order of the books. Johnston has several other series to get involved with. One of my favorites was the 'Sisters of the Lone Star" series. Full length novels of romance and adventure in the old west, with a bit of history in each one. They are 'Frontier Woman", "Comanche Woman", and "Texas Woman". All great adventures, and sizzling romances.
Enjoy the read....Laurie
:).......2001-02-15
Falcon Whitelaw son of Garth and Candy Whitelaw (from the book The Wrangler and the Rich Girl)never thought that he would get married. Until one day he saw the most perfect woman, but there was just one problem she was married. Falcon notices that her husband is someone that he played football with in school, so Falcon introduces himself. Falcon and the man agree to go for drinks that afternoon at a local bar. The man dies that night when he leaves the bar drunk.
Falcon wants to offer help to his widow Mara and her little girl Susannah. Only Falcon discovers Mara blames him for her husbands death and tells him she hated him. Falcon leaves thinking he will never see Mara again only to have her show up at his doorstep three years later. Mara needs money and she is desperate, so she asks Falcon. Susannah is sick. Falcon learns that most of his money is gone, but he could marry Mara and his insurance would pay for it. Mara hates him, but knows it is her only choice. Susannah is the link that holds these two together. They both care for her so much. Mara is disgusted when she finds herself drawn to Falcon. Falcon and Mara find themselves getting closer and closer. Each of them wondering what is going to happen to the "marriage" if Susannah dies.
Some parts of the book are truely sad, but there is a lot of love and happiness in spite of it. It is another great Hawk's Way book. The best part is that we get to stay in touch with all of the other characters that we have read about in the series.
Customer Reviews:
8th in Hawk's Way Western/Romance Series.......2007-02-15
"The Disobedient Bride" is 8th in the Hawk's Way Series of western/romance novellas. It follows "The Unforgiving Bride" and "the Headstrong Bride" 3 stories of the next generation of Whitelaws. These are all about the 3 children(AKA "The Whitelaw Brats") of Garth and Candy Whitelaw, now all in their 30's. The three novellas stand on their own, although it is fun to follow the family romances through the years.These 3 stories, although all centered around the theme of marrrying for the wrong reasons, each have fresh characters and storylines. There is always some subplot or adventure to go along with the romance.
Although I think the term "disobedient bride", does not quite fit the story of oldest brother Zach's marriage to the wife he actually advertised for(she is more of a woman with her own mind), it was my favorite of the three. Zach has some deep rooted emotional problems when it comes to love. His first love died in an airplane crash two days before they were to be married. But that was 7 years earlier, and there is more to that story that Zach lets on. He just can't seem to get past it. But he wants heirs to his ranch "Hawk's Pride", land given to him by his father. When Rebecca Littlewolf sees the ad, she knows it was meant to be. After all, she lived on the ranch as a child while her father worked for Zach, and has been in love with him to this day. But Zach makes it clear right from the get-go that he only wants a mother for his children, and Rebecca lets him know that all she wants from him in return is to open a camp for children in remission of Cancer.Their passion heats up the pages while trying for a child, but Zach has given Rebecca 1 year to get pregnant. Can he keep from getting emotionally involved with this woman who heart is opened to everybody that needs a helping hand? Their story is a good one to get totally involved in.
These stories are sold individually, and almost all the novellas are also sold in 2 in 1, or 3 in one books.This one is included in Hawk's Way Brides, with the other two mentioned above. Some of them include 'Hawk's Way Grooms', and "Hawk's Way Rogues". Some of the books have a family tree in the beginning, so you can keep up with the family and also see the order of the books. Johnston has several other series to get involved with. If you like these, you many want to check out the full length novels in the Bitter Creek Series(modern day descendants of the Sisters of the Lone Star Trilogy.
Get lost in a romance for a while and enjoy the read....Laurie
:).......2001-02-06
Zach Whitelaw wants children so bad he can taste it. There is only one problem, he needs a wife. Zach does not want a wife, but he knows he needs one to have the kids that he wants. So, in his mind the most logical unemotional thing to do is to advertise in the newspaper for one.
Rebecca Littlewolf knew Zach when she was younger and has always had a crush on the man. Even after not seeing him for six years, she was still in love. So, when she sees his ad in the paper she figures that it is the best way to get him in her life. She figures that she can always get him to fall in love with her.
Zach only has one condition for his new bride, she has to be pregnant within a year or he will divorce her and in exchange for this arrangement he will help her start a children's camp for cancer victims.
As the year unfolds it proves to be heartbreaking, heartwarming, and emotional. Can there lives survive the crisis that they face. This is a great story with an emotional ending.
Customer Reviews:
7th in Hawk's Way Series By Joan Johnston.......2007-02-15
"The Headstrong Bride" follows,"The Unforgiving Bride" in the stories of the next generation of Whitelaws with the 3 children of Garth and Candy Whitelaw, known as 'The Whitelaw Brats", now all in their 30's. Although, these and the next one, "The Disobediant Bride", all seem to follow a theme; marrying for the wrong reasons, and 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). The first 5 if you are interested in all the Hawk's Way stories(they are all a pretty nice way to get lost for a while) are:"Honey and the Hired Hand","The Rancher and The Runaway Bride",""the Cowboy and the Princess","The Wrangler and The Rich Girl"(this one is the story of the parents of the next 3 stories up, the Hawk's Way Brides trilogy), and 'The Cowboy Takes a Wife".
"The Headstrong Bride"...Youngest sister Callen Whitelaw has been engaged twice. Both times to men her father disapproved of. Each time, she was determined to marry despite her father's disapproval, but both times, she came around and saw the men for who they really were and broke it off. But this third time, really has Garth, and her older brother Zach protesting. She is about to marry her father's enemy, Sam Longstreet. Sam is the most caring man she has ever met and is determined to make her life with him, despite her family's possible estrangement. Sam Whitelaw, may not be the man she thinks he is either, and has ulterior motives for his new bride..revenge on the Whitelaws! The passion between them is great, but Sam can never say 'I love You", knowing that when his mission is accomplished he will dump her. Can Callen tame this lone stallion, and will the Whitelaws and Longstreets be able to live in peace?
These stories are sold individually, but almost all the novellas are also sold in 2 in 1, or 3 in one books.You'll find this one along with #'s 6 and 8 mentioned above in the
Hawk's Way Brides, 3 in 1 book. A much better deal, and you only have to pay shipping once. Other combo books include 'Hawk's Way Bachelors", and "Hawk's Way Rogues". Some of the books have a family tree in the beginning, so you can keep up with the family and also see the order of the books. For a great Historical Western Romance without getting invovled in a series, try Johnston's full length novel "No Longer A Stranger"
Enjoy the read....Laurie
:).......2001-02-15
I give this book a five just because it is in the Hawk's Way series. Callen is the daughter of Garth and Candy Whitelaw from The Wranger and the Rich girl. We were also introduced to Callen in her brother Falcon's book The Unforgiving Bride. Callen gets engaged to her fathers neighbor Sam Longstreet, who was also introduced briefly in Falcon's book. Callen's family tries to discourage her from marrying Sam. Callens father Garth tells her that he is just after her money and that he is a dead beat, but Callen has already called off two engagements to two other men because her dad was right about them. Callen refuses to admit she is wrong this time and goes through with the wedding even though she has doubts.
Sam is only marrying Callen to get revenge on her father Garth. Sam blames Garth for his own fathers death. Sam plans on showering Callen with love and at the same time driving a wedge between her and her father. Sam has no intention of falling in love with Callen.
Finally, it is time for Callen to chose between her father and her husband. Personally, I would have liked for her to dump Sam a long time ago. He was driven by anger through most of the book and his motives were not pure, so it is hard to feel anything for that character. This was probably my least favorite Hawk's Way story out of all of them, but it was still a good book. I am sure that those that read the series will enjoy it even if they like or don't like the character of Sam.
Average customer rating:
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Hawk's Way Brides
Johnston
Manufacturer: SILHOUETTE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0373542070 |
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