[Book Review]: NIGHT HAWK by Beverly Jenkins (Avon)

Before I start this review, this needs some backstory. The first real romance novel I ever read was when I was about 13 years old and I don't remember the title. All I remember was my best friend handing me the book, queued to a passage, and I read it, my eyes going wide and I clearly remember saying, "Wait how can you do that on a horse?"

That said, I started reading historical romances aplenty and after a while I noticed something. The heroines absolutely never looked like me. They were pale, waifish blondes, or fiesty redheads, or sultry brunettes. They were never black. It's not as though black people didn't exist back then. You can argue with me that they weren't in high society or were such a minority that it would practically be historically inaccurate to write about them in eh context of a historical romance.

And I will pull receipts and show you why you are wrong.

But then I discovered Beverly Jenkins. She writes historical romance with people of color and her books are everything I always wanted. They struck me, so much so that when I met her at RT Books Convention earlier this year, I got super emotional and cried in her face, and then wound up being interviewed by NPR because hey emotions sell! But it was amazing meeting her and I got a copy of Night Hawk signed. I read it immediately but here I am finally reviewing it.

NIGHT HAWK by Beverly Jenkins (Avon)

Blurb:

Outlaw.Preacher. Night Hawk. He's had many names, but he can't escape the past.

Since Ian Vance's beloved wife was murdered years ago, the hardened bounty hunter knows he'll never feel love or tenderness again, so he's made it his mission to ensure others get their justice. But when he's charged with delivering a sharp-eyed beauty to the law, Ian can't help but feel he may still have something left to lose.

Orphaned at twelve, Maggie Freeman has always found her way out of trouble. But now there's a vigilante mob at her back who would like nothing more than to see her hang for a crime she didn't commit. Maggie may have to accept help for the first time in her life...even if it's from the one man standing between her and freedom.

As the past closes in, the sassy prisoner and toughened lawman may just find a passion between them that could bring blinding happiness...if they'll let it.

Here's my review:

I already waxed poetic about my feelings behind this book so let me get to the actual review. I loved it and this is saying a lot because while I love historical romance, I'm not usually a fan of this particular era or sub-genre. I don't much care for westerns, but you throw in the right kind of outlaw the right amount of chemistry and a fantastic hook, and I'm sold. And Night Hawk had all of these.

Ms Jenkins does not shy away from the situations that people of color faced in these times, but she also doesn't let the story get bogged down by our depressing history. The chemistry between Maggie and Ian is palpable, and with him first tasked with delivering her to justice and then helping to save her from wrongful imprisonment, I just couldn't get enough of them.

Basically, go read this book, especially if you're a historical romance fan!

Five full glasses of wine!

 


Grab a copy from your local bookstore or from one of the buying options at Goodreads!