REVIEWS

DRAGON AND HAWK

Editorial Reviews

BookWire Review
July 29, 2005
"Dragon and Hawk" is a story that blends different cultures. The author, Jude Johnson, spins an intriguing tale of romance and adventure set in the late nineteenth century. The Red Dragon comes from Welsh folklore and symbolizes their fiercely patriotic spirit. An entire continent away, the Hawk is the totem of Native American people. According to legend, the hawk's fiercest enemy is the dragon. Can the dragon and hawk ever unite? This is the underlying theme of this simple love story. 'Dragon and Hawk' is the tale of two people, Evan Jones and Reyna Svenson. They are from two different parts of the world and are passionately bound to their own cultures. Jones and his brothers, Welsh immigrants, work hard in dreary copper mines in Arizona. He longs to become a rich export merchant and move himself and his family back to his beloved country. The protagonist fails to draw the line between crime and need. The brothers are forced back to the mines after a comic attempt at a train robbery that fails. Reyna Svenson, a nurse by profession, steps in when Jones is seriously hurt in a disastrous mine explosion. She is a beautiful, estranged widow of Spanish and Mayan descent. She has a deep connection with her Indian roots. Reyna disappears mysteriously after she helps him recover from his injury and a possible morphine addiction. Jones' search for her sets off a chain of events and is the crux of the story. The landscapes in the book change rapidly from the rustic copper mines of Bisbee, Arizona to the dreamy splendor of the Sabino Canyon and the mutinous streets of Tombstone. Jones' many adventures, including being stalked by a dangerous outlaw, make the book a thrilling read. The fast pace keeps the reader turning pages to find out if Jones is able to protect his family, find his true love and go back to his country. The conflicting symbols of the characters' folklores, which are subtly woven into the story's tapestry, make this exciting tale unique and interesting.

The Historical Novel Society Review
February 2007
Welsh brothers Evan, Dylan, and Huw Jones grew up in a mining family in Wales, but a journey to Arizona Territory—and, namely, the legendary Tombstone—shows them that they can escape their family’s fate. In 1882, when a mining accident injures the brothers, a local curandera, known only as La Señora, nurses them back to health, then disappears. Evan’s quest to find La Senora and discover her true identity drives the plot of the book, which focuses almost equally on all three brothers’ experiences. With randy prostitutes, slick gamblers, stagecoach robbers, outlaws, corrupt mine owners, and the occasional riot, Johnson’s West really is wild. At times, it seems like too much is happening, and the book does descend into melodrama at times, but the fast pacing and clever characterization keep the book from becoming a mishmash of Western fiction clichés. Johnson’s knowledge of the history of Arizona helps her bring the stories alive, and several of the background characters are based upon actual historical figures. Readers will either appreciate the smattering of Welsh and Spanish phrases in the novel or be completely distracted by them, but Johnson’s research into the two languages is impressive. Overall, this fast-paced read is recommended and particularly suitable for readers who enjoy a blend of Western history, action, and romance.
-- Nanette Donohue


Kathy Wood, The Desert Shamrock, April 2005
"Welsh immigrants, fleshed-out historical figures, well-crafted characters... the mix of cultures and compelling writing...a good read."

J.C. Martin, The Arizona Daily Star, March 2005
"Combines historical research with fiction to produce a novel filled with the flavor of the times."

Reader Reviews:

Excellent Historical Romance/Western, July 13, 2006
By T. Fiaschetti (Seattle, WA, USA) -
Ms. Johnson captures the multi-cultural flavor of the American West in this tale of love between a Welsh immigrant and a Spanish healer, whose relationship is tested by the harsh realities of life in the late 19th century Arizona Territory. Cultural conflict forms a backdrop to the collapse of the mining industry in Bisbee, the rough and tumble life in Tombstone and the dangerous interference of a rogue outlaw band. The historical detail rings true and adds flavor to wonderfully realized characters and their complex relationships. Highly recommended for any who love historical novels.

Unique Welsh and Mayan drama, August 6, 2005
By tomato_public (nyc) -
This is a wonderful drama about a Welsh miner making his way in Arizona while falling in love with a Spanish and Mayan healer. It weaves two folklores together deftly, and captures the texture and atmosphere of a region. A worthy read. Highly recommended.

If you like Diana Gabaldon or Sara Donati read this book... August 17, 2005
By C "cbglacier" (Pacific NW) -
This is a great romantic history, I say that because the story is more than a romance and it's told with excellent historical details. The characters are all so well literarily drawn with attributes and flaws that we can all identify with. As the story grows so does your affection for `the Senora' and Evan, and your hope that their love will prevail. The accents of the characters come across really well, you'll find yourself calling your loved ones `cariad' and referring to your `corazon.' Another character in the book are the Arizona landscape descriptions, each sunrise and sunset are written so detailed that you see every color and reflection of the skies. Everything moment of this book stays with you, you care so much for what happens to the Joneses and those they care for, I hope their story is not over, more please. If you are a fan of Diana Gabaldon or Sara Donati please consider Jude Johnson as another great story teller in their vein. I am looking forward to all three of their next books.


CELTIC FIRE, DESERT RAIN

Editorial Reviews

Coffee Time Romance
Historical Romance; Rating: 4 Cups
Reyna Jones, a beautiful Mexican lady, has finally found her one true love. Strong and independent, she works a ranch alongside her husband. Only when she discovers a shocking secret, as well as being faced with unbearable tragedy, will her will be tested. Reyna’s husband, Evan, a Welshman, loves her with all of his heart. He is passionate and adoring of his fantastic wife. But when she is in danger, he will do anything to protect her, even if it means pushing her away. Evan and Reyna are being mercilessly blackmailed. They, along with Evan’s brother and sister-in-law, have decided to move to Tucson, away from the increasing violence of Tombstone. Unfortunately, peril is closer than they think and a sadistic madman bent on revenge will stop at nothing to see them suffer. Celtic Fire, Desert Rain is vibrant and full of life. The characters are colorful and engaging. Ms. Johnson’s writing is so vibrant that she made me feel the very joys and sorrows of the characters. The intertwining of the Welsh and Mexican cultures is quite original, as well as fascinating. Her use of both languages contributes to the exotic nature of the story and its characters. This is an “old west” story that will not leave you disappointed, but breathless to the very end.
Bonnie-Lass
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

The Historical Novel Society Review
May 2007
This second installment of Johnson’s Western saga finds Welshman Evan Jones and his Mexican wife Reyna living on a ranch near Tombstone, but aching to move elsewhere. Evan needs assistance with the ranch, and when Owen Pritchard, a fellow Welshman, arrives in town, Evan thinks he’s found his man. Unfortunately, Owen has other ideas in mind, including robbery, blackmail, and rape. Evan is too blinded by his desire to help a countryman in need to see what Owen is trying to do to his family. This book provides an interesting look at what happens after the happily-ever-after ending of Dragon and Hawk. The themes and content of the two books are similar, right up to the abundance of Welsh and Spanish phrases sprinkled throughout the book. Reyna’s knowledge as a traditional healer clashes with the local physicians yet again, reminding readers of the frequent conflicts between the new medical science and traditional folk wisdom. Side characters from Dragon and Hawk also appear in this sequel, including the famed prostitute Velvet Ass Rose, who appears where Evan least expects to see her. Johnson knows her Arizona history well, and she includes plenty of side plots that highlight the settlers’ conflicts with the Native Americans of the region, the lawlessness of the territory, and the settlers’ desire to transform their lives into something better. Readers who enjoyed the first novel in the series will devour Celtic Fire, Desert Rain.
-- Nanette Donohue

Reader Reviews

Nicely done!, March 13, 2007
By Rebecca McEldowney "author of 'Soul of Flesh'... (Tucson, AZ USA) -
I picked up this book because I'd just moved to Tucson and thought it would be an easy way to learn some history about my new home. The hero is a Welsh immigrant married to a Mexican woman, living in the 19th century. He moaned. . .she moaned. . .I moaned. Oh no, it's a romance novel! I thought. I hate romance novels. But this one is really well written, with lots of wonderful research into the time and place. Just enough dialect without being hard to read. Most importantly, the characters are not stupid! The villain is altogether too villanous for my taste, but that's OK, it fits the genre. I'm a little embarrassed to say I got totally sucked into the boy gets girl, boy loses girl. . .but I don't want to spoil it for you. If you like historical romance, read this. It's good enough to have been published by a larger press.

A sequel of surprises, May 28, 2007
By C "cbglacier" (Pacific NW) -
Ms. Johnson has written a great followup to Dragon & Hawk, the continuing story of Evan and Reyna is poignant and then heart pounding. Her writing once again of the desert is so beautiful but also of old San Diego makes you feel like you can smell the ocean and feel the sand. The tri-lingual dialects really defines and enhances who the characters are and represents the blending of immigrants in the west, in the US. It's hard sometimes to be privy to the characters thoughts and what they are not expressing to each other but its such a human trait in our relationships. There are several plot twists, I was surprised many times, with this very original story. I worried for some characters and was heart broken for others. This is really good writing, great story telling, I hope she is not done.

This page was last updated 30 June 2007.