The Prize [Paperback]

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first novel in Beth Williamson's `Malloy Family' series (The Bounty (Malloy Family, Book 1), I'm delighted to report that the second instalment is even better. However, before embarking on this review, I think it's worth pointing out that a number of characters and events that occurred in the `The Bounty' are referred to in `The Prize'. It is, of course, perfectly easy to read `The Prize' as a stand-alone story. But, if erotically-charged romantic westerns are your bag, I reckon you'll love these stories so much that it would be a pity to spoil the first one by reading the second one beforehand. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Jack Malloy is a man haunted by shadows from his past. Nightmares blight his sleep to such an extent that he is left shaking and nauseous when he awakens. His sister, Nicky, is concerned about her favorite brother's bedraggled appearance, but she cannot coax him to tell her of his troubles. Instead, she invites him to help her husband with some building work at their ranch house. Jack readily agrees. He is a skilled craftsman and he hopes that the change of scene may help him.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Nicky's best friend, Rebecca Connor, is also helping with the decorating. This is a little disconcerting to the somewhat reticent Jack because he rather likes Rebecca. Events take an even more disturbing turn for him when Nicky and her husband are suddenly called away back to the Malloy homestead. Shortly after they leave, the weather closes in and deposits so much snow that Jack and Rebecca are effectively cut off from the rest of the area. This leaves them plenty of time to get to know each other better . . .

I should point out, and I'm sorry to harp on about this, that Nicky and her husband are the central characters in the first novel in this series. Furthermore, Rebecca's harrowing back story is also played out in that novel.

What I like most about Beth Williamson's writing in these novels is the punchy, staccato style that she employs. Short passages about events from one character's point of view are followed by the other's take on them. These passages are obviously split along gender lines and add some nice comedic touches to the story. The "explicit sex" that we are warned about on the covers of the novels in this series was somewhat missing in the first one. It is a little more graphic in this second instalment. I've read quite a lot of erotic novels and I watch a lot of erotic films (yes, that's right: I have no life), but I have to admit to spluttering a mouthful of coffee at what I shall only refer to as the `naming of parts' segment. I think it was Rebecca's continual berating of Jack for using even the most mild `curse words' and then saying some pretty choice ones herself in the throes of passion that did for me.

I mean no disrespect when I say that this is a simple story simply told. Beth Williamson is a very skilled writer and storyteller. There's no superfluity in this novel. It's a very entertaining read and very easy to lose yourself in its pages; I finished it in two sittings. The only slightly disconcerting aspect was the high level of emotional outpourings that the characters go through. I know this is par for the course in romantic novels, but it irritated me a little. Yes, my eyes were a little watery on occasion, but I think someone was peeling onions nearby.

Unable to sleep at night because of nightmares, Jack Malloy is barely functioning. When his sister Nicky invites him to her ranch for a visit and to help make furniture, Jack jumps at the chance to escape his memories; memories that haunt him nightly, memories that make him remember. Jack doesn't want to remember that he is the reason a loved one died.

Rebecca Conner is desperately trying to cope with memories of her own, memories of a time best forgotten. When Becky's best friend needs her, she doesn't hesitate to travel to Nicky's ranch to help Nicky get ready for a new baby. There is just one problem. Jack is there and he doesn't seem to want Becky near him. What Jack doesn't know is that for as much as Jack doesn't want to be near Becky, she is aching to be with him. Fate helps her out when Jack is attacked by a wild animal and Becky is the only person available to take care of him.

In a matter of weeks, the two become closer than ever. They yearn for each other, but with one misunderstood statement, things come to a crashing halt. It will take all that Becky has to make Jack understand. Especially since Jack thinks she betrayed his confidence and told his secret.

The Prize by Beth Williamson is the second book of the Malloy Family series and packs an emotional punch. The fact that the hero has suffered makes The Prize unique. I wanted to take Jack in my arms and just hold him, but then with the next breath, I wanted to smack him for being so ornery. Rebecca, for all of her suffering, was endearing to me for her tact and ability to take a chance on love, despite her fears.

The Prize by Beth Williamson was an emotionally charged highly sensual read that I took great pleasure in reading. I found myself immersed in the plot from beginning to end. Totally satisfied, I can't wait to read the next installment of Ms. Williamson's wonderful family, the Malloy's.

Natalie S.

I read The Bounty (1st book in the Malloy Family series) and loved the two main characters and the style of writing. However, I walked away disappointed with The Malloy Brothers. In The Bounty, the baby girl of the family is the heroine of the story. She's on the run, an "outlaw", hiding from a mad man. The five brothers, who are supposed to be super loyal and protective of their little sis, are aware that dangerous bounty hunters are after their only sister, but do nothing about it. (They couldn't have followed the bounty hunter or something?!!! Or heck, have searched for her themselves?!) I was annoyed with ALL FIVE of them and their rancher dad for not doing more for her. So I went into novel two not sure what to expect from Jack, one of said brothers. I was hoping he'd make it up to me and I would forgive them and enjoy more exciting stories.

I ended up getting exactly what I didn't want but should have expected. Of course Jack didn't go after his baby sister in the first book. He can hardly sleep at night without waking screaming. He is so terrified of a five foot tall girl that he actually jumps out of a window to avoid her. (???) I realize that he has suffered a terrible situation. But seriously. I'm used to that hardening men, not making them run from little girls by jumping out of a window. (Like... "Diablo" by Georgina Gentry... the hero suffered terrible abuse and it made him STRONGER). I was having a hard time finding Jack to be a likable character.

I thought Rebecca was an amazing character. Now SHE was a role model for finding strength through a terrible situation. I almost wish their personalities has been switched. I just couldn't handle the little girl being "the man" and the man trembling and throwing up from panic. Rebecca gets a one up on him constantly- like stealing his boots so she can shovel the snow in a blizzard while he waits inside in the warmth. I just had a hard time liking Jack and maybe part of that was my disappointment from him in the first book. However, he proved himself to be what I expected. A weakling.

Further, I found the entire plot device to be unbelievable. The very idea that Rebecca would be staying with Tyler alone in the beginning of the book made no sense. Then for Tyler and Nicky to leave Rebecca alone at the ranch with the two men- Jack and Noah. Is this the same author who used a plot device of reputation and decency to marry the characters from "The Bounty"? Only to allow the same said characters to leave their single female friend with a single man for however long? I just didn't think the Rebecca from the first novel would have allowed this, especially considering her fear of men. It was a plot device that didn't match the time period of the novel. Being stranded in a blizzard is a romantic, sexy idea... but how they got there just didn't make it for me.

I'm not giving up on this author, but I'm switching to her other series. Hopefully the cowboys really are "devils on horseback" and not meek Malloys.