Sophie Ryan’s dream of working for a newspaper has come true. Accompanied by her cousin, Lucas Blackmore, a newly appointed U.S. Deputy Marshal, she arrives in Jerome, one of the richest mining towns in America. And one of the most remote. Although she’s been hired to report for the Jerome Mining News on education and cultural issues, she soon finds herself immersed in something more serious when she finds an enigmatic injured man in the Black Hills claiming to be an ornithologist.
U.S. Deputy Marshal Benton McKay is undercover tracking the notorious train robbing Weaver gang, and the trail ends in Jerome. When he’s injured in the Black Hills and found by a determined and beautiful young woman, he must gain her trust to keep his identity a secret. But keeping her out of trouble proves a challenge, especially with her cousin assigned to assist him. As they track down the band of outlaws, another agenda emerges—the renegades are searching for lost gold believed to have been left behind by the Spanish Conquistadors. And Sophie Ryan is determined to report on it.
The Nighthawk is a fast-paced romantic adventure filled with humor, treasure hunting, a tenacious heroine, and a hero harboring a secret. It has light steam, a happily-for-now ending, and can be read as a standalone.
Sophie is the daughter of Logan and Claire from THE DOVE.
Kristy McCaffrey writes historical western romances brimming with grit and emotion, as well as romantic contemporary adventures. Her work is filled with smoldering romance, compelling heroes, determined heroines, and her trademark mysticism.
Although she holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering, she shifted to being a stay-at-home mom and part-time writer until her four children were grown. Now she runs her writing business full-time while enjoying the perks of being the boss, which mostly entails playing with her grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises.
Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was a 2012 Winter Rose Winner. The Blackbird won the 2015 Laramie award for Best in Western Romance. Her contemporary adventure, Cold Horizon, was a 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction winner, and Ancient Winds was a 2022 HOLT Medallion finalist.
An Arizona native, Kristy resides in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and rescue mutt - an American Bulldog named Jeb. Sign up for her newsletter at http://kmccaffrey.com/subscribe/ to receive her latest book news as well as subscriber-only content.
Kristy McCaffrey transports readers to the rugged and intriguing landscape of the Arizona Territory in "The Nighthawk," the tenth installment of the Wings of the West series. Set in September 1899, this novel follows Sophie Ryan, a spirited young woman whose dream of working for a newspaper leads her to the remote mining town of Jerome, accompanied by her cousin, Lucas Blackmore, a newly appointed U.S. Deputy Marshal.
Sophie’s initial assignment to report on education and cultural issues quickly takes a thrilling turn when she discovers an enigmatic injured man in the Black Hills. Claiming to be an ornithologist, the mysterious man is none other than U.S. Deputy Marshal Benton McKay, who is undercover tracking the notorious Weaver gang. McKay's mission to dismantle the gang and uncover a hidden treasure of lost gold left by the Spanish Conquistadors becomes intertwined with Sophie's journalistic pursuits, leading to a partnership filled with danger, intrigue, and burgeoning romance.
McCaffrey skillfully weaves a tapestry of historical detail and vibrant characters, creating a captivating story that immerses readers in the grit and grandeur of the Old West. Sophie is a determined and resourceful heroine, whose curiosity and courage propel her into the heart of the action. Her chemistry with McKay is palpable, their interactions laced with tension and mutual respect as they navigate the treacherous terrain of outlaw territory.
The plot is rich with twists and turns, blending the thrill of the chase with the allure of a historical treasure hunt. McCaffrey's depiction of Jerome, with its bustling mining operations and colorful inhabitants, provides a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. The addition of Sophie’s cousin, Lucas, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, as his official duties intersect with McKay's undercover work and Sophie’s investigative zeal.
"The Nighthawk" is more than just a historical romance; it's a story of bravery, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of truth. McCaffrey's ability to balance action and romance ensures that readers are equally invested in the unfolding mystery and the evolving relationship between Sophie and McKay. Fans of the series will appreciate the connections to previous books, with Sophie being the daughter of Logan and Claire from "The Dove," adding a sense of continuity and depth to the overarching saga.
For those who enjoy tales of adventure, mystery, and love set against the rich tapestry of the American West, "The Nighthawk" delivers on all fronts. McCaffrey's storytelling prowess shines through, making this a memorable addition to the Wings of the West series and a must-read for historical romance enthusiasts.
This is a story about a girl named Sophie that comes to a small town to be a reporter since she didn't have enough experience for the Dallas paper. She meets a young man by the name of Benton that is undercover as an ornithologist. Sophie finds him wounded and proceeds to help him with his problem not knowing that he is actually an undercover Deputy Marshall. Then Sophie's cousin Lucas arrives and is posing as a shoe salesman, he is also a Deputy Marshall. Sophie works for Olivia at the local paper that her father is supposed to be running but he's busy hunting Conquistadors gold. The is an outlaw family in the area that also want the gold so that gets a little problematic for the 2 couples. Sophie finds out that Benton is actually related to the outlaw family the Weavers and it causes some difficult moments.
Extremely well written, full of drama, intrigue, love, villains, excitement, action, cowboys and fantastic characters. Sophie is hired to become a newspaper woman in the great wild west. Benton "Ben" is a Marshall who is chasing the Weaver gang. Both want to find the truth about the gold and each one has a job to do. Their paths cross and feelings burst forth. This author is able to take you there in your mind while reading this book. What a great ride, so curl up and enjoy this read. Would recommend to others. I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.
This next book in Kristy McCaffrey’s historical series Wings of the West is a superb tale. Sophie Ryan is one tough, resourceful and inspiring woman who is a reporter for the Jerome Mining News and manages to make an impact on 1880’s Jerome, Arizona despite being counted out because of her sex. She meets Ben Lewis (McKay) when she rescues him after he is shot by a marksman and tumbles down a slope. She is able to doctor him in a cave nearby and he recovers in record time. A lot of action occurs between all the protagonists from the Jerome Mining News to old prospectors and horse stable crew to mining executives. An eventual romance between Sophie and Ben happens and there is a happy ending! I can’t wait for the next Kristy McCaffrey romantic adventure novel
I love this series by this author. I have all the books and like the time frame of these stories. It makes you feel like your there or think about another time in history. Sophie is a journalist and naturally nosy, especially when she finds Ben wounded. One day I want to go back to the beginning and read them all from the beginning. Some danger and secrets revealed. HEA.
Sophie Ryan's journalistic debut in Jerome takes a thrilling turn when she stumbles upon an enigmatic ornithologist in the rugged Black Hills. U.S. Deputy Marshal Benton McKay is pursuing the notorious Weaver gang, when he finds himself at the mercy of Sophie's determination and beauty after a fateful injury. As they uncover the outlaws' hunt for ancient gold hidden by the Conquistadors, Sophie's resolve to uncover the truth collides with Benton's mission, setting off a high-stakes chase through the wild and treacherous frontier of Jerome.
I don't normally read historical romances, but I love Kristy McCaffrey's Pathway Series so I thought I would give this book a shot. I probably should have read the series in order, but you don't necessarily need to do that to understand what is going on in this story.
I adore Sophie and her passion and relentlessness for finding the truth. Benton and Sophie were adorable together, and I love how quickly Benton developed feelings for Sophie. He went to great lengths to ensure her safety. As always, amazing writing and storytelling by Kristy McCaffery, I felt transported back to the 1899 mining days!
I am an avid reader, but Westerns never appealed to me until I read this series by Kristy McCaffrey. I loved her Pathway series, so I decided to give this series a try as well and I love it just as much.
The Nighthawk is the tenth installment in this series. Sophie, young and new to the town, has landed a job at a newspaper when she overhears two people whispering about an injured man left to die. Courageously, she sets out to help him only to be swept up in the mystery this man holds as well as the hold he seems to have on her heart.
I love a strong character and Sophie is just that, but her inquisitive nature also lands her in some heart stopping situations, especially for Benton who finds himself just as enamored with her and will do anything to keep her safe.
Great characters, including delightful heroine. The hero faced challenges on more than one front. Great plot that kept me wondering. I highly recommend this book.