The Price FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
This entrry in Joan Johnston's Bitter Creek series -- her hardcover debut -- tells the story of Houston lawyer Luke Creed (from The Loner), the only dissenting member of the now united Blackthorne-Creed clan. Luke's mother's marriage to Jackson Blackthorne ended a feud that lasted for generations, but Luke still has his own battles to fight. Turning his back on ranching, he's made a name for himself as a tough litigator, though his ambition to become a partner has already cost him his marriage and put limits on his time with his beloved daughters. Then, on a rare visit home, Luke's mother plays matchmaker between her son and his high school sweetheart. Luke is stunned at first to learn that Amy's a lawyer, too. But that's nothing compared to his surprise at finding out that she's his opposition in a wrongful death case involving children suffering from the same disease as his older child. Along the way Luke makes some chilling discoveries about his firmﾽand himself. As Amy and Luke fight to find the truth, they also find themselves fighting the battle of their lives, to live long enough to enjoy their newfound love. Sue Stone
FROM THE PUBLISHER
New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston has captivated millions of readers with her sprawling, sensuous novels about the two opposing dynasties of Bitter Creek, Texas — the Blackthornes and the Creeds. Now in her highly anticipated hardcover debut, Johnston tells an impassioned story of love and danger, ambition and family, that features the popular character Luke Creed, a young man who has turned his back on his family's ranch to pursue his fortune as an attorney at Houston's most powerful law firm.
Even though the stress and the punishing hours of his job as a litigation associate at DeWitt & Blackthorne have cost him his marriage and quality time with his two young daughters, Luke Creed remains fiercely driven to succeed. When Luke takes on the defense of a pharmaceutical company in an explosive wrongful death suit that could make or break his career, he is surprised to find himself squared off against the woman he has always loved, Amy Hazeltine Nash, his high school sweetheart. A single mother recovering from a failed marriage, Amy is a passionate advocate for her bereaved client and is shocked that once-rebellious Luke is now a member of the Establishment, representing corporate interests. But Amy cannot deny the feelings that seeing Luke rekindles in her heart.
Concerned that his client may be lying, Luke investigates the case more closely, which means spending more time with Amy with whom a new romance begins to blossom. But when one of Luke's colleagues dies under suspicious circumstances, he finds he is in danger of losing not only the case but his life. With help from Amy and a trio of fearless colleagues, Luke delves into a dangerousweb of corruption that involves his client and his firm. In doing so he has no choice but to question the price of his own ambitions.
From the towering skyscrapers of Houston to the majestic plains of south Texas ranch country, The Price sweeps readers into a powerfully engrossing, passionate novel that will keep them on the edge of their seats as it explores the questions of what is truly important in life and how high a price a person is willing to pay to achieve his or her ambitions.
About the Author:
Joan Johnston, the New York Times bestselling author of Sisters Found, The Loner, The Texan, and The Cowboy, has written forty-four award-winning historical and contemporary novels. She received a master's degree in theater from the University of Illinois and also graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She lives in South Florida and Colorado.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Romance veteran Johnston makes her hardcover debut with another Bitter Creek novel (The Loner, etc.), in which Houston lawyer Luke Creed tracks down unethical businessmen in between joy rides on his Harley and attempts to woo his old high school sweetheart. Is the wonder drug D-Free a lifesaver for young diabetics or a dangerous cash cow for Hyland Pharmaceuticals? The mother of a child who died while using D-Free is suing Hyland, and Luke is part of the company's defense team. But he has an even greater stake in the case: one of his two daughters, eight-year-old Brynne, is diabetic and takes D-Free. To complicate matters further, his love interest, Amy, is representing the plaintiff. The hale Texan (who has a ranch and still calls his women "baby") is not afraid to face corporate bullies, even when they include his workaholic female boss. On the romantic front, Luke has his work cut out for him when the lonely yet stubbornly independent Amy rebuffs him. Johnston's characters brim with humanity as they navigate law firm politics and drug approval procedures, child-raising and custody battles. The recycled subplots and soap opera dramatics are predictable, but Luke's position as Hyland's defense attorney adds moral complexity. Readers will find themselves turning the pages, if only for more glimpses of a modern cowboy as captivating in the courtroom as he is on his hog. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Back after The Loner, obsessive lawyer Luke Creed is about to pay The Price for serving corporate interests. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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