THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW
June 20, 2003 - This novel opens as a reporter comes to interview Hawk Owen about life in frontier Minnesota. Hawk begins his narrative with an account of a day in August, 1861. That day, he began life on his own after a terrible quarrel with his father, John. Leaving his parents and younger brother, Jake, behind, Hawk falls in with a Metis trade caravan on the way to St. Paul. Traveling with these men and women, Hawk learns many of the skills that will help him survive. He also learns the friendship and trust of his companions.

Meanwhile, back at home, trouble with a band of rogue Indians leaves his mother dead, his father missing and Jake with a thirst for vengeance. Jake sets out to seek justice, not knowing that his father is alive on off on his own path. As these three men wind their separate ways across the Minnesota Territory, it becomes clear who will survive, who will fail, and why. It is also inevitable that they will cross paths again at some point. In fact, the string of coincidences that leads them together is unbelievable.

This action-packed novel is the first in a planned series. The author's love for the landscape and history of his region of the country is evident throughout. Though the pacing of the events is often fast moving, there are some very compelling battle scenes. This is a good effort that will be of interest to many.
 

REVIEWERS CONSORTIUM
June 25, 2003 - Williams joins the ranks of buck skinners who are knowledgeable enough about their subject to create a fast moving account about the time when settlers sought any place in the storm, known as the Sioux Indian Uprising of 1862. The sad story of Native Americans, both irritated by broken Federal Government promises and in a starving condition, who went on a rampage of murder and destruction, has been told before.

But in this book you have the story through the eyes of Hawk and Jake Owen on their travels from Otter Tail Country in Northern Minnesota, south to be in places that became embroiled in the conflict. I highly recommend this fast moving novel to a wide range of readers, but especially to my fellow buck skinners, who like the author, take part in events in one of my former states and elsewhere.
 

CONNECTING WITH THE VALLEY
I was able to finish reading Hawk's Valley over the long weekend. Thanks for the opportunity. The book comes with its own glue. I found it a quite visual treatment, with good texture, and your writing fairly reconnected me with sights and sounds of my own ramblings in the Seventies while I was Regional Naturalist in New Ulm, when most of the Valley was my territory. Even Birch Coulee was a state park at the time. It will be fun to see the rest of the saga unfold. Mayhaps you'll reap an adjunct film (?) Good luck!
 

BEST READ IN A LONG TIME
I've stayed up the past two nights devouring Hawk's Valley. Best read I've had in a long, long time. Thank you... Loved the characters, the dialogue, and the writing style. I know all those people, or might as well do. Found the shift in perspective between Hawk and Jake a little awkward at first, but forgot about it by the third chapter. Favorite single line -- the one about "as soon as you figger out the answers, they change the questions." Favorite minor character -- hard call between Posey and the Brute. Photo finish. I want my book autographed!!!
 

BONES STRAIGHT FROM BOSTON
Got a small bone to pick... Why isn't your next book done yet? I haven't read many books written of that era in Minnesota. I will be recommending it to the people I talk to... I like a series of books as long as each is a story alone. I hate getting to the end of a book and having it not end. One of my favorite authors takes a minor character from one book and makes them the leading character in the next. The books are different stories, but reading each one enriches the other... Yours was fine, looking forward to more in the future. Started reading in Boston airport and read all but the last 20 pages straight through. Finished it the next night. It was an easy read, easy to keep characters straight, unpredictable & interesting. Good job!!!
 

BEING THERE
I was given this book by my daughters last Fathers day. You might remember my oldest, Beth. She met you at a book fair in Wayzata, I think. I don't read often, but I really enjoyed this history lesson. I also had .50 Caliber Hawken rifle. I made it from a Thompson Center kit. Used it several years in Colorado Elk Hunting, then my house was broken into and the gun was stolen. I stopped at Dixie Gun Works on my return to Florida. The have a couple of models I want to build. They also have a "Dragoon", I think I will build, I wasn't too interested until I read the book. Being retired I have lots of time. During the reading of the book I definitely put myself in Hawk's character. I could almost imagine being there with all of his various adventures. At first it appeared that you may have been somewhat one-sided when it came to the Indians, but later presented both sides well. I am not a "Pa Hin Sa" but I am Irish. I think the thing I enjoyed most was the reference to so many areas in the great state of Minnesota. I have been to most of the towns and am familiar with most of the areas. I told Beth to keep track of your next book's availability. This book should be required reading in Minnesota schools. Keep up the good work.
 

HIGH MARKS
I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed your book. I was a writing coach for two years in grad school and then taught English composition to college students. I read with a very critical eye. You seem to be a natural with dialogue -- something that not all writers are good at -- and can tell a good story. I enjoyed your characters and want to know what their further adventures will be. I think it's great the way you wove historical bits and pieces into your story, giving it a more realistic feel. You did a great job! Keep up the good work...
 

WAITING FOR THE NEXT BOOK
Read the book on Saturday (in one sitting) and loved it. Liked the writing style and characters. Got sad when you killed some of them off though. It was excellent! Give it an A. So, what happens next? Who's Jake's lady friend? Do Hawk and Sophie get married? I know, wait and buy the book. We'll do just that.