Silhouette Desire #779: The Rancher and the Runaway Bride

"The Rancher and the Runaway Bride" by Romance novelist Joan Johnston is the second in her 'Hawks Way' series. It follows "Honey and the Hired Hand", in which we met the first of the Whitelaw siblings, the second oldest brother, Jessie. Now we meet the rest of the clan. Two more brothers, Garth and Faron, both handsome, big and brawny, and over protective of younger sister, and still virgin at 23 years old(no one could get near her with her brothers around), pretty Tate. The Whitelaw clan lost their parents when Tate was just a baby. The older brothers have taken it upon themselves to play mother and father to Tate. They just over do it. Tate is suffocating under their guardianship and wants to spread her wings. She's ready for love, but is never going to find it with Garth and Faron, scaring off anybody that comes near her. She hops in the old pick-up truck and heads out.The brothers are frantic to find her. When the old pickup breaks down, Tate accepts some help from a Rancher who happened by. Right off the bat, you can feel the sparks flying between the two. The Rancher it turns out is Adam Philips, who we weren't all to fond of in "Honey and The Hired Hand", as he loved Honey, and was bitter that Jessie stole her away. He also seemed like quite an unsavory character in the first book, but now in bits and pieces, we get more of his story. Adam could not leave young Tate on the road to nowhere. He gives her work on his ranch, and the more these two try to deny their feelings, the more they want each other. And as always in a good Johnston romance, things heat up and only get hotter. But uh-oh, the Brothers(all three) are on the trail, and it looks like a shot gun wedding is in Adam's future. I enjoyed the style of this story. It reminded me very much of those wonderful screwball comedies from the 40's, as through as series of miscommunication and conclusion jumping, the two lovers kept each other at bay, until their passion gets the best of them. And of course, when it did, it was quite a bit steamier then those 40's films. The next up in this Western Romance series is "The Cowboy and the Princess". I've already read it, and can tell you it is a page turner and great love story. If you are a fan of these family sagas, you may want to pick this one up in the 'Hawks Way Bachelors", which has three complete novels(all fairly short) in one book. "Rancher and the Runaway Bride", Cowboy and the Princess", and "The Wrangler and the Rich Girl"(2nd, 3rd and 4th in Hawks Way). You can also get the next two in the series(3rd and 4th) in one book:Hawk's Way: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy And The PrincessThe Wrangler And The Rich Girl The Joan Johnston Western Romance novels, are a wonderful way to escape for a while. There is usually some adventure thrown into the mix, and some of her books take in historical events as well.As the title imply, they are a real bit of fun too. The different series, lets you find out what happens with the family, as each

Tate Whitelaw is the youngest of the Hawk's Way Whitelaws and she is also the only girl. Tate has three very overprotective big brothers. At the age twenty-three Tate runs away and right into the arms of Adam Philips. Adam was first introduced to us in Honey and the Hired Hand, when he was in love with Honey, the woman who eventually married Tates brother Jesse. Tate does not know that Jesse, the brother that she lost touch with, is living at the neighboring ranch. Adam decides that if he tells Tate than she might run off, so he keeps that info to himself. Adam tries to ignore the sexual feelings that he has for Tate, but eventually he gives in. Tate goes in town for a doctors visit and on her way out she runs into Honey Whitelaw her brothers new bride. Tate invites them over for supper. Only Jesse shows up mad as heck to get Tate away from Adam. Jesse is sure that Adam is using her. She refuses to go, but Jesse returns with Tates other two brothers, a shotgun, and a priest. The brothers fully intend to have Adam make an honest woman of Tate. It is hilarious. I love how protective her brothers are of her. Adam has been hurt in the past and is not sure if he can love and trust Tate. Adam is sure that Tate has been involved with one of the hired hands. Adam has to get over his issues and decide if he can make a future with Tate. I really enjoyed this book, it has been one of my favorites of the Hawks' Way series.

JOAN WRIGHTS WOMEN THAT ARE STRONG AND ABLE TO FIGHT THE DRAGON THEMSELVES AND GET BACK TO THE CASTEL WHILE THE GUY IS STILL LOOKING ARUOND.