Hawk's Way: The Virgin Groom

Fear is a pretty big theme in this story; to see the truth even when you don't want the reality check, and letting go of the past. I found it lovely with how it was so reminiscent to Peter "Mac" Macready's first exchange of words with Jewel Whitelaw, and carries from then on. The couple: Mac Macready is tall, light, and way too handsome =D (my favorite). He's IMMENSELY determined to get what he wants and doesn't believe in quitting, even with odds stacked against him. He's also a romantic, which is wonderfully sweet (as he is a virgin waiting for that one lady who'll have him for HIM). Both these traits also work against him. Yet he is tender, strong, and very heroic. A wonderful hero to look up to, even with his flaws. Jewel Whitelaw once again becomes Mac's best friend after years of not seeing each other. She is an ordinary beauty, but an irresistible beauty to Mac, nonetheless :) You'll LOVE their very close friendship. It is one of intense camaraderie, playfulness, and they understand each other on a very elemental level (even without spoken words). Yet this time around even with the same Texan setting at Hawk's Pride and just six years later, what's added to the mix is the growing physical attraction to the other, the sexual excitement and warm shivers...and ideas of maybe a future together as lovers. The Conflict: They already have this strong friendship built since their childhoods, so why go mess with it?? :/ But what if having your "soul mate" of a friend becoming your lover, isn't such a bad thing since that was how it was supposed to go in the end? :) Change CAN be pretty scary at times. And yes, the "big misunderstanding" is integrated into the story: Both think the other would never have them as anything but a friend. Johnston writes a sweet story, rich with complex levels of vivid flashbacks, personal short comings, and sudden discoveries. And all the meanwhile that ever binding type of love buds between the couple. I rather like stories concerning a H/h who were already pals, but now are at a loss with suddenly wondering what it'd be like to be in a lover's embrace with them. The history of Mac and Jewel is SO stimulating. The couple at present is much more lush thanks to their previous tough, yet also endearing past. You'll see them teach and learn from the other; especially when it comes to overcoming their fears. And oh how they grow! You'll be so proud of Jewel. *I'll remember their cute little antics that I found adorable. The hot read these two make together since I was pretty overeager and excited for every next moment where they turned the heat up more and more :9 Despite wanting to have had things tweaked more here and even there..."His voice turned whiskey rough as he said, 'You could stand there till doomsday, and I wouldn't get my fill of looking at you.'" Mac brought tears to my eyes. Both were wounded people, yet their love made them glow with promise and hope. Who wouldn't want to hear those words coming fr

My favorite kind of love story is when two people who have been friends for an extended period find themselves falling in love with each other, or discover that they have been in love all this time and in denial about it. Hawk's Way: The Virgin Groom is just such a tale.Mac Macready met Jewel Whitelaw while attending Camp LittleHawk, a camp for children with cancer and other illnesses, when they were children. An intense friendship was formed that the passage of time, failed relationships with others, and painful injuries (to both body and spirit) has not weakened. When Mac is faced with a career ending injury he returns to the soothing comfort of the Hawk Ranch and his friendship with Jewel. But times and, more importantly, feelings have changed. Though neither Mac or Jewel want to destroy their friendship, both cannot deny the attraction they feel for one another. Things get even more sticky when they discover the feelings are mutual. And there is that painful trauma in Jewel's past that needs help being overcome. A deceptively brisk read that packs a bigger emotional punch than you would expect. Recommended.

Jewel Whitelaw was first introduced to us in her adopted parents book, Zach and Rebecca Whitelaw in The Disobediant Bride. Jewel was in an accident in that book that left her without a family, scars on her face and parts of her body, and a limp. Rebecca and Zach fell in love with her and was one of the first of many children that they adopted. In this book we learn that Jewel has suffered even more as she grew up. In her sister Cherry's book, The Temporary Groom we learn that Jewel was attacked by a boy as a teenager, but what we learn in this book was how brutal that attack was and that the one person that knows her secret is her long time best friend Mac. Readers of the Hawk's Way series will remember Mac by his given first name Pete. Pete was one of the sick kids that came to Camp LittleHawk in The Disobediant Bride. Mac as he is now called is a great big football hero with a career ending injury. Mac comes back to Hawk's Pride to 'recover' because he is sure he will play again. Mac also wants to spend time with his best friend Jewel. Mac learns that Jewel has still not recovered from the attack. Jewel will not let any man near her, but is somehow comfortable with Mac. Jewel hopes Mac can help her overcome her anxiety around men, you know as a 'friendly' favor. Mac wants to help Jewel, but is afraid that she will find out his horrible secret-this stong football hero is also a virgin.It is a wonderful story and it is great to see Jewel and Mac help each other in lots of different ways. So many questions are raised. Can Jewel help Mac realize his football career is over? Can Mac help Jewel get over her anxiety of men? That is just the tip of the iceberg when they both realize that they have feelings for one another. This is a great addition to the Hawk's Way series. I was disappointed that this book along with Cherry's story did not include more of the rest of the Whitelaw family. It is still a great read.

I have loved all the Hawk's Way and Hawk's Pride that Ms. Johnston has written and this one was no exception. Can't wait for the others.

JOAN JOHNSTON HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH THIS WONDERFUL BOOK. THIS BOOK HOLDS EVERYTHING TO A PATIENT MAN IN WHATING,AND PROVING THAT A WOMAN CAN TOO BE A HERO NO MATTER THE AGE OR SEX.