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.

This is an early Joan Johnston book. It is just GREAT. Sparks fly between Jesse and Honey. A thoroughly enjoyable romantic story.

Although not directly related to the series, this book is a wonderful addition to the "Hawk's Way" series. The characters seem to start off a bit slow, much like the plot. However, once you've started reading this novel, it's hard to put it down. The lead romantic interests, Honey Farrell and Jesse Whitelaw, keep the sparks flying whether they're fighting each other or fighting the temptation of love.

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.

LONESOME RIDER is sure well worth reading.
Jessica Dylan has come west to claim a ranch left to her by her husband.

On getting closer to the ranch she meets Blade McKenna, a halfbreed and rebel of vast fighting experience and tries to hire him.

Blade finds himself having to save Jessica from Indian attacks, outlaws and the commander of the Union army. Jessica even offers herself to Blade in order to have him work for her.

Follow their action packed story with all of its dangerous manouvering and falling in love.

Definitely Recommended ? -- Keep this one!

This book contains the final story of the O'Neill/Hampton saga.
Seth Hampton was met in the [original HH Christmas stories 1990] and reprinted in THE SOLDIER and THE REBEL along with his brother Rafe Hampton.

Seth had love the girl, Blythe who loved Rafe, so he bowed out and headed West away from Virginia. All he wanted was peace from the horrors of war. And to lose his nightmares.

He wanted to hook up with a wagon train heading west, but the people voted against having a southerner in their midst. The wagonmaster wanted to include Seth because he was a doctor.

The only way he would be allowed to join was if Kate MacAllister and her brothers, nineteen year old Jeremy and 12 year old Nick would include him as their driver.

Jeremy had suffered in a Confederate prison and Kate had lost her two older brothers and a fiance in the war - her mother died of a broken heart and her father soon after. NO she was not having anything to do with a southern rebel. Doctor or not.

There was an attraction growing between Seth and Kate which both fought, knowing it would only lead to heartache. And Seth couldn't stand many more rejections.

Read about Nick's almost instant friendship with Seth and how Jeremy grew to admire him and how Kate came to love him. Such an inspiring and wonderful story of healing of the hearts. And Kate's devotion to healing Seth's wounds of the body.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - another keeper for the bookshelf.

Another Hawk's Way story. This is not the best one in the series, but it is still good. Faron Whitelaw finds out the truth about his parents, he was the result of an affair that his mother had. If you read the other books than you will understand how close the Whitelaws are, and how much it hurt Faron to realize his father was someone else. Faron found out who he was when his birth father died and left Faron half of his estate. The other half belongs to Faron's stepmother. Only Faron's idea of a stepmother is not what he gets when he meets Belinda. She is young and beautiful. He figured Belinda for a gold digging princess, but for him to know the truth means that he will have to know the type of man that his birth father was. Belinda and Faron find themselves drawn to each other. They also have a little help from Farons "new" grandmother. There is a lot going on in this story, but it is a quick and easy read. Another Whitelaw is always worth reading about.

In this Hawk's Way book the Whitelaws branch out. This is the story of Faron Whitelaw's step brother Carter. We were introduced to Carter in 'The Wrangler and the Rich Girl' when he was interested in purchasing his fathers estate. This story picks up on the exact night that he came to town. Desiree was also first intorduced in the previous book when she came to Faron and Belindas party, she was the young woman that had a scar on her face.

Desiree asks Carter to be her husband and in return she will sign over half of her estate. Carter is looking for somewhere to put down roots and since he can not have his fathers estate he thinks Desiree's offer sounds good. Desiree and Carter get married a week later. Carter does not consider that he will now have to be a father to Desiree's daughter Nicky. Carter has a hard time with the little girl because of his own secret past. Carter also wants to see if Desiree can love him for who he is and does not tell her that he is rich. Desiree also has secrets of her own. She has not told Carter about the abusive ex husband that gave her the scars on her face and body, or that he is getting out of prison and that is why she wanted to get married. Desiree figures that her ex will leave her alone if Carter is there, but she turns out to be really wrong. Despite there pasts they have to try to decide if they want to open there hearts to each other. They also have to deal with all of the secrets between them. This is a great edition to the Hawk's Way series.

Zach Whitelaw wants children so bad he can taste it. There is only one problem, he needs a wife. Zach does not want a wife, but he knows he needs one to have the kids that he wants. So, in his mind the most logical unemotional thing to do is to advertise in the newspaper for one.

Rebecca Littlewolf knew Zach when she was younger and has always had a crush on the man. Even after not seeing him for six years, she was still in love. So, when she sees his ad in the paper she figures that it is the best way to get him in her life. She figures that she can always get him to fall in love with her.

Zach only has one condition for his new bride, she has to be pregnant within a year or he will divorce her and in exchange for this arrangement he will help her start a children's camp for cancer victims.

As the year unfolds it proves to be heartbreaking, heartwarming, and emotional. Can there lives survive the crisis that they face. This is a great story with an emotional ending.

What happens when the doctor gets sick? Who "doctors" the doctor?
In this extremely personal book, Dr Joam Johnston takes you on a journey of the disease known as anorexia nervosa. The drive for thinness toke a large toll on Dr Johnston's health as well as helped destroy her marriage.

Dr Johnston guides you thru the slow path to recovery and also educates you along the way. She also feels that anorexia nervosa is an addiction and should be treated in that manner. She even suggests an "Anorexia Anonymous" as "the only avenue to recovery."

If you or a loved one suffer from this deadly disease, you must read this book. She offers much hope for recovery from this mostly misunderstood disease.

Joan Johnston has shot these bachelors with cupids arrown straight through the heart. Nobody can do western romance like Joan Johnston.

Fun, sexy and exciting. Lots of romantic tension. Liked it as uch as "Anything, My Love" by Cynthia Simmons and "New Mexico sunrise" by Peterson.