Captain John McClain finds himself on the wrong end of a shotgun when attempting to find his child. Heading west to find the mother of his son and the outlaw who shot him, John is forced to escort an enticing woman whose lifestyle goes against every one of his moral standards, yet she calls to every part of him.
Heading west to meet the dying father she never knew, and possibly starting a new life, Mae Hawkins didn’t expect the added complication of traveling with the one man she always loved.
When they're joined along the road by a minister and his wife, things get beyond complicated for John and Mae who awaken to the lesson that sometimes differences are more imagined than real in this unforgettable journey
Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every reader can enjoy.
Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.
Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.
She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua Pepito and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named Lola.
WESTBOUND AWAKENING by Hildie McQueen is an exciting Historical Romance set in Virgina and Texas. Fast paced and filled with secrets and misunderstandings hold back this lively couple as they head Westbound to Texas from Virgina. Follow Captain John McClain and Mae Hawkins on a journey of awakening new love,passion and family. Mae is not all she appears to be, for she is portrayed as, a harlot and a Madame,but there is so much more to her story than first meets the eye. She is searching for love and acceptance, for life has not been kind to her, while John is searching for his son and a hurtful ex-wife. A powerful story of acceptance, love and family. I enjoyed this story and look forward to her next story. Full of surprises and love, you will not go wrong with "Westbound Awakening". The characters are enlightening,engaging and realistic. The storyline was intriguing as well as exciting. A wonderful read! Received for an honest review from the publicist.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Book 2 in the series was definitely a more engaging read. I enjoyed the H and h unique backgrounds and how their slow burn of a love story finally materialized.
Will Lucinda and Alan's story be written? Inquiring minds want to know :)
Westbound Awakening is a really sweet tale once you get down to it. John and Mae feel so real… And I loved getting to peel back the layers of John and get to know how he really is. This is a really great book for those that like western romance novels and although, not my normal read, I found that I really did like the evolution of Captain John McClain and Mae Hawkins.
Mad is the madam in a brothel and has always secretly loved John McClain, a Cavalry Officer. The only reason John comes near the brothel is to found up his missing men. He feels an attraction to Mae, but cannot come to terms with her profession. When Mae has to travel to Texas, John, now medically discharged from the Cavalry has been asked to act as her escort since he too is heading that way.
I liked the story and I liked the main and secondary characters. There was not too much to the storyline, but enough to keep me interested. My only negative is the poor editing. Character's names changing to and fro. Lucinda became Lucy then Luciana. Ryan became Ron then Ryan again. Alan got the 'truck' off the back of the wagon. I could go on, but won't.
I truly love this story between a madam Mae, and a ex soldier John and all there problems. Problems of love is the hardest of them all. They have known each other of years. Yet very seldom have they meet. Both John and Mae needs to travel West to take care of family business. John to search for his son he never met and Mae to see a father she never knew. Both will need to trust each other to make it. A very beautiful story. I can see reading this one several times.
A wonderful historical romance set in Virginia and later Texas. Great characters John McClain served in the military until an injury puts his life on the line. Mae Hawkins is a strong female business owner of a local brothel. Both have issues to overcome in their pasts. They decide to take a journey to Texas so Mae can confront part of her past, and John can find answers to his past. This is a page turner from cover to cover!
History and present day may be far apart but expectations and judgments aren't. Story women and men can be judged wrong at times. "Don't judge a book by its cover!" Is seen throughout the story. I like very much how the HEA is not easy or impossible to have. Makes me want to read this author's other stories. Well written and great characters worth every dime spent.
Mae and John have had an attraction towards each other. He’s an army Captain and she’s in charge of a brothel. They have the travel together and they embark on a journey that will define their lives.
Hasta la mitad del libro, más o menos, me estaba encantando. Todo el viaje es muy entretenido y el romance, a pesar de que en algunos momentos se te ponen los ojos en blanco con tanto cliché, está bien...te atrapa...el problema es cuando empieza el drama...los malentendidos (aún no sé cómo se han podido alargar tanto en la historia) el drama y más drama. Tienen drama hasta los secundarios. No se escapa nadie. Los sinsentidos de "tú no me quieres", después "no soy suficiente para ti" y cuando ya se han acabado las excusas es "tú no me aceptas"...la cuestión es marear la perdiz. Eso es lo que no funciona para mí y de hecho me acaba aburriendo un poco. Necesito entender los "quiero y no puedo" y aquí no los he entendido. :(
Westbound Awakening is a western historical romance book about Mae Hawkins, who runs a brothel; and Captain John McClain. Two broken individuals. Both have been hurt and betrayed by the ones who are supposed to love them. Westbound Awakening brings these two together under stressful circumstances. You get plenty of background development of Mae and John so you fully understand the hardships they've gone through. This love story will pull at your heartstrings. I always love the way Hildie McQueen writes, not only do you get a touching story, you get vivid and earnest time era scenes that blow you away! Can't wait for the next series, The Shades Of Blue Trilogy!!
I am sitting here after finishing this book with the "happily ever after" goofy grin. What a great story. I love this author. I love the way Hildie weaves the story around the main characters while also bringing into the story other characters that get the reader's interest. I really enjoyed the story & now I'm repeating myself still with goofy grin. This book is chock full of action & high emotions. I hope others will enjoy the story as much as I did.
The journey was ok but John problems with Mae's past is so hypocritical especially in light of his illegitimate son & her care of him during illnesses. It's not a particularly inspiring tale & I feel anger at the mistreatment of the women rather than joy for the HEA.