The Substitute Groom

Hawk's Way #12

by Joan Johnston

His marriage proposal wasn't shocking. His motive was. But she had her own secret . . .

All of Jennifer Wright's hopes and dreams had rested on her summer wedding --- until a single moment changed everything. Including the groom. Suddenly, Jennifer agreed to marry her fiance's best friend, a darkly handsome Texan she needed --- and desperately wanted --- almost against her will.

But U.S. Air Force Major Colt Whitelaw had sacrificed too much to settle for a marriage of convenience, and that made hiding her passion all the more difficult. And hiding her biggest secret downright impossible . . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Western Romance, Westerns, Adult

296 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Joan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.

Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.

Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.

Awards

* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride

Reviews

[Didi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 TO 3 STARS

This was okay-good, nothing special other than my trope of the moment, the marriage of convenience/unrequited love. But even featuring that, this was a little slow in areas. I wasn't bothered by Jenny moving onto Colt so quickly, especially considering what she denied to herself, but I found it strange she hid her big secret.
The funny thing is, I loved the sub-plot between Colt's brother, Jake and Hope Butler more than the main story. Anyways, the epilogue was good and Jake and Hope may still have a chance in another book in the series.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. It seemed kind of short. I felt like grief over the first fiance's death was given pretty short shrift. Jenny fell in love with Colt pretty quick. I did like the way that Colt's character stayed true near the end when he found out Jenny's problem. If he had just accepted it right off the bat it would have been unrealistic. I liked the subplot with Hope and Jake.

[Dina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give up! The characters and the story aren´t working for me, and I´m tired of seeing this book on my coffee table.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I liked the title-Hawks Way-The Substitute Groom, I thought it would be a different read than what I have read. I was right. This is a terrific, well-written heart-warming story of two families-the Whitelaws and the Wrights, 2 ranches next to each other in Texas. Jenny, Huck and Colt were threesome friends growing up but Jenny was Huck's girl, so Colt joined the Air Force and Huck soon followed. Huck and Jenny were engaged but fate steps in and hands Jenny another blow,one she's not sure how she will deal with.
There are so many characters in here that you just really like, and that adds to this terrific story. There are many reasons to read this book, but the ending leaves you with a smile!!
I am definitely reading more of this series.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the relationship developed between Colt and Jenny throughout the story. It was delightful to see the character's being brought together through their own journeys. I like how the author has created a whole series around the Whitelaw family. I love how each story focuses on one character (mostly), but there are small tidbits of information on other characters too. The small bits of information on other characters keep me interested and focused on the story. The ending of this story was predictable, but still enjoyable. I look forward to reading other books from the Hawk's Way series.

[Kea · Rating 3 out of 5]

HAWK’S WAY: COLT by Joan Johnston Book 11 Hawk's Way, Bonus novel with CHASE THE CLOUDS by Lindsay McKenna [Silhouette Desire]

[L8blmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once upon a time I decided I would try to acquire and read all the books in the Hawk's Way series. Never happened. I recently decided it was time to read the few that I have and pass them on.

This was a pretty sweet story about a man who loved his best friend's girl for a long time and what happened when she suddenly became available. It's a fairly simple romance that unfortunately relied pretty heavily on one of my pet peeves, The Secret. Mention was made of many family members, some whose stories were told in earlier books and some whose stories are still to be told.

All in all a quick and mostly enjoyable read.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ½ Stars! ~ Colt, Huck and Jenny had been a trio since they were thirteen. Colt had always loved Jenny but because his best friend Huck had confided he too loved Jenny, Colt kept his feelings to himself. When Huck dies in an Air Force accident, Colt feels guilty for wanting Jenny for himself. Convincing Jenny that he's the right groom is another matter, especially when she's keeping a pretty huge secret herself. This was a wonderful feel good read with some heart wrenching moments. From earlier books we're learnt how much Colt loves Jenny, it was lovely to see him have his HEA.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Love Colt. A good read.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars