Showing posts with label Karen Witemeyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karen Witemeyer. Show all posts

Friday, January 6, 2017

Favorites of 2016: Historical

I've been inspired by several blogs I follow to make a "Best of 2016" post. But I quickly ran into a problem. Of the 197 books I read last year, 74 of them were ones I rated 5 stars! How do you narrow that down?! I bit the bullet and got it down to 37, but that still seemed like too many for one blog post. So I've divided my favorites up by genre and I'll be sharing them in four separate posts: historical, contemporary, novellas, and series. 

Here are the amazing historical novels I read in 2016 in no particular order. I highly recommend all of them and they are all ones I plan to re-read again in the future!

A Captain for Laura Rose by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

 Doing No Harm by Carla Kelly

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

The Express Rider's Lady by Stacy Henrie

 No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

 The Moses Chronicles: Deliverance by H. B. Moore

 Willowkeep by Julie Daines

 So Rare a Gift by Amber Lynn Perry

 A Place for Miss Snow by Jennifer Moore

The Governess by Kristen McKendry

What were your favorite historical novels that you read in 2016?








Friday, August 26, 2016

Review: No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer


Heidi Robbins... No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one.

Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.


My Review

Once again I was captivated by the unique story that Karen Witemeyer wove with vibrant historical detail, humor, action, and sweet romance. I loved the background of how Malachi came to know Emma and her aunts as a youth. It created a special bond between him and Emma and their rapport as adults picked up right where it left off. He is unfailingly loyal and defends her with a fierce protectiveness. The setting of a western town with no men is fascinating, with a wide variety of characters who live and work in the community. I appreciated that Emma was not portrayed as a man-hater, even though she's witnessed abuse and dealt with some frustrating men. She is open to love and sees the good in all people, males included. Mal's reserved yet passionate nature was a perfect contrast to Emma's more open and positive personality, and as they worked together to protect the community and draw out the villain, their relationship deepens even though Mal doesn't think he deserves her. The person behind the attacks remains a mystery for much of the book, leading me to suspect pretty much anyone suspicious :) Emma and Mal had to do the same in order to catch the perpetrator, even though it was hard for Emma to believe any of the ladies taking refuge in their town could be a traitor. The story explored themes of independence, recovery from abuse, the value and worth of an individual, and finding purpose in following God's will.

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

Christy Award finalist and winner of the ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes Christian historical romance for Bethany House, believing the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.

Friday, June 3, 2016

First Line Friday: No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer


First Line Friday's

So I came across a meme that appeals to me, First Line Friday's at Bookworm Nation! Grab the book you're currently reading and share the first line. A great first line is intriguing and compels you to keep reading! Feel free to share yours by posting on your blog and commenting with the link, or comment with your book and it's first line here and/or at Bookworm Nation.

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

"Malachi Shaw made the arduous climb back into consciousness with great effort." - No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one.

Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.



Wednesday, May 25, 2016

E-book sales from popular authors!


(I got Halos by Kristen Heitzmann for 99 cents- click and double check price at Amazon if it's showing a different price in the widget below)

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Review: With This Ring? by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears


Heidi Reads... With This Ring? by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer's "The Husband Maneuver," Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. Regina Jennings offers "Her Dearly Unintended," where friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives.

Mary Connealy's "Runaway Bride" finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage. And Melissa Jagears' "Engaging the Competition" finds a young woman forced to assist the man she's often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless. Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.


My Review

I absolutely loved all these stories! They were each so interesting and unique with the angle of the plot, and all the stories have vibrant characters and settings. We get to revisit great characters from other books by Karen Witemeyer and Mary Connealy, but they are perfect as stand alone stories too. There is a fantastic element of humor throughout which kept me smiling as I read the predicaments the couples found themselves in. And the romance? So wonderful! I enjoyed all the novellas equally and highly recommend this collection!

(Thank you to Karen Witemeyer and Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Review: A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer


Heidi Reads... A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://amzn.to/1Nziy3Ahttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother’s death. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When the teacher he’s after produces documentation that shows she’s the little girl’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her. Should Stone break his perfect record?

Then a new danger threatens, and Charlotte is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone becomes determined to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.


My Review

Boy, does Karen Witemeyer know how to write her heroes! I loved the strength, honor, humor, and hint of vulnerability that made Stone a man that Charlotte could finally count on. He has a soft spot for kids and the truth of the situation along with Lily's safety quickly becomes more important than his tracking record. The story is one of adventure, with some twists and plenty of action. What endeared this story to me though are the small details that subtly deepen the reader's understanding of each character and make them unique. Charlotte playing passionately on the piano to express her anxiety. Lily's obsession with dime novels of frontier heroes. The way that touch affects Stone at a deep level.

The relationship between Stone and Charlotte builds steadily as they learn to trust each other and overcome their own hesitations. Their romantic moments are heightened by the emotion of the desperate circumstances, but prove to be based on a love that each is yearning for. There are also two other couples that have roles in the mission to protect Lily who totally need novellas written about them (hint, hint Karen...)

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

E-book sale: $1.99 for Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer


http://amzn.to/1h2ZFd6

TODAY ONLY download the e-book of Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer for only $1.99! I loved this book and rated it 5 stars, you can read my review here.
(Be sure to check the price before ordering since e-book sales are for a limited time)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father's rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole's plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family's legacy?


Thursday, March 12, 2015

E-book sale: Only $1.99 for A Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DWA6996/?tag=thevespro08-20

Only $1.99 for the entire novella collection of A Match Made in Texas! (Normally it's $1.99 per story). I rated this book 5 stars and absolutely LOVED three of the stories- read my review here. Definitely a great deal you don't want to miss!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can't keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straits with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she's also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?

A Cowboy Unmatched
Neill isn't sure who hired him to repair Clara's roof--he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love?

An Unforeseen Match
Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace's doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though--and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on.

No Match for Love
Andrew can't fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more?

Meeting Her Match
When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker's son how much she cares for him?

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

E-book sale: $1.99 for To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer


To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Highly recommend! To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer has some of my favorite literary characters. I've read it several times and rate it 5 stars. Get the e-book for only $1.99!!! I have the e-book but the print copy is on my wishlist for my book collection :)
(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets...

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

Monday, February 23, 2015

E-book sale: Love on the Mend by Karen Witemeyer!


Love on the Mend by Karen Witemeyer

Yay! I've been waiting for this novella to go on sale! Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read her newest novella based on a character from Full Steam Ahead. Download Love on the Mend for only $1.99! 
(I believe sale runs through Feb 28, but check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

After serving as a doctor during the War Between the States, Jacob Sadler wants nothing more than to establish a quiet country practice in rural Texas. But he knows he'll never find peace until he buries the pain of his past. To that end, he accepts a job in Cold Spring, Texas--the town he's avoided for seventeen years--and discovers his past is definitely still alive and kicking.

When a new doctor arrives in town and saves her brother's leg, Mollie Tate quickly puts him on a hero's pedestal. But then the new doc insults her "Uncle" Curtis. Years ago, Curtis Sadler rescued Mollie when no one else cared. How could he possibly be the villain the new doctor believes him to be?

Jacob doesn't know what to make of the young woman who assists him like a seasoned nurse one minute only to take a strip out of his hide the next. Yet the sparks that fly between them make him feel more alive than he has in a long time. As respect for his young nurse turns into something deeper, can he set aside the pain from his past to embrace this new love, or are some sins too big to be forgiven?

Friday, November 7, 2014

E-book sale: $1.99 for Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer


Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Only $1.99 for the e-book of Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer! This is one of my favorite books and rated it 5 stars! Definitely worth the full price, but less than two dollars is even better :)
(Be sure to check the price before purchasing since e-book sales are for a limited time)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?