The cover is horrible but the book is fantastic. I really enjoy this author’s novellas and this was no different. The humor was spot on and I was crying laughing (my cat looked very concerned). Also, I liked the connection to the Archers.

5 Stars

Content: gunshot wounds & fighting, kissing ( )

First sentence: Every legacy started from a single act of courage.

Premise/plot: Tessa James, our heroine, has a huge crush on Jackson Spivey. His hobby is guns and shooting. To try to catch his eye, Tessa wants to immerse herself in that world. So, of course, she just happens to seek out the show starring Annie Oakley [aka Mrs. Frank Butler.] If she can "catch a man with a gun" maybe she can too. Meanwhile, in the prologue, Annie Oakley [aka Mrs. Frank Butler] had been gifted a gun--a pink pistol--by a grieving father. [To be honest, I'm not sure if his daughter died by her own hand or if it was natural causes. But her heart was broken when she was disappointed by love/lust.] At her discretion, she is to gift this "courtship" pistol to a young woman who needs some help with hope--hope in finding true love. When Tessa admits openly, hey, I'm here to learn how to shoot because I want a man, well Annie's job is over. She'll pass this pink courting pistol on....with a special note in its case.

Will Tessa's new pistol bring her good luck when it comes to winning her crush? Happily ever afters have to be earned even in wee little novellas.

My thoughts: I have zero interests in guns or shooting--pink or not. I did like the musical Annie Get Your Gun, so there was that at least. (Though I'm not absolutely positive that musical was historically accurate. Did she really catch her man with a gun??? Maybe. I just thought it was a catchy song.)

I think in a full-length novel the balance between character development, relationship development, and melodrama [aka CONFLICT] is naturally better. I felt in this novella, at least, the balance was off. There was just as much melodrama as if it was a full-length novel but not nearly as much to balance it out in terms of character development. It was a very short journey in terms of relationship development. Like SO short. And then almost after the fact there was conflict added.

I do typically love, love, love Witemeyer's novels. (Yes, even her novellas.) But I was more meh with this one than I usually am. I think a full-length novel would have had time to win me over. ( )

In Her Sights by Karen Witemeyer is the first novella in the Pink Pistol Sisterhood series and like everything else written by this author, it’s a story to remember! With a spunky and determined heroine paired with a charming yet under-confident hero, sparks (and bullets!) are sure to fly. I love the premise behind this series, of a pink-handled revolver that will bring the woman holding it to her true love (if she will open her heart) as well as the involvement of Annie Oakley. It was so much fun to see how the custom revolver brought Tessa and Jackson together that I can’t wait to see what the pink pearl pistol will do between the next couple!
As usual, Ms. Witemeyer delivers a stunning novella, perfectly paced and full of well-drawn characters, engaging dialogue, and plenty of Texas-sized drama. Being novella length, it’s the perfect read for a rainy evening or lazy Sunday afternoon because you won’t want to put this story down once you start.
I also enjoyed seeing characters for the author’s previous books. It added charm and a bit of nostalgia (#teamcrockett), but you don’t need to have read all her other stories to enjoy Jackson and Tessa’s.
Overall, I was thoroughly entertained by the antics of Tessa to win Jackson’s heart. And I believe all fans of clean/sweet historical romance, especially those in Western settings will enjoy In Her Sights.
I was given a copy of this book by the author with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

“Sometimes a seed of hope is all it takes.”

Absolutely loved this novella from Karen Witemeyer. She’s long been a favorite author and when I heard she was starting a new series with fellow authors which included two grown up characters from previous books, I jumped at the chance to read it. It’s a darling story of one determined woman, a pink pistol, and a little bit of luck to help her win the man she longs for.

Tessa James has loved Jackson Spivey for years, but everything she tries to get his attention seems to backfire. Determined to win his love, she takes up shooting lessons from the famed markswoman Annie Oakley herself. Annie offers her a beautiful pink pistol given to her by a bereaved father whose daughter died of a broken heart. The pistol is intended much like Cupid’s arrow to help young women find true love. Tessa takes the pistol hoping she’ll have luck with it winning Jackson’s heart.

Jackson has admired Tessa from afar, but his difficult past with an outlaw father makes him leery of relationships especially with women. He depends on his guns for his living and hopes one day to be a lawman. When Tessa asks him for help with shooting, he tries to decline, feeling unworthy of her. But, Tessa isn’t easily deterred. When Jackson finds himself nicked by Cupid’s arrow or in this case a pink pistol, love is sure to follow. But, when Jackson’s past comes back to haunt him, Tessa might get a chance to use her new found skills.

There was quite a lot of story packed into this novella. It was the perfect length to read in a day, yet was so well written and richly detailed that I didn’t notice the length. The romance between Tessa and Jackson was filled with sweet romantic tension and swoon worthy kisses. I loved the way Tessa finally got Jackson’s attention. There’s a hint of danger towards the end that resolves into a delightful happily ever after. I’m excited to see where the pink pistol winds up next and whose love life it will help.

Highly recommend to Western or historical romance fans. While the main characters appear in two previous books, this book can definitely be read as a standalone and it’s not necessary to read the other books to thoroughly enjoy this one. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. ( )

The multi author Pink Pistol Sisterhood series, starts off with a bang with a Karen Witemeyter’s In Her Sights. It is just what I would expect from this author. I adored the character Tessa. Especially in her scenes with Jackson. There were a few scenes that made me giggle. Their story was sweet, fun and delightful. With just at about one hundred pages, I had no problem taking a short break and read it in one sitting. I loved it.
I am giving In Her Sights a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical and western romance novellas. I am looking forward to reading the second installment from the Pink Pistol Sisterhood series, Shanna Hatfield’s Love on Target.
I received a digital copy of In Her Sights from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive one. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. ( )