Karen Witemeyer

Taming Lady Temperance by Karen Witemeyer

“She’d grown lax of late. Hadn’t protested in nearly three weeks.”

“He couldn’t afford to let her out-stubborn him.”

With a setting in Texas in 1894, a heroine who is bound and determined to defend the cause of prohibition, and a deputy who is hoping to be elected sheriff and wants to keep the peace, what could possibly go wrong?

I’m always delighted to read another Karen Witemeyer story, and Taming Lady Temperance lived up to my show more anticipation. This first book in The Secret Society of Spinsters is full of well-drawn, multi-layered, and realistically flawed characters, and the story line caught my attention quickly.

The main characters, Noreen O’Sullivan and Deputy James Paxton, are engaging and entertaining. Noreen is independent, headstrong, and spunky. Dependable and upstanding James is just the person to keep her in check. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between them and the signature wit and humor Witemeyer injects into her stories. I found myself chuckling and laughing out loud at some of the pictures that were evoked.

“. . . this woman was on a mission. A mission that apparently involved him. He swallowed and steeled himself for what was to come. The tenacity he’d just admitted to admiring was about to bury its teeth into his leg, and he wasn’t at all certain he’d be able to shake free.”

“That man and his obnoxious charm. Good grief. She’d almost shared a smile with him. Thankfully, she’d stopped herself in time.”

It was satisfying to see the relationship between Noreen and James change as they interacted and began to get to know each other better. I loved the way they were able to work together and solve problems, even as they were exasperating each other.

“He might not have to worry about Noreen O'Sullivan ruining his chances to be elected sheriff, after all. Apparently, he was perfectly capable of blackening public opinion of his fitness for office all on his lonesome.”

“Her hackles had been raised, and he was bound to get jabbed by a few of them before this was over.”

With plenty of action, intrigue, inspiration, and romance, this book kept me turning the pages. The stellar cast of secondary characters added much to the tale, and I’m hoping that some of the Spinster Society sisters will get their own stories soon.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own. show less

This is a wonderful story filled with rip-roarin' action and lots of gunfire but its real strength is the wonderful romance between Dr. Josephine Burkett and Matthew Hanger. Yes, the new Doc in Purgatory Springs, Texas is a woman who has to constantly fight for respect so she is both shocked and grateful when a handsome ex-Calvary man accepts her skills so readily after bringing an injured friend into her office for treatment. From then on, you just know that there's great promise for this show more strong, independent career woman and a man who had chosen to live a solitary life after losing his family at a young age. Will Matthew Hanger recognize his budding feelings for Josie? Is there a future for a man who often runs toward death and a woman who works to prevent it?

Josie and Matthew are fascinating individual characters but together.....well, in today's culture, they would be known as a super couple. A female who is dedicated to treating illnesses and saving lives and a cowboy/soldier/mercenary who wants to help those unable to help themselves. And then there is the chemistry between these two. This is Christian fiction so author Karen Witemeyer allows us to imagine what might happen but there are some kissing scenes that left me breathless, as in "kisses that heated her blood and curled her toes".

I truly loved this first book of the Hanger's Horsemen series and I'm anxious to learn what Witemeyer plans for the future books. Corporal Luke Davenport, also known as Preach, is a man very knowledgeable of the Bible and I am hoping that he will have his own story in the near future. The Horsemen are supposedly "keeping their pistols holstered" but is this possible for Hanger's Horsemen?

If you are looking for Western adventure, Christian romance, and a story filled with faith, you will certainly want to read At Love's Command.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. I wasn't required to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts. show less

If the Boot Fits, the second book in the Texas Ever After series, is a touching, entertaining read! The creative reverse Cinderella vibe is delightful. The story grabbed me from the beginning and kept me reading expectantly to the satisfying end. The plot flows smoothly with well-placed suspenseful twists and turns. True-to-life characters, main and secondary, captured my heart and imagination and kept me firmly invested in the outcome. I love Samantha and Ash and how their sweet romance show more developed. I appreciate how faith is seamlessly and naturally woven into the story with many relevant reminders. The authentic 1889 western setting and bits of humor add depth and interest to the story. I think fans of fairy tales and historical Christian romance will love this story as much as I did, and I highly recommend it as a read well worth your time. Note: Each book in the Texas Ever After series is a standalone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

I never tire of Christmas and I have a list of books and movies that I love to revisit each year during the holiday season. I now have a new book by Karen Witemeyer to add to that list! Under the Texas Mistletoe is a collection of three novellas that are set in Texas during the 1890s, and they carry the Witemeyer trademarks of humor, romance, family, and faith. I found myself smiling and laughing, but there were also moments of tears. Memories of past Christmases with my family are often show more bittersweet, and these stories of Christmas and family filled me with the same emotions.

Each novella is a joy to read, and I love Witemeyer's mission to share the true meaning of Christmas in each of them. 'A Texas Christmas Carol' has a Texas banker who thinks like Ebenezer Scrooge but is capable of causing heart palpitations; 'An Archer Family Christmas' introduces a tiny baby who promises to bring love and joy to the Archer family; and 'Gift of the Heart' features a widow who must sacrifice a family heirloom so that she can secure shelter for her and her daughter. All three are lovely, heartwarming tales that allude to treasured Bible stories, and there are three added bonuses. Who wouldn't like two Christmas recipes, a look at some American Christmas traditions of the 19th century, or an inspiring devotional about the greatest gift ever given?

Under the Texas Mistletoe is an absolute delight and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical romance and Christmas-themed stories. Reading it will surely put you in the Christmas spirit!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers. There was no obligation for a positive review and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts. show less