SHORT-STRAW BRIDE by KAREN WITEMEYER

About Book

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride.

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

Years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across 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 prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.

Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

Resources:  Excerpt, Author Q & A, Book Announcement 

• ISBN-13: 9780764209659
• ISBN: 9781441271150 (ebook)
• Publisher: Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group
• Publication date: 6/1/2012
• Pages: 368
• Paperback: 5.56 (w) x 8.34 (h) x 0.99 (d)

Where to Purchase:  Baker Retail, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com

About Author

Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul.

After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid-to late1800s.

Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and have garnered awards such as the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the Christian Manifesto's Lime Award for Excellence in Fiction. In addition, she is a multiple RITA and National Reader's Choice finalist. Karen is also a sought-after speaker for national writing conferences and regional workshops.

Karen enjoys hearing from her readers. You may contact her by clicking here.

FREEDMEN

My Thoughts

Short-Straw Bride is a must read! 

This was a  fun, humorous and romantic read about a headstrong woman, Meredith Hayes not just looking out for herself but for Travis Archer. She has loved Travis from afar ever since he rescued her when she was just a young girl.  This Meredith's father was a teacher for a group of local FREEDMEN and she desires to take over what her father began, which was to teach those that are now free and yearning to learn.

The characters learn to trust in God therefore to learn a lesson from this young woman and trust in mankind.  The author has, to no surprise to me, written another great historical fiction set in 1800s Texas, with more to come about the the Archer brothers.

I highly recommend this book!


I purchased this book for my own reading pleasure.  This review is my honest opinion.

STEALING THE PREACHER by KAREN WITEMEYER

About Stealing the Preacher:

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape-which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

Purchase a copy here: http://ow.ly/lnKcM

Meet Karen:

Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.

Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Karen Witemeyer is "kindling" the excitement for Stealing the Preacher (Bethany House) with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at her June 18th Facebook Author Chat Party!

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at 4pm on June 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Stealing the Preacher" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 18th. Connect with Karen for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Karen will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Stealing the Preacher and join Karen on the evening of June 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

My Thoughts

Crockett Archer is forced off the train to be taken on an unwanted detour.  In actuality he is kidnapped against his will to be presented to the daughter of the leader of the geriatric outlaw gang that took him from the train. He originally was on his way to Brenham, Texas where he is to be considered as a candidate to become Preacher for a local church.  

Joanna Robbins could not believe her father had given her a preacher as a birthday gift.  A kidnapped preacher at that.  Yes, she had been praying for a preacher for their church but her father should not have kidnapped one from the train. What had gotten into her father? 

When Crockett and Joanna had a chance to discuss the ere of her father's ways they finally agreed that he only did it because he loved his daughter and wanted to make her happy. Crockett could not seem to get Joanna and her birthday wish off his mind and prayed that God would show him the path in which he was to take. What is God's plan for Crockett?

I enjoy a book with humor and odd twist and turns. This book is definitely in that category. The author writes about the characters taking a path  they have cut for themselves and shows how God leads them onto a straight path putting them on the path He had intended for them all along.  This story has all the things I yearn for in a good book.  There is reconciliation, trust, faith, love, romance and much more to keep your attention to the very last page, wishing to stay with the characters a while longer.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

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