PART OF YOUR WORLD by Karen Witemeyer

Muriel Quinn and Zane Erickson's story was such a wonderful retelling of 'The Little Mermaid'. I so thoroughly enjoyed it that I finished it in one sitting. The book design by "Carpe Librum Book Design" is lovely, and I adore the play on words. Set in Galveston, TX 1886, we are treated to a delightful tale of a woman whose head is often in the sea rather than firmly planted on the ground and responsibility. She lives with her wonderfully Irish father, Patrick, and is the last daughter left at home. Additionally, Zane is from a wealthy family whose heart desires a love match directed by God and a career in Architecture. His controlling parents are set to push him towards a marriage that will meet their ideals and enlist the help of a matchmaker. I love that St. Ursula's by the Sea run by Octavia Underhill 🦑 was a real place (based on the Ursuline Academy for young ladies or St. Ursula's in 1847).

This book doesn't drag you into the Disney version of the story, but rather whispers to your heart of the fanciful nature of it, yet gives a delightfully grown-up take with nods to the old and a tale you will want to revisit.

I give this book five starfish!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌊

I received an eVersion from the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Read 05/17/2026
Release date is June 16, 2026

Until next time, Hugs and a Cup of Tea (by the Sea!)

Taming Lady Temperance by Karen Witemeyer

 

Taming Lady Temperance was a wonderful western mystery/romance set in 1894 Albany, TX.  I especially enjoyed  Deputy James Paxton, who was beyond reproach when it came to the law.  He was also kind, tender, and his budding romance with Noreen O'Sullivan was pleasant to watch develop.  He has an incredibly keen mind for solving criminal mysteries.
Noreen is a survivor of abuse and therefore has zero tolerance for alcohol. At twenty-seven, she is invited into a secret society.
Very well written with plenty of faith moments. 

Quoteable: "We chose forget-me-nots because we wanted an emblem signifying that you are not forgotten. Not overlooked. Not unappreciated. Each of us was created for a specific purpose, one not tied to marriage and the production of children. Our Lord has not forgotten us, and we will not forget each other."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation.  All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Expected Pub. 2/17/26

Read: 11/30-12/2/2025

📚2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge #217 Until next time,

On a Midnight Clear 3-in-1 Christmas Novellas

 🎄On a Midnight Clear a 3-in-1 Christmas Novella Collection and ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 🎄The Shepherd’s Heart © 2025 by Peterson Ink, Inc.

Nebraska & Wyoming, 1875
A gently woven tale about moving on after loss, coping with grief, and learning to trust God in the process. This story was so sweet and beautiful. It had me balling by the end. 😭⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ P.S.: I really expected a recipe for carrot cookies! 🥕 Need to look that up!
Read 8/15&16

 🎄No Room at the Inn © 2025 by Misty M. Beller
December 21, 1861, Nebraska Territory (future Wyoming) Hope Palmer & Noah Bently's winter romance is of a genteel nature, born of mutual attraction, respect, and faith.  A simple story of life in pioneer times. ⭐⭐⭐
(I again expected a recipe for Chess Pie 🥧) Read 8/17

 🎄 A Star in the West © 2025 by Karen Witemeyer
°Nerds in Love ~ How Divine°
December, 1890
Baylor University, Waco, Tx
Stella Barrington & Frank Stentz are the epitome of the word nerd and I absolutely loved their story. So few writers make space for these types of characters to have the leading roles. There were so many fantastic mathematical references. And the way they, particularly Frank, approached life and romance so logically, quantifying each choice and analyzing all the data, was quite amusing. Frank's subtle romantic ways are so charming. The faith and Christmas play added just the right layer. Then there was Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Muir, the "Oscar & Felix" of the story.  Great fun!
Suddenly, the tale takes an unexpected turn, which I won't spoil, but had me choked up. 
QUOTABLE: "God doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to handing out miracles.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½!
My favorite of the 3 Novellas! Read 8/18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall. I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can they find a place to put their hearts and hope this Christmas?

Beloved authors Tracie Peterson, Misty M. Beller, and Karen Witemeyer come together with this festive novella collection inspired by the Nativity story and filled with faith, promise, and romance.

The Shepherd's Heart by Tracie Peterson
On the frontier, widowed sheep rancher Vincent Duran seeks a mother for his two children. Angel Lewis agrees to marry him despite believing Vincent will never truly love her. But, as they work together during a fierce winter storm, will their broken hearts finally find peace, joy, and love? 

No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller
When Noah Bentwood and his charge are snowed in while traveling through the Rocky Mountains, he must stay in a barn since the stage inn has no vacant rooms. Then innkeeper Hope Palmer's family heirloom disappears, and she and Noah work together to find it before Christmas. While the snowfall holds them captive, will unexpected feelings bloom?

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer
Friendly correspondence with Stella Barrington evolves into something more when Harvard mathematics professor Frank Stentz arrives in Waco, Texas. As the two experiment with extending their relationship beyond letters, an impossible dilemma arises between love and logic. Will her wise man be able to calculate a way for them to be together?

Rediscover the joy of Christmas with these faith-based historical romances from bestselling authors featuring sweet Western frontier stories with themes of marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and friends-to-more.

Until next time, Hugs and a cup of Tea

Heather Elizabeth

CLOAKED IN BEAUTY by Karen Witemeyer

5 Amazing Stars!

Texas, late 1800s 

Scarlett Radcliff aka Letty Hood, is such a strong, independent young woman, with a tender heart. Her faithful pet was a great addition to the story. 

Phillip Carmichael is the trusty Pinkerton detective tasked with her safe transportation.

Letty's mother, grandmother and uncle all play key roles in her future. 

Quotable: “We both have to be brave. And smart. Doing what we want isn’t always what is best. Doing what is best, even when it hurts, is what God calls us to do.”

"A chapter must end before a new one could begin, and whether she was ready for it or not, her page was turning."

Sooo so good. I absolutely loved this book. It really is a wonderful fairytale reimagined in a Western setting with the bonus of strong faith throughout. I am sad to see this series end, but happy to highly recommend it!

I received an eVersion from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

352 pages, Paperback First published December 17, 2024 Bethany House Publishers

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

 
FLIPPIN THE SCRIPT ON CINDERELLA in such a fun way!

Another wonderfully westernized fairy tale from award-winning author, Karen Witemeyer.
This book had a bit of everything to suit my fancies, from never-ending danger, heroic rescues and gently growing romance between Asher Ellis and Samantha Dearing. Faith was masterfully woven throughout and the nods to the Cinderella story were charming. The story had me both laughing and crying at times.
Quotable: "Friends share thoughts and worries with each other. It's how we lighten the burden and find the strength to keep moving forward when situations try to beat us down."

"Gallopin' goose feathers, Fergus! Don't scare like that," His youngest brother snickered as he rounded the lean-to, milk bucket in hand.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND: I cannot wait for the next fairytale reimagining later in December!

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 3 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2024

SUPER FAST CHRISTMAS READ by Karen Witemeyer

 

Amazon Link

I read this fun little tale set in Bethlehem, Texas, 1886 in under an hour. It made me smile to discover what Simeon came up with to court Anna in relation to The Twelve Days of Christmas. There is a bit of fascinating history related to the song and a nice little devotional afterward.

💞🎄🦢🕊🌵🕺🏻🥛

⭐⭐⭐⭐=Very Good 

I was sent this eBook by the Author.

All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Release Date: 10/10/23

Read Date: 9/26/23

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴  79 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

 𝘐 𝘚𝘖 𝘛𝘏𝘖𝘙𝘖𝘜𝘎𝘏𝘓𝘠 𝘌𝘕𝘑𝘖𝘠𝘌𝘋 𝘛𝘏𝘐𝘚 𝘐 𝘙𝘌𝘈𝘋 𝘐𝘛 𝘐𝘕 𝘈 𝘋𝘈𝘠! 𝘞𝘖𝘜𝘓𝘋 𝘓𝘖𝘝𝘌 𝘛𝘖 𝘚𝘌𝘌 𝘐𝘛 𝘐𝘕 𝘔𝘖𝘝𝘐𝘌 𝘍𝘖𝘙𝘔!! 🎬

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞.
𝐎𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜, 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐫.
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 . . . 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬. 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐔𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐮𝐭𝐲.
𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲. “𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧. 𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐚 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐚.”

ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀɴ ᴇ-ᴠᴇʀꜱɪᴏɴ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍʏ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ. ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ.

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 19 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

Check out 

https://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

Until next time, hugs and a cup of tea!

ON SALE In Honor's Defense by Karen Witemeyer

 

I had fun designing this one early morning when I couldn't sleep ☺

In Honor’s Defense - Hanger's Horsemen # 3 by Karen Witemeyer

*** Great Wrap-up to the Series ***

Preach gets his story and his gal!

St. Louis, MO, 1895

33-year-old Luke Davenport, aka Preach, has seen his best friends get married and start lives of their own, but he’s not ready to settle down.  He’s still feelin reckless and in need of purpose.  When he’s called on to round up some cattle rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Demaris has recently lost her brother and now finds herself caring for Nathaniel, a teenage nephew filled with anger and grief, in a place she has no one to lean on.

When their lives are unexpectedly thrown together we get to experience all the sweetness and also some of the danger surrounding their circumstances.

No spoilers, but I loved the sweet horse stall scene (-smile).

Faith Quote: But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:39-40

Favorite Quote No 1: "As he surrendered to unconsciousness, he released all thoughts save. She’d called him Luke. Not Preach or Corporal or Davenport. But Luke. The man beneath the warrior."

Favorite Quote No 2: The intimacy between him and Demaris just kept growing, like plant shoots undeterred by cobblestones, winding through tiny crevices to sprout greet in the midst of a stone street. (Isn’t that just beautiful imagery?)

Tea Quote: “Let me fix you a cup of tea.” “Just don’t let her fix you anything else,” Mr. Hanger said with a chuckle. His wife slapped at his arm.

I was gifted a book for my honest review.  All opinions are my own without further compensation or expectation. 

Karen Witemeyer is an award-winning, talented, sweet, and approachable author. She wrote the sweetest dedication to us, her Posse, in the front of the book!  Check out her Posse FB page to connect with her.

4 STARS        

SERIES: Hanger's Horsemen

1) At Love's Command - June 2020

2) The Heart’s Charge – June 2021

3) In Honor’s Defense – June 2022

The first two books are 30% off and this latest is 40% off - click the link below!

 Publisher’s Synopsis:

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life--for respect, for country, and most recently, for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nate, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have.

When Nate stumbles into the path of the rustlers Luke is tracking, Luke acts to protect him and winds up gravely injured. Feeling indebted, Damaris nurses Luke back to health. But suspicions grow regarding the death of her brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

CLICK HERE for link to pre-order sale!

A Trio Of Christmas Historical Novellas

 

 

Under the Christmas Mistletoe – A Trio of Christmas Historical Romance Novellas

 *** Comforting Reminders of What We Desire Christmas to Be ***

A Texas Christmas Carol

It is so well written. I absolutely loved it; especially the angels. This story is so, so clever. And I had tears coming down at the end. I am thankful Karen Witemeyer took the time to rework a classic into a new little piece of magic that honors our Lord and Savior.  

“It’s not the size of the gift that pleases our Lord, but the heart that gives it.”

(5 stars) read 08/2021

An Archer Family Christmas    

The Archers never disappoint and returning to them is like coming home. Even though I read this story a couple of years ago, I cried all over again. The beauty, love, and fierce devotion of this family pulls you in. I still love it. However, you need not have read any of the Archer-related books to enjoy this story.

(5 stars) read in 11/2019 - Originally appeared in “An Old Fashioned Texas Christmas 2-in-1 Holiday Novella Collection” and 08/2021 Under the Christmas Mistletoe”

Gift of the Heart

An incredibly sweet story of acceptance. Bo and Ruth are drawn to each other and find something they were each missing in their lives.

“When Ruth pushed open the door, warmth from the front room enveloped them like a welcoming hug. …  It left her feeling cherished, pampered. Loved?”

(5 stars) read in 2018 in “The Christmas Heirloom Collection” and again in 2019 in “An Old Fashioned Texas Christmas 2-in-1 Holiday Novella Collection”, 08/2021 in “Under the Christmas Mistletoe”

 Bonuses Features: Why a Baby? A Christmas Devotional, American Christmas traditions of the 19^th century, Christmas recipes

 

These historical stories, encased in a charming cover, are comforting reminders of what we desire Christmas to be.  

Karen Witemeyer kindly sent me a complimentary book in the hopes of a favorable review, with no further compensation or expectation.  5 stars overall

Bethany House Publishing © 08-31-2021

Karen is highly approachable on social media and runs a FB group page called The Posse for devoted followers (we have a great time there!).

The Heart's Charge - Hanger's Horsemen 2 by Karen Witemeyer

 

*** CAPTURED MY HEART AND TOUCHED MY SOUL ***

Seriously, you can never go wrong with a Karen Witemeyer story!  I did not think I could love a series so much (particularly after her Archer family series)!

Llano County, Texas 1894

28-year-old Mark Wallace has a heart the size of Texas and it is evidenced throughout this story! "a gentleman never abandoned a woman in need. Even if she shot at him."  I loved his gentle way with the baby.  Katherine Palmer is the woman who broke his heart and now, 10 years later, that woman needs his help at Harmony House Foundling Home.  I was captivated by their reunion.

Jonah Brooks and Eliza Southerland are guarded, but drawn to each other during the harrowing situation they find themselves in.  Kiddy snatchers have invaded the area.  It was nice having a second romance in the story.  

Faith Quote: Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4

Favorite Quote: "You can't control what people say, what they do, or how they think. All you can control is what you say, do and think.  Control the mind first, son, and the rest will follow.  Pain and anger narrow our vision. Take a higher perspective.  Even the vilest man is made in the image of God and loved by Him." -Jonah's father

Tea Quote: Katherine swallowed the last bit of her tea, her face scrunching at the lukewarm temperature.  Strange how something so perfect when hot left a bad taste in her mouth after the passage of time.

The kids were another interesting layer.  Some of them would be great to read about as older characters, particularly the rail-riding Rawley - leader of the young band of orphans trying to survive on their own.   While tough on the outside, he clearly has a tender-heart.

I received a complimentary book through NetGalley and the Publisher for my honest review.  All opinions are my own without further compensation or expectation. 

Karen Witemeyer is an award-winning talented author, sweet and approachable.  Check out her Posse FB page to connect with her, as well as her website.

5 STARS

SERIES: Hanger's Horsemen

    At Love's Command – June 2020

    The Heart’s Charge – June 2021

Author's Website Synopsis:

One Horseman drawn to an old flame. Another trapped by his past. Neither can ignore the mystery of missing children nor the women determined to intervene.

Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas to deliver a horse, never expecting to deliver a baby as well. The two ex-cavalry officers carry the infant to a nearby foundling home where Mark comes face-to-face with the girl he'd nearly married a decade ago.

After rejecting the suit of the only boy she'd ever loved, Katherine Palmer dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House.

Mulatto, illegitimate, and female, Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold and longs to give children from all backgrounds a place to belong. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her with his courage and quiet kindness, but there are secrets behind his eyes.

When a handful of urchin children go missing, the Horsemen stay to investigate. Working together to find the children, will these two couples find love as well?

THE KISSING TREE - 4 Novellas Rooted in Love by Top Authors

 

💋🌳VERY SWEET READ 🌳💋
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy quick, clean, faith-based stories. Set in Oak Springs, TX spanning over 100 years.

BROKEN LIMBS, MENDED HEARTS BY REGINA JENNINGS
1868
Very Good. Regina Jennings never disappoints. A sweet story of the young man who pined and hoped for a girl, left, got his start in the world, but never forgot her. Despite their rocky past, he set his heart on one day returning to her. After a disaster changed her future forever she was thankful Adam had left & she managed to find a job that fulfilled her. Now he's back and chaos and confusion have come with him.
I liked their innocence and also Adam's strength. He is determined to prove himself to the community and to Bella. I appreciated the faith element in the story.
CATCHPHRASE: Sweet potatoes!
(4 Stars)

INN FOR A SURPRISE BY KAREN WITEMYER
1891
Very sweet story. Barnabas & Phoebe are forced to work together to make Phoebe's dream successful. She's romantic to a fault and he is equally practical. And therein lies the balance they both need. The Kissing Tree has grown in local charm & magic and is beautifully captured in a very special portrait I could easily picture. ❤🌳❤
Quotable: "Perhaps this Inn of Smooching Shrubbery wouldn’t be the disaster he’d imagined."
CATCHPHRASE: Horsefeathers.
(4 Stars)

FROM ROOTS TO SKY BY AMANDA DYKES
1944/45
I really felt the emotions between Luke Hampstead & Hannah Garland; they tugged at my heartstrings. The guessing and second-guessing one does trying to suppose another's person's thoughts or motives were well related.
Quote: He might well die this night. But he would fight for his life with the weapons he had: pencil, paper, and a pen pal he’d never met, halfway across the world in Texas. Where it was warm.
CATCHPHRASE: “Jumpin’ gumdrops!”
(5 Stars)

HEARTWOOD BY NICOLE DEESE
Present Day
The Kissing 💋🌳 is over 💯 years old now & has seen many couples come & go. Abby Brookshire & Griffin Malone have a tangled past. This story takes them beyond their hurts and helps them work through things in tenderness. I like how he called her "Bee" - his pet name for her.
Quote I can truly relate to: “That was the strange thing about grief: Sometimes you wanted to wrap yourself in it like a thick winter quilt, and other times you wanted to throw the blanket to the ground and pretend you wouldn't be cold without it.”
(4 Stars)

I was gifted an eBook from NetGalley & the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own without compensation or further expectation.
4 STARS overall (= very good)

(c) October 13, 2020

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