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,
Love and Order: A Three-Part Old West Romantic Mystery
What a Ride! 🐎
Calliope, Andromeda, and Orion Braddock and their respective
love interests made for such an interesting novel. Being comprised of novellas,
switching points of view were very enjoyable I found. However, Calliope's
& Joe's story was a bit rushed.
Despite that, the book held my interest. There is
palpable evil and darkness, but a strong faith throughout. This tale is Western
in every sense.
QUOTABLE:
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Court’s in session. All you mulligrubs in
the back of the courtroom keep your traps shut and give these fellers up front
a chance to talk.”
I've never read Jennifer Uhlarik's work before, but based on
this I'm interested in reading more.
I received an eVersion from the publisher and
NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or
compensation. 448 pages Expected to be published 4/1/2025by Barbour Fiction
Until next time, Hugs and Cup of Tea Heather Elizabeth
Today, a missionary couple came to my church. It just so happened that Joi Copeland also writes my genre of choice: Christian, Historical Fiction! Whaaaat?!
It's true!
She and her husband also live with two of their 3 sons in Ireland 😯🥳. Be still my 💚. My Irish roots have been traced back to the 1600s (thanks Daddy!).
Anyway, when I went home & joined her newsletter, I was gifted this novella which I immediately sat down & read. I really enjoyed it & even shed some tears. It's a gritty Western but points the reader to Jesus & His redeeming love. Sheriff Cord is also the preacher, all set to meet his mail-order bride. Patience plans to deliver the bad news her twin, Prudence, had other plans, & isn't coming. Some REALLY bad men rob the stage & things take quite a turn.
Not only do I have a new author I am excited about, but now I have a lovely new friend I am looking forward to getting to know better.
Free Download. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
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?
Well, friends, I am suffering from a chest cold so this review will be short and sweet.
***LIKE A BULLET, THIS STORY LEAPS OFF THE PAGE AND DOESN’T SLOW DOWN***
Sierra Nevada Mountains – June 1868
Beginning where “The Reluctant Warrior” left off this book is by far the best in the trilogy! I really enjoyed it.
John McCall, a Pinkerton agent, has helped haul in the man he just shot to the town of Dismal, NV. Penny Scott is a strong frontierswoman and ready to give her account of the day’s events to the sheriff. She can take care of herself. But, when trouble finds them both and McCall offers to die for her, a long adventurous fight for their lives follows. The story is romantic, outlandish with the disguises and harrowing at times in the rough boomtowns and terrain of mountains, lakes, old mining shacks and wilderness. I enjoyed Penny’s and John’s chemistry. Our previous characters return as well, which rounds out the story nicely. This group is fiercely protective of each other and won’t stop until everyone is safe and justice found.
The only tea reference (albeit slim) I found: “the front windows let in enough light that they managed to not fall tail over tea kettle to the ground floor.”
Copy provided by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley with no other compensation. I am not required to provide a favorable review and my opinion is my own. Please read other reviews for a more well-rounded purchasing decision.
High Sierra Sweethearts Series:
1 – The Accidental Guardian – April 2018☆☆☆☆☆
2 – The Reluctant Warrior – October 2018 ☆☆☆
3 – The Unexpected Champion – coming March 5, 2019☆☆☆☆☆
Louisa Bell, with the captivating voice, is the star performer at the Cat-Eye Saloon, until she’s not! Private Bradley Willis, her act-before-you-think little brother, is stationed at Ft. Reno in Indian Territory. Word has it he’s found trouble… again. Being desperate for work and a roof, and determined to find a way to help her brother, she heads off for the fort with as many dancehall dresses as she can manage. In her mind, soldiers must need entertainment.
Along the way, she meets a kindly Mennonite woman, Mrs. Sheridan, who is also headed to the fort to become a governess to Major Daniel Adams children. However, an awful case of hay fever has changed those plans. She is distraught at not being able to deliver the chest of books she has brought for the Major. Louisa offers to take them for her. Mrs. Sheridan is grateful, and leaves her “a more serviceable blouse and skirt; so she won’t ruin her fine things traveling in a coach.”
Ch. 3 “May God make your trip good and no sinning and everything good,” Louisa said. Mrs. Townsend’s eyes twinkled. “That, my dear, is the most original benediction I’ve ever received.”
I absolutely loved the way Daniel and Louisa met for the first time. It is so unique I won’t spoil it here. Later, when Louisa arrives at the fort, Lt. Jack Hennessey mistakes her for the new Mennonite governess, and she decides not to correct him or reveal her relationship to Bradley Willis. Privately, she pulls him aside to describe her account of an accident befalling one of the troopers. The details send Jack into a fit of laughter he has a hard time hiding. Jack has a big heart, and often a twinkle in his eye. I hope to learn more of his story in future installments. He shows Louisa to her “quarters”; Major Adams home! She soon meets his rowdy daughters, Caroline & Daisy, who aren’t the small children she was expecting. How will she possibly be able to teach them anything?
Major Adams is a no-nonsense, widower of ten years. He has worked hard to climb the ranks of the military, and he expects the same of his soldiers. When Private Willis decides to blow off steam by drinking and shooting out lanterns on the base, he throws him in the guard house. But the WAY he did it, gives him pause. Meanwhile, he’s had all he can take of his bickering daughters and decides it’s high time to bring in reinforcements. A stern, older teacher from the Mennonite community that he respects so much should make a perfect governess for his girls, and hopefully, keep his busy-body mother-in-law at bay.
I enjoyed this historical, Christian romance, and recommend it to others.
See a 4-minute video shot by the author at Fort Reno, OK here:
I received a copy from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.
Read: 1/8/2018 - Reviewed: 1/9/2018
5 stars
Reviews posted to:CBD / GOODREADS / Amazon.com / Amazon.CA, Amazon.Co.Uk / Barnes And Noble / GOODREADS / My Pinterest / BooksAMillion / Indigo.CA / My FB page / DeeperShopping / Google Play / Kobo / Scribd.com unable to post NOT LISTED ON SITE / Author’s FB page
