Bookshelf Friday -Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

My first Karen Witemeyer book was Short Straw Bride. Reading it, I fell in love with Karen's wit and romance and couldn't wait to read more of her books. Her newest, Stealing the Preacher, recently released and it didn't disappoint. Here's a short blurb:

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. 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. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, 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 to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

All right. First off I was beyond excited to get to see Crockett again. He is one of the Archer brothers introduced in Short Straw Bride, and I'd hoped to see again. As a reader, I love it when a strong secondary character gets his own book. I love meeting them again, watching them take center stage and capture their very own Happily Ever After. Crockett was no exception.

I also loved the backwards way Crockett and Joanna met. The way it was written had me chuckling, while immediately endearing me to Crockett and Joanna, along with her father Silas. His story was integral to this book, setting a strong bond between Crockett and Joanna and lending a beautiful spiritual thread to the pages.

As I read, it became clear that Stealing the Preacher was a perfect title, not only because of their initial meeting but because of the way Joanna slowly steals Crockett's heart. Not only does their humor match well, but so do their hearts for God. Both seem to have a similar mission in life, this fact drawing them even closer to one another. Both were strong characters individually who only became stronger together.

Now for my suggestion...if you haven't read Short Straw Bride (where you'll first meet Crockett), may I suggest you do? No, it's not necessary before reading Stealing the Preacher, but Karen Witemeyer's writing is something you don't want to miss. Even for my friends who aren't big into Historical, Karen's books pull them in. So start with these two, then while you're waiting for her next release, you can move on to her others. You won't be disappointed.

Check out more about Karen and her books at: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/