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’d determined to escape—which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna 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 had 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?

Stealing the Preacher is the second book in the series about the Archer brothers. The first is Short-Straw Bride. It’s advised, but not essential to read them in order.

“I’m losin’ patience, folks….If the preacher man don’t fess up, I’m liable to get a might upset. And my trigger finger tends to get twitchy when I’m upset.” Poor Crockett. He has his heart set on being the new pastor at a church in Brenham, Texas. But (sort of) reformed criminal, Silas Robbins, has other plans for the “preacher man” on the train. 

This is another winner for Karen Witemeyer. (Can she write anything but…?) The hero and heroine are right for each other without their story being sappy. The plot is appealing with a touch of humor, satisfying romance, and instances of life-threatening drama. 

Crockett might be a pastor by trade, but he’s not presented as unapproachable, or put on a pedestal, characteristics we sometimes apply to our own pastors. He’s down-to-earth, strong, and intelligent. 

Joanna is sweet with a backbone that hardens to iron when it comes to those she cares about. It’s easy to see why Crockett falls for her. From her concern over her father and others, we get the idea she’d be a wonderful preacher’s wife. 

But, for me, Joanna’s father (Silas) was the most interesting character. In many ways, this was his tale. Without him there would be little story, and several scenes are in his point of view. The spiritual component revolves around him, as does the climax. His character is a contradiction you want to root for.

Then there’s Jackson. Don’t even get me started on how much I’d like to see him as an adult. 

I figure there’s one more book in this series (one more brother left unmarried), and I’m anxious to see who the lucky heroine is for that story. I have a thought, but I’m not sure it’s the same as Ms. Witemeyer’s.

So, if you’re looking for a well-written, fast-paced, romantic read to fill the hours during this upcoming holiday or vacation, check out Stealing the Preacher.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This story came to me free from the publisher, Bethany House, with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

When U.S. DEA Special Agent Lelisa Desmond refuses to follow an order to bury evidence in a high profile case, her superior hires a hit man to kill her deep in the ocean off Grand CaymanIsland. Lelisa survives the first attempt on her life, but someone close to her is mistakenly murdered in her place. 

With no one to trust, Lelisa enlists Inspector Alec Dyer for help but learns she’s his number one suspect in the scuba diving homicide. She sets off on a daring mission to bring down the man who ordered her execution. A man in a high position, with powerful friends. A man who will stop at nothing to silence her forever in order to hide his son’s crimes. 

~~~

Dianna T. Benson is a 2011 Genesis Winner, a 2011 Genesis double Semi-Finalist, a 2010 Daphne de Maurier Finalist, and a 2007 Golden Palm Finalist. In 2012, she signed a nine-book contract with Ellechor Publishing House. Her first book, The Hidden Son, released in print world-wide March 1, 2013.

After majoring in communications and a ten-year career as a travel agent, Dianna left the travel industry to earn her EMS degree. An EMT and a Haz-Mat and FEMA Operative since 2005, she loves the adrenaline rush of responding to medical emergencies and helping people in need. Her suspense novels about adventurous characters thrown into tremendous circumstances provide readers with a similar kind of rush.

Dianna lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three athletic children.

Website: www.diannatbenson.com

I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers.

The daughter of immigrants who fled the Irish Potato Famine, Rose Meehan longs for a better life than the tenements of New York City. Courted by two men–a young doctor who represents material security, and a poor violin instructor who has captured her heart–she must choose between a life of advantage-grabbing or a life of faith. When Manhattan explodes in mob rule following Lincoln’s unpopular draft, the heroic action of one suitor brings provision for Rose’s loved ones, and reveals God’s plan.

Writing short fiction is often harder than writing full-length fiction. Though every word should count in a novel, that rule is especially true in a novella where the author has to tell a full-fledged story in less than forty thousand words. With Bachelor Buttons, Ms. Maher packs a lot into less than twenty thousand and proves good things can come in small packages. 

This story (the author’s debut) is included in Murray Pura’s American Civil War Series: Cry of Freedom, Volume 3. It’s available as an ebook only.

Because Ms. Maher does a superb job with the terminology and expressions, I couldn’t help but read this novella with a strong Irish brogue. And learning the author based it on the real-life romance of her great-great grandmother made it even more interesting.

Rose is in love with one man, but courted by two. In the beginning, there were times I wondered if I was going to like her or why the men even liked her. It seemed she was a bit vain and was stringing both of them along. Once her family situation became clear, I understood her actions better and sympathized with her over her quandary. The true hero of this book is, literally the romantic hero. Rose learns a lot from him, including how to talk to God. 

While this is a romance, when she’s taken to an area considered off limits, Rose must face her bigotry—a bigotry that contributes to the Irish community’s riot against what they consider an unfair practice during the war. (Read Kathleen Maher’s guest post about the riot here.) Bachelor Buttons moves quickly with well-drawn characters and writing that sweeps the reader into New York City in the 1860′s. 

So, if you enjoy romance and/or stories about lesser known events involving the Civil War, you’ll enjoy spending the time with Rose, William, and Ian as they “live through” a sad era in America’s history.

P. S.: There’s even a romantic twist at the end of this tale.

It seems to me novellas are becoming more popular. Do you like to read them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Disclosure of Material Connection: This story came to me free from the author with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I’m on the Writing Prompts blog today giving my opinions (what else is new?) on 3 Questions Wednesday. Come join us and give yours.  

And, since this is Wednesday, it’s also my day to host on the Seriously Write blog. Johnnie Alexander Donley discusses “Breathing Life into Your Heroine.” Do you have a particular method for bringing a character to life?

Her brother is missing. And her only chance of finding him lies with a combat dog that has lost his edge.

All Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland wants is her brother back. The US Marine Corps says he’s dead, but Aspen won’t believe it till she sees his body. Her only hope is her brother’s tracking dog, Talon, but a brutal attack has left the dog afraid of his own shadow.The truth is something Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markoski has never faced. But now it’s the only thing that can save him—along with Talon’s help. But working with Talon means teaming up with Aspen as well, and Dane swore he’d never work with a woman.

Eventually they join forces to battle the elements and extremists. But if Talon can’t rise up to his former glory for one last mission, the only outcome for all three will be game over.

I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers.

All Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland wants is her brother back. The US Marine Corps says he’s dead, but Aspen won’t believe it till she sees his body. Her only hope is her brother’s tracking dog, Talon, but a brutal attack has left the dog afraid of his own shadow.The truth is something Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markoski has never faced. But now it’s the only thing that can save him—along with Talon’s help. But working with Talon means teaming up with Aspen as well, and Dane swore he’d never work with a woman.

Eventually they join forces to battle the elements and extremists. But if Talon can’t rise up to his former glory for one last mission, the only outcome for all three will be game over.

Talon is the second book in Ronie Kendig’s A Breed Apart series. You’ll find my review for Trinity (the first novel) here. The third novel, Beowulf…Explosives Detection Dog releases in January 2014.

“Don’t. Trust. Me….Don’t ever trust me.” While Aspen isn’t sure how to take Dane’s warning, the reader isn’t sure who to trust in this story. The twists and turns are everywhere. But this is romantic suspense, so we know she trusts him at some point. Or do we?

Dane is the ultimate bad boy. His tragic and violent past has bled into his present. He’s built a figurative stone wall around himself and suppresses his emotions. At the same time, he’s craves that emotion as well as evidence of God’s presence. It’s why, when he feels threatened or confused, his sanctuary is…a church sanctuary.

Aspen, a dog handler for A Breed Apart, knocks a hole in Dane’s protective wall while they pursue her missing brother…each for a different reason. She wants the truth behind Austin’s presumed death, and Dane wants to know what happened to his protégé. The key to finding Aspen’s brother lies in the abilities of a highly-trained, tracking dog suffering from PTSD. Together, they come face-to-face with evil for a thrilling climax in which Talon plays a key role. 

The cast of characters in this story involves many from the first one, and Ms. Kendig does a great job in ratcheting up the reader’s anticipation over the next romance. 

There was one question about siblings left unanswered. To keep the cat in the bag, I won’t ask it here, but maybe the author will answer it in a future book. Also, a few chapters in the first third of the novel moved a bit slow for me (compared to the rest)—though, definitely not ho-hum. Afterwards, the action flies. So, do yourself a favor and eliminate frustration by allowing yourself plenty time in each sitting to read. Once you open it, you won’t want to shut the book.

In summary, all I have to say is, “Bring on Beowulf!”

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think of it? Of Trinity? Have you ever met/handled a military war dog? A police dog? 

Disclosure of Material Connection: This story came to me free from Barbour Publishing with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.