Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! My review of "Stealing the Preacher" by Karen Witemeyer

about the book....

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.

my review....

From the eye-catching cover to the fun story contained within its pages, "Stealing the Preacher" is sure to please fans of historical romances. Normally I don't gravitate towards distinctly romantic novels myself, but after enjoying "Short-Straw Bride" so much, I just had to see what happened next to the Archer clan...and I'm glad I did! Crockett and Joanna are fantastic characters, providing lots of humorous moments, entertaining dialogue, and plenty of "aww-shucks!" scenes. The story moves along well with page-turning drama, and I enjoyed the historical details that the author weaves into the book. I also found myself surprisingly moved at some of the scenes, particularly those between Joanna and her father and a few other moments that I won't mention for fear of spoiling the plot. I most appreciated the zeal that both Joanne and Crockett have for winning people for Jesus, for offering hope and reconciliation, forgiveness and grace. A story that can not only offer superb entertainment while pointing people to Jesus at the same time is definitely a story worth reading!

If you are looking for a heart-warming romance that celebrates faith and will also have you laughing as well, then "Stealing the Preacher" is just the book you are looking for. I award this book a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 about the author....

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.