Karen Witemeyer

Review: Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

June 1, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

What a unique and fun read from Karen Witemeyer! Those who read No Other Will Do (the first book of the Ladies of Harper’s Station series) already have an introduction to many of the lovable residents of the town.

In Heart on the Line, readers get a peek into the lives of telegraph operators. And what a peek it was!

My favorite part of this book was the secret language Grace and Amos had developed in their careers. Another fun angle was that Amos isn’t your typical romance hero. He prefers riding a bicycle over a horse, wears glasses, and is mocked by women in his hometown.

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

June 6, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

After reading this book, I was pulling up the book cover online and stumbled across some pictures from the photo shoot from the cover. Those led me to the author’s website. Interestingly, she addressed something that I had thought about while reading this book Several times, I would flip to the cover and think “That’s not what I picture Charlotte looks like”. In fact, I believe I’m in the minority when it comes to people on book covers. I prefer to create my own image of what the characters look like. But, I’m off topic here, let’s talk about a really fun and entertaining book.

Charlotte Atherton flees the school where she’s been teaching for the past three years under the cover of night. The school is closing, and Charlotte has promised to protect one of her students from her grandfather. When someone comes looking for them a couple months later, Charlotte doesn’t know what to do. The stranger seems to believe her story and want to do the right thing, but again, she knows nothing about the man. Well, other than he appears to be a character right out of Lily’s dime store novels. Then Stone Hammond saves another child in Charlotte’s care and he opinion of him improves. Stone Hammond is the best retriever out there. What he goes after, he gets. So how were his instincts so wrong this time? He realizes Charlotte is telling the truth about being the rightful guardian of the girl he’d been sent to bring home. Now, the children as well as Charlotte are making their way into his heart.

This book was hard to put down. I actually picked it up Friday night after a long work week and relax before bed. Yeah, the next thing I knew it was one in the morning and I was forcing myself to turn off the light and get some sleep with the promise of finishing it when I awoke. And finish it, I did. The attraction between Charlotte and Stone is almost instantaneous. Both feel the pull, both try to resist. In addition to his tough exterior and swift mind, Stone’s protectiveness of this little group he’s stumbled upon makes him more swoon worthy. Charlotte’s nurturing personality, her willingness to give up everything to help three children, and her own heartbreak make her someone you will cheer for. Now if only the two can overcome several obstacles (Charlotte’s past, Lily’s grandfather, a lack of trust), they can get on with their HEA.

What I like about Witemeyer’s books is that while they are considered historical fiction because they are not set in the past, they are not bogged down with historical facts and figures. Her stories carry themselves. This one had the fun addition of the three children, each special in their own way. Lily’s love of dime store novels and her infatuation with One Eyed Dan (who I’m hoping gets the Witemeyer treatment) is contagious. John’s quiet and shy manner is sweet. Stephen’s big brother protectiveness of those around him is cute. There was one plot twist regarding Charlotte’s grumpy caretaker that I imagined happening that never came to fruition. But, I can pretend it did.

***Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

June 16, 2014 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Nicole Renard is on a mission for her father. She is determined not to fail. She must find an heir for her father’s shipping business. Before she leaves on her journey from Galveston, Texas to New Orleans, her plans go awry. She improvises quickly and ends up in the small town of Liberty, Texas with too little money to continue on to New Orleans. Her search for a job leads her to the eccentric Darius Thornton.

Darius needs a secretary, someone to help him get organized. He’s too busy working on his boiler experiments to spend the time to decipher his notes. When someone finally applies for the secretary position, he’s ready to hire the man. He’s shocked when a woman enters his home to interview for the position. She proves herself intelligent and capable from the get-go.

As Nicole and Darius spend more time together, they both grow to admire the other person and their attraction begins to grow. Darius is determined not to let anything, not even the beautiful, intelligent Nicole, take him from his experiments. Nicole’s promise to her father keeps her from being able to give her heart to a man she is beginning to care deeply for.

Karen Witemeyer’s historical fiction is touching and engaging. Nicole is spirited and feisty, she speaks her mind, and makes no apology for who she is. Darius is tortured and in need of someone to take care of him. Both of the characters have some flaws and at times, as a reader, I wanted ring their necks, but that made them more human. The story was engaging, entertaining, and even a little educational.

****Bethany House Publishers provided me with a free eCopy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. I was not compensated in any way for either a negative or a positive review.