Audible Book Review: At Love's Command, Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1, by Karen Witemeyer

This is a lovely, western, historical romance.
At Love's Command
By: Karen Witemeyer
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Series: Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 06-09-20
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. 
They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving. Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.
Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything - even his team - to save her.
©2020 Karen Witemeyer (P)2020 Recorded Books

Review:
Matthew Hanger is an ex-cavalry officer leading a mercenary group that battles evil in 1890s Texas. The band, known as Hanger’s Horsemen, is legendary as they seek out justice against the outlaws and defend the innocent and oppressed. Of course, that makes them the target of outlaws. One of the Horsemen has suffered a bullet wound so the team heads to the nearest town to seek out the doctor, where they are surprised to find a female doctor.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men questioning her medical skills, but she knows she is the one who can help their injured companion. Matt, after momentary reluctance, agrees to assist Dr. Josephine in the surgery. Over several days of recovery, the team grows to respect Dr. Josephine even as she learns to respect the care and dedication of the men for each other and for the doing good to help others.

Shortly after the Horseman leave the Doctor, she opens a letter telling her that her brother is in the hands of outlaws and her father is refusing to pay the ransom. Dr. Josephine knows who she has to get to help her brother and she takes off to retrieve the Horseman.

The author has created wonderfully strong, caring characters who live with integrity. It is delightful to ‘watch’ these independent and confident individuals grow in their regard for each other. The other supporting characters, including one dubbed “Preacher” and a well-trained horse, are well developed also. I enjoyed the underlying faith and growth in God’s command over the situation. The story includes an issue of redemption which is nicely presented. The only reason I am not giving it a full five star rating is that some of the ‘heroics’ are rather over the top.

This is the fourth story I have enjoyed by Ms. Witemeyer and I plan to read more. I recommend this series and this author to readers who enjoy faith based, western historical romance.

Audio Notes: Amy Rubinate does a lovely job with the narration. She delivers clear and distinct voices with intonation fitting the scenes. The narration increased my enjoyment of the story.

12/18/2021 November Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations

This collection is Delightful!
The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations
Written By: Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Becky Wade, Karen Witemeyer
Narrated By: Pilar Witherspoon, Liz Pearce, Stephanie Cozart, Emily Pike Stewart

Duration: 12 hours 53 minutes
Release date: 10-04-18
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Christmas, Collection, Historical, Inspirational, Religious, Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Summary
In Kristi Ann Hunter's 'Legacy of Love,' Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station. In Karen Witemeyer's 'Gift of the Heart,' widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love. In Sarah Loudin Thomas's 'A Shot at Love,' Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance. In Becky Wade's 'Because of You,' Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

Review:
There are four lovely stories here that celebrate love at Christmas time. The stories are connected by a family brooch that was given originally by a man to show his love for his wife.

The first story, Legacy of Love, is set in 1827, Lancashire, England. When the giver of the brooch died, the wife became the Dowager Countess of Densbury The arrogant wife of the eldest grandson had little use for the dowager’s lower class companion, Sarah. When the daughter-in-law took over the main home, she pushed the dowager and Sarah to a smaller property right before Christmas. The third son in the family was particularly close to his grandmother and took the time to visit as they prepared for the holiday. He shares time with Sarah as they take care of the ailing woman. As the grandmother prepares her last Christmas gifts for her staff, she gifts her precious, beloved brooch to Sarah.

In Gift of the Heart, widow Ruth Albright struggles to make a home for herself and her young daughter in 1890 Hope Springs, Texas. Ruth refuses to sell the family broach but instead she approaches her landlord, who owns the local resort and many other properties in town. She asks for a loan with the brooch as collateral. The wealthy businessman has a disability that has kept him set apart from most people. But this brave young woman isn’t fazed by his disability, and he finds great respect for Ruth and her adorable daughter.

Next, in A Shot at Love, the brooch is passed by an Aunt to her tomboy niece, Fleeta. Set in 1958 West Virginia, Fleeta thinks perhaps she can live a life on her own terms by opening a gun shop. She doesn’t plan to marry as she has never met a man who appreciates her independence and who interests her. Then she meets a fellow hunter visiting from the south and her heart changes.

Finally, in the 1980s, the brooch appears in Merryweather, Washington. In Because of You, Maggie has been in love with Leo since college days. But her best friend snagged him first and, even though he is a widow now with a young son, Maggie doesn’t feel she can betray her best friend. Maggie and Leo are assigned to work together for a church Christmas project. While pulling out family ornaments, she discovers a special family brooch. Can the special brooch help Maggie find love as it has the women of her past?

I think my favorites were the first two, but each story is delightful. I really enjoyed how the brooch played a part in each romance and how each romance culminated at Christmas. There is a very lowkey element of faith that added to my enjoyment. I recommend this to anyone needing and uplift of gentle romance at Christmas.

Audio Notes: The four narrators, Pilar Witherspoon, Liz Pearce, Stephanie Cozart, and Emily Pike Stewart, do a wonderful job on the presentation. The voices fit each story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of these stories.

Source: December 2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

I enjoyed this charming and suspenseful western historical romance.

A Worthy Pursuit
By Karen Witemeyer
Narrated By: Barbara McCulloh

Duration: 11 h 7 min
Date: June 2015
Bethany House Publishers // Recorded Books
Genre: Historical Romance, Inspirational, Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear? Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts. Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them. When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim? Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.

Review:
Charlotte is unhappy when the school where she works closes down. She has three special students she wants to protect. Even though she has the rights to take the two boys and young girl, she packs them all up at night, so she won’t have to face Lily’s powerful grandfather. She knows that the man will look for her but she hopes that she has hidden her charges and her trail.

Lily’s grandfather hires Stone Hammond, the best tracker in Texas, to find his kidnapped granddaughter. It has taken some heavy tracking, but Stone has finally found the location of the teacher and orphaned girl. Stone expects to find a wicked school marm using the children as slave labor. Instead, he finds a lovely young woman with three happy children and a protective ‘gnome’ handyman. Charlotte claims to have documentation appointing her as the legal guardian for Lily. He plans to stay and watch her movements until he gets confirmation of her claims. He is surprised to observe the talents of the teacher and children as he waits.

Meanwhile, Stone has to wonder if Lily may be in danger and if he has inadvertently led the threat to her doorstep. When another danger begins to stalk Charlotte and Lily, will Stone be able to keep the small ‘family’ safe?

Charlotte is a caring teacher with a beautiful, Christian heart. She is cautious because she has been let down and betrayed in the past. Still, she is ready to offer healing rather than condemnation even to the man who has come to take her precious Lily. Stone is a wonderfully honorable man who has a reputation for getting the job done. But he is willing to protect the innocent when he learns that evil stalks. As he works beside Charlotte, he realizes that her injured heart is ‘a worthy pursuit’.

There are some nice musical elements in the story. There is gentle development of the relationship between the characters. The Christian foundation is shown through the steadfast characters without having to be preached. I appreciated the message acknowledging God’s control and I enjoyed the suspense that added interest to this lovely story. I want to read more by this author. I recommend this story to fans of clean, historical romance with a touch of danger.

Audio Notes: Barbara McCulloh does a wonderful job with the narration. I really enjoyed her tone, voices and delivery. It fit well with the story and enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 6/3/19 Audiobooks.com 2 for one credit with May credit. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: No Other Will Do (Ladies of Harper's Station Series, Book #1) by Karen Witemeyer

I really liked this historical romance!
No Other Will Do (Ladies of Harper's Station Series, Book #1)
by Karen Witemeyer
Narrator Johanna Parker

Runtime 11 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher Recorded Books
Genre: Christian Romance, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Description:
Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one. Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve. As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.

Review:
Emma Chandler was raised by her spinster Aunts in a small Texas town. As a young girl she rescued a starving, freezing boy she found in their barn. The two are best of friends for a couple of years until Malachi is driven out of town. Emma continues to pursue her dreams to provide a women’s colony as a sanctuary for abused women.

Things have been going well in Harper’s Station for several years when suddenly someone is threatening them and trying to drive them out of their own community. Emma and her staunch women aren’t about to back down without a fight. But Emma knows she needs help and she calls in the one man she knows she can trust – her childhood friend, Malachi.

Malachi is quick to respond to the call of the girl who saved his life. He is ready to help protect her and her community, but he will struggle to keep his distance from the woman he so admires.

I was immediately drawn by the young characters of Malachi and Emma and loved their maturity when they meet as adults and try to resist their obvious feelings. Ms. Witemeyer provides a plot with building mystery, intrigue and danger along with a sweet, tentative romance. The story moved along quickly, and I found it delightful. I will be picking up more titles by Ms. Witemeyer. I recommend this to readers who enjoy Historical Romance.

Audio Notes: Johanna Parker does a lovely job with the narration. She provides appropriate voices for the characters and fitting energy. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: Sale at ChristianAudio.com July 2017. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.