Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

I get that.Īt the start of the story, Crockett has a plan for his life, and he’s disappointed when it doesn’t turn out the way he expected. Crockett is dreamy–maybe I’m biased because I married a preacher!–and Joanna is relatable because she doesn’t see the beauty in herself that others see. They’re fun, first of all, and full of wholesome romance. Her characters are vivid, as well, and I find myself smiling when I read her books. Witemeyer sets her stories in 19th century Texas and I love the setting. Is Crockett Archer the man she prayed for? When her father arrives home with a preacher in tow–one he kidnapped–Joanna is both outraged and hopeful. Joanna’s church has set empty for two years and what she wants more than anything is a preacher to fill the pulpit and to revive the church. Ex-outlaw Silas Robbins will do anything for his only daughter Joanna, including holding up a train and kidnapping a preacher. Not a bad deal.Īnd let me tell you, this book was worth the wait, which is also part of the theme I took away from it.Ĭrockett Archer (who is one of the brothers from Short-Straw Bride, a story that reminded me of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) is on his way to audition for a preaching job when the train he’s riding on is stopped by bandits who aren’t out for material possessions. In the end, I received a free digital copy from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review. I entered giveaways aplenty to try to win myself a copy but no such luck.

I’d read two of her books in preparation for the writing conference so I could be familiar with her work, and I enjoyed the books, our conversation and her writing expertise so much, I bought another of her books and eagerly awaited the release of her newest, Stealing the Preacher. Three of them are now married but maybe she will do a book around the youngest brother Neil.In late April, I met Karen Witemeyer at a writing conference. Interestingly, Crockett Archer is one of the Archer brothers from Short-Straw Bride. The story has all the necessary components for a good western - shooting, bandits, a sheriff, a boardinghouse owner, a handsome hero and sweet romance. Joanna's father, a reformed train robber, wants to give his daughter something special for her birthday, and when he hears she wants a preacher for the forgotten little church nearby, that's what she gets - whether the preacher wants to come or not! Here's a good ole' western story sure to entertain. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

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. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister.

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer