historical romance

Head In The Clouds by Karen Witemeyer ~Sharing My Review

/ Dora Hiers
Purchase Link~B&N

About the book~

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America’s wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn’t uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon–and intrigues him at the same time. But he can’t afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.
When Isabella’s uncle comes to claim the child–and her inheritance–Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man’s evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

Sharing My Review~

Adelaide Proctor abandons her teaching position to follow the man she believes will provide her with the family she so desperately longs for. Not that Henry Belcher makes her heart race, but she’s waited a long time for him to propose. When she finally catches up to him, she accepts that there won’t be a proposal. Grieving the loss of the family she’d dreamed of, she applies for a governess position, determined to follow God’s cloud, just like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. I love how the title was such an integral part of the story. 
The plot dragged a bit during the narration regarding Lucinda’s journal, but for the most part, I was glued to the pages and couldn’t wait to get back into the story whenever I had a chance. Head in the Clouds is sure to make you consider some deep topics like…why God doesn’t always intervene to prevent suffering. 

I especially appreciate how Gideon and Adelaide come to love each other without the snippy dialog that’s common in many historicals, but rather, from a mutual admiration and respect for one another that develops into something deep and genuine. Adelaide’s inherently clumsy,  creative, stubborn and loyal, and when she tugs a smile from sweet little Isabella, Gideon can’t help but fall for her. As I have come to learn, Karen Witemeyer books never disappoint! Head in the Clouds is another awesome read that will keep your head in the pages. Pure enjoyment!

Disclosure: I scooped up Head in the Clouds while it was offered free on Amazon. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.

Have you read FOR LOVE OR LOYALTY by Jennifer Hudson Taylor?

/ Dora Hiers
Purchase Link

For Love or Loyalty ~Book 1
One conquest could destroy her, but avenge his family.
Scotland to Carolina, 1760

For Love or Loyalty is the story of a highlander seeking revenge, but when the bargaining price becomes too great of a moral sacrifice, he must find a way to reverse his deeds and save the woman he loves.

Malcolm MacGregor vows to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. When the opportunity arises, Malcolm decides to use Duncan’s daughter as the bargaining price. Lauren Campbell is the perfect answer, until she begins chipping away at the bitterness in Malcolm’s heart and changing everything. Her bold faith and forgiveness ignites guilt he would rather avoid and a love he doesn’t deserve.

Lauren Campbell never expected to discover such a caring and protective man behind the façade of Malcolm MacGregor’s fierce reputation. When they arrive in America, things turn against them, and Lauren finds herself in a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma of freeing the rest of his family or rescuing Lauren, but time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle. 

Sharing my thoughts~

“I shall get revenge for our family an’ the whole MacGregor Clan. The Campbells have wronged us for two centuries.”

Revenge is an age old plot driver, but Hudson Taylor breathes fresh life into it. And she does it sooo well. Exciting conflict rages through the start of this book. The Campbells have always treated the MacGregor clan as unworthy peasants, but this last atrocity sends Malcolm to the Carolinas, bent on exacting revenge while he attempts to rescue his family. Even while revenge and conflict ravages his heart, he makes an appealing hero, and I can totally see why Lauren falls for him.

Don’t let the Scottish brogue stop you from picking up this book. After a few minutes, reading it becomes easy and comfortable, but that’s not so with other elements of the book. Many times I found my fingers clenching the arms of my recliner, especially during a particularly intense predicament Lauren found herself in. Normally rock-solid in her faith, Lauren questioned why God left her in that awful spot, a reaction I think most of us can relate to.

“Lord, please have mercy on us, ” Lauren whispered.

“I see ye’re on speaking terms with God again.” Malcolm rubbed his chin as he continued to stare at their company.

How could he tease her at a moment like this? 
“I have always been on speaking terms with God, especially now.” Lauren wrung her hands together and took a deep breath to ease her trembling. She feared her ribs would soon start aching again. “God and I just had a few weeks of silence. “‘Tis now over.”

Just loved that excerpt! While For Love or Loyalty is a historical, I believe readers of all romance sub-genres will enjoy it as much as I did. Fraught with excitement and danger, bursting with sweet romance, and a promise of two more yummy books in the series, you’ll want to scoop this one up fast!

Disclaimer: Sending a huge thank you to Upon the Rock Publishing and Jennifer Hudson Taylor for providing me with an advance review copy of For Love or Loyalty. This review is my opinion, and I received no compensation.

Have you read For Love or Loyalty?
What are your thoughts?
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Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer ~ Sharing My Review

/ Dora Hiers

About the book~
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he’s forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he’s haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind—a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. 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. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, 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 to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna’s outlaw father is dead-set against his daughter courting a preacher?

Sharing My Humble Opinion~
I first met the Archer clan when I read Short Straw Bride. (See my review here.) I loved Short Straw Bride and the author’s unique writing style, so I could hardly wait to get my hands on another one of her books.

Stealing the Preacher picks up with Crock on his way to interview for a preaching position. Certain that God’s will is for him to begin his career ministering to that particular congregation, he’s surprised when a band of outlaws drag him off the train. Not as surprised, or as horrified as Joanna Robbins is when…oops, I don’t want to give away any spoilers. With so many delightful goodies in this book, it’s hard to share a review without giving them away.  

Oh, how I identify with Crock in that sometimes I think I know His will. He’s given me the go-ahead with my plans, wrapped them up all neat and nice and tied with a perfect bow, and then surprises me with a different outcome altogether. This is that kind of story. Does God’s will for Crock entail preaching to the large congregation or ministering to one hurting soul? I enjoyed how this story played out from the first page to the last.  

What an emotionally-charged, fully-developed romance with just the right blend of fun and playful, yet packing a strong and powerful message without “sermonizing.” You never know quite what to expect. On one page I found myself chuckling, and the next, reaching for the tissues. It had everything I hope for when I pick up a book. Karen Witemeyer definitely made the top of my “must read” list with Stealing the Preacher. 

Stealing the Preacher releases on 6/1 with Bethany House Publishers, but you can preorder it here.

Disclaimer: Sending a huge thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.

What about you? 
Have your God-inspired plans ever gone astray?
Did His plan unravel differently than you anticipated?
Care to share your story?

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