Review: Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Book Info: Date Published: June 1, 2013 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 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?

Karen Witemeyer is a bestselling historical romance author who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from Abilene Christian University and is a member of ACFW, RWA, and her local writers’ guild. Stealing the Preacher is her fifth novel. Karen lives with her husband and three children in Abilene, Texas. You can find Karen Here: Website  Facebook  Blog

  “”If I were going to instigate a courtship with a kiss,” he murmured, ” it wouldn’t be a quick peck on the forehead.” He tightened his grip on her shoulders as he spoke.

  “It wouldn’t?” She swayed toward him slightly. Crockett shook his head, his eyes never leaving her upturned face.

  “What would it be?” Her breathy question dissolved the last of his reserve.

  “This.” Crockett drew her toward him and lowered his head. He stopped a fraction of an inch from her mouth. Gave her a final chance to change her mind and pull away. When she made no move beyond shifting her focus from his eyes to his lips, he closed the last of the distance.

  His mouth covered hers. Instinctively, he tugged her closer. She came to him– her hands on his waist, the feathery touch speeding his already charging pulse.

  Releasing her shoulders, he slid his palms around to her back. She felt so good in his arms, so right. He wanted to hold her there forever, to kiss her until they both forgot everything else.

  He deepened the kiss.

  She startled at the change, then softened against him. But her momentary shock was enough to bring him back to his senses.

  Swallowing a groan of reluctance, Crockett lifted his head. Joanna rose up on her tiptoes as if to follow, but his greater height kept her from her goal.

  His hands shook slightly as he released her. Merciful heavens. He’d never experienced anything so intense. So exhilarating. And terrifying. It was as if some element of his very being had been altered.

  Had she felt it, too?

  Joanna’s eyes flickered open, and a pretty pink blush washed over the pale freckles bridging her cheeks. Her eyes, now more blue than gray, gazed up at him with a wonderfully bemused expression–one that filled his heart with tenderness.

  And protectiveness.”

Sigh… Come on, admit it! I know you sighed too. What a scene! Although there were SEVERAL scenes in this book I wanted to share, I couldn’t very well share the WHOLE book now could I? So, alas, I had to choose just one. I LOVE this scene. It was the epitome of what a first kiss should be. What all girls dream of. Tell the truth, now. You’ve had dreams like this at some point. I know I sure have. The all-you-ever-dreamed-a-first-kiss-would-be dreams. The tenderness Crockett displayed, and the love they feel for each other jumps right off the page. This is definitely a kiss to remember.

Joanna Robbins: A more ideal woman there could never be. She is strong through tough times. The square-your-shoulders-and-get-the-job-done kind of strong. She is devout, humble, loyal. Always serving others and holding her tongue regardless of how much she wants to speak her mind. She loves with her whole heart and expects no less.


Crockett Archer: Not your average man of God. Although he is devoted to God and his calling, he also knows how to protect what’s his. Growing up helping protect his brothers and their ranch has taught him a thing or two. He’s quick with a gun, can ride with the best of them and works harder than any man wants to. But he also has a very tender side that draws people in. He is my type of hero.


Silas Robbins: Ex-outlaw turned rancher. Silas is hard on the surface with a tenderness on the inside that is rarely seen. He loves those closest to him with a fierceness that’s unrivaled. And he fights his demons with the same fierceness.

Sigh… Yep you guessed it. I love this book. I fell in love with the Archer brothers in Short-Straw Bride and, honestly, I didn’t think book two could be any better. I usually don’t like admitting when I am wrong but, in this case, I’ll do it gladly. Stealing The Preacher was captivating from the very first page and only progressed from there. It touched all the emotions I feel are important when deciding if a book is worthy of a 5 star rating. It had action, drama, romance and spirituality. There were several scenes that touched a deep emotion in me, even to the point of tears. Karen Witemeyer won me over with her book To Win Her Heart, now she keeps me captivated with Stealing The Preacher.

Buy Stealing The Preacher At:
Amazon   Barnes & Noble   Christianbook.com

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Palms

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