A Simply Enchanted Life

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I’d heard really good things.

I have to say—I chose this book because I fell in love with the cover! Who wouldn't see that nearly impish grin and not feel intrigued?!

I somehow just knew this book would have the right amount of humor in it but was pleasantly surprised at the overall theme of salvation. I will definitely read more from this author in the future!

Most young girls ask for jewelry or trinkets for their birthday but Joanna asked for a preacher! When her dad kidnaps Crockett Archer from his train for his daughter—things get a bit interesting!

Crockett is on his way to an interview for another church but it seems that the Lord is calling him in another direction. Plus, he can’t seem to get thoughts of Joanna out of his mind. Joanna’s father also intrigues him and he feels drawn to help win the man to Christ. This leads Crockett from the path he thought he was supposed to be on and down another—one that promises love and redemption for a community.

Though this book had quite a bit of humor in it—there were also some dark themes in it that will leave your heart aching in sympathy for the characters. I haven’t personally experienced the pain that Silas has endured but I do understand his anger against Christianity and preachers in general.

I think this story serves as a reminder that there are evil people in this world who will abuse their leadership in churches and tarnishes the name of Christ. However, we have to guard our hearts against bitterness. I am very impressed with the gospel’s message that was brought to life in this tale.

Concluding Thoughts:
I would love to see a second part to this story about the rest of Crockett’s family—maybe his younger brother? I have no complaints at all about this book except for one small gripe. The name Crockett Archer just didn’t flow off my tongue. I had a hard time forming my thoughts around it for some reason. I wanted to say Crocker Archett—as if the name were a tongue twister. It’s only a small complaint and doesn’t affect the story in any way! Still a 5 star from me!
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Karen Witemeyer is "kindling" the excitement for Stealing the Preacher (Bethany House) with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at her June 18th Facebook Author Chat Party!



 
One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 
  

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at 4pm on June 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Stealing the Preacher" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 18th. Connect with Karen for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Karen will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Find out more about Karen at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.

I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. To view other reviews and learn more about the blog tour for Stealing the Preacher please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’m shamelessly admitting that I read this because of my fascination with Kate and William. I know, I’m an adult but it truly is like a modern fairy tale where the regular girl meets a prince and falls in love.

So, of course this book appealed to the little girl in me that still believes in fairy tales and dashing princes that sweep a fair maiden off her feet.

This book was so cliché—honestly though? Cliché was to be expected and I felt like a little girl again only this time I was reading a fairy tale that was a little more suitable for an adult. I really enjoyed this story and I wouldn’t hesitate to read another book by this author.

Susanna wanted nothing more than to marry her longtime boyfriend and settle down. The problem is? She didn’t realize that she was settling for the idea of love instead of true love. Her heart was broken when she was dumped but part of her was also relieved because deep down she knew that she was looking for true love.

She never expected true love to be a prince that is bound by duty to marry another royal. The truth is, Nathanial never expected to find love at all and now he’s torn between duty and his heart. Ultimately, both Susanna and Nathanial learn that placing their trust in God and submitting to his will for our life will always do us good rather than harm. God has us in the palm of his hand and if we submit to his will then he will give us the desires of our heart.


I truly enjoyed this story. It wasn’t just about finding love but also about pleasing God. While it was a bit cliché as I mentioned earlier—it was to be expected and I wouldn’t have been pleased with any other outcome to the story. I wanted a fairytale and that is exactly what I got!
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Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author of Carol Award winner "Sweet Caroline", and RITA Finalist "Love Starts With Elle", and of the critically acclaimed fiction collaboration with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, "The Songbird Novels". She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets. Rachel earned a degree in Journalism from Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor.

Find out more about Rachel at: http://RachelHauck.com
I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. This giveaway is being sponsored by Litfuse
as part of a blog tour for Once upon a Prince. To view other reviews and learn more about this tour please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was really excited to read this series. Kelly Long has a way of making me want to jump into a book and run away with a fictional character. I have to say—she makes an Amish man sound pretty enticing! I cannot believe how fast I’m reading through this series. I gulped down this book and moved right on to the next which I finished in one day! If you’re looking for Amish romance that is a little more vivid in the romance department—Kelly Long sure has that area down pat. It’s still tasteful but just a little bit sensuous!

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long is the first book in the Patch of Heaven series and takes us into the lives of the King family. Sarah takes comfort in her garden and feels as if she doesn’t really fit in with the women in her community. She isn’t great at quilting fabric—instead she looks at her garden as her quilt. This makes her unique and it catches the interest of the new veterinarian in town. Problem is—he’s not Amish and as much as Sarah wants to deny her feelings, she’s pretty interested in the Doctor.

At the urging of her family, she tries to put the thoughts of Grant Williams out of her mind but after a stolen kiss here or there it just isn’t possible. When Grant makes the decision to leave and let Sarah go so that she is not shunned from her family and taken from her faith—Sarah’s world comes crashing down around her. It is then that her family tries to set her up with her best childhood friend, Jacob. Jacob has always been in love with Sarah and is determined to step in and be there for her if he can. Thing aren’t so easy for Sarah to accept though and while she seeks peace—Grant is seeking something else entirely. I don’t want to spoil it, in fact I’d like to tease you perhaps and make you wonder…

Does Grant return and steal Sarah’s heart or has she found peace in the arms of her best friend? I’ll leave it for you to decide (and hopefully to read!) I think you’ll love it! Just the right touches of romance to make you wish you were able to snag the heart of some handsome man out in the middle of Amish country. A delightful read that has been an absolute pleasure and honor to add to my growing collection of Amish fiction.
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Kelly Long is the author of Sarah's Garden, the first novel in the Patch of Heaven series. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for nearly 25 years and has five children.

Secretly Smitten by Colleen Coble

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book was a bit outside of my normal genre that I usually pick up but the cover is so interesting that I chose to give it a chance. Secretly Smitten is a collection of four novellas written by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. I was not familiar with any of these authors and honestly, I had no idea that this was considered book two. That doesn’t seem to matter. I was able to read and follow the story without any trouble. I thought this book was okay. It didn’t really jump off the page at me and pull me in but it wasn’t awful. I think it was just outside of a genre I really enjoy. It was romance—JUST romance. No other theme. With it being Christian fiction I was actually a little let down that there wasn’t more of a Christian theme. I never really saw the characters praying or the life lessons that I enjoy from Christian fiction. Overall though—not bad. I’m not sure I would read another part but it wasn’t terrible. It simply wasn’t my style, I think.

Love Between the Lines was the first story in this collection. It was written by Colleen Coble and follows the story of Tess Thomas as she tries to solve a mystery involving her Grandmother’s first love who was supposed to have died during war time sixty years ago. Her questions lead her to the attic of a young widower named Ryan. As time is spent with Ryan and his young daughter, Tess begins to open herself up to the possibility of love.

Then we move on to Make Me a Match by Kristin Billerbeck. The second story in this novella collection follows Zoe Thomas as she opens a matchmaking service for the Smitten community. She is determined to find love for everyone else while she is happy being single. That is—until William Singer makes his appearance in town. Zoe may find out that she is in need of love as well!

Story number three is called Knit One. Love Two by Diann Hunt. In this story we meet Anna, the mother of the Thomas girls. Anna’s husband up and left her for another woman and has nothing at all to do with his daughters. Of course, Anna’s heart is still mending and she is not looking for love when she meets Michael Conners. With her faith and trust shaken—Anna must learn to open her heart if she wishes to find love again.

Concluding this book is Love Blooms by Denise Hunter. I thought Clare Thomas’ story was the most interesting. Her prospective love interest was by far the most interesting and appealing sounding. He had a back story and a bit of angst that appeals to me in a character. I also felt that the spiritual overtone was most prevalent in this last story and I actually enjoy that. Said prospect, Ethan is rugged and interesting. I actually looked forward to the conclusion of their story. We also have the added bonus of an additional side romance. Although, I will say that I find it rather a stretch to believe that six women from the same family would all find love so close together.

Again, I don’t think this was a bad book or that someone else wouldn’t enjoy it. I think it just didn’t click with me the way that I had hoped. I think if you’re into romance and you would like a light happy-go-lucky story with very little drama or anguish then this is the type of book for you!
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The "gals" are celebrating with a fun Live Webcast on February 5th. They'll be debuting the *NEW* animated Smitten trailer, giving away tons of prizes, dishing on the book and their friendship. They'll also be wrapping up the Secretly Smitten blog tour, answering audience questions and testing your trivia skills. Don't miss the fun and bring your friends. Click here to RSVP and set up a reminder.


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RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including "Tidewater Inn", and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. * Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include "A Billion Reasons Why" and "What a Girl Wants." * Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including "A Cowboy's Touch" and "Sweetwater Gap." She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. * Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

Find out more about Coble, Billerbeck, Hunter, Hunt here.

I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own.