Valentine reads ... and chat with Karen Witemeyer!

So first of all, if you haven't read any of Karen Witemeyer's books, pause now and go buy one or check it out of your local library. Even if you aren't a huge fan of historical romance, her stories might make you one yet. Fun, moving and faith building stories that will keep you turning the pages. 

Today, with Valentines just around the corner, I wanted to share her most recent series with you: Patchwork Family. I could just share one of the books, but that would be silly, because you know you want to read both. :) 

First book in the series is More than Meets the Eye. Now take a close look at the cover and imagine what it would be like to live in the 1800s with mismatched eyes. or you could just read the story about a poor girl who is judged her whole life because of something as simple as eye color. 

I loved this story and the characters who quickly snag a piece of your heart, (Warning: even a main character from the next book will wedge himself in your heart so that you have to read the next book just because you have to know how his life works out!)

Here is the write up:
Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes—one bright blue, the other dark brown—Evangeline has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Evangeline has two—Seth and Zach, fellow orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. And when Hamilton's unique sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time they cross paths, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

And along comes book two - aren't you glad you didn't have to wait the months between their releases like I did. ;) 

More Than Words Can Say:

After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn't the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when she's around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?

A story well worth the wait and the read. 

Now, without further ado, as we are all busy (but reading a few more minutes will totally be worth it) let me introduce the author of these wonderful stories:

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted

historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.

Winner of the National Reader's Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Do you have a favorite book you’ve written, or a character you love a little more than the others?

That's like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. LOL. If pressed, though, I would have to say that Levi from To Win Her Heart is probably my favorite hero. Adelaide Proctor from Head in the Clouds is probably my favorite heroine just because she has so much of me in her. We both lost our fathers at an early age, we both love Jane Eyre, and we both love the sound of a masculine British accent. Ha!

When you are stressed, maybe a deadline’s approaching too fast, what is your favorite snack food? Or do you have another way to cope?

My favorite fuel for long writing sessions is hot tea sweetened with honey in an insulated cop so it will stay warm for long periods of time. And if I need a little energy kick, I'll grab a square of Dove dark chocolate. Yum.

Do you have a favorite book or two you’ve read recently?

I just finished reading Kristi Ann Hunter's A Pursuit of Home. Loved it! In my opinion it was the best in the Haven Manor series, and maybe my favorite of all of her books. Wonderful, twisted plot. Excitement blended with mental puzzles to decipher, and a nerdy hero for which to cheer. I highly recommend. Even if you've not read the other books in the series, you will enjoy this one on its own.

I have read your novel’s and novellas, and they are all wonderful, but which do you find easier to write?

Novellas are definitely easier. Not only are they shorter, but because of the limited word count, the plots are straightforward, which simplifies the storyline. They do come with their own challenges, such as packing a fully formed plot and developed characters into a small space. Pacing can get a little tricky, too. But overall, they are a lot of fun to write. I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing a story, and that completion comes 4 times faster with a novella.

One final thank you to Karen for visiting us (and for writing such good books). Leave a comment with your favorite of her books, or which looks most intriguing to you.   (Here is where you can find them: Goodreads)

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

More Than Words Can Say ~ After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn't the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when she's around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?

Heidi here. Another winner by Karen Witemeyer in More Than Words Can Say! The premise is simple, Abigail is forced to marry someone to keep her bakery. I adored the twist where Abigail and Zach don't have "relations" until she is ready. So they basically marry and then he courts her. I loved, loved, loved how the reader had a backstage pass to the journey of them falling in love with each other. The love grew in such a tender and organic way.

This book held great tension and very nice plot twists to keep me interested until the very end. Grab your copy of More Than Words Can Say today!

More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer

More Than Meets the Eye: Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers. 

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

Heidi here. Isn't this the cutest cover ever? I just loved the premise to More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer. Three orphaned children build themselves a little family. We meet them as adults, Eva, Seth, and Zach. Except, Logan Fowler is seeking justice. But, guess who he falls for? Right, mismatched eyes Eva. I hated how no one was nice to Eva, and so did Logan! Eva is kind and sweet to Logan. They have immediate chemistry that intrigues Eva, but Logan keeps trying to push it away because she's "the enemy."

More Than Meets the Eye has great character development, a nice plot that arcs at just the right point, and a subplot that keeps the pages turning. I'd have to say one of my favorite parts is that Eva has that pet pig, and dresses her up!

I highly recommend Karen Witemeyer's latest novel, More Than Meets the Eye.

Summer Reading List

Howdy y'all! Crystal Barnes here and what better way to kick off your Friday than to talk about books? :) I don't know about you, but I've got a TBR (to-be-read) pile a mile high that I hope to put a dent in sooner rather than later.

In my pile (or to be added to my pile), I've got books like...

• Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer ✅
• With You Always by Jody Hedlund
• Forever Safe (Beacons of Hope #4) by Jody Hedlund

(I could keep naming a number of Jody Hedlund titles but I'll spare you.😉 Heehee.)

• A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises #2) by Renee Ryan
• Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom #2) by Sarah Sundin

Did you notice the big check mark beside Karen Witemeyer's new release? If you haven't guessed, I recently finished Heart on the Line. I know y'all've already heard Heidi's review last week, but I can't help adding my two cents... :)

This historical romance was such an enjoyable read! What could be funner than online dating in the Old West! 🙂 Such heartfelt, thought-out, compelling characters and an intriguing plot keep you turning pages from start to finish. I love the scene when Grace Mallory, the main character, confirms the identity of a new man in town by using a hairpin to tap out a message on a tin cup. Such fun! Heart on the Line is an inspirational read you'll definitely want to add to your summer reading list if you haven't already!

So...What book(s) have you enjoyed this summer/year? What books do you have on your summer reading list?

Award-winning author, born-n-raised Texan, and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Crystal L Barnes is the culprit behind the Marriage & Mayhem series and more. Accused of being quite the character at times, Crystal has performed in several plays, loves to sing Southern Gospel, and contributes to her church's worship team on a regular basis. When she's not writing, reading, or singing, Crystal enjoys exploring on road-trips, spending time with family, and watching old movies/sitcoms. I Love Lucy and Little House on the Prairie are two of her favorites.

Find out more and connect with Crystal at www.crystal-barnes.com.


I received Heart on the Line from the author/publisher for promotional purposes. No reviews, positive or otherwise, were required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

Heart on the Line: Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she's ever known.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

Heidi here. Karen Witemeyer doesn't let readers down with her latest novel, Heart on the Line. It is an amazing read!

The first thing I'll say is that I love, love, love that Amos Bledsoe isn't a muscular, tall, handsome man ~ the usual kind of hero. Karen chose a bespectacled, non-muscular man, someone these days we would call a geek. Such a fresh take on the hero character! She then contrasts the geek with a strong and independent heroine. The characters kept me turning the pages, I just couldn't wait to see their happily ever after 😊

The plot was very good and the sub-plot of Helen and Lee was well-thought out, nicely paced, and perfectly braided in. Other than Head in the Clouds, this was my favorite Karen Witemeyer novel. And yes, I've read them all 😁

Author Interview with Karen Witemeyer

Heidi here. One of my favorite historical authors, Karen Witemeyer is with us today! Her latest novel, A Worthy Pursuit, released at the beginning of June.

Christy Award finalist and winner of both the ACFW Carol Award and HOLT Medallion, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes Christian historical romance for Bethany House, believing the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. You can connect with her on Facebook, the Petticoats and Pistols blog, and a group inspirational blog.

Karen, thank you for stopping by today and congratulations on your new novel, A Worthy Pursuit. I found the romance between Charlotte and Stone simply spell binding. How in the world were you able to keep them apart for over 300 pages?

Well, I started them off as enemies, so that helped for a while. Then I gave poor Charlotte serious trust issues when it comes to men. Betrayed by her father, a past beau, an employer – she had a lot of baggage to work through. Thankfully, Stone was tenacious and not about to let her past stand between them forever. His patient, steady wooing of her makes for some delicious romantic tension.

Well, the plan worked. As I read this novel, the romantic tension was what got me flipping and flipping the pages! Where do your story and character ideas come from?

There is usually a single spark that gets a book idea started. For A Worthy Pursuit, that spark was the idea of incorporating gifted children—child prodigies, each having a gift in a different field. And the one who doesn't consider himself gifted ends up being the one who saves the day, proving he is, in fact, remarkable.

I also wanted to play with the idea of opposites attracting. So I chose a refined, educated headmistress who doesn't trust men and paired her with a man of action and intrigue who practically walks off the pages of a dime novel. I couldn't wait to throw them together and challenge their preconceived notions of each other.

Yes, I loved the child prodigies in this novel. And how you showed characterization with the grandfather who used his granddaughter's abilities for his monetary gain. But, back to your writing journey. Who/What spurs you to write?

Since I'm under contract, my deadlines and professional obligations are the biggest spur to my writing. But what keeps me going day after day are the messages I get from readers sharing with me how my stories impacted them. There is nothing better than learning that something I wrote made a difference in someone's life.

Amen! What advice can you give to aspiring novelists to produce a sound novel that’ll sell?

Learn the craft. Don't rush the process. Everyone is in a hurry these days to get their books into the market, but for a book to sell well, it can't be rushed or thrown together. Put in the time. Find critique partners and/or editors to help you polish your manuscript until it shines. I wrote for 6 years before I signed my first contract. Finally, develop characters that tug on your own heartstrings, because if they don't affect you, they won't affect readers, either.

Great advice, thank you! For the writers out there, can you share how you plot a novel? And the million dollar question, how close to the final version does the first draft read?

OK . . . brace yourself. I only write one draft. (Gasp!) I know, it sounds crazy. The trick is that I write incredibly slowly. I write one polished chapter a week. I send each chapter off to my critique partners as I go. Then I self-edit, work in the critique comments, and move on to the next chapter. When I get to the end of the manuscript, I turn it in. Now, there are always edits that come back from my publisher, so in truth I do write two drafts, but I don't write like most people do by getting all their story ideas down in a big burst of creativity and then going back to edit and layer. I edit as I go. I'm too much of a perfectionist to turn off my internal editor, so I work with him instead. I'm an odd duck.

I do write out a detailed synopsis with all the major plot points included before I start writing, and for the most part, I stick to my road map pretty carefully. I take occasional detours and change things from the original synopsis, but most of these are minor changes. All the major things stay in place.

A woman after my own heart. Write it right, once! No wonder you stay on track with your contracts. Now, how about a fun question . . . You are headed to a deserted Island and can bring only two items with you, what do you bring?

My husband. So I won't get lonely. (Does that count as an item?) And . . . hmm . . . I can't decide between a jumbo box of matches and a gross of toilet paper. (Can you tell I have a strong practical streak?) Think I better go with the matches.

Okay, I never thought about the toilet paper angle. You make good points with the matches and tp. I would have brought chocolate, shows practicality isn't my number one character trait! Karen, this has been fun! Please tell us about your future books.

My next project will be a novella that carries over two of the characters from A Worthy Pursuit, Dan and Marietta. I just couldn't leave those two alone without giving them their own happy ending. Plus, I had so much fun writing snippets of dime novels in Stone and Charlotte's story that I decided to start each chapter of the novella with a short scene from a Dead-Eye Dan dime novel. So you'll end up getting two stories for the price of one! The individual novella is title The Husband Maneuver but it will release as part of a larger collection titled On Bended Knee: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry. I believe it comes out in January.

We'll be looking for them! Thank you for your time today, and congratulations again on the success of A Worthy Pursuit. Leave a comment for a free copy of A Worthy Pursuit, thanks for the copy Karen. I'll announce the winner on Monday!

"A Worthy Pursuit" is Worth the Read

Howdy y'all! Crystal here. Have you ever picked up a Karen Witemeyer book? You know, the lady who introduced you to the Archer brothers. Have you heard about her latest release? No? Well, then grab yourself a cup of iced tea and snatch yourself up a copy, honey. This gal knows how to weave romance, history, and hilarity all into one.

Her latest novel, A Worth Pursuit, has a character lineup you don't want to miss. Stone Hammond is the best tracker around, and he always retrieves what he sets out after. (Let me tell ya, gals, he's a hunk.) But his latest case, finding a kidnapped granddaughter of a wealthy railroad investor, is a bigger challenge than he ever expected. Mainly because the determined Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, gets in the way. She claims to be the child's legal guardian and has paperwork to prove it. Not to mention, the children in her care adore her. Facts he can't ignore. Now, what's he supposed to do? What's the real truth? Who's the real villain?

When a new danger looms, Charlotte is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone determines to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's got another worthy pursuit in mind: winning Charlotte's heart.

I so enjoyed this book. Girls, this gun-toting hero knows how to save the day, and boy, does he know how to pursue a gal's heart. You'll definitely want to read this book and share it with a friend.

Have you read any of Karen's books? Do you have a favorite? Are you planning to read A Worthy Pursuit?

P.S. Don't forget: Leave a comment below to get your name in the drawing for The Healer's Touch by Stitches author Amber Schamel! Check the Weekly Windup on the 18th to see if you're the winner.

Weekly Wind-up - Last week of the Birthday Bash!

We have winners!

On  the 21st we had special guest Karen Witemeyer join us to talk about what keeps us keeping on. The winner of her book Full Steam Ahead is Martha Sturm. Congrats Martha! Please contact us with your address to claim your prize.

If you are a winner, please contact us here with your address to claim your prize. 

This is the last week of our birthday bash, so be sure to post as many comments as you can to get your name in the drawing for the grand prize!

Coming up this week:

Musing Monday: Special guest Anita Higman talks about the gift of kindness, and offers a giveaway of her new book, Marriage in Middlebury.

Tidbit Tuesday: Susan Craft shows us Trapunto

Woven Wednesday: Christmas is Coming with Michele Morris

Thoughtful Thursday: Joy Avery Melville

Fun Friday: Special Guest Tina Radcliff

Sit-Down Saturday: We'll wrap up the Birthday Bash with special guest Devalynn Spencer

We look forward to hanging out with you this week!

 

Each week in the month of August, we'll have special guest bloggers with Surprise Giveaways, so stay tuned!

We also have a GRAND PRIZE to give away at the end of the month, so be sure to leave comments on the posts to get your name in the drawing!

The grand prize is a package of 5 books from beloved authors of historical and contemporary Christian fiction.  Leave comments during the month to enter!

Stay tuned this week for the Surprise Giveaways. Winners will be announced in the Weekly Wind-up.

 Check out our Prizes Galore Page to see all our giveaways.

Inspiration to Keep on Keeping On - Guest Blogger, Karen Witemeyer

Writing is work. Sure, we authors like to pretend it's just a bunch of daydreaming and story crafting, but in truth, some days I feel like I have more in common with a dentist pulling teeth than an artist floating high on the creativity clouds. Stories can bog down. Characters can become uncooperative. Real life can steal time and energy away when deadlines loom.

So how do we keep on keeping on? A lot of prayer, a good work ethic, support from family and friends, and snacks (for me hot tea sweetened with honey and a handful of almonds - or a pile of peanut M&Ms if I'm in a chocolate crisis). But sometimes, the little things can make a big difference, too. I've done my best to surround my work space with items that encourage and inspire me to press on.

I have several Bible verses tacked up around me. They include:

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 ~ Philippians 1:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. ~ Acts 20:24

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory. ~ Psalm 115:1

And then there is the one I cross-stitched and framed to hang on the wall by my desk. (Pictured at right) These are wonderful visible reminders of the attitude I should project and the excellence I should strive to maintain.

Then there is my desk. I keep little things around me here, too.
On the left is a copy of my latest book, a Bible, a lovely historical scene, and my writing mascot Henry the Hippopotamus to cheer me on from his cozy home in the mug that proudly states, "If I write it, they will read . . . "
On the right is a picture of my children in the Texas bluebonnets. Then I have my western decor in a pen holder and pencil sharpener (yes, the covered wagon). I also have a small collection of Willow Tree figurines, and of course I need to keep the one with the girl reading a book close at hand.

Finally, I have a lovely box that a co-worker gave to me on the occasion of my first book's release. She is a champion scrapbooker (truly - she has the fair ribbons to prove it!) and she created a gorgeous memory box with not only my book and promo items, but a lace handkerchief that belonged to her grandmother and several sewing notions that fit with my seamstress heroine perfectly. I treasure this and have it on the wall near the door so I can see it every morning when I come in.

What are some of the things you keep close at hand to inspire you to keep on keeping on?
Do you have a favorite snack that helps you keep going?

Leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Karen's new book, Full Steam Ahead.

 

Christy Award finalist and winner of both the ACFW Carol Award and HOLT Medallion, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes Christian historical romance for Bethany House, believing the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.