Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

When Bethany House Publishers offered me a free copy of Karen Witemeyer's latest novel, Stealing the Preacher in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at the chance. Continuing on with the lives of the Archer Brothers from Texas in the mid-1880's, this story involves Crockett Archer, a cowboy who feels God is calling him to be a preacher. On his way to candidate at a church, he is kidnapped by former outlaw, Silas Robbins, who wants to make his daughter Joanna happy.  Joanna's mother's dying wish was for her husband to become a believer in God, yet without a pastor in their town, Joanna feels it will never happen.  Seeing her unhappy and knowing he needs to get his daughter a special birthday gift, Silas finds that Crockett is the perfect solution!  And he can use Crockett help on his ranch as well.  Silas doesn't trust preachers, but he sees something different in Crockett.  Joanna has never known a man that has such a heart for ministry before getting to know Crockett.  She knows he is the right person for their church as well as the one to lead her father to the Lord.  And he just might be who God has chosen for her helpmeet!  I loved this story, and Karen's whole style of writing- with humor and a little bit of suspense thrown in.  I felt like I lived in Texas with them.  I am hoping for a third story for this series!

The Wishing Tree by Mary Beth Whalen

Five years ago Ivy Marshall fled from Sunset Beach, NC as she broke off her engagement with Michael to marry Elliott.  Disappointing her family, she has lived an estranged life in the mountains on the other side of the state.  Yet, when she finds out her husband has cheated on her and her office is closing, she finds herself running again, this time back to her family.  Her sister Leah was proposed to on national television and now the same station wants to capture every step of the wedding.  So when Ivy's mom begs for Ivy to come home to help Leah plan the wedding and be in charge of the family tradition of the Wishing Tree, Ivy returns home pretending all is well.  She discovers Michael has moved on with his life, but never really forgave her for his heartbreak.  Ivy wants forgiveness and maybe even a second chance on a relationship with him.  After all, her husband cheated on her!  Add in an aunt in the bakery business who knows Ivy better than herself,  a repentant husband with a Twitter account, a mom in a secret relationship, and a bride-to-be with cold feet,  and you have Mary Beth Whalen's latest novel The Wishing Tree.  This was the first story I have read by this author.  Although, slow is some parts, I did eventually get into the story.  Centering on family and forgiveness, it had quite a few flashback scenes.  Sometimes that is hard for me to follow and connect with the characters.  Zondervan, a division of Thomas Nelson provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest interview. 

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

Bethany House sent me a free copy of Undeniably Yours.  If you like a romantic cowboy story set in the heart of Texas this novel is a must read. As the only child of oil tycoon William Cole, Meg finds herself thrust into her daddy's shoes as CEO of Cole Oil when her father dies unexpectedly.  She had planned on coming back to work with her father eventually, but only after following her own dreams working in an art museum.  Meg likes her life private, quiet, and out of the media spotlight.  She just wants to shut down as many of her dad's side businesses and get back to her own life.  However, when she tries to close up her dad's Thoroughbred racehorse farm, manager Bo Porter stands in her way.  His dream was to own a ranch, and Whispering Creek Ranch is close to being profitable. So he makes a deal with Meg for more time to prove himself.  Add to that Meg's fear of horses, a single mom and child that Meg takes in, and Meg's divorced husband who decides he is entitled to Meg's money, and you have an action packed story that is hard to put down!  This was the first book I read by author Becky Wade and I loved it! Her style reminded me of a combination between Denise Hunter and Colleen Coble.  One of the best I have read in a long time!