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23 May 2013

Teresa Mathews' Reviews Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Stealing the Preacher


Bethany House Publishers

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews

5 stars *****

In this amazing Texas tale Karen Witemeyer re-introduces us to Crockett Archer. If you read Short Straw Bride you will remember the lovable brothers that had to take care of themselves from a very young age when their parents passed away. Since the age of fifteen Crockett took on the spiritual responsibility of the family. For the past three years he has been an apprentice under the local preacher and now he is on a train bound for an interview at what just may be his first church.

Crockett is not prepared for what happens next, several men dressed as robbers stop the train and instead of robbing everyone, they ask for the preacher. After a moment of debating whether he wants to step forward Crockett does so and finds himself being forced off the train at gunpoint. What will happen if he can't get to his interview at the church?


Silas Robbins has no use for God or those hypocrites that call themselves preachers but he loves his only child more than anything in the world. So when she said she needed to talk to a preacher he was determined he would find one no matter the cost. When he hears there is a preacher coming to a nearby church to try out to be the pastor his plan comes together. Won't Joanna be surprised when he brings home a preacher for her birthday?


Joanna Robbins has been praying for God to send a new preacher to the area so they can once again have church services. She wants more than anything to see her father give up his sinful ways, she promised her mother before she passed away she wouldn't give up praying for him. When her father kidnaps a preacher as a present for her twenty-first birthday Joanna is more than a little shocked. She prayed for a preacher to come but not like this, not by the hand of her father holding a gun on him!


Crockett is quite taken by Joanna and her godly ways, so when he misses his interview he sees it as God wanting him to take up the challenge to be the preacher Joanna wants for her town and possibly the man for her life. Joanna talks her father into hiring Crockett to work on the ranch but Silas tells him there will be no talking about the things of God. Will the life that Crockett lives speak louder than words and touch Silas' hard heart?


Once again Karen has written an amazing story that had me excitedly flipping pages into the night. When you read of the resurrection of an abandoned church, the softening of an old criminal's heart and watching the love grow between a man with a true heart for God and a beautiful selfless young woman. It certainly makes for a book you do not want to put down and long for the next adventure Karen has in store for us.  


You can find this book and others by Karen at AmazonCBD, and Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.


QUESTION: Which of Karen's books is your favorite?


GIVEAWAY: A book by Karen Witemeyer of your choice. Answer the question to be entered in the contest, and don't forget to leave your email address as well.

58 comments:

  1. Short Straw bride. It is in my TBR pile but I must get to it soon. I haven't read it but with that name I know it will be a favorite of mine. Now I really, really hope to win this one. I've tried before. PLEASE put my name in the drawing. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. MAXIE your name is going in the drawing as we speak! :) We wouldn't dare forget sweet MAXIE!! Here's hoping you win!!

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  2. I haven't yet been blessed to read any of Karen Witemeyer;s books, but you OWG gals make them sound so good. I would probably choose the 1st book, just because I don't like reading books out of order...
    Vicki vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. VICKI everyone of KAREN'S books are great so any you would be awesome. SHORT-STRAW BRIDE was so good I know you will love it!

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  3. What a great story this was, TERESA! I loved to read your review and see how much you enjoyed it! This is also my fave Karen book. :)

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    1. MARIAN SSB was great but just the title alone on this one intrigued me so much I knew I had to read it! I believe that's what drew you to it also, wasn't it?! lol

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  4. This sounds like such a fun book! I've only read 2 of Karen's books, but I'd have to say my favorite one was Short Straw Bride... it was amazing and absolutely adorable!

    Thanks for the great giveaway and review! Can't wait to read Stealing the Preacher!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. ELYSSA SSB was one of my favs of KAREN'S books. If you really liked that one I know you will love this one!

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  5. Great review! I haven't read any of Karen's books, so I can't say which is my favorite! I've heard wonderful things about them, though, and can't wait to read them for myself!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. JENNY you have been missing some terrific reads. Here's hoping you will get to read one at least one of them in the near future.

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  6. Wow, this looks like this book could be lots of fun! I haven't read any of Karen's books either, but my daughter loved Short Straw Bride and Head in the Clouds. =)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    thejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. THE JESUS FREAK thanks for stopping by, I hope you will get to read KAREN's books before too long! They are outstanding!

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  7. Thanks for your awesome review TERESA, I'm absolutely hanging out to read this story by Karen!! I love ALL of Karen's books, she has such a gift of writing these amazing stories that touches everyone who reads them. Head in the Clouds just inches out in the front possibly because it was the first historical romance I'd ever read... but then again Gideon was quite the hero.. ;)

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    1. NOELA you are going to love this one! I think you can tell by the title alone how good it's going to be if not just read the first couple pages and you will be HOOKED! I promise!

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  8. Sounds like a great book! Thank for the review Theresa! Right now My favorite is either To Win Her Heart or Tailor Made Bride :)

    crazi.swans @ gmail dot com

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    1. HI FAYE I've missed seeing you lately! Glad you dropped by. You are so right both of those were great! I think maybe I was a little unfair asking for everyone's favorite because they are all so wonderful. :)

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  9. I loved Short Tall Bride. I read it and Loved the brother's how they were all protective of there land. I would love to read this one. It sounds great.

    christyram2005@yahoo.com

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    1. *Short Straw Bride* Sorry!

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    2. SOPHIA I think SHORT STRAW BRIDE might be in the lead so far, it was a very sweet story. Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. Tailor Made and Head in the Clouds...I can't really narrow it down to ONE! Anita Smith
    Smithsinva4@verizon.net

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    1. ANITA don't worry I have the same problem. I think it might be I love them all and the last one I read is always my favorite until KAREN writes the next new one and I start over again. lol

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  11. My favorite Witemeyer book is Short-Straw Bride. I absolutely loved it!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. MARISSA then you will also love Stealing the Preacher! I think Short-Straw Bride in at the top of everyone's list so I know when they read this one they are going to LOVE it and it might be their new fav! Thanks for coming by!!

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  12. I really enjoyed Head in the Clouds, but after reading your totally awesome review, TERESA, I see I need to shove this one to the top on my TBR stack! Notice I used the word "shove?" I think we both know why. lol

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    1. DIANA this one will make you smile and maybe LOL a few times!! Give it a big ole shove up to the top of that MOUNTAIN of books!! lol

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    2. My Mount Everest book pile. lol

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  13. Short-Straw Bride
    I would like to win To Win Her Heart
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. KATHLEEN thanks for stopping by.. I believe Short-Straw Bride is still the top contender for every one's favorite.

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  14. My favorite book of Karen's was the Short Straw Bride. It was a great book. I enjoyed your review . I would love to win and read this book. Please enter me in your contest! Thank you for the review!
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. BARBARA so glad you enjoyed the review. I know you will like this book, thanks for coming by.

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  15. All of Karen's books are great, but if I had to choose I think I would pick 'To Win Her Heart'. Love the picture in my mind of the big blacksmith coming into the lending library to sit a while and read!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. PATTY that was a wonderful scene wasn't it? Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. I have read A Tailor Made Bride, Head in the Clouds, and To Win Her Heart and could not pick a fave! I loved them all! I am anxious to read more of Karen's books; thanks for the chance!
    Jackie Smith

    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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    1. JACKIE I'm with you I have LOVED every one of Karen's books! Got your name in the cyber pot!! Good luck!!

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  17. It's just not right having to pick one out of all her books as a favorite but... I'll throw out Head in the Clouds. I love them all though and part of the reason is the wonderful covers set the stage!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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    1. MELODY you are exactly right...the covers are so good they get your heart racing even before you start to read them. :)

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  18. I loved Short Straw Bride ...I have loved all i have read. Enjoyed the interview . I would love to win Stealing The Preacher.Thanks for the giveaway.
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. HI LIZ!! Glad you stopped by...Good Luck in the drawing.

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  19. I've read several of Karen's books and enjoyed them all. If I have to pick a favorite, it would be Short-Straw Bride. I liked those brothers. I'm looking forward to reading more about Crockett. It would be fun to win a copy of Stealing the Preacher; it's certainly a unique plot! Thanks for the chance to win.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. PAM you so right those ARCHER brothers kinda settled down in my heart! So glad KAREN decided to tell Crocket'a story. Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. I don't think I have read any of Karen's books! I hope to remedy that very soon. :)
    Wonderful review. It makes me want to rush out and get it.
    Susan P
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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    1. SUSAN that will never do at all...you have to read Karen's wonderful books. Here's hoping you win a copy!

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  21. Short Straw Bride! I can't really say that that is truly my favorite because I haven't read any of her other works sadly :( But it is the book that introduced me to her work and even when I do get a chance to read her others I still think it will have a special place on my book shelf and my heart! :) LOVE that book! I could read it again and again (and I'm not one to usually re-read books) :)

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)

    amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com

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    1. AMADA so glad you read Short Straw Bride and I hope you get to read this one too. Good Luck in the drawing!

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  22. TERESA, I am still reading this new book. Lovely review!!!

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    1. Thanks CARRIE, I know you are enjoying it! Karen is a wonderful author!

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  23. TERESA ... GREAT REVIEW, my friend, and Karen sure knows how to write a unique story!! I have to say that Short Straw Bride is my fave, but after your and Marian's reviews, I have a feeling this just may be. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. HELLO JULIE DAH-LING it is always a pleasure when you stop by. Short Straw Bride was my fav until this one. :) It seems KAREN is on a roll coming up with new characters for us to love, just like someone else I know and love! ;)

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  24. I adore To Win Her Heart, and Short Straw Bride is a super close second! I just can't wait to read Crockett's story in her new book!!!

    Thanks!
    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. HEIDI so glad you dropped by. KAREN did a fine job with Crockett's story, I'm sure you will love it as much as I did!

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  25. Short Straw bride

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Great to see you APPLE BLOSSOM!! I think Short Straw Bride is still in the lead being the favorite.

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  26. Head in the Clouds--maybe--or Tailor-Made Bride; it's a tough choice!

    rdalquis@css.edu

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    1. RACHAEL I agree both of those are so good. I think my question might have been a little unfair since KAREN has done such a good job on all of her books! Thanks for stopping by!

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  27. I've only read Short Straw Bride so far and loved it! Thanks for the giveaway! shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. VERONICA Short Straw Bride was a great place to start reading KAREN'S books, hopefully you'll get to read Crockett's story too. Thanks for coming by!

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  28. I've loved all of Karen's books but Short-Straw Bride was really special.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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