Teresa Mathews' Reviews Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Stealing the Preacher

Stealing the Preacher
By Karen Witemeyer

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 Amazon, CBD, 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.

Diana's Corner - Book Review of Dina Sleiman's "Dance of the Dandelion"

Dance of the Dandelion by Dina Sleiman

5 stars~ *****

  

Beautiful Story of Redemption!

Dina Sleiman takes us to Sussex, England, in the 14th century, where a young peasant girl, Dandelion, sets out on a self-destructive journey to find her place in life. She dreams of her knight in shining armor, who will take her away from hunger, emptiness, and poverty, and longs to live in the gray stone castle overlooking her smoky, poor village. And indeed her dreams take her farther away than she ever intended to go...away from her childhood sweetheart, her family, and most importantly, her innocence. 


Dandelion quickly learns that "the grass is not always greener when you get to the other side" for she falls into a tangled web of her own making that she cannot break free from, of herself. Her search for love and fulfillment leads from one abusive relationship to another, and her own passions and selfish desires threaten to destroy her...until at rock bottom she finds redemption.

This book rocked me to the core of my very being. So wonderfully written, riveting, and heartrending, I simply could not put it down. This is a book of all facets of love, but none so powerful as the redeeming, unconditional love of God, who Dandy learns the hard way, is able to fill all the empty places in her life. 


Oh, that this book would find its way to every Christian woman who is struggling with temptations of the flesh; who feels discontent with simply being a mother and a wife, and longs for something more exciting...and that this book would fall into the hands of our friends and family members who have been trapped in the same web as Dandelion. Yes, there are sexual situations in this book, and certain Christians would find it offensive, but I believe the author's intent is that the reader that is struggling, can identify with Dandy, and find deliverance.

This is not my typical review, but neither is this book your typical book. I believe many women's lives will be changed just by reading it. 


This is my opinion and I was not required to give a favorable review. 


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