This is not so different from what sometimes happens in today's world. But this world doesn't always have a nice ending.
I absolutely loved the characters in "Stealing the Preacher"! I was already familiar with the Archer brothers (Travis, Jim, Crockett, and Neill) and knew I liked them from "Short-Straw Bride", but I was a little surprised by how much I loved Crockett in this book - he definitely became a favorite character.
Crockett Archer is on his way to interview for a pastor position in Brenham when he is kidnapped from the train and taken to a ranch in the middle of nowhere to be a birthday present for the outlaw's daughter, Joanna Robbins. She has been praying for a preacher to come and bring new life into the small country church near her father's ranch in the hopes that maybe her outlaw father, Silas, will finally answer God's call on his life. She certainly didn't expect her prayers to be answered by a handsome preacher who isn't too happy to be there. Crockett seeks what it is that God would have for him since he missed his interview and lost that job. Now he and Joanna both unite to pray for her father and the other members of her small congregation. But will they listen to the call of their own hearts as well?
I've discovered since I read my first Karen Witemeyer book A Tailor Made Bride two years ago, that any of Karen's books will have that same feel-good, happy feeling I get when I read a Lori Wick book. Last year's "Short Straw Bride" by Karen Witemeyer quickly became my favorite one but "Stealing the Preacher" is right up there with it. I loved Crockett when I met him in "Short Straw Bride" and to see his character grow and become more in depth was a delight. I found myself laughing and rooting for all of the characters - not just the romance between Crockett and Joanna. I loved the brother-sister style relationship between Joanna and the young neighbor boy Jackson.
I also loved how genuine Crockett was with his faith. He lived his faith. It was such an integral part of him that when he spent time around Joanna's father, he wasn't pushy or anything like that. He was real and Silas respected that.
This is a wonderful historical romance! Fun and interesting story to read. Highly recommended!
A really enjoyable book to read. A cowboy wants to be a preacher; an outlaw's daughter has other ideas in mind. I recommend this book.
Teresa G. (tgriffis) - 
