Audiobook9 hours
Stealing the Preacher
Written by Karen Witemeyer
Narrated by Cynthia Darlow
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him. For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?
Author
Karen Witemeyer
Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas. Learn more about Karen and her books at KarenWitemeyer.com.
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Related to Stealing the Preacher
Titles in the series (2)
Short-Straw Bride Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stealing the Preacher Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for Stealing the Preacher
Rating: 4.575 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
40 ratings13 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jo wanted a preacher for her birthday but she never for her father who is an ex-outlaw to steal one off the train. She didn't intend to start developing feelings for the preacher but she did. Her community was without a preacher. She wanted so much for her father to come to the Lord and felt a preacher would help soften her father's heart. Crockette Archer had his heart set on pastoring a church in another town but the Lord had other plans for Crockett.We got acquainted with the Archers in Karen Witemyer's previous book "Short Straw Bride" so it was nice to revisit with them again in this book. I loved all the characters. I wouldn't mind reading another sequel to find out what happens to the last Archer brother. Reading a Karen Witemeyer book is always a treat.I received this book compliments of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program and Bethany House.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5First, I will say that I VERY RARELY read a historical type of book...its just my preference.Now, I loved the title so I was willing to give it a chance...I am so glad I did! What a wonderful sweet christian romance.Jo's Pa really loves his daughter. So for her birthday he wants to grant her only wish...to speak to a Preacher!What follows is a lovely story about keeping a promise, repentance and rebirth!I highly recommend this book for everyone who loves romance.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I enjoyed Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer. There were three main characters, Joanna Robbins, Silas Robbins and Crockett Archer. Crockett is the preacher who gets “stolen” from a train by Silas, a reformed outlaw turned rancher, for his daughter Joanna’s birthday. The story was told from all three of the characters and I liked that because it felt like a more well-rounded story because you got to see it from more than one side. There were secondary characters (Holly Brewster and Neil Archer) in the book that I would love to have their story fleshed out and to see what happens with them.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is my favorite Witemeyer book. The ending was a little ridiculous and it did get a tad too preachy at times, but it's just all so fun, who cares? The romance was sweet and I loved seeing the Archer brothers again. A great read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In this book was a very vivid story that will surprise one that reads it. I really enjoyed it, but was taken a back when the tunes of the hymns were different that what I’ve known since childhood.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I think the narrator makes this story comes alive it was fun action and love I really enjoy listening to this book
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5great book enjoyed listening narrator uses lots of voice inflections
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer is a very well written and inspirational historical romance novel that gave me a great deal of enjoyment including several good laughs. Joanna Roberts has been praying for months for a preacher to bring life back into the abandoned, local church. Her dad, who is a reformed outlaw, takes it upon himself to “answer” her prayers and get her a preacher for her birthday. Crockett Archer is on his way to the Piney Woods of Texas to interview for the job as pastor of a local church. Crockett’s train is stopped and he is kidnapped and taken to Joanna who is very upset with what her father has done. Crockett manages to escape but he cannot get Joanna out of his mind for her dreams for a church in the community depend on him and being the kind of man he is, he comes back to help her. Of course there is an attraction between Crockett and Joanna but her father is dead set against the possibility that his daughter could marry a preacher for he has no use for preachers, the church, or God.The author did an excellent job developing the plot, characters, dialogue, and scenes. The plot had a few twists and turns and enough suspense to make it interesting. The characters seemed very real and one could not help pulling for the good guys and booing the bad guys. All the scenes were so well described that I felt as if I were an observer in what was going on. One scene near the end of the book had some nail biting suspense that had me sitting on the edge of my chair wondering what was going to happen. Through the entire book one kept wondering if the father would ever change his ways, if Crockett would stay in the community, and if Crockett and Joanna would end up together. You will have to read the book to learn the answers for I do not want to spoil the ending.I highly recommend this book to all who like a great historical romance novel that inspires and also provides some good laughs and has enough mystery to add to the enjoyment of the book. The book is also recommended because it is a Christian novel and the love and forgiveness of God is shown throughout the entire book.I received this book free from Bethany House at Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Good story. Ok narration. Didn’t love all the voices but the story is worth the listen. Not as good as The Short Straw Bride, but a beloved follow up story if you love the Archer boys.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An Exciting Read!If you have read Short-Straw Bride you will love this book. I was delighted to find out that one of the Archer brothers would be one of the main characters in this story. If you are looking for action this is the read for you. Crockett Archer is on his way to Brenham, Texas to try-out for his first ministerial position. It is between him and another gentleman but Crockett is sure the Lord is leading him to Brenham. After all, he has been an apprentice for 3 years with a minister in Palestine, Texas a town near the ranch where he grew up. He feels this is God’s calling. What Crockett did not plan on was his train being held up. Or was it held up?Joanna Robbins hearts desire is to carry out her Mother’s last wish. Her Mother asked Joanna to continue to pray for Joanna’s Father’s salvation so that she might see her beloved again in eternity. So Joanna has been praying that God would bring a preacher to their town and bring the old abandoned church back to life. She needs help with her Mother’s final request.This story takes place in 1885 in Texas. If you love that period of time, rugged living, action, and romance, this book is for you. I fell in love with many of the characters, especially Jackson. This is a young man struggling to belong and to be loved. Will love conquer all? Will forgiveness be sought and will it be accepted? Can past hurts be left in the past? Can there ever be trust in God? Will complete surrender take place?I hope everyone that takes the time to read my review will buy a copy of this book. I promise that you will not be disappointed.I won an ARC copy of this book through LibraryThing from Bethany House for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5We are about to journey with a return visit with the Archer family. If you read the first book in this series...Short Straw Bride, then you are familiar with these fellows. If not, don't worry it is not a pre-resquite, but I highly recommend that you do.When Silas's daughter said she wanted a preacher for her Birthday...her father brings her one. Not exactly that way, but startlingly she ends up with one on her doorstep. What she really wants is her Dad to come to the Lord. What a Dad won't do for his daughter? Kidnap?The old church has been vacant for several years, and if they can find a Preacher maybe, just maybe, they can start filling the pews. Enter Crockett Archer, his Mom honored the men from the Alamo.You will find a lot of loving wonderful people, and few that sure need to tame down and follow the Lord. Will Crockett be able to open and have a Parish here? Will Miss Jo find a answer to her prayers? The answers are all in this book along with some romance, and a few scary moments. Enjoy!I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Cute story, predictable. Was good as an easy listen while doing things around the house. I didn't dislike the narrator, she did good with inflection, but she wasn't my favorite to listen to either.
The characters were fun and likeable, the redemption story was heartwarming. Overall, just an okay story. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Combine a western with humor and add Inspiration and you have a book that will give you a chuckle or two as you read. Crockett Archer is on his was to 'audition' for a preaching position in Brenham, Texas. He is sure he will win out over the other man on his way to try out for the same job. He need only make it to Brenham on time. That doesn't seem to be a problem until the train on which he is a passanger is stopped by bandits. When one man offers his watch to the bandits he is told that they don't want his watch, they want the preacher. The men threaten to shoot someone if the preacher doesn't come with them and Crockett grudgingly goes along. He can't imagine what they want until they arrive at a ranch and one of the men presents him to his daughter as her birthday present. The phrase 'God moves in mysterious ways' is evident from the start of this totally enjoyable book!